A proper public participation process for the resealing of a section of Hermanus’ Main Road will be followed.

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie gave this assurance at the meeting held on Monday with representatives of the Hermanus Business Chamber.  The first public information meeting is scheduled for 18:00 on Monday, 29 July 2013 and will be held in the auditorium of the Overstrand Civic Centre in Hermanus.

The Chamber was represented by its chairperson, Mervyn Milner, and a delegation consisting of Petrus Hendriksz, Rolf Beunink, Dominic van Schouwen, Rick Oosthuizen, Maurice Douree, Marilyn Cilliers and Alta Pretorius.

The Municipality was represented by Cllr Ben Solomon, Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Stephen Müller, Acting Municipal Manager, Roderick Williams, Director of Community Services and Mike Bartman, Deputy Director of Community Services.

Mayor Botha-Guthrie denied the allegation that there was a lack of communication about the project. Confirmation of the provincial funding allocations for the project was only received during May and this information was announced at the next ward committee meeting in June.  She pointed out that Main Road is a provincial road, but that the Municipality is responsible for its general maintenance. During an assessment of the road’s condition in 2011, it was recommended that the section between Harbour Road and Marine Road should be resealed and new kerbing provided. In terms of legislation an 80 per cent contribution can be acquired from the Western Cape Provincial Government for such projects and a subsidy application was submitted to that authority during the budgeting process.

According to the confirmation letter received in May R2,651 million was provided for the project.  However, in order to access the funds, all work on the road must be completed by the end of this calendar year.

A provisional two month programme for the project was proposed at the meeting with the view to have the road resealed before the December holidays, but it was made clear that public awareness will enjoy high priority and that meetings with affected parties will be held.

According to the Mayor the Ward Committee was in support of the project, but stressed the importance of public awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the business community. It was also proposed that a raised pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Market Street be considered.

This resolution will be followed through, Mayor Botha-Guthrie said.

Fanie Krige