Helderberg Residents' Action Association

Radio Helderberg: December 9th 2011 interview of Peter Ford (Chairman)

Gavin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:23:16 +0000

Radio Helderberg 93.6 FM

9th December 2011

Interview of Peter Ford, Chairman of the HRAA which aired on Friday 9th December 2011.

Listen to this audio:

Purpose of Helderberg Residents’ Action Association.
Representation.

Concerns.

Huge expansion of urban area and related concern for the aging infrastructure.

Purpose.

Channeling of public concerns to relevant municipal authorities while working with elected council representatives.
Ward Committee structures and its purpose.
Interaction with other ratepayer bodies.

Town Center of Somerset West.

Taxi Rank.
Vagrancy.
Informal Trading.
Soup Kitchen.
Homeless people.

Interaction with other NGO’s.

Future of the Helderberg.

Listen to this audio:

Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille’s annual visit to Gordon’s Bay

WebWolly — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:35:50 +0000

Saturday 12^th November 2011 : Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club

Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille’s annual visit to Gordon’s Bay at the invitation of the Gordon’s Bay Village Action Group

It is the time of year when we welcome our Mayor Patricia de Lille to the Olde Village of Gordon’s Bay, Temperence Town and the Greater Helderberg Community.

FIND BELOW A SUMMARY OF THE QUESTIONS POSED TO THE MAYOR WITH SUPPLIED ANSWERS:

Responses prepared by Cllrs. Johan Middleton and Stuart Pringle

Question 1

In what way can the Department of Social Development be encouraged to open a permanent office in Gordon’s Bay, with a social worker in attendance 2-3 days per week? Drug and alcohol abuse is at the core of a moral breakdown of family units in areas of Gordon’s Bay.

Answer:

Social development personnel are stationed in the Helderberg – at the Strand offices. Gordon’s Bay forms part of the Helderberg and an additional office in Gordon’s Bay is neither financially possible nor very productive.

As a result of the growing vagrant and street people problem in the Helderberg, which is more severe during the festive season, Councilors (Cllrs Venter. Middleton and Alderman Jespersen) made funds available last year from their ward allocations to employ social workers and case workers for the Helderberg last year already.

A company by the name of OASIS is dealing with these matters. They have three field workers that are currently working in the area. We have had good results from this endeavour and the project is now on-going. The 3 councilors yet again provided funds for this as well as the next financial year. OASIS and Mr Jantjies of the City report back to the Sub Council on a monthly basis.

A CARES outpatient facility based in Somerset West is available to people in the Helderberg and deals with substance abuse matters. Several NGO’s and churches also work in this field in the Helderberg area.

Question 2

Why are owners of empty plots in Gordon’s Bay allowed to have their properties used as building yards and dumps? With weeds growing knee high the general appearance of Gordon’s Bay is that of a neglect and decay.

Answer:

It is the responsibility of every property owner to ensure that his/ her erf is kept tidy. The Council does not “allow” owners to use it as rubbish dumps.

People, including our own Helderberg residents sometimes dump garden and other refuse on vacant land without the owners even being aware of that.

Nevertheless, once the matter is reported to the City’s Health department or to a Councillor a notice is served on the owner to have the area cleared. The owner is given 30 days to clean it up. If it is not done the City appoints a contractor to do so and the owner is billed (and fined).

- – -

Question 3

Special attention should be given to a municipal owned property at 24 Bickley Street, G.Bay, which has been a bone of contention for the past 6 years. Despite the wasteful expenditure of employing security guards, this house is regularly vandalized. Can the City allow such financial waste?

Answer:

This property is being sold via the tender process. Mrs Rachel Schnackenberg and/or Ruby Gelderbloem will be able to give details on the sale and how far the process is.

- – -

Question 4

What is being done by the City to promote Gordon’s Bay as a tourist destination, with special reference to Bikini Beach with its Blue Flag status? Little is done by the City to promote our world renowned beaches from Klippies Bay to Maccassar, compared to the active campaigns relating to the Atlantic seaboard.

Answer:

City of Cape Town and its tourist destinations are dealt with by Cape Town Tourism and Cape Town Routes Unlimited. The Heidelberg, Including Gordon’s Bay, feature well in all their propaganda. The City’s Tourism department should be able to give accurate details of how, when and in which publications Gordon’s Bay, Strand and other beach attractions feature.

