News from Residents’
Association of
rahb@houtbay.org.za
www.houtbay.org.za
July
2008
RAW SEWAGE OVERFLOW
A resident reports that a surface sewage overflow was constructed
by the Council on the boundary with his neighbour’s property about 6 months ago.
Due to this mechanism, both properties were flooded by raw sewage during the
heavy rains in early July.
A City representative explained to the resident concerned that the sewage system cannot cope with the additional sewage, storm water and rubbish generated from Imizamo Yethu and that the sewage system was never built to accommodate the development in question, with so many people.
The Association is deeply concerned about
this infringement of health regulations and the construction of a surface
safety mechanism for sewage waste.
IMIZAMO YETHU .. The
next step
Submissions closed on 30 June for comments on
the EIA Draft Basic Assessment report following Focus Group meetings and a
public display at Kronendal Primary of the four options proposed for the
development of the 16ha forestry area and the buffer zones adjacent to
Hughenden and Penzance Estates.
This development will have a significant and
lasting effect on
· “Of some relevance is the fact that none of
the three sites was originally intended as ‘residential’ but the City
appears to be responding to the intense pressure for low-cost housing in the
greater metropolitan area generally (and in Hout Bay specifically in this
instance), resulting from the intense urbanization that has occurred over the
past 18 years or so. The consultant does, however, point out in the Background
Information Document that development of this land is reliant on / subject to
removal of / amendment to the original
condition that only 18 out of the 34
hectares may be used for residential purposes.
· In brief, the settlement has expanded well
beyond what was intended and what is sustainable for
· A limit to growth must be established –
· Even though the proposals sound reasonably
positive in theory and on paper, precedent indicates quite clearly that the likely
outcome of this proposed project (without effective management and control
- and very little has been forthcoming over these past 17 years) will be an extension
of the status quo, i.e. houses
and facilities will be built and then, very soon, they will be surrounded by
shacks and structures so that more people will be drawn to the area and the existing
‘slum’ will be extended without the possibility of upgrading to a decent
suburb – a downward spiral. We cannot afford this.
· In summary, the future management of this proposed development (and prevention of
squatting and illegal structures in particular) is crucial to its success and
this must be addressed now as part of
this process. Irrespective of what option is chosen, the
proposed development should not be supported without a guarantee
(including substantial penalties) from the City and the Provincial (and National) Government that shacks will not
be tolerated and development rules will be adhered to during and after
construction. Development must be
sustainable and a limit to growth established.
· In conclusion, while there are many positive aspects to the
proposals presented in the Draft Basic Assessment (May 2008), not one of the
four options is suitable as it stands.
We concur with other stakeholders that further options need to be
explored in the light of the recommendations from the specialist studies and
input from the community. We wish to reiterate
that no matter how good the final plans are, they will come to nothing (or
worsen the current situation) if further uncontrolled settlement is not
prevented and if re-location of some of the occupants does not occur.”
PICNICS
AND PORT
Our free access to the picnic areas of
The free day pass was originally authorised by the Provincial Minister,
Tazneem Essop, to allow the community access to the beauty of
The RAHB has submitted an appeal to Murray & Roberts to prevail upon the Directors of Concor/Entileni to ensure that our free day pass remains so that we may continue to enjoy our views and have our picnic spot facilities as we have always done.
A Member of the RAHB also reports that the Enteleni contract stipulates they clear the road reserve of alien vegetation. This has not happened and according to the member, the Rooikrans, Stinkbean and Port Jackson are now spreading into the TMNP areas that are difficult to reach
LIONS
FORCED TO STOP FOOD DELIVERIES TO IY
A
HUGHENDEN
– a position on a hill?
As an interested and affected party to the Draft Basic Assessment
report, a Hughenden resident submitted and circulated a shocking and
impassioned report on conditions at the top of
“We come face to face
with many situations in our position on the hill, including being stoned by
children and chased by packs of dogs. It so happened that one of my visitors
was thus car bound for 25 minutes outside my property.
My visitors have had
punctured tyres due to the horrific condition of
our road. The corner is filled with rubble and broken boards etc. Broken down
vehicles are parked and left standing on the side of the road, some for months
on end. One of my visitors
went off the side of the road into a ditch attempting to pass an unmanned
stationery delivery truck positioned on the corner leaving no space to
overtake. This narrow unkempt road cannot take the load of traffic.
The refuse literally pours out of the waste container and extends down into
the road carrying with it a stench including that of human faeces.
How do we personally
dissuade people from urinating, defecating and using the road surface as far up
as our gate entrances as a refuse deposit site?
Beside the enormous
impact on the environment in this area, it is an intense and direct health
hazard. And we have to live with the smell of human defecation.
It is difficult, at
this time to make a choice on preferences for development while the primary
issues of security; health and safety are not being met.
If we cannot uphold
the integrity of our environment, we cannot hold the good feeling, if there is
no hope, we cannot succeed. It’s as simple as that. So what are we going to do
about improving the circumstances for the minority so that we can empower the
majority? This is the only recourse we have.”
IY
HIGH SCHOOL
The Association recently approached the Provincial Education Department
regarding the need for a new school in
Currently schooling is a fundamental need for the children of IY and the
broader community. With the Draft Basic Assessment report process on the
re-zoning of the Forestry Site underway, we are concerned that the opportunity for
constructing a school needs to be taken up by the Education Department as soon
as possible. While acknowledging the
call to site a school elsewhere, the Association also acknowledges the high
cost of purchasing land in
The RAHB understands that ultimately the decision to go ahead with the
schools lies with Province but we believe that the time is ripe for the
Education Department to co-ordinate with the City’s planning currently in
progress.
SAFETY AND SECURITY …
stop leaving it up to the “few”
·
Metro have been assisting SAPS with drunk driving
checks and the blood test assessments have been streamlined to speed up the
process.
·
There are 23 legal sedan “taxis” in
·
Be aware of the latest crime trick in Joburg, to push
a dead rat or snake through an open car window at the traffic lights forcing
the driver to open the door and give criminal the opportunity to grab handbags
etc.
·
Neighbourhood
Watch appeals to EVERYONE to get
involved in monitoring your area. We
cannot leave it up to the few, this is a community effort that needs
participation. Please also remember that
leaving your garage, house door and windows open without security places
yourself and your neighbours at risk. STOP, think and remember that
together we can reduce crime. It just takes everyone to do a little bit, to
make a difference.
TOWN
PLANING SUBMISSIONS
Erf 8410,
The RAHB has objected to the development of
this erf on the corner of
“In conclusion, while this 1,209 hectare site is apparently zoned both General Residential and Commercial, we believe that the proposed configuration with flats on the ground floor facing or backing onto busy roads is highly inappropriate and we do not support it. We suggest that some re-design is required to accommodate the Fisherman’s Cottage in a more appropriate manner and also to reduce the building envelope so as to contain the building within an 8 metre maximum height and to compress the depth of the building as described, to enable enough space between the building and the road reserve to accommodate the parking, landscaping and a comfortable walkway. It is likely that a few residential units would need to be sacrificed, but this would in turn help with the parking.
Crucially important, is that sufficient above-ground parking for the public is provided so as not to compromise surrounding businesses and facilities; underground parking must also be easily available. It is important that whatever development is proposed, it must ‘fit in’ and not compromise the area aesthetically and/or the free flow of traffic and parking. Good landscaping should be required to soften the visual impact of this hard development or whatever is re-designed.”
Erf 7807, Unconstructed Royal Ave: Proposed Lease
of portion of City Land erf 652, erwen
357, 355, 354, 350 & 349
The RAHB is submitting an objection noting that the Public Participation Process has been undertaken after “the City has agreed to lease portion of (unconstructed) Royal Road Hout Bay to the owner of erf 7807”. We question the relevance of this Public Participation Process, if the City officials have already agreed to lease this land with the applicant.
In addition, the Association continues to support its position that
LAND
EXPROPRIATION BILL
Last month the Residents Association submitted
an objection to the Draft Land Expropriation Bill via the Chair of the
Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Ms Tobias to Parliament and requested
feedback from the Parliamentary hearing.
“This Association
is and has been involved in Land Use and Applications for Development of Land
almost on a daily basis since 1996, when the Association was formed. We are a
non-political body, a Community based Organisation which stand up for what is
right and proper, for all the citizens in our Community and
Our main general points of concern are:
· Property rights are fundamental to a sustainable economy which is necessary for our country to prosper and deliver basic services to its citizens.
· For the Government to have the ‘right’ by law to expropriate property without market-related compensation is fundamentally unjust and goes directly against the laws of natural justice.
· That the affected property owner cannot appeal what he or she regards as an unfair expropriation. This also goes against the laws of natural justice and undermines the Constitution.
· Power to the government should be balanced by the rights of individuals. The result of an imbalance results in the government becoming all powerful and, without any checks and balances, this path leads directly to a tyrannical regime with corruption rife and is unfortunately the death knell to democracy, as well as the future well-being and prosperity of our Nation and our children.”
The City of
REED
WORK IN YOUR HOUSE/GARDEN
In the process of rehabilitating the
RAHB WEBSITE
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www.houtbay.org.za
(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)
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Library. Association’s Banking Details:
FNB,
Subscriptions may be paid electronically (please 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 may also
be dropped into our wooden box at the Library (next to the Hall doors) or
posted to our Post Office Box: 27031
Chairperson,
Residents’ Assoc of
Tel:
790-0268, Email: lens@telkomsa.net