Resident questions City spending

A Vierlanden woman says the thousands of rands the City paid for a fence at Boland Dam could have been better spent.

Melaney Peterson, 74, says the new fence, which cost more than R120 000, is unnecessary because large rocks already block cars from the area,

Instead of putting up the fence, the City should have improved the conditions around the dam by repairing a broken bridge and providing more seating.

“There is only one bench at the dam, which is not in a good condition,” said Ms Peterson. “The planks on one of the bridges are broken and you literally have to jump over it. At my age, this is not safe.”

Suzette Little, mayoral committee member for area north, said the dam was a popular recreational spot for families, and the City, in the long term, wanted to create a playground, a picnic area and a dog-friendly area there.

The City had spent R124 773, excluding Vat, on the fence, she said.

“In the first phase of this project, it was decided to install a hip-high fence, thereby creating a barrier and not a security fence. This barrier will serve to prevent unauthorised vehicular access and to help ensure the safe usage of the park,” she said.

Ms Peterson also criticised the City for laying brick pathways in Vierlanden and placing rubber mats under swings at a park there.

“Surely the money could be spent better. They did the pathway only to have it redone a few weeks later,” she said.

Ms Little said the City had spent R45 000 on a footpath during the 2014/2015 financial year and R75 000 on a footpath and R90 000 on gym equipment in the 2016/2017 financial year.

Ms Little said the broken bridge had not been reported to the City but it would be investigated. More benches were also planned for the park.

“A large park like Boland Park is normally upgraded in phases as it requires a substantial amount of capital funding,” said Ms Little.