IDP imbizo urges City to accelerate delivery

19-04-2015

 

Residents of eight wards in the City of Johannesburg’s Region B have encouraged the municipality to continue implementing projects aimed at improving their quality of life.
 

This was after acting Regional Manager Tytus Motau had unpacked several multimillion rand capital projects that the City intended to roll out over the next few years.
 

Addressing residents at an Integrated Developing Planning (IDP) public engagement session at Marks Park in Emmarentia, Motau revealed that the City would undertake the following projects in the region between now and the 2017-2018 financial year:
 

 The construction of dumping facilities in Northworks, Southdale and Randburg for garden refuse to increase landfill lifespans and to produce saleable compost. A budget of R500 000 has been allocated for the 2017-2018 financial year;

 The development of the Westdene Dam Park. The project has been allocated R10 million in the 2015-2016 financial year and a further R11.97 million in the 2016-2017 financial year;

 The establishment of a new parking lot at the Johannesburg Zoo and the upgrading of the Zoo Lake Park at a combined cost of R32 million over the next two financial years;

 The renewal of bulk infrastructure at the Hurst Hill Substation at a total cost of R50 million between 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 financial years;

 The provision of new electricity service connections in Ferndale at a cost of R54.65 million;

 The replacement of two 45 MVA transformers with 11kV switchgear in Roosevelt Park at a cost of R500 000 by 2017-2018;

 The upgrading of the John Ware electricity substation, which will include the installation of an additional 88/11kV transformer and feeder board at a cost of R20 million in the 2017-2018 financial year;

 The rehabilitation of the Bosmont spruit and wetlands at a combined cost of R28 million budget over the medium term; and

 The redevelopment and regeneration of the Randburg CBD, which will include the building and resurfacing of roads, pavements, bridges and stormwater management infrastructure. This capital project has been allocated R67.5 million.

Issues of concern raised by the community included the need for stern bylaw enforcement and to address the high levels of grime, poor municipal and service provider standards, drug abuse and poor road conditions.
 

The meeting was also attended by Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing Councillor Dan Bovu and proportional representative ward councillor Cathy Seefort.

MMC Bovu said presenting the medium-term budget to communities and reviewing progress was an important tool to measure whether the City was on track regarding the delivery of critical aspects such Corridors of Freedom, blue and green economies, Jozi@Work and the Smart City initiative. 
 

“The City has consistently focused on identifying and refining priority areas for delivery in support of its desired outcome of a liveable, sustainable and resilient city,” he said.
 

Over the next financial year, Region B will see an increased rollout of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system; implementation of the Empire-Perth Corridor, which includes the development and completion of the Westbury Precinct’s pedestrian bridge; the Pennyville Precinct’s intermodal exchange facility at Pennyville station; an upgrade to the Claremont park; and the development of an improved pharmacy depot in Langlaagte. 

Full details of the IDP, as well as proposed tariffs, can be viewed on www.joburg.org.