Local forum hopes city’s entities will join to help transform Halfway House into a first world suburb
Forum representative believes everyone needs to play their part for them to improve the state of the suburb, which includes improving the state of the toilet at the Halfway House taxi rank.
The Halfway House Development Forum (HHDF) is adamant the suburb could be transformed into a better-looking state than it is now.
However, this can only be achieved if all role players, including the city’s entities and authorities, play their part.
Currently, the suburb is in a state of decay with taxis parking and getting fixed on the side of the road, while hawkers line the pavements.
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This was said by forum co-founder Rob Fowler at the recently held forum meeting on October 22.
Fowler said although they try to play their part, it will be difficult to reach a world standard where public toilets at the taxi rank and shopping centres function properly.
“I just came back from Australia and I have gone into many public toilets. They were all functional with soap in the dispensers and water [hot and cold] working. That is the first-world standard that we should be aiming for. I don’t know how many people come into the Halfway House taxi rank and there are no toilets, or they are made to pay a certain fee at the poorly managed facilities. Doors are kicked in and there is no privacy,” said Fowler.
He said the Broadwalk Urban Village fire has attracted people’s attention to the re-zoning of some buildings, from business to residential, in the area.
“It’s a tragic situation, and it shows what happens when you turn a blind eye to what is happening in our suburb”.
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Dr Andrew Jacovides said it was vital for the council to play a bigger role, and needed to get city entities to do their jobs diligently.
“Council needs to get all relevant role players to play their part. Police need to arrest people for public drinking. Metro police need to enforce traffic laws on the roads and not turn a blind eye to small crime because that’s how it starts. We are not saying hawkers should be removed, but can they not be provided small stall cubicles to run their business, and not fill the walkways,” said Jacovides.
He said people were now forced to walk in the streets where they were in danger of being hit by taxis and other cars.
Local business owner Steven Lyons said his big concerns were potholed roads and blocked storm water drainage.
“My wish is to see the clearing up of informal dumpsites. Metro police need to continually police contraventions of the city by-laws, and the creation of more parking for taxis.
I think the provision of more well-maintained ablutions for commuters and taxi operators will also help with the state of the taxi rank. And lastly, an introduction of some greenery that will make this place more welcoming,” concluded Lyons.
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