Hart gives flood update
“We are the victim of both development and climate change.”
For some, the heavy rains of January 17 brought back memories of the floods of November 2016.
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The rains saw localised flooding occur throughout Edenvale, with large volumes of water coursing through Edenvale’s stormwater networks.
The large volumes of water flooded roads, flattened walls and fences along Homestead Road and further damaged stormwater infrastructure.
According to Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart, the areas most affected in her ward included Horwood’s Farm, the channel between High and Main roads, properties along North Road, Engwena Road Bridge and St Andrew’s Road Bridge.
Of these areas, Hart said Horwood’s Farm was the worst affected by the rains and flood.
Hart said the reason Horwood’s Farm was so badly affected was that the park was the first area to receive the floodwaters in full volume.
Hart believes if the much-needed attenuation dams were constructed along the Hurlyvale Spruit, some of the damage may have been prevented.
In 2021, Hart informed the NEWS that four attenuation dams would be constructed, two in Hurlyvale Park, one near the corner of Cunningham Road and Beverley Avenue and the other in Tarka Park, in Highway Gardens. By mid-last year, only preparation work for the project had commenced.
To alleviate the impact of the flooding in Edenvale, Hart said she will continue to try to get the implementation of greater stormwater attenuation installed south of the R24.
“We have to get the attenuation ponds installed in addition to fixing the St Andrew’s Bridge, the channel which runs in past the Riverleigh complex and fixing and installing more gabions at Engwena Bridge,” said Hart.
Highlighting the challenges, Hart explained the spruit that flows from the R24 through Hurlyvale, Horwood’s Farm, Eastleigh to the N3 is too small to take the volume of water north of the R24.
“There is nothing that we can do about enlarging it,” said Hart.
“The only option would be to expropriate properties along one side to widen it, which is certainly not going to happen. We are the victim of both development and climate change.”
A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on January 28, requesting comment by January 28 at 16:00.
In the NEWS’ request, it asked the city for an update on the attenuation dam project upgrade, what the delays were, how long the project would take, how it would benefit the community and the environment.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
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