Ward 90 residents filled a public meeting on April 15 to discuss the proposed lease of a portion of Erf 104 Dunkeld West, known as the Dunkeld Bowls Club.

Residents voiced strong concerns about the future of the site, particularly over potential commercialisation, increased noise, extended trading hours, and the possible impact on nearby property values.

Many attendees referred to past experiences with previous tenants, where businesses operated with little regard for the surrounding residential area.

Sipho Mzobe, general manager for leasing management and sales at the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), who aimed to provide insight into the leasing process and gather community input by attending the meeting, outlined the city’s property leasing and sales process, explaining that it is designed to ensure productivity and generate revenue from municipal assets.

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He said the process involves 16 steps, from initial inquiry through to tender and contract management, and includes mandatory public participation for leases exceeding R10m.

Mzobe explained that the JPC manages certain city owned properties for transactional purposes, while the city council, and its asset management departments, make decisions on land allocation.

He added that an independent valuation is required before any transaction can proceed, and that the tender process includes both technical and financial evaluations, with an emphasis on achieving the best possible return for the city. He further noted that the property is currently in the circulation stage, with the tender process expected to take between six and nine months.

The meeting also clarified the distinction between social and commercial leases. Social leases prioritise community benefit, and are not market related, while commercial leases are intended to generate revenue. Regardless of the category, all properties must have valid lease agreements to ensure accountability and proper management.

Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen said the concerns raised by residents would be central to her submission to the city and the JPC. She noted that the issues highlighted by the community would be translated into clear and practical conditions, particularly in light of previous negative experiences at the site.

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She stressed that while the city needs to derive value from its assets, the community expects the space to remain primarily community oriented. According to Van Onselen, any future use should be low impact and suitable for a residential area, rather than driven solely by revenue generation.

To broaden participation, she will distribute a questionnaire to residents who were unable to attend the meeting, ensuring their concerns are also included.

She committed to keeping the community informed at each stage of the process, as it moves towards the tender phase and beyond.

Van Onselen added that transparency would be key, with ongoing communication to help residents understand the process and where their input can still influence outcomes.

Should the final decision not reflect community concerns, she said she would support residents in engaging further through the appropriate city channels, including lodging formal objections where necessary.

As the process continues, residents are expected to remain actively involved in shaping the future of the Dunkeld Bowls Club site.

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