A notice, about the size of an A2 paper sheet, set up in the shrubbery next to Moodie Street, states that the land stretching behind it, until Hull Road, will be closed for development.
“Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (Benoni Customer Care Area) proposes to permanently close portions of the park situated on the remainder of Erf 1930 Rynfield Township, Benoni, approximately 1,7 hectares and 2,05 hectares in extent, for parking and sports ground purposes, respectively,” the notice states.
It further mentions that the plans for the park can be inspected at Benoni’s municipal offices, in Elston Avenue, in the CBD.
“I got the plans from council on Wednesday (March 30) and noticed a road is also to be built through the field, connecting Brodigan and Struben streets,” said a concerned local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“There can be no social upliftment from this, why can’t they [developers] use the sports fields at John Barrable Hall?”
The resident said, on March 31, that she had collected 150 signatures from other residents in the area, for a petition opposing the planned development.
Anne Mearns, a representative of the Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association (GCSA) and a well-known conservationist, voiced her concern over the danger to local wildlife species, as the fields are home to a wetland.
“In 2002, an environmental impact study determined this land was not suitable for development, as it is important for bullfrogs and several other species,” said Mearns.
“This is such a sensitive area.”
According to her, another environmental impact study will have to carried out before any development can take place.
“We (GCSA) are supposed to be kept informed about developments, but I found out late (March 26) through a resident,” she added.
“The metro just goes ahead with developments and doesn’t always take everyone into consideration; it’s very unjust.
“They should inform the public in Benoni and ask for their input.
“Benoni is very rich in wetlands, but they’re endangered now, due to developments.”
The environmentalist added she and the GCSA preach that development and nature conservation must go hand-in-hand, with developers consulting conservationists before plans are finalised.
She does not support full opposition to developments, though, saying: “We have to look at all aspects; we can’t just say no to developers, but they also have to be willing to do it (develop) in an environmentally-friendly way somehow.”
Mearns said there needs to be more awareness of nature conservation in Ekurhuleni’s council.
Clr Stefanie Kruger (Ward 24, within which the land is situated) encouraged residents to lodge objections if they are opposed to the development.
“One objection is enough for the matter to be referred to a tribunal; as far as I know, the plans were approved about four years ago,” said Kruger, who was still investigating the matter on March 31.
Andrew Heath, who grew up in Baines Street, around the corner from the field, is “totally against” the development.
“There is already so much [sports grounds and parking space] in Benoni, I don’t understand why they have to develop this as well,” he said.
The plans for the proposed development are available in the office of the manager of corporate legal services, room 134 of the administration building at Benoni’s municipal offices, where residents can also lodge their objections to the proposed development in writing.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) was approached for comment on the matter, but none had been received at the time of going to print.
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