News from
Residents’Association of
rahb@houtbay.org.za
www.houtbay.org.za
June 2007
FIRST ExCo MEETING
At our first
monthly meeting for the new year (2007/08) the
executive positions were filled. I was
retained as Chairperson,
THE RATES ISSUE
The issue of the recent property valuations
and resulting changes in rates has been deliberated most carefully by our ExCo
over quite a long period of time. We have attended a number of meetings and
also solicited expert opinion and public comment in order to ensure a better
understanding of the system as it presently stands. Our main objectives have been to consider the
fairness, practicality and reliability of the City's revenue source
through the levy of property rates. We have
come to the following conclusions:
- The Rates Act provides for the levy of
property rates based on the market value of property at a particular date. Without a change in legislation the process
must therefore follow this course.
- The objection process was extended to the
30 April and this should have given most people enough time to comment / object
on their valuations.
- It has been the case in the past that if
valuations are incorrect and the objections are backed up with reasonable
supporting evidence, then valuation boards do adjust these figures accordingly
- One of our concerns was the alleviation of
hardship caused by increased rates on people with low / fixed incomes,
particularly pensioners. The Council has
promised to address this question and we shall monitor it accordingly.
- We do not live in a perfect world and there
will always be some anomalies on both sides. Under the present legislation the Council must
abide by the provisions of such and until a change is made by Parliament we are
stuck with the present form of valuation. Little would be gained by suing the
City or withholding rates, in fact such a course of action could create more
problems than it would solve.
Our Association shall continue to monitor the
situation and hold the City accountable to the promises they have made in
respect of the points they have agreed to.
WETLAND AND RIVER UPDATE
a small victory overshadowed by a
looming ecological travesty
The Wetlands Rehabilitation Project, completed in the southern section of
the wetland in May this year, has proved to be a resounding success. As the water levels rose, so did the number
of visiting bird species. The World of
Birds provides a safe roosting site for many bird species that commute daily to
other water bodies such as Rondevlei and the Noordhoek wetlands. We
have created a local wetland for these birds to stop in at, and, although it is
still early (the wetland plants must establish and begin to support animal
life), the frequent visits bode well for future flocks. This project has shown us what an incredible ecological
and recreational asset the Hout Bay Wetlands could be if it is rehabilitated
and managed systematically.
Unfortunately the most pristine of all the wetland areas in
actions did
not go unnoticed and local and city officials were alerted to prevent further
damage. A thorough investigation needs to be performed to ascertain
why houses should be built below the 50 year flood line and in the process
destroy a vibrant wetland. The beach club has had mountains of bad
press in
INTEGRATED ZONING SCHEME update
On Saturday 26 May we attended a meeting in Mowbray organized by the Greater Cape Town Civic Association (GCTCA), first, to formally establish a full ExCo (as one of the founder members, RAHB was elected onto this) and, then, to provide an opportunity for the municipality to engage with GCTCA member organizations on the City Planners’ responses to the numerous objections submitted on the 3rd draft of the City’s proposed Integrated Zoning Scheme (IZS). Jaco v d Westhuizen, Director Planning and Building, made a presentation (a copy of which is available electronically) but he made it clear that formal public participation would take place later in the year. While some aspects appear to have been satisfactorily dealt with, there are still important areas that are unresolved and need further attention.
THE HOUSING ISSUE
The City recently announced that they had received the report from the
Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) on the public participation
process in
The City intends to appoint an independent Consultant to conduct a study
into the feasibility of using National Government's Housing Programs to develop
land parcels listed by the IJR Report for housing. The study will determine: 1. The cost of acquiring the available land
and the possible source of the funds. 2.
The willingness of the various State or Government Departments to transfer
the land identified. 3. The time frames
for impact assessments to be completed in order to make the land available. 4. Sample affordability studies of target
beneficiaries.
A detailed report back on the feasibility study will be given to the IJR
and the Working Committee that led the public participation process.
The City's spokesperson emphasized that the City has said from
the outset that the consolidated waiting list for housing in
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
- Erf 5680,
- Erf 4420 Forest Hill (Longkloof area): Application for subdivision of an agricultural plot and for a departure from the minimum erf size of 8000 sq.m (i.e. to half of the minimum size allowed by the Zoning Scheme). Also a departure from the building line (from 10m to 6m). Deadline for comment is Thur 28 June 2007.
Comments and objections may be sent to: The Municipal Manager, Urban and Environmental Services, South Peninsula Admin, City of Cape Town, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801 or faxed to 021 710-8283 (tel.-8202); attention Ms S.Kwetana. The general telephone number for the SPA is 710-8000.
- Erf 198 Victoria Ave (existing Homenet building): Amended / new application for rezoning and building line departures to accommodate the existing building and usage. Deadline for comment is Sat 30 June 2007. This has not been advertised in the press as the Municipality is treating it as an amendment even though it is, in fact, a new application. We intend examining the application carefully.
ERROR re report on Erf 3348, Peterhof Road
in March issue: The application was for
subdivision into 2 (not 9 plots). The
nine plots apply to a different erf number.
Apologies to the applicant (and anyone else) for any
confusion that this error may have caused.
Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of
Tel: 790-0268, Email: lens@telkomsa.net
Would you like warning of any of the following possibilities?
- Your neighbour is about to sell their house to a developer who will be bulldozing it and others in your street to construct a block of flats
- The beach is covered in raw sewerage following another failure by the pump station
- Your neighbour is going to subdivide their property and build four more houses
- Imizamo Yethu is going to expand or shrink
- A new hotel is to be constructed right on the beachfront
- Safety & Security
issues which affect house values and desirability of living in
(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)
Forms from Chairperson or Library. Please Note: As from 1st March all
Membership fees for the year 2007 were due and payable. No accounts will be
sent out.
Association Banking Details: First National Bank, Hout Bay Branch (branch
code 204 009), Account name - Residents Association of Hout Bay, Account Number
– 5345 1027 173.
Subscriptions 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
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