| City libraries offer safe study space | Our libraries offer learners a place to continue and complete the learning process and, for many of our young people, it’s the only quiet or safe space to study | <p></p><p>‘Our libraries offer learners a place to continue and complete the learning process and, for many of our young people, it’s the only quiet or safe space to study. They provide free access to educational materials to many who would otherwise be unable to afford them, in addition to study guides, the internet and other resources,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br>‘The City’s libraries complement the work done at schools and tertiary institutions and for many learners, the situation in their home or neighbourhood is not conducive to study, in addition to challenges like gaining access to online study material.</p><p>‘They are often the safest space and the one place where it is quiet enough to allow for study and knowledge retention,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p>Through the SmartCape initiative, which provides free internet access to all library users, members of the City’s libraries can access all Britannica resources and, should they require, can have unlimited access to the service from any internet-enabled phone or other device for registered library users.</p><p>This means learners and students will have access to factually sound information that is updated on a regular basis, and which will be available to them at any time of day at their leisure. Content on the site is tailored according to the educational level of the user and the service also supports those for whom English is an additional language.</p><p>This service is another effort by the City to provide digital access to educational and other resources.</p><p>The City’s libraries also offer the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), which is available remotely via the Internet and will save readers time when looking for library materials. It can also be accessed inside the library.</p><p>A single search returns results from the entire collection, including different formats of material such as books, CDs, magazines, etc. and shows the availability of material across the city’s libraries.</p><p>The search can be streamlined to indicate only a library of interest, or a search can be conducted for particular titles, authors, DVDs or even by subject. </p><p>‘Many of our libraries provide spaces dedicated strictly for studying. I want to encourage learners to make use of the space and opportunities provided,’ added Councillor Badroodien. </p><p>Learners are reminded that space is limited and bookings may be required, while there may be a time limit on sessions.</p><p>Covid-19 protocols remain in place and you are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. </p><p>To find your library and its opening times, please visit <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/libraries" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/libraries</a>.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2021-10-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Makhaza to get its own Public Transport Interchange | The open day will be held on Thursday, 4 November 2021, at the Desmond Tutu Hall on the corner of Cekeca and Robert Sobukwe Roads in Makhaza | <p>The open day will be held on Thursday, 4 November 2021, at the Desmond Tutu Hall on the corner of Cekeca and Robert Sobukwe Roads in Makhaza, from 15:00 to 19:00.</p><p>The City is planning to build an approximately 4 800m2 facility which will accommodate 30 minibus-taxis. </p><p>The facility will comprise the following:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">a building with ablutions, refuse storage, etc.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">a covered taxi rank with seating</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">green principles like rainwater harvesting, solar panels and LED lights</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">related civil, mechanical, electrical and landscaping works</div></li></ul><p>‘This is great news and relief for both Makhaza residents and minibus-taxi operators as the taxis are currently operating from vacant land without services or facilities for almost 1 000 commuters. Currently they are exposed to harsh weather conditions and other elements. Thus, the facility will provide users with services and safe walkways. Our officials have been working hard on the planning of the facility and have been consulting relevant stakeholders. I therefore urge all residents and commuters to come and see for themselves the value this exciting facility will add to their community,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.</p><p>‘We are investing approximately R15 million in this exciting minibus-taxi facility because we understand the value that the minibus-taxi industry adds to our residents and the public transport system. Taxi ranks are hives of activity and this facility will provide commuters with a safe and dignified area for waiting and connecting with their fellow commuters,’ said Councillor Quintas. </p><p>Construction is scheduled to commence in the second week of November 2021, if all goes as planned. It is envisaged to take approximately 10 months to complete, pending unforeseen delays and inclement weather.</p><p>All Covid-19 regulations will be adhered to at the open day meeting. </p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2021-10-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Have your say on draft water services and waste management sector plans | The City of Cape Town is encouraging the public to comment on the draft Water Services Development Plan 2022 – 2027 and the Integrated Waste Management Plan 2022 – 2027 | <p>The City of Cape Town is encouraging the public to comment on the draft Water Services Development Plan 2022 – 2027 and the Integrated Waste Management Plan 2022 – 2027 which sets out how it intends to achieve its objectives over the next five years.</p><p>These sector plans are a component of the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), which guides and informs all decisions and priorities as well as planning and development in the City over the next five years.</p><p>As part of the efforts to encourage participation and foster meaningful engagement, the public will, for the first time, have the opportunity to use the City’s Collaboration Platform to interact virtually with City officials to discuss and share their ideas and comments on the draft sector plans. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 26 November 2021.</p><p><strong>The draft Water Services Development Plan 2022 – 2027</strong><br>This plan is a legislative requirement. It also needs to be reported to the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as per the Water Services Act.</p><p><strong>Key elements of the plan include:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Sustained focus on implementing the New Water Programme, which aims to provide an additional 300 million litres of water per day through desalination, water reuse and ground water, to help navigate future drought shocks. