1. technology and computing
2. software

CRA news January 2015
2015 has started with a bang – or possibly a whimper, if you’ve been left in the dark thanks
to Eskom…
What’s on the CRA menu?
Info on the following is covered in this newsletter:
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First - 2015 annual CRA subs are due – thank you.
The first phase security camera installation is almost complete and scheduled to go
live from 1 February. Q & A info given.
The roll out of high speed internet connections will start in March. Costs are listed
below – CRA members and PSS subscribers pay no connection fee. Fibre-to-thehome (FTTH) will allow for high speed internet at 100 Mbit/s for only R350 per
month for your line rental.
Fibrehoods info morning this Saturday 24 Jan, 08.30-11.30, Treviso Café, Valley
Shopping Centre. CRA will be there too.
Recycling – there appear to be big problems with Mama She’s. CRA has sent an
ultimatum. We may have to set up an agreement with a new service provider.
Security and crime update
Noise, especially from generators – many complaints. See more info below from the
City re regulations.
Next project being implemented – getting information on best alternative energy
options and prices with a view to obtaining discounts for CRA members. Anyone
with knowledge and connections please contact Ryan, Wendy and Paulette. This
includes Egoli Gas.
Craighall – contact details for SAPS Randburg.
Town Planning feedback – the City Council has approved the rezoning of 71
Buckingham for a nursery school. The matter is likely to be appealed.
Support our Cubs and Scouts!
Delta Park Clean-up - Saturday 24th at 09:30
Strengthening the street rep network.
How to report faults.
Public meeting for rates 2015/16 – to be held on 17 Feb.
There are plenty of good reasons for joining the CRA, not least that your internet set up
connection to the fibre optic network will be free, a saving of some R2 500!
The CRA is a central point of contact. We need you – and you need us!
FIBREHOODS INSTALLATION COSTS
By now you will have noticed the fibre and camera poles that have been installed in your
area for the first phase of the Fibrehoods project. We are still on track for the installation of
fibre-to-the-home in March 2015. If you have not signed up for fibre, we suggest you click
here as we are working on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
Fibrehoods has arranged with Treviso Deli [owner Sergio is a CHP resident] at Valley
Shopping Centre to set up an info and sign up table on Saturday 24 January from 08h30-
11h00.
The main objective is to answer any queries residents may have regarding the project and
encourage sign ups. We will also be giving away coffee vouchers which can be redeemed at
Treviso’s that morning. CRA representatives will also be there.
To note: Telkom has also been busy and most of the dug up pavements are due to them. To
ensure proper reinstatement, contact the foreman Gavin, 082 866 2823.
The Fibrehood fibre-to-the-home installation costs are approximately R2 500. However
residents and businesses will NOT pay the installation costs if they are either:
 CSS clients and CRA members or
 CRA members who subscribe to the Public Space Security (PSS) scheme.
CSS Tactical offers the following options (costs below are per month):
Stand-alone residents
PSS = R425
CSS Armed Response NO PSS = R700
CSS Armed Response WITH PSS = R590
Complexes (costs are per month)
PSS per unit in complex = R100
CSS Armed Response per unit in complex NO PSS = R700
CSS Armed Response per unit in complex WITH PSS = R590
CRA annual subs for 2015: (costs per year)
Stand alone resident/business = R650
Pensioners pay only 50% of subs = R325
Complexes
Per unit in complex = R150
Complexes with 10 or more signed up units will be capped at R1,500.
CRA bank details: Standard Bank: Hyde Park Branch, Branch Code:
Account No:
006605
200874977 (Craigpark Residents’ Association)
Please email details of payment to the Treasurer Sue Wilson [[email protected]] with
your name and street address. Thank you!
Internet options
The size of your data package - 1 Gig, 2 Gigs, uncapped - is arranged with an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) such as Mweb or Afrihost. We are currently in negotiations with
various ISPs to secure data packages that are in line with today's current offerings.
Line Speed – a single line speed of 100Mbit/s will be the standard. This is up to 50x faster
than existing speeds provided. This means downloading a song in 4 seconds or a full movie
in less than a minute.
Q & A re fibre optic network
Q: What happens when the power goes out? Will this disrupt monitoring the cameras when
they’re operational? Will it affect our internet connection?
A: Power outages: Cameras – currently unless the homeowners who we have tapped power
from have backup power, if there is a power outage the cameras will go down. We are
investigating a back-up power solution.
Internet – Fibrehoods has back-up power at our head-end, so if a household has back up
power for their devices, the internet will work in the case of power outages.
Q: Please confirm the number of cameras installed for Phase 1.
A: Phase 1 will have 96 cameras in total broken down by:
 74 Overview cameras
 22 Number plate recognition cameras
Q: Will the installation of the rest of the fibre optic network continue to the streets not yet
covered? By what date will this be done?
A: The distribution phase of the network will provide FTTH services beginning of March and
roll out over the next few months. Some streets will not have fibre running directly in them
but rather at poles at the back of properties. Communications and permissions to install
these poles will begin next week.
Q: We’ve talked about ‘first come, first served’ for residents who’ve put their name down for
the service – how is this going to work?
A: We have over 250 current sign ups, increasingly virtually daily. For those residents who
are on the same side of the road as the fibre, we will be connecting them first based on order
of sign-ups.
For those streets which don’t currently have fibre we will be rolling out home connections
from the head-end equipment out and connecting residents who have signed up first as we
pass those homes.
NB: In order for Fibrehoods to run fibre optic cable to your home, wooden fibre poles (similar
to the existing telephone poles) will need to be placed in a back corner of your residential
property at no additional charge to you.
If this will apply to you, and you are happy to confirm permission for the FTTH pole, please
click here.
Should you NOT give permission for the FTTH pole, please click here.
If you have any queries, please feel free to email [email protected] or call us on (010)
020 1775. Alternatively you can visit our website or Facebook page for more information.
CRA Recycling with Mama She’s
In 2011, after a due diligence exercise, the CRA organised recycling at a very favourable
rate with Mama She’s. It has up to now worked very well but something appears to have
gone very wrong this year. Management will not give us a straight answer other than to say
there will be no service until further notice.
As debit orders are – we presume – still in force, we need to know what is going on to make
sure that subscribers are not being debited for a non-existent service. The CRA has given
Mama She’s until 23 January to respond, otherwise the agreement will be cancelled.
There are competitors out there but if we move to another provider, we need to be sure of
their reliability and negotiate a favourable rate. For now, either take your bags to the
Parkhurst Garden refuse site – you will have to sort the items and not all will be accepted; or
temporarily give up and put everything into your garbage bin – other suggestions welcome!
Please check the CRA Facebook page for updates – unfortunately, Mama She’s has not
supplied us with a list of subscribers. We will advise if you need to cancel your debit order.
Whether, if it comes to it, the service ends, we’ll need to try to get January debits refunded.
If the project needs to be relaunched, we’ll need help – could you let Wendy and Paulette
know if you would be available to assist or just send us the online CRA feedback form.
SECURITY, CRIME and SAPS
As per last CRA newsletter Craighall now falls under Randburg SAPS [CHP remains in
Parkview precinct].
We urgently need a Craighall representative to attend short monthly CPF meetings to
keep informed of crime etc issues and give feedback. Just indicate interest via the online
CRA feedback form and CRA will give contact info.
Re who to contact at the Randburg Station - Constable Vincent Hlungwani, 082 413 0144,
[email protected].
Station tel no is 011 449 9000. Station Commander is Brigadier Letty Hugo, 082 787 2886.
The station makes extensive use of eg WhatsApps - get connected!
The past few weeks have been relatively quiet in our area.
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A cat burglar was active in the top of CHP: he /she did not confront anyone,
just fished out items from open windows. Don’t leave valuables near an open
window, nor have ladders easily accessible!
Two driveway hijackings were reported in Hurlingham last week. ALWAYS
check if you are being followed, or for other vehicles hanging around in your
streets, especially if there are vehicles with several occupants just waiting an
opportunity. If in doubt don’t open your gates, drive on and report to SAPS or
your Security Company and/or CSS - 0861 911 119.
Domestic Watch – motivating and educating our employees. All meetings are held at the
Wesleyan Church, corner of Beaufort and Norfolk Roads on the last Friday at 12 noon.
Next one – January 30th.
Contact Ryan or Glen for info/ security issues / PSS information.
NOISE!!
The noise from generators has already led to complaints. There are minimum standards laid
down which are, we’re told, indicated in table 2 of SABS 0103. [Sorry – haven’t had time to
look that one up!] Basically, a generator needs to be housed in such a way that the noise is
muffled. The CRA has contacted Mr Wiseman Ndlala from CoJ Environmental Health and he
has promised to provide guidelines. While we all need to be reasonable, if you can’t hear
yourself speak, then contact Wiseman - [email protected], 073 482 8583
SAPS Parkview will deal with noise complaints. They are prepared to eg confiscate musical
equipment if the noise does not abate.
Restaurant owners – if you are in the midst of a residential area, it is your responsibility to
curtail noise after 10pm – music and patrons.
Town planning
No further information has been forthcoming from either the lessee of the Waterfall Scout
Hall or Boston City Campus /JPC i.r.o the Dunkeld Bowling Club… obviously much to follow
up…
Dunkeld West residents have formed a steering committee – CRA will be working with them.
For info and town planning help contact Bianca de Roland Phillips or John Ansell, assisted
by Louise Kelly.
CRA and community info
We still need street reps for: Argyle, Bedford, Burnside, Cambridge, Clarence, Devonshire,
Marian, Montrose, Vale Lane, Waterfall [for one section], Westminster, York, Jan Smuts.
Contact Martin Williams for more information or to volunteer – thanks!
Towards making our children better citizens…
1st Craighall Park Scout Group, is recruiting new members for 2015.
Scouting is open to Boys and Girls, with Cubs from age 7 - 11, and Scouts from age 11 - 18.
Scouting is a fun program, where leadership, outdoor skill, teamwork and community
involvement is encouraged and learnt. Times - Cubs: Friday 17h30 - 19h00, Scouts:
Friday 19h15 - 21h30, meet at the Scout Hall, cnr Buckingham & Hamilton Aves, CHP.
Nelson Mandela, who was himself a Scout, has this to say about Scouting: "The Scout
Movement is a world leader in educating youth. Scouting inspires patriotism, sound moral
values, courage, character-building, self-reliance and community awareness. It also
motivates our young people to achieve their full potential."
If you are interested to know more, please contact Kevin on 083 236 0095, or
[email protected]
Reminding you…
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HOW MUCH SHOULD WE PAY IN RATES? Diarise the date of the
Public Rates Meeting to see what we will be charged in new financial year.
Tues 17 Feb, 6-8pm
Marks Park, Judith Rd, Emmarentia
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All infrastructure complaints should first be reported to Council. When you get a
reference number, send that to Cllr Anthony Still and Mack Rogan. See ‘look and
log’ for contact info. Don’t leave it up to ‘someone’ – someone is YOU!
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Any concerns about the Braamfontein Spruit, including illegal dumping – contact
Brendon Wolff-Piggott or Sue Wilson.
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For business liaison queries contact Grant Flaum.
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CRA interactive page – share memories, past events, comment on issues or the
open page - CRA Face book.
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Insurance benefits for residents: our insurance deals for you:
Commrisk Brokers will work out the best deal to suit CRA residents’ needs. Contact
Pieter van Zyl: [email protected] / 084 525 5164. http://www.commrisk.co.za/
Alexander Forbes offers to beat any short term insurance our residents may have
with discounts ranging from 10-50%, depending on the risk profile.
CRA Community adverts
Thank you to these advertisers who have paid their subs for 2015. If you are a member of
the CRA email Wendy to place an ad. [Note: community ads can be placed in every issue:
business ads may be limited to 4 per annum, except where the business renders additional
services to the CRA.]
Please note that the CRA takes no responsibility for advertised products and services.
We are looking for gardening and basic handyman work for our very capable gardener. He
has 3-5 days open. He is an experienced gardener, caring for our pool, do
painting/varnishing and basic handyman services. He has been house sitting for us and
looking after our pets when on holiday. He has been working for us for 4 years and has a
very friendly demeanour. You can contact Charl on 082 771 8714 or Linda on 082 853 1127
for a reference and more detail on the nature of his handyman skills.
REEA Charity Bookshop – visit us and our Coffee Shop. Also come browse thru the
Rambling Rose Charity Shoppe at REEA. You will be amazed at the array. Mon – Sat from
9.00 till 12.30. Cnr Marlborough and Richmond Ave. We also always need volunteers who
love working with stuff. Contact Daniella 072 207 8196.
Heather's Jumping Castles: Book your jumping castles and water slides for all Birthday
parties, Kids parties and corporate year end functions in good time to avoid disappointment
during this busy season. We have a brand new Gladiator slide in stock. Please call Heather
on 083 265 3372 or 011 7887708 or view www.jumpingcastlejhb.co.za.
Neighbourhood Real Estate is growing! Craighall Park residents Mara Kuhl and Robyn Mills
operate in Craighall, Craighall Park, Parkhurst, Parktown North and surrounding areas. If you
are thinking of selling, speak to them about their special launch offer commission. If you
know of someone selling their property, we also pay you top referral fees. We are proud
financial supporters of the CRA and will donate R500 for every property we sell in CH and
CHP to the CRA. Contact Linus Muller on 082 904 9223, or Jed Kemery on 073 643
4658.
The Peartree Family Centre, 41 St Albans Ave, Craighall Park, offers a fabulous indoor &
outdoor kids playground (R50 per child over two for a day's play), a hair & nail/beauty salon,
yoga & Pilates classes, coffee kiosk. Treat yourself while your kids are under the eye of our
professional child-minders. Plenty of secure off-street parking. 011 781 0682
www.thepeartree.co.za
Businesses that are 2015 CRA members include: Treviso Cafe, Valley Shopping Centre;
Red Chilli Spice restaurant, Colony Centre; Hodges Coffee House, Colony; Colony Arms;
Pure Hair, Roxburghe Ave; Brantam Financial Services, Montrose Ave.
Social tennis close to home - Craighall Tennis Club, St Albans Avenue, CHP. Come any
Wednesday at 09:00 for a game – small charge. Call Bianca 083 390 7194 or Mike at 083
228 1693
For any general enquiry, contact part-time administrator Wendy: for specific issues eg
security, town planning, please contact the relevant CRA exec member.
For regular updates, see the CRA Facebook site.
To contact Ward 90 Councillor Anthony Still: [email protected]; 082 820 8342.
You’re most welcome to forward this email if you know someone who might be interested in
receiving this newsletter. We hope you see value in being kept informed – so again - support
us by paying your annual subs .
USEFUL LINKS:
>> CRA : Contact us
>> CRA Face book site
>> CRA subs form
>> PSS Debit order
>> PSS information
>> Feedback/
Comment Form
>> Looklocal Rosebank Killarney
>> Update your details
>> www.cra.org.za
CRA interactive page