ADvTECH has its say

AFTER two articles appeared in the Comaro CHRONICLE (page 1, November 14 – Residents fuming and page 3, November 21 – Work comes to a halt) about how upset residents of Hantamberg Street are about the disturbance of their road to make way for a wider road for access to a new private school, Martin van Heerden, development manager at ADvTECH Properties, wishes to allay some of their fears.

ALSO READ: Work comes to a halt in Hantamberg Street

Comaro CHRONICLE: Was there a public participation meeting to inform the residents of Hantamberg Street about the road being widened and the entrance to the school being from that road?

Martin van Heerden: As part of the process, in order to obtain approvals for the Environmental Assessment, a public participation process was followed. The access points on Hantamberg Street and road upgrades were highlighted in the Basic Assessment document which was provided to the residents as part of the public participation process and EA document. On November 21, 2018, the Johannesburg Roads Agency gave approval for the road to be widened on the school side of the pavement rather than on the side of the existing houses. We are hoping this will alleviate some of the concerns of the residents. The road upgrades will happen as the school grows as directed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency who approved the traffic study.

CC: When do you expect work to begin to widen Hantamberg Street?

MVH: Setting out work has commenced and all civil works to be complete by April 2019.

CC: Will the trees, which are in the way on the pavement on the opposite side to the school, be removed so they can be replanted again? Residents are upset about this.

MVH: Landscaping of the road reserve will be part of the project, but the removal and replanting of individual trees are not confirmed currently. An Environmental Assessment was conducted and the contractor will be staying within the strict guidelines as set out in the report.

CC: When do you envisage the school to be opening its doors?

MVH: January 2020.

CC: Will it be a primary school or both a primary and a high school?

MVH: We will be opening Grades 0000 to Grade Nine in 2020. The school will grow incrementally and eventually the school will offer all grades from Grade 0000 to Grade 12.

CC: How many learners are you expecting to accommodate at the school?

MVH: The school will have an ultimate capacity of approximately 1 800 learners.

CC: How will parking be managed for dropping off and picking up learners?

MVH: There are many initiatives schools can implement to alleviate traffic flow. These initiatives include bussing, staggered start and end times as well as scholar patrols. Which of these initiatives will be in place for 2020 will depend entirely on the number of enrolments we have and will be implemented on a needs basis.

CC: Have all permissions been obtained for the construction of this school?

MVH: Yes. This site was earmarked for education in 1983. This was gazetted on April 13, 1983, and zoned accordingly. Hence, this site has been earmarked for an educational facility, such as a school, for 35 years. In 2017, ADvTECH commenced the process of obtaining the necessary permissions and approvals from the Council in order to build a school on the site. The Site Development Plan and building plans were approved by Council on April 13, 2018. The Johannesburg Roads Agency and Johannesburg City Power approvals are also in place and a mini-substation has already been paid for. All Wayleaves are in place.

Every permission needed to continue with the construction has been obtained.

The community has been aware of this process and have been given the opportunity to give input to the Council. A final appeal by members of the community on the outcome of the Environmental Assessment was rejected by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in April 2018.

CC: Have you been engaging residents on the construction of the school?

MVH: The full Basic Environmental Assessment process was followed and public participation held. There have been meetings between representatives of ADvTECH and members of the community, but unfortunately, the aim of some of the neighbours of this site is to completely halt the construction of the school and to prevent the development of this piece of land. This is obviously in direct conflict of the interests of ADvTECH as well as those members of the community who have already expressed their delight in the fact that a premium private school will be opening its doors in the area.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

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