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Significant investment into reticulation infrastructure as part of the measures to address pollution of inland water bodies. This includes an accelerated water and sewer pipe replacement programme over eight years as well as refurbishing pump stations, with a focus on the top 20 strategic facilities, to help reduce sewer spills.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Ongoing upgrades and extensions of wastewater treatment works to cater for growth and development, and ensuring treated effluent is compliant with licence requirements.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Enhancing basic water and sanitation services in informal settlements, wherever legally and technically permitted. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Improving the planning and implementation of asset management across all branches. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Support for innovation and use of smart and cutting edge technology, in both infrastructure upgrades and billing/metering systems.</div></li></ul><p>‘Water and Sanitation are services that impact on us all on a daily basis, and the department has set out plans for how to achieve commitments towards water security and water sensitivity. This includes the City’s New Water Programme (NWP), which forms part of the Water Strategy: Our Shared Water Future, and to build resilience to the effects of climate change, and future droughts that are expected to be more frequent and severe, and to ensure a safe, reliable water supply for generations to come.</p><p>‘In addition, the health of waterways remains a priority for the City, and therefore, we will continue to invest in sanitation infrastructure. While these investments are vital, it is important for all of us to remember that we collectively need to work together to help address and reduce sewer overflows and blockages, and looking after the infrastructure by thinking twice about what is flushed down toilets and rinsed down sinks. We also ask that residents report missing manhole covers and report any dumping of objects into the sewer system through manholes should they see this happening.</p><p>‘We remain committed to improving basic water and sanitation services in informal settlements wherever possible and we will continue to work with colleagues in the Human Settlements Department to achieve this.</p><p>‘Overall this sector plan is applicable for all, as we all have a relationship with water, whether living or doing business in Cape Town. The Water Service Development Plan (WSDP) is your opportunity to influence priorities for the running, development and maintenance of our water and sanitation infrastructure over the next five-year IDP period. Take time and submit your comments,’ said Alderman Limberg.</p><p>More information about the City’s Water Strategy can be found here: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/general/cape-town-water-strategy" target="_blank">http://www.capetown.gov.za/general/cape-town-water-strategy</a>.</p><p>The draft Integrated Waste Management Plan 2022 – 2027<br>In terms of the National Environmental Management Waste Act, Act 59 of 2008, a municipality is required to develop an Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) as part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process.</p><p>The draft IWMP aligns to the National Waste Management Strategy 2020 and provides key action plans for waste diversion, managing waste as a resource and the integration of waste pickers into the municipal system. It also includes waste awareness drives promoting a culture of compliance with a zero tolerance toward littering and illegal dumping. </p><p>This draft IWMP supports the Provincial 2nd Generation IWMP’s objectives, namely;</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Strengthened education, capacity and advocacy towards Integrated Waste Management</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Improved integrated waste management planning </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Implementation for efficient waste services and infrastructure</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Effective and efficient use of resources and improved compliance with environmental regulatory framework </div></li></ul><p>The draft IWMP also defines the current status of waste services provided by the City, identified gaps, challenges and socio-economic trends used by the city to plan for the provision of waste services and to allocate resources where they are mostly required.</p><p>The draft IWMP aligns with the City’s intent to provide all residents with access to basic services, in providing or enhancing waste management services to informal settlements and backyarders. Service strategies and plans in the draft IWMP are furthermore informed by recorded trends in formal and informal settlement growth, spatial planning, management information, operational data, statistical analyses, resource efficiency, reduction in carbon footprint, reduction in transportation costs, trends, demand assessments as well as strategic and resilience considerations.</p><p>‘Waste has the potential to create opportunity, and the City is excited to be exploring ways in which diverting waste from landfills can further benefit our residents. Through the City’s 4th Generation Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) we want to create inclusivity and with the public’s input materialise a plan that defines the City’s future waste strategies. We want to hear from our residents, so please submit your comments and ideas,’ said Alderman Limberg.</p><p>‘The Water and Waste Directorate would like to encourage all residents to take some time to look through these draft sector plans and let us know your thoughts and ideas about how they might be able to improve your experience as a resident. With the new online interactive platform available to engage City officials directly, we hope to see residents getting in touch and discussing plans together with them,’ said Alderman Limberg.</p><p><strong>Collaboration Platform</strong><br>The City of Cape Town launched an online collaboration platform, where residents can share ideas about specific challenges the City is facing. <br> <br>The City launched the Collaboration Platform as a pilot project and encourages members of the public to participate digitally.</p><p>To view and comment on these sector plans on the City’s Collaboration Platform, the public can join the platform by registering using these steps on their digital device (mobile phone; tablet or desktop):</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Enter this link into your Internet browser: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/ideas" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/ideas</a> </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Register on the platform using your email address;</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Create your profile by providing a username and password (you can submit input anonymously);</div></li></ul><p>After successfully registering, members will be able to navigate to the topic: Comment on the City's draft 2022-2027 water and waste sector plans and submit feedback on these draft plans.</p><p>Residents are encouraged to regularly log into the CCT Collaboration Platform and engage on the new topics.