Community meeting tackles Bryanston development

The Bryanston area may be changing due to the city’s need for high-density housing developments.

In November of last year, the Bryanfern Residents Association (BRA) learned that the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements had earmarked three sites in the Bryanston Ext 3 area for a proposed housing project is part of the Gauteng Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP). On 12 February community members and other stakeholders were invited to a public meeting, hosted at the New Covenant Church in Douglasdale, where they could learn more about the process and ask questions about the situation.

The three sites are located alongside Cedar Street, Cork Avenue and Spruce Street just south of the N1 Western Bypass. The programme was initiated by national government and aims to develop unoccupied and un- or underutilised state-owned land in order to address the need for adequate housing.

“This meeting is part of the public participation process and was organised by the company who is managing the project on behalf of the government, GA Environment,” explained Mike Wood, councillor for Ward 104. “Residents have a lot of questions about the issue, particularly because one of the sites is in a very ecologically sensitive area near the river.”

John Endres, chair of the BRA, explained that he, residents and other stakeholders in the matter completely understood the need for more housing in Johannesburg and were not necessarily opposed to the developments, but rather just wanted to be more informed on the matter and hear the information first-hand from those behind the project. “We just want it to be a case of ordered development and the opportunity for residents to be involved.

“Our concerns are around the ecological impact of the development, as well as the impact on infrastructure in the area, which is already under strain, as well as what the impact might in terms of roads, traffic and electricity substations.”

During the actual presentation, staff from GA Environment presented the work they had been doing on the matter, including sharing information around town planning, the environmental aspects they have investigated during the process, the architecture of the planned developments and engineering aspects. After the formal presentation, residents at the meeting were given an opportunity to ask their own questions.

“People are welcome to register as an interested and affected party,” explained Endres. “This means that they will receive communications around the matter.”

The deadline for registration as an interested and affected party has been extended to 28 February, so anyone who wants to register still has time. To register, simply send an e-mail to Ntsebo Mkhize at ntsebom@gaenvironment.com.

More meetings on the matter will be held in the coming months.

Details: Bryanfern Residents Association www.bryanfern.co.za