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Thursday 27 August 2015

CBRRA Newsletter August 2015






AGM

Our AGM will be held on Monday 7 September 2015, at 18h30. Please make sure to diarise this important date to discuss important issues such as the proposed Clifton development.
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CLIFTON PRECINCT PROPOSED SELL-OUT

Since our last newsletter we are pleased to report that a number of new members have joined Camps Bay & Clifton Residents & Ratepayers Association, some no doubt inspired by their concern at the proposed City Council’s “bulldozing” of Maiden’s Cove and the Clifton/Glen Country Club area referred to as the Clifton Precinct. We have a sub-committee including an experienced property developer, and other planning professionals closely monitoring ‘developments’ of this very unfortunate land grab by the City. Whilst it seems plausible that an upgrade is needed in the area, we fear that more than is being revealed by the City at this stage, is on the cards. None of the essential assessments have been done, for instance, traffic, the EIA etc.

Click here for an interview with our chairman Chris Willemse on CapeTalk answering the City’s Alderman Ian Neilson regarding this issue.

Also visit references to more articles and interviews on our blog and the www.sosclifton.org website for more information.

Please take note: 
The City of Cape Town is holding a public meeting over the Clifton Precinct Development Plan on the 19th of September, at the PODIUM HALL, CAPE TOWN CIVIC CENTRE.  
Members of the public are asked to submit their questions about the Clifton Precinct Development Plan to the City of Cape Town’s Property Management Department before 16 September, ahead of a meeting on the 19th, but more importantly, please attend to show your opposition to this land grab by the City.

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CAMPS BAY DRIVE UPGRADE

This report from Ian Bowker from the City Roadworks:
Rontree to Houghton
We have encountered drainage issues that were unforeseen and inadequate subsurface drainage therefor we need to install new subsurface drains in certain areas. Some of this causes water to back up and seep through pipe joints into the roadbed, making the roadbed too soggy to construct on. We don’t see traffic in peak hour easing until we can open the road again. 
Geneva to Rontree
The contractor has made some good progress on this section. We have experienced isolate areas with problems similar to those in the Rontree to Houghton Section and these are being addressed with additional subsoil drains as and when they are found.
Entire project
As it stands, the entire project completion date is still mid-November and we still aim to try to complete the section between Ravensteyn and Fiskaal as soon as possible to give some relief to residents. Thanks to everyone for their continued patience.

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BLINKWATER / HARRISON

This saga has been resolved and the City has accepted our terms on the finalization of the account. We want to thank the community for trusting us throughout this matter to make the right decisions.
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COMMUNITY MEDICS

Due to funding pressure the Community Medics had to shift from Camps Bay Drive premises and are now occupying what is proving to be more comfortable (and less costly) space at The Retreat in Argyle Road. They continue to be the swiftest responders to any medical emergency in Camps Bay/Clifton and do not charge for any assistance, which these well-trained paramedics provide! However, they do rely on (tax deductible) contributions to survive. If you can add to the recent contributions which vary from R400 to R30,000 (yes R30,000!) from individuals who responded so generously, it will enable these medics to continue to make this fantastic service available to those who need it. 

Contributions may be made to:
Account Name: Community Medics Trust
Bank: Standard Bank
Account: 070095191
Branch Code: 020009
Atlantic Seaboard Reference: ASB+name+contact

Emergency:  +27 87 231 0121 
We suggest you load it onto your mobile phone for a quicker connection during an emergency.
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BEACHFRONT

Excellent progress is being made on the upgrade and tidying up of the area and for this, full marks to the City Council.

