The Green Belt of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) has been “threatened by” or “earmarked for” development, depending on one’s viewpoint, since 1998 when council’s plans of development there were thwarted by public outcry.

The chairperson of the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SRPA), Ms Inga Gilfillan, recently took an official of the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs in Thohoyandou on a tour of the area. The tour in August arose from the SRPA’s objection against an application for the development of Extension 9 that had received the green light from the Makhado Municipality in December 2012. The department responded nearly two years later to the SRPA’s objection and said that the latter would be informed of the department’s decision of whether development would be allowed or not. The development as proposed in February 2012 would be on an 18-hectare stand north of Stubbs Street in the Green Belt area, and would comprise a large shopping centre, hotel and office complex. The developers are Day Break Properties 7 (Pty) Ltd.

“Our town boasts six dams that are surprisingly full at this time. We have a beautiful Green Belt area. Why can it not rather be developed into facilities like botanical gardens, picnic spots, camping and caravan sites and outdoor recreational facilities?” said Gilfillan during the visit.

In the meantime, an application was filed for the alienation of a portion of Erf 4296 in the Green Belt area by Nilotouch (Pty) Ltd. The Makhado Municipality published its intent to sell a portion of 24 000m2 of the land around the town’s cricket field in June this year. The land is situated in the Bird Sanctuary, near the corner of Rissik Street and the N1. Part of the envisaged development is a motor dealership, a McDonald’s take-away restaurant, a Dros restaurant and a Food Lover’s market.

In June, the SRPA addressed a letter of objection against the development of Erf 4296 in the Green Belt to the Makhado Municipality, attaching the by-laws on parks, gardens and public open spaces.

When addressing the SRPA on 21 August, municipal manager Mr Sakkie Mutshinyali said that development and taking care for the environment need not be in conflict with each other. He referred to Nelspruit, Tzaneen and White River, where there are rivers as well as development. “Development can happen even though there is respect for the environment … stop thinking that development will always destroy the environment,” Mutshinyali said and added that development and environment could be combined. "How nice it will be to sit in a restaurant and listen to the birds in the bird park,” Mutshinyali said.

Gilfillan this week emphasised a few important considerations concerning the Green Belt. “This low-lying area is under the 100-year flood line. People should remember that the area was under water with the floods in 2000. The Green Belt is a sensitive catchment area of all the water from the mountain. The environment and soil there are not suitable for building.” Gilfillan added that the migration routes of indigenous animal species would be in danger and indigenous trees in the Green Belt would be damaged by development. “The by-laws state that the municipality should ensure the future and existence of fauna and flora and other organisms in public open spaces. There is ample other space, even along the N1, for development. Why keep on targeting the Green Belt?" Gilfillan asked.