Residents in Wards 97 and 126 had the opportunity to discuss projects they think need to be listed on their ward’s Intergrated Development Plan (IDP) at the Region C IDP meeting at Roodepoort Sports Stadium on 16 April.
Ward 126 councillor Mike Tonkin explained that the projects on the IDP list are not a wish list – they need serious attention.
“Some of these projects that residents requested are not necessarily always approved by the Mayoral Committee. This committee makes the ultimate decision on these projects.”
Tonkin listed the following six projects on his IDP plan for 2016:
- Waterpipe upgrade in Weltevreden Park
- Installation of street lights
- Doubling of certain roads and resurfacing of major roads
- the Installation of slip streams in main arterial roads
“Fern, Moss and Vale roads in Weltevreden Park are going to need a water pipe upgrade due to many incidents of breakages and pipe bursts caused by ageing infrastructure. Jim Fouché Road is going to need new street lights as the road is very dark at night and this will increase the safety of pedestrians.
Jim Fouché and JG Strydom roads will need doubling because of the increased traffic on both of these roads,” Tonkin said.
He further added that the same roads, including Fern and Dale Lace, will need to be resurfaced as they are full of potholes. The councillor said the last point on the IDP is the installation of a left slip road from John Vorster Road to JG Strydom in order to ensure free traffic flow on John Vorster.
Ward 97 councillor Jaco Engelbrecht explained that the main point on his IDP is the construction of the new school in Radiokop on the corner of John Vorster Road and Paul Kruger Avenue. The councillor said, “The school is currently still on hold, following an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that was carried out after the construction company failed to meet regulations set forth by the EIA.”
Engelbrecht continued and said that education is top priority and this school will be a public school and it’s something that the community needs urgently.
“We need to push to get this school completed in 2015 so that it can open early in next year for pupils in the area and other surrounding areas.”
Tonkin concluded, “Its now in the hands of the Mayoral Committee to make the final decision surrounding the IDP for 2016 in the various wards.”
