Publications
Partners
Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate has announced that new improvements have been made to the ward, completing his budget spend for the last financial year.
“So much time has passed since the last local government elections. During this time, the City has continued to invest in the ward either through increased capital expenditure or through the operational and maintenance budget,” says Southgate.
He adds that changes to the ward boundaries have seen his budget having to service an additional section of the ward that was in need of upliftment.
“Progress has been made in transforming our sports facilities while others received additional repairs and maintenance,” he says.
It was reported in July that the clubhouse at St Augustine’s Cricket Oval received a new front verandah, showers and revamped kitchen, while the Groenewald Sports Fields in Southfield received additional toilets and a new tarred parking area, and the Allenby Drive Sports Complex received a new line marker (“Field work underway”, People’s Post, 24 July).
“There has been ongoing maintenance of our water bodies with Langevlei and Little Princess Vlei being dredged and cleared of alien vegetation. This continues to enhance the pristine views around these facilities. Our canals, rivers and points of sale are also being maintained,” adds Southgate.
He lauded the participation and support from the Princess Vlei Forum and local schools, which bodes well for the future of the facility and will continue to see the Vlei developed into a community facility with recreational space for families to enjoy.
“The unemployed in our community have continued to enjoy the opportunities created through the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The youth, learners and seniors have also benefitted through programmes sponsored via the ward allocation budget, while “Die Gaatjie” informal settlement was also electrified adding value and dignity to the lives of those living there,” Southgate says, with Die Gaatjie’s project cost being R950 000.
A further R100 000 was spent on Heathfield Primary School’s drop-and-go section, while residents of Tango Crescent in Steenberg received a tarred sidewalk for the first time in 50 years.
“Due to ongoing cable theft the overhead wires in Retreat and surrounds were all replaced with aluminium bundling which has put a stop to cable theft which caused unnecessary power outages,” explains Southgate, who adds that the cable now has no resale value once it has been replaced.
Roads in Heathfield and Southfield were upgraded and resurfaced with more due for 2018/19, while CCTV cameras were installed in Roscommon and Retreat roads.
