There are more questions than answers about new development planned for Standerton
It could not be satisfactorily be established whether it will be an informal settlement, or an area for high-earning individuals as both nouns were used.
It was a shabby start to the consultation meeting at the Standerton Town Hall on Wednesday, July 28 at 16:00, but nothing was shabby about the in-depth questions raised by the community about the proposed township establishment.
Locals were waiting for someone to open the hall and once inside, pieces of paper littered the front of the hall, there was no microphone and the presentation did not satisfy the audience, especially with the baffling aerial map of the development.
Some people were also unable to hear or see what was reflected on the wall.
According to a trustworthy source, the development will encompass the area from the Standerton River Park, swimming pool all the way eastwards past the Lions Clubhouse towards the Vaal River, then moving in a northern direction to the Walter Kinnear Hall.
Concern was expressed about the lack of infrastructure as regards power lines, a sewage network and a water network.
If existing structures were to be levelled to the ground, could not be confirmed.
The proximity to the river should there be a rise in water levels, as had happened in the past, was also mentioned.
According to the source, the worst-case scenario when a child drowns, can not be ignored either.
“Emergency services in Standerton will have their hands full,” the source said.
The impact on property prices is also worrisome to some locals.
Whether it will be RDP-housing or middle-class residences could not be established before the meeting.
The Standerton Advertiser had a conversation with Alberto Franco, Democratic Alliance-councillor, before the meeting began.
Franco said the 100-year-floodline because of the proximity to the Vaal River has to be certified.
“Councillors are expected to take decisions at council meetings without having the full picture,” he added.
“Councillors should be informed about grants and contracts going out and not have to accept what is told.”
A council meeting was scheduled for Friday, July 29.
Franco also referred to the informal settlement in Ext 8, calling it a total mess.
The absence of the executive mayor, Louis Delani Thabethe, speaker, Oliver Phiri and municipal manager, Malose Lamola was noted.
Thabo Sebiloane, programme director, said council approved spatial planning in 2017 and indicated that the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act regulates the identification of a town and township development in a national frame-work.
Standerton was called a frontier town with the development being funded by the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The presentation of Pfukani-Kusile, the appointed service provider, sparked questions from the audience afterwards.
Portion 123 (portion 2) of Grootverlangen is where the development could take place.
According to the service provider, it is zoned as agricultural, about 23.4 hectares and owned by Lekwa.
Pfukani-Kasile said it will be implemented within 36 months.
Questions were taken which ranged from why is Standerton River Park included in the plan, who the high-earning residents are, who appointed the service provider, why the absence of people from Lekwa in the plan and why the closing of facilities
The meeting heard the viewpoint that the infrastructure should be attended to first.
One resident said Tutuka Power Station is closing down in seven years, queried the need to expand at this stage and called it a mayoral problem.
Another woman pointed out that the squash and tennis courts are assets belonging to the ratepayers and asked how will they be remunerated.
Questions were asked about nature conservation, safeguarding of children and houses near the river and historical monuments as well.
One resident said no environmental impact assessment has been done and prescriptions of an Integrated Development Plan was also mentioned.
It could not be satisfactorily be established whether it will be an informal settlement, or an area for high-earning individuals as both nouns were used.
A murmur went up as people waited on answers.
The Standerton Advertiser was unable to reach the Freedom Front Plus-councillor for Ward 10, Wilma Venter, the past week.
