Join ERA

This is what we do and have done over the last couple of years:

• Development – ERA keeps a watching brief on planning applications and either supports suitable developments or objects to inappropriate development that will have a negative impact on our suburb.  We have supported several townhouse developments along Barry Hertzog Ave and Linden Road and objected to a new townhouse development on Barry Hertzog Ave.  ERA acted for the 2 479 objectors to the 5 storey mixed use development, including shops and apartments, and with the Greenside Residents’ Association funding the specialist lawyers and experts needed to fight the development. (For details of the outcome see here) ERA is constantly supporting residents to report illegal land uses in our suburb
• Building and Heritage – with the hard work of Gemey Abrahams, an ERA Exco member, continue to manage and check building plans in line with title deed conditions and provide heritage letters for homes over 60 years’ old as required by the heritage authorities. ERA works with the residents and City to report illegal building activities to keep our suburb compliant. We offer full development advice to ERA members. (see here for more) 
• Electricity – secured upgrades from copper to aluminium cables on most streets to try and minimise copper cable theft; pressurised City Power to attend to recurrent problems with mini-subs
• Roads – after pressure on JRA, succeeded in getting repairs to potholes, re-instatements and poor road surfaces on patches of numerous roads in the suburb
• Road safety – backed by a petition signed by residents, successfully won a four-way stop at the Komatie – Greenhill road intersection in the shopping precinct
• Security – daily engagement with key stakeholders to make our suburb safe.
• Support from time to time Felicity Gratz Lawlor’s Let’s Work NPO initiative to keep the parks and general public area clean and clear of illegal dumping and rubbish
• Botanical Gardens – are working with City Parks and Zoo and keep them informed of problematic issues in the park; organise occasional work parties with residents and schoolchildren to pick up litter, dig out invasive alien plants and encourage dog owners to clean up after their dogs (we have an environmental sub-committee that would welcome new members)
• Upgrade of dams in dog-walking section of Emmarentia park – registered ERA as an interested and affected party (IAP) and inputted on the proposed upgrades of the dams which will start in winter 2022. ERA will keep residents updated and monitor the progress. 
• Illegal car guards/vagrants – working with shopkeepers and the CPF and SAPS Parkview on Greenhill Road to monitor those with drug problems.
• Meet with Checkers to raise security and traffic issues in and around Checkers and in the loading area. 
• Events – raise numerous public concerns with the event organisers and the City and continue to try and reduce the number of events and allied parking problems
• Billing – referred queries, challenged the councillor to address the billing crisis
• Have begun to interview long-time residents on their memories of Emmarentia (we have a history sub-committee and welcome new members to help do these interviews and to suggest people)
• Revived Domestic Workers’ Watch – an educational monthly input open to all domestic workers and gardeners about security and life-skills related issues (on hold because of Covid-19)
• and much, much more. Join us and bring your ideas.

Subscriptions for 2022/2023 are now due. We are running a special until 31 March. Pay by 31 March 2022 and pay last year’s membership fees: R350 per annum per household (R200 for over 65s); R950 for businesses. Pay to: Emmarentia Residents Association, Nedbank (Membership runs from 1 March to 28 Feb the following year); A/c: 1975051173; Branch Code: 198765;

e-mail POP to: treasurer@era.org.za with your surname and telephone number as your reference together with your completed membership form below:

If you join after 31 March 2022 the following membership fees will apply:

• R400 per annum per household
• R1000 per annum for businesses
• Pensioner rate stays the same at R200 per annum