July 26, 2007
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE redevelopment of Huddle Park golf course into a mixed-use facility has been given the thumbs up.
The R3-billion plan incorporates the upgrading of the existing golf course into a commercial component consisting of an 800-unit upmarket golfing estate with an associated 32 000m² mixed-use retail centre, a private Gary Player signature golf course and a "world-class" walking trail. In addition, two new tournament standard public golf courses will be developed elsewhere in the city.
According to Alan Dinnie, the project manager at the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), work on the 180ha site will begin as soon as the town panning process is complete.
Huddle Park will soon have a Gary Player signature golf course
"The Gary Player signature golf course will be the first signature golf course developed within the Johannesburg municipal boundaries and will, hopefully, prove to be a magnet for golfers both nationally and internationally."
The commercial development, which "will be uniquely South African themed to enhance the site's destination status", plays only a small role in the importance of the redevelopment, according to Dinnie. The most significant aspects of the project relate to the creation of new public facilities, consisting of a revitalised public wetland and bird sanctuary, a 5km "world class" walking, running and cycling trail, as well as the other two golf courses.
A 13,6ha wetland will be created in the southeast part of the site, where there is already a degraded wetland. It will be restored to its natural state and will be open to the public as a vital environmental asset.
"The 5km trail will be secure and accessible to the public and will prove to be an attraction for both local residents and visitors to the retail centre. In addition to this, the trail will be managed to encourage local fitness organisations such as running clubs and schools to use it. It will also be used for various city events like an annual 5km fun run," Dinnie explains.
Redeveloping
Owned by the City of Johannesburg, Huddle Park borders the suburbs of Linksfield Terrance, Senderwood and Bedford Park and has been lying idle for quite a number of years. It was formerly used for three public golf courses which were leased to a private operator but it has become run down to the extent that two of the three golf courses are unplayable.
In 2005, after a process led by the City's executive director of development planning, transportation and environment, Tiyani Consortium - consisting of Investec, Standard Bank and Shanduka - was nominated as the preferred bidders to redevelop Huddle Park.
The intention to alienate and close the public open space was advertised in local papers in June 2005 and 393 objections were received, including from the Huddle Park and Environs Anti-Degradation League (HEAD), and councillors Ray Wolder and Carol Milner.
Objections included more traffic congestion in the area, the loss of a vital green lung, the loss of the only public golf course in Johannesburg – and jobs – and insufficient infrastructure to accommodate the development, leading to power outages, low water pressure and blocked sewer systems.
"These objections, however, do not provide substantial reasons (particularly in the light of the revised development proposal) for the council to review its decision to close and alienate the land. The JPC thus recommended to the council that the objections be set aside and the closure and alienation be effected," Dinnie explains.
Objections
In September 2005, Tiyani submitted a township development application in terms of the Development Reservation Agreement signed with the department of development planning, transportation and environment. Some 300 objections were received from residents relating to the environmental importance of the site and, in particular, to the presence of a large wetland.
The pool will be part of a bird sanctuary
Tiyani then halted the township application and conducted further environmental studies, resulting in the revision of the development proposal, according to Dinnie.
"The township establishment process has been time-consuming and this has resulted in significant delay and the extension of the reservation period from 28 June 2008 to 30 June 2009 has thus been proposed.
"In terms of the revised development proposal the size of the private golf course has also been increased from 65 hectares to 100 hectares, and a Public Wetland Bird Sanctuary will be re-established to accommodate the environmental conditions encountered."
At the end of June, the City council said the revised proposal could proceed; the developer will now submit a new township application. It is expected that soon after the approval by the council, development will start and probably will be completed by 2010.
"There is no doubt that the revised developments proposal will provide the City with much richer assets than that which it currently possesses on the current golf course site," Dinnie says.
As part of the project, Tiyani will establish two new offsite golf courses, one in Pimville, Soweto, and another on Mia Trust land north of Johannesburg. The combined value of the two public golf courses is R80-million.
"Previously underprivileged golfers have only had the option of playing on sub-standard courses. These two new courses will provide them with the opportunity of playing on top-class courses."
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