| Residents, interested parties reminded to register for public engagements about future District Six | Re-establishing the community of District Six is one of the most exciting and important projects the City will be undertaking in collaboration with the National Government | <p></p><p>‘Re-establishing the community of District Six is one of the most exciting and important projects the City will be undertaking in collaboration with the National Government, the District Six community, and all other residents, interested parties, and stakeholders in years to come.<br><br>‘The City is not involved in the restitution process, nor the development itself. However, we have an important role to play in creating an overall planning vision for District Six and we will do so in collaboration with the District Six community, and other Capetonians,’ said the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.<br><br>The National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform recently gave the City permission to use the District Six Development Framework of 2012 as the foundation for the imminent engagements and collaboration with residents. A lot of work was done in preparing the 2012 framework and this will be the basis for the drafting and refinement of a final Local Spatial Development Framework for District Six in coming months.<br><br>‘The process of developing a neighbourhood plan or Local Spatial Development Framework will be undertaken in collaboration with the District Six community, other residents, and interested and affected parties.<br><br>‘I will announce the programme and upcoming engagements later this month, once we have obtained approval from the local subcouncil to commence with the public participation process,’ said Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.<br><br>The City is busy compiling a database of residents, interested and affected parties, stakeholders, civic organisations, non-profit organisations and leadership groupings who want to be part of this process. All are invited to register with the City by sending an email to:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;"><a href="mailto:districtsix.lsdf@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">districtsix.lsdf@capetown.gov.za</a></div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;"><a href="mailto:Dilshard.modak@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Dilshard.modak@capetown.gov.za</a></div></li></ul><p>Those on the list will receive regular updates about upcoming events and engagements. This is crucial as the City needs to rely a lot more on digital platforms to communicate with residents given the limitations imposed on public gatherings and meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<br>To date, a total of 45 residents, interested and affected parties, stakeholders, etc. have registered and have been included on the database.<br><br>‘I’m encouraging those who have not registered as yet, to please send an email so that you can be included in this process right from the start. This is an exciting journey and we want this process to be as inclusive as possible,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt. </p><p><strong>End </strong><br></p> | 2020-08-11T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| High Court elects not to rule on local government’s constitutional power to buy electricity | The City of Cape Town maintains that local governments have the constitutional power to procure renewable energy | <p>The City of Cape Town maintains that local governments have the constitutional power to procure renewable energy, and will keep standing up for the rights of our residents to live in a more energy secure and future fit city. </p><p>We are assessing all available options following the North Gauteng High Court electing not to rule on the merits of our application challenging the applicability and constitutionality of the requirement in Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act that a ministerial determination is necessary before power may be procured from independent power producers.</p><p>The City argues that approval from the Minister of Energy is not required to procure electricity from Independent Power Producers (IPP). </p><p>In particular, we believe the Constitutional obligation of municipalities to provide sustainable services supersedes Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, and that this provision cannot obstruct a municipality’s obligation to provide the basic service of electricity to residents. </p><p>In particular, we believe the Constitution supersedes Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, and that this provision cannot obstruct a municipality’s obligation to provide the basic service of electricity to residents. </p><p>We are disappointed that the court elected not to rule on the merits of this matter, but instead refer the parties to Intergovernmental Dispute mechanisms for possible resolution. </p><p>For five long years, the Energy Minister has failed to provide approval for Cape Town’s request to procure up to 30% of its power from IPPs. </p><p>The City in 2017 sought a declaratory order from the North Gauteng High Court, having received no response from both the Minister and the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) for some years.</p><p>The President, national government and the ruling ANC have all failed to create an energy secure country, and have placed us all at risk through Eskom’s crumbling monopoly. </p><p>We will keep standing up for residents and businesses whose livelihoods depend on a reliable energy supply. </p><p>We will keep fighting for a more sustainable, climate-wise future, and residents can take heart that this journey continues toward the future that we want in Cape Town.</p><p>To this end, we are engaging National Treasury on a Cape Town Integrated Resource Plan and our intention to establish a City Independent Power Purchase office. Recently, the City transferred a R54 million property for the development of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a central development in our growth as a greentech capital. </p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2020-08-11T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City celebrates Hartleyvale's sport heritage and its community benefits | Hartleyvale is regarded as a sporting precinct and its current sports fields are used for sporting codes | <span><p>Hartleyvale is regarded as a sporting precinct and its current sports fields are used for sporting codes, such as soccer, hockey and cricket at adjacent fields, which draw players from schools and clubs from across the city.