According to Ward 72 councillor Steven Kruger, residents expressed great unhappiness at two public meetings, as Bokamoso’s Lizelle Gregory presented EIA findings concerning the site of the proposed development between Club Street and the N3 highway. Gregory argued that findings did not highlight any obstacles to the development, which includes a proposed 8 000 residential units, as well as commercial and public facilities; however, residents raised several issues they felt had not been adequately addressed.
Residents suggested Bokamoso’s traffic impact study focused on access to the N3, ignoring suburbs and roads surrounding the development, and raised concerns that recent water and electricity shortages demonstrated the grid’s inability to bear additional strain. Many residents felt the development’s potentially negative impact on surrounding property prices was ignored, and suggested that the target low-income residents would not be able to afford life in the new development, resulting in construction of informal dwellings and failure to pay for services – despite assurances from Century representatives that the almost 4 000 rental units would be well-controlled.
The environmental impact of the development and its removal of a green lung from the area, were not adequately addressed, claimed residents. Some suggested the project was presented in isolation, and should be considered alongside proposed developments in Huddle Park and Modderfontein, while alternative land uses should be more thoroughly investigated. Moreover, despite expert assurances that studies revealed no trace of disease, residents remained worried about the risks of disturbing the graveyards onsite. Bokamoso responded to claims that local knowledge of additional gravesites had been ignored by offering to revisit the site.
“Traces of TB were already identified in the nearby Jukskei River, due to sewerage leakage from Sizwe Hospital. This needs to be urgently investigated,” added Kruger.
Finally, a major concern was the tender process and financial viability of both project and developer.
“It is felt that the tender process was suspicious as it was issued over the December period when many businesses were already closed and people were away. It was also awarded in an unusually short time period to Equicent… They do not seem to have the finances to carry out such a project and have not presented any financial information to support [its] viability,” commented Kruger.
Bokamoso agreed to consider extending the deadline for submission of comments to mid-January, reminding residents that the report will then be peer reviewed. However, residents and councillors continue to hold major concerns about the proposed development.
