Johannesburg Roads Agency has said Sundowner Dam will not receive rehabilitation any time soon, as it is unregistered and there are other dams receiving priority.
Agency spokesperson Kelebogile Mafa explained to Randburg Sun that there is no funding for the rehabilitation of recreation dams like this one, after calls were made for this by residents and Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp.
“Of course, if funding is secured through another city department or entity like Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) or the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) rehabilitation can commence sooner,” Mafa conceded.
Steenkamp and resident David Strachan held that the dam has tremendous value to the society and Steenkamp said he would look at how they can register it.
What was once called Sundowner Dam – found in Sundowner Spruit Park – is overgrown with plants and trees now, and only has a trickle of water running through it.
Recent articles in the Randburg Sun highlighted residents’ frustrations with seeing the fish die and birds move away. Residents also complained of having to take it upon themselves to maintain the park.
This includes cutting bushes for fear of criminals hiding among them and laying wooden and concrete slabs down to cross the muddy spruit.
“The community used to go paddle-skiing and catch-and-release fishing in the dam,” said Strachan. “Now it is an overgrown and muddy mess people have to trudge through to get through the spruit. It is sad to see what has become of it.”
Also read: Sundowner Dam is an eyesore and a shame compared to what it was – residents
Strachan also believes the silting of the dam is what led to the proliferation of groundwater issues in the area in recent years.
Steenkamp recently wrote to the council about the item in JRA’s budget for the rehabilitation of the dam.
The council responded that the planning stages of the rehabilitation project have been completed, meaning the Design and Environmental Authorisations (water use license and environment authorisation) were received. However, an implementation budget needed to be secured for the recreational dam.
The response also stated, “… Sundowner Dam is prioritised lower than other Dams as it poses less risk to life, limb, and property.”
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JRA cannot yet confirm the R2.5 million budgeted for Sundowner Dam
