THE COUNCILLOR SPEAKS ON THE ISSUES

outages – although there have been fewer this year than in previous years. Demand for property is high, but there appears to be a shortage of properties for sale, which leads to a rise in prices.

Q – Are there problems with, for example, illegal buildings, noise?

A – Most renovations are in compliance with building regulations. There are sometimes complaints that renovated buildings are bigger than the previous buildings. The number of illegal buildings and businesses is minimal, and there are few noise complaints.

Q – What is your opinion of the mayor’s pledge to fix northern suburbs’ infrustructure?

A – The pledge is welcome, but I am not yet aware of concrete plans.

Q – What is the latest on the revamp of Dan Pienaar Park?

A – A complication that needed to be taken into account was the serious prob- lem with groundwater. Large sections of the park are soggy throughout the year. Therefore, most of the park will remain as it is, although with extra benches. A section in the south-west corner will be fenced in and playground equipment installed, as well as an outdoor gym and paved running track. Work on the project should start early in the new year.

Q – What do you think would attract residents and businesses, and what about the area is unattractive?

A – The biggest problem is the San- dringham Bowling Club. This area is neglected and issues need to be resolved. Another big problem is the poor state of the road and parking area at the shopping centre. People are attracted to the area because of the easy access to the N3 and the well-established schools. Q – What issues do you deal with? A – I continually deal with complaints about billing issues, power outages, leaks, potholes and restoring of roads, litter, abandoned vehicles, requests for traffic calming, displaced or homeless people, queries about possible illegal building, and street lights that don’t work or which are on all day.