Conservation versus construction
PAULSHOF - A war over development in Paulshof's green corridor is brewing and may force FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre out of the suburb.
The proposed road is an extension of the K60 road which ends abruptly on Rivonia Road in Sunninghill.
The road would be constructed through Paulshof and Clayoven and meet Witkoppen Road after the intersection with Main Road. The road reserve has been demarcated for years but the public participation process is about to begin.
Interested and Affected Parties must register by 30 April.
The proposed road would cut-off about 65m of the north-western corner of Rietfonetin Reserve and run very close to the centre.
Senior Animal Manager at FreeMe Nicci Wright said, “It is appalling that a road is proposed to cut through a green belt with a unique biome. This should be preserved as a natural green lung in the urban area.”
Wright pointed out that the Rietfontein Ridge was already carved by the N1 Highway and Witkoppen Road.
She said that there was abundant wildlife in the area such as antelope, porcupines, mongoose, hedgehogs, small rodents, garden birds and birds of prey.
Wright raised concern that these animals would be displaced if the road was constructed, or snared as seen during building processes in the Greater Kyalami Conservancy or become road kill.
FreeMe would also be threatened.
“The centre would have to relocate as the noise and air pollution would add stress on the rehabilitating animals and this would not be conducive to their recovery,” Wright said.
Friends of Rietfonetin member Michelle Bertschinger explained the large role FreeMe played in the community. “FreeMe is one-of-a-kind in Gauteng. We have about 10 000 admissions of animals a year from all over the country in need of rehabilitation and 90 volunteers,” Bertschinger said.
The centre has rehabilitated endangered animals such as pangalins.
Ward 93 councillor Annette Deppe and Ward 106 councillor Stephen Moore negotiated for a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Environmental concerns aside, some Paulshof residents argued Witkoppen Road should rather be widened to prevent more noise pollution.
Others, like Brydone Graham on Wroxham Road, welcomed the road. “The road would ease traffic on Witkoppen Road and should have positive influence on property values in the area,” Graham said.
Chairman of Paulshof Residents and Ratepayers Association Dave Wright said the association would not take a stance until the EIA was completed but had registered it and would keep residents informed.
The Clayoven community acknowledged they would have to relocate.
