The rehabilitation of Oriel Park has come to a stand-still.
Three years ago the rehabilitation project of Oriel Park was initiated in Bedfordview but delays have resulted in this project still not being any nearer to completion.
The project was formulated in a bid to upgrade and rehabilitate the park and included the upgrading of the storm water system of the area.
The agreement with stakeholders was that the project would start from Plantation Road down to Branton Road, leading to the attenuation ponds in the park.
Culverts and pipes for the storm water drain system were laid from Plantation Road all the way to Oriel Park. Trees and plant life were also uprooted with the goal of replacing them with indigenous trees, natural grass and encouraging bird life in the area.
Over the years, the Oriel Park rehabilitation project has experienced a number of delays, such as water licence delays from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), delays in appointing consultation companies and construction contracts, and now the entire project has come to an absolute stand-still.
There are no workers on-site and no communication from council since the announcement that the construction phase of the rehabilitation would be completed by December 2013.
Residents of the Oriel area in Bedfordview are now frustrated, not just with the several delays in the rehabilitation project, but the total halt of the project with little to no communication from council.
Mr Colin de Waal, a resident in Oriel said, “I have been phoning council, trying to find out what is going on with the project, since last year when it was clear the construction project would not meet the December deadline. The community of Oriel wants to know what is going on. I would also like to know what is going on with the funding of this project. It is our right as tax payers to know what is going on, especially because we are directly impacted by these projects.”
“People now think it is a dump site and last week some people even dumped a mattress and a bed in the park. It has become very frustrating for us as residents. The issue is that they are not communicating with residents. There is no information going out about timelines, costs and planning,” said Mr De Waal.
Ms Lesley McDonald, also a resident in Oriel said, “You would not believe the dust and mess we have had to live through with this construction. It has been horrendous. Now, without any communication to residents, the rehabilitation project has just stopped.
“We have been supportive of the rehabilitation project because it had the potential of being a wonderful project for the area. I have lived here all my life and we have had amazing wildlife here at Oriel, with trees that were well over 150 years old. Now all of these trees have been hacked down.”
“We want to know what is going on and what the plans for the area are. We need to be communicated with and kept up to speed. We are supportive of the project but now it must be completed,” said Ms McDonald.
“There have been labourers here over the last couple of weeks but not much has been happening in the park. The park is a terrible sight, weeds have overtaken where grass was lifted prematurely, labourers spend a great deal of time lying on our pavements and I don’t feel secure with the number of people in the area seeing all our daily schedules. We are even having trouble with mosquitoes in the area. I can only attribute this to the increase in stagnant water sitting in the park,” she said.
“Oriel Park has been reduced to a muddy, weed and mosquito infested area that nobody can enjoy. Areas of grass were lifted for no reason, so there are no longer any areas to walk a dog or enjoy a bike ride. Besides being an unsightly mess, I don’t believe it is safe should anyone decide to walk in the area. As residents of Bedfordview, I believe an update on progress is well overdue from the council,” said Ms McDonald.
According to the ward 20 councillor, Clr Michele Clarke, “Oriel Park has become a liability to the Bedfordview area. Council is not maintaining the area at all. There are rats infesting the area, people are using it as an illegal dumping site and it is becoming a safety concern to residents because it can easily be a haven for criminal activity. The worst part is that residents in the area now have this awful sight as their view every morning. It is unacceptable.”
“The rehabilitation was initiated as a multi-year project and now is currently in its third year. The project was necessary to upgrade the storm water system of the area and to help eradicate flooding. In the first year, the planning phases were completed by Auracon consultants. They were appointed for the first phase,” said Clr Clarke.
“After the planning phase of the project, Auracon consultants appointed Mebila Civils to undertake the second phase, which was the construction side of the project. At the beginning of 2013, council took the decision to remove Auracon from the project after the contract lapsed and they were not given a renewal,” said Clr Clarke.
“Council also announced that they would be appointing new consultants, which were supposed to be finalised and appointed last year before the workers went on break in December.
“In January this year, council started another tender process to appoint a new contractor. I was informed that a new contractor had been appointed and that the new contractors would commence the Oriel Park project on February 1,” said Clr Clarke.
“After I found that there was no activity at the site in mid-February, I inquired with council and was informed that there was a delay in the signing of the tender at the city manager’s office. I have written continuously to the Civil Works Department and Mr Norman Swart, who is heading the contract. I have asked them to give the Bedfordview community feedback on what is happening in terms of the contract.
“Council has not answered me and are almost side-lining this contract. I then wrote to the city manager’s office, detailing what has transpired at Oriel Park. I demanded urgent action. At this moment I do not know when the new contractor will be back to complete the project,” said Clr Clarke.
“Another concern is that we were given a three year, multi-year budget for the project. I would like to know what is happening with the funding while it is not being utilised at the moment. It is only once the construction work is finished that the landscaping can be completed. Nothing can be done until the contract is finalised. It is unfair to expect the community to live in this kind of mess while council drags its feet in getting this contract finalised,” said Clr Clarke.
The NEWS requested comment from Ekurhuleni’s brand management and communications department. The NEWS requested comment by March 20. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