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SEWAGE OUTLETS IN OCEAN AT CAMPS BAY

The City of Cape Town has applied for a Coastal Waters Discharge permit for sea outfalls in Hout Bay, Camps Bay and Green Point. This triggered a Public Participation Process to which the CBRRA has responded with a letter demanding that the National Coastal Management Department ensure that such a permit is only granted in conjunction with an independent investigation into the state, environmental effect and the sustainable capacity of these systems.
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CAMPS BAY PREP EXPANSION TO BOWLING CLUB

The WC High Court ruled in favour of the Camps Bay Bowling Club and has set aside the City's decision to cancel the existing lease, with costs - which, of course, will be paid by the ratepayers of Cape Town. It would appear as if the DA-led City are out of touch with reality and the law and are prepared to jackboot their agenda through the system, without any regard for the citizens of Cape Town and due process, and rely on compliant councillors who clearly are too timid or afraid to speak truth to power. That the Bowling Club had to risk the cost of an expensive court case to defend itself against a malevolent City administration, is shocking and unacceptable and we will be calling on our Ward Councillors to explain how such a situation could arise. We trust that a reasoned, fair and equitable shared solution can now be reached between the Bowling Club and the CB Prep School and the CBRRA will do all that is possible to facilitate this.
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CAMPS BAY AS A SRA (Special Rating Area)

There seems to be more and more support for the establishment of a SRA in Camps Bay. At the CBRRA Public Meeting held in March this year, there seemed to be quite strong support from the residents who attended. It has provided great benefits to residents/businesses where established elsewhere.

What do you think of the concept?
Let us have your comments/views. 
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ARTHUR SHEPHARD

There was very sad news of Arthur Shephard’s passing in early June. His life was honoured by the community at a celebration at the Rotunda where a large number of residents, friends and family paid tribute to his big role in administering and participating in the Neighbourhood Watch Initiative and his important project of restoring the Little Glen Nature Reserve to its former glory, in fact taking it to a new level of safety and provision of amenities.

A memorial plaque in his honour will be erected in due course. His wife, Paulene, and his family were so thankful for the visits and messages of support from members of our community and the offers to contribute to the future upkeep and maintenance of the Little Glen Project area.

The CBRRA have applied to the City to have the Little Glen Nature Reserve renamed to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park.

A survey for everyone in favour of this proposed renaming will be circulated in due course. Please look out for this process to ensure you take part, which will be followed by a Public Participation process from the City of Cape Town's Renaming Committee.


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FAREWELL TO JOHN POWELL
John Powell who has served on the Ratepayers Committee for over 30 years (and what a contribution he has made!) has reluctantly resigned. John and Kay have moved to Rondebosch. We hope to still see them when they visit Camps Bay. We want to extend an enormous thanks to John for his contribution towards preserving some of the old character of the area and civic matters in general. John, you and your invaluable input will certainly be missed.

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NEW MANCO MEMBERS




Neil Gardner


Eban Tucker


Neil Gardner and Eban Tucker have been co-opted to the Manco and both have already made positive contributions! It is so good to have some fresh energy, and more would be welcome!


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 LET US KNOW

We aim to foster a greater cohesion between residents and the City of Cape Town in Camps bay. Are there any other issues, which you feel need the attention of CBRRA?

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Cape Talk The City affords the public a chance to comment on the Clifton development plan

The City of Cape Town will present its proposed development vision for the Clifton Development Precinct in a public meeting scheduled for the 19th of September.
The land between the Clifton Bungalows and Camps Bay has been earmarked as an area that needs regeneration.
The City has been criticised for its plans to sell the sites of the Glen Country Club and Bungalow restaurant to a private sector developer.
Alderman Ian Neilson, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Finance for the City of Cape Town spoke to CapeTalk’s Kieno Kammies about the City’s plans for Clifton.
This is underutilised piece of land and there are degraded buildings not as good as they should be and we believe there’s value to be head-out of this land
— Alderman Ian Neilson, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Finance
According to Neilson, they propose to retain the sporting areas and to increase access to the beach front. He also spoke about an underground parking garage and a commercial space with an anchor retail tenant.
Once the renovations are completed, the City will put the land for tender (for someone to purchase) or on lease.
An opportunity is being awarded to members of the public to submit questions about the development by the 16th of September.

