Mariental stops building in flood zone

THE Mariental Town Council has put a temporary stop to property development west of the railway line running through the town.

This is the area that was inundated during last year’s floods. Mayor Priscilla Beukes says the moratorium will remain in place until the Mariental Task Force (TSF) advises Government on a permanent solution to the flood problem in Mariental.The TSF is expected to come up with recommendations by June or July, Beukes said.At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, the Council turned down an application by a Mariental-based property developer, Jeandre Development CC, which wanted to build a car showroom.Company owner Johan Fourie says he plans to challenge the Council’s decision in court.He claims the Council rejected his building plans on the grounds of the moratorium recommend by the TSF.According to Fourie, the moratorium was not imposed by Government and as result the Council’s rejection is not justifiable.”With its decision to reject the building plans as a result of the moratorium, Council has deprived me of my constitutional and property rights I’m entitled to,” he said.But Beukes disagreed.She said Council had resolved not to approve any building plans on sites located in the flood area.”This does not mean that Council is disinclined to development in town,” she said.According to Fourie, his company is losing money because of the decision.”My company has already sealed the contract with Auas Motors for the showroom and is now liable to cough up the penalty fee of thousands of dollars as stipulated in the contract,” he said.Fourie expressed concern over the way the application was handled by the Town Council.”I was only informed about the Council decision yesterday after I had tendered the application six weeks ago,” he claimed.According to Beukes, Tuesday’s Council meeting was the first opportunity to discuss the application.Mayor Priscilla Beukes says the moratorium will remain in place until the Mariental Task Force (TSF) advises Government on a permanent solution to the flood problem in Mariental.The TSF is expected to come up with recommendations by June or July, Beukes said.At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, the Council turned down an application by a Mariental-based property developer, Jeandre Development CC, which wanted to build a car showroom.Company owner Johan Fourie says he plans to challenge the Council’s decision in court.He claims the Council rejected his building plans on the grounds of the moratorium recommend by the TSF.According to Fourie, the moratorium was not imposed by Government and as result the Council’s rejection is not justifiable.”With its decision to reject the building plans as a result of the moratorium, Council has deprived me of my constitutional and property rights I’m entitled to,” he said.But Beukes disagreed.She said Council had resolved not to approve any building plans on sites located in the flood area.”This does not mean that Council is disinclined to development in town,” she said.According to Fourie, his company is losing money because of the decision.”My company has already sealed the contract with Auas Motors for the showroom and is now liable to cough up the penalty fee of thousands of dollars as stipulated in the contract,” he said.Fourie expressed concern over the way the application was handled by the Town Council.”I was only informed about the Council decision yesterday after I had tendered the application six weeks ago,” he claimed.According to Beukes, Tuesday’s Council meeting was the first opportunity to discuss the application.