Hout and About

News from Residents’Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

November 2006

URGENT WATER WARNING!

To all Hout Bay residents and visitors who may come into contact with

the River, the Beach or the Sea.

Please AVOID ALL CONTACT with water in the Hout Bay RIVER (below Victoria Road) and especially at the RIVER MOUTH where it empties into the Bay.

Warn people, who walk their dogs on the beach, of the danger of contamination from the wet fur of their dogs. Do not let children play in the river or swim in the vicinity of the river mouth. Warn visitors, especially foreigners (who are ignorant of our pollution problem) of the dangers of the water.

Background to above warning: Stellenbosch University researcher and community health expert, Dr Jo Barnes, sampled the water that runs from Imizamo Yethu into the Hout Bay River, and contracted Hemorrhagic cystitis from an E. coli infection, despite wearing protective clothing. RAHB’s wetlands expert, Dr Justin O’Riain, assisted Dr Barnes with the sampling of the water and, in the process, his clothing was contaminated. His one year old daughter has landed up in hospital with a systemic E. coli infection.

While it cannot be unequivocally 'proved' that either of these cases are a direct result of the sewerage emanating from IY through the storm water system, the circumstantial evidence is strong enough to warrant a special warning to the Hout Bay community. This is a task that should be undertaken by our health officials but despite knowledge of the health risk they have not made a single public warning to our community nor provided a single measure to reduce the threat of contamination with the polluted water.

The enormous E. coli load (9 billion+ per 100 ml) entering the river is a fact.

Neither of the two signs on Hout Bay beach warning of "potential pollution"

is visible from the water’s edge where the vast majority of beach-goers walk. In view of the City’s apathy, we are taking the initiative in an attempt to reduce the risk of beach-goers suffering from an E. coli infection or any other illness from water that is obviously contaminated with human faeces.

Note the following quote from the City’s Media Office: The City is committed to ensuring good public health for all residents of Cape Town.

For those of you who would like to challenge the City’s lack of response to the health problem in Hout Bay, please email the Executive Director for Health in Cape Town: Dr Ivan Toms, email: ivan.toms@capetown.gov.za

Tel: 021 400 2100 & Fax 021 421 4894

STOP PRESS:

Reply to RAHB from Dr Ivan Toms:

Further to my earlier e-mail to day, I can give additional information on action taken this morning during my personal visit to the area.

1. Two additional signs have been erected on the beach, and tomorrow another sign will be put back to back on the one pole. The signs are as close to the sea as is possible given the high tide etc.

2. The sign at the Victoria Rd bridge has been re-erected.

3. Having reviewed the low flow diversion of the storm water along Victoria Road, an improvement to the system will be actioned immediately.

4. The low flow diversion to the sewer at Main Rd and Victoria Road circle is being redesigned and will be implemented as soon as is possible (early December).

5. Where there are standpipes in Imizamo Yethu, we will make [sure] there is drainage to the storm water system (most in place) or if not practical that there is drainage to a soak away.

6. A visit to the reservoir and the surrounding shacks showed the need to fix the fence around the reservoir again. We will send in our Xhosa speaking environmental health practitioner to do health and hygiene talks to individual families in that area and to explain why it is so important NOT to defecate in the reservoir fenced off area.

7. We will review with the task team the possibility of installing urinary diversion toilets alongside shacks in that area near the reservoir, although the preferred option is for people to voluntarily agree to move to serviced area elsewhere in the city.

I hope the above information helps to address your concerns regarding City Health's commitment to public health in Hout Bay.

Regards, Dr Ivan Toms

Executive Director: City Health

NEW VALUATIONS and RATES

We recently spoke at length with Mr. Christopher Gavor, Director of Valuations at Cape Town City Council. Properties in Greater Cape Town are currently being revalued in line with legislation which requires new valuations to be carried out every 5 years. The last valuations were carried out in 2002/03 and were based on market values as at 1^st January 2000. The Council is obliged to base their municipal valuations for residential properties on a comparative analysis of similar properties which were sold in the area in a three month period preceding the valuation and the new date to be used will be July 2006. Since January 2000, the average price of a property in Hout Bay has increased by between two-and-a-half and three times. However, Mr. Gavor has assured us that this does not mean that the rates payable will increase by two-and-a-half times. He explained that, in calculating the City’s Budget, the rates would be increased only by the rate of inflation. Of course, if anyone does not agree with their new valuation and has reasonable grounds, they will be entitled to contest the amount with the Valuation Board. The valuation process will be concluded by the end of January 2007 and Mr. Gavor indicated that some time after that, valuation officials would be available to attend an Association meeting to explain the process and answer questions. We will keep you informed as to the progress of this exercise.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

NSRI: Congratulations to the National Sea Rescue Institute! Recently they launched a beautiful new boat, the “Nadine Gordimer” (see separate article and photo elsewhere in this Coastal Chronicle). Their Station Commander just happens to be our safety and security officer so we got to hear about this from the horse’s mouth – and are delighted that our fishermen and other seafaring residents will be that amount safer with this wonderful addition to the fleet!

