Infrastructure inadequate for town’s growth
Kidd’s Beach is growing fast and this puts severe strain on service delivery.
This is according to Kidd’s Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association chair Stephen Keet.
“Ten years ago, it was a small holiday village with 150 dwellings, a school, a post office, a small shop, a tea room, two churches and a tiny service station. There were very few permanent residents.
“Now there are nearly 900 dwellings, a 3,000m2 retail centre, two new 500-pupil private schools, a green grocery store, a smart new multipump service station, more churches, a brewery/restaurant, a new restaurant, a coffee shop, a gym, a car wash and mostly permanent residents.”
Despite the growth in population, Keet said infrastructure had not grown to match.
“The size of the sewerage plant hasn’t increased since it was constructed in the 80s.
“Most of the water supply to the town is from boreholes which can no longer cope and a new municipal pipeline to a small part of the village has been fraught with disruptions.
“Electrical supply is under strain, so Kidd’s Beach has Eskom blackouts and demand overloads.
“Increased traffic is affecting the roads and streets, causing unsafe conditions, especially at junctions.
“The beachfront facilities are the same as they were 20 years ago, despite having to cater for many more people than before.
“The bulk infrastructure and municipal services now on offer have been overtaken by the scale of development that has taken place over the past decade.”
Another serious issue is the ageing water infrastructure, which Keet said was in dire need of upgrading.
He also pointed to enforcement of bylaws, such as those governing noise and public drinking, which are often not enforced especially during the festive season.
“With increased road traffic, we also need more speed control measures, replacement and repainting of road signs.”
However, Keet said it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
He said despite the problems, there were areas where the municipality was performing well.
“The commitment of the BCMM technical water team to address the major water supply system breakdowns — after hours, over weekends — is appreciated,” he said.
“Weekly removal of household garbage works well, so does the emptying of waste bins.”
He said the municipality was working hard to keep the beachfront area and streets in the older part of the village clean.
BCM’S response had not been received by print deadline.