KNYSNA NEWS - Water and roads infrastructure will be the main focus of Knysna Municipality’s maintenance and improvement of infrastructure this year, with more than R100 million to go towards various projects.
“One cannot overstress the importance of maintaining and improving infrastructure: it is critical to the efficient running of any town or area,” said Knysna Municipal Manager Dr Sitembele Vatala.
These projects are capital projects, and in layman’s terms, a capital project is a current or any new project that helps to maintain or improve infrastructure. It may be a new construction, expansion, renovation or even replacement project for existing facilities.
“The projects for this year are mainly centred around water- and roads infrastructure,” said Vatala. “Some projects are ward specific, while others will affect all wards. Implementation of these projects will cost north of R117.2 million and have a positive impact on all residents and visitors.”
The rollout of the water management device system is already underway. Other water related projects that are currently at tender stage include the upgrade to the central business district water reticulation system, bulk water supply to the north-eastern areas, the Hornlee water infill scheme and upgrades to the Hornlee water reticulation system, as well as upgrades to the pumping scheme at the Charlesford dam.
The stormwater infrastructure of various wards will be upgraded. In terms of sewerage purification services, the Knysna wastewater treatment works will be upgraded, as will the Bosdorp (Karatara) sewer reticulation system. Other projects include the Hornlee infill scheme sewer pump station and the refurbishment of the Eastford pumps.
“We are also paying particular attention to our roads network this year,” Vatala continued. “We have identified specific roads-related capital projects over and above our Roads Maintenance Programme for 2019/2020.”
These include constructing and maintaining sidewalks and pavements in all wards, and road rehabilitation, the surfacing of gravel roads, new guardrails and taxi laybys in various wards. The municipality aims to finalise the design plans and investigations into George Rex Drive this year, the Swartvlei Mouth parking area will be stabilised and the erosion at Brenton-on-lake will be addressed. The upgrade to Grey Street also falls under the capital projects banner.
“Providing basic services of consistently high standards remains our top priority,” said Vatala. “The implementation of some of these projects might cause slight inconvenience at times. I ask you to be patient, and to remember that it is all for the greater good of Greater Knysna.”
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