SA Affordable Housing September - October 2019 // ISSUE: 78 | Page 35

bridges over the railway line to link the two halves
without creating bottlenecks. The regional shopping
centre, workplaces and other facilities may swell the
population during the day.
Assisting the development is the fact that the
local authority was a prime mover behind it, and
consequently left no obstacles in its path. “It was a
collaborative effort,” Mhlaba says.
The municipality has sufficient capacity in terms
of water and electricity to provide for Phase 1,
but thereafter some additional infrastructure will
need to be constructed. “There’s sufficient water
for the initial 5 600 units, and we are busy with the
connection of the sewer to the municipal line where
there is also existing capacity without upgrades
required,” Mhlaba explains. The development will be
set up for rainwater harvesting, as well as grey water
treatment of used water to minimise consumption.
“There is available electricity up to a maximum of
3 000 units. For the remainder of the 14 000 units,
we’re involved in a three-way agreement between
ourselves, the municipality and the Development
Bank of Southern Africa (also a partner in the
development’s special purpose vehicle) and have
reached agreement on a plan of action which will be
implemented during the next two years as phase 2
materialises, to provide sufficient electricity.”
For instance, there are plans for two adjacent solar
plants covering 30ha each over a 20-year period, which
may ultimately provide power. Further ‘greening’ of the
community will stem from plans to recycle grey water
BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE PROJECT:
• The installation of services in Phase 1A has been
underway since November 2017, which includes
water reticulation, sanitation/sewer, roads and
stormwater drainage.
• In September 2018 the installation of services
on Phase 1C was started.
• In October 2018 the construction of units which
include military veterans’ units, and BNG RDP
units began.
• Estimated completion of services being installed
on Phase 1A is June 2019.
• Estimated completion of the services being
installed on Phase 1C is July 2019.
• Estimated completion of the top structures is
June 2019.
• In June, pipe jacking will commence for the
following across or underneath the railway line:
stormwater, electricity, sewer/sanitation.
• The Turnkey developer SCM Properties and
Development is currently busy with the town
planning services for Phase 2, which will yield 8
190 units known as Montrose Ext 1.
• The duration is six years, which will overlap with
Phase 1.
• The Turnkey developer SCM Properties and
Development is in talks with Prasa and Transnet
on the development of a passenger train station,
similar to Johannesburg Park Passenger Station.
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
PROJECT
Sam Mhlaba, CEO of Montrose City Mega Development.
within the community for industrial purposes rather than
returning used water to the municipal infrastructure. These
will become part of Phase 2.
CHALLENGES
There was considerable community excitement and
expectation at the commencement of works, says
Mhlaba, but not unexpected given the high levels
of poverty and unemployment in the area. This was
resolved through communication and education. “People
realised this was a long-term project and they should
not be impatient to see some benefits economically and
socially, as we will get to everyone.”
A final challenge, common to all developments,
is that the units – including proposed industrial,
manufacturing, commercial and retail spaces – have to
be fully occupied. “It will not be viable if only 50% is
occupied, we need a 100 % occupation rather sooner
than later and this would be the true measure of success
of the Montrose City Mega Development. Our role as
facilitator is therefore to create a conducive environment
which makes the mixed-use components commercially
attractive. Then we will move on to Phase 2, because the
demand for housing will automatically increase,” says
Mhlaba.
In a development as complex as this one, the
developer cannot afford to sit back and rely on the
pace of government action, as momentum was vital.
Mhlaba says the turnkey developer SCM Properties and
Development took the initiative in bringing together all
the parties – Transnet, Prasa, Department of Education,
Human Settlements, Rand West City Local Municipality
and other related parties to ensure all the legs moved
in a synchronised fashion. “It was a journey that began
in 2015 until we broke ground in November 2017.
As the land was a farm, it had to be converted into a
township for planning purposes. We acted as enabler
of all the professionals, and the myriad processes:
EIA, geotechnical, Surveyor-General and more. For
instance, in respect of the school we are entering into a
partnership whereby we build a smart school which will
align with education department goals.
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