City’s proposal for botanical garden at Gillooly’s Farm criticised
“However, the City wants to do a botanical garden but nobody knows how they will do that,” warned Humphreys.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s proposed plans for a long-term lease of Gillooly’s Farm for recreational, botanical garden and business purposes met with some criticisms from Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys.
At a council meeting held on October 26, 2023, the city under item A-RE (09-2023) ISOC declared its intention to enter into a long-term lease in respect of Portion 988 of the Farm Elandsfontein 90 IR, Bedfordview, commonly known as Gilloolys Farm, through a public tender.
The lease is proposed for an initial period of 30 years.
As a result, a public participation meeting was held on December 11.
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“Some interested people want to do beautiful things here. They want to turn the conference centre into a wedding venue and take over the restaurant.
“However, the city wants a botanical garden but nobody knows how they will meet this ambition,” warned Humphreys.
According to Humphreys, the city has spent money on a contractor who did the presentation on the idea of a botanical garden but said she knows for a ‘fact’ that they are not going to do that.
“I want it to be a beautiful natural space. The water must be clean and the grass must be kept nice. It should be a beautiful garden and a space away from the city. it has to be a natural space,” she stated.
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She blamed the current state of Gillooly’s on contractors who did not have the right equipment or enough budget and also the Department of Parks for failing to do maintenance.
In the meantime Gillooly’s Farm remains in an unkempt state with uncut grass, litre everywhere, sewerage floating in the dam, weeds, and reeds as well as vandalised toilets. The embankments by the river are falling away.
She said there’s an urgent need
for the park to be managed by the private sector.
“If you look at our parks across Ekurhuleni, our Parks Department hasn’t got a mower law, truck or chain saws. It’s beyond enraging and frustrating,” added Humphreys.
City’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini encouraged members of the public who wish to submit comments or representations in respect of the possible lease of Gillooly’s to do so in writing no later than January 31.
Comments can be emailed to Siphokazi.mekane@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
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“After the closing date, the comments and or representations received will be processed and a public participation feedback report will be prepared and submitted to the decision-making committees of council for a final decision.
“The supply chain management process (tender) will be informed by the outcome of these processes,” said Dlamini.
