Melville Precinct Plan off to a positive start

The Melville Precinct Plan members are working together to re-instil a sense of community and pride within their suburb.

Initiated by the City of Johannesburg, the Melville Precinct Plan member, Denver Hendricks, said it was developed early last year to create a plan to deal with safety, security and urban development.

Hendricks is a Melville resident and one of the selected consultants for the plan.

“The precinct plan is still a work in progress and an initial document which addresses the issues we need to develop in terms of the broader plan, which has many facets to it. One of them being security, specifically 7th Street security,” said Hendricks.

Melville Precinct Plan member, Jono Kirby volunteered to be part of the project as one of the business owners on the street. He said as a resident he has a vested interest in terms of running his business.

There have been some issues in the past, however, the members wanted to focus on a plan to move forward.

“My role in the project is to take care of a particular block. I’ve got two businesses between First and Second avenues.

I would like the businesses to work with the residents. Like most people, I’ve had businesses here for the longest time. It’s about having a combined vision and making them work together,” said Kirby.

The security in the area is one of the members’ top priorities and they have systems in place by working with a security company.

There are a number of car guards in the area who do a great job, while others pretend to be working but instead commit crimes. HMA High-Risk Security work with the precinct members to ensure the security of business owners and residents.

“This project symbolises how residents and business owners shouldn’t rely on the government to implement plans but rather, everyone should work together for the betterment of the community,” said Hendricks.

There is also a cleaning project in the works responsible for keeping the environment clean, supported and paid for by businesses. The next precinct meeting will be on 14 February.

Details: Melville Precinct Plan member Eric Vangils, eric@vangils.co.za