Cyrildene residents have accused the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) of not taking them seriously.
The residents were speaking at a public participation meeting regarding the Cyrildene Urban Development Framework (UDF) held on May 18.
This was after the Johannesburg Development Agency, on behalf of City of Johannesburg Development Planning, appointed a consulting firm, VBH Town Planning to investigate the current state of affairs in and around Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene.
The meeting was held to address the main concerns such as crime, overcrowding and parking of the affected community, and to make proposals for the future development and urban management of the area.
The first meeting was hosted for issues to be raised by the residents and these will be used as a backdrop to the planning proposals that will follow.
One resident who did not want to be named said the meeting was a waste of time. “This is what they do every time. I don’t know why I wasted my time coming here as I benefited nothing from coming here,” said the resident.
Residents said these issues had been addressed at previous meetings and nothing had come from it.
Ms Danielle Morulli said, “I am interested to know what is going on in the area and I hope we can come to an agreement.’’
Ms Selly Fashion said,”Things need to be sorted out. Our place is in a terrible mess. Our area is going down, we have been living here for 42 years and it is sad to see how slum orientated it got, I hope we get to a good resolution for everybody in the area,’’ said Ms Fashion.
Amongst people who attended the meeting were the residents of Cyrildene, ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha and ward 118 councillor, Clr Mike Spadino.
A second public meeting will be held on June 8 to discuss the draft proposals for the UDF and a final public meeting will be held on July 6 to discuss the final UDF.
The meetings will be held at Queens High School in 8th Avenue, Dewetshof starting at 6pm.
Residents can submit their views via email to vbh@vbhplan.com
