Vaal set to get R11bn new city

07 May 2015 - 02:19 By Penwell Dlamini

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has barred municipalities from selling land to the private sector for any development that does not fit in with the province's plans. Speaking at the launch of the ambitious Vaal River City project in Sedibeng, Makhura said: "Every development must meet the needs of our people. We cannot allow municipalities to just sell land to private developers to build small things that are insignificant, just petty projects."I know that we must look at the empowerment of black entrepreneurs but work with us on big plans that impact on the quality of life of our people," he said.Makhura said Gauteng was encouraging private investment by reducing the period that developers wait for the environmental impact assessment from about a year to just three months."Private sector is willing to come to the party."What government must do is provide leadership and do things fast," he said.Gauteng provincial government has identified five corridors where housing and other economic development will be intensified.These are central Johannesburg with its diverse economic activity, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, West Rand around Lanseria Airport, and the Vaal. Vaal River City is a partnership between Gauteng, municipalities and the private sector .The municipalities include Midvaal, Emfuleni and Sedibeng.The new development, which provincial government says is its "post-apartheid city", will be built for about R11-billion.It will be anchored on the Vaal River, which flows through different areas in the Vaal Triangle.The development includes:Construction of government offices, which will administer all public-sector services to the Vaal Triangle community;About 60000m² of retail and lifestyle space;About 40000m² of office space;20ha of parkland, including cycling and pedestrian paths;5000 mixed housing units; andA rapid bus transport system similar to Johannesburg's Rea Vaya and Tshwane's A Re Yeng.All the developments will be on a 250ha piece of land, which has 6km of river frontage.A total of 10000 jobs are expected to be created during construction and 19000 in the operational phase. Construction is expected to begin before the end of 2015...

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