The local municipality of Lesedi has at its centre the city of Heidelberg. Situated just 50km from central Johannesburg, and 60km from Oliver Tambo International Airport, Heidelberg can offer its residents and business people easy access to a wide range of markets and raw materials suppliers, as well as great infrastructure and proximity for import/export.
Lesedi is a peri-urban area in the south of the province with two urbanised nodes, namely Heidelberg/Ratanda and Devon/Impumelelo. Development during the last decade has been concentrated in these two nodes, especially in Heidelberg/Ratanda, but the overall growth rate is increasing across the municipality.
Spatial development in Lesedi
The main spatial and land use issues, which should guide future development in Lesedi, have been identified as follows:
• The two national roads (N3 and N17) running through the area may however present some opportunities for development in the
areas adjacent to them
• Future urban development are more likely to be concentrated in those locations where bulk infrastructure is already available and where services can be maintained in as cost-effective a way as possible
• The Lesedi area can be regarded as a very important resource to Gauteng in terms of food production, and this fact should be taken into consideration in the spatial planning of the area
• Future spatial planning in Lesedi should protect the natural resources in the area and promote tourism/recreational development in those areas which have potential for it, for example the areas adjacent to the Suikerbosrant nature reserve and the numerous watercourses, pans, dams and wetlands in the area.
Priority intervention zones
In an effort to speed up development in the region, boost local economic development and empower the communities within the municipality, priority development zones have been identified as
follows:
Heidelberg / Ratanda
The focus in this established industrial area should be on subsidy-linked housing to address the existing housing backlog
Jameson Park
Development here should be primarily focused on the upgrading of existing services and facilities, and the facilitation of formal housing
Vischkuil / Endicott
This agricultural holding area, with good accessibility from the R29 and N3 freeway, is regarded as an emerging node. Detailed planning is required here, to address aspects such as LED opportunities, land use and possible densification
Devon / Impumelelo
Detailed planning of this area is required to address aspects such as land use, integration between Devon and Impumelelo, local nodes and spines, densification and infilling
The N17 zone of opportunity
This zone has potential for future development. A detailed study of the development potential and opportunities in this
zone is required.
These priority intervention zones have been identified so as to channel the combined efforts of the municipality. For more information regarding these investment and development opportunities, contact the LED manager at Lesedi Local Municipality.
Investment incentives
The Lesedi Local Council is developing an incentive strategy together with the Sedibeng District Municipality, and is willing to negotiate with potential investors regarding incentives on both land acquisition and the subsidisation of services. The Gauteng province also offers incentives from a provincial perspective. For more information, contact the Chief Financial Officer with details of your investment plans.
Ms A Ngwenya, CFO
Tel: +27 16 340 4300
Email: angwenya@lesedilm.co.za