LISTEN to Alderman Ian Neilson and CBRRA Chair Chris Willemse on Cape Talk regarding this issue.

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Court rules for bowling over pupils

Cape Town - Camps Bay Bowling Club members will be able to enjoy their greens for a while longer following a recent court ruling.
The Western Cape High Court overturned the city council’s decision to change the club’s lease conditions so that it fell within the ambit of the Western Cape government which, in turn, gave notice to the bowling club to move premises.
Mayco member for Finance Ian Neilson said: “The initial decision of council is, therefore, reverted to, which is that the Western Cape government must obtain a rezoning of the property before the lease is entered into. The bowling club can remain on the premises until the rezoning is completed, or until the expiry of their lease in 2018, whichever comes first.”
The Western Cape Department of Education had sought to rezone the land, on which the club is located, for the expansion of Camps Bay Primary School’s preparatory campus.
Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the situation was unfortunate for the pupils at the school. “The effect is that the club can continue using its facilities for the benefit of its few members (about 65) of the club, whilst the children will continue to be denied access to sport and recreational facilities, especially given that there is another club within 1.2km which could easily accommodate members of both clubs.”
She said that the education department would continue with the rezoning process.
Four alternative sites in Camps Bay were also looked at by the department, and each had its own sustainability and rezoning challenges, according to the school’s website.
“The land formerly leased by the Camps Bay Bowling Club appears to be the most viable in terms of cost, proximity and immediate utilisation of the land,” read the website.
The club once boasted 300 members and had three bowling greens of 6 700m2.
The school argues that 245 Grade R to Grade 2 pupils were “squeezed onto two 670m2 of land across the road. The school was forced to relocate a satellite class of Grade 2 learners to the primary school and had to add an additional classroom to accommodate the Department of Education’s three-stream system.”
The club’s Matthew Bater said discussions would continue with the school to find a way forward.
“Despite the judgment being given in our favour, I point out that the Camps Bay Bowling Club is committed to finding a shared solution that will see it, the school and the community enjoying the property it currently occupies.”
Bater added that the club was happy with the decision as “it allows the affected parties an opportunity to achieve the shared solution the club has always been desirous of achieving.”
Camps Bay Primary School principal Stuart Collier said he was disappointed with the decision.
“It is quite a long wait to 2018 as the school is overpopulated.
“The parents are also disappointed because they were hoping to get access to the underused facility, there is a gravel parking lot that is not utilised at all.
“We were really hoping we would get access to a portion that would be developed as a play place.”
He added that when the school obtains access to the land on or before 2018, it hopes to use the space to create more classrooms as well as sports fields.
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
Cape Argus

Read the judgement ‹‹here››

Court reprieve for Camps Bay Bowling Clu



A Western Cape High Court decision will allow the Camps Bay Bowling Club to remain in place until 2018.

Camps Bay Bowling Club members will be able to enjoy their greens for a while longer following a recent court ruling.

The Western Cape High Court overturned the city council's decision to change the club's lease conditions so that it fell within the ambit of the Western Cape government which, in turn, gave notice to the bowling club to move premises.

Mayco member for Finance Ian Neilson said: "The initial decision of council is, therefore, reverted to, which is that the Western Cape government must obtain a rezoning of the property before the lease is entered into. The bowling club can remain on the premises until the rezoning is completed, or until the expiry of their lease in 2018, whichever comes first."

The provincial Department of Education had sought to rezone the land, on which the club is located, for the expansion of Camps Bay Primary School's preparatory campus.

Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the situation was unfortunate for the pupils at the school. "The effect is that the club can continue using its facilities for the benefit of its few members (about 65) of the club, whilst the children will continue to be denied access to sport and recreational facilities, especially given that there is another club within 1.2km which could easily accommodate members of both clubs."

She said that the education department would continue with the rezoning process.

Four alternative sites in Camps Bay