Hout and About

News from Residents’Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

December 2006

CITY BUDGET and IDP

Our Goodhope Sub-Council held a public participation meeting at St Peter’s Church Hall on Thursday 23 November to inform and consult the public on various aspects of the Budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the City. The meeting was chaired by Sub-Council chairperson, Cllr JP Smith, assisted by various officials. It seems that most of the Budget is already committed to the functions of the Council but that a relatively small amount (R200 000 x 2 per ward) is available for smaller projects (capital and operational respectively) for individual wards to decide on priorities. Suggestions were invited and a questionnaire provided for community members and organizations to indicate their general priorities. The previous decision to allocate both the current (2006/7) ward allocations to the construction of sports field has unfortunately been temporarily shelved, and so some other projects may benefit in the mean time.

Listings for the 3-year capital expenditures for the Sub-Council were produced with 5, 10 and 8.5 million rand for new services in Imizamo Yethu (Phase 2), 0.54 for Victoria Ave upgrade, 1.5 and 2.0 for Victoria Road (? Drive) slope rehab, and again Victoria Ave upgrade - 0.2. It was noted with regret that nothing specific was listed on this Budget for the Hangberg area (attention is to be directed here). Various comments and suggestions were made and other omissions from the budget were noted. For example, the absence of an upgrade for the Hout Bay sewage system from a maceration plant (which pumps raw, macerated sewage into the bay off Bad Tamboer by way of a long undersea pipe) to that of a normal plant that digests the solid matter and purifies the water effluent to a state that is acceptable for releasing into the environment instead of polluting it.

Victoria, Victoria and Victoria!

Occasionally we have had queries regarding the name of the streets/roads named ‘Victoria’ (and some confusion also appears in the Budget allocation descriptions above!). So here is the answer provided by one of our ExCo members: The coast road from Bakoven to the traffic lights in Hout Bay is known as Victoria Drive. The road then splits into two at the traffic lights and the left fork to Main Road is Victoria Road whereas the continuation down towards the harbour is Victoria Avenue. So, yes, there are three Victorias in Hout Bay all named after the illustrious Queen whose name can be found all over the world. It has been suggested that one should not dare even think about changing her name, she would ‘not be amused’!

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH!

GLOBAL WARMING is no myth; much has been said on this subject recently. Here are 10 simple things that YOU CAN DO to help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being generated and causing this warming.

- Change a light: Replacing one normal light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 330kgs of carbon dioxide a year

- Drive less: Walk, cycle, car pool or take public transport more often. You will save 2.2 kgs of carbon dioxide for every kilometer you don’t drive

- Recycle more: You can save 5,280 kgs of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste

- Check your tyres if you have a car: keeping them properly inflated can improve petrol mileage by more than 3%. Every litre of petrol saved keeps 44kgs of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere

- Use less hot water (it take a lot of energy to heat water) by installing low-flow showerheads ( 770kgs of CO2 saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water ( 1,100kgs saved per year)

- Avoid products with lots of packaging: you can save 2,460kgs of carbon dioxide if you cut down your rubbish by 10% - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

- Adjust the thermostat if you have heater/cooler: moving your thermostat down just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer could save about 4,400kgs of carbon dioxide a year.

- Plant a Tree: a single tree will absorb one tone of carbon dioxide over its lifetime

- Be a part of the solution: Learn more and get active at www.climatecrisis.net

- Spread the word: encourage your family, friends and colleagues to see the film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ which very graphically explains the simple facts and consequences – it is still showing on the big screen and, hopefully, should soon be available on CD.

Wetlands and the thatcher!

As part of the wetland rehabilitation project on the Disa River, a lot of Spanish reeds (invasive aliens) are being removed. These are typically used for reed ceilings or boma walls. Our local Working for Wetlands project is currently providing the cut reeds to a reed thatcher thus creating employment and enabling the resource to be gainfully used. This man has done outstanding work at the home of one of our ExCo members, is trustworthy and very pleasant. He is happy to provide a quote for work on your house and we understand that his rates are substantially lower than established companies. Your order will ensure another swathe of aliens is removed from the wetland! Contact via Dr Justin O’Riain, tel 790-6595.

NEW APPLICATIONS

Erf 5489, Park Ave: Another application for Subdivision and Departure has been received for a piece of land in Park Avenue. The application for erf 5489 was received recently and has been objected to by this Association. There are now 4 similar applications in the pipeline for this area. There are 10 erven in this area which are all zoned Agricutural and we shall continue to object to subdivide attempts since these are some of the few remaining rural properties in this very special part of Hout Bay.

SAFETY and SECURITY

We’ve like to congratulate all those involved in the stirling efforts to contain crime and generate a sense of compliance with normal laws and by-laws during this past year. The Community Policing Forum by way of the Neighbourhood Watch has mustered the community and been very active in helping reduce incidents of house-breaking thereby enabling the Police to focus more on violent crimes, shebeens and drugs. To quote Capt van den Berg in his latest report on HBNW: ‘This is the result I was hoping for when starting the NW. One success led to another. Thanks to ALL HBNW members, SSP’s, Watchcom and police sector vehicles. Together we achieved a “miracle” and it just shows what can be achieved when standing together.’

Also, the Court Action led by the CPF, which basically insists on the application of the law with respect to the development (or lack thereof) of Imizamo Yethu, was officially filed in the High Court in November. A lot of effort has gone into this and we hope that it will eventually result in a win-win situation for all concerned.

SIGNAGE update

The signs at the IY traffic circle still remain in spite of an action in the Wynberg Magistrates Court by the City Council. The case was first heard in September but remanded until November after the perpetrators had insisted that the signs were standing on private land. In any event the signs are illegal as they are on a scenic route. The case has once again been remanded by the Magistrate until January 2007 after objections from the perpetrators that they have the right to keep the signs there. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated as to the outcome.

REPEAT WARNING!

Please remember, the water in the river, estuary and nearby sea in highly polluted – keep out!

Some useful telephone numbers:

Health Dept: 400-2100 (fax 421-4894)

Police: EMERGENCY 10-111 & 790-9300

Switch Board (o/h):791-8660 Fax: 791-8661

Fire Call Centre: 107

Parks and Forests Office: 791 8300

Roads Department: 790 1520

Electricity emergency (24 h): 0860-125-001

Water supply emergency (24 h): 703-3070

BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Since this will be the last “Hout and About” for 2006, the Residents' Association Executive Committee and I, wish to thank all those who have given of their time to contribute to community efforts. We wish the whole Community a restful, secure and joyous festive season and a prosperous New Year. Please be careful with regards to personal and house security. Remember to notify your Neighbourhood Watch if you are going away and leave contact details. Have fun and a well-earned holiday, remembering those in need.

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

Dec 2006