WATCH: Concerns over Birch Acres development
“Why do we have to have such monstrosities? Why such a huge volume?”
The proposed development on Suikerbekkie Road in Birch Acres has met with much disapproval from members of the community.
Developer Jan Joubert proposed the construction of 40 double-storey units on the land. A public participation meeting was held at the property to take note of the community’s concerns and comments regarding the proposed development.
One of the community’s main concerns, the nearby wetland, was addressed by Grace Magaya from GKM Environmental Services on behalf of the developers.
“This wetland does not have an inlet or outlet. It is basically storm water building up in that water pond,” said Magaya.
“The problem is, if we keep having developments like the one we are proposing, we are increasing run-off into that pond. We engaged with the metro who has a project in progress to install an outlet.
“They did all the studies to gain authorisation for that installation,” Magaya explained. “The new feature will regulate the flow of the water in the pond.
“We have already done a risk assessment and according to our wetland specialist, the risk is low, the reason being that we are not going to obstruct the flow of water, neither are we are going to divert the watercourse.”
Another concern raised at the meeting was traffic. Residents felt the proposed project would have a negative impact on traffic.
“I have been living here for 44 years,” said community member Vigilio Pedro. “There is a new road from Kempton Park and at the moment it’s taking me 40 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes to get to work because we are bumper to bumper all the way. This part here takes me 25 to 30 minutes. It is not going to help our situation at all.”
Magaya said they had two alternatives. A traffic engineer monitored the flow of traffic in the area and recommended either the use of Suikerbekkie Road as the main entrance, or Bergpatrys, which is currently a dead-end south of the proposed site. “We prefer the use of that road to enter the property.”
Alexa Groome said she foresees a negative ecological impact.
“I also have a problem with traffic and the ecological impact, which will be significant,” said Groome.
“This project will also increase the burden on an already overburdened police force.”
Theresa de Necker and Jacqui Bowyer agreed with Groome that over-population was a factor to be considered.
“There aren’t enough schools around,” said De Necker. With this number of units planned there will be a lot of children and where are these children going to go? Schools are a big problem in this area, like the clinics and hospitals; we just don’t have enough.”
During short gatherings after the meeting, Kempton Express gathered that some residents questions the number of planned units, asking: “Why not look at building a gated community with 20 houses?
“Why do we have to have such monstrosities? Why such a huge volume?”
Alderman André du Plessis, shadow member of the mayoral committee for environmental development and waste management in Ekurhuleni, shared his concerns with Express.
“I am concerned about the impact the development will have in the long term. What is going to happen if the wetland is not preserved?” asked Du Plessis.
“There should be an attenuation dam, which is a dam at the bottom end of your property, so when it rains the storm water drain runs into the attenuation dam and then it decants gradually into the wetland, so that your post-development storm water run-off is not higher than you pre-development run-off.
“If the development goes ahead, I would like it to be sustainable with attenuation facilities so that in the future there isn’t a threat to everybody around. I am pro-development, but in a sustainable manner without negative impacts on the environment and the community.”
Ward councillor Tracey Lourenco said more community members needed to be involved.
“We are happy with all those in attendance, though we feel more people need to be involved and attend these meetings. There will be another, more in-depth meeting where we will address the issues once we have seen all the specialists’ studies,” said Lourenco
“People are welcome to register as Interested or Affected Parties (IOAs).”
Representing the developer was his son, Jaco Joubert.
“We first have to wait for the impact study before we can make a plan to see what the way forward is,” he said.
When asked about the concerns raised by the community, he said, “Everything can be solved. If they have concerns they can be solved. The intention is to improve the area.”
Details of the next meeting are yet to be confirmed.
