This exciting venture commenced two years ago and entailed the design of approximately 1000 erven, a retirement village and a neighbourhood shopping centre. The total project is around 110 ha in size and was handled in a joint consortium. “EFG Consulting Engineers is responsible for the project management as well as the design of all the infrastructure services. These include the bulk services for water and sewerage which is at present literally non existent in the area,” explains Gideon.

According to Gideon, the terrain is completely undeveloped and had a duny landscape that stretched for miles. Fynbos and other natural vegetation also grow freely and place additional pressure on the team to uphold the principles of environmental conservation and restoration. In order to assess the feasibility of the project a preliminary design was carried out that included the planning and sizing of internal as well as bulk services. In total, the project has been divided into four phases and is likely to be completed in the next four to five years.

An assignment of this magnitude does not seem to intimidate Gideon in the least. As an avid Civil Designer user and overall winner of the Civil Designer Beta tester award, Gideon is considered to be an expert in the software. He has also built up extensive experience while working in the construction industry and has the added advantage of having worked for the Department of Transport and Public Works as a geometric designer for six long years.

In his current capacity as a Technician at EFG Consulting Engineers he has been able to draw on this experience to get intricate designs approved by the Department in record time. “Having a fair knowledge of Civil Designer also gives you the edge. There are a couple of functions in the latest 6.5 version that have helped us save tremendous time. One is the new coordinate table and the other is the curb editor. What an absolute pleasure!” says Gideon amazed.

During the execution of the project, there were many stipulations. One of these included “traffic calming” during the road design. This meant that traffic calming measures had to be designed in order to discourage speeding and rat running. Raised intersections and the use of block paving are among the proposed traffic calming measures employed. Another stipulation was the thorough attention that had to be given to environmental conservation and the restoration impacts of the construction process.
 

The Gansbaai development is currently served by a wastewater treatment plant near the municipal offices some 4km from the proposed development with sewerage flow from the area to the works transported by tanker. Only a small section of the town of Gansbaai is reticulated by gravity flow and rising mains and there is currently no underground stormwater pipe system on the property. The design and planning of the new pump station, rising main and upgrade of the existing works has therefore commenced with earnest.

According to Gideon, the last year and a half at EFG Consulting Engineers has been amazing. “The company is small but specialized with each person fulfilling a unique role. Projects range from exploratory and feasibility studies through to project design. Key areas that the company has been involved in over the years include transportation planning, traffic engineering, infrastructure design, municipal services, transportation systems management and traffic impact studies. Each venture is tackled with enthusiasm and there is a strong commitment and focus on quality and service excellence.”

“I definitely made the right move when I joined this dynamic team. I haven’t looked back since,” says Gideon with conviction.