The Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the stormwater system in Somerset West’s Geelsloot Catchment area. The project comprises multiple sub-projects, including the construction of new stormwater detention ponds, refurbishment of existing channels, and introduction of green infrastructure. The project is expected to enhance the aesthetics of the area, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk. The project is a rich blend of various disciplines, promoting an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring economic stability.
What is the Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project?
The Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the stormwater system in Somerset West’s Geelsloot Catchment area. The project comprises multiple sub-projects, including the construction of new stormwater detention ponds, refurbishment of existing channels, and introduction of green infrastructure. The project is expected to enhance the aesthetics of the area, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk.
Somerset West, an idyllic corner of the Helderberg planning district, is at the cusp of a significant urban transformation. The Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project will be the pivotal force behind this change, combining environmental recovery, public utility, and urban resilience. Unveiled on 19 June 2024 by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, the project’s construction is expected to start in November 2025.
The Journey Toward Restoration
The Geelsloot Ponds are a critical part of the extensive Lourens River Catchment. Over time, Geelsloot’s stormwater system has suffered from significant erosion, necessitating a thorough overhaul. The necessity for this refurbishment was highlighted in the 2011 Bau-afrika Stormwater Flood Management Report, which recommended improvements for twenty-one projects in the Geelsloot Catchment area. The anticipated upgrade will control the volume of stormwater downstream, providing crucial protection against flooding.
The preliminary Basic Assessment Report, which includes botanical, freshwater, and heritage evaluations, is now available for public review. Residents are invited to provide their insights and viewpoints on the proposed project.
The Multi-layered Strategy
The project’s scope is extensive, planning to implement several interconnected sub-projects.
The fifth sub-project, situated at the intersection of Dummer Street and Aberdeen Road, includes plans for a new stormwater detention pond, measures to protect against erosion, and the restoration of currently eroded channels. Additional features include a walking path around the pond, off-street parking, and reworking of the existing play and gym facilities.
Sub-project six, which includes ERF 306 and ERF 143 at Aberdeen and Stella Road, foresees the development of a new stormwater detention pond, a surrounding pathway, and soft landscaping.
The seventh sub-project, centered between Jakaranda Street and Aberdeen Road, is charged with mending eroded channels, expanding existing conduits, and introducing gabions and rock-filled weirs to control the speed of channelized water. It also includes a pathway linking Aberdeen Road, Jakaranda Road, and Leerdam Close, in addition to soft landscaping.
Sub-project fourteen, stretching across ERF 7288 and ERF 9059, nestled between Hoeveld Road and Fraser Road, envisions three in-line detention ponds and a parking zone. It also includes pathways connecting Hoeveld Road, Colleens Close, and Berg en Dal Road. This project embraces the principles of the Liveable Urban Waterway (LUW) program, a strategy designed to incorporate water-sensitive design, nature-based solutions, and green-infrastructure approaches.
Training Ground for Urban Resilience
The project is a rich blend of various disciplines, including Environmental Assessment, Landscape Architecture, Freshwater Aquatics, Botany, Town Planning, Geotechnical engineering, and Heritage Consultancy, promoting an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration.
While the project’s execution may involve temporary inconveniences, its lasting benefits forecast a significant shift in urban living standards. Residents can look forward to enhanced aesthetics, an expansion of green infrastructure, and a lowering of flood risk. The project also guarantees improved water quality, heightened public safety, and preservation of natural resources, ensuring economic stability.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, highlighted the importance of the project, stating: “Following past flooding incidents in the area, this upgrade will offer significant benefits for the residents.”
The deadline for submitting comments is 5 July 2024. Residents are encouraged to express their thoughts and submit them to Lukhozi Consulting Engineers.
The planned upgrade of the Geelsloot Ponds exemplifies the potential of innovative planning and design in addressing environmental issues and creating resilient urban environments. It embodies a tale of transformation and resilience, authored collectively by the residents of Somerset West.
What is the significance of the Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project in Somerset West?
The Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project is a significant initiative aimed at improving the stormwater system in Somerset West’s Geelsloot Catchment area. It is expected to enhance the aesthetics of the area, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk. The project is a rich blend of various disciplines, promoting an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring economic stability.
Why is the refurbishment of Geelsloot Ponds necessary?
Over time, Geelsloot’s stormwater system has suffered from significant erosion, necessitating a thorough overhaul. The anticipated upgrade will control the volume of stormwater downstream, providing crucial protection against flooding. The refurbishment was highlighted in the 2011 Bau-afrika Stormwater Flood Management Report, which recommended improvements for twenty-one projects in the Geelsloot Catchment area.
What are the sub-projects included in the Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project?
The Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project comprises multiple sub-projects, including the construction of new stormwater detention ponds, refurbishment of existing channels, and the introduction of green infrastructure. The project includes sub-projects such as the construction of a new stormwater detention pond at Dummer Street and Aberdeen Road, the development of a new stormwater detention pond at Aberdeen and Stella Road, mending eroded channels and expanding existing conduits at Jakaranda Street and Aberdeen Road, and three in-line detention ponds and a parking zone at ERF 7288 and ERF 9059.
How will the Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project benefit the residents of Somerset West?
The project guarantees improved water quality, heightened public safety, and preservation of natural resources, ensuring economic stability. Residents can look forward to enhanced aesthetics, an expansion of green infrastructure, and a lowering of flood risk.
What is the deadline for submitting comments on the preliminary Basic Assessment Report?
The deadline for submitting comments on the preliminary Basic Assessment Report is 5 July 2024. Residents are encouraged to express their thoughts and submit them to Lukhozi Consulting Engineers.
What disciplines are involved in the Geelsloot Ponds upgrade project?
The project is a rich blend of various disciplines, including Environmental Assessment, Landscape Architecture, Freshwater Aquatics, Botany, Town Planning, Geotechnical engineering, and Heritage Consultancy, promoting an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration.
