Summer season is fast approaching although it doesn’t feel that way with a chilly start to the week!
There have been a host of exciting developments lately that hold a lot of significance for the residents of Ward 2 and the greater metro community.
The Kings Beach Environmental Upgrade is already well underway with a significant amount of money to be spent on our long neglected beachfront. I am pleased to see that Transnet have again reaffirmed their commitment to the removal of the manganese ore berth and petro tank farm, both of which are to be relocated to the Ngqura port facility.
The time line for the relocation has been set at 2015/16 with Transnet indicating that they will be spending in the region of R5bn in new infrastructure whilst also upgrading the rail link to allow for the processing of more ore through the proposed new facilities at Ngqura.
Once this occurs, they have also indicated that this will create the space required (after rehabilitation), for the long awaited development of the bay waterfront. This too is a welcome shift from the previously held position which would have significantly frustrated the proposed development by insisting that the port remain available for port activities only.
I have been involved in various discussions with officials and role-players in an effort to ensure that enough political will is exercised to ensure that the Macarthur facility is restored and operational in time for the Summer Season. More importantly, the facility needs to be maintained throughout the year to prevent it falling into disrepair as it has in the past.
The Happy Valley Local Spatial Development Framework has progressed well (soon to be ratified by council). It will provide the essential framework that will allow the most practical and beneficial future development of this very valuable land asset. Telkom Park it is hoped, will be advertised calling for proposals before the end of the year.
The new Boardwalk Casino Hotel and Conference centre is also progressing well and on track for completion at the end of next year. This development holds enormous future potential for our local tourism and conference industries.
Finally, the article in by Patrick Cull in The Weekend which confirms the investment of nearly R1bn by FAW, the Chinese auto manufacturer, also comes as another big vote of confidence in our metro.
Far too often we tend to focus on the negatives only. I am the first to admit that there are many challenges facing our city and these should obviously continue to receive attention, but we really do need to also look to the many positives that have come about in recent months and collectively build on these successes with a more positive outlook.
Success can only be developed with a positive, winning mind set.
Warm Ward 2 Regards
Dean Biddulph
Ward 2 Report:
Beach Front Safety & Security
As a follow-up to the meeting held between Acting Director, Safety & Security, Stanford and myself, it was mentioned at the MPAC (Municipal Public Accounts Committee) that the plans going forward for metro Safety & Security will be for the various bodies (Traffic, Safety & Security, Law Enforcement Officers etc) to amalgamate into a single entity that will be responsible for broader by-law enforcement.
The idea was that a Metro Police Force would have been established by now but the proposal above is a positive step in the right direction.
Many of you may also have noticed that there has been an increase in presence of Safety & Security foot patrols along the beachfront area. There is a contingent of officers that have been stationed at the back of beach kiosks and will remain in the area for the foreseeable future including the Summer Season.
Regular cleanup operations are still being conducted on a regular basis to deal with the issues of illegal car guards, vagrants etc. complementing the efforts of the Humewood SAPS.
Any complaints can be reported to 10111 or to Metro Safety & Security 041 5851555 or to the Service Delivery JOC on 0800 20 50 50.
Service Delivery JOC (Joint Operations Centre)
The metro Service Delivery JOC has continues to be a tremendous help in improving turnaround times on a host of day-to-day complaints reported. A special vote of thanks should go to the JOC staff and to Brigadier John Best, assisted by Lee-anne Meiring.
Each and every complaint is given a unique tracking number on a dedicated system, with feedback going back to the office of the Municipal Manager daily.
Anyone wishing to report any municipal complaints can do so by making use the toll free number 0800 20 5050.
King’s Beach Environmental Upgrade – Update
The upgrade is already well underway with phase now tracking for completion by April 2012. The first phase will see significant landscaping, significant planting of greenery and trees and the establishment of a water body in the existing retention pond area. The water feature will be fed by ground water from under The Beaches apartment block, This water was historically pumped into the sea and will also be used to supplement irrigation requirements in the area.
Future phases will see the building of a new children’s play park, the upgrading of the existing children’s play area and the construction of a new section and refurbishment of the skate bowl. Additional features such as a climbing wall will also be added.
Further to the previous information, the upgrade, now expected to cost a total of R42 million will be phased in over three rather than two years as budget becomes available.
