ICYMI: Fourways residents share concerns about about development near the Heilbrunnen Bird Sanctuary

A number of residents in Magaliessig are angered by the proposed development of a four-storey complex containing 291 units by Craft Homes known as Rivcroft.

The development is set to take place on Portion 178 of the Farm Witkoppen 194-IQ and will extend to a portion of the wetland below which is a part of the Heilbrunnen Bird Sanctuary.

Local resident Daniel Hahn, son of Paul Aneck Hahn who donated the land to the City years ago, is angered by the loss of biodiversity that has taken place at the Heilbrunnen Bird Sanctuary over many years. “The biodiversity of life in the wetland was phenomenal and the wetland used to cover many farms. Life has now been wiped out because of developments. During lockdown, some bushbabies have come up here and where the development is set to take place, there may be more,” said Hahn.

Hahn added that he was an honorary warden of the sanctuary and community representative, yet he claimed he had never been engaged by the developers concerning an environmental impact study despite being their neighbour.His primary concerns about the proposed development include water quality, sunlight and human intervention such as noise, cats, swimming pool backwash etc. Hahn claimed the developer was proposing to build inside the floodline which he believed would be harmful to any life existing in the wetland.

“They [developers] have to accept lower density on the wetland edge. If not, two hours of sunlight will be removed from the east side which is critical morning sun.

“In winter, this will work out to a quarter of the sunlight during the day being wiped out. They would be taking out the best quarter of the day for the wetland.”

Hahn said he had met with the developers who said they would note his objections, however, he had not heard back from them at the time of going to print.He said the developer did appear to have responsible control over rainwater and sewage spillage in their plans.

Another concerned resident, Annie Conway, believes houses in a nearby complex will be put in the shade almost all afternoon as a result of the development.

Conway said, “There is a significant amount of land within the existing floodline that is being reclaimed and built on, reducing our desperately-needed green spaces…The wetland and dam are already under severe pressure and all wildlife is either dead, dying or has left. So we need to stop them [developer] now before they get to first base?”

Other concerns raised by Conway included the impact on the roads, schools and storm water drainage.

Senior environmental consultant at Seaton Environmental Brian Gardner, representing the developer, responded to questions from the Fourways Review.

Gardner said the proposed rehabilitation system would have a positive impact on the wetland and dam.He also stated that the sensitive parts of the site were being kept as open space within the development, for recreational use by residents of the development.

He added that the density was in line with City policy and that it had been approved by Joburg Water.