The Upper Kenilworth Improvement District (UKID) finally got the go-ahead to start operating in Upper Kenilworth and Pinelands after months of lobbying for support.
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The non-profit organisation started lobbying for support in August last year. The go-ahead comes after the mayoral committee approved several applications for special rating areas or city improvement districts (CIDs), which collect fees from property owners via the City’s rates billing system. This is used to augment municipal services in defined neighbourhoods.
The UKID will assist police in ensuring that several areas are safe, namely the railway line, Smithers and Indian Roads, an area bounded by Harfield Road and Main Road, as well as the block bounded by Aliwal Road, Tennant Road, Mains Avenue and Main Road.
As per the Southern Suburbs Tatler, the committee will appoint a manager to oversee all services pertaining to security, social intervention and cleansing. In addition, the UKID will secure response vehicles and security officers to patrol the area, which is also covered by a CCTV network.
Moreover, the Pinelands City Improvement District (PLCID) stretches across the Old Mutual head office precinct, a portion of Jan Smuts Drive, the Pinelands Business Park up to Avonduur Road along Sunrise Road, Walton Grove Road and properties on both sides of Ambleside.
Plans to establish the PLICD have been in the works since 2018. Yazied Davids, PLICD media officer, says the group’s main focus is public safety. ‘We were also briefed on the City’s police plan proposal that will be published for public participation. Partnering with the Pinelands Community Police Forum and the stakeholders within this forum will be vital to addressing crime. Meetings have been scheduled to acquire the two Law Enforcement officers that will be assigned to Pinelands. Additional meetings are scheduled for the installation of CCTV cameras, a control room, and a safety app for all residents.’
The PLICD will assign patrollers to hotspots and work alongside security companies, street committees and neighbourhood watches. Issues such as illegal dumping, littering, damage to trees and park equipment and heritage protection will also be addressed.
In addition, a social development team will work with the City’s Displaced Persons Unit and non-profits to address homelessness in the area.
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Eddie Andrews, mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, says the CIDs were formed with the community’s interest in mind.
‘This is a process that is carefully managed and includes an extensive public participation process and public meetings. First off, a steering committee consisting of property owners in the area need to compile a five-year business plan, which must be supported by the affected community.’
‘To submit an application for the establishment of an SRA in a residential area, more than 60% of property owners must give written support, and in a commercial area, it is 50% plus one. Only once this support is confirmed by the City, the application can be advertised to give affected property owners 30 days to submit comments and objections.’
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