<br> <br>These activities have been limited due to current restrictions, but are due to return with the expected further easing of lockdown levels in the coming months. <br> <br>While the maintenance of the fields was a challenge recently, with limits on irrigation and overplaying, which in turn necessitated a reduction in the number of playing hours, the fields are in a recovery stage, but these and club buildings are now being threatened by illegal activities seemingly supported by the Observatory Civic Association.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/harfield1.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The land in contention is zoned as Public Open Space and the parcel forms part of the sports precinct and is zoned for sporting purposes. It is common knowledge that this land previously housed the South African National Circus School. Unfortunately, the previous lease holder sublet the clubhouse illegally to a number of individuals. This group has since grown and their activities have damaged the integrity of the land at this sporting space and has consequently impacted on the potential use of this space for years to come. <br> <br>It is located next to the Liesbeeck River and because it is situated within a floodplain it is not suitable for residential purposes, and it would be irresponsible of the City to condone the building of homes on this site.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/harfield2.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The site was considered as an extension of the sports precinct, and possibly the development of the aquatic centre at the adjacent municipal pool. <br> <br>As it is, membership to sporting clubs had to be restricted due to limited space to exercise their sport therefore depriving communities from sporting activities and living healthy lifestyles.<br> <br>There is a need to extend the sports facility, which would not be possible if it is rezoned and repurposed. The realisation of this intended purpose is being hindered by the ongoing eviction process and the repeated refusal of the occupiers of the derelict clubhouse to take up alternative forms of accommodation offered to them. <br> <br>I acknowledge that there is a dire lack of housing opportunities, but we cannot sacrifice all open land for this need alone. All communities need open spaces, sports facilities, places of worship and green belts in keeping with the district spatial plans which has taken into consideration the needs as identified by the community. </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/harfield3.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><p>The difficult task is to find ways to balance all of these requirements, without sacrificing existing facilities or constricting current sports and other activities. <br> <br>The site is of high ecological, cultural and heritage value and it is incumbent upon the City to build on this so that present and future generations may benefit.<br> <br>The city is committed to ongoing engagements with the occupiers at the facility to ensure that they have access to alternative accommodation and that the facility is integrated into the existing sporting space so that any future investments and expansions may benefit all communities from across the city. <br> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br> </p><span></span><span></span><span></span> | 2020-08-11T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| New partnership with travel safety app launched with Cape Town Tourism | The main aim of the app is to give visitors and locals peace of mind wherever they may go in Cape Town. | <p>This partnership forms part of CTT’s TravelWise initiative. The main aim of the app is to give visitors and locals peace of mind wherever they may go in Cape Town. Namola is an app that pinpoints your location, immediately gives you an emergency operator to talk to, and gets you the help you need and does so speedily.</p><p>The app then uses the phone’s GPS location to tell nearby responders who you are and where you are. Trained operators will confirm details and dispatch help from near-by police, sentinels or other emergency officials.</p><p>‘As we start to welcome visitors back again, the safety of guests and our citizens remains a top priority for us. </p><p>‘We are proud of the partnership our official Destination Marketing and Management Organisation is launching with Namola. We facilitate year-round programmes focusing on the prevention of tourist and visitor safety incidents through community, stakeholder and enforcement engagements, and implement the use of technology to ensure a safer Cape Town,’ said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management.</p><p>‘Safety and security in Cape Town present a serious challenge when it comes to tourism in what is a popular destination for tourists and visitors. Now more than ever during these uncertain times, travellers and locals alike need to know that, while they are out and about in Cape Town, they have quick access to an emergency operator to get help should they need to. We have identified Namola as our preferred partner to help visitors and locals feel safe when in Cape Town. As regulations are eased and the tourism engine slowly restarts, we remain committed to ensuring our destination is safe and ready to welcome travellers again,’ said Enver Duminy, CEO CTT.</p><p>‘Together with CTT, the City has developed a tourism bounce back strategy so we can breathe life back into the tourism industry and plot a sustainable and inclusive future for this vital and vibrant sector. I will continue to fight for the unfettered reopening of this and the related sectors like food and beverages. This app is yet another impressive offering to ensure visitors and locals can enjoy all that our great city has to offer, safely and with peace of mind,’ said Alderman Vos.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2020-08-11T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