</p><p><strong>Have your say</strong><br>Submit comments, input or recommendations on these plans from Tuesday, 26 October 2021 to Friday, 26 November 2021 by:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">E-mail: <a href="mailto:wsw.plans@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">wsw.plans@capetown.gov.za</a> </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Online: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay</a> </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Post: Service Integration Office, Water & Waste Services Directorate, 9th Floor, 2-Bay, Tower Block, Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001 for attention David Paulse</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Hand: At your nearest Subcouncil Office</div></li></ul><p><strong>To request help to submit your comments, please contact the Public Participation Unit:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Call: 0800 212 176</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Email: <a href="mailto:public.participation@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">public.participation@capetown.gov.za</a> </div></li></ul><p>View the draft plans on <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay</a> , and an Executive summary of the sector plans at Subcouncil Offices and City libraries.</p><p><strong>Direct enquiries for:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Water Services Development Plan 2022-2027 to Chanee Johnstone on email: <a href="mailto:Chanee.Johnstone@capetown.gov.za">Chanee.Johnstone@capetown.gov.za</a> </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Integrated Waste Management Plan 2022-2027 to Rosina Lesoetsa on email: <a href="mailto:Rosina.Lesoetsa@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Rosina.Lesoetsa@capetown.gov.za</a> </div></li></ul><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2021-10-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City invites public to open day about new transport facility for Somerset West CBD | The City of Cape Town will spend approximately R65 million on the construction of a new public transport interchange (PTI) in Somerset West | <p></p><p>The construction of the new PTI is the biggest public investment in the central business district of Somerset West in recent years and will transform the CBD area with multiple benefits for commuters, pedestrians, public transport operators and traders.</p><p>The PTI will be constructed on two different sites in the Somerset West CBD, one behind the Town Hall and another on the Shoprite side. It is designed for minibus-taxi operators, bus services, informal traders, and thousands of commuters.</p><p>If all goes as planned, the building work will commence by the end of November 2021. </p><p>The public is invited to attend an open day where more information will be shared. The details are as follows:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Date: Friday, 5 November 2021</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Time: 15:00 to 19:00</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Venue: Somerset West Municipal Offices, located at 63 Andries Pretorius Street</div></li></ul><p>The new PTI will comprise two sites abutting Church, Andries Pretorius and Victoria Streets. Together, it will be approximately 4 000m² in size to accommodate both minibus-taxi operators and the Golden Arrow Bus Service.</p><p>‘If all goes as planned, we will commence with construction by the end of November. Given the magnitude of this project – we intend to spend approximately R65 million – it will take about two years to complete. During this time, there will be an impact on all of those frequenting the area, from commuters to public transport operators, the general public, pedestrians and the informal traders. We want to ensure that users are well aware of how they will be affected and I urge all to please attend the meeting so that they can be informed ahead of time,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.</p><p>The construction will be done in phases to limit the inconvenience to commuters and all of those working and doing business in the area.</p><p>‘I want to say upfront that some level of inconvenience is to be expected. We need the community and operators and traders to please support the project so that we can complete the construction on time without any delays,’ said Councillor Quintas.</p><p>The PTI will include a new annexure building where operators can host meetings. The double story building will include an ablution facility on the ground floor. Covered waiting areas will protect commuters from sun and rain and wind, and there will be facilities for informal traders.</p><p>‘The construction will include green building elements such as rain water harvesting, solar panels, permeable paving and LED lighting. Given climate change and our focus on environmental sustainability, all of the City’s projects include green elements to make our infrastructure more resilient and environmentally friendly,’ said Councillor Quintas.</p><p><strong>Pedestrians and road users in general, will also benefit from this project:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">All of the new walking lanes will be universally accessible with dropped kerbs and tactile paving for those with special needs</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The upgrade of Church Street will make it more pedestrian friendly and improve the overall safety of road users</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The upgrades will improve traffic flow in the area</div></li></ul><p>‘City officials have hosted several meetings with interested and affected parties, among which the minibus-taxi associations, informal traders, the local business forum, tenants, and the library services. They took the comments into consideration and made some changes to the initial design of the PTI. We are looking forward to the construction getting underway, and most importantly, to the investment that will go a long way in uplifting the Somerset West CBD area,’ said the local ward councillor, Councillor Stuart Pringle.</p><p>About 300 minibus-taxis will operate from the new PTI, serving 12 destinations: Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Strand, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass Town, Zola, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and surroundings, and Grabouw. The Golden Arrow Bus Service will also operate from the facility.</p><p>‘We estimate that approximately 1 000 commuters will make use of the PTI on weekdays. This is a major project and will benefit the local community and businesses, and most importantly, we want to provide a safe, convenient, comfortable, and dignified space for the commuters and operators from the Somerset West area.</p><p>‘I want to urge residents, commuters, and those who visit the affected area and surrounds on a regular basis to please attend the open day on 5 November. This is an important information session about the arrangements that will apply while the construction is ongoing,’ said Councillor Quintas. </p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2021-10-27T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