The Sub Council chair will be meeting with Cllr Pascoe, Mayco member for tourism specifically to look at the issue of the Stand Jetty in terms of tourism potential and will be discussing other tourist issues as well, such as promoting Gordons Bay as a tourist destination.

- – -

Question 5

The Helderberg, particularly Gordon’s Bay has unique mountain trails. What is the city doing with regards maintaining the state of these trails?

Answer:

These trails are managed by the Bio-Diversity Department. Mrs Hayley Wittridge should be able to give more information on the condition and how it is maintained.

- – -

Question 6

Both entrances into Gordon’s Bay from the N2 as well as from the Strand (R44) are in a state of decay. The shoulders on the side of these roads have “free trade” status. For years the civic organizations in Gordon’s Bay have objected to this wholly unacceptable situation, to no avail. The area is overrun by illegal traders, job-seekers and vagrants. With no public amenities, it has become an unbearable situation for residents with properties in close proximity of these “open sewers.” Residents pay rates and taxes, whilst they live in fear of their properties being vandalized and polluted. The Village Action Group has on numerous occasions met on site with City officials and Metro Police officials. These activities are being perceived by the community as By-law transgressions, and should therefore be addressed as such. We appeal to the Mayor to assist us in changing this unacceptable status.

Answer:

Vagrants and job seekers:

Vagrants – addressed in the Response 1. However it must be noted that residents of and tourists to Gordon’s Bay aggravate the situation by contributing to the problem. Vagrants will not come back to beg if they are not getting any donations financial or food and clothing. The case workers reported that vagrants tell them that this area is a gold mine they make enough money because residents of the Helderberg are friendly and generous. We have started a ‘Give Responsibly’ campaign in our areas Businesses and residents alike should rather donate to NGO’s who assist vagrants to get back into society rather than give them R5 just to get rid of them.

Job Seekers:

This is problem all over the City. The Helderberg i.e. Somerset West Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Macassar and even Lwandle and Nomzamo have job seekers on just about each corner. Social Development is busy with the help of various organisations to establish a skills centre where job seekers can obtain skills and potential employers can recruit them from. Mrs Hilda Oosthuisen will be able to supply more detail. An Organisation ‘Men On The Side Of The Road’ together with Rotary investigated the building of such centre a few years ago. Land in Chris Nissan park was identified – unfortunately this land belonged to a private trust and could it not be used. It was then shifted to council owned property in the Strand which is known as the Eagle Bar. Illegal occupants and inappropriate political interference (ANC) derailed the project. However Mrs Oosthuizen can inform you of new developments and how far the process is now.

It should also be mentioned that yet again employers are just as much to blame for the situation than the jobless people that stand on street corners. Too often it’s an employer looking for casual workers seen stopping and picking up job seekers.

Informal Trading R44 (Faure Marine Drive and Sir Lowry’s Pass Road.

Informal trading is governed by National Legislation and the City cannot forbid informal trading altogether. Cllrs Venter and Middleton have campaigned for years to stop and remove Informal Traders that trade along these roads. It would appear that the former municipalities Gordon’s Bay Strand and Somerset West never “regulated” Informal Trading. Although they demarcated and allowed some bays they never “gazetted” other areas as “non-trading zones”. Cllr Venter submitted motions and the Helderberg trading areas are reviewed and will be regulated and gazetted in due course. By laws cannot be effectively imposed if these areas are not officially declared “non-trading zones”

- – -

Question 7

Huge costs were incurred with 2 forensic investigations:

Despite the costs to the tax payer, these reports have not beer released to the residents of the Helderberg. Why are we still awaiting the outcomes?

Answer:

(a) The sale of part of the Temperance Town Grave Yard to developers.

This is a long outstanding issue. The former Mayor called for the forensic investigation which was completed some time ago. Mayor Plato appointed Ald. Watkins to chair a committee of relatives of the deceased whose graves were allegedly disturbed. The forensic report is within the Mayor’s office and the mayor should decide whether it is in public interest to release the full report.

This matter was also reported on during the last subcouncil meeting and the sub council sent the item back with a request for further details from the City’s legal department.

(b) The forensic investigation into illegal developments condoned by the Helderberg Department Planning and Building Division.

