Councillor reflects on past and present

While 2013 was a year for progress in ward 18, Edenvale, much still needs to be done.

“Countless numbers of potholes, streetlights, stormwater drains, blocked sewers, water leaks and broken water meters were reported and attended too,” said the area’s ward councillor, Heather Hart.

“But as fast as those reported were fixed, more are reported and followed through,” she added.

Along with achievements for ward 18, came a sad goodbye when council staff bade farewell to Mr Grobbie Grobbelaar.

“Grobbie has marked the roads of Edenvale for the past 20 years and has now finally retired,” said Clr Hart.

“Of on-going concern is the state of our gutters, storm water drains, trees that need pruning and lack of adequate maintenance of our parks, roads, gutters and pavements in general. Regular building and city planning contraventions are also of great concern, and often continue unabated despite legal processes being put in place,” said Clr Hart.

She added that the recent advent of “noisy clubs has also reared its head”.

“Thanks to swift reporting from the community and attention from our environmental departments, these were speedily resolved,” she said.

Illiondale experienced a number of water shortages in 2013 caused by damaged fire hydrants as a result of motor accidents and burst water pipes.

“The lack of assistance from the call centre exacerbated the situation and residents just did not know what was going on unless they made contact with me,” said Clr Hart.

A similar situation arose when there were power failures, particularly on October 31.

“Of the bigger issues that we have in Ward 18, the taxi ranks continue to disappoint. Despite spending a significant portion of the Ward 18 Project Fund on repairing the toilets and installing shelters and seating at various ranks, the shelters have been damaged and the seating never materialised due to tender irregularities. The taxi rank cleaning tenders are still a bone of contention, with resolutions being promised, but none forthcoming,” said Clr Hart.

The Illiondale Outfall Sewer is still not in place and at best, this contract will only restart in March this year.

“Therefore, the ongoing sewerage problems in Isandovale, Sebenza, Illiondale and parts of Edenglen will continue.

“Relief measures were put in place by East Rand Water (Ewart) and Ekurhuleni through the installation of new pumps at the smaller pump station in Illiondale,” said Clr Hart.

The temporary measures were aimed at relieving the pressure placed on the Edenvale sewer system by developments in Greenstone.

“Sadly, sewerage spills into the spruit occur on a regular basis as the pipes cannot handle the current volumes, volumes they were never designed to handle,” said Clr Hart.

“Proper rehabilitation work cannot be implemented in the Illiondale Spruit, another important issue, until the Sewer Project is completed,” she added.

The weirs within the river bed are still on the table and with the help of the Illiondale Wetland Buddies, the ongoing issue of pollution from upstream is being addressed to a certain extent with relevant officials.

“The daily, deliberate spillage of toxic chemicals into our stormwater drains by irresponsible companies in Sebenza is a constant source of concern,” said Clr Hart.

The Horwood’s Farm house is another problem in ward 18, with no progress made in preventing further destruction of the heritage site.

“Tenders for renovations that were due to start in November last year appear not to be in place yet,” she said.

Clr Hart also reflected on the loss of lives on Edenvale’s Roads.

“Unfortunately, our roads planning department has been unable to implement any measures to reduce these fatalities although the traffic calming circle at Laurie and Aitken should reduce the speed of motorists on Laurie road to a certain extent,” she said.