Councillor mediates K60 opposition
PAULSHOF - Ward 106 councillor Stephen Moore encouraged residents to unite in their view of the K60 road.
The councillor was speaking to members of Friends of Rietfontein at a meeting held in the Sandton Village Estate in Paulshof on 22 May, following the first public participation meeting on the K60.
As reported in Public united, week ending 24 May, many Paulshof residents voiced their objections to the road which will run through Paulshof. Those in favour of the road did not speak out at the meeting.
Gareth Marchant did however respond to the article. “How hypocritical of all these people who moved into this area because land was cheap due to this road going through it. Now to claim various reasons why it should not be built, which is disgusting and the main reason why it must be built. It’s already 20 years late as can be seen by the huge traffic increase also caused by these same people moving in.”
Moore also told the Friends of Rietfontein members that there were Paulshof residents who wanted the road and he also had to guide them in the public participation process too. He said his role was not to take sides but to guide residents not to lobby for or against the road.
Friends of Rietfontain are opposing the road which will cut through Rietfontein ridge, a green lung with a unique biome. Moore said he wanted to work with the residents and alluded to the united front that the Magaliessig Action Forum presents in their opposition to the development of a Makro store in the residential suburb of Magaliessig.
“You need to make use of the opportunity to lodge your objections during the public participation phase,” said Moore.
He said he was also consulting with engineers to find out whether it would be feasible to re-direct the route and was trying to get a copy of the K60 map plan. He was able to raise the residents’ concerns at a provincial level.
Margo Bansda of Friends of Rietfontein said they recognised that the road was an important east-west corridor in the city but that they wanted to prevent the road being developed through the ridge and wanted to find an alternative.
FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, situated in Rietfontein Reserve, would be threatened by the noise and air pollution from the road and may be forced out of the area.
Michelle Watson of Friends of Rietfontein said they were aware of the due process and would follow every step to oppose the development through the ridge and propose an alternative.