The former Mayor and Ald Nieuwoudt ordered a forensic investigation which initiated by allegations of foul play relating to 177 Beach Road amongst other in Gordon’s bay. The investigation was completed after – the Mayor should decide if the report should be made public. Mrs Cheryl Walters can give full details in this regard.

- – -

Question 8

The process followed by the Helderberg Municipality regarding “notice of applications for deviations”, the sub-council process in case of objections and the appeal process to the Western Cape Government is often flawed. The process of public / civilian participation in these matters is a Constitutional requirement. Yet it would appear that the City favours development at all and any cost, regardless of the negative effect of this policy on property values as well as peace of place for owners.

Answer:

The City follows national legislation in this regard.

- – -

Question 9

The role of building inspectors is often questioned, considering the blatant violations of the Zoning Scheme Regulations. The residents question the responsibility and powers of building-plan / building-inspectors in an environment where developers simply overrule building regulations with impunity.

Answer:

This is a generalization and if there are specific examples these can be dealt with.

- – -

Question 10

The Helderberg urgently needs an ombudsman: Politically independent Resident in the Helderberg Direct access to the Mayoral office.

The Helderberg was incorporated into the Metropolitan City of Cape Town despite our geographically closer ties with the Winelands Municipality. We request that our new Mayor seriously considers a position for an ombudsman for this area, under the auspices of the City of Cape Town.

Answer:

The City has an ombudsman’s office. Providing one for each geographic area is possible but will add to the rates account.

- – -

Question 11

Gordon’s Bay and the Strand are regular tourist destinations in the City’s spatial development plan and the access routes of both these towns through Broadway Boulevard and Sir Lowry’s pass Road are both single lane roads the latter being a country road causing severe congestion over weekends and seasonal holiday periods.

Is the City aware of this, and the view of the City’s future residential development being planned, what is the City going to do with regards to these roads in this area?

Answer:

Both these roads are partly the responsibility of the Province. Funding is available on the three year budget to upgrade Broadway Boulevard. Sir Lowry’s Pass Road and proposed traffic circle at Faure Marine / Sir Lowry’s Pass Road intersection are in the planning stages. Mr Dennis de Villiers can provide more accurate information.

- – -

Question 12

What is City planning for Gordon’s Bay with regards to high density housing, taking into consideration that Gordon’s Bay is in the buffer zone of the Koegelberg Reserve?

Answer:

(none)

- – -

Question 13

ls the Mayor aware of the proposed quarry on the Firlands Farm area which is at the entrance to Gordon’s Bay and this proposed quarry will be built within the buffer zone against the Hottentots Holland Mountains?

Answer:

The ward councilor and the City strongly oppose such mining operation: Mr Daan Visser of Planning within the Helderberg will be able to inform the Mayor how far processing of the application is.

- – -

Question 14

Is the Mayor aware of the lack of schooling for the high school children in the Gordon’s Bay area, thus parents have to use own transport to transport children to schools in Somerset West area, causing major congestion on our already inadequate road structure. Can the Mayor tell us what is being planned to alleviate this problem?

Answer:

This is a Provincial matter.

- – -

Question 15

The Helderberg is to be severely impacted spatially by the proposed Spatial Development Framework. The Helderberg is to be subjected to extensive urban edge amendments as well as planned intensive land use of undeveloped areas. The total area planned for new development is in the region of 23 square kilometres. The Helderberg is to experience growth to a magnitude equivalent to a whole new town, equivalent in size to the whole of Somerset West but exacerbated by added intensification and densification.

QUOTE: “our sound financial management has also seen us balance a number of important priorities. These include: ensuring that we upgrade our ageing bulk infrastructure; investment in critical projects to build an inclusive city such as the IRT;” -: END QUOTE

FROM THE SPEECH BY EXECUTIVE MAYOR ALDERMAN PATRICIA DE LILLE AT COUNCIL MEETING: 27 JULY 2011

Bulk Infrastructure

Based on complaints from the community, there is absolutely no question that numbers of areas in the Helderberg district have severe sewer constraints, further confirmed by the City’s own official documentation. They include Sir Lowry’s Pass, the Gordon’s Bay / Firlands development area, Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay-Bikini Beach and Macassar new development areas. Complaints by communities about sewage overflows at Waste Water Treatment Plants have been going on for years.

