More than 100 residents of Gordon’s Bay gathered at the Lofsentrum in Dennehof Road last Tuesday evening (11 May), when Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis addressed various topical issues and answered service delivery questions on overflowing sewage, burst pipes, road maintenance, vagrancy, safety and security, and the status of Hendon Park.
Senior officials of various City departments were also in attendance, as well as Ward 100 councillor Sean Stacey, Ward 84 councillor Norman McFarlane and member of parliament Benedicta van Minnen.
Gordon’s Bay Residents’ Association (GBRA) chairperson Edwina Hadfield opened proceedings and welcomed everyone present before jumping straight into the matters at hand.
“Gordon’s Bay is like the last outpost . . . When the last train leaves Strand we are left behind, there’s no train station here,” she said, metaphorically referring to how Gordon’s Bay is sometimes “forgotten” by the City.
Hadfield’s first question related to failing infrastructure, burst pipes and sewage overflow – a common sighting not only in Gordon’s Bay, but throughout the Helderberg, worsened by winter rains. “It’s a chronic situation,” Hadfield pointed out.
In response, Hill-Lewis admitted that the full budget allocated to address these issues was not spent previously, but this is now changing.
“It’s unacceptable, and I am pressing the pedal down on infrastructure development and budget spending,” he said. “Daily, I also spend time in meetings with engineering, reticulation and finance departments to ensure this is prioritised. We’ve introduced a new rule on our budget where our infrastructure spend will increase by 8% minimum annually.”
Hill-Lewis added that the municipality’s finances are in “good health”, debt is low and spend is not a problem. “Our constraint is project management,” he explained. “We have an ambitious goal to replace up to 100 km of pipes next year, and we aim to quadruple our current budget. This is our long-term goal.”
He also mentioned some of the major engineering upgrades to pump stations and waste water treatment works (WWTW) amounting to billions of rands.
“As an immediate relief, we have purchased several water trucks that jet spray water at high pressure, helps clear pipes and provides instant temporary relief to overflows,” Hill-Lewis pointed out. “This will also assist in lowering the response time to such incidents. A main sewer line project worth R160 million is also underway in Gordon’s Bay.
“So as you can see, I’ve been proactive with this and I am determined to spend much more on infrastructure. I’ve tried to act quickly to see the problems improved permanently,” said Hill-Lewis, adding that 36 roads are earmarked for resurfacing this year.
Hadfield then questioned the obsolete state of Hendon Park Resort and pitched a number of ideas on how the property could benefit the community.
The mayor replied that, as is the case with any City-owned property, a lease and request for proposals would need to be properly advertised and equal opportunity given to interested parties.
In terms of the City’s winter readiness programme, Hadfield pointed to the pooling of water at a number of areas and specifically at Fairview Golf Village.
To this, Hill-Lewis stated a farmer had illegally put structures up that were bypassing the City’s drainage network, and court action is now proceeding to have the illegal structures taken down.
Hadfield also touched on the issue of vagrancy, particularly along Beach Road in Gordon’s Bay, to which the various implements in place were explained. These include shelters, alternative accommodation and the law.
Residents expressed concern on a proposed SOS children’s village facility being planned for Gordon’s Bay, as this would result in thousands of children being bused into the area for feeding and aftercare.
“This matter is currently open for public comment so nothing has been decided or approved as yet,” Hill-Lewis said. “Residents have until Tuesday 14 June to submit comments, and I can confirm we’ve already received telephonic objections.”
Hadfield moved onto matters of security and safety, and commended previous investments for CCTV cameras in the village.
“Safety is a priority,” Hill-Lewis responded, also mentioning the deployment of additional law enforcement officers, installation of CCTV cameras and use drone surveillance over the city to help fight crime.
Residents expressed further concern relating to littering and illegal dumping in the area, lease agreements at housing estates with the City soon expiring, the poor condition of Gustrouw Clinic and the Gordon’s Bay community being left out of the Steenbras 100-year celebration earlier this year.
Despite some heated topics, residents appeared satisfied, especially with Hill-Lewis’ promise that he will return.
