A retirement facility that caters for the needs of the growing population of elderly people is what is needed in Bothasig at this moment, instead of developing more low-cost housing, according to Ward 5 councillor Miquette Temlett.

Speaking to TygerBurger following a Subcouncil 7 meeting recently, she referred to an item on the agenda concerning the proposed reservation of land (Erf 23205 and remainder Erf 8350, Milnerton), a piece of land in Adam Tas Avenue, Bothasig, for development purposes. The property is located behind Wolraad Woltemade Primary and OK De Grendel Centre.

Temlett said she firmly insisted an additional recommendation be included in the item, stating that investigation into the future use of the property must explicitly include the feasibility of a retirement facility.

“This is not optional,” she said. “The need for such a facility is both immediate and critical, and it far outweighs the need for additional social or gap housing in this area [the latter for people earning above the threshold that would qualify them for social housing].”

Housing

A social housing complex called Bothasig Gardens with 748 units already exists and a major housing development is underway through the Annandale Project, which directly caters for mixed-use development, including gap housing. This development will deliver approximately 3 000 residential units, which is more than adequate to meet both current and foreseeable housing demand in the area.

Temlett said proceeding with further social or gap housing on this site, without properly assessing higher-priority community needs, would be misguided and irresponsible planning.

She said it was therefore imperative that this site be properly evaluated against the most urgent and pressing needs of the community, with an affordable retirement facility receiving serious and prioritised consideration.

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