Our immediate vicinity includes a variety of easily accessible amenities. Within a one to three kilometre radius, you can do yoga or karate at the Craighall Sports Club, donate blood, have riding lessons, cycle or walk along the Braamfontein Spruit, enjoy great coffee, or have your hair and nails done. We also have the Colony, Dunkeld West, Lancaster Village and Valley shopping centres within our suburbs and Hyde Park Corner is a stone’s throw away. Hirsch’s Homestore recently opened a branch on our doorstep, with appliances of all sizes.
The executive committee of the CRA comprises volunteer residents, all of whom have a genuine interest in actively improving and maintaining the living standards of these suburbs. Martin Williams, Ward 90 Councillor is an ex officio member of our executive and we work closely with him.
As with any successful organisation, the CRA needs the support of every one of its residents. This is vitally important, as the greater the support it has from its residents and businesses, the greater is its mandate and voice to truly ensure an enhanced, unthreatened lifestyle that meets our needs and sustains property values.
There are two basic means of supporting the CRA
- Become a paid-up member
- Become a member who is more active in the affairs of the CRA by becoming a member of the executive committee or a sub-committee.
Our income is mainly derived from subs paid, although in recent years additional income streams have been explored [eg an affinity arrangement with a short-term insurance company / broker] with a view to being able to employ an area manager / administrator. Audited statements are presented annually at the CRA’s Annual General Meeting.
Who is eligible for membership?
Any person who is eighteen years or older and is an owner or occupier of land or buildings within the suburb boundaries is entitled to be registered as a member of the association.
In terms of its Constitution, the goals of the CRA are to:
- promote and protect the residential nature of the Craigpark area;
- promote, protect and foster the collective interests of all members, residents, property owners and businesses in the suburbs of Craighall and Craighall Park;
- note all matters of public importance and their effect on the suburbs of Craighall and Craighall Park, especially in matters of conversion of land use, safety, social, economic, health and recreation.
- make any necessary representation to the responsible authorities and parties on the part of its residents and businesses to combat negative activities, and to improve all facets of existing local facilities.
The functions of the CRA have grown over the years, particularly since local government structural changes in 1994 have led to local communities – viz. residents – having a greater say in, and control over, their own affairs. Its workload and its importance to residents has therefore dramatically increased.
Today, the executive committee of the CRA comprises approximately 15 voluntary members divided into some 12 portfolios, some of which have their own sub-committee to deal with specific issues.
The portfolios are largely filled by professionals active in their related fields, and the CRA is very proud to have the dedicated voluntary services of such people.