Police Matters: A cautionary note from Capt Gerhard van den Bergh (HB-SAP’s Deputy Station Commissioner) for the upcoming festive season. In a recent Neighbourhood Watch report (8 Nov 06) he appeals to residents not to trust strangers knocking at the front door for assistance, and suggests that charity be channeled through the local churches and other charitable organizations. He urges that residents should be careful of accommodating strangers on their properties. Recently one morning, a lady residing in Beach Estate was confronted by an unknown male who said he needed a place to hide because people wanted to rob him of his shoes. The victim believed the story and allowed him inside her property to hide for a while. The result: RAPE. Please be careful.

SIGNAGE update

Readers will notice that the sign illegally erected by Seeff on the proposed Kronendal site opposite Valley Road has now been removed after they were served with a Magistrates’ Court summons. However, we are informed that Seeff have now applied to erect a new board there. Amazingly, another Seeff board at the development of “Red Sails “ on Main Road approaching Chapman’s Peak Drive has also been erected illegally. Permits cannot be granted for obtrusive signs on scenic routes and we will press the Council for further legal action against Seeff and the developer to remove the sign at “Red Sails.” The Sotheby’s signs on Valley Road have now been removed after the municipality instituted legal action. We are, however, still awaiting the removal of the signs at the IY circle and have also reported two large Monarc signs advertising “Empire Junction” on Empire Avenue for removal – yet another sign advertising Seeff as marketing agents! Would be offenders displaying illegal signs should note that the new Council By-Law, shortly to be promulgated, provides for fines on conviction of a first offence of up to R50 000 or 2 months imprisonment, a subsequent offence may cost the perpetrator up to R 100 000 or 6 months imprisonment. So erect illegal signs at your peril!

NEW PLANNING APPLICATION

Erf 3051, Day Road: Application to lease Public Street. We have been advised by Beverley Isaacs, SPA’s Property Management, that objections / comments to this application should be submitted by the deadline of Monday 27 November 2006. She writes that the City has agreed to lease a portion of public street abutting erf 3051, owned by E L Chesler. The matter is now subject to public comment. Land to be leased: Portion of erf 833, approx 297m2 in extent, 10 year lease @ R79,00 per annum for Gardening Purposes Only.

SPELUM update

Representatives of RAHB made presentations at the Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management (SPELUM) Committee interviews on 18 October 2006 in respect of the following applications to which objections had been submitted:

Erf 3644, 17 Luisa Way - application for Subdivision and Departure: This application was refused on the grounds that it flouted the minimum erf sizes for the area. It had also been recommended for refusal by the Director: Town Planning for the reason that it would have a negative impact on the character of the area, and therefore was undesirable.

Erf 6213, Blue Valley Avenue: application for Amendment of Rezoning Conditions, Departure and Subdivision. This application was refused on the grounds that higher densities than those planned or existing in the Urban Transition Zone are not supported by the Urban Edge Policy together with flawed motivation. It was also not supported by the Director: Town Planning. The applicants were given leave to appeal.

Erf 1827, 10 Helgarda Avenue - application for Removal of Restrictions, Sub-division and Departures: This application was not supported for recommendation by SPELUM to Province to have the restrictions removed, and was also refused for subdivision and departures on the grounds that it would not be in the public interest and therefore undesirable. It was also recommended for refusal by The Director: Town Planning.

Erf 2579, Victoria Drive - application for Subdivision: This application was approved by SPELUM in spite of RAHB and the Hout Bay and Llandudno Heritage Trust (HB&LHT) asking for conditions to be imposed. These related to access onto Victoria Drive which has become especially dangerous and details of proposed building heights.

In each of the above cases, the applicants and/or the objectors were given leave to appeal the decision.

SUB-COUNCIL MEETING

The Good Hope Subcouncil (16) will be meeting on Thursday 16 November 2006, at 44 Wale Street at 10am. An agenda will be available before the meeting. We intend sending representatives to listen to proceedings so as to keep abreast of issues that may affect Hout Bay. We understand that parking for the disabled is available via security at 487-2029 /2001, and other parking at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital (City Park). Enquiries: Vivienne Sasman, tel: 487-2207 /2201 /2005

WORKSHOP on new EIA regs

The Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) held a two-day workshop (6-7 November) in Durbanville on the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) and the new NEMA Regulations (GN No. R 385, GN No. R 386 and GN R 387 of 21 April 2006).

The main objective of this training workshop was to provide clarity on issues and/or concerns regarding the new NEMA Regulations and how they will be implemented in the Western Cape. We were impressed with the thoroughness of the presenters and the dedication of the officials led by Director: Environment, Mr. Anthony Barnes, and thank them for this most worthwhile opportunity to come to grips with the new regulations which apply to Environmental Impact Assessment processes from now on.

MEMBERSHIP

(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)

Forms from Chairperson or Library.

Please remember that your subscriptions were due at the beginning of March 2006. They may be paid electronically (use your full name as a reference on the payment – to ensure that we correctly credit your membership as this information appears on our Bank Statement.

Banking Details: First National Bank, Hout Bay Branch (branch code 204 009), Account name - Residents Association of Hout Bay, Account Number – 5345 1027 173. If you prefer, payment can also be dropped into our wooden box at the Library (next to the Hall doors) or posted to our Post Office Box: 27031 Hout Bay, 7872.

Len Swimmer

Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of Hout Bay

Tel: 790-0268, Email: lens@telkomsa.net

Nov 2006