Hout and About

JANUARY 2012

The publication of the Residents’ Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

Chapman’s Peak Drive seen from Hout Bay beach

Pic courtesy of Anthony Allen, The Aerial Perspective www.aerialphoto.co.za

Len’s Lines – a message from the Chairman of RAHB

Aerial photo of Chapman’s Peak Drive by kind permission of Anthony Allen – The Aerial Perspective www.aerialphoto.co.za.

Pic- view that Entilini Luxury Offic Block will have over Hout Bay

Notice by CRAG – Civil Rights Action Group to protest march on Chappies – 22 January

Letters/e-mails from RAHB Members & Associates

Len’s Lines

A message from the Chairman of the Residents’ Association of Hout Bay

Despoiling a national treasure with a wholly misplaced toll

The Province of the Western Cape and the Concessionaire, Entilini, seem hell bent on

despoiling a national treasure with a wholly misplaced toll plaza which it has managed to do without for many years.

Approval must be granted in terms of section 50 of the National Environment Management: Protected Areas Act for the proposed construction within the Table Mountain National Park. This Act provides the highest level of environmental protection to national parks. Section 21 prescribes that a resolution of the National Assembly is required in order to withdraw the declaration of an area as a national park. Accordingly, unless the National Assembly passes a resolution that withdraws the declaration of the affected area as part of the TMNP, which it has not, that area must continue to be managed by SANParks in accordance with the Act. This is the position, whether or not the area has been declared by the Provincial Minister of Transport to fall within an extension of the road reserve. Any such declaration, in particular that arising from the Provincial Notice in play, cannot override the provisions of the Act which is nationally binding legislation.

The proposed two storey Office Block, next to the new Toll Plaza, for Entilini to use as their H/Q we believe is totally out of place and unwarranted on this Drive. There exists an abundance of empty office accommodation in Hout Bay to house Entilini staff. The building plans were, to our knowledge, never made available - we heard about them via the grapevine then eventually and with considerable effort we accessed a copy - and only then did we realise how out of scale and inappropriate the plans were. We did not have a formal opportunity to object, but certainly made it known to the authorities that the planned building was inappropriately large and not what was intended.

Melanie Gosling's articles in the Cape Times on Monday 9th January sets out very clearly the objections to the proposed large, extravagant, costly and unlawful Toll Plaza on Chapman's Peak Drive (CPD) and also the unreasonable and unjustified unilateral scrapping of the day passes for access to the mountains and traditional picnic sites, once the construction of the new Toll Plaza begins.

Letter to the Cape Times by Richard Timms – Chairman Hout Bay & Llandudno Environment Conservation Group:-

Dear Editor

Melanie Gosling's articles in the Cape Times set out very clearly the objections to the proposed large, extravagant, costly and unlawful Toll Plaza on Chapman's Peak Drive (CPD) and also the unreasonable and unjustifed unilateral scrapping of the day passes for access to the mountains and traditional picnic sites.

I write to clarify that MEC Robin Carlisle is misinformed when he states that the free day pass was an "informal agreement with Entilini". The Agreement to allow free day passes had nothing to do with Entilini. The Agreement was made in 2003 between Tasneem Essop, Provincial Minister of Transport, Public Works and Property Management, Western Cape 2001 - 2004, and several community organisations and their Attorney at a meeting in 9 Dorp Street on 25 April 2003. I am sure that Tasneem Essop would be most upset that her word solemnly given and accepted in good faith, should be so lightly disregarded by a successor MEC.

Sadly in spite of repeated requests the Provincial authorities did not provide minutes of this 2003 meeting but I am certain that Hout Bay colleagues and our Attorney, who is still acting for us, could if required verify the accuracy of my comments above.

The fact is that the day pass agreement was between the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC), as represented by the MEC for Transport, Public Works and Property Management, and a number of Hout Bay community organisations. It is a sad reflection of present day government ethics that a solemn undertaking should be unilaterally scrapped by the PGWC without reason.

MEC Carlisle might well be correct when he states that the original contract for the re-construction of CPD "was an atrocious agreement" but it was entered into by the PGWC without any consultation with the public about its terms. Thus the PGWC must bear responsibility for its being "atrocious" and it is doubly unreasonable that the PGWC seeks to extract itself from the contract by sacrificing one small benefit of free day passes (and R20,00 tickets) which was negotiated in good faith for all South African residents. The free day pass should be honoured and sustained.

Melanie Gosling has received a letter from Dr David Mabunda, CEO of SA National Parks – see below Page 5 below (permission granted to print by MG to H&A)

Len Swimmer

Chairman, Residents Association of Hout Bay

Tel: 021 790 0268; Email: lens@telkomsa.net

This is the view that Entilini Luxury Office Block will have of Hout Bay and Hangberg

C R A G - Civil Rights Action Group

CHAPMANS PEAK OUTRAGE

Join the Protest March 10.30am for 11am start - Hout Bay Beach Car Park to the proposed site for Toll Plaza & Office Complex.

l No more free access for picnics and walks

l Unnecessary office block for toll company

l Half paid for by the Province, over 25 million of our money

l Part of Table Mountain National Park to be given away free

l Spoiling natural beauty and ecology forever

THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED !!

