Herewith feedback on the Eskom meeting held on Tuesday 19th February 2019 at Buccleuch Primary. Please read this in conjunction with the attached Public Participation Pamphlet.

INVITATION

The meeting was called and hosted by Eskom and their consultants. BRA (Buccleuch Residents’ Association) helped notify residents of the meeting by email and via community Telegram groups. The consultants had committed to contact and invite residents whose properties would be directly affected by the potential development.

BACKGROUND

Eskom needs to develop a new substation to cater for increased electricity demand.
Construction is projected to start in 2024.

Eskom has identified three possible building sites for the proposed substation:
•  Option 1: Marlboro Cnr Zinnia Drive & Aloe Crescent
•  Option 2:  Wits Frankenwald between Pretoria Main Road & N3
•  Option 3:  Linbro Park Cnr 2nd Avenue & 3rd Road.

No site has been decided yet as Eskom is still in the feasibility process of the project. 

THE MEETING

Eskom’s consultancy Nako Iliso informed the community that Eskom is undertaking a Public Participation process about the proposed Donatello Substation, and the purpose of the meeting was to engage with stakeholders (the communities) who could potentially be affected by the construction of the substation.

The project information was presented. 

There was confusion as to who will be affected by the possible expropriation of properties if the Wits Frankenwald site is selected.   A list of 41 properties was shown on the presentation but the list shows erf numbers and not street addresses.

Discussions ensued and questions were taken.  Eskom was very vague with information and residents were unhappy with the way the Public Participation Process is being conducted, as they have not been communicated to and questions submitted to Eskom / the consultants have not been satisfactorily answered.

An alternative site, a vacant land strip (Caprivi) in Marlboro has been proposed by a resident of Buccleuch.  Eskom has been requested to consider the possibility of the alternative site for the proposed substation.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

The notes / minutes of the meeting which will include all questions and answers from the various stakeholders will be forwarded by 8 March 2019 to all who were present at the meeting (this was confirmed by the consultant employed by Eskom for the PPP).

RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS INTERESTED PARTIES

Residents are requested to complete a form handed out at the meeting (and attached) to register their interest as affected members of the community and to obtain further information, or if they have any questions other than what was asked by the community at the meeting.

HOW IT APPEARS BUCCLEUCH WILL BE AFFECTED

Should the Wits Frankenwald site be selected, it appears that the effect on Buccleuch will include:

__Complexes on Gibson Drive West__
The transmission lines will be directly behind  the residential complexes situated on Gibson Drive West.
The substation will be built in Frankenwald  behind residential complexes situated on Gibson Drive West. It appears the substation will be directly behind:
o Glendale
o Clyde Lodge
o Clover Manor
o Gibson Downs
o Vista Gardens

__Expropriation in Buccleuch East__
Transmission power lines will loop in and out of the substation to connect it to the electricity network.  If the Wits Frankenwald site is selected, Buccleuch East properties adjacent to Linbro Business Park will need to be expropriated.
These appear to include properties at the ends of::
o Argyle Avenue
o Margaret Avenue
o Nola Avenue
o Stirling Avenue
o Vaness Street
o Spar Street
o John Street

NEXT STEPS

•  BRA has contacted the consultants and is following up with Eskom’s Project Manager and Land Acquisition Department for a complete, comprehensive list of properties affected.
•  BRA has requested details regarding gas and radiation emissions from the substation.
•  BRA is collaborating with the FDC (Frankenwald Development Committee)
•  When the minutes from the Eskom meeting and answers to questions submitted by residents and BRA are received (minutes are due by 8 March) BRA will convene a meeting to engage further and devise a plan of action
•  BRA will communicate with the community on the various communication platforms as information is obtained.
•  A dedicated Telegram group @BuccleuchEskom has been set up by a Buccleuch resident, relating to the Eskom substation and possible expropriation of land. 

Clic here for Eskom information pamphlet and the form to be completed by residents to register their interests as affected members of the community