Fed up with waiting for official road repairs, the Bordeaux South Residents Association (BSRA) and Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete recently rolled up their sleeves to fix dangerous potholes in their area.

The severe road damage in the suburb was initially caused by a burst water pipe on Hilma Road. Despite residents constantly reporting the resulting potholes, municipal help never arrived.

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“We had a burst pipe in Hilma Road in Bordeaux South and obviously this burst pipe has caused a lot of damage to the road,” said Campbell-Cloete. “Over time we’ve been reporting the damage, we’ve been reporting potholes, and nothing is getting done.”

After the water leak was finally repaired a few weeks ago, the waterlogged potholes were given time to dry out. The BSRA then reached out to the councillor for help, and a date was set for a community-led repair project. Campbell-Cloete arrived on site with road-tamping equipment and 15 bags of asphalt, but the sheer depth of the potholes meant supplies quickly ran out. However, the community refused to stop working. “This is the amazing part. It wasn’t long and those 15 bags were gone, but the community then decided that we’re here with the equipment and it will be amazing for them to continue. Some of the residents actually went out to go and buy 40 more bags of asphalt.”

The community’s quick actions have made a massive difference to local traffic safety. BSRA chairperson Grant Robinson explained that the political party had offered to assist with the repairs, stepping in where local government had fallen short. Robinson highlighted one intersection in particular that had become a major hazard for local drivers. “Seeing the motorists battle, especially on the corner of Ina and Main streets, where one way had the right of way, it was actually a dangerous situation. That’s now been resolved, so the chances of an accident happening there has been reduced a lot now.”

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For Campbell-Cloete, the successful repair drive highlighted the power of civic teamwork. She noted that the volunteers even had fun using the repair equipment, joking that the heavy soil compactor was like a new toy for the workers. “That’s what we mean with a whole of society approach. When councillors come together with the community, with residents’ associations, when we all work together, things get done.”

The councillor concluded by calling for better partnerships between the government and active citizens. “If we have a government that has this relationship with residents’ associations and with the community, then we create programmes where the community can do this without being prosecuted. That’s where we need to be going.”

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