Jufa objects to City’s move to sub-divide Wanderers Golf Club
ILLOVO – In these times of industrial revolutions and urban developments, the need to cling onto fast dwindling green spaces is high.
A notable number of infrastructural developments have been taking place across the region and while some may view this as progress, for others, this is a detrimental move to the environment. Last year, through a newsletter from Sandton South Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (SSRA) an announcement was made to residents that the subdivision of the Wanderers Golf Club had been approved. The letter referred to the previous year’s (2017) decision of the creation of three portions to be sold and developed.
The SSRA letter read, “It is the intention of Investec to submit the township establishment application for an apartment block of 32 residential units. They have applied for a density of 4 storeys in height.”
The letter also provided an attached objection form for those willing to object to the above development on one of the three portions. According to reports, there was a sod-turning [groundbreaking] ceremony between Investec and the City of Johannesburg to launch the R2 billion development.
The Johannesburg Urban Forest Alliance (Jufa) based in Melrose Estate has been at the forefront of objecting against this development among other organisations and associations. According to Markus Scheuermaier from Jufa, the alliance sees the urgency to protect the City’s urban forest and open spaces, particularly on open ground.
“Jufa objects to the rezoning application for the Wanderers Golf course, which raises serious environmental, and heritage concerns. The course may be private but it provides important ecosystem services to the entire city. The course contains many established and mature trees which form part of Johannesburg’s existing urban forest,” Scheuermaier said in the objection.
The objection gave various other reasons which include urban development contributing to flooding as they lead to changes in the natural drainage system. Also, “It is possible that a substantial portion of the site would not be able to be developed in any event, bearing in mind that no development is permitted by the City Council in a wetland or riparian zone as the golf course falls under the Council’s Wetland Management Zone 1,” explained Scheuermaier.
A response from Poppy Louw on behalf of the Department of Development Planning said, “The division of land application was submitted in 2017 with various objections being received. The application was then referred for a Municipal Planning Tribunal hearing. The hearing took place on 29 August 2018 and the division was approved. So yes, there is an intention to develop, but this process is only starting now, and will be subject to public participation.”
Louw further stated that three further township establishment applications were submitted on smaller pieces of the farm portion.
Ward 74 councillor, Dave Fisher said, “I am a supporter of keeping all our open spaces intact. I am aware of the issues around the rezoning and I trust that the City of Johannesburg will give due and proper attention to the objections.”
Details: Johannesburg Urban Forest Alliance www.jufa.org.za
How do you think urban developments are affecting the environment? Share your views on Facebook Rosebank Killarney Gazette
Related Articles:
