Progress on Vaal River City project gathers pace as key approvals secured
Big steps forward mean the Vaal River City project is finally moving closer to being built.
VANDERBIJLPARK – The multibillion-rand Vaal River City (VRC) development has taken several major steps forward, with new town-planning, infrastructure and regulatory milestones positioning the project for construction to begin in early 2026.
According to the latest update from the developers, all Surveyor General diagrams have now been approved and the municipal rates incentive scheme has been formally adopted by the Emfuleni Local Council.
This incentive paves the way for the proclamation of the various townships and unlocks access to bulk-infrastructure funding from National Treasury.
Service Level Agreements with the municipality are also nearing final sign-off.
Infrastructure planning is progressing in parallel.
Emfuleni has approved the final traffic study, while work is underway to align VRC’s internal road layout with existing servitudes.
Discussions with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport continue, particularly around the completion of a key link road and a proposed extension toward Sharpeville Extension 2 — both of which have been included in the Bulk Funding of Infrastructure (BFI) application.
On the water and bulk-services front, the Water Use Licence has entered Phase 3, with public participation opened on 27 August.
Feedback from local community associations is being incorporated into the final designs.
Updated bulk-services layouts have been submitted to Council, while Rand Water is reviewing a request to relax certain control lines to streamline future service connections.
Engagement with Sasol regarding the gas-line servitude through the site has also been productive, with action plans being finalised to ensure both compliance and development continuity.
While some timelines have been affected by delays in municipal approvals, the overall programme is being recalibrated, and the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency submission is now scheduled for February 2026.
Developers say the continued progress strengthens Vaal River City’s positioning as a significant mixed-use investment opportunity in the region.
