Who We Are
The Saxonwold and Parkwood Residents Association ("SAPRA") is a non profit organisation that is run by, and seeks to advance the interests of the residents of the two suburbs.
1.
Our Function
Our function is to assist with the problems of residents which generally relate to the monitoring and enforcement of legal norms and standards, such as ensuring adherence to building regulations (by-laws and heritage), requiring advertisers to comply with the by-laws and for safe and clean parks.
2.
Our Approach
SAPRA adopts a pro-active approach and will tackle challenges of all sizes – from street cleaning right up to participating and influencing the layout of the proposed Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) in our suburbs.
3.
Our Committee
All of our committee members, other than the secretary, are volunteers. Our local councillor and other civic leaders sit on the committee and facilitate communication with the City.
Review at the end of 2018
Our biggest portfolio this past year has been the town planning and heritage portfolio where we’ve had numerous applications to respond to and manage. We achieved a major win with the agreement by COJ through the Public Protector’s office to adhere to all by laws stipulated by the City in relation to Outdoor Advertising and signage. The biggest challenge now is enforcement.
As most of you know, we started a clean out of all our storm water drains and have hired four men from the Immaculata Shelter to manage this process. All is going well so far, this will continue into 2019 and our hope is that we can make it sustainable without removing responsibility from the Council.
We have installed an owl box in Fearnhead Park as well as a basketball hoop and we have approved rubbish bins for dog poop and litter to be placed in the park and around the area with the SAPRA logo on them. We are now waiting on JRA to give us the go ahead. The park is now being cleaned and grass being mowed on a regular basis and is becoming a more enjoyable spot for people to enjoy.
Fran Haslam and the Zoo Lake Users Committee are working on a very exciting master plan for the Zoo Lake area and have received approvals and positive responses to those to whom they have presented. We are hoping to get this master plan approved by the Mayor and his committee in the months ahead.
We have embarked on writing a new updated precinct plan for the area and will continue working on this in 2019.
Our biggest challenge remains to create awareness amongst our residents of the work that SAPRA does and for them to pay their annual membership fee. Currently only 14% of our residents are paid-up members. If everyone could send a message on their street WhatsApp groups to encourage their neighbours to join, that would be hugely beneficial to sustain our annual initiatives.
We are wanting to get four overalls made with the SAPRA logo on for the clean-up team so when they are working in the suburb everyone can recognise them and it will make them look more professional.
We also would like to encourage residents to commit some of their time to the A Re Sebetseng clean up initiative every 3rd Saturday of the month (or Sunday!) as the responsibility for our community starts with us!
Caryn Turnbull, Secretary
Our Committee
- Tessa Turvey - Chairman
- Caryn Turnbull - Secretary
- Tim Truluck - Local City Councillor
- Tracy Davies - Fernhead Park
- Fran Haslam - Zoo Lake Park
- Bill Haslam - Webpage and Database
- Malcolm Jewell - Finances
- Chola Makgamathe - A Re Sebetseng
- Costa Qually - Security
- Kelly Redman - Recycling and Community Hours