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 commercial Development Node within this precinct so that some form of added commercial activity/attraction 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
The Bayworld saga continues to drag along with the signing of an agreement between the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) and the Department for Economic Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) holding up the effective transfer of the facility to the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA). Once this has been signed, the NMBDA will then be able to officially take over responsibility for the commercialisation of the facility and to investigate funding and private/public partnership models.
The memorandum will officially pave the way for DSRAC to still keep the museum staff complement on their payroll, but extract 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.
Beach Front Dog Control Measures
As a reminder, dogs are allowed on the beach from the harbour wall to the King’s Beach slipway.
Between the slipway and Pipe parking area, dogs are allowed at the back of beach on grassed areas only. Dogs are allowed again from Pipe parking area 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. 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
FANTASTIC NEWS !!! Shortly after yet another set of written questions for reply by the Municipal Manager at the meeting of council on 2 September 2011, the metro have finally started moving with the clearing of plots in the Summerstrand Ext 14 area. The first thirty plots have been cleared and the first batch of ten plots advertised for sale on public tender.
This development brings an end to a battle that has been ongoing for the past three and a half years, and a number of years prior to my election as councillor when the late Lesley Lowe struggled to have these erven cleared and sold.
Any residents interested in making a bid on these plots should visit the Tenders Section of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal website.
Should you see anyone dumping here, please take a picture and/or their registration details, and forward to me or to Ann on 041 585 0515.
Lifting of Water Restrictions & Continued Stepped Tariffs
Water restrictions have been lifted 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.
The metro has taken a decision that stepped tariffs will remain in place to encourage users to remain frugal with their consumption as we are in a water stressed region.
The latest water tariffs are itemised below:
| 2011/12 Cents per kl |
2010 to 2011 Increase |
||
| Residential | Up to 8 kl per day | 660 | 11.5% |
| Next 8 kl per day | 827 | 11.5% | |
| Next 1 kl per day | 982 | 11.5% | |
| Additional consumption | 1673 | 11.5% | |
| Communal Standpipes (Urban) | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Commercial and Institutional Urban |
Commercial | 660 | 11.5% |
| Institutional | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Industrial Hybrid Developments | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Municipal | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Metered Fire Development | 660 | ||
| Commercial and Institutional Rural |
Commercial and Industrial | 827 | 11.5% |
| Industrial Urban | Industrial | 827 | 11.5% |
| Up to 8 kl per day | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Next 8 kl per day | 827 | 11.5% | |
| Next 1 kl per day | 982 | 11.5% | |
| Additional consumption | 1673 | 11.5% | |
| Irrigation of Sports Fields | 660 | 11.5% | |
| Metered Standpipes | 992 | 11.5% |
Boardwalk Casino Upgrade
This R1Bn project continues to progress and remains 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.
With reference to the significant amounts of alien vegetation in the Forest Hill cemetery area, I have been in contact with Greg Kops for cemeteries and John Heenen from Parks. The clearing of this area will be put out to tender shortly.
Please let me know if there are any additional specific areas of concern where I can try to assist.
Traffic Matters
Traffic matters are dealt with on an ongoing basis – should you have any specific areas of concern, please bring these to my attention so that I can assist.
Summerstrand Refuse Transfer Site
As a follow-up to complaints received regarding this facility, I held a meeting with Annalisa Dyakala from Waste Management.
They have addressed the complaints with the operator to ensure that all garbage is properly placed inside the skips provided. They have been instructed 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 who dump their refuse outside the gates. 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.
Hobie Beach Improvements
This area has undergone a number of significant improvements in the past four months. I have used the R100 000 annual ward councillor discretionary fund for 2010 & 2011 to effect these improvements which have effectively created a much more user-friendly and accessible beach area for the many users that frequent this area over weekends and throughout the summer months.
In addition to the concrete stairs access that was built, a new retaining sea wall has been built to help arrest the erosion that has ruined this area over a number of years. The eroded embankment has been trimmed back and the area packed with river stones to improve the stability and aesthetics of the area.
I am currently in the process of negotiating beachfront concessions for this beach and Hobie Beach which will provide rental loungers, umbrellas and locked safe-keeping of valuables for beach goers.
In addition, after a meeting with Clifford Ngakane, GM of The Boardwalk Casino, he has agreed to assist with the harvesting of the water run-off at the Hobie area for irrigation purposes and I am scheduled to meet with Parks to discuss additional landscaping for the area.
Ward Inspections
Ward inspections are still undertaken on a six weekly cycle between me 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 and I will include your concerns into my interactions with officials.
Thank you for your interaction and for bringing ward matters to my attention.
Ward 2
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