Absa Property Development (Pty) Ltd and Emalahleni Local Municipality intend to develop a new residential area on various portions of the farm Blesboklaagte 296 JS eMalahleni.
The site is approximately 275 hectares in extent and located adjacent to the existing Klarinet x6, x7 and x8 residential areas. The land already belongs to Absa and the ELM, and no additional properties will be bought out for this development.
The project was declared a National Priority Project and is implemented in support of the Government’s Breaking New Ground Strategy and intends to address the housing backlog in the area.
Farmers on the small holdings raised concerns of increased crime, sewage spills that will affect not only the Olifants River but also boreholes and an increase in traffic volumes.
“I am afraid of the development. It will have an influence on the cleanness of the stream which flows through my place. The borehole can also be infected because it is well known the sewage works are not well managed in the country. The development is a concern for small land owners because it is such a big development,” a worried resident, Mr Ernest Blignaut said.
When one takes a look at the concerns raised by the residents and the current state of Emalahleni Local Municipality, there definitely is a need for unease.
The Olifants River is giving clear signals that the sewerage plants in the local municipality are not on par with standards.
Residents still have the chance until June 5 to raise their concerns about this proposed development by evaluating the draft Scoping Report compiled by Clean Stream. The draft Scoping Report is available at the Witbank Public Library or can be downloaded from the Clean Stream website: www.cleanstreamsa.co.za (New Projects/Scoping Report/ Klarinet Phase 2). Comments can be forwarded to riana@cleanstreamsa.co.za.
Comments received will be included in the final Scoping Report and will be addressed as part of the EIA phase of the project.
For free breaking and community news, visit Witbank News’s website:
Witbank News
For more news and interesting articles, like Witbank News on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
We offer a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send a message to our WhatsApp with your ‘Name and Surname’ to 082 955 7201 or add us on BBM 7F6C00F to receive your free daily news updates.
