The Western Cape government's development plans for the Oude Molen precinct in Observatory, Cape Town, have raised concerns among community members. The plans could potentially impact the community initiatives and businesses within the Oude Molen Eco Village, which provides jobs, food security, and youth development to local communities.
The Western Cape government said the Oude Molen Eco Village property is currently a Utility Zone, a category which does not allow for any of the activities currently taking place in there.
The Western Cape Government has begun investigations and assessments for various housing developments on a site known as ‘Oude Molen Precinct’ in Observatory, Cape Town. it was established almost 30 years ago. He said they had received a similar development notice and proposal in 2021, but that fell through during the pandemic.
Neser said the property should remain a public asset with sustainable development that complemented the existing activities taking place and environment-forward initiatives. “We’ve got about 40 small businesses here and they range from making compost to small-scale, semi-industrial work, and in between there is a lot of gardening, horses and so on.
Gamieldien said they were deeply concerned about the lack of transparency of the Western Cape government and the potential impact of this development. “Green corridors should be preserved, and the Western Cape government should prioritise protecting biodiversity in our urban areas… Development threatens existing wildlife habitats and breeding grounds for numerous bird species that migrate annually to the Black River to breed and feed.
Kendre Allies, owner and manager of Oude Molen Stables, said the stables had been in operation since 1996 with a total of 42 horses, most of which were rescues that had been rehabilitated and integrated into the riding school and were used to take locals and tourists on outrides. He said the horses would also not have the space they needed to move around in a relaxed and natural environment, which was crucial to their wellbeing.
Allies added that the village was among the few remaining natural, green spaces close to Cape Town’s CBD and should be protected and preserved, not exploited. “Urgent action is needed to protect biodiversity in this decade and combat climate change’s effects,” Gamieldien said. In response to the concerns raised regarding selling the property to private developers, gentrification and comparisons to the controversial River Club development, the DoI said there were no specific plans at present as the team of built environment specialists were still in the process of investigating possible development opportunities for the property.
As part of the assessment, Mbingeleli said the team would investigate all options which would include legislative and policy frameworks, constraints, and opportunities, as well as the inputs from all registered and affected parties.
Western Cape Government Development Plans Oude Molen Precinct Observatory Cape Town Community Initiatives Businesses Oude Molen Eco Village Jobs Food Security Youth Development
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