Proposed development at Garden Route Dam abandoned

GEORGE NEWS - A decision to abandon the plans for the proposed development of the land at the Garden Route Dam was passed at an ordinary meeting of the George Council after two decades of challenging processes of town planning and environmental assessment studies.

A recommendation by the Mayoral Committee tabled to Council on Thursday 26 March proposed that all plans for development on the 118.5ha of land (a portion of the remainder of Erf 464) to the south of the dam be cancelled. Two options were presented: abandoning the project, or revising it and continuing development with a new approach.

According to the committee report, further pursuit of the multi-million-rand development could have unlocked the land’s potential and helped recover costs of the approval processes that were completed to date, but it had to be weighed up against significant financial and legal risks.

Environmental approval was granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) in August 2022 for a proposed layout consisting of a university campus/educational zone (12%), commercial waterfront (5%), a residential component (14%) and open space and recreation (63%).

The DEADP dismissed the community appeals to its decision, but this moved one of the opponents, the Garden Route Dam Action Group (Gardag), to take the legal route. This resulted in the Cape High Court setting the environmental approval aside in 2024, forcing the municipality to reassess its plans.

Desireé du Preez, Gardag’s chairperson, welcomed the cancelling of the plans. “This is a victory for common sense, for responsible water stewardship, and for the many residents who spoke up to protect one of George’s most important strategic assets. The Garden Route Dam is central to the town’s water security, and protecting its catchment must remain a top priority.”

According to the report, pursuing the development is not recommended as alleged deficiencies in the environmental application would have to be further investigated and addressed and a new application submitted, for which funds will be needed. Similar opposition to the application can also be reasonably expected and provision needs to be made for litigation.

The layout of the proposed development that Council has cancelled. The university campus is in the foreground, adjacent to the dam overflow. Image: Aurecon

The funds the municipality has already invested in the project since 2006, when the site was initially investigated, exceed R2.5m. There was an environmental approval in 2015, but only for the commercial waterfront. The residential component was not supported at the time for the reason that George then had ample infill development opportunities, and densification was encouraged.

This initial record of decision (ROD) was valid until November 2020, but the DEADP granted an extension and in 2018, Council began a new application.

A broad spectrum of specialist investigations were undertaken, including environmental impact studies as the land contains environmentally sensitive areas, including riparian zones and pockets of endangered vegetation.

During the public participation process, a large number of people objected, mainly because of environmental concerns, risks for the city’s only water resource and restricted public access to an area currently enjoyed by many for sport and outdoor recreation. The Nelson Mandela University George Campus also objected.

According to the report, the land is underutilised and as such places a burden on municipal funds and presents security and other risks. At present, providing security costs about R30 000 per month.

Differing opinions on halt

Abandoning the develop elicited differing opinions from opposition parties during meeting.

Good Cllr Chantelle Kyd said not developing the area is a missed opportunity and "favours the few over the many". "We are not calling for reckless development.

"We are calling for responsible, well-planned development that is environmentally sound and aligned with our spatial objectives. Significant time and resources have already been invested. The focus should now be on improving the concept and not walking away from it.

"Our vision is consistent that well-located land must be used to advance the public interest, support inclusion and respond to the growth of George."

The status quo remains for now. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe

'Racetrack for the youth'

Cllr Jacobus Gertse of the PBI asked for the original plans to be reinstated. He said it was a missed opportunity that would have brought a university closer for the youth and so would have eased the burden on families who are forced to send their children far from home to be educated. "If a university is not to be built, we demand that the land be used for youth development."

He suggested that a racetrack and supporting facilities be built "where young people can channel their energy, build talent and stay off the streets".

Progress not only rands and concrete

FF Plus Cllr Gert Niehaus, who proposed that the recommendation be passed, said protecting water resources and public recreational areas is important. "We are told that development means progress, that more buildings and more money equal success, but development is not success if children have no open spaces to play … and families lose the places where community is built.