Newly formed civic association aims to assist residents of Yellowwood Park, Woodhaven

THE members of the newly formed Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven Civic Association are on a mission to uplift the lives of the residents and the once-flourishing suburb.

The association will embark on its first clean-up project, starting from Pelican Road (outside Yellowwood Park Spar) to Kenyon Howden Road, on Saturday, between 08:00 to 11:00.

Mark Holbrook, the chairperson of the association, said their primary objective is to promote and protect the interests and welfare of all ratepayers and residents.

“Our ultimate goal is to assist residents with their various council (municipal) issues, such as utility bill queries, outages, unkempt verges and parks, burst pipes, potholes, and other damaged infrastructure, among others.

“If the residents have a complaint, we can assist them to lodge it correctly with the relevant departments. We can assist them with follow-ups on these reported matters. Our goal is to improve the lives of our residents, as well as the area. When people drive through, they must be in awe and say, ‘wow, what a nice little suburb’,” he said.

Holbrook said the association consists of 10 members and depends on volunteers.

“We have many plans and projects which we hope will be to the betterment of the lives of ratepayers and residents, as well keep our community clean. We will fix what we can.

“While some may say it is the council’s responsibility to clean up, we cannot solely rely on them. This is our area, where many of us have lived for many decades, so let us contribute to its upliftment. We are also looking forward to working with the residents and for them to be involved in our upcoming projects,” he said.

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Holbrook said the association would also be working closely with Gavin Hegter, the Ward 64 councillor, to assist the residents with their service-delivery concerns.

Hegter, who was instrumental in the new association being formed, said this followed the collapse of the Yellowwood Park Ratepayers’ Association about two years ago, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The history of the Yellowwood Park Ratepayers’ Association dates back to pre-1994. This was when Yellowwood Park had its own health committee.

“However, when all the small municipalities amalgamated under the eThekwini Metro, the health committee then fell away. But, the residents continued with the association.

“Unfortunately, when Covid-19 hit, all meetings came to a halt, and many members stepped down and the association collapsed. I decided that it was crucial that we have an association in the area, as well as for Woodhaven, as the residents of that area also showed a keen interest in improving the community.

“Earlier this year, I called for an election, and following a process, the new association was formed and the members were elected,” he said.

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Michelle Clarke, the treasurer of the association, said the clean-up will include cutting the grass, picking up litter and cleaning the walkways.

“Our aim through this project, and the many more to come in the near future, is to unite our community and make our area beautiful again. We urge residents to join us and bring along their garden tools. If we work together, we will achieve all our goals,” she said.

For more information or assistance, contact Holbrook on 081 342 1813, or Clarke on 072 340 0803. You can also follow the association on their Facebook page, YWP & Woodhaven Civic Association.

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