“Chappies” and Table Mountain National Park belongs to the people of South Africa,
NOT to big business, bureaucrats and deal-making politicians!

This will go ahead unless we protest!

OCCUPY CHAPMAN’S PEAK
JOIN THE PROTEST MARCH!

Sunday 22 January

Gathering at 10.30am for 11am start @ Hout Bay beach car park (opposite Chapman's Peak Hotel)
Marching to the proposed building site (2.5 kms) for handover of memorandum to Gov. Officials and Murray & Roberts/ Entililini.

l Bring your friends, kids, dogs, drums, whistles, shakers, picnic & water

l Make placards

l Be there to SIGN the PETITION!
Say NO to the Provincial Gov. Say NO to Murray & Roberts and their Entilini! NOT now! NOT ever!

Much damage has already been done, but it’s not too late to undo

HELP PREVENT PERMANENTLY RUINING OUR PRECIOUS HERITAGE!

Please forward this email to as many people as possible.

_______________________________________________________

Letters/e-mails from our Members & Associates

1. Letter from Mike Dollow

Hi Len

I always used to think that government was elected and ultimately directed by the people . If this is the case please can you explain why government chooses to continue with the Toll Plaza on Chapman’s Peak drive when clearly only a tiny minority of people are in favour . The only conclusion to be drawn is that once again government is not listening to the people and is determined to implement a policy of enrichment of a few politically connected businessmen . To add insult to injury I see that there is now talk of building an office block as well . Is there no end to this madness .

And now I see that the pathetic argument used by Messrs Carlysle and Mabunda is that since the concessionaires have already degraded the area , they should now be granted a licence to erect an office building . What kind of nonsense is this . Clearly this means that anyone wanting to build on national parks land , can do so , provided they first destroy the natural environment of the area . One wonders exactly which government officials are doing this for financial gain .

I have personally been involved in assessing toll road projects in SA and do not even need to see the figures to tell you that the Chapman’s Peak Toll Plaza could never have been and could still never be a feasible project .

They are defacing a national heritage site , this is not the way for governments to behave . There is more than one way to skin a cat , they need to sharpen their pencils and go back to the drawing board .

What exactly are Hout Bay residents doing about this ? By virtue of our residing in the area we are the the coal face custodians of this natural wonder . The fact that Hout Bay is split between a number of different cultural communities should not deter us from working together to make our voices collectively more audible .

The Toll plaza should be dismantled , the environment restored to its natural state and the concessionaires told to F. . . . . . OFF !

Regards

Mike Dollow

Letter from Attorney Johan Cilliers

Subject: Chapman’s Peak

Sir and Madam,

It is with outrage and disgust that I once again read of the government together with the corporates blatantly ignoring not only the law, but that what lies dear to all of our hearts.

I am aware that you probably have legal council to assist you in all matter related to compliance etc I would still like to offer my services in assisting the opposing of this and any other additional matters.

Although I am residing in Mossel Bay I would like to assure you that the distance will not be a factor and I assure you that you will my passion and commitment to these issues to make up for any obstacle that might be present.

Cape Town is a place dear to my heart and every visit there warms the heart. I want nothing more to see this unbelievable City protected for our children and their children to come….

Description: jc_signature

Letter from Philip van der Watt

I hope you’ll find the time to consider the following;

These are photos I’ve taken at Hout Bay beach during November last year.

I suggest the City of Cape Town should consider removing either the signage boards or the dogs, but these two should definitely not share the same “playground”.

Picnics & play time on the beach is like walking through a minefield, of dog poo!

Trying to talk to some of the dog owners only ends in confrontation where you become answerable for an alternative to where they can walk their dogs.

I once replied to an elderly man that I sometimes wonder where the folks in Joburg walk their dogs.

Needless to say, our conversation ended with insults and threats which made the entire visit to the beach an unpleasant one.

However, a glass of wine at sunset seems to draw the immediate attention of local law enforcement officers who claim they’re only enforcing the law......as it is indicated on the same signage board???

Now I ask you, is that a conundrum, or what?

Would like to hear your point of view.

Regards

Philip

Letter from Klaus Minges

Dear Len
Hope you're doing fine.
I attach a nice before-and-after set of pictures – see below (self-explaining), fyi.
Maybe you can use it for the monthly report.
Season's greetings
Klaus

_________/\_/"""""""""\_/\__________

Klaus Minges phD
http://www.minges.ch

1^st Pic from Klaus - BEFORE

2nd Pic from Klaus - After

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