The installation of the fence at Potsdam in Milnerton Rural is finally complete.
The keys to the fence were handed over to City of Cape Town officials at a ceremony recently.
In March this year TygerBurger reported on the fence project which would start a month later (“Fence to be erected”, 30/3).
It was reported back then that the budget for the project would be kept under R2 million.
The project also had its snags. In June it was reported that there had been a delay due to the material having to be transported from Johannesburg.
The news of the fence was shared and discussed at the Subcouncil 3 meeting held on Thursday last week.
Keys to the gates handed over
Roxanne Moses, subcouncil manager, described the fence as “very lovely”.
She said the handing over ceremony, held on Friday 19 August, was attended by both the supplier of the fence, as well as the contractor.
Moses, who on the day accepted the keys on behalf of Joy Solomon, councillor for Ward 113, added that a further R800 000 for fencing will be allocated in the next financial year. The subcoucil will have to engage with various departments as to which areas need to fenced off, she said.
The Potsdam project was described as small steps being taken, “but that small steps have a big impact”.
Solomon, who has been advocating for the fence for years, said she is happy with the news.
“Since 2014 we have been rooting for the project, so thank you.”
Calls to have the area fenced off came largely due to the illegal occupation of the area by homeless persons and vagrants. Law enforcement also regularly conducted visits to the site.
Potsdam Sustainability Campus
The fenced off area now forms part of the Potsdam Sustainability Campus – an initiative of the City’s urban sustainability unit.
The Potsdam Sustainability Campus is on the same site which forms part of the historic Potsdam Outspan located in the area of the present-day intersection of Potsdam, Koeberg and Blaauwberg Road.
The Potsdam Outspan was an overnight resting place for farmers on their way to and from Cape Town, the City says.
The idea is to develop the area into something similar, but will include the bus terminus, taxi rank, stables, urban agriculture and market to mention a few.
The area is also located right next to the Killarney International Raceway.
