Bedfordview and Edenvale News caught up with Jill Humphreys to discuss how 2023 was for her ward.
A year she described as most challenging compared to the last two.
As the Ward 20 Clr reflected on the challenges and some positives in the ward, she expressed frustration regarding poor service delivery.
“People everywhere are owed money from contractors, residents, even those who have sold their houses are still waiting for their refunds.
ALSO READ: Clr Bill Rundle reflects on 2023 as it draws to a close
“Another major challenge we continue to face is the interim readings. People get charged exorbitant amounts, and I can’t see how it can be justified,” explained Humphreys.
According to her, Bedfordview was without meter readers for a year, which explains why they have challenges with interim meter readings.
The city’s call for residents to submit their readings has not been adopted universally, leading to contentious billing situations.
She said to mitigate the situation, she has been trying to get clarity from the CoE on the formula used for interim calculations.
The property evaluations have also been challenging for Humphreys and residents.
“People are going into years now waiting for their evaluations to be heard by the appeal board,” she said.
ALSO READ: Ward 18 Clr Alderman Heather Hart highlights plans
Some positives include Nicol Bridge’s completion, although work on the gibbons continues. Also fixed were some water leaks and roads.
“The positive thing is that the community has realised the municipality is not coping, and communities like Better Bedfordview have stepped up hugely. They are doing everything they can, but there are things they can’t do.
“They are not allowed to fix the meters or the water leaks, and that’s where we still have ongoing huge problems because those are serious leaks,” shared Humphreys.
ALSO READ: Update: Officials not delegated to communicate with Clrs – CoE
Another big problem is the growing number of vagrants.
She said vagrants have gang wars among themselves to mark their ‘territory’, and young beggars are becoming hostile.
The old infrastructure also remains a challenge. According to Humphreys, it is made worse with the approval of new developments without adequate consideration of existing weaknesses.
“We all know the infrastructure is old, weak and crumbling, but despite that, the city constantly approves new developments in Bedfordview.
“There’s a lot of pressure for new developments, so every time there’s a piece of land open where there used to be one house, there are now eight units with the same infrastructure.
“We can’t keep saying, ‘Yes, we can take more houses’. The pressure is too much. It will affect present and future residents.”
