MANY of the same issues as last year have earned failing marks again on ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois’ annual report card.
“Once again council-related issues have attracted failing marks,” he said.
Success stories this year, which he notes are non-municipal initiatives, include the Bluff National Park Golf Course, crime statistics, the clinic committee and the Bluff Alliance.
Receiving an F on this year’s report card are municipal-related matters – the Donnelly Road housing project, proposed beach upgrade, Bushland Road vacant land, clinic parking and War Room. Two other problems listed by Du Bois are the Zanzibari land and a derelict building in Fynnlands.
Not much has changed from last year’s report card, which received a double F and also included the Donnelly Road housing project, proposed beach upgrade, Bushland Road vacant land, the War Room and derelict buildings in Fynnlands, along with shoddy workmanship.
Getting good marks on his report card:
1. Bluff National Park Golf Course
“As reported in September, it is gratifying to note, after the gloom last year which hung over the future of the Bluff golf club and the green lung area which it occupies, the club has pulled itself out of the financial bunker. This is a huge plus for the Bluff and especially for property owners in the vicinity of the golf course.”
2. Crime statistics
“The release of the national crime statistics show the Bluff is the safest suburb in the eThekwini Metro. This is an accolade due very much to Brighton Beach SAPS and the members of Community Orientated Policing (COP).”
COP, headed by Rake Jeeves works to increase the safety of the community through patrols and other activities.
3. Clinic committee
“The clinic committee continues to play a positive role in terms of liaison between the public and the clinic staff. A big thank you to Mrs Margaret Everett and Mrs Pam Smith for their efforts before their retirement from the committee.”
4. Bluff Alliance
“This voluntary association deserves commendation for its proactive role in identifying problems and its initiatives, all of which reflect community spirit in the service of a better Bluff.”
The Bluff Alliance is run by locals, Ivor Aylward and Andy Rossell. The duo, along with volunteers, give of their time to help other Bluffites and spur on action in areas of concern in the suburb.
This year’s picks for poor marks according to Du Bois are:
1. Donnelly Road housing project
“This was deferred from 2014 and was supposed to commence in August. But nothing has transpired. This is a crying shame as hundreds of tenants are living in squalid conditions on the premises, despite the promise of a ‘better life for all’.”
2. Proposed beach upgrade
“The last public consultation took place on 27 November 2014. Calls for further public engagement have gone unheeded. Also disappointing was the interim report released in September which persisted in identifying Strand Road as the second access route to Foreshore Drive despite opposition and the submission of a counter-proposal.”
3. Bushland Road vacant land
“Despite appeals spanning several years for this provincially-owned plot to be sold for development, the impasse continues. As a consequence, the plot is an eyesore because of dumping and overgrown vegetation.”
4. Clinic parking
“Written appeals made in January, June and August for the development of parking bays in Donegal Road opposite the clinic have been ignored or side-stepped. This is extremely disappointing as the proposal is eminently feasible while the need for parking is critical.”
5. War Room
“This provincial initiative to expedite poverty alleviation and to fast-track bottlenecks in service delivery has proven a farce. That was noted last year and has proved no different in 2015.”
Other problem areas noted by Du Bois:
1. Zanzibar land
“Despite an appeal to the stakeholders of the Zanzibari land to sell it so it can be developed and the uncertainty dispelled which attends the adjacent property owners, no response has been forthcoming.”
2. Derelict buildings in Fynnlands
“Despite an undertaking by the owner of the derelict buildings at 1400 Bluff Road to demolish them after one of them was gutted by fire, the eyesores remain.”
Councillor Du Bois added that the aesthetic state of the Bluff starts property owners and urges people to keep verges trimmed and free from building materials and other waste; keep dogs behind secure fences and gates and respect residential zoning.
“This is my final report as I will be retiring at the 2016 municipal election. Best wishes for 2016 and remember to be kind and compassionate to animals,” said Du Bois.
