GEKCO objects to large industrial farm on Riversands Farm
The Greater Kyalami Conservancy, Residents’ Associations and adjacent land owners are objecting to the large scale light industrial park planned north of Fourways, which is likened in size to industrial developments in the Modderfontein area. Century Properties were granted environmental authorisation in 2009 for a mixed use residential development on the Riversands Farm which covers the portion of land between Erling road and Mnandi road east of William Nicol. Century applied for and was granted permission to amend the environmental authorisation in a shortened public participation process in February 2013 just a few days before Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced the project in her State of the Province address.
The current Regional Spatial Development Framework does not support light industrial use at this node and to amend the RSDF, the developer initiated a public participation process which was attended by residents from Kyalami and Diepsloot. Residents have not been notified about the outcome of the public participation. Construction has already commenced with the building of a boundary wall and construction of a dual lane road through the development. The conservancy feels this is premature as the development has yet to obtain township approval.
The developer is now applying to amend the environmental authorisation for Phase 2 of the development. GEKCO would like to urge all residents who would be affected by this development to send an email with their comments to Bokamoso Environmental Consultants lizelleg@mweb.co.za before 20 September.
GEKCO is objecting to the industrial park as it is immediately adjacent to properties used for large scale chicken farming, cattle and sheep farming, schooling from Preschool to high school, a riding school for the disabled and properties used mainly for the purpose of equine sports and recreation. We have also received reports of endangered species on the site and GEKCO is requesting permission from the developer to investigate their presence. The conservancy also feels the development would have negative impacts on the broader area as our electricity demand is already dangerously higher than supply, it would increase traffic on already congested roads, and studies have not been done on visual and noise pollution and the impact on wetlands and rivers.