Nature’s Valley News

P O Box 222

388 Lagoon Drive The Crags 6602

9 am – 12 noon Tel: 044 531 6699

Mon/Wed/Thurs Fax: 044 531 6668

No 22 Editor: Jeanne Biesenbach April 2008

Chairman and NVRA Committee

LET’S TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT OURSELVES!

The NVRA committee feel that it is important to provide an overview of the past December holidays so that every ratepayer is fully aware of the problems that were encountered. Our purpose is:

· To report on the near chaotic conditions that were at times experienced;

· To try and prevent a recurrence of such situations;

· To urge owners to take full responsibility for the people occupying their properties;

· To urgently request all owners to adhere to the guidelines and regulations crucial for maintaining the beauty and unspoilt natural surroundings of Nature’s Valley.

Waste disposal

During December we experienced major problems in getting basic service delivery from Bitou Municipality. Non-collection of domestic garbage coupled with the lack of additional waste collection days during peak season led to a disastrous situation at the already abused waste transfer station, that rapidly escalated into a health hazard of serious magnitude. To worsen matters SANParks used the Nature’s Valley waste transfer station as the floods in late November had rendered their own site at Bloukrans inaccessible.

We were confronted with a mountain of garbage that spilled onto the verges of Forest Drive, and were forced to take action that was approved at the AGM of 27^th December. The NVRA contracted a private waste disposal company to clean and service the waste transfer station for the remainder of the holiday season at a cost of R27 000. We are negotiating with Bitou to be reimbursed but have not yet been successful.

BUT: Having said this, we have to face the fact that a major part of the problems were of our own making.

The waste transfer station is a repository for garbage bags only.

· During December building rubble, scrap metal, derelict furniture and even toxic waste were dumped there.

· Overfull garbage bags were indiscriminately dumped, more often than not bursting open and strewing the contents. More than a year ago, after the 2006 December holidays, the municipal employees responsible for waste collection at Nature’s Valley presented the NVRA with a petition in which they stated that they would no longer be prepared to service the waste transfer station if its abuse continued.

· Garbage bags were left on properties on non-collection days.

· Garden refuse was dumped in the Fynbos Reserve and in the Escom servitude within the National Park at the top of the Groot River Pass.

· Building rubble was dumped in a storm water canal while the Valley was experiencing drainage problems after the flood.

Lagoon and beach

The large numbers of day visitors who flock to Nature’s Valley on certain public holidays during the peak season create huge problems with regard to sanitation, littering, noise and parking, but we must bear in mind that this only occurs on a few days during the year.

The extra patrolling of the beach and lagoon and additional cleaning teams that we requested and were promised, never materialised.

Grave concerns were expressed about the capacity and experience of the lifesavers on duty during December in handling rough seas when emergencies arose.

BUT:

· Illegal and dangerous bonfires were lit on the beach and banks of the lagoon during extremely noisy all-night parties. Bottles were thrown into fires and exploded, littering the surrounding areas with dangerous glass shards. Requests for consideration from nearby residents were met with abuse.

· One of the huge piles of driftwood was set alight; could not be completely extinguished and smouldered for weeks. It had to be cordoned off.

· SANParks officials were verbally abused while doing their duty.

· Owners who flagrantly disregarded bylaws to this effect, allowed their dogs to roam leashless on the beach and at the lagoon; allowed dogs to run loose in the protected front dune; disregarded the time when dogs were not allowed on the beach and did not dispose of turds in the free bags provided by the NVRA for this purpose.

Residential area

· Owners continued with illegal building activities without submitting plans to the NVRA and municipality.

· There were home owners who allowed groups of up to 30 people to occupy their homes with complete disregard for the lack of infrastructure, especially sewerage.

· Tents and caravans on properties contravened the bylaw that prohibits camping in a residential area.

· Numerous complaints were received about vehicles speeding through the residential area and endangering the lives of pedestrians and children.

· In senseless acts of vandalism meter boxes were damaged and the locks broken open.

· In a deliberate act of vandalism the tyres of a vehicle belonging to a committee member were slashed.

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR EFFORTS TO RETAIN THE BEAUTY AND PEACE OF NATURE’S VALLEY.

Introduction to 2008 NVRA Committee

We are very fortunate in having a knowledgeable and enthusiastic committee for 2008. Some years ago, the then chairman Dr Dick Birkill, set up a system of portfolios to divide the work between committee members, enabling them to concentrate on their areas of expertise and interest. This system has been functioning excellently. We have added some portfolios and changed or combined others. What follows is a list of portfolios and their 2008 convenors and members.

Executive Committee: (to act in emergencies between meetings)

Chairman: Ina Brand-van Rooyen

Deputy Chairmen: Doug Blaine and Jeanne Biesenbach

Treasurer: Piet Oosthuizen

Portfolios: (in alphabetical order)

Built Environment: (town planning, building plans and regulations, signage, etc) Jeanne Biesenbach (convenor), Japie Mohr, Stef Naudé, Diana Woode, Jan Strydom (co-opted), Bertie van Zyl (co-opted)

Spatial Development Plan: Conrad Wiehahn

Contractual Areas Management Committee: Marina Niven (convenor), Ina Brand-van Rooyen, James Martin, Doug Blaine, Michael Perlman

Environment: (deal with SANParks, liaise with NVTrust) Michael Perlman, Marina Niven

The Open Spaces Committee is a sub-committee under this portfolio and functions under the chairmanship of Jill McIlleron

External Communication: (Bitou Residents’ Association, Ward Committee, Covie and other organisations) Gordon Paterson (convenor), Ina Brand-van Rooyen

Finances: Piet Oosthuizen

Infrastructure: (water, electricity, waste management, sewerage, roads) Doug Blaine (convenor), Juan le Roux, Dries Lategan, Johan Grobbelaar

Waste Management: Frans Wagener (co-opted)

Joint steering sub-committee for sewerage: Frans Wagener, Geoff McIlleron, Frans Kapp

Newsletter: Jeanne Biesenbach (editor and translator), Chairman and committee (content), Maaike Murphy (compiler), Anton van Wyk (distribution)

Safety, security, traffic: vacant

Office administrative assistant: Marie Joubert, Maaike Murphy (ad hoc)

Ward Representative: Paul Zietsman (non-committee member representing Nature's Valley at Ward Committee meetings)

Community Liaison Officer (CLO): Mornay du Plessis

Special projects: From time to time we embark on special short term projects to which we assign a convenor or working group. At present we have the Groot River Pass project under the leadership of Juan le Roex, Dries Lategan and Beefy Mance (co-opted) and the CO2 footprint project, convenor Kim Kruyshaar of the NV Conservancy. Ina Brand-van Rooyen and Michael Perlman have joined this project.

The contact details of all committee members are available at the office, where we will gladly answer any inquiries and try to handle complaints.

Infrastructure: Doug Blaine, Deputy Chairman

Owners are reminded to complete and return the Infrastructure Survey Questionnaire that was sent out by separate post.

Groot River Pass

Feedback from Western Province Roads responsible for the passes is that R51m has been budgeted for repairs under the disaster relief funds. Although not officially confirmed, April 2008 seems to be the date set for commencing with restoration work on the bridge and the pass.

Finances: Piet Oosthuizen

We thank all homeowners who have made contributions to our funds for this financial year. Your support for the NVRA is greatly appreciated.

Contributions budgeted for 2007/2008 R90 000.00

Contributions received to date R112 909.00

Contributions as a percentage of budget 125.45%

Number of contributions received out of a possible 382 247

Percentage of number of contributions out of a possible 382 64.66%

Reminders were sent out to property owners who have not yet made contributions for this financial year, of these only 64 have never supported the NVRA.

Bank details:

Account: Nature’s Valley Ratepayers’ Association

Account: 08 260 9217

Bank: Standard Bank

Branch: Plettenberg Bay

Branch code: 050714

Please ensure that your NAME and ERF NUMBER appear on the payment advice for reference purposes.

Built Environment: Jeanne Biesenbach, Deputy Chairman

Building Activities Report: Japie Mohr

New building plans since Nov 2007 are few and far between - only 2 plans have been approved for minor modifications and additions, and 2 plans for new dwellings, in Lagoon Drive and St Michael’s respectively. In both of the latter cases existing buildings will be demolished and replaced.

Land Audit Report

This November 2007 document follows the Bitou Draft Land Audit Report of January 2007. The new report contains two discussion documents titled Towards a Spatial Policy for the Bitou Municipal Area and Towards a Policy for the Use and Development of Municipal Land. The document has potentially wide ranging implications that are being studied by our lawyer and town planner who will compile a report that will enable us to assess future actions.

Erf 131: zoning determination

In February the municipality awarded a zoning of residential 111 (town houses) to this property. Our lawyer and town planner are studying the motivation for this decision and will advise us of their finding. We shall contact the 129 objectors as soon as we obtain the information.

Erf 171 Forest Drive: (Application for the removal of restrictive conditions of title for the purpose of subdividing the property into 2 portions.)

At the February 2008 Mayoral Council meeting the municipality decided to inform the Provincial Administration Western Cape that they do not support the application for subdivision.

Environment: Michael Perlman, Marina Niven

Owen Govender, who has replaced Christopher Singo, is in full agreement that the remaining boats and canoes that are not in their designated places should be removed. He will obtain approval from SANParks management before taking this step.

Driftwood

The stacks of driftwood that have been piled at intervals on the beach are to be moved and spread along the edge of the front coastal dune thereby strengthening and stabilising the dune area and ensuring that the driftwood will be obliterated by sand over a period of time.

The Jewel of the Valley

The estuary, or ‘lagoon’ as it is sometimes called, is possibly the most beautiful and most visual area in Nature’s Valley. It is also a playground and recreation area with boating, fishing and swimming; a meeting place and relaxing haven with wonderful moods and auras which change from day to day. The NVRA and SANParks are collaborating to restore this image. Benches have been refurbished and increased, and boats and canoes, both derelict and sound, have been moved to extended boat-rails at either end of the bank. Both bodies would like to extend their grateful thanks to the ratepayers who, with few exceptions, have collaborated with us in our efforts. We appeal to you all to keep it this way!

The Groot River Estuary Committee

This was a sub-committee of SANParks which focused on the contractual areas of the Valley. At a meeting of stakeholders in March 2008 it was agreed that an alternative body needed to be created for broader scientific issues of the entire estuary. This committee now falls under the auspices of the Tsitsikamma National Park. The members are:-

· SANParks – organisation and chairing.

· SANParks Scientific Services. Ian Russell has conducted research on and monitoring of the estuary, and is an integral member of the committee.

· Nature’s Valley Ratepayers’ Association.

· Nature’s Valley Trust. The Trust has played a major role in the Estuary project. Not only did they convene meetings with scientists in planning the monitoring programmes, but have purchased and donated much of the necessary instrumentation. They also carry out some of the monitoring such as fixed-point photography.

· Bitou Municipality. They are responsible for assessing the impact made by the habitation of the Valley, particularly pollution of the estuary.

· Prof. Charles Breen – hydrologist and environmentalist and Nature’s Valley ratepayer.

· Co-opted experts as required.

Monitoring is required to maintain the health and physical integrity of the estuarine system as the Groot River is seen as one of the most pristine river systems in South Africa. Sooner or later there will be development pressure for water extraction and other usage, and the committee must ensure that the community is prepared to maintain this integrity. Monitoring should have a purpose and not be a purely scientific exercise. Important, too, is how it will be communicated to the community.

Contractual Areas: Michael Perlman, Marina Niven

Due to personnel changes in the Tsitsikamma National Park, we have not been able to arrange a management committee meeting. Christopher Singo, who has been in charge of operations in Nature's Valley, was transferred to Agulhas at the beginning of March. Owen Govender has taken over his responsibilities. Our best wishes accompany Christopher and we welcome Owen in our midst.

Open Spaces Committee: Jill McIlleron

News from the Phyl Martin Park: Danie & Engela Muller

All is well in the Phyl Martin Park and Nursery – brisk sales and a generous donation towards the cost of labour from the NVRA cover running costs. We have noticed that more and more homeowners in Nature’s Valley are interested in utilizing local indigenous plants (not only large trees) in their gardens. It is wonderful to see this green approach as Taaibos, Bitou, Erica, September bush, Camphor bush, etc are well able to survive when owners are not here to pamper them. They can be cleverly used as natural hedges and as enclosures around areas which are an eyesore. To satisfy this requirement Danie is propagating plants of this nature which will be ready for the summer holidays. You are welcome to visit.

Our Park is leading the way! On our regular visits to Kirstenbosch we sometimes acquire unusual plants. One such plant, the rare Erica vertillicalata, is growing rampantly in the Park and has already bloomed beautifully twice. When we visited Kirstenbosch at the beginning of March this year we overheard a guide telling his group of tourists that this plant species was almost extinct and that the plant in Kirstenbosch was the only remaining specimen in South Africa! Although this was not strictly correct it struck us that, in addition to the pleasure it gives us, the Park in Nature’s Valley modestly contributes to the survival of indigenous plants.

Alien Invasive Plants: Maaike Murphy

It is heartening to see that so many of the homeowners in Nature’s Valley have removed the Australian blackwoods (Acacia melanoxylon) growing on their properties. These trees were planted within our forests to replace harvested Stinkwoods and Yellowwoods, providing wood for the furniture industry. However they have proved to be invasive, producing masses of tough seeds each year and it is against the law to allow these trees to grow in gardens. The Open Spaces Committee, supported by the NVRA, regularly monitors and destroys Australian acacia saplings sprouting in open spaces and on pavements.

Another plant which is causing a great deal of harm is the Sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). This ornamental fern from America is a thug that has spread along the edges of the forest, roadsides and watercourses where it displaces our indigenous ferns, bulbs and primroses. We have found a large clump of these ferns way up in the National forest. This is a very serious invader. The only practical way to eliminate it is by repeatedly digging it out completely, roots, runners and all, and bagging it to prevent the spores from escaping. Please do not dump these plants in the forest.

The most invasive declared weed in Nature’s Valley is the Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia). Madeira is a successful climber that forms mats over forest trees and having no enemies to keep it in check, can severely damage the forest. The Open Spaces committee helped by SANParks and Working for Water, has a programme in place to contain the spread of Madeira.

External Liaison and Ward Committee: Gordon Paterson

Time has been spent on building a better working relationship with Bitou Municipal Management using the Ward Committee System. There is still much to be done. The objective is to build this conduit in parallel with traditional lines of communication. The Bitou Residents’ Alliance (BRA) continues to interface with the Mayor. However, it must be admitted that its lobbying effectiveness diminished as 2007 progressed. Therefore it has been decided to use a more direct approach on major issues for 2008. Note that BRA now stands for Bitou Residents’ (and not Ratepayers) Alliance.

Covie. We would like to introduce you to Helen Barnardo, our own special eco-guide. Helen is lives at Covie and received her training through the NVTrust. She concentrates on Nature's Valley, Covie and Storm’s River and she has a special interest in nature. If you need a guide, please contact her @ 076 0488592 or through the Trust.

People and Events: Michael Perlman

Welcome to new permanent residents Abri and Marita du Toit.

Music Club – 100^th Meeting

On the 21^st February 2008 we celebrated the 100^th meeting of the NV Music Club at the home of Dick and Marietjie Birkill. It was a remarkable and memorable occasion of what is a source of pride and part of our Valley heritage. In August 1997 the first music evening, as some prefer to call it, was attended by 17 residents – 5 of whom are still members! This cultural group was motivated by a love of music and frustrated by the difficulty of attending concerts. There is no constitution, no committee, no application forms and no fees – just word-of-mouth invitations for residents to attend. New permanent residents are usually invited to attend and this is a wonderful means of integration. Classical music would form the basis and meetings would be held on a monthly rotation basis – December excepted – at one of the members’ homes. The hosts would decide on a programme of their choice and present it. A complete record of all programmes and those who attended has been kept. We have all gained immeasurably in our musical knowledge and have enjoyed the diverse musical experiences.

In Memoriam

Mrs 'Curly' Wallace died on the 18th February at the age of 95. She was the owner of property in St Patrick's Avenue for 55 years and was familiar to and much loved by the people of Nature's Valley.

Rainfall Report: Yvonne Bath

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
January	70	61	89	54	62
February	86	49	20	41	48
March	82	109	62	97	42
April	61	47	101	30
May	21	46	100	102
June	42	23	46	41
July	34	13	91	40
August	38	8	232	55
September	142	34	16	18
October	74	14	57	86
November	20	93	61	308
December	203	46	60	89
Total mm	873	543	935	961	152