Fourways Mall developers get the green light to clear the dam

FOURWAYS – Read about the latest development regarding Fourways Mall dam.

February 7, 2018

Masego Seemela 2 minutes read

Fourways Mall developers have received the go-ahead to clear the dam on the mall’s property after numerous complaints from community members about the odour and condition of the dam.

According to the mall’s developers, they now hold all the required authorisations issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

They stated that the rehabilitation of the Fourways Landscape feature dam could commence, along with the relocation of the birds and animals found in the feature to their new home which is a new dam to be built further downstream.

The developers added that this decision comes after a long and meticulous process to ensure that all stakeholders’ needs were considered, which, most importantly are the needs of breeding birds and the dam area’s resident leguaan.

They also mentioned that before any work on the old or new dams commences, all workers involved in the project will attend an environmental awareness session, teaching them how to look out for birds’ nests in trees and vulnerable fledgelings and how to identify and protect indigenous trees.

The developers have partnered with Friends of Free Wildlife, a local community-based, public-funded volunteer-run wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, to help with the relocation and safekeeping of the birds and other wildlife, while the old water feature is being rehabilitated and the new feature further downstream is brought to life.

They mentioned that the new water feature between Ruby Close and Fourways Boulevard will be cleared of alien tree species, while indigenous trees will be protected during construction.

With this planned construction, the developers stated that no tree will be cut or removed if there is any sign of nests with eggs or chicks and they will be clearly marked as no-go areas, to be left in place until the nests are empty which will be confirmed by Friends of Free Wildlife.

Friends of Free Wildlife will responsibly remove any other wildlife such as reptiles to keep them safe at its facility in Kyalami Agricultural Holdings until their new home is ready.

The developer’s approved project includes the construction of litter and sediment traps above the new dam to clean and aerate the water which will make sure that the new feature will be a quiet and natural respite for local residents of all species in the heart of the Fourways precinct.

Jean Berdou of Future City Fourways said that historically the dam was a wetland which has been home to many species in the Fourways community. “The dam is located in a wetland which has been a focus by community members to preserve it. To have the state of the dam left uncared for which results in harming the ducks or any living thing in it will not be tolerated.”

After a series of complaints from community members about the state of the dam, Berdou said, “We were now told that the ducks have been sent to Indaba Hotel. Most of the ducks are no longer there, they have either gone home or either left the area or have been killed.”

How do you feel about the new decision by Fourways Mall developers? Share your views on our Facebook page!

*NOTE: A previous version of this article, as well as the print edition of the Fourways Review, week ending 9 February 2018, quoted Jean Berdou as speaking on behalf of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum. In fact, Berdou was speaking in his capacity as the chairperson of Future City Fourways. The Fourways Review apologises for this error.