A Ward 97 public meeting was held on 8 November at the Roodepoort Athletics Stadium with Ward councillor Leah Knott and two representatives from City Power, Godfrey Mulaudzi, capital execution and Kevin Gibb, infrastructure planning.
It was announced in the meeting that City Power is in the process of planning a brand-new substation called Lutz Substation. Mulaudzi explained that only the commercial side of the planning has to be finalised. He, therefore, could not give an exact date for completion but explained that the contract is for three years so it will take three years from when the building commences.
Mulaudzi explained that Ward 97’s residents are currently receiving power from the substation on Peter Road behind Monash South Africa, but that this substation is filled to capacity and that the need for another substation is very important. “We cannot add more customers onto this substation.” He also mentioned that the substation in Kloofendal on the corner of Christiaan de Wet Road and Wilgerood Road will be upgraded.
According to Mulaudzi, the substation will have two transformers, one where the power will be fed from and the other one as a backup. The new substation will be built on the corner of Deysel and Johan roads in Honeydew.
A resident who attended the meeting asked Mulaudzi if residents in informal settlements will also benefit from a new substation. Knott and Mulaudzi agreed that the community will be able to benefit through job creation. “We will advertise a position for an assistant once everything is set with the contractor,” said Knott. She added that the community will be kept up to date with starting dates.
Knott also said in the meeting that mayoral committees from various departments, alongside her, will gather on 21 November to access infrastructure, land issues, schooling and housing issues in the ward. Knott said that there is a big need for a public school in the area. “Alternative issues for schooling are being looked at,” concluded Knott.
