Johannesburg - ‘Corridors of freedom” is set to become the catchphrase in Joburg. This was announced by City of Joburg mayor Parks Tau as he delivered the city’s record R40 billion 2013/14 budget, revealing that the city will resemble a massive construction site as R100bn is spent on infrastructure over the next 10 years.
This budget is the highest tabled in the country. About R17.3bn will be spent on the start of the establishment of these corridors.
Three “corridors of freedom” have been prioritised for this financial year: the inner city to Soweto; Louis Botha Avenue from the inner city to Alexandra; and Alexandra to Sandton.
“Through them we aim to knit together the urban form through the mass transit of people and goods along corridors that strengthen connectivity of different parts of the city. These corridors will be developed to support high-density, mixed-use developments, reduce times and costs of transport,” he said.
These corridors are meant to slow the process of urban sprawl and the “uncontrolled spread of low-density developments on the fringes of the city. This will improve the walkability, accessibility and safety of neighbourhoods, as well as promoting cycling and the use of non-motorised transport in the city.”
The benefits will be a reduction in the use of private cars, and an increased reliance on an efficient public transport system.
“Therefore, this budget will start with the investment in public infrastructure. By 2016, Rea Vaya will transport some 200 000 passengers connecting Protea Glen, Eldorado Park and Dobsonville with the inner city, and beyond to Parktown and Alexandra. Future corridors will be extended to Diepsloot and Ivory Park,” he said.
The good news for Joburg residents is that R21.9bn, more than half the operating budget, will be spent on service delivery.
The Joburg Roads Agency gets R5.2bn. This massive budget will go to resurfacing roads throughout the city including Bryanston, Sandton, Rivonia, Parkview, Eldorado Park and Riverlea. Projects will also include the upgrade of the M1 and M2, upgrade of the Le Roux Avenue bridge and the Naledi/Protea bridge.
Gravel roads in Bramfischerville, Diepsloot, Doornkop/Thulani, New Lawley, Orange Farm, Tshepisong and Ivory Park will be tarred.
City Power gets R20bn to be spent on improving the quality of supply and the roll-out of prepaid meters, and upgrading substations to reduce electricity losses.
Joburg Water gets R9.6bn for projects in Orange Farm, Doornkop West, Protea Glen, Roodepoort, Diepsloot, Sandton, Alexandra and Bramfischerville. It is hoped that losses will be reduced from 30 percent to 22 percent by 2016.
The auditor-general found in his report last year that the council incurred water losses of R805 million and electricity losses of R663m during 2011/12.
Pikitup gets R2.1bn to focus on on-going refuse collection including informal settlements, and to address illegal dumping, as well as upgrading and maintaining landfill sites.
Housing is another big focus area with the Johannesburg Social Housing Company getting R1.9bn for various projects, which include mixed-housing areas and hostel upgrading. It is hoped to deliver 1 700 affordable rental units through this. The department of housing gets R3bn for housing opportunities for those on the 1996/97 waiting list, accelerating the upgrade of informal settlements, affordable housing, hostel upgrading and mixed-housing opportunities.
Transport gets R4.1bn for the extension of the Rea Vaya system into new areas and for the establishment of cycling lanes and sidewalk improvements in Kaalfontein Extension 8, Ivory Park and around the University of Johannesburg and Wits University.
Some R505m has been allocated for smart metering, which is set to improve the billing system as most of the errors happen with readings. Environment and infrastructure will get R74.9m for the rehabilitation of Bruma Lake.
“Parts of Joburg will resemble a massive construction site as we start to realise the corridors of freedom. This activity will inevitably result in short-term inconveniences for residents and businesses. However, the long-term gains resulting from this transit-oriented development will far outweigh the short-term pains we might experience,” he said.
This public works programme will see 50 000 jobs being created.
The Star