Bulk Water infrastructure failings, especially in established areas of the Helderberg has become alarmingly endemic, due to the system being approximately 50+ years old. This not only has implications on the well-being of the residents but has an extreme impact on our very scarce water resources. As an example, due to the regular frequency of burst water mains serving one area in Somerset West (Golden Acre), it has been suggested that the area change its name to ‘The Fountains’. The prevalence of burst water mains are however not just confined to this specific area as these failings are experienced with unacceptable frequency throughout the Helderberg.

Consequently we are not seeing the required level of intervention. To make it worse these bulk infrastructure failings and limitations have not dampened the increasing development, intensification and densification in these impacted areas. This flies in the face of the all too often used quotation that “development is infrastructure led”. A moratorium on all new development until the infrastructure has been sufficiently upgraded would be the responsible thing to implement.

How is the City addressing this extremely dire situation and preventing it from getting worse?

Answer:

The City has no intention of placing a moratorium on development but Cllr Simms did refer to the use of developer’s contributions to address the situation as well as the current budgeting process which is geared towards economic growth through infrastructure led development. Already, for instance the sewerage system in Gordon’s Bay is on the budget and is being developed.

Just a reminder, much of the infrastructure in the Helderberg has hot been replaced in 55 years! Not sure what the councillors back then were doing.

- – -

Question 16

IRT

In 2008 the Helderberg was to fall under Phase 1 of the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system roll-out. The City now tells us that the Helderberg will now only see this service in 10 to 12 years.

Why is the Helderberg not seeing a similar level of services as enjoyed by other areas of the Metro?

On what basis does the City class itself as an “inclusive city”?

Answer:

Ald Walker answered this one when Mr Smith posed it at the meeting referred to above.

The IRT had to start somewhere and the decision was made to start up the West Coast which doesn’t even have a railway. According to Minister Robin Carlisle, who spoke two weeks ago in Somerset West, Integrated transport includes all forms of public transport, including rail, taxi’s and busses and rail can carry far more passengers than busses at less cost to the environment. The Helderberg is getting the same levels of service as other areas of the metro, but the City had to start somewhere. The City is inclusive because all areas will be covered by the IRT but because of budgetary constraints all development can’t happen at the same time in every part of the City.

The money being used is taxpayers’ money, not rates and the residents up the West Coast also pay taxes.

- – -

Proposed sub-council boundaries have residents drawing the line

WebWolly — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:42:21 +0000

Cape Argus

15th July 2011

Bronwynne Jooste, Metro Writer

RESIDENTS of Durbanville and Somerset West have slammed the City of Cape Town for its handling of the new proposed subcouncil boundaries.

Public comment in respect of the boundaries closes on Monday.

Residents have also taken the city to task for the timing of the public participation period, which tell during the school holidays. They charge that there was not enough time to comment oh the proposal.

The Durbanville Community Forum (DCF) has slated the proposed boundaries, saying they make “no logical sense”.

In Somerset West, the Helderberg Residents Action Association said they would split the suburb apart, “striking at the heart of the community”.

Last month, the city announced that the sub-council boundaries were set to be redrawn after the Municipal Demarcation Board created an extra six wards in the city to accommodate an increase in the number of registered voters.

The number of wards in Cape Town increased from 105 to 111. The city explained that because of this move, the city would legally have to refine its sub-council boundaries.

The proposal is that the number of sub-councils increase from 23 to 24.

The new Cape Town Sub-council Further Amendment By-law was opened for public comment at the end of last month. It ends on Monday.

George Sieraha. chairman of the Durbanville Community Forum, said one of the main objections was that some parts of Durbanville would now fall under the Goodwood sub-council, including wards 21 and 70.

At a meeting with residents and some city councillors earlier this week, he said, it was stated that the head of the Goodwood sub-council would be based in the sub-council chambers in Goodwood, while the head of the Durbanville sub-council was set to be based in Brackenfell. This would have “major impacts” on Durbanville. ”It came through very clearly in the meeting that the general community has absolutely no idea what this is about, and how it can affect their lives in one way or another… The proposal makes absolutely no logical sense,” Sieraha said.

The forum was also concerned that councillors living outside Durbanville would now be involved in making decisions for the area.

“The DCF is of the opinion that the city is trying to ram this through, based on their-agendas and not for the overall good of the various communities. The lack of information and the timing of this debacle is an absolute travesty. The DCF will definitely be requesting a postponement and I encourage all forums across Cape Town to do the same,” he said, adding that residents were given too short a time to make informed comment, which was not helped by the school holidays.

“The city is on a mission to get this all wrapped up before full council when it can be rammed through. It is strongly advised that the city take a step back and listen to the community. Politicians and officials are servants to the public and not the other way round,” he said.

The Helderberg Residents Action Association called the timing of the public comment “unfortunate”.

The proposed by-law is downloadable here -

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ByLaws/Draft%20bylaws/AmendmentSub-councilBy-lawEnglish.pdf

Further details can be obtained from the City of Cape Town at -

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/subcouncils/Pages/CommentonCitySubcBoundaries.aspx

The City of Cape Town supplied map of the proposed Subcouncil boundaries can be viewed at -

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Documents/24Subcouncil_Proposal.pdf

Sub-council a solution?

WebWolly — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:35:44 +0000

DistrictMail

14th July 2011

“THE proposal to create an additional sub-council within the Helderberg by regrouping several municipal wards, presents more problems than it is likely to solve.”

This is according to Peter Ford, chairperson of the Helderberg Residents’ Action Association (HRAA).

On Monday night, at the start of its regular meeting, the Association’s executive committee invited councillors Stuart Pringle and Benedicta van Minnen to explain the proposal in detail. The executive members then discussed and considered the plan’s significance for the community.

The proposal arises from the creation of six new municipal wards in the City of Cape Town by the Municipal Demarcation Board, which is an independent body. The additional wards are necessitated by an increase in the number of registered voters.

“The boundaries of these wards are now fixed and unalterable. This necessitates a review of sub-council boundaries, which are flexible, provided they do not straddle ward boundaries,” explains Ford.

“An object of the review is the allocation of fewer wards to each sub-council. Services will continue to be provided in each area as at present but sub-councils, it is said, will be better able to monitor service delivery in each ward.”

The mooted new sub-council in the Helderberg would consist of wards 15,16 and 109 on the western side of Somerset West. The recent delimitation repositioned a large portion of the Somerset West ward 84 within ward 15. The boundary line is Dummer Street near Parel Vallei. “This creates intractable problems when drawing new sub-council boundaries,” says Ford.

“A consequence is that a significant part of the town would find itself administratively separated from the rest of the town. Theoretically, this should make no difference to residents, who will continue to receive services as before.”

The new sub-council will continue to be administered from the present municipal offices in Andries Pretorius Street.

The HRAA is sceptical of the expected benefits of the scheme and apprehensive of the possible costs, even though these are claimed to be minimal.

“Some members are of the opinion that the new sub-forum’s administration will soon relocate to Macassar. There is strong opposition to what appears to be the arbitrary allocation of wards to different sub-councils,” says Ford.

“While it is evident that sooner or later it will become necessary to reduce the area of responsibility of the present Helderberg sub-council, the location of the new boundary between wards 84 and 15 makes it impossible to offer a practical and acceptable alternative.”

The committee members find the timing of the proposal unacceptable as it came in the midst of July holidays when many people are away.

The Council expects comments not later than 18 July in time for its next full Council meeting.

It was explained that if a longer period were allowed for public comment, the Council would be unable to allocate PR councillors before its October meeting.

In effect, there would be no functioning sub-councils until next year.

The timing of the entire process had been determined by the date of the recent municipal elections.

• Down load the proposed by-law at

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ByLaws/Draft%20bylaws/AmendmentSub-councilBy-lawEnglish.pdf

For further details, visit

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/subcouncils/Pages/CommentonCitySubcBoundaries.aspx

The City of Cape Town’s map of the proposed sub-council boundaries can be viewed at

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Documents/24Subcouncil_Proposal.pdf

The closing date for comment is 18 July

For inquiries and written submissions, contact Keith Miller (manager: subcouncils) at 021 400 1261

Email subcouncil.Support@capetown.gov.za

2011 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Gavin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:43:12 +0000

31^STMAY, 2011

Good evening, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen.

Let me warn you at the outset that this will be an upbeat report, despite the fact that the last year has been very challenging for the HRAA EXCO. For some of our members, who have not enjoyed good health, it has been particularly trying. Nonetheless, all of them have given of their best, and, as you will hear, we are able to report some noteworthy achievements.

We have again conscientiously discharged our routine functions. I will list a few for you.

Attendance as observers at all routine Sub-Council meetings.

Study of all applications for variation of Building and Zoning regulations. (App. 30 p/m)

Perusal, consideration and comment on numerous draft new Cape Town City by-laws.

Representation and constructive participation in a number-of Ward Forums.

Participation in various Workshops, followed by report-back and written comment

Liaison and co-operation with other bodies, particularly the CPF and GCTCA.

Two particular activities have demanded exceptional commitment of time and energy, namely

The City’s Spatial Development Framework, and Draft Integrated Zoning Scheme.

These will result in the incorporation of huge rural areas within the Urban Edge and new policies relating to densification of housing. EXCO members, and Gavin Smith in particular, have spent many hours in workshops and public meetings and have submitted lengthy commentaries on aspects of these ongoing processes. You will recall Gavin’s detailed report on these matters at last year’s AGM. The interests of the Helderberg region are consistently and actively represented and protected by the HRAA.

The HRAA’s “This is MY town” survey. Concern about the deteriorating state of Somerset West’s town centre, especially in Church Street, prompted us to conduct a Survey among all classes of users of the town centre (employers, employees, business owners, commuters, visitors, etc) to determine attitudes on this issue. This was a time consuming and wearisome process, but has yielded credible comment where previously there was only conjecture. An interesting item was the positive commitment to the town of nearly all respondents. The value of the data is seen in steps taken to regulate and control informal trading in the town centre. This, we hope, is the start of a process of improvement in the town. We hope to update the survey from time to time. Our experience in conducting the survey is available to our friends in other bodies and towns.

Several important current concerns must continue to receive attention. These are

The site of the Soup Kitchen in Victoria Street arid the problem of vagrancy in the town. These are complex, emotive and related issues which will not be easily resolved. Initiatives to this end are underway. The HRAA is an observer, and, when necessary, a facilitator, but not the driver of the process, and continues to press for an urgent solution.

The continuing threat of crime in the CBD, suburbs and rural areas. In the interests of HRAA members, your EXCO constantly monitors trends and developments and supports the efforts of the SAPS, CPF, HCW and NHW. EXCO members serve on the CPF and NHW. We heartily commend these bodies and approve their achievements.

The need to extend membership of the HRAA and establish email communication. The expensive, time consuming postal system severely handicaps us and is out-dated.

The most serious issues in the Helderberg, engaging immediate attention.

Basic services infrastructure is obsolescent and near the limit of its capacity. Burst water pipes and overstrained sewerage are noted daily. Maintenance is a critical challenge for Council resources. Extensive further development of the Helderberg region is inevitable, given the pressure on Cape Town to expand. The primary and urgent purpose of the HRAA’s participation in the Spatial Development and Integrated Zoning processes is to ensure that development is not allowed to outstrip the provision of quality services infrastructure. This is the most valuable service that HRAA can render to the region.

Proposed cell phone radio masts. Two applications have recently been lodged for masts, one for Cell C on a corner of the Helderberg Nature Reserve, and one for Vodacom on the open space surrounding the reservoirs at the top of Irene Road. In the former application^ public participation has been circumvented on technicalities. The HRAA will investigate the legality of this. In regard to the Vodacom application, your EXCO had to determine a responsible attitude, taking into account the public need for improved cell phone coverage and the objections on various grounds against this tower. It is alleged by the applicants that dependable scientific evidence establishes that such towers pose no health threat, and that alleged health hazards are scientifically unproven. The EXCO has satisfied itself that a substantial body of acceptable scientific opinion exists, which warrants support of the objections against the application. This view is confirmed by a unanimous resolution of an important EU Committee, taken about two weeks ago. Arguments are complex and technical. The amount of data available is considerable. It would take many hours to review and discuss it here. I wish, however, to assure members that the EXCO gave very careful and critical attention to the issues before reaching this decision and that its objection is reasoned and responsible. I wish also to commend our members, particularly Clive Sabel and his colleagues, who have been assiduous, thorough and helpful with assistance in compiling much of the data. We thank them sincerely.

The HRAA and service delivery. It is extremely difficult to relate service delivery to revenue drawn from this region by the City. The EXCO is critical of delivery and monitors budget allocations insofar as this is possible. Our experience of the Ward Forum system is that it is potentially a valuable and useful process through which both the citizenry and the Council must benefit. This requires dedication, purpose and a positive attitude from all parties. We are confident that our participation is important and that it is advantageous to the community. We do our job best by encouragement and firm insistence that Others put their best foot forward. The Helderberg region has a proud and dignified past. It also has the confidence to ensure that it will enjoy a proud and dignified and thoroughly modern future. The Helderberg will always be a highly desirable part of the country to live in. The HRAA intends to continue playing a significant role in sustaining that vision.

