Safety & Security
Many of you may have seen recent
reports on social media of a tragic incident that was reported in Durbanville
last month. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the
victims.
As a community we must remain vigilant at all times. Not only in our own
daily movements and habits but also for our fellow neighbours. Keep an eye out
for your neighbours and report anything suspicious to the CNI control room on 0861 564 565.
Here are some tips to remember: - Regularly evaluate security inside and around your property. Fit external beams, safety gates and sign up to an a/r company.
- Ensure your property is well lit at night, trim back bushes and shrubs that could be used as hiding places.
- Arm your alarm when you are home, especially at night.
- Avoid regular large cash transactions on/from your premises.
- Never leave valuable items in plain site (either in your vehicles, or in your household near accessible windows for example).
- Change your routes and movement schedule regularly. Report suspicious behaviour immediately to the CNI Control room 0861 564 565.
- Save the number of your security provider programmes into speed dial on your mobile phone.
- Avoid leaving your refuse bins outside overnight.
With it getting dark much earlier (and later sunrises) CNI also provide an additional service to clients where they can escort you to your home should you feel unsafe arriving home or going to your car in the early hours of the morning or late at night (e.g. single ladies, moms & tots etc). Clients need just call the control room in advance to arrange with them.
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Bellville Velodrome
 As you may know, a few years back the City sold the Velodrome to a developer with the caveat being that the developer would upgrade certain facilities (eg. the cycling track, the sports tracks etc) and we (the public) would still be able to use the facilities for school sports, functions etc. The developer then tried to change the terms and conditions - essentially allowing them to demolish the sport facilities. This was blocked and the developer didn’t pay the deposit which was required to close the sale.
Over the past 3 to 5 years, the City has not allocated the necessary budget to maintain the facility and doesn’t see the point in doing so. As a result, the Velodrome has fallen into a state of disrepair and the City is basically looking for a way to offload the expense.
We are now in a position where we could lose the entire Velodrome to high density housing / hotels / shops. This would a) leave us without a community sports and recreation facility (the closest would be Parow) and b) would lead to traffic problems which would in turn lead to additional pressure being added demolish houses to build roads to cater for the additional traffic.
There is a public participation meeting on the 25th of July @ 19:00 at the Velodrome to discuss the way forward and urge you to attend if you can.
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Traffic Calming Measures
 Our appreciation must go out to Letitia Jacobs for all her efforts in trying to secure the Street Calming in Kenridge. The areas indicated in red are the areas that require traffic calming measures.
Below is a summary of progress to date:
** The application for traffic calming measures in Kenridge Avenue, Tafelberg, Zambezi, Franschoek, Alma and van Riebeeck Avenue has been received.
** The application which was submitted has been considered by the Ward Councillor and submitted to the Traffic Network Department for assessment.
In terms of the new policy adopted in January 2016, the following criteria/considerations apply: - Location of public facilities such as schools, parks, etc. in the vicinity
- Accident statistics for the road in question
- Traffic calming measures receive priority in cases where there are high concentrations of vulnerable road-users directly entering a public facility from a class 4 or class 5 public residential road, such as learners at a primary school, at developed playgrounds of where the risk of vehicle/pedestrian conflict may be high.
- Although such an application receives priority in terms of the above, implementation thereof remains subject to the availability of funds.
- Each councillor receives R 1 000 000 per year for projects in his or her ward, which has to be considered for, among others: parks, sport facilities, street names and signs, pavements, establishment of informal markets, upgrading of community facilities, additional law enforcement, new projects that add value to the area, etc.
- This limited budget must annually address the above projects determined by a public participation process. You would understand that a limited amount of speed calming projects per year can be prioritised by a councillor.
- It is unfortunately not possible to meet every request and each application is well- motivated. We have now reached the stage where Council is unable to make sufficient funds available as the need by far exceeds the available funds. We therefore have to rely on the public to accept responsibility for their conduct on the road and to obey the traffic regulations. For these reasons, the policy and criteria have been amended.
- A possible alternative is, when traffic calming is recommended, for the community to raise funds themselves and the City’s Department of Transport would then assist in the installation process according to the City’s technical specifications.
- The City’s financial year commences from 1 July to 30 June each year; in other words, the 2018/19 financial year starts 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. (Funds for this financial year has been identified and approved by Council).
- Funds for the 2019/2020 financial year has been identified and was approved by Council in May 2019.
- Once the assessment has been made by the Traffic Engineers, you will receive a memo indicating the outcome of their investigation.
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Did you know? The City offers rates relief to the indigent, pensioners and social grant beneficiaries.
The City of Cape Town’s Finance Directorate is encouraging property owners who are indigent, pensioners and social grant beneficiaries, including those with special needs, to apply for the social package of rates rebates and free basic services, which aims to provide some of our most vulnerable residents with financial relief.
Property owners who are dependent on pensions or social grants for their livelihood, including those with disabilities, who earn up to R17 500 household income may qualify for rates discounts.
Following the approval of the City of Cape Town’s 2019/2020 Budget, this is a R2 500 increase in the monthly household income threshold for rates assistance. The rebates for all income bands between R4 500 and R17 500 per month have also been adjusted upwards.
Pensioners who are 60 years and older who are already receiving these rebates, are encouraged to re-apply as their three-year cycle ends in June 2019, following the new valuation of properties that will be implemented from 1 July 2019.
Furthermore, property owners who are indigent, who earn up to R6 000 a month, regardless of their age, are also encouraged to apply for indigent benefits that include rates rebates.
The deadline for applications is 31 August 2019. If all the requirements are met and an application is approved, rebates will be back-dated to the start of the financial year, 1 July 2019, and the accounts will be adjusted.
Please access the guidelines and application form by clicking here. |
Caring for our environment
Recycling and composting your waste are two of the best ways to reduce waste and relieve the pressure on our landfills, which are quickly running out of space. Find out more on by visiting www.capetown.gov.za or click on the links below to access City recycling guideline documents:
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Enhancement Project - Doggie Park
 Saturday, 29 June, marked the official start of our dog park project with the first section being erected thanks to the support of the City, our Ward Councillor and a handful of caring residents who have contributed financially thus enabling us to get the ball rolling.
We still have a long way to go so we are calling on all residents, tenants and homeowners (in particular our many animal lovers) to support this wonderful initiative through donations and/or sponsorship of any amount. We can all help to secure this prime land for the benefit and safety of our community and its doggies. Please contact Charmaine Cowell (cowellcharmaine@gmail.com) if you would like to contribute.
Keep warm this winter and hit reply to let our Communications portfolio members know what information you would like to receive from us in future newsletters.
Sincerely, The KHRPA Committee |
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