As a newcomer to the BBRA I’ve been on a big learning curve, which has been both challenging and enriching.
As a consulting engineer by profession, it was natural to become involved with the portfolio which includes roads, storm water, water supply and sewage. Rob Boyd and I work together on the engineering issues.
The most rewarding aspects are responding to residents’ concerns. It has been encouraging to encounter the people’s love for their village and their desire for things to operate well but without losing the quaintness with its many gravel roads and streetlight-free nights. As a result, people are tolerant of some inconveniences while remaining actively vocal about legitimate concerns.
During the first few months of the year it has become clear that water is an important issue – either too much (storm water) or too little (burst pipes).
Betty’s Bay contains many wetlands and streams and with the construction of roads and houses there is often interference with the natural flow of water. I’ve been called to address several such cases. Some required asking Overstrand Municipality for a response and others can be resolved in other ways – always interesting.
We remain committed to investigating and finding answers to the queries we receive.