Since the last news, there have been two meetings; the first with our Mayor Myeni and the second with both Mayors Myeni and Ndladla. At the second meeting Sewdutt Nagasar (Acting Process Manager, Electricity, Msunduzi Municipality) gave a presentation on what was being planned and what work had already been carried out. The electrical design consultant had been appointed, as had the bush clearing contractor and surveyor. The latter two had already completed half the work by 16 February. The project comprises replacing the two overhead lines from Quarry Road (off Victoria) up to the Crossways substation in Hilton. The provisional programme is that the first line will be operational in June and the second in August.
The Hilton Ratepayers' Association has constituted an electrical subcommittee to assist the municipality in getting the project done and they are meeting with Mr Nagasar on this coming Friday to discuss progress and related matters. Through our involvement we will be in a position to alert ratepayers of any PLANNED outages while the line is being installed.
In line with our undertaking to support the municipalities in their endeavours to provide a reliable electricity supply, I would request individual property owners to check whether there are any trees that could be interfering with the overhead electrical wires on or near their properties. If the tree is in your boundary, then it is up to you to trim or remove the tree. If it is on Council property (sidewalks or parks, for instance) then it is Council's duty to attend to the clearing or trimming. Should you be aware of any trees that potentially endanger the lines, please trim these yourself (or get a tree-feller to do it for you) or if outside your boundary, report the problem to Mr Svenson at Umngeni Municipality and copy the report to Carey and we will follow up until the problem is resolved.
Lastly, I have received an invitation (see attached) from MEC Ina Cronje's office to attend a public meeting on Thursday, 01 March 2012 at 18H00 for 18h30 at the Hilton Community Hall where she will address the meeting, together with Mayors Myeni and Ndladla, in connection with the electricity problems and the efforts being undertaken to resolve these. The invitation is extended to all ratepayers who would like to hear the progress report firsthand. I shall report back via email to the ratepayers via email as well.
From the desk of Tony van Schijndel, Chairman of the HRA.