Latest news with #publicworks
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Macpherson halts EPWP funds to Free State municipality amid 'political gains'
Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has suspended expanded public works programme (EPWP) funds to the Matjhabeng municipality in the Free State pending investigations into alleged politically connected individuals receiving inflated salaries through the programme. City Press reported the municipality's EPWP pays inflated salaries to former councillors and sitting political office bearers, with others earning more than R31,000 a month — 10 times more than the average EPWP stipend. The EPWP provides unemployed individuals, especially youth, with temporary employment opportunities while equipping them with skills to be employable. Participants receive a stipend. Macpherson said the programme was not a 'vehicle for patronage'. 'The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities around the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would be unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit,' he said.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Climate
- Fast Company
This Florida company's imaging tool helps speed up natural disaster recovery efforts
It has, to date, been a calm hurricane season in the state of Florida, but any resident of the Southeast will tell you that the deeper into summer we go, the more dangerous it becomes. There's no stopping Mother Nature's wrath, but a Florida-based tech company has come up with a way to help state officials begin recovery efforts after a storm blows through. The technology could eventually be used for other natural disasters, such as the recent flash floods in Texas' Hill Country and the devastating fires in California. Last fall, Urban SDK, a Jacksonville, Florida-based software company that aggregates traffic data to help public works departments spot problems more easily, launched HALO—a new service that quickly highlights the most pressing problem areas after a storm passes. As soon as winds drop below 40 mph and the sun is out, the company tasks satellites and deploys helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft to gather aerial imagery of the storm's impact. Those images are processed through its computer vision model, helping state and local officials identify areas where roads are blocked by fallen trees, flooding, or severe damage.
CTV News
22-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Lawson Pool replacement will cost an additional $40 million: city report
WATCH: A new report shows the replacement for the Lawson Aquatic Centre's pool will now cost $281 million, up $40 million from just months ago.
CTV News
22-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Repairs to Wascana Park storm drain will not begin until 2026, city says
WATCH: As Wayne Mantyka tells us, it will be another year until major repairs on a storm drain near Albert Street will begin.
The Herald
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Public works minister Macpherson to provide feedback on George building collapse investigation findings
Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson is to provide feedback on the George building collapse investigations on Saturday. Macpherson has met the families of the victims to provide feedback on the findings of the investigations that were conducted by the Engineering Council of South Africa. In the closed-door meeting, the relatives were given details on the circumstances that led to the building's collapse on May 6 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 34 people and left 28 others with serious injuries. The minister's spokesperson, James de Villiers, said Macpherson was also expected to discuss further actions to be taken by the department to ensure such tragedies are avoided in future. TimesLIVE
