Written objections against the proposed development of Extension 9, the greenbelt area of Louis Trichardt, were lodged by the Chairpersons Association (CA).

The Makhado Municipality accepted a tender for the development of the area north of Stubbs Street, known as Extension 9.

“It is senseless to continue the town planning mistakes of the past. The only meaningful development or rezoning for the area would be from residential to public open space, so that it could be developed into a safe and secure, meaningful display window of the rich natural biodiversity and valuable cultural heritage of the region,” writes Mr André Naudé of the CA. “The green belt has the potential to become the Kirstenbosch of Limpopo, with wide-ranging sustainable job creation, educational and recreational advantages, adding enormous value to the town’s international tourism potential.” The Greenbelt area currently includes the indigenous tree sanctuary as well as the bird sanctuary.

The CA objects to the envisaged massive residential development in this sensitive riverbank area, “where mountain streams connect with the town’s greenbelt area” because “massive interference in this ecologically strategic natural system is highly undesirable.”

The greenbelt, especially the northern most sensitive part, is seen as a “coveted and major characteristic of the town.”

Another objection is that the greater part of the proposed development is lying below the level of two existing adjoining residential areas, and is situated on the river banks sloping down to the dry river bed and dam area.

“The proposed development will create massive visual pollution in this low-lying area,” states the CA, who sees the greenbelt as an essential air and noise filtering buffer between the N1 highway and western residential areas.

In an objection issued by Ms Inga Gilfillan of the CA, it is stated that private conservation areas and nature reserves make huge positive contributions towards conservation for eco-tourism. A court case was quoted which contends that “the purpose of environmental legislation is to protect the environment and not the profits of the businesses”.

One of the objections against the proposed development was that the requirements of environmental legislation were not considered when the application for rezoning for the purposes of the said development was considered.

“Developments should be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable as required by the laws governing the protection of the environment,” Gilfillan wrote.