Question NW535 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
30 April 2020 - NW535
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)(a) What type of events are currently taking place at Fernwood Estate in Newlands and (b) what is the (i) current operating budget and (ii) projected income to manage the estate; (2) What (a) are the future plans for the estate and (b) is the current market value of the estate?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. (a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) informed me that various government departments currently use Fernwood Estate for team buildings, meetings, training, end year functions, and Members of Parliament use the facility for private functions.
(b) (i) There is no operating budget.
(ii) There is no projected income.
2. (a) In 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 financial year the Department undertook an exercise of a feasibility study of the Fernwood Estate with the possibility of building Ministerial Residences at Fernwood Estate due to the increase of Cabinet then, the preliminary report of a feasibility study indicated that such exercise would be influenced by the following three items, namely:
- Environmental application;
- Heritage application;
- And a planning application (Town planning/zoning); which was estimated to take approximately 18 months.
At present, there are no plans for Fernwood Estate.
(b) The current Municipal value of Fernwood land according to City of Cape Town Municipal valuation is R 205 353 431.00