Update from Cllr Roberto Quintas Ward 74 Hout Bay & Llandudno
A Word to the Ward
We are now halfway through 2023, which warrants some reflection and, of course, looking forward. In the year so far, Hout Bay has already been showcased through hosting races, runs, and a multitude of other events, both large and small. These have drawn visitors from across Cape Town and further afield to our beautiful Bay. Although our little valley is at times confronted with great challenges, it remains one of the most picturesque and vibrant places to visit in Cape Town.
Some large, multi-stakeholder projects have been undertaken in the Hout Bay catchment in our efforts to tackle pollution sources, keeping the Bay beautiful and further enhancing its appeal. I’m pleased to report that the immediate and short-term wastewater and stormwater management programs have already made meaningful improvements. I’d like to thank all involved in the massive collective effort to clean up the Disa River, namely the Hout Bay Catchment Forum and its associated groups, including the Friends of the River Association, Ratepayers Association, NGOAS and key City of Cape Town departments and their dedicated officials.
One monumental intervention has been the construction of a concrete “outer ring road” in Imizamo Yethu. This new road has not only paved the way for greater access for public service vehicles, but has also facilitated improved access to dignified sanitation through the installation of full-flush toilets and wash basins.
I’m particularly pleased to have seen first-hand how the rollout of new, innovative rubbish bins has created a striking improvement to the general cleanliness at the top of Molokoane Street. The bins are the product of years of collaborative work between the City of Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and residents of informal settlements. Their unique design addresses the challenges of managing waste in informal settlements, including space shortages, odours, pests and stray animals, as well as high levels of bin theft and bin vandalism.
Not only do these interventions substantively improve the quality of life for residents of IY, but also vastly reduce instances of sewer blockages and overflows, and by extension, negative impacts on our natural environment.
Possibly the most exciting development recently was my meeting with the National Departments of Public Works and Infrastructure; and Forestry, Fisheries and Environment; along with officials representing all spheres of government, to at very long last commit to transforming the Hout Bay harbour from its current derelict state into a thriving hub of social, cultural – and crucially, economic – prosperity. I have been waiting for this opportunity for 7 years – to sit around a table and share with the custodians of the asset my vision of a reimagined Hout Bay harbour. It was unprecedented to experience politicians from multiple parties, officials from different departments and across different spheres of government, to all agree that the Hout Bay harbour would benefit from investment and land use planning and zoning, and by doing so create jobs for our communities and an authentic small boat harbour development of which we could all be immensely proud.
Unfortunately, the long anticipated installation of the Bethel Crossing Bridge has suffered a setback. I am determined to still see that project to completion, albeit on a delayed timeline.
Working together as communities, investing in our natural assets and our infrastructure, we can keep Hout Bay moving forward towards being what I have always hoped it to be: the most unique southern suburb of the Atlantic Seaboard.
Cllr Roberto Quintas
Ward 74 Hout Bay & Llandudno