The recent announcement by the City of Johannesburg and Joshco of the building of a 10 story, 1000+ apartment development on the Corner of Wessels and 12th Roads in Edenburg, Rivonia has been done without consultation with the community, its home owners and rate payers.
This development is the start of a city wide deployment of similar projects which is part of Joshco's mission to provide, "quality, resource efficient, economically sustainable and affordable housing products," to their customers.
The community of Edenburg and Rivonia recognise that Johannesburg is an evolving city and do not oppose densification and Joshco's mission in principle.
However the COJ's densification policy is highly complex and opaque, and suburban communities have not been properly consulted despite the impact these developments will have on their property values, and the additional strain created on an already overburdened water, sewage and road infrastructure, as well as schools and the healthcare system.
Unfortunately the political structures and their representatives have failed us and seem powerless, unwilling or unable to stop any activity that is detrimental to their constituents.
This announcement is positioned as a fait accompli, but as a community we cannot stand by and allow the City, to whom we pay ever increasing rates, to ride roughshod over our rights, without proper consultation.
If this development is allowed to proceed without due process it will allow the City of Joburg to expand on their densification policy without recourse.
We, the community of Rivonia and surrounding suburbs thus petition the Democratic Alliance Ward representation, the City of Johannesburg, Joshco, and all other relevant organisations to cease any further plans or activity with regards the aforementioned development until
- City and Ward representatives have addressed and consulted with the community.
- Come to a resolution with the Rivonia residents about this and future developments in the area that is in the best interests of all Parties concerned.
