A public participation notice seen pinned on the ground on the corner of Big Bay Boulevard seems to have been the only clue the City gave residents about a plan to build a stormwater pipeline from Big Bay to Sunningdale.
The barely visible notice noted that residents had from Tuesday May 3 to Wednesday June 1 to comment.
Residents took to Facebook demanding to know why the information had not been advertised more widely; others claimed the project was already under way.
Mike Clery, who first raised the issue on the Frustrated Table View Ratepayers’ Association Facebook group, said he had not seen anything elsewhere about the development proposal.
“What I find really odd about this is that the EIA (environmental impact assessment) appears to be a mere formality – a ‘box-ticking’ by the City – because this massive extension to Sunningdale is already in progress.
“What are they going to do if the study dictates that this isn’t environmentally acceptable? What is ‘Plan B’,” asked Mr Clery.
Angus Brits commented saying, “Should that notice not be advertised in the dailies? Instead of just stuck in the ground.”
Mike Channing said he would try to find out more about the project and advised residents to monitor how it was managed to ensure that roads were not damaged.
Mayoral committee member for transport, Brett Herron, said the plan to link Sunningdale and Big Bay stormwater pipes had been decided many years ago.
“As far back as 2000, a stormwater master plan was drawn up for the greater Blaauwberg area, and it was already identified that stormwater from the northern parts of Sunningdale had to be directed towards Big Bay. When the Big Bay system was constructed in 2006, it was done in such a way that it could accommodate stormwater from the Sunningdale area in future.
“Currently, a temporary link to the Sunningdale Canal is also being used until the proposed Big Bay pipeline is in place,” said Mr Herron.
The pipeline extension would permit the further development of Sunningdale, and only the northern parts of Sunningdale’s storm water would drain towards Big Bay, he said.
According to the project contractor, CCA Environmental, the project could lead to more traffic and some extra noise. However, it said it would comply with recommendations to limit those effects as much as possible.
To view the development’s plans or register as an affected party to submit comment, residents can contact CCA Environmental at 021 461 1118/9 or visit www.ccaenvironmental.co.za