/ 29 May 2015

Service delivery is a priority

The Rea Vaya BRT system forms the backbone of the Corridors of Freedom
The Rea Vaya BRT system forms the backbone of the Corridors of Freedom

The Sustainable Services Cluster oversees and co-ordinates the bulk of the City’s service delivery obligations. R25.9-billion has been allocated for the operating budget. The three-year medium-term capital budget of the Sustainable Cluster amounts to about R12.7-billion.

Environment and infrastructure  

The department of environment and infrastructure services (EISD) is allocated an operating budget of R234-million for the 2015/16 financial year and a multi-year capital allocation of R77.5-million. EISD will take the leading policy role in the areas of biodiversity conservation; integrated waste management; investment in ecological infrastructure; the rehabilitation of the Princess mine dump; air quality and climate change and energy diversification including green energy initiatives. These initiatives are intended to create a Johannesburg that protects its air, water and soil and manages its waste to build a better environment for future generations.

Housing

The housing department is allocated an operating budget of R864-million in the 2015/16 financial year and a multi-year capital budget allocation of R2.7-billion. This budget will be used for investment in:

Bulk infrastructure, such as roads and storm-water management systems; to transform existing infrastructure in areas such as Kliptown, Diepsloot, Braamfischerville, Orange Farm, Dark City in Poortjie, Rabie Ridge, Eldorado and Princess; 

Building new inclusive mixed-use settlements, including the huge development of South Hills; and hostel refurbishments and upgrades to transform the Orlando Women’s Hostel, Dube Hostel, and Jabulani Hostel, among others.

Work will also continue in the existing mixed development flagship projects of Fleurhof and Lufhereng. When completed, Fleurhof will be one of the largest integrated housing developments in Gauteng.  These new developments comprise various types of residential units including subsidised RDP housing, housing units for the market between RDP and bonded housing, social rental, open market rental and affordable bonded housing. 

Power

City Power is allocated an operating budget of R15.4-billion for 2015/16 and a multi-year capital budget of R4.6-billion. It will continue the rollout of prepaid and smart meters. The amount of R200-million is set aside for the electrification of informal settlements in 2015/16, with a further R200-million set aside for 2016/17. 

Water

Johannesburg Water is allocated an operating budget for the 2015/16 financial year of R7.2-billion, with a three-year capital budget of R3-billion. The capital budget addresses backlogs and maintenance of a minimum service of providing water and the treatment of effluent as well as supporting the CoJ’s development objectives. 

Waste management

Pikitup is allocated an operating budget of R2-billion for 2014/15 while the multi-year capital budget allocation is R323-million. The allocation will be used to fund key projects such as Integrated Waste Management, street sweeping, the removal of illegal dumping and the separation at source programme. The entity will particularly focus on the cleanliness of the inner city.

Social housing

Joshco, the city’s social housing provider, is allocated an operating budget of R138-million and a multi-year capital budget of R1.9-billion. New building projects include Dobsonville Social Housing, Kliptown, Golden Highway, Lombardy East, Princess Plots, and Turffontein rental housing projects. The entity will also undertake repairs and maintenance of city hostels and flats.