Lourenco announces 2021 goals for ward 104
Lourenco is ready to put plans into action for her respective areas this year.
Ward 104 Clr Tracey Lourenco (52) wants to see the City of Ekurhuleni taking a greater role in shaping the areas she represents.
Her ward includes Edleen, Esther Park, Terenure, Kempton Park West, Birch Acres to Maraboe Street and Ambrosia Steet and a small part of Van Riebeeck Park.
Lourenco aims to prioritise her areas and wants to see growth and rejuvenation.
“2020 was one of the most difficult years I have experienced. Many of the departments were working with skeleton staff for most of the year and this put tremendous strain on service delivery throughout all departments.
“PPE issues meant that parks staff did not return to work after lockdown level three, creating further grass cutting backlogs. The energy department battled to address the street light backlog and the water department was inundated with water and sewerage issues, particularly in the Birch Acres area due to the rapid filling up of the Norkem Park pan causing homes to be flooded with stormwater and sewerage.
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“Communication is vital in any organisation and although some departments communicated effectively, others did not, which resulted in much frustration for our ratepayers, businesses and residents.
“Considering that communities look to us to receive feedback, a lack of responsiveness makes it difficult to keep them up to date.
“I have availed myself through various social media channels to keep Ward 104 residents informed of the various service delivery issues escalating where necessary.
“It was also necessary to spend many months working with NGOs and community members to assist those who were being negatively affected by Covid-19 restrictions, particularly those who needed assistance with food parcels,” said Lourenco.
“Due to constant pressure on the Provincial Liquor Board, a highly problematic tavern and liquor outlets will face the liquor board for a hearing pending maximum penalty due to various contraventions.
“Instead of face-to-face meetings we have had to use platforms like Zoom for our Section 89, council and service delivery meetings. One of the upsides is that most customer care centres have to set up WhatsApp groups for councillors to facilitate better communication and feedback.
“Serious concerns about the rising level of water in the Norkem Park pan will need to be addressed as a matter of urgency together with the resultant sewerage issues.
“Another priority is the finalisation of the Edleen EMPD precinct, but most importantly I am trying to get Kempton Park back to a state that residents can again be proud of, with well-maintained roads, pavements, parks, trees, grass verges and open spaces,” said Lourenco.
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