RWRA’s position on the Joscho development on 12th Avenue, Rivonia
The first thing to note, is that Rivonia Wide Residents Association is in favour of inclusionary housing in the suburb, providing it follows due process, is managed carefully and happens in consultation with the community. We accept progress and that the suburb is undergoing change as part of the City of Johannesburg’s densification programme, but we call for consultation and consideration from the City in this development and how it will impact the suburb.
Undoubtedly inclusionary housing is beneficial to lower income earners, as well as their employers, by moving them nearer to their places of work; however, we’ve seen numerous examples of projects run by Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) that give rise for concern. The properties are built to poor standards, lack maintenance and proper management, which negatively impacts the residents and the communities where they are built.
Our concerns are further deepened when due process is not followed, and inclusionary housing and social housing are combined and used for profiteering by developers and other interested parties for political or personal gain. These nefarious actors flagrantly disregard the law and regulations for short term personal gain to the long-term detriment of the intended tenants, and the residents in the suburbs in which these developments are planned.
We believe that actual town planning is no longer being followed in the City of Johannesburg, with the various city boards and agencies fast-tracking approvals without due consideration being given to the affected communities they are supposed to serve. For example, the infrastructure that supports Rivonia is aging and crumbling, and is barely able to support the 5 000 residences already in the suburb. We believe the addition of a further 1 000 residences without considering the impact on the water, roads, electricity, schooling and other vital infrastructure and service delivery is impractical and will cause further problems for the suburb and its residents.
We believe Joshco’s proposed development of the connected sites on the corners of Wessels road, Stiglingh road and 12th Avenue must be challenged publicly for both the development approach and company’s track record of poor site management, rental collection and total lack of regard for the community, the infrastructure and the intended tenants.
Key to our objections are:
Failure to adhere to due planning, development and building processes and regulations
Lack of public transparency, consultation and communication about the development
Negative impact on already insufficient infrastructure
Lack of government primary and secondary schools in the area
Regular water and electricity outages
Increased traffic congestion and poor road maintenance
Failed town planning is already leading to a lack of local parks and public green spaces
The impact on the existing community, including concerns over devalued property prices and increased crime, while the City increases rates above inflationary levels for deteriorating service levels
The proposed 10 storey development is completely out of character with other properties in the area, which are at most five stories, plus parking. The nearest properties of this size are located in Sandton CBD, 7 kms away.
As rate-paying residents, we believe the City of Johannesburg owes us the duty of care to follow its own planning and development regulations, including consultation, transparency, due process in its actions and give fair consideration to the communities it serves. This proposed Joshco development currently has failed to meet these standards and must be stopped. If this proposal goes ahead unchecked, it won’t just be Rivonia and its residents that are affected, but this will empower the deviant developers and other beneficiaries to push ahead into neighbouring suburbs.
We need to act and fight this assault on hard-working, tax-paying citizens. You can help by donating money to Rivonia Wide to support this legal action. Act now, before it’s too late.
