| Comment on proposed Geelsloot Ponds upgrade in Somerset West | Comment on proposed Geelsloot Ponds upgrade in Somerset West | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>On Wednesday, 19 June 2024, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate hosted a public engagement session to share plans of the proposed Upgrade of the Geelsloot Ponds in Somerset West, with construction expected to start in November 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their comments on the proposed project by Friday, 5 July 2024. Read <br></p> | <span><p>The Catchment, Stormwater and River Management branch has begun public participation related to the multi-faceted Geelsloot Ponds upgrade. This follows the compilation of the draft Basic Assessment Report, made available to the public for comment until Friday, 5 July 2024. </p><p>The report is a compilation of inputs following botanical, freshwater and heritage screenings, as well as landscape architect, town planning screenings and a geotechnical investigation to evaluate the in-situ soil profiles and characteristics of the various sites. <br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/20220614_122247.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1898px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The 'Upgrade of the Geelsloot Ponds' project is currently in the detailed design stage. Located within the planning district of Helderberg in Somerset West, the Geelsloot forms part of the bigger Lourens River Catchment.</p><p>The Geelsloot stormwater system is severely eroded and needs to be rehabilitated. A Bau-afrika Stormwater Flood Management Report for the Geelsloot Catchment completed in January 2011, recommended that upgrades and improvements be implemented on 21 listed projects within the Geelsloot Catchment area. The project will also have a significant impact on the areas situated downstream, by decreasing volumes of stormwater and safeguarding them from flooding. <br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Comment%20on%20proposed%20Geelsloot%20Ponds%20Upgrade%20in%20Somerset%20West%201.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The proposed project includes the following phases:</p><ul><li><strong>Project 5 on ERF 144, corner of Dummer Street and Aberdeen Road:</strong> New stormwater detention pond and rehabilitation of existing eroded channels and erosion protection measures, a circular pathway around the pond, parallel parking bays on the western edge of the site at Dummer Road, relocation and rearrangement of all existing play and gym equipment to new locations on site (below the pond's embankment) and upgrade of stormwater culverts under Aberdeen Road.</li><li><strong>Project 6 on ERF 306 and ERF 143, Aberdeen and Stella Road</strong>: New stormwater detention pond, a pathway around the pond (which will either be accessed at Stella Road or via the stepped overflow from Aberdeen Road) and soft landscaping. </li><li><strong>Project 7 </strong><strong>Project 7 on ERF 142, between Jakaranda Street and Aberdeen Road</strong><strong>:</strong> Repair of eroded channels (downstream of Aberdeen Road), widening of existing channels and implementing gabions and rock-packed weirs to slow down the velocity of the water in the channel, a pathway connecting Aberdeen Road, Jakaranda Road and Leerdam Close, and the soft landscaping </li></ul><ul><li><strong>Project 14 </strong><strong>on ERF 7288 and ERF 9059, between Hoeveld Road and Fraser Road</strong><strong>:</strong> Three in-line detention ponds, parking area alongside Hoeveld Road and pathways connecting Hoeveld Road, Colleens Close and Berg en Dal Road.<br><br> <br><br>This project incorporates some of the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/liveable-urban-waterways" target="_blank">Liveable Urban Waterway (LUW)</a> principles. The LUW programme was developed in response to increasingly unpredictable climate conditions and serves as an implementation mechanism for waterway rehabilitation projects. It promotes the use of water-sensitive design, nature-based solutions and green-infrastructure approaches.<br><br> <br><br>The project team consists of a multi-disciplinary team that includes an Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Landscape Architect, Freshwater Aquatic Specialist, Botanical Specialist, Town Planner, Geotechnical engineer and an Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant.<br><br> <br><br>The City acknowledges that work of this nature will come with temporary inconveniences to residents and businesses in surrounding areas, but the long term benefits far outweighs this. Residents can expect a significant improvement in the aesthetic landscape and addition of green infrastructure, a reduction in flood risk, improved water quality, increased public safety, preservation of natural resources and economic stability. <br></li></ul>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Comment%20on%20proposed%20Geelsloot%20Ponds%20Upgrade%20in%20Somerset%20West%204.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span><p>'Following flooding incidents in the area in the past, this upgrade will come with great benefits for residents. We encourage residents to take the opportunity and submit their comments on this proposal,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>The closing date for submission of comments is 5 July 2024. </p><p><strong>Comments can be submitted to: </strong></p><p>Lukhozi Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd</p><p>ATT: Natalie Ritsch</p><p>Office 111, 1st Floor, Tijgerpark 3,</p><p>Willie van Schoor Drive, Bellville, 7530</p><p>Tel: 021 686 2550</p><p>Email: <a href="mailto:n.ritsch@lukhozi.co.za" target="_blank">n.ritsch@lukhozi.co.za</a><br></p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2024-07-01T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#c96f8c35-45ce-46c9-9070-6ad36dc00b9b;L0|#0c96f8c35-45ce-46c9-9070-6ad36dc00b9b|catchment areas;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
