Cllr Neuren's Diary and Notice Board

2 x city power meetings

Note the agendas to see which one applies to you.

Cllr Neuren Pietersen

Before you build without approved plans, consider the following.

Dear Cllr Pietersen,
I trust that my message finds you well.
I would like to ask for your advice, please.
We recently bought a property in Kensington.
After the bank inspected the property, it was found that the one cottage on the property was erected without municipal approved building plans. The bank then put a hold on the full bond payment until the seller could provide approved municipal plans and the occupation certificate (COC and gas passed).
Long story short. The seller had the plans drawn by an Architect. The Kensington Residence Association has no objection against the proposed cottage. The next step is to get the PHRAG and then the municipal stamp.
The Architect advised that he submitted another property's plans in May and he could only collect the approved plans from PHRAG last week - 5 months later.
The bank gave us 9 months to get municipal approval, thereafter we have to reapply for the bond.
While I understand there is a process to be followed, we are already a little over 3 months into the process. The plans should be submitted to PHRAG in the next 1 to 2 weeks. Then another 3 to 5 months at PHRAG and then another 3 to 6 months at the municipality. Surely this process can not take up to a year to finalise?
I would greatly appreciate your advice in this regard.
Kind regards,
X # # # # #

Well done to Fanwell, John, Juju and Jenny Wu Sports Academy for the fantastic transformation of the pavement around the courts on King Street. It is a testament to changimg the culture of illegal dumping.

The broader community is noticing the change evidenced by the lower volume of rubbish being illegally dumped on the cnr.

Well done!

Today I directed Augmented Field Services to clean up the dead end of St Amant Street Malvern.

If you have a suggestion for a hot spot which requires cleaning please post the location in the comments. Pictures are welcome.

Cllr Neuren Pietersen

The DA demands urgent answers from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) on why Covid-19 container homes in Marlboro and next to Madala Hostel in Alexandra remain unallocated for nearly four years! 🚫🏠

These container homes were intended to decongest informal settlements during the pandemic, but unexplained delays have left them vacant, leading to illegal invasions and vandalism. The DA calls on MEC Tasneem Motara to provide clarity on why these homes are still unoccupied and when the allocation process will begin.

The need for dignified housing is growing, and the DA will continue to hold the GDHS accountable to ensure the residents of Alexandra are not left without a plan.

Mervyn Cirota MPL

Read more: https://www.dagauteng.org.za/2024/09/da-demands-answers-on-why-covid-container-homes-have-not-been-allocated-to-residents

[09/14, 9:03 pm] Cllr Neuren Pietersen: Good afternoon Residents

Yesterday, the Gauteng Provincial Government gathered for the Rand Water Imbizo. This meeting focused on our urgent water issues, with contributions from the Department of Water and Sanitation and Rand Water. Discussion on Various pressing challenges and potential solutions to secure our water supply going forward.

Key Points:
- *Infrastructure Upkeep and Capacity*: Rand Water will prioritize essential maintenance of our current infrastructure while working to expand capacity to meet rising demands. Sadly, most municipalities, excluding Tshwane and Midvaal, have not kept up with maintaining or developing new water systems. Johannesburg is losing around 40% to 50% of its water due to leaks and other inefficiencies, and Emfuleni is experiencing losses as high as 72%.

- *Strain on Water Supply*: The growing demand for water in Gauteng, driven by rapid population growth, often surpasses supply, especially during peak times, leading to regular shortages and slow recovery of our reservoir levels after disruptions.

Immediate Actions Needed:
- *Investment Back into Infrastructure*: Proceeds from water sales should be dedicated to maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure.

- *Fixing Leaks*: Municipalities must act swiftly to address leaks and bursts within 48 hours to minimize water wastage, as these loss rates are not sustainable.

- *Conscious Water Use*: Residents should be more mindful of their water consumption. In Cape Town, the average usage is 140 litres per person per day, while in Johannesburg, it's nearly double that at about 300 litres. We need to reduce this figure.

Short-Term Interventions:
1. *Level 1 Water Restrictions*:
- No watering of gardens between 6 AM and 8 PM.
- Limit shower time to 3 minutes.
- Car washes are only permitted on weekends.

2. *Public Facility Moratorium*: Watering of public facilities will be prohibited until March 2025.

3. *Addressing Illegal Connections*: We will intensify efforts to address illegal water connections, especially those servicing illegal mining operations.

Long-Term Outlook:
The completion of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, expected to be finished by 2028, is crucial for securing Gauteng's long-term water needs. In the interim, municipalities must enhance revenue collection and manage water distribution more effectively to prevent further supply interruptions.

Let’s unite as a community to embrace these measures and ensure the sustainability of our water supply.

Shared via the City Power/water Meeting
Cllr. Neuren Pietersen
Ward.118 Councillor

https://www.youtube.com/live/xrg2EIVcQe0?si=M7swbw0UwKvQquUf
[09/15, 10:07 am] Cllr Neuren Pietersen: Dear All
In the meeting yesterday I raised the issue of the water crisis we are currently going through.

Note that it is likely to get worse before it is going to get better especially for the high lying areas. The reason for this is that consumption has increased, due to increased population and greater wastage from careless consumption and old broken and vandalized infrastructure.

At present Gauteng is using more than their licence allows.

Further the Zuickerbosch treatment plant is providing at capacity. This means that even though the systems dams are healthy, no greater amount of safe drinking water can be supplied at present.

This means we should all do our bit to reduce our own consumption. Be aware of how many kilo litres your household useses and tack action to reduce this by 10%.

This will make a positive difference.

Yes the city also needs to get its act together but this will take longer than is possible given the dire state of its entities and of the infrastructure. We need to do everything within our power to avert this looming crisis.

Thank you
Cllr Neuren Pietersen

Vehicle impounded at corner Langerman and Queen Streets in Kensington Ward 118 for causing obstruction on the sidewalk.

I have requested that JMPD keep this law enforcement up.

Cllr Neuren Pietersen

If only...

TOWN INSPECTION
03 07 2024
The focus yesterday was on Malvern and we recorded about 40 issues.

Cllr Neuren Pietersen

Good morning all

Greetings cllr

With our partnership with CRUM to tackle service delivery,we humbly ask that you provide us with a number of streetlights that are not functioning in your respective ward,,description of the problem and street name.

Below is a template you can use:

https://forms.office.com/r/u0sP2FNWwy

Cllr Neuren Pietersen
Ward 118 admin group

forms.office.com

The extra ordinary council meeting last week was a sham event held to ram through questionable items which will further burden rate payers across the city for reasons which are not clear. The issue has been outlined in the communication from my Caucus Leader to National Treasury in the photos on this post.

It was great being on The Gareth Cliff Show this morning to discuss the DA’s mission to Rescue South Africa. 🇿🇦

Please help motivate authorities to improve Ward 118 by signing the petition prepared by the community affected by Grace Road.

https://form.jotform.com/240463582786567

IDP engagement sessions
18th April 2024
Brixton Community Centre
15h00 - 17h00

With transport from Malvern Spar.

A different time.

The child and the vulture, the photographer and his demons It's 30 years since Kevin Carter's death, and memories of the Pulitzer winner haven't faded.