City of Cape Town is temporary suspending the work at the Bayside Canal. The Water and the Sanitation Directorate of the city remained committed to the timely completion of the multi-million-rand upgradation in Milnerton.
Reportedly, work-on-site at Bayside Canal has been suspended temporarily due to a contractual dispute however, the efforts are under way to resolve the matter promptly and resume the construction.
The project was commenced in November 2023, and is a key initiative to address the critical challenges in the area. Rapid development within the catchment has increased stormwater flow during peak periods, necessitating an upgrade, considering the capacity of the canal.
Moreover, the upgradation also aims to combat pollution from various stormwater channels that have a detrimental impact on the Rietvlei.
As per the sources, civil contractor has been also appointed formally and notified the City of Cape Town about their decision to suspend operations at the end of November 2024, due to contractual matters.
Despite this recent setback, the project has already progressed beyond the halfway mark before the suspension. However, the remaining scope of work included the construction of the upgraded stormwater canal to the primary sedimentation ponds, and the bypass canal connecting the secondary treatment channel to the Rietvlei.
According to the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien said that upgrading the Bayside Canal in Milnerton represents one of the critical investments of the City of Cape Town in improving the water quality, in the Rietvlei region and its surrounding areas.
Badroodien cleared through his statement about the temporary suspension of the project and said, “While legal processes are under way to address the temporary suspension of the project, the City of Cape Town wants to reassure the residents that they remain committed to ensure that the work resumes with minimal delays.”
Councillor Zahid Badroodien is responsible for maintaining the sanitation and hygiene in the City of Cape Town for better health of the residents.