Community updated on the proposed Elandsfontein development

Environmental Consultants International (ECI), a specialist environmental consultancy, took an evening to report back on proposed developments on May 11.

It unpacked its findings of the scoping report to all interested and affected parties on the studies done regarding the proposed Elandsfontein development.

The public-participation meeting outlined proposed developments on Portion 592 Farm Elandsfontein eco-estate, South Crest. The site is reported to fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Ekurhuleni and is to have 1 139 of the three-story-high dwelling units built.

The target market will reportedly be middle-income households, similar to other surrounding residential complexes in Alberton.

Organised by Ward 106 councillor alderman Bruna Haipel, the meeting also allowed interested parties to raise their concerns.

An affected South Crest resident, Janine van der Merwe, told the RECORD this proposed development will only put a strain on neighbouring areas.

“The amount of traffic will increase substantially, especially in Voortrekker Street, Vlei Street and Eeuwfees Street. Residents and the councillors are not opposed to the development. However, the type of development, as well as the amount of units, is a great concern,” she said.

Van der Merwe said this will have an impact on the traffic, environment and services, such as water, sewage and electricity.

Haipel reiterated that this proposed Elandsfontein eco-estate development has a high density.

“First of all, there are no educational facilities anywhere. In their traffic analysis, they took no consideration of South Crest residents. We told them to go back and redo their homework and come back to update us again,” she said.