The DA in Ekurhuleni and the executive of the Zuurfontein Wetlands Forum invite residents of Esther Park to a meeting to discuss the proposed housing development in the area.
“The DA has been inundated with concerns from residents regarding the effects of the development to the surrounding and already overburdened infrastructure. This is a sensitive area. It looks like the effect on the natural wetlands on both sides of the proposed development was not taken into consideration,” said ward councillor Tracey Butler.
The environmental impact assessment study (EIA) was not done before the first houses were built on Gifboom Street, she said. These houses are subsequently saturated with water.
“The residents of the area were not properly consulted. If this development continues like this, it will displace the underground water, which will affect other homes in the area. But despite the environmental impact of the proposed development, the area does not have enough facilities to accommodate the influx of additional residents.”
According to Butler the area lacks sufficient schools as the local facilities are already packed to capacity.
The DA is also calling for consideration of the overcrowding in clinics, hospital and doctors’ rooms before this development continues.
The DA will also push for a traffic assessment impact study, especially at intersections like Gifboom Street and Parkland Drive, Sable and Parkland Drive as well as on the side of Esther Park. Currently there are traffic concession in these intersections.
“The situation is bound to become worse as 100 000 new residential units are to be built in Modderfontein,” Butler said.
The DA is also concerned about reported incidents of sewage problems in the area. This means the sewerage system, which is already under pressure, will be overburdened, unless the metro upgrades the infrastructure.
The DA urged residents to bring their written opinions and concerns to the meeting.
The meeting will be held on Monday, June 6 at 6.30pm at Con Amore School on Sable Street in Esther Park.
