Housing project could take another two years
2007-08-02
May Saal
THE servicing of the Drommedaris emergency housing project of 2300 units could take another two years.
The construction of the first house will only start in June 2009, according to a presentation done by CSM Consulting Services at
a recent Drakenstein Mayoral Committee Meeting.
The project is being developed at a cost of R35 to R45 million, but has been delayed for six months after it became clear that the tender documents were invalid.
The multi-million rand tender for servicing of the erven and construction of the streets is published in Paarl Post today.
According to Keagan Von During of CSM, the contractor should be on site by November and the estimated contract duration is 18 months.
“It could be earlier, depending on the contractor.
“The full standard services should be completed by May 2009 before housing construction can begin.”
According to housing portfolio holder Clarie Meyer, the project was originally designed as site and service only, but it was later decided that the project would incorporate formal housing.
The delays are problematic, as the municipality faces continuous pressure from Spoornet to move the people who currently squat next to the railway line to another site.
“We get calls from Spoornet on a daily basis to move the people who are squatting under the railway line.
“Spoornet is threatening to take the Council to court on this matter,” said Cupido Jacobs, Drakenstein Housing Project Co-ordinator.
The possibility of moving shack dwellers to a transit camp on erf 584 in Langabuya, away from the railway line, is being considered.
Mayor Koos Louw pointed out that housing projects in the Drakenstein area are developing very slowly.
“It is time that we deliver. The people live in very cold and wet conditions. We should provide them with houses,” Louw said.
* A recommendation approving additional funding of R451 440, for earthworks at Housing Scheme 49 in Mbekweni, was accepted at the Drakenstein Mayoral Committee meeting on Wednesday 25 July.
The section of 766 units is part of Project 2, the housing project which has now been stalled for ten years.
Because of the long delays in this project, the condition of the erven are in such a state that the houses can not be build without compacting the ground.
According to Girshwin Fouldien, Drakenstein Municipality Acting Head of Planning and Economic Development, no funding is available from the provincial Department of Housing for the shortfall of R451 440 for this housing scheme.
It was therefore decided to vote funds from Land Acquisition and Bulk Services for the compacting of erven, as the Irish construction company involved, the Mellon Housing Initiative, has already made contributions on the shortfall for the top structure.
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