BUSINESS NEWS
Gautrain work goes ahead
Posted Fri, 11 Aug 2006
The second phase of construction on the Gautrain will proceed in Johannesburg after judgment was reserved in a recent court application to stop work for an environmental impact report, the rail construction company said on Thursday. "The second stage will see the removal of trees along various roads in and around the Rosebank and Sandton area to enable the construction teams to commence with road upgrades," said Barbara Jensen, spokesperson for Gautrain Rapid Rail Link Project. She said the removal of trees was guided by an environmental management plan.
"For every three (trees) that are removed as part of the project, they will be salvaged and relocated (planted in another area), or if they can't be salvaged, be replaced (at they spot they were removed) when construction is done." Last week, Pretoria residents applied to the Pretoria High court to halt construction immediately for an environmental impact report. The residents claimed harm would be done to the
environment. Judgment was reserved on Friday, with an eight-week deliberation expected before the three judges on the bench — headed by Judge President Bernard Ngoepe — announce their decision.
The residents argued that neither the environment MEC nor the head of the Gauteng agriculture, conservation and environment department had the right, under the Environment Conservation Act, to approve the Gautrain. The advocate for the residents, Fiona Southwood, also said the MEC might have been biased because Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa championed the project. Gilbert Marcus SC argued on behalf of the MEC and department said it was unlikely that the minister would not approve the project. The Gautrain is a proposed high-speed railway line to connect Johannesburg International Airport, central Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Sapa
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