Megacity construction brings affordable housing, jobs to Pretoria east

Tags

---

25-09-2024
Read : 100 times
Pretoria Rekord
Source

The Mooikloof Mega City will comprise more than 12 000 apartments and has created an estimated 63 000 jobs during its construction.

The Mooikloof Green Mega City has begun its transformation in the east of Pretoria with the first phase of housing well underway and upgrades to the K50 Garsfontein Road in the pipeline.

With this big development in the area, road infrastructure to accommodate the increasing population in the area is a paramount need.

Balwin Properties, the developer, said discussions are being held to secure government funding for the enhancement of the K50 Garsfontein Road, and at the same time funding has been made available to double the Garsfontein Road carriageway from the N1 to Solomon Mahlangu Drive.

The developer also said the Garsfontein double carriage upgrade is now out on tender.

Mooikloof Mega City is located off Garsfontein Road and a few kilometres from the junction with De Ville Bois Mareuil Drive where Woodlands Boulevard Mall is located. It is also not far from Solomon Mahlangu Drive, which gives access to the N4 and other main arterial routes.

The R80-billion development could potentially be South Africa’s largest sectional title development.

CEO of Balwin Properties, Steve Brookes said the first phase of the infrastructure project invested R21-million in road upgrades with a further R31-million earmarked for more road infrastructure upgrades for Pretoria east.

“Funding already received has been channelled to double the Garsfontein carriageway from the N1 to Solomon Mahlangu, which is out on tender at the moment.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa launches the over R30-billion Mooikloof Mega Residential City project on October 4, 2020. Photo: GCIS

Mooikloof Mega City was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020, planned as a smart city project that will address the housing needs of people who earn too much to qualify for fully subsidised housing but not enough to afford mortgage finance.

The development has a total project value of over R84-billion and is one of the 62 Government Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) gazetted in 2020.

The mega-city, which is a public-private sector project between the government and developers Balwin Properties, spans over 200 hectares and will have more than 50 000 residential units as well as retail shops and offices.

Thami Mchunu spokesperson for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) said the construction of Greenkloof at Mooikloof Smart City is progressing in line with expectations, and over 160 apartments have been completed and 112 handed to homeowners.

He said the development of more apartments will continue.

Mchunu stated that the project is a predominantly residential, mixed land-use development that will be implemented for 10 to 15 years.

“The development targets the affordable market and is ideally suited for state employees such as police officers, health workers, civil and administrative staff as well as parastatal employees, who will be well accommodated in this high value and quality development.”

Mchunu said the project demonstrates that affordable housing and upmarket housing can co-exist.

“Parallel to the construction of the apartments, upgrades to bulk infrastructure such as roads in the area are in progress and are being completed by the developer. Show units have been completed and are available for viewing.”

Mchunu said this project also has created an estimated 63 000 jobs during construction.

“The mega-city will result in an affordable, aesthetically and environmentally pleasing housing development aimed at first-time home buyers in the affordable market which is a traditionally under-serviced part of the housing market.”

Mchunu added that this development will incorporate lifestyle facilities of the highest order, naturally planted areas, and produce grown on-site which will be sold at the clubhouse venue. It will also include a restaurant, swimming facilities, all-weather soccer, and spa facilities all set in a landscaped, family-friendly environment.

“The project will include schools, colleges, retail and business facilities to support the residents.”

Brookes said to date “we have completed phase one of the R205-million infrastructure projects listed below”.

“We have handed this over to the Tshwane metro.”

The completed apartments in the first phase of the Mooikloof mega city. Photo: Facebook/Balwin Properties

Brookes said R90-million bulk water upgrades as well as R35-million bulk sewer upgrades are done.

He said the Mooikloof Mega City investment in infrastructure has been acknowledged as an important contributor to job creation and economic growth.

“Infrastructure lowers transaction costs, creates economic linkages and improves productive capacities.”

Brookes said that based on the direct/indirect multiplier, the Mooikloof Smart City generated an Infrastructure Employment Impact of R513-million and a total employment impact during the construction phase of 1 300 direct and indirect jobs.

He added that the mega city development will comprise a node of 12 100 apartments plus a shopping centre, schools, a sports centre and a hospital.

“The metro also wants to develop a fire station. The node will offer additional commercial opportunities, generating employment and adding to Greenkloof’s lifestyle offering.”

The metro hailed this project as an economic development for the city.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro could benefit from rates and taxes that could reach R117-million per annum.

Mashigo said Eskom is providing electricity for the development and the developer has installed the bulk water pipeline, and sewer line and intends to construct the 2Ml reservoir to ensure a stable water supply.

“The project will generate skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled employment opportunities. The employment opportunities are often sourced in the local economy and will therefore have a direct positive impact on local economic development.”

He added that applications to develop roads for the development have been forwarded to the Roads and Transport Department to ensure that the applications are scrutinised accordingly before approval.