Nevada Group responds to concerns on padel courts in Modderfontein
“Interested and affected parties were advised of the decision, to which some submitted appeals to GDARDE to deny approval. However, the MEC determined the amendment was correctly handled.”
The Nevada Group which is developing new padel courts at the Flamingo Dam, responded to community concerns surrounding the project.
The company’s Laurie Pearse said, “Decisions involving developments which could potentially impact the environment are handled at the higher provincial level, and not at a municipal level.
“An application for environmental authorisation (EA), through a Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S & EIR) process, was lodged with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE) in 2018 for the development of sports grounds,” she stated.
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According to Pearse, the Modderfontein Bird and Sculpture Park was already zoned as an area for sports, rest and recreation, but because of the proximity of the Flamingo Dam, they required an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process before construction could commence.
“The development proposal included, among other, the construction of soccer fields and a spectator stand.
“GDARDE, after a detailed review, which included a formal public participation process, successfully granted the EA in August 2019 for developing sports facilities at the Modderfontein Bird and Sculpture Park.
“Because of the popularity of padel in recent years, the developer decided to apply for an amendment to the EA, to change the intended use from soccer fields and a spectator stand (which was by now already approved) to padel courts.”
She said this amendment process involved a further application process to GDARDE, which again included a formal public participation process.
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GDARDE granted the application on September 5, 2023.
“Interested and affected parties were advised of the decision, to which some submitted appeals to GDARDE to deny approval. However, the MEC determined the amendment was correctly handled.”
She stated if the wetland area was inside the padel development site, GDARDE would not have approved the development.
“A wetland specialist was appointed during the environmental impact reporting process, which required the wetland edge to be identified with a physical red line. Furthermore, away from the wetland edge, a 32m buffer had to be identified with an orange line.
“The edge of the construction line was marked to identify the development was planned away from the 32m wetland buffer zone.”
She confirmed the development area has been approved for a footprint that may accommodate five double courts.
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About community engagement, she argued that during the initial S&EIR process, they undertook an extensive public participation process as prescribed in Chapter 6 of Government Notice Regulation 326 of the 2014 EIA Regulations as published in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), as amended [NEMA].
She said during the amendment application in 2023, all registered and affected parties were notified of the intended change from soccer to padel on instruction from GDARDE.
“This process afforded the community to address the provincial government directly with their concerns and complaints before approval decisions would be made on the matter. Residents were fully aware of the process.”
She said over the last two years, the developer endured weekly and even daily visits from environmental officials to check whether illegal construction was underway before formal approval was in hand.
“When the development was finally approved in September 2023, affected residents were fully aware because a formal appeal for the approval was duly lodged.
“Fortunately, because of the strict and diligent environmental review process that the developer had followed, the approval stood firm,” said Pearse.
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Addressing noise pollution, she said, “The proposed mitigation measures include a lane of trees along Valley Road, including a visual and noise barrier between the park and the road. The developer is awaiting approval from City Parks before the trees may be planted.”
About the community’s concerns, Nevada Construction explained the construction is currently underway and will be as per the approved plans, and in compliance with the EA and approved environmental management programme (EMPr).
“The neighbouring estate of Thornhill has already reached out to the developer to increase security measures on Valley Road. Nevada is committed to its long-term park restoration efforts and upliftment plans.
“It has invested millions over the last decade into the park and will continue to invest in protecting this beautiful environment of the Bird and Sculpture Park, which surrounds Flamingo Dam,” shared Pearse.
Adding to the action, weekly clean-up activities of the river, which feeds into Flamingo Dam and the weekly removal of invasive reeds take place.
“We have planted trees, added picnic and shaded child play areas to the park, in addition to developing and maintaining a busy dog park.
“Going forward with the approval from GDARDE, we aim to add walking trails and will continue with our tree planting programme, and by the end of the year, our solar PV initiative will see the park go green for near zero carbon emissions.”
