REPORT ON ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
PINELANDS RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

HELD ON 10TH JUNE 2009 AT PINELANDS TOWN HALL

Howard Centre Developments

At a very full meeting of the Pinelands Ratepayers and Residents Association Annual General Meeting held on 10th June, the speaker, Gavin Jones, of Acucap Properties gave details of the proposed changes to Howard Centre. Using a Power Point presentation, he said that Acucap wanted to run good quality retail outlets and wished to upgrade Howard Centre which it had purchased in October 2007. Acucap intended to correct existing faults such as a tired finish, small entrances, clutter (especially the pillars), the lack of national fashion outlets, a failed food court, an ancient lift and inefficient energy use. The aim was to upgrade the finish (he promised to use non-slip floor tiles), introduce new tenants, expand the banks (who would be moved upstairs) and Woolworths, put in new lifts and roof lights to give more natural lighting, give tenants direct electricity metering, improve safety by e.g. installing smoke detectors and sprinklers. The leaks on the multi-storey car park would be fixed and a lift installed. The work, estimated to cost about R70 million, started in June 2009 to be completed by June 2010.
Gavin Jones said that some entrances would be closed to encourage shoppers to walk through the Centre to see the smaller shops. It was hoped that Mr Price, Ackerman’s and Wimpy would open branches. A good coffee shop would complement Wimpy’s. Click’s was being upgraded. In answer to the complaint that the public had not been consulted on the changes and people were deeply upset by, for example, the closure of Goody’s and Casablanca, Gavin Jones said that the tenants’ turnover was closely monitored and pointed out that unless Pinelanders patronised local shops, they were not viable especially in a tough economic climate where real spending in the Centre had already dropped. / Parking
Members complained about the over-crowded and badly-designed parking outside the library, trucks blocking up Logan Way, Pick’nPay delivery trucks parking illegally in Howard Drive instead of in the designated loading zone. Gavin Jones said that though Pick’nPay staff had been offered free parking, they still left their cars in the loading zone forcing trucks to park on the road. In addition, the closure of one gate made the problem worse. It was up to Pick’nPay management and the Metro Police to deal with the situation. In response to a request for Checkers Shoprite, he said that Pick’n Pay had exclusive rights.
Litter & Security
To complaints about litter and security, Gavin Jones said they had been trying to address both problems. Logan Way had been improved by the employment of guard dogs. There would be visible security guards patrolling the Centre which would be shut down at night. He gave an assurance that there would be no airport-type security which interfered with pace-makers.
After John Berry, the Chairman, had thanked him for his presentation and answering so many questions, Gavin Jones said that the overhead material he had used would be on display at Howard Centre.

Proposed Development of the Old Pinelands Police Station

When the AGM proper resumed, the proposed development of the old Pinelands Police Station was discussed. Megum Reyneke had lodged an objection in the name of the Association and queried how the Heritage Foundation could allow demolition of a building that was part of Pinelands history. She also said that the Association was strongly opposed to business creep especially in Forest Drive and had objected to a number of applications for turning residential homes into businesses.

Street Lights on Avonduur

Roger White, a committee member of the Ratepayers Association, said street lights on Avonduur had been uprooted and replaced but he had been unable to find out on whose authority. Some of the lights had been damaged, others were not working and the verges had been damaged. A meeting with the Electricity Department had added to the confusion, because the Public Lighting Department has no authority to cut branches or trees. The Parks Board has the authority but no cherry-pickers.

Proposed New SAPS Headquarters Near Prestige Drive

Roger White was also concerned about the proposed new SAPS Headquarters near Prestige Drive which would house 1000 workers with about 300 visitors daily with insufficient parking. Sunrise Circle would be badly affected. In addition 15 Sunrise, known as Pinelands Grove, which was supposed to be developed into a complex of 120 flats, was now being converted into a residence for UCT students with no provision for parking. There was a possibility of a 7-storey building being erected on the site.

Councillor Brian Watkyns’ Report

Councillor Brian Watkyns in his report said that the damage caused by the pipe-laying along the River Reserve had still not been made good. There had been major sewage problems last year caused by households illegally diverting storm water into the sewage system. A three-year upgrade of the sewage system was taking place, which was why the proposed Conradie developments were on hold and why the Old Mutual development included plans for on-site sewage treatment.
King Langalibalele, (after whom Langa was named) was in the 19th century imprisoned in Uitvlugt (now Pinelands) and his grandson and namesake would like a monument erected to him.
Councillor Watkyns showed pictures of problem houses in Pinelands which had been abandoned by owners and said that Council was working on solutions. / He outlined how he had used the extra money allocated to his ward : by putting up rails to prevent parking on verges, getting extra equipment for play parks and the raised pedestrian crossing outside Riverside.
He pointed out that Pinelands was a trade-free area and that only the 6 bays in Howard Centre could be used for trading. Any other trading e.g. from cars was illegal and liable to fines. He also said that the Spar at the Old Mutual was for the exclusive of employees.
Application forms for rates rebates would be available in two weeks’ time. Brian Watkyns was thanked for his help in getting the rates for Pinewood Retirement Village changed from commercial to residential, to the benefit of all residents.

Other Matters Arising

Marian Lennox expressed her concern about the parking and other problems likely to arise if Hillsong Church, currently meeting at the Convention Centre, moved to the old Standard Bank building on the corner of Howard Drive and Gardener Way. According to her information the church would seat 1625 with 6 services on Sunday each lasting 1½ hours. Megum Reyneke said that the Association had received the application but had insufficient information to lodge an objection.

To complaints about noise from the Epping/Ndabeni area and black smoke, Brian Watkyns said that he was trying to identify the source of the noise and the smoke emissions from two factories were being monitored.

In concluding the meeting, John Berry thanked Brian Watkyns and the committee of the Neighbourhood Watch. He also appealed for more volunteers to serve on the Ratepayers committee.

Eve Dunnell