-Integrated Residential Development Program (IRDP)-
The Housing Project in Gansbaai, Blompark, is back on track after a couple of years and many challenges. On Thursday, 16 September 2021, the Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, joined Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee and fellow councillors and municipal officials in a ceremonial sod-turning event for the restart of a new housing development project in Blompark, Gansbaai.
The Blompark Housing Development, which has a budget allocation of just over R78 million, will deliver 539 top structures. If all goes according to plan, it is expected to be concluded by the end of March 2023.
The development forms part of the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP). This effectively means that it will not only be a mixed development, consisting of houses for various income groups but will also include commercial and recreational spaces.
“So here we are this afternoon for the ceremonial sod-turning to kick-off – or rather jump-start – the second phase to realise this communities’ dreams,” Alderlady Riana de Coning said. In his keynote address, Minister Simmers said: “This is not only the start of new human settlement development but also the continuation of how the provincial and local spheres of government are working together for the people. This project will not only improve the living conditions of the people in Blompark, but it will make a significant difference to the other areas as well.”
Wonderlike en Vreugdevolle Dag
Dit was die woorde van Raadsdame Riana de Coning tydens die sooispit-seremonie langs Angelierstraat in Blompark, skuins oorkant Beverly Hills. “My gemeenskap hier in Gansbaai, Blompark en ekself het vir jare oor hierdie dag gedroom,” het Riana gesê. Dit is sonder twyfel ook die gevoel van Blompark en Beverly Hills se inwoners.
In 2017 was almal in ekstase met die bull dozers wat soos oorlogtenks die terrein binnegery het en met die voorbereiding vir die bou van huise begin het. Maar, helaas! Sake het sleg skeef geloop met die kontrakteur wat insolvent (bankrot) verklaar is en alles is ‘wreed vir die gemoed’ tot stilstand geruk. Vele openbare vergaderings het gevolg, met ‘n wonderlike gemeenskap wat steeds positief en geduldig gebly het.
Daarna het dinge weer begin gebeur en in Desember 2019 is die ‘dorpsdienste’ voltooi en sou daar met die bou van die huise begin kon word. “Toe tref COVID-19 ons in 2020 en alles word weer doodgeruk!” het Riana gesê. “Ek is dankbaar dat die potensiële begunstigdes weer eens begrip vir die nuwe uitdagings getoon het.”
Uiteindelik het Donderdag 16 September 2021 aangebreek – die seremoniële sooie vir die eerste huis kon gespit word. Die Wes-Kaapse Minister van Behuising, mnr Tertuis Simmers en die Overstrandse Uitvoerende Burgermeester, Raadsheer Dudley Coetzee, het die voorreg gesmaak om die eerste sooie te spit, in ‘n wind wat mens wou omwaai – maar tog omhul met diepe gemeenskapsvreugde.
Hardus Botha
