Proposed east development raises concerns of nature lovers
“If the developers use the spruit water, build dams or change its flow, this 93 hectare reserve will see big changes,” a resident says.
A proposed development of a plot near a nature reserve in the east of Pretoria has ruffled the feathers of nature lovers concerned about the impact on the environment.
The Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve is one of the green belts in the east of Pretoria, and the proposed development on the Rubenstein Drive side of the reserve has led to questions about the impact on the rest of the reserve.
The plot is on the Rademeyer spruit, which runs through the reserve. The developers have applied for a water use licence, which includes diverting or altering the watercourse, bed, banks and the characteristics of the watercourse.
A member community organisation, Friends of Moreletakloof, Jeannie du Plessis said they were worried about what would become of the reserve and the other green areas it supported in Serene Valley and Faerie Glen.
“The concern is that if there is a change to the volume or quality of the Rademeyer spruit, the growth of trees, a big selection of mushrooms/fungi that need the dampness and more than 100 animals like zebra, springbuck, reed buck will be affected,” Du Plessis said.
“If they [developers] use the spruit water, build dams or change the flow from this much needed stream, this 93ha reserve will see big changes.”
Du Plessis said her organisation was not against development but was concerned about its impact, adding that “if the regulations and bylaws of the Tshwane municipality are not abided by then nature will once again be on the short end [of the stick].”
Another member of the organisation, Judy van Eeghen said she was troubled by the spruit possibly being polluted during development.
“The spruit is the lifeblood of the reserve. It bubbles to the surface and flows the whole year in the dolomite hills to the south of Pretoria and has many tributaries feeding into it. It has to be protected for so many reasons,” she said.
“I have been a volunteer for Friends of the Moreleta Kloof for nearly 15 years, and have watched the reserve grow from the best kept secret of Pretoria to the place to come to and unwind especially during the Covid pandemic.”
Field Guide to Mushrooms & other Fungi of SA photographer Liz Popich said the reserve enabled the mushrooms to grow.
“The reserve presently has a very rich collection of more than 400 species of mushroom/fungi. The present habitat needs to be protected and kept in its present healthy state. If not, the ongoing research in co-ordination with the University of Free State to identify and record the DNA sequencing of more than 100 mushroom species in the reserve will be jeopardised,” Popich said.
Environmental consultants to development, Landscape Architects and Environmental Planners (Leap) to Rekord said the spruit would not be cut off.
Leap said an environmental management plan was in place and stormwater systems to clean runoffs would be implemented.
On the possible impact on other environmental factors, Leap said: “The potential impacts are only now being determined and the findings are not yet available. The wetland and floodline reports will be done and 30m buffers to the wetlands will be implemented.”
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro had yet to receive the plans for the proposed development, adding that, “the metro as a registered interested and affected party will comment on the basic assessment report (BAR).”
Mashigo said specialist studies would be included in the BAR and this would determine the impact of the changes to the spruit.
“The metro will ensure that all procedures and the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) are adhered to,” Mashigo said.
Friends of the Moreleta Kloof invited locals “to write to admin@leapenviro.co.za in the name of Moreleta Kloof: Hikers and Runners and Visitors to make their input or comments on the project before June 21.”
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