The need for access to sustainable human settlements, improved quality of roads, public transport, safety and security and access to health care are some of the issues that dominated Region B’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultation on 14 April.
The IDP is known as the social contract between the people and the City. It’s an approach to planning that involves the entire municipality and its citizens in finding the best solutions to achieve good long-term development.
Held at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre in Randburg, the public consultation was attended by the Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba who told residents their participation in the process was an indication of how much they cared about their community and the City at large.
Community members spoke of challenges around waste removal, and how this was affecting the quality of life.
“It is vital that you as a community of this area understand the direction the City is taking and have inputs as these decisions affect your lives. I am constitutionally mandated to engage with you and take your inputs into consideration,” Mashaba explained.
Some of the concerns raised by residents of Region B included how the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) administers and awards contracts. Community members said that often times they were not aware of public projects until they had commenced and at times people from the local region were excluded.
Mashaba promised to correct this mishap, adding that the City’s success was dependent on working hand in hand with the community.
“We need to create wealth for our people, we need to create a City that attracts investment and ensure a pro-poor government that can bring redress to our people,” he said.
Region B has been earmarked for a series of projects, including the upgrade of the Roosevelt substation, conversion of Jan Smuts Avenue into a dual carriageway, the upgrade of the Craighall sewer network and the replacement of water pipes in Greenside. Other projects will cover the re-cabling of traffic lights on Barry Hertzog Avenue and installing a new mini substation on Gertrude Street in Greenside.
Projects currently underway in the region include the upgrade of the Randburg Revenue Centre, road resurfacing in Ferndale, stabilisation of the Braamfontein Spruit riverbank and the replacement of sewer pipes on First Avenue, both in Parkhurst.
The mayor reiterated that the City was determined to improve the quality of municipal services and champion sustainable environmental practices.
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