Beloved councillor retires after 26 years

Beloved councillor, Matthew Shunmugam, has retired after 26 years of active service.

Shunmugam (61) said his decision to retire was one he had given much thought to.

“I plan to concentrate on my business and enjoy life,” revealed Shunmugam.

During his long and illustrious career in local government, Shunmugam served as Ward 3 councillor from 1996 to 2021, as well as Speaker and portfolio councillor for the Executive Committee (Exco).

Here are some of his notable career highlights

Ward Councillor:

• Relocation of flood victims of Suryaville (24 of the 27 relocated)
• Re-opening of Draper Street
• Issuing of title deeds for Fernwood housing units
• Issuing of title deeds for Suryaville Municipal Flats
• Creation of a fully-fledged War Room
• Distribution of chronic medication at the War Room
• Stormwater management on Panorama Drive and Ferret Street
• Assisting with numerous applications for social grants – writing letters of appeal, etc.
• Refinement of the Indigent Policy to include writing off the electricity availability charges, water availability charges, sewer charges, refuse charges, 50KW of free basic electricity, 6KL of free basic water, and rates
• Installation of three high mast lights and numerous flood lights in the ward
• Establishment of the Fernwood Multipurpose Centre
• Fencing off the Lennoxton Library
• Creation of additional parking at Amanath Shopping Complex
• Water pipe replacement project in Lennoxton and Suryaville to the tune of R18-million
• Parking bay for the Ramakrishna Centre, paving at Suryavlle Temple, and a turning circle for the Hare Krishna Centre
• Refurbishment of the Suryaville and Fairleigh flats
• Installation of robots and speed bumps
• Resealing of roads – recently, Auriga Street, Ribbon Street, Henrietta Street and Panorama Drive
• Establishment of the Suryaville Hawkers Shelter
• Parking bays for busses and taxis at Lennoxton Primary and Suryaville Primary Schools
• Repairs and renovations to the Richview Civic Hall, including the cooking area
• Revamp of Fernwood Club House
• Introduction of the gardening projects at Fernwood grounds
• Establishment of the Shree Siva Shanthi Ghat in Suryaville
• Facilitated the donation of the land for the Nofta Service Centre in 1998

Executive Committee (Portfolio councillor for Development Planning and Human Settlements from 2011 to 2021)

• Local economic development, creating an enabling environment for investors with numerous malls and franchises opening in Newcastle
• Revamp of the Newcastle Regional Airport – hopefully, scheduled flights will be introduced
• Revival of housing projects, which were dormant from 2000 to 2011: “I was deployed to the portfolio, winning awards at provincial and national level,” commented Shunmugam.
• Introduction of Social housing Projects (Link Road and N11)
• Making sites available for the establishment of business and residential units
• Facilitating the transfer of ex-government stock under the Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme throughout Newcastle
• Hail Damage Disaster of 2019 – provision of free glass and installation for the entire ward and other affected areas

Speaker

• First Speaker of Council – a challenging role during the most tumultuous period in the history of the Council between 2000 and 2011 – there was intense political rivalry between this major political period
• Application of the Standing Rules of Order and Code of Conduct for Councillors, without fear or favour.

Shunmugam said common and recurring problems faced by residents in Ward 3 included:

• The aging infrastructure, such as water and sewer reticulation, remained a challenge
• High municipal utility bills – rates and electricity tariffs needed to be looked at again
• Poor state of some of the roads, which need resealing or rehabilitation
• Tree roots damaging the road surface or private properties
• A need for housing projects, to address the critical shortage of housing.

“Local government needs to change the mindset of some councillors and officials to subscribe to the principles of good governance and clean administration,” he said candidly.

“Unauthorised and wasteful expenditure must be curbed. Council needs to work towards a ‘clean audit’ and curb overspending on overtime, security, plant hire and more.”

In conclusion, Shunmugam thanked those who supported him during the past 26 years.

To read the full story of his journey in local government, pick up this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser (January 14, 2022).

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