Mowing, tree management and the maintenance of play-park equipment in Pinelands has been delayed by contract disputes, a civic meeting heard last week.
Marilynn McNamara, who is in charge of the parks portfolio for the Pinelands Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, said the City had cancelled its previous mowing contract and had only appointed a new contractor on October 10.
She was speaking at the association’s annual general meeting at the Pinelands library hall on Monday October 23.
“We expect that mowing will continue in the first week of November, but there is no timeline for the backlog,” she said.
Ms McNamara said a tender dispute had delayed tree planting, pruning and removal, as well as the maintenance and installation of play-park equipment.
Aslam Clarke, from the environmental health portfolio, said they were still tackling the City about noise and air pollution from the Ndabeni industrial area.
“The City has sent officials out to monitor noise and pollution levels but said the levels did not constitute a disturbance or nuisance. We have written to the City to engage with its prosecutor on the subject,” he said.
Mr Clarke said it was a catch-22 situation because the residential area was within an industrial area and a compromise had to be found.
“During the day, we can understand the noise, but at night-time, there needs to be some reprieve for the residents,” he said.
The association presented an award to its previous secretary, Carol Clark, as well as a posthumous one to its former chairman, John Berry, who died last month.
“We can never repay Carol for her time, effort and commitment, but we felt this was only right to honour her in this manner,” said ward councillor Riad Davids. Ms Clark served as secretary for 10 years.
Mr Berry’s widow, Benita, accepted the lifetime achievement award on his behalf, and former ward councillor Brian Watkyns, who met Mr Berry in 1997, said he had served the community unselfishly for 26 years.
“He was committed to Pinelands. John with his military background was very stern and clear in what he wanted, but he never raised his voice to anyone. His legacy will live on,” he said.
Responding to questions about the tenders, Patricia van der Ross, mayoral committee member for community services and health, said all tenders were active and had been in effect since July.
“The department is in the process of addressing the concerns in the ward that were caused by the relevant contractor defaulting. That has now been addressed and a new contractor has been appointed.
“Purchase orders have been generated and issued to mowing, tree and play equipment contractors. The department is working closely with these contractors to ensure that necessary services are provided,” she said.
The City did not respond by deadline to questions about the noise and air pollution.
