Plans to build a multi-million rand petrol-station-in-the-sky on a deck over the M1 highway at Atholl-Oaklands in Johannesburg, close to Melrose Arch, have run into furious opposition from angry residents opposed to the scheme.

Property owners in Atholl-Oaklands – and the surrounding surburbs – say the development will damage property price and be detrimental to a wetland and two rivers that cross the parkland where the deck will be built.

They say that the nearby Melrose Bird Sanctuary would also be affected along with the James and Ethel Gray Park nearby. The land earmarked for the development is owned by the City of Joburg.

According to Marian Laserson the development may be rejected in terms of the national Environmental Management Act as it is planned for a riparian zone and is well within the 100-year flood line.

In terms of the plan, fuel storage tanks will be have to be built underground to comply with national safety regulations and this is not permitted in a riparian zone or a wetland.

An environmental impact assessment conducted by Mills and Otten environmental consultants found that it would be possible for suitable mitigatory measures to be put in place to reduce the potential impact of this development on the surrounding suburbs and environmentally sensitive areas.

It says the new petrol station will create a storm-water attenuation facility that will carry away future floodwater while the riverine system – which it says is severely degraded – will be rehabilitated and alien vegetation removed.

The study also found that while there were a number of other petrol stations within a 3 Km radius of the planned project; these would not be affected by the development as it was aimed at serving motorists who use the highway only.

Councillor Jack Cooper is supporting the Abbotsford Residents’ Association in its objections to the plan and he claims that the whole plan is flawed and as a result the residents will make a “determined effort” to ensure that the development is halted.

The City of Joburg’s executive manager of stakeholder relationships, Mlungisi Shongwe has invited people to comment or object to the scheme and points out that they have until tomorrow, August 17 to lodge their objections.  E-mails can be sent directly to the council at  smntungwa@jhbproperty.co.za.

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