Urania Village Newsletter Intro from the Chairperson Head banging for beginners We love our Village and the Community who live work and play here. But sometimes Urania Village Committee Members feel they are banging their individual and collective heads against a number of brick walls. We have just found out by complete chance that the Observatory Precinct plan may no longer be recognised by the City of Johannesburg. Not because we have been formally informed or saw in in the media but a passing remark by an Official at a presentation on the proposed changes to land usage in Johannesburg, that we attended on behalf of the community. We are waiting on formal confirmation on the present status of the precinct plan and our Councilor has been very responsive in trying to obtain clarity.
Wither Council service delivery The Council has had a lot of publicity recently for all the wrong reasons, mainly about corruption within the administration and elected politicians. For our small community we are simply looking for value for money and when
there are repairs or things to do that the council are supposed to do, they are fixed within a reasonable time period. That has not been the case with City Power who appears to be totally incapable of fixing the street lights in Innes street within our Village despite constant reminders and promises. Still it is only a year that we have been waiting. On a more positive note City Parks have been very responsive, cutting a fire break on the ridge which helped to prevent a recent fire spreading to our properties. There has also been a clearing out of plant aliens along the stream in Bez Valley at our request, So it’s not all doom and gloom!
All change, or maybe not. The proposals for land usage As a committee we have been deeply concerned with the proposals of the Council on land usage. It goes far beyond the national requirements for standardisation and if passed would allow for increased densification in our area, the use of containers on properties; new buildings of up to 90% of existing buildings; religious use in residential areas, as if
this not already a problem and a host of other challenges. By the time you read this we will have already given the communities comments to council and will keep you informed. JMPD plus There has been a recent Ward meeting on the challenges of bylaw enforcement. Lots of promises made about improvement to response times to complaints about noise pollution and abandoned vehicles and illegal dumping. We will not be holding our breath. A more detailed report is in this newsletter. Participation in the Community and Committee As you are aware the committee members are elected each year at the AGM and it is hoped that there is representation from every household at the 2017 meeting.
Please think carefully what you can do to contribute to the
Ne ws l e t t e r July – December 2017 I s s ue 2
Inside this issue: Our Security
2
Disc Scanning Trial
2
In/out of touch
2
Council Matters
3
Litter
4
Life before the booms 4 Fibre to the Home
5
Street Lamp Posts
5
Useful Numbers
6
Committee Details
6
Birds of a feather
7
Bit’s ‘n Bob’s
8
Events & More
9
Levies
10
Village and whether you can use your undoubted skills on the committee for 2018. Details of the AGM on page 9.
In continued optimism for the future
Keith Peacock UV Chairperson