From a borer infestation to rebate relief for ratepayers, we take a look at what’s happening in the City of Johannesburg.
Recent reports of the polyphagous shot-hole borer outbreak and infestation, which eventually kills trees, has City Parks worried.
Residents in Hurlingham, Craighall Park, Dunkeld, Sandton, Parkview, Kensington and Houghton have reported diseased trees in their yards and on the street, and the likelihood of the infestation being more widespread was a possibility, the utility said.
City Parks is working closely with institutions such as the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute to survey the extent of the spread of the infestation.
A chemical-controlled trial in Hurlingham was set to start, she said, and residents could report diseased trees at trees@jhbcityparks.com
READ: A borer infestation places Joburg’s tree canopy at risk
Getting hold of local ward councillors can often not be as easy as one might expect.
This leaves residents with the big question: What does a ward councillor actually do?
Ward 99 councillor, Nicole van Dyk gave the Randburg Sun a peek into her daily doings to help answer this question.
READ: Ward councillors: What they actually do
As property rates have gone up, Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said the City of Johannesburg is looking at measures of relief for the ratepayer.
The proposal to increase the residential property rebate from R200 000 to R350 000 is expected to be tabled in the May council sitting.
This will mean that no residential property owner will pay rates on the first R350 000 of their property valuation.
READ: More relief to come for Joburg homeowners when rebates increase
