Gautrain meeting in Boskruin yields only more questions
Residents show concern at Gautrain public meeting at Boskruin Community Centre.
Another public meeting for the Gautrain’s proposed route extension left residents concerned about whether they will lose their homes.
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) hosted a so-called Hybrid Public Meeting at Boskruin Community Centre on September 15.
There, COO Tshepo Kgobe and acting senior executive manager of enterprises Victor Shange spoke about the proposed route, and answered questions from the community.
They gave more or less the same presentation given to Sharonlea residents in a public meeting back in July, as well as the one to a Department of Roads and Transport portfolio committee in August.
Also read: Residents affected by proposed Gautrain route give voice at public meeting
Once again, residents became emotional, after Shange explained the different proposed routes (that will connect proposed stations in Little Falls, Northgate (called Cosmo City Station), and Randburg CBD to the existing Sandton Station, where an upgrade is proposed.
He could not identify exactly which route will be used, and where in the proposed corridor the rail will be built, as the project is early in its development – it is in stage one of four, with construction only expected to begin in 2026.
Residents, of course, wanted to know which homes will be expropriated with compensation. Their questions could not be answered at this stage.
“People are angry, they cannot move forward with their lives and plan for the future,” explained Jill Hunter, a committee member at North Riding Equestrian Estate (https://nree.co.za/) – a residents association with 62 small holdings and plots.
“Estate agents have to tell potential buyers there is this project that may or may not happen. Everyone wishes they were 100% sure.”
Chairperson of the group Thato Moen, agreed residents are worried.
“Personally, I am not objecting to the project but there are two issues I have, and in fact, I doubt if the whole project will go ahead at all,” he said.
“Firstly, we want to know which of the proposed routes will be used and which homes will have to be expropriated. Secondly, the GMA has not yet secured an advance from Treasury, and the project will need approval before funds are allocated. I expect the project to be scrapped.”
Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp commented, “Gautrain promised me that there will be numerous public meetings still to consult stakeholders and engage those directly affected.”
The Gautrain extension is necessary and will have economic benefits – GMA
Gautrain route extension will have an environmental impact as well
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