Metro calls on investors to fly R300-b Aerotropolis project

The aerotropolis is expected to add R8.1-billion to the GCR economy per annum, or a 0,67 per cent annual contribution to GDP.

Furthermore, it is envisioned that it will create 581 000 new, formal jobs to GCR economy.

Recently, the metro sold the ”big idea” to business people at the Boksburg Civic Centre by unpacking the Aerotropolis Project Master Plan.

The concept seeks to reposition OR Tambo International Airport as an international hub of convenience for business and leisure.

This will include developing the Western Commercial Precinct into a fully fledged commercial, retail and wholesale trading node.

The plan is to integrate the airport, open spaces, commercial districts, advanced manufacturing centres, the retail sector, academia, research and residential areas, in order to build a compact city.

Leveraging corridors and road networks to enable mobility and densification are also part of the plan.

The master plan unveils a number of projects, some of which are already underway.

Thus far, the city has adopted the aerotropolis as an overarching flagship programme, focusing on priority areas such as OR Tambo International Airport core projects, urban and township regeneration projects, economic enabling infrastructure projects, mega catalytic development projects and commercial catalytic projects.

Presenting the master plan, the head of the Ekurhuleni Economic Development Department, Caiphus Chauke, said the city is working to position OR Tambo International Airport as the gateway and epicentre for economic, social and spatial transformation in South Africa, Gauteng and Ekurhuleni.

Chauke said the Midfield Passenger Terminal at the airport will increase passenger handling capacity from 19 million in 2015 to 43 million in 2034, while the Midfield Cargo Terminal is expected to increase cargo handling capacity from 390 000 (83 per cent) tonnes in 2015 to one million tonnes by the same time.

Other projects, named ”game changers” and expected to cover 28 116 100 square metres of land, are as follows:

Game changer 1

The Riverfields development, which when fully built is envisaged to be a mixed-use development, is strategically located to the north-east of the Kempton Park CBD and the Albertina Sisulu Freeway (R21), between the airport and the City of Tshwane. It comprises of Glen Erasmia Boulevard and the Zimbali Cluster Development, Gleneagle Estate, Gleneagle Office Park and Riverfields Retail Mall.

* These include residential, offices, business, commercial, industrial, retail and other ancillary uses (i.e. parks, recreational facilities, hotels, a hospital and schools).

Game changer 2

Plumbargo Industrial Park development

* Phase one of the project involves 13 developments that are situated along the R21 expressway, which features iconic buildings that are home to companies such as John Deere, DB Schenker, DBZ Eng, DHL Global Warehouse, DHL Global Head Office, Wurth, Jonssons Workwear, TAL Warehouse, Fast Freight, DHL Supply Chain, DB Schenker, Takealot and many more.

Game changer 3

South African National Training and Simulation Centre.

This is a R2-billion project by CAE (UK) to develop a training centre named Inkanyezi, focusing on trade in services and services exports. It will comprise of military and civil flight pilots, maintenance and airline crews and emergency management crews.

Inkanyezi will have eight simulation bays to train new pilots and enable qualified pilots to keep abreast of new technologies.The development will include two new five-star hotels and a shopping centre.

Game changer 4

GreenReef Innovation District, in Boksburg

The proposed GreenReef Innovation District is a 3 500 000 square meter development in Boksburg. The project will be built on an old, reclaimed mine dump, to accommodate mixed-use and mixed-income residential facilities. The project will comprise of a transit-orientated hub, residential, education and innovation centres, and retail and light industrial activities.

Game changer 5

The BRT project, which is in response to the Gauteng Integrated Transport Master Plan, that projects that, by 2037, about 450 000 workers per day will need to be moved in and out of the Aerotropolis core area. Phase one will be operational by early 2016, at a cost of R500-million.

Game changer 6

Gibela Rail Manufacturing Plant and Supplier Park.

This is a R51-billion manufacturing contract to build X’Trapolis MEGA trains. The first 20 trains will be built in Brazil, followed by 580 to be built in South Africa at a manufacturing rate of 62 trains a year, for 10-year period. The project is expected to deliver 600 cutting-edge passenger trains (3 600 coaches) over 10 years. Thereafter, the maintenance, spares supply, technical support over 19 years is activated.

Other game changers includes:

* Denel’ Airbus Advance Manufacturing Industrial Estate in Bonaero Park

*TLIU Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Bonaero

* Gauteng Jewellery Manufacturing Park in Bonaero Park

* Fuel Cells Storage Facility Development Programme

* Teraco Data Management Centre development project in Isando

* Ekurhuleni Unified Command Centre in Boksburg

* BRT Nerve Centre in Essellen Park

* Prasa Nerve Centre in Kaalfontein Station

* EMM Transport Monitoring Centre

* Lutheran Private University Development on Atlas Road

* Film City and Media Studio in Rhodesfields/Kempton Park

* Tambo Springs Inland Port, which involves the development of mixed-use retail/commercial facilities, bulk/bonded warehouse facilities, agro-processing facilities, etc. Phase one will start construction in June 2016

* Six Star Hotel and ICC at OR Tambo International Airport

* Peermont Group’s Resort Conference Centre Expansion

* Gautrain Expansion project from airport to Boksburg

* Premier Hotel ICC proposal at Rhodesfield

Ekurhuleni Business Initiative (EBI) CEO Chris van Biljon, who has spent the last couple of years urging business to invest in the concept, pleaded with the sector to play a role in the project.

“This project serves as a good reason for business not to move out of Ekurhuleni – they now only need to reposition themselves around the airport,” said van Biljon.

He congratulated all those involved in the Aerotropolis, calling the development “absolutely great, great news”.

Boksburg Lake Rotary Club member Derek Fox expressed interest and excitement in the project and added that they, too, have been talking to business about the idea for quite some time now.

He, however, had some reservations.

“We like our ladies a little more when they wear lipstick and they look after themselves; this is the same with Ekurhuleni,” he said.

“At the moment Ekurhuleni looks a little bit tired, without lipstick, therefore, if we are going to pull off the Aerotropolis surely we have to do something about the aesthetics of Ekurhuleni.

“In particular, we have a fantastic asset in Boksburg, which is the lake, but the metro’s lack of action to clear up this body of water is indicative of it not really being supportive of looking after the environment.

“I am now hoping that, through the Rotary organisation of South Africa, we can, as the public, fix up the lake.”

Mayor Mondli Gungubele acknowledged Fox’s input and added that people who come to the metro should be given a proper impression of what the country really looks like.

“With Ekurhuleni being the main entry point into South Africa, it’s important how it looks like to those who enter South Africa,” he said.

Speaking on the master plan, Gungubele said it took 18 months to complete and that the five-year plan includes addressing environmental issues.

He made it clear that the success of the Aerotropolis lies in partnerships with the private sector and he, thus, invited business to invest in the project.