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About Us

The Love Hilton UIP committee was formed in 2020 following a decision taken by the Hilton Ratepayers Association to investigate the feasibility of an Urban Improvement Precinct in the greater Hilton area. The current voluntary committee members are:

  • Mike Tarr (HRA Chair)
  • Janet Channing (Mapping and Tech)
  • Craig Millar (Project Management)
  • Iain McMillan (Committee Chair)
  • Pauline Bullock (Public Participation)
  • Vance Crow (Community Safety)
  • Jaqui Hilterman (Media & PR)
  • Noel Stevens (Quantity Surveying)
  • Yves Van Der Hagen (Editorial)
  • Toni Culverwell (Finance)

Historically Hilton has experienced increasing levels of urban decay, specifically around the issues of crime, appearance, bylaw enforcement and general deterioration of public areas. Coupled with a lack of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to match the pace of development, these factors have impacted negatively on property values, investor confidence, business, and the quality of life in Hilton. Efforts by local community security initiatives and community clean-ups driven by civic organisations have, to a degree, stemmed the tide, however a greater level of participation and coordination of an integrated management plan will ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and promote far greater results.

The levels of service delivery required to build investor confidence have for many years fallen far short of the mark and historic backlogs make it very difficult for any incoming administrations to achieve headway in the short to medium term. The need to address imbalances entrenched over many years requires the subsidization of services to areas where none were previously provided, meaning property rates collected from a specific area do not necessarily manifest in expenditure where these are generated. Increasingly around the country, the private sector has therefore formalized partnerships with local municipalities. These are called Urban Improvement Precincts (UIP), and their objective is to supplement municipal service delivery to public areas.

For Hilton is to successfully compete as a lifestyle destination and make the most of potential tourism, economic growth & opportunities, some decisions need to be taken. Active citizenship has been a strategy to combat increasing crime in our country. In short, property owners need organized themselves into a structure that can sustainably fund urban improvement and supplementary services to address security and issues of urban decay while beautifying Hilton. Such an organisation should partner with uMngeni Municipality to improve municipal service delivery and actively lobby to address the backlog of infrastructure to support existing development. This combined effort will visibly and physically transform the Hilton experience and improve the quality of life of those who live, work, and visit Hilton. This translates into the achievement of a lifestyle destination for both young families and mature people looking for safe retirement options, secured property values and enhanced investor confidence.

Projects

  • Enhanced & Expanded Community Safety
  • Better community recreation facilities
  • Tourism development
  • Landscaping at intersections
  • Supplementary verge maintenance
  • Alien invasive removal programme
  • Creating & Improving public spaces for children
  • Walkways and cycle paths
  • Improved commuter facilities
  • Music, Arts & Sports events