Advertisement
Situated on the northwest bank of the Witbank Dam is the charming Bankenveld. The dam is one of the largest municipal dams in the southern hemisphere, as well as one of the cleanest, and forms an integral part of this unique, yet thoroughly relaxing estate. The estate was first conceptualised in 1998, and the first home built in 2001. There is an exciting range of properties, including waterfront homes, freestanding homes further inland, and fashionable townhouses.
Tale of two estates
Few people realise that there are two estates within Bankenveld: a golf estate, which is still under development, and Bankenveld, a residential eco-estate, which is fully developed. There are no physical boundaries separating the two, but they are managed separately by two governing bodies.
In 2018, Sioban Coughlan took over the management of both estates. She has vast experience in this field, having managed the eco-estate for the past nine years. However, even with this experience, there were a few challenges ahead. Siobhan’s goal was to align the two estates; she had to convince the board that it was possible without going over budget, and utilising the smaller team that the golf estate employed.
Advertisement
Communication between the two estates is paramount, as the subtle differences in the rules of the two estates can cause confusion. For example, alterations can be made depending on the location of the property. For instance, owners of the waterfront homes are allowed to build their own jetties, giving them immediate and direct access to the dam. But a different location on Bankenveld could also mean more restrictions. Siobhan explains: ‘With the eco-estate, we don’t allow work on a Sunday or on public holidays, whereas at the golf estate, they’re a bit more lenient.’
She says she has amazing staff helping her manage this on both sides. Siobhan also had the task of building a rapport with the golf estate’s board. ‘The board members are younger and all business people.’ She had to explain to the board that she would make some serious changes, but convinced them that she could do it within the budget.
The estate also faces challenges from outside its boundary. She says she started engaging with the municipal council, which was under administration. ‘It doesn’t matter which council you fall under; I think secured communities are gravitating towards assisting municipalities with their problems. Our biggest issue is bulk servicing, but we are engaging with council and asking where we can help,’ says Siobhan.
A natural oasis
Townhouses sell from around R3 million, and freestanding homes from R4 million, with the highest recorded sale to date an astounding R15 million. Of the 384 existing stands, with homes averaging 900 square metres under roof and stands between 1,200 and 2,000 square metres, a little over 300 have been built on. These are mostly inhabited by families from as far afield as Pretoria/Tshwane and Johannesburg, both of which are less than a 90-minute drive from the estate.
Both estates boast a wealth of recreational facilities that allow residents to really experience the great outdoors in all its natural splendour, including 18 hectares of highveld grassland with meandering pathways for jogging, running and cycling, plus dedicated walking trails and birdwatching societies. The golf course, which was designed by the renowned DDV Design Group, is only nine holes at present, but is being extended to 18. During the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, restricting access to this proved a challenge.
‘The hardest thing was managing things when everyone were on the walking paths at the same time. Usually it’s spaced out, but then they could only walk between certain times,’ says Siobhan.
But work-from-home restrictions offered up some positive outcomes. Residents were able to enjoy and appreciate what the estate had to offer.
Home owners got to enjoy their outside environment with a number of species of game, some of which graze on the golf course that is shared with an adjacent estate.
‘Residents would send photos and say they had seen the game for the first time. Although you do notice what the estate has to offer, due to some residents coming home late at night and leaving early in the morning, they don’t always get to experience it.’ says Siobhan.
As lockdown rules ease, residents are able once again to enjoy the other facilities on offer within and close to the estate.
There was a Primi Piatti restaurant located inside the clubhouse, but that will soon be replaced by an independent restaurant that will also have breathtaking views over both estates.
Families can send their children to the excellent Curro schooling facility just outside the perimeter of the estate, and small children can also be entertained at the Equestrian Centre, which has a petting zoo.
Security remains paramount, and the estate offers a professional service consisting of two reaction vehicles, personal panic units in each house linked to the reaction control room, foot patrols, staffed entrances with pre-clearance codes, access cards and VOIP, and two patrol vehicles. Even the dam border is patrolled by the security team to ensure that there is no breach of safety.
Communication is key
Siobhan stresses that communication within an estate is vital, whether it’s between residents, staff and/or the board, and she is a big believer in having an open-door policy. She adds: ‘I rarely sit at my desk. I have a small boardroom, and I sit there to discuss any relevant issues. It isn’t a case of “I am the authority, and the resident is the transgressor”.’ At present, communications are conducted through the Glovent portal to ensure that the team remains in touch with the 300-odd homes regarding news and developments. But Siobhan has ambitions to include an app for the estate.
‘I want our residents to be able to take a snapshot of a burst water main, and generate a ticket. We want to be in a situation where residents take part in the maintenance as they may see something we don’t, and this is why we want to use an app.’
Future perfect?
In spite of her residing on the estate and her position and passion for the job, Siobhan admits that she can’t see herself joining the board. ‘I prefer managing the estate, being hands on.’ She says: ‘I’d like to be here till I’m walking with a stick. There is no place like Bankenveld. We have a golf course, and the estate is close to Mbombela and Pretoria.
It’s amazing to live here and see animals grazing outside. We have a photo of a zebra crossing over a zebra crossing – where else do you see that? I love Bankenveld.’
