Development grinds to a halt
2010-07-29
DEVELOPERS in Paarl are extremely concerned at the prospects of future property development in the area, due to inadequate bulk services. One of the biggest stumbling blocks is the limitation caused by the main sewage pipeline running from south to north through Paarl. Expansion to the south, to areas like Boschenmeer, has increased the load on the sewer, requiring construction of a new, bigger sewer to the Paarl waste works in Dal Josaphat. Although construction work has started, delays are caused by the high cost of R130 million for this sewer. Only about R3 million per year is allocated for this purpose, which means it may be a decade before any new property development can take place in the southern half of Paarl. A local property developer, Anton Möller, expressed his concern over delays, which has caused a property which he owns in upper Dorp Street, to be vandalised. Commented Möller, “I plan to develop a small block of flats with 28 units for retired persons. There is a very big need for such accommodation in Paarl. “The entrance is to be through the existing house in Dorp Street, and as I am awaiting approval of the development, I no longer have a tenant in the building. “Although I have attempted to seal off the building, vandals have broken in and even made fires inside. “Despite the demand for housing units, according to the municipality, no development can take place in the area, because the sewage is inadequate. “What concerns me is the slow rate at which this bulk sewer is being constructed. I have offered to pay in a large amount as a loan to subsidise this project, over and above the bulk levy, but funding is still insufficient. “I have been told that it will take more than five years before any development can go ahead.” According to the municipal spokesperson, expansion of services is tackled according to a 20 year master plan for each service (water, sewage, streets, stormwater and waste removal). If capacity is not available, upgrading must be done timeously. “Funding is currently being used for the upgrading of the the Paarl main sewer, the sewage pump station in Pentz Street (Wellington), the Paarl waste water treatment works and the Newton water pipeline, amongst others, in line with the municipal capital budget for 2010/11 and 2012/13. “However, the funding is insufficient and developers are being approached for assistance on an ad hoc basis. We are in the process of launching an official developers’ forum. The details will be finalised soon.”
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