The municipality’s Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch (CSRM) is advancing plans to upgrade stormwater infrastructure in the Geelsloot catchment, a sub-area of the larger Lourens River catchment in the Helderberg district.
The key focus of the project is the provision of flood attenuation measures to protect the area from various storm intensities.
The proposed intervention, one of 21 potential projects identified in a 2011 Flood Management Report, involves implementing Project 14: three in-line detention ponds at John Rumble Park in Somerset West.
This plan stems from a detailed investigation by consulting engineers, appointed in 2009, which modeled the catchment’s hydrological system, identified flood-prone areas, and recommended remedial measures for accommodating a 1:50 year flood. The City of Cape Town is currently progressing with the environmental and legislative processes required for the upgrades.
While the City presses ahead, residents adjacent to the proposed works have voiced strong concerns, questioning the necessity, design and impact of the project, which is currently in the Draft Basic Assessment Report (DBAR) phase.
Roy Keyser, a Somerset West resident living adjacent to the site, expressed dismay over the proposed changes, stating that the area will be “fundamentally different” and “will not be the same” with the introduction of the three ponds.
He highlighted that the project changes the very nature of the public open space.
“Some of the walls are up to 4 m high, which will really ruin a natural space into a very unsightly feature,” Keyser said.
Another resident, Annetjie Robertson, echoed concerns about the character of the area, arguing that the proposed landscaping could create a crime risk and that the project “takes away character and essence” of the space.
Keyser challenged the premise of the project, noting that in his 34 years of living in the area, he has “never had a flood”. He believes the City is creating a flood risk by implementing these changes.
Overcharge concerns
Concerns were also raised regarding the technical specifications and assumptions, as Keyser questioned the size of the new connection pipe and expressed overcharge concerns related to the system’s capacity.
“We understand the need for such projects, but there are many questions and concerns we have and would like to see addressed,” Keyser said.
Residents, who submitted comments during the first and second comment periods, also feel their input was overlooked, claiming, “no serious alternatives have been considered” by the project team.
Furthermore, questions were raised about the notification process, with Keyser questioning whether all affected persons had been notified, particularly those living down towards Dummer Street, fearing the City is “trying to solve a problem by creating a risk”.
The project has been undergoing a Basic Assessment process since May last year, with the DBAR completing a 30-day public comment period which ended on Wednesday 3 September. This follows an initial comment period and an open-house meeting held in June last year, where findings were presented and community feedback sought.
Commenting on the project’s progress, Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation provided clarity on the project’s status and timeline.
No budget
“The environmental and legislative processes are currently underway, which will be followed by the detailed design phase in line with the City’s stage-gate process,” he said.
Current planning earmarks construction to begin around August 2027, following a procurement process. Badroodien assured that the City’s detailed design phase will focus on integrating public open spaces such as at John Rumble Park.
Regarding the budget, he reiterated: “Budget allocations related to the project needs to be made by the City within the relevant financial year of implementation. Hence, no allocation of budget has been made yet.”
He confirmed that current monetary values are solely based on engineers’ estimates for planning purposes. “The professional team has addressed public concerns regarding berm heights – the design does not include retaining walls, but sloped earth embankments with soft landscaping or plants – in detail during previous engagements. Notably, adjustments have been made in response to community feedback.”
In response to concerns about public access and the change of character, Badroodien stressed the City’s commitment to community welfare. “The City is committed to ensuring that the upgraded facility remains accessible, safe and user-friendly for the community.”
He stated that the design phase will focus on integrating pedestrian pathways, access points and landscaping, in consultation with the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, to balance the technical needs of stormwater management with public use of the park. “The public will have a further opportunity to comment on any updated documentation and to view responses to the comments received, probably in November 2025,” he said.
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