We are well and truly back into full swing and doing whatever we can to ensure that the levels of service delivery from the metro improve and that you get the services that you deserve. This is not always easy as we often find ourselves at the mercy of the administration and officials who night have a different set of priorities or agenda to ourselves.
I can confirm however that the establishment of the Service Delivery Joint Operations Centre (JOC), has been a great help under the capable management of Brig. John Best (Retired from SAPS) and that I have seen a significant improvement in the turnaround times from various departments.
Having said this, the recent heavy rains have conspired to make things as difficult as possible as they have caused significant strain on our roads, stormwater and electricity departments. As a result, until these departments are back on top of the situation, they have indicated that residential and business complaints will be prioritised over items such a street lights. This is however only until they have caught up the residential and business backlogs.
Water restrictions have finally been relaxed along with penalty tariffs. Remember that you can only use your sprinklers/ hose pipes between 16:00 and 10:00 and should you wish to wash your car/driveway/house etc, you must make use of a high pressure cleaner.
Please remember the Summerstrand resident’s Association Meeting on Tuesday evening at 17:30 at The Rendezvous Room, Pearson High School.
Keep well and please give me a call if there is anything that I can do to assist with metro matters. See below for full report:
Beach Front Safety & Security
Stanford and I had a meeting with Shane Brown, the Acting Executive Director, metro Safety & Security to discuss various safety concerns which continually surface along the beachfront. Whilst we expressed appreciation for the two clean-up operations undertaken by Safety & Security, we also impressed upon him the need for a constant presence along the beachfront. This is something that is problematic because of the severe budget limitations and also because of the delays in setting up a metro police department.
Shane was most accommodating and revealed that they are currently in the process of establishing a By-law Enforcement unit and that to date, sixty candidates had been sent for training. The idea is that in addition to this initiative that Safety & Security would eventually be merged with Traffic to create a less expensive version of a metro police force – so we live in hope.
In addition, Shane also undertook to ensure that a cleanup operation would be held once a week on different days so that undesirables such as illegal car guards, vagrants etc. could be removed from the area. On top of this, Safety & Security would also do a minimum of one patrol a day through the area to complement the efforts of the Humewood SAPS.
Hot spot areas where residents should exercise caution, remain the King’s Beach area (preferably do not walk alone and leave valuables at home), and generally, the beach front precinct after dark, specifically the area between Happy Valley up to and including the Hobie parking area.
Any complaints can be reported to 10111 or to Metro Safety & Security on 041 5851555.
Service Delivery JOC (Joint Operations Centre)
The metro Service Delivery JOC has proven to be a huge asset in improving turnaround times on a host of day-to-day complaints reported. The JOC, headed up by Brigadier John Best (retired from the SAPS) and very ably assisted by Lee-anne has been a great help in getting things done. As mentioned before, metro officials are now obliged to report back with regular updates on each complaint lodged.
Each metro department has also seconded an official to the JOC who deals specifically with complaints related to their departments. Every complaint is also given a unique tracking number on a dedicated system, with feedback going back to the office of the Municipal Manager.
Anyone wishing to report municipal complaints can do so by making use the toll free number 0800 20 5050.
King’s Beach Environmental Upgrade – Update
The environmental upgrade is now schedule for commencement during August. Further to the previous information, the upgrade, now expected to cost a total of R30 million will be phased in over three rather than two years, with the first phase earmarked for completion in time for Summer Season 2011.
I have also met with Pierre Voges, CEO of Mandela Bay Development Agency to discuss the project in greater detail and have been involved in the planning meetings associated with the upgrade and to ensure that any comments and input from residents received due consideration.
It is hoped that during the implementation of phase two, that serious consideration will also be given to the establishment of a formal Development Node within this precinct so that some form of additional commercial development can be considered that would both complement and add value to the environmental upgrade.
For more information on the future of the Kings Beach area, please mail your request to ward2@mandelametro.gov.za
BAYWORLD Update
I met with Mr Fred Kigozi, the new curator of Bayworld and Dr Melanie Hillebrand from the metro on
20 July 2011 to discuss any progress made in respect of the Bayworld facility. The facility is still struggling from a virtual total collapse of any revenue streams whilst they de-commission the existing facilities.
Fred is confident however that they will have a respectable facility and exhibits to show the public, albeit on a much smaller scale, before the end of the year.
I the interim, after meeting with Pierre Voges to discuss progress, it has emerged that we are now waiting for the Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) in Bhisho to sign an agreement with the Department of Sport, Recreation, Art & Culture (DSRAC). This memorandum will pave the way for DSRAC to still keep the museum staff complement on their payroll, but unlock the aquarium facility from the equation, allowing for the calling of expressions of interest to develop the new aquarium along commercial lines under the guidance of the MBDA.
I will be engaging our representative in Bhisho to try and speed up the signing of the agreement so that we can start moving forward.
Beach Front Dog Control Measures
Just a quick follow-up and observation, the Beach Office has given very positive feedback on the success of the dog control measures.
I would also like to thanks all dog owners for the very responsible and mature way in which they have adjusted their activity to comply with the new by-laws and can confirm to only seeing dogs not on leashes on very few occasions and that there also seems to be considerable less dog faeces on the walkways and beaches – so a big thank you to the dog owners.
As a reminder, dogs will be allowed on the beach from the harbour wall to the King’s Beach slipway. Between the slipway and Pipe parking area, dogs allowed back of beach on grassed areas only. Dogs allowed again from Pipe to Receife. Dogs will also be allowed on the connecting sidewalks between King’s and Hobie.
Dogs will be allowed on all other beaches OUTSIDE of demarcated bathing areas. Dogs are to be kept on a leash and owners must have means of disposing of faeces. Proposed fines that have been promulgated through council are: Not removing faeces R1000.00, dog not on a leash R500.00 and walking a dog in a restricted area R500.00
Illegal Dumping Update:
The meeting with Dawie Welgemoed went ahead as planned and he has confirmed that the area of Summerstrand Ext 14 will indeed be cleaned up during the second half of 2011 and that the first section of plots would be put up for sale. It is expected that the erven will be sold for around R300 thousand per plot.
We are currently waiting for funds for clearing to be transferred from Treasury to the Roads Department for the clean-up to begin.
Should you see someone dumping, please take a picture and/or their registration details, and forward
to me or to Ann on 041 585 0515.
Dam Levels & Lifting of Water Restrictions
The overall percentage for metro dams hit 91,4% on 25 July 2011 and I am pleased to confirm that that water restrictions have been relaxed in response to much pressure being brought to bear on the city administration.
Residents are now once again allowed to use hose-pipes and sprinklers to water their gardens only between 16:00 and 10:00 daily. In addition, the washing of driveways, cars, roofs and buildings may be done, but only with a high pressure cleaner.
It is interesting to note and worth mentioning that if there was any doubt as to a good reason for maintaining water restrictions; consider the following answers to questions that I put to council on 28 July 2011.
Budgeted water sales for 2010/11 were R411,2 Million. Actual revenue 2010/11 was R567,27 million. Average monthly water sales before restrictions was R28 million. Average monthly water revenue after restrictions were implemented was R41 million. This gives you thirteen million good reasons to continue with water restrictions !
Watch this space however as I have it on good authority that by the time you read this that the Ratepayer’s Association will have lodged a legal action to recover the overcharge from the metro.
Major Storage Dams supplying the Metro (levels as at 1 August 2011) Capacity – Volume of water:
- Kouga: 100% – 125 910 Ml
- Churchill: 100% – 35 240
- Impofu: 100% – 105 757
- Loerie: 100% – 3 026
- Groendal: 100% – 11 640
- Average all: 100 % of total combined capacity – 281 573 Ml.
The Impofu started overflowing last night and is currently running 30 mm over the side spillway.
Boardwalk Casino Upgrade:
The project is progressing and well on track for completion at the end of 2012. The actual construction of the hotel building is currently due to commence and you may have noticed all the cranes being constructed for this purpose.
The sedimentary effluent that has been washing out next to Hobie Beach of the KFC/Barneys side is still being monitored on an ongoing basis and regular samples are taken throughout the week to ensure that there are no contaminants in the outflow.
I am in regular contact with Clifford Ngakane, the GM of The Boardwalk who takes any concerns raised very seriously and has been working closely with our beach manager, Fernando Caine and out Environmental Officer, Godfrey Murrell in addressing any concerns.
Should any of you have any concerns please let me know so that I can deal with these via Clifford’s office.
Clearing of Alien Vegetation
I am please to confirm that Godfrey Murrell has very kindly assisted with the clearing of significant amounts of alien vegetation along Strandfontein Rd in Summerstrand and that I will be liaising with cemeteries to deal with the significant grow that has occurred within the Forest Hill Cemetery.
Please let me know if there are any specific areas of concern where I can try to assist.
Warmer Winter Campaign
My wife Lynne took it upon herself to get this charity drive off the ground this Winter and the idea was for us to get as many people as possible to knit beanies, blankets and scarves or also to donate any old clothes that they may have so that we can try and bring a bit of relief to those who suffer during the winter months.
To date, we have been able to collect close to 300 items of clothing and have identified the Cheshire Ikhaya Aids Haven and Jerusalem Ministries Aids Haven, both in Walmer Township as the beneficiaries. We will be distributing these items to these children’s charities within the next two weeks, so if you have anything that you might like to add, please give me or Lynne a call on 082 559 6158.
Traffic Matters
Traffic matters are dealt with on an ongoing basis – should you have any areas of concern, please bring these to my attention so that I can assist.
Summerstrand Refuse Transfer Site
I have recently received some complaints regarding this facility, particularly around litter being allowed to blow out and along Strandfontein Rd. I had meetings with Riaan Le Roux and his team from Waste Management and can report the following.
They will speak to the sub-contracted operator to ensure that all garbage is properly placed inside the skips provided. They are to ensure that skips are regularly removed and that the facility is locked every evening by 17:30.
One of the problems reported is that of residents arriving after the facility has closed and dumping their refuse outside the gates. This is obviously a problem, so please ensure that if you use the facility, that you do so during operating hours. Should you see anyone dumping outside the locked gate, please try to get a number plate number and send to me so that we can try to take action against any transgressors.
Ward Inspections
Ward inspections are still undertaken of a six weekly cycle between myself and representatives from metro parks, traffic, electricity, beach office, metro environmental. During these inspections various problem areas are raised and possible solutions and interventions considered for implementation. Should you have anything that you wish to include into the ward tours, please let me know.
Ward 2
Latest posts by Ward 2 (see all)
- Nkandla – what we could have bought - 25 March 2014
- More about voting overseas and special votes - 3 March 2014
- Ward 2 Report – September 2013 - 10 September 2013
- What to do about rates queries and excessive valuations - 26 August 2013
- Ward 2 May-June Report - 31 May 2013
