No promises on Centurion sinkhole, says councillor
“Until funding is locked down and contracts are signed, I cannot make any promises yet.”
Centurion residents would probably have to wait a bit longer for a sinkhole in Lyttelton Manor to be repaired, despite it enjoying the “highest priority”.
“Until funding is locked down and contracts are signed, I cannot make any promises yet,” said local ward 57 councillor David Farquharson.
The sinkhole is located in Clifton Avenue and Althea Street, Centurion, adjacent to Hoërskool Centurion just north of Unitas hospital.
According to him, R22.5-million was budgeted for repairs in this financial year; however, the funds were not yet in place.
“We are still waiting for all to be crossed and dotted, after which we will release a press statement in this respect.”
Farquharson said, “where we are at, is that this sinkhole is the highest priority”.
He said the metro’s finances are “not in a good state”.
“The financial downgrade makes borrowing money difficult. The finance department has to be confident enough that the city can pay for work before contracting in this regard.”
He said everything is in place except the budget, “we are trying for national and provincial disaster funds and savings and revenue generation to get the funds”.
Rekord reported earlier money allocated to sinkhole reparation in Centurion was removed from the budget when the municipality was placed under administration last year.
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In January test holes were drilled in Clifton Avenue as part of the process to establish what the structure underneath the road looks like.
Ina Strijdom, DA councillor for ward 66, said sinkholes in Centurion pose huge challenges to the metro as well as to residents.
“Another sinkhole of great concern to the metro is located in Kruger Avenue in the industrial area where it was established the hole expanded underneath the road, which is critical. That is the second priority sinkhole in the area.
“In Alaric Road, Valhalla, another sinkhole of great concern is located. A resident whose house is right next to the said sinkhole says he has sleepless nights when it rains.”
She said sinkholes have been affecting Centurion for the past ten years. They do not only cause a great inconvenience for residents, but it also has an impact on development and subsequently the value of the property.
“The sinkholes form because of the large deposits of dolomite in the Centurion area. Heavy rainfall, water and sewer leaks, poor backfill on properties, stormwater ponding, shifts caused by landslides, boreholes being drilled and buildings being erected all contribute to the risk of sinkholes forming.
“The dolomite is porous, and when it gets wet, it acts like a sponge and starts to crumble.
“In one success for the metro, the intersection of Jean Avenue and Gerhard Street was completely reopened in 2018 after R25-million worth of repairs were completed on a sinkhole that formed nearly two years before,” Strijdom concluded.
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