WARD 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth, explains her plans for the community for a productive 2017. After a whirlwind four months since becoming ward councillor, Brauteseth has been able to reflect on the five main issues facing the ward.
“I have dealt with more than 500 issues in the ward since 3 August 2016 and it is clear from these experiences that the priorities for 2017 must be crime, enforcement of bylaws and traffic regulations, completion of the GO! Durban project, crumbling infrastructure and parks and recreation,” said Brauteseth.
She said Ward 18 was plagued by crime last year between terrible murders in Westville North and ongoing muggings in the Pinetown CBD. Brauteseth was herself assaulted and had her cellphone stolen and said she really understands residents’ concerns.
“The Pinetown SAPS under Col Leon Mathyssen have launched various initiatives that are starting to bear fruit. I will be interacting with the business community and various government departments to boost security and policing in these areas,” she said.
With regards to the enforcement of bylaws and traffic regulations, Brauteseth said that former councillors in Ward 18 have pushed for a dedicated Municipal Court and Metro Police Station in Pinetown and she will pick up the baton on these initiatives.
“The Municipal Court proposal was agreed to in the last council term but the governing party has shied away from implementation. Pinetown is an area that employs 25 per cent of the workforce in eThekwini and generates 25 per cent of the city’s GDP.
“It is clear that resources must be allocated to make this vital region work efficiently. Due to a lack of consequence management, bylaws are flouted continuously and this must change,” said Brauteseth.
The councillor said the massive construction of the GO! Durban project in Pinetown and New Germany to facilitate the new bus lanes is now almost a year overdue for completion.
She said she will be working with the various roleplayers to ensure this project is completed this year so that residents of the ward can benefit from these upgrades and also end the traffic disruption to businesses and residents alike.
She added that there is a serious problem in Ward 18 regarding water and electricity interruptions and the crumbling state of many roads. “While this is a complex issue relating to funding, there is no doubt that the ratepayers of Ward 18 deserve better returns for their contributions.
“Ward 18 is also not a priority for the governing party in council. I will, however, be working hard to have funding allocated to Ward 18 for infrastructure projects this year,” said Brauteseth.
Her final concern is to transform shabby Pinetown into a beautiful place again. She said it is completely unacceptable that the verges of Ward 18 are overgrown with weeds and grass.
“The contract with Parks and Recreation to resolve this issue has stalled since late 2013. Despite intermittent attempts in specific areas, Ward 18 is looking shabby. In addition, public parks and the jewel in the Pinetown crown, Lahee Park, desperately need sprucing up and development.
“Many initiatives have been promised by the council but they have yielded few results. I will be working hard with the relevant authorities to clean up Ward 18 to improve property values and make residents proud to be part of this ward,” said Brauteseth.
She claimed that all these issues are complex and difficult, but she assures the residents of Pinetown, Cowies Hill and Westville North that she will work as hard as possible to achieve results in these areas. She has also invited residents to send her an email via mels@saol.com regarding their concerns and ideas.
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