Storm damages in Isipingo, South of Durban. Picture: THULI DLAMINI
In the interim, paying more attention to infrastructure maintenance will at least let municipalities know which infrastructure is vulnerable to climate change. A planned approach to maintenance would ensure that maintenance, including routine inspection and servicing of assets, would be done “in a manner which minimises disruption to the users of the asset and ensures that maintenance resources are used in the most cost-effective manner”.
“We must therefore acknowledge the magnitude of the challenge facing municipalities in providing and managing public assets in a sustainable manner. As municipalities embrace the challenge to address infrastructure backlogs and the expansion of capital works, they must also maintain or renew existing assets. Maintenance is critical as it will always cost more — much more — to replace an asset which is not properly maintained.