The Cyrildene Communit Forum’s secretary, Mr Sagren Pillay, said the concerns of the community have not been considered by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and the developers.
“The Precinct Plan for Derrick Avenue and the surrounding streets (China Town) will be tabled for approval by the CoJ on April 30 this year, even after many have objected to it,” he said.
Mr Pillay said the main roads will have high density development.
“As yet we have had no feedback to these objections, or answers as to how the plan was accepted to be presented as complete. Councillor Steven Kruger submitted an objection to council on behalf of the residents, to which no response has been received to date. The community requested information regarding the traffic study, infrastructure capacity, legalising of infringements, future development space, parking and other relevant questions but received little information.
“Meetings were held with the planning section and still no information was provided. Should this plan be passed without full consideration regarding the impact on the surrounding areas, we will face traffic congestion and overcrowded residences. There will be electrical blackouts due over-strained lines, water cuts due to low pressure and regular sewerage blockages due to the infrastructure being unable to cope with a high density development. The environmental issues regarding an over-developed area include increased chances of flooding in low lying areas, due to water not being soaked up fast enough into the ground,” said Mr Pillay.
“Currently, 65 houses were found to have illegal connections and have somehow been reconnected. With this blatant lack of enforcement and accountability in the area, residents are now fed up. It seems like the CoJ is bulldozing this plan as they are unable to address the illegal buildings and other infringements. They will be legitimising these infringements. The laws will be changed to suit anyone who is currently breaking them so that no laws get broken,” he said.
He urged residents to send their comments through, as the development will negatively affect the value of their properties in the future.
Should residents wish to object, contact the Cyrildene Community Forum secretary, Mr Sagren Pillay, on 083 607 6004. Alternatively contact Mr Rob Crawford, the chairperson of the Sector 1 Community Policing Forum, on 082 880 9408 or email joburgc@gmail.com
The EXPRESS requested comment from CoJ and if received, an update to this article will be published.
