Lack of communication by city questioned
The Ward 90 ward committee hosted a meeting with representatives from various residents associations on 27 March.
The meeting was aimed at discussing key issues that affect the associations.
Although the meeting was initially planned to be held at St Martins in the Veld in Dunkeld, unforeseen circumstances forced those in attendance to find another venue.
Gordon Mackay the ward 90 councillor, said the meeting was an opportunity for the residents associations to understand how committee projects were chosen and executed.
Region B Regional Director, Vicky Shupping welcomed all associations and explained how important meetings such as this one, are.
“I think it is important for residents association to understand how budgets are allocated and how projects are prioritised,” said Shupping.
Speakers included Christo Botes from Joburg Development Agency; Brian Mckechnie from the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority in Gauteng; Regional Manager at the Johannesburg Roads Agency Andrew Bodibe; and Regional Manager at Joburg Water Patrick Mathye.
One of the biggest concerns that the residents associations raised during the meeting was the lack of communication and partnership between the residents associations and the City.
Representatives felt that the decisions that had recently been taken by the City within the ward – with no consultations from the associations – had proved that the “participation” that the City speaks of, is in fact, a hollow process.
Representative from the Heritage Resources Authority, Mckechnie addressed anxieties many of the resident association’s members had with the issue of classifying private properties as heritage sites.
He dispelled the notion that every house over 60 years is given heritage status.
“Unfortunately many of you live in a ward where most of the buildings and homes in the area are protected by the heritage act,” said Mckechnie.
“However, other things, despite the number of years, are also considered – for instance we look at whether the home was designed by an exemplary architect or not.”
The meeting went on to highlight how the city allocates its budget and what the Ward 90 residents could expect in the coming years.
