Ward 115 councillor delivers ward update
Water and electricity are at the core focus for Ward 115 councillor, Mark van der Merwe going forward in the next couple of months.
Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe gave an update on the progress of various projects taking place in the community.
He said the Fourways pipe replacement project had been completed.
“I’m happy to report that the bursts in that area have stopped. This is the Leslie to Witkoppen and William Nicol to Kingfisher and Alexander area. But as expected it will move to other areas until the entire network of asbestos cement water pipes is replaced.
“The new MMC for Infrastructure has announced that there will be an emergency project funded to immediately start with the replacement of the pipes. At the moment, the Zandfontein Depot and the Randburg Depot are preparing a ‘worst hit areas’ list and they will need to present those to the MMC and the four councillors in the area whose wards are the main areas affected by these asbestos cement pipes,” he said.
He added that the next area of concern to be addressed would be electricity supply, mitigating load-shedding and cable theft, and sewerage infrastructure.
“The next project we need to look at is the replacement of the sewer main line in Craigavon. There have been multiple issues over the last year and we will be replacing the old asbestos cement 500mm line with an upgraded steel pipeline.
“With electricity, we will be doing several upgrades to the network in and around the Houtkoppen substation that will see power supply moving from underground to above ground and we will also see upgrades to the substation.
Van der Merwe said other projects on the horizon in the ward were water and road infrastructure. He added with ward committees being inducted on August 27, public meetings could be held to follow up with residents on various issues.
He thanked community members for their reporting of municipal issues to the relevant authorities.
“More and more people are stepping forward to work with us to achieve the required standards. Obviously, there are parts of the job that no one can assist with because they are only available to councillors.
“It’s over to the entities to resolve the problems. On the occasion where the problem is not resolved that is when the residents, estate managers, resident associations, community leaders and CPF step up and assist in escalating to myself,” he said.
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