The Braamfontein Spruit, the longest river in Johannesburg, will undergo a substantial rehabilitation, following interventions by the Johannesburg Roads Agency(JRA).
The JRA has commissioned a study on the state of the spruit and the steps required to improve and introduce further safety measures for the betterment of the natural habitat and surrounding infrastructure.
Rapid urbanisation close to its banks has choked the river and has deprived it of its natural flow path and normal capacity. This often results in the spruit overflowing its banks, especially after heavy downpours, which causes damage to properties and safety hazards for people who are using roads and low-lying bridges in the vicinity.
The City will convene a public consultation meeting so the public can have an opportunity to submit additional environmental concerns before the rehabilitation of the river begins.
“The study will, no doubt, lead to far-reaching recommendations and actions by the JRA to restore the habitat and the measures required to combat future erosion and degradation,” said Mpho Kau, acting managing director of JRA.
The Braamfontein Spruit is the most important waterway in Joburg, which originates in Parktown, and joins the Jukskei River. It forms part of an important catchment area in the city and some of the major parkland areas, recreational spots and hiking trials in Johannesburg are located close to its banks.
Ward 117 Councillor, Tim Truluck, said. “This study is long overdue. The spruit is indeed an important resource as a natural environmental feature in our landscape and as a much needed and loved recreational area. The riverbanks are eroding at an alarming rate and there has been much damage done to adjacent private properties and infrastructure such as bridges, electricity pylons, storm water gabions and sewerage pipes.”
The Braamfontein Spruit also runs through parts of ward 104. Councillor Mike Wood expressed that parts of his ward have experienced flooding because of litter blocking up the waterways. A project on Gertrude Street in Fontainebleau is currently underway to try and rectify the problem in the area.
Details: Joburg Roads Agency, 011 298 5001; Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood, 082 853 2174; Ward 117 Councillor Tim Truluck, 083 619 2419.
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