Eduan Park housing development to boost local economy
Allowance for a new school with sports facilities, a local convenience centre, public transport stops and pickup areas are included in the development.
POLOKWANE – A proposed development in Eduan Park is set to alleviate the city’s housing shortage and bolster the economy.
The development, next to Logan Street, spanning the area up to the railway line and stretching as far as Veldspaat Street and bordering on Diemeer Street, was discussed at a meeting between the proposed developers, the Networth Group, and Eduan Park residents on Monday.
The area is currently a thoroughfare for many people taking a shortcut from the industrial area north of the railway line and, among Eduan Park residents, as a getaway area for thugs as many suspects in housebreaking incidents have been apprehended in this area.
Copper cable thieves are also known to strip cables in this bushy area and the area could be a prime area for land grabs, being in close proximity to the city. The land belongs to the municipality and Networth has been appointed as the developer following a public tender process.
The zoning application process is currently underway. The Networth Group is a township developer with a proven track record of successful developments in Polokwane in excess of 200 ha. The development of this area was earmarked by the municipality as early as around 2015/16, when it was included as priority area for development in the city’s integrated development plan to alleviate the city’s estimated housing shortage of between 9 000 to 12 000 units.
The proposed development covers approximately 64 ha and will house 1 928 families, or approximately 6 000 individuals. Some R150 million will be invested in infrastructure services and road improvements, with the total investment in the envisaged development amounting in excess of R1,5 billion upon completion. The development is a private development and ownership will be by leasehold title or by freehold title or by a combination of both (lease with option to purchase).
More than 17% of the development is allocated to green areas, which in any terms is a large area.
Gerald Correia, CEO of the Networth Group, assured residents they are working hand-in-hand with well-respected biodiversity specialists and scientists regarding a sustainable management plan for the African Bullfrog, of which a small population resides in the area.
Allowance for a new school with sports facilities, a local convenience centre, public transport stops and pickup areas are included in the development. The development, to be spaced out in five phases over a period of five years, will create 12 600 temporary jobs in the long run and on completion will create 785 permanent jobs.
Correia said the quality of this development will be controlled to ensure the urban fabric and top structures comply with modern techniques and designs.
“A ClearVu or similar fence is to be erected between the development and the existing railway line to prevent easy movement of criminals through the area,” he said, adding major upgrades for Diemeer Street and improved connections at Veldspaat Street and Potgieter Avenue are envisaged, according to their traffic engineer’s studies and reports.
Residents had mixed feelings about the development, with a possible escalation of crime during the building phase as the main fear. The developers, however, were willing to minimise the risk by setting strict rules for contractors such as entrance controls and getting contractors to offload workers at a set time at dedicated drop-off areas instead of allowing them to roam through the residential area, for instance. They will also have regular contact with the local Community Policing Forum to look at ways to minimise risks.
