Joburg to spend R790m on 2010
Michael Appel
31 October 2008
Delivering the city's mid-term report for the period 2006/8 this week, Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo announced that the municipality had budgeted R789.1-million for its preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Of this amount, R580-million will go towards the completion of the tournament's flagship stadium, Soccer City, R130-million to complete upgrades at Ellis Park, R120-million toward the construction and outfitting of the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC), and R82-million toward the city's legacy projects.
Media centre
The state-of-the-art IBC will be located in Johannesburg, not far from the Soccer City Stadium. It will be used by the world's media during the World Cup and contribute significantly to ongoing improvements in local telecommunication and broadcasting infrastructure.
"The main expenditure will be to rent and upgrade the required halls and facilities from the Expo Centre," Masondo said.
The city is [also] investing in infrastructure upgrades in the vicinity of Nasrec, Soccer City and the IBC ahead of developing a mixed-use precinct that will include one of the city's biggest transport hubs, as well as commercial, retail and residential developments.
"Once completed, Nasrec will be one of the most accessible precincts in the region, providing economic opportunities for the surrounding communities," he explained.
Greening project
Part of the city's preparations for Africa's first ever soccer World Cup, the municipality has embarked on an ambitious greening project, wherein a total of 200 000 trees will be planted around the city by 2011.
To date some 90 000 trees have been planted in Johannesburg, in the southern suburbs in particular, and the implementation of codes of practice for green building will also be adhered to.
"The implantation of codes of practice for green building will be undertaken to encourage sustainable building practices," Masondo said.
He said the city's legacy projects and its preparations for the World Cup would continue to receive the highest level of attention and resources.
"The stadiums are on schedule, and the transport, precinct upgrades and additional infrastructure associated with the event will see the necessary work required for absolute readiness."
Source: BuaNews