Special thanks to special people.

There are so many special, public spirited people in this region that I am deeply conscious of the privilege of serving among them. In paying tribute to a few, I fear I shall omit many. Nonetheless, I shall try here to repay some of the debt of gratitude that we collectively them.

Thank you to Round Table for making their Clubhouse available to our EXCO for meetings.

Thank you to Mrs Talita de Klerk and her ever friendly library staff for free use of this hall.

Thank you to U3A and its CAM Forum for facilitating many useful public meetings for us.

Thank you to many, many friends and neighbours who give generously of their time to serve on a host of local bodies, especially the security-related bodies, for our common benefit.

Thank you to Councillors and numerous officials who diligently fulfill their duties, despite our often ungrateful complaints.

Thank you very much, all members of the SAPS, for bravely facing appalling and unexpected dangers at any moment and putting yourselves at mortal risk for our peace and safety. I ask everybody present to join me in a special vote of thanks and gratitude to our police officers. The EXCO will make a special visit to the SAP to convey these wishes.

Special thanks to our hard-working colleagues on other Ratepayers’ Bodies in Strand and Gordon’s Bay for their warm and friendly support and co-operation. Strand Ratepayers recently negotiated a wonderful arrangement for a free monthly slot for ratepayers on Radio Helderberg. They immediately and generously shared this opportunity with the other Ratepayers’ bodies in the region. What grand friends these are!

I wish to pay tribute to my fellow EXCO members who work tirelessly, loyally and diligently and who are unfailingly courteous when pointing out the folly of my most inspired and wacky ideas.

Working with them is a pleasure and a privilege. Please join me in extending affectionate greetings and wishes for a complete recovery to Alan Blues, our Secretary, who has served this organisation well for many years.

Lastly, let us all please thank the long-suffering wives, husbands and families of the many fine people whom I have just mentioned, for their forbearance and support. Their contribution is more public-spirited and much more important than they generally realise.

And thank yon all for listening to this interminable report.

PETER FORD

Chairman.

Withdrawal of Cell Mast application for Irene Road, Somerset West

Gavin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:19:06 +0000

WITHDRAWAL: Proposed construction of a Vodacom 25 meter tree imitation mast on the premises of Erf 1337, Irene Avenue, Monte Sereno, Somerset West.

DEA&DP REF NO.: E12/2/4/1-A3/458-2010/11

Notification of Withdrawal – Proposed Cell Mast Irene Ave Somerset West

Fury As Rare Fynbos Plants Are Bulldozed

WebWolly — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:47:10 +0000

Cape Argus

May 30th 2011

John Yeld

Environment & Science Writer

CITY CONSERVATION officials and botanists are livid at the illegal bulldozing of a property in the Strand that contained a tiny patch of a critically endangered indigenous vegetation type, Lourensford Alluvial Fynbos.

This fynbos type includes the critically endangered Watsonia humilis, a species known from just here and two other places in the province, and another critically endangered plant, Ixia versicolor, which has been found on only three sites.

DESTROYED: Botanists and city officials examine the Strand property where a tiny patch of critically endangered Lourensford Alluvia! Fynbos was illegally bulldozed last week. Experts say the site may be tiny but is of global significance.PICTURE: SEAMUS MACLENNAN

The destruction was reportedly caused by people being tested for their ability to drive bulldozers and mechanical diggers, and was done without the permission of the site’s owners, development company MSP, which is equally angry.

An urgent rescue operation is being launched. The big pile of soil that was bulldozed into a heap, which may contain several hundred of the watsonia bulbs, will probably be moved to the city’s nearby Harmony Flats nature reserve and spread out over an area that needs rehabilitation, in the hope that some of the plants will survive.

MSP managing director John Coetzee told city officials and botanists at the site on Friday that the company was “200 percent” behind their efforts to save and rehabilitate as much of the bulldozed vegetation as possible, and to bring the culprits to book. The police have been asked to investigate, and Coetzee said they would lay formal criminal charges.

“We’re not going to accept this. I think the urgent thing is to save what’s left, and we will start a ‘search and rescue’ (of bulbs and plants) immediately. We will make money available to get this done.”

A colleague told Coetzee that just before the meeting with the city officials and botanists, a grader driver had been on the site with his machine. When told that it was illegal for him to be there, the driver reportedly indicated he would go to another nearby vacant site.

Coetzee asked police who were at the meeting to immediately go to investigate.

“We have to stop these guys. They cannot just move from site to site,” he said.

Watsonia humilis Picture by Dr Dave McDonald

The city’s environmental managers have also reported the incident to their legal branch colleagues for possible action.

The damaged site is in the Broadlands industrial area just south of the N2 highway and between Somerset West and Sir Lowry’s Pass.

The presence of the critically endangered patch of Lourensford Alluvial Fynbos on the unfenced property was discovered last May by Cape Town botanist Dr Dave McDonald, during an environmental impact assessment as part of a rezoning application to change the site’s status from industrial to commercial.

McDonald said -he had mapped the vegetation in an area of 1.2ha, although this did not include an adjoining Eskom powerline servitude.

“So we’re dealing here with a postage stamp-sized piece of vegetation that is of global significance,” he said.

Clifford Dorse, the city’s biodiversity co-ordinator, said the watsonia population had been “of the highest conservation significance”.

It was also important to note that “a large portion of the site was a seasonal wetland. There was a lovely wetland there. The strip (that was bulldozed) had the best stuff in it.”

McDonald agreed: “They’ve taken out the most important part of the whole site.”

Dorse said the incident required “a swift and appropriate response from CapeNature and the city”.

Radio Helderberg interview of Peter Ford (Chairman)

Gavin — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:39:53 +0000

Radio Helderberg 93.6 FM

24th May 2011

Interview of Peter Ford, Chairman of the HRAA which aired on Tuesday 24th May 2011.

Listen to this audio:

Annual General Meeting : Tuesday, 31st May 2011

Gavin — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:01:01 +0000

Helderberg Residents’ Action Association
P.O. Box/Posbus 1693 Somerset Wes/t 7129
Tel: 021-852-3678 Fax: 0866213899 Email: chairman@helderbergres.org.za Website: www.helderbergres.org.za

Notice is hereby given of the association´s

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

To take place on

Tuesday, 31st May 2011
At: 18h30 for 19h00
Venue: Library Hall, Somerset West

Guest Speaker: Alderman Gisela Jespersen
Topic: ‘Sixteen years of toil and progress, and a glimpse into the future’

Proxies, Nominations and Acceptances of Nominations must be received by the Secretary of the HRAA before April 11, 2011 in order to qualify.
Registered, Paid-up Members will be entitled to vote.

Peter Ford (Chairperson), Johann Fourie (Vice-Chairperson), Alan Blues (Secretary)
Peter Kinnaird, Hennie Smit, Gavin Smith, John Spence

Under Construction

Gavin — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:44:27 +0000

Helderberg Residents' Action Association

Radio Helderberg: December 9th 2011 interview of Peter Ford (Chairman)

Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille’s annual visit to Gordon’s Bay

Proposed sub-council boundaries have residents drawing the line

Sub-council a solution?

The closing date for comment is 18 July

2011 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Withdrawal of Cell Mast application for Irene Road, Somerset West

Fury As Rare Fynbos Plants Are Bulldozed

Cape Argus

May 30th 2011

John Yeld

Environment & Science Writer

Radio Helderberg interview of Peter Ford (Chairman)

Annual General Meeting : Tuesday, 31st May 2011

Tuesday, 31st May 2011 At: 18h30 for 19h00 Venue: Library Hall, Somerset West

Peter Ford (Chairperson), Johann Fourie (Vice-Chairperson), Alan Blues (Secretary) Peter Kinnaird, Hennie Smit, Gavin Smith, John Spence

Under Construction

This site is busy being reconstructed. We appreciate your patience while the information is being updated.

Tuesday, 31st May 2011
At: 18h30 for 19h00
Venue: Library Hall, Somerset West

Peter Ford (Chairperson), Johann Fourie (Vice-Chairperson), Alan Blues (Secretary)
Peter Kinnaird, Hennie Smit, Gavin Smith, John Spence

This site is busy being reconstructed.
We appreciate your patience while the information is being updated.