Submitted by: S. Rosenmeyer (Emmarentia resident)
Phone/fax: (011) 646-2340

I hereby wish to formalise in writing an issue I raised at the RSDF Public Meeting of 23 May 2003:

Prohibition of Private Development on Public Open Spaces in the Region

Proposal:
There should be a blanket prohibition, in perpetuity, against private development on all designated public open spaces in the region, other than for the purpose of upgrading/enhancing such facilities/amenities for the benefit of the general public. This should be incorporated into Council Policy regarding public open spaces falling within the Metropolitan Open Space System.

Rationale:
Such open spaces represent extremely lucrative opportunities for private developers. It is therefore inevitable that ever-increasing pressure will be applied to develop these open spaces in the future. I believe it is imperative that such scarce public open spaces within Johannesburg are protected and that the long-term rights and interests of the general public are safeguarded against the short-term financial interests of private developers.

I do not believe that current legislation and Council Policy, which entitles members of the public to object to such developments, afford the public adequate protection. The contest between developers, who often have significant financial resources and expertise at their disposal, and members of the public who wish to oppose such developments, is inherently unfair. The time and expense required to effectively oppose such developments can prove prohibitive, thereby giving the developer an overwhelmingly unfair advantage.

Given the above, I contend that in the absence of an absolute prohibition on private development on designated public open spaces in the region, such development is inevitable.