ISSUES related to grass cutting, tree pruning and general maintenance were brought to the fore at a Parks Service Delivery Drive recently.
Ward 33 councillor, Mmabatho Tembe, organised the drive-around with the new Parks District 7 Manager and Horticulturist during which she raised concerns pertaining to parks, open spaces, and play lots in the area, as well as signage, vagrancy, public park drinking, weeds, trees amonst others.
Councillor Tembe pointed out that while many issues needed to be addressed in the ward, grass cutting and weeding in parks and areas around the suburbs needed urgent attention.
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“We now have a new Parks horiculturist for our ward and this meeting was fruitful in that discussions were held regarding issues that needed to be picked up and sorted out. I have been extremely worried about how long things will take to get off the ground and have told the District Manager that there needs to be some course of action as soon as possible as the situation is dire,” she said.
Tembe said no weed spraying or cutting had been done at all, and the Parks Department and Roads Department were in conversation on which department was to take over as Parks was no longer undertaking this duty.
“So while this is happening no weeding is being done. This is a major issue and we are fighting for a faster response. Regarding grass cutting, there is very little grass cutting happening in parks and on road islands because of a shortage of grass cutters. I showed the horticulturist the main areas that need attention on the drive-around,” she said.
Tembe said another issue addressed was the need for lights for Bulwer Park.
She said the department was still waiting to process this request. She said she would continue pushing and escalating this issue.
“There are new contractors laying cables in Helen Joseph Road, and working their way up. The weather has caused things to slow down but they should be done by mid December. I will keep pushing for better service delivery for the residents of ward 33,” she said.
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