Report Back – January 2025
Holiday Period Limitations
Due to the holiday season, our activities were limited. However, just before Christmas, we held a meeting with the Municipal Manager (MM) and the Director of Managed Services. Key issues discussed include:
Traffic Calming and Safety
Traffic Calming Measures: Requests were made for calming measures, particularly on Sarel Cilliers Street. We were informed that a tender for a speed camera is underway, with implementation expected within the next two months.
- Traffic Enforcement: Traffic officers were present in Napier over the holiday period, issuing fines, particularly at stop streets. However, the NRA continues to advocate for a stronger traffic enforcement presence in Napier. At last night’s monthly meeting, it was resolved that the NRA will schedule another meeting with CAM to press for greater enforcement.
- Alcohol-Related Offenses: We requested CAM to increase visibility regarding alcohol-related offenses outside bottle stores and at illegal outlets. CAM indicated that law enforcement does not operate after hours, a matter we will continue to address.
Infrastructure Updates
Road Infrastructure
Roads: A member of the Exco did an assessment of Napier’s roads conduction, this highlighted Cecil Road, River Road, and Escort Road as critical priorities. Cecil Road appears the most feasible for repair, with R1 million requested for reallocation by CAM to address this.
- Stormwater Management: Work began last year with the digging of stormwater trenches and road repairs. Plans for additional stormwater trenches are pending approval to cross private land. These efforts aim to reduce damage during the rainy season.
- Future Budget Planning: For the next budget cycle, the NRA aims to work with CAM to secure Municipal Infrastructure Grants (MIG) from National Government for roads in Nuwerus. MIG funding can only be used for benefiting low-income households. This would alleviate the burden on ratepayer funds, enabling broader infrastructure improvements across Napier.
- Community Input: The NRA urges the community to collaborate during the next budget cycle to prioritize road infrastructure projects realistically and effectively.
Bridges
Bridge repairs remain delayed due to:
- CAM’s delay in awarding a tender for engineering specifications.
- The subsequent failure to issue the repair tender before November.
This tender will now proceed in 2025, with R3 million allocated for the repairs of three bridges. The funds must be spent by June 2025. The NRA will monitor progress to prevent further delays.
Water Infrastructure
The NRA will engage with CAM to ensure Napier’s water infrastructure meets current and future demands.
Electricity
Solar Initiative: The NRA plans to revisit solar energy solutions for Napier, with the first proposal submission due by the end of January. This initiative will be a long-term effort, and we hope for CAM’s support.
Prepaid Meters: Residents using 30-amp credit meters are encouraged to explore the cost benefits of switching to prepaid meters. Although there is an initial fee, the savings from eliminating the monthly availability charge often outweigh the costs within a few months.
Street Lights: West Street or Station Road past the petrol Station has budget allocated towards streetlights. This process is on hold due to the road being a provincial or national road. We hope that approval will be given soon.
Solid Waste Management
During the holiday period, recycling and refuse were temporarily mixed for landfill disposal. This was promptly addressed and stopped. The NRA will engage CAM to ensure better recycling and solid waste practices moving forward.
Informal Settlement
Progress has been mixed. Discussions with CAM will continue to address outstanding issues effectively.
Upcoming Ward Committee Meeting
The January Ward Committee meeting has been cancelled, which may delay the resolution of some concerns. However, the NRA will maintain direct communication with relevant CAM departments to ensure service delivery across all areas of Napier.
CAM delivery
Many times, we do not see the delivery of CAM because work is not being done in our specific area. As we have found with more people feeding back to us when they see CAM working in the area, we are getting a better understanding with regards to the extent of the work being done. During the holidays we saw extensive cleaning around Napier which we hope will continue throughout the year.
Council Meetings
The NRA reminds residents that the public has the right to observe all council meetings. The NRA has begun attending these meetings to gain a better understanding of the broader needs of the Cape Agulhas region, enabling us to better advocate for Napier’s priorities. We encourage members of our community to also participate as observers at these meetings. Your involvement is vital in ensuring transparency.
The NRA remains committed to working with CAM and the community to achieve meaningful progress in 2025.
Kevin Poulter
NRA Chairperson
