“We are actually translating what the city’s plans and programmes are… We’ve been able to restructure our budgets and create resources so that we are able to invest extensively in the transformation,” said Executive Mayor Parks Tau shortly after delivering the 2014 State of the City Address.
For the first time the address was held in Soweto at the Orlando Community Hall.
Speaking about the city’s finances, Tau said Joburg had redeemed R1.9 billion since entering the municipal bond market including R900 million in the past 12 months.
“The city is financially in the best shape yet,” he said.
Joburg had a surplus of R3.4 billion at the end of June and its assets had grown to R60.1 billion.
The city council’s budget currently stands at R7.6 billion and was projected to grow to R10.9 billion in the next financial year, he added.
The release of an unqualified report from the auditor-general was the strongest indication yet that the city’s governance was in good shape.
A key area of focus for the city council was to implement infrastructure to “restitch” the city by creating accessibility to all and promoting the use of public transportation, cycling and walking.
Tau announced details about infrastructure pertaining to the third phase of the Rea Vaya network along Louis Botha avenue and Katherine Street, which includes an underground public transport interchange near the Wynberg bridge, 31km of public environment upgrade in Alexandra, 5.2km of walking and cycling lanes, and a bridge over the M1 to improve access between Alexandra and Sandton.
Further, the city council plans to build a second bridge over the M1 to accommodate the Rea Vaya bus lanes in Marlboro, and will introduce a new transport system in Sandton to ensure integration of the Gautrain station, pedestrians, cyclists, Rea Vaya, minibus taxis and other bus services.
He further announced the launch of open wifi at Orlando Community Hall, various Rea Vaya stations and the roll out of an additional 1 000 wifi hotspots across Joburg.
According to Tau, the broadband network would significantly increase internet access, including access to free online courses at libraries.
Tau also noted that in the coming years the demand for energy and food in the city would increase by 50 percent while the demand for water would increase by 30 percent.
In a bid to address these challenges and those of global warming, the city was also conducting a ‘green revolution’ using a range of initiatives aimed at combating climate change.
These included the installation of 43 000 solar water heaters, which generate the equivalent of 22.5 gigawatt hours of electricity a year and the installation of 42 000 smart meters, geyser control systems and energy efficiency programmes which will enhance energy efficiency.
Additionally, the city would develop a second biogas-to-energy plant at waste water treatment facilities at the Driefontein Works, which will be operational by May this year, and had begun replacing 143km of water pipes as part of a three-year, 900km refurbishment programme.
