Public says no to development of Benoni Country Club

At the public participation meeting held by the Ekurhuleni Metro in the BCC main hall, on the night of Tuesday, November 22, 1 341 members of the public indicated that they were in favour of no development of BCC.

They responded on documents provided by the club, that contained four development scenarios and which were presented by the metro’s divisional head of property management in the Real Estate Department, Pieter Grobler, on the night.

Only seven responses in support of partial development were received, and just one in favour of full development.

Grobler’s four scenarios, as presented to the public, were:

• To enter into a long-term lease in respect of the BCC (remainder of portion 27 of the farm Vlakfontein 69-IR), where the property will remain as is;

• To enter into a long term lease in respect of the BCC, where the golf course will be retained, but where certain portions of the subject property will be identified and permanently disposed of for residential development purposes;

• To reduce the current 18-hole golf course to the size of a mashie course and to enter into a long-term lease in respect of the new mashie course and to permanently dispose of the remaining portion of the subject property for residential development purposes;

• To permanently dispose of the entire subject property for residential development purposes.

Despite the majority of attendees expressing their desire to see the BCC remain as is, the underlying feeling of most was that the metro was merely holding the public meeting as a “ticking a box” exercise, in order to move the process along and to have it to approved by council so that the bidding and tender process can get underway.

Grobler was faced with a barrage of questions from those in attendance, ranging from concerns around the market valuation of R48-million of the property, a lack of infrastructure in the area to support development, the loss of a sporting and social landmark, the impact on the value of surrounding properties, to the loss of a green, open area, the unavailability of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) by the metro and alleged corruption.

No clear cut answers were received in respect of the validity and how much weight the objections from the community will carry, however, Grobler continually called on the community to provide their input (positive or negative) via written submissions, so that their input could be considered when the item goes to council.

Despite that, most members of the public are convinced that a deal has already been promised and that little consideration will be given to their objections.

“No decision has been made to date by council regarding the whole proposal,” Grobler said.

“I have only been authorised to talk to you and to discuss these proposals with you.

“Your input afterwards will determine in which direction this will go.”

Grobler stressed that written submissions must be sent to the Benoni Customer Care Area (CCA).

He also, on request from the community, extended the closing date for submissions to February 28, 2017.

Written submissions can be sent to Seshego Phoshoko, acting manager of Benoni CCA, via email to Seshego.Phoshoko@ekurhuleni.gov.za, while physical submissions can be delivered to Room 135, on the first floor of the Admin Building, at 74 Elston Avenue.

The BCC executive committee said that they will assist anyone in the community who needs assistance with lodging their objections.

They will also be setting up an evening at the club soon, where people can come in and discuss the situation with qualified individuals, who will assist with the formulation of objections for members of the public.

Dates and times will be made known soon.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Clr Jacques Meiring (Ward 27) questioned whether the club will receive a letter of termination of lease from the Real Estate Department within the next five weeks.

Grobler replied that a meeting regarding the termination of lease had, at the time, not yet taken place.

The DA councillor also, at Thursday’s (November 24) ordinary council meeting, in Germiston, managed to set up a meeting with the speaker of council, Clr Patricia Kumalo, on Friday, November 25.

Meiring said that, following their meeting, Kumalo had committed to setting up a site visit at the BCC and that he was waiting for her to send a date for a visit to the facility.

“She expressed concern about getting rid of a sporting facility, especially one that fosters development.

“I have a positive feel about it,” he said.

“The Speaker’s influence could change the dynamics going forward.”

Meiring added that he is yet to receive information from executive mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina, about what would constitute a valid objection from the community.

CLICK HERE for the previous article (DA takes Benoni Country Club issue to the Public Protector)

WATCH some of the meeting here:

Also read: