Government launches its own R18 billion district in South Africa
Public Works and Infrastructure minister Patricia de Lille will launch the R18 billion Salvokop government district in South Africa in Tshwane on Thursday (29 June), the first development of its kind in South Africa.
The Salvokop mixed-use precinct development includes the construction of five national government client departments as part of a major district development which will also include business developments, schools, healthcare facilities and residences.
A projected construction cost of the new 524,000 sqm precinct was set at R18 billion in 2019, with the first phase of the project expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Phase 1 of the project will see the construction of several new government department head offices, including:
- The Department of Higher Education and Training;
- The Department of Home Affairs;
- The Department of Correctional Services;
- Statistics South Africa headquarters (already completed in 2016);
- The consolidated headquarters for the Department of Social Development, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency.
The precinct will be developed in three phases:
- Phase 1 (A and B): Installation of the bulk and internal infrastructure services and development of the 4 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Head Office Buildings;
- Phase 2: Development of the Business Erven by the private sector;
- Phase 3: Development of the mixed-income residential component.
“The development will be a first of its kind for South Africa aimed at achieving spatial integration by bringing government departments to a central location in proximity to economic development and mixed typology residential developments for households and various income streams,” the department said.
“The construction of Phase 1A: Bulk Civil and Internal Engineering works is currently in progress with a number of local residents and SMMEs from the nearby community already employed on the project.”
The department said that the project will bring a number of key benefits to the community and region at large including:
- An estimated 3,215 jobs during construction of phase 1;
- A mixed-use precinct creating equal access to schooling, housing, work opportunities, transport and recreational facilities
- The project contributes to development goals with sustainable buildings and precinct design, maximising solar power, rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling etc. Over 700 indigenous trees will be established alongside new public parks.
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