Construction of housing to start soon
2009-11-05
CONSTRUCTION work is to start soon on the Drommedaris housing project in Mbekweni, Paarl. With 1588 houses it will be one of the biggest housing projects in the Western Cape after the N2 Gateway development in Cape Town. Preparation of the 28 hectare site next to the Drakenstein traffic centre, has nearly been completed. The development was faced by a number of difficulties,due to the marshy site which was regularly flooded during winter. Over the years a great many shallow dams were constructed which virtually covered the whole site, for the cultivation of “waterblommetjies”. The Drakenstein Municipality wanted to establish an emergency housing project on the site to relocate families there from the squatter areas lining Drommedaris Street. Initially, studies showed that the cost to make the land habitable would be extremely high and although it was recommended that alternative land be found, investigations for suitable land were unsuccessful. CSM, which was given responsibility for the planning, design, implementation and execution of the entire project, obtained approval in March 2006 from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning to proceed. The bulk earthworks were completed in 2007 and to date 95% of the civil engineering services have been installed. CSM MD Dolf Möhr said a comprehensive storm-water drainage system was being installed which would eliminate the danger of flooding in the winter months. “On completion there will be 5 km of underground concrete storm-water piping and 4 km of sub-surface drainage. Once the engineering services have been completed later this year, a start will be made with the construction of houses in phases.” Although the site was originally planned for the relocation of informal structures, the Drakenstein Municipality decided in the light of the prominent position of the site to upgrade the development from an emergency housing project to a formal housing project consisting of 1 588 new subsidised houses. “Roads will be paved, there will be a waterborne sewage system and water on tap in every house while extensive electricity networks are being provided,” Möhr said. Drakenstein Municipality, through CSM, has also applied for funds under the exciting new CRU (Community Residential Units) subsidies, placing them as one of the first municipalities in the Western Cape making use of this opportunity, which will not only enable this project to become more integrated in terms of the Government’s Housing Subsidy Guidelines, but could also additionally provide approximately 700 rental units (blocks of flat). Construction of houses is scheduled to be completed in 2012 and the flats in 2014.
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