Aerotropolis dream faced with huge transport challenges
A Gautrain route running to Boksburg, most likely stopping around East Rand Mall, is still in the pipeline.
This is according to Dr Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency, who spoke on the Aerotropolis and Gauteng’s economic-growth plan during an Ekurhuleni Business Initiative’s Captains of the Industry Forum meeting held on Tuesday, November 11.
It, however, remains unclear where the Gauteng station in Boksburg will exactly be located.
The extension of the current Gautrain route forms part of addressing Gautrain’s transport challenges, which needs to be addressed if the Aerotropolis will become a viable and successful initiative.
The Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis is basically an airport city, with OR Tambo Airport at the core of business developments that spread out across corridors of up to 60km, thus, including Pretoria.
Van der Merwe says it is envisioned that the Aerotropolis becomes a showcase for Gauteng and South Africa, as a viable and compelling place in which to invest, live, build a business and thrive.
This will be achieved by leveraging the area’s strengths, including production and movement of goods, agri-business, food production, aerospace manufacturing and tourism.
“The Aerotropolis is set to create 230 000 new jobs over a period of time up to 2035. This is why this initiative will enjoy the backing of government, because it addresses the fundamental priorities of this country to solve unemployment and to fight poverty.”
According to Van der Merwe, a five-year plan has already been tabled, which must carry the full backing of the Ekurhuleni metro. The 25-year masterplan for the Aerotropolis runs hand-in-hand with the the overall economic -development of Ekurhuleni and also Gauteng.
This masterplan includes transport improvements; land identification for development; power, water and sanitation improvement; and supporting logistic systems.
Regarding transport, Van der Merwe stressed the importance of expanding the Gautrain routes, as well as expanding the Rapid Bus Transport system throughout northern and southern Gauteng, which includes Ekurhuleni, and more specifically, Boksburg.
Numerous additional and extended railway tracks are also planned throughout the province to improve transport.
“We have to make huge investments into Gautrain’s transport, because the province is set for a massive population boom. If we don’t address the challenges, we will end up travelling at 12km/p/h on the freeways and the Aerotropolis will not be the economic identity that we envision it will become.”
Van der Merwe pointed out that Gauteng’s population of 11.2-million (2010) could boom to 18.7-million by 2037, which includes a work force of 8.6-million formal workers.
“This means Gauteng is faced with a huge task of having to get millions of people every day from home to work and back again. The increase in population will also add extra pressure on the airport.
“All of this of course votes very well for business that are set to benefit from a Gauteng, incorporating the Aerotropolis, which is set for rapid growth.”
The 25-year plan says Van der Merwe has to thus factor in population growth, economic grow and land use patterns.
Questioned were raised during the meeting where government will get the funds for all the developments, such as upgrading of infrastructure. Van der Merwe says that everybody has to do his or her part, and that a partnership between public and private sector remain vital.
“We have to move forward, there is no turnaround. Thus, businesses need to invest in the Aerotropolis and Gauteng, because I believe things will only get better.”
He also highlighted a company, specifically focusing on to facilitating the establishment of the Aerotropolis in line with Gauteng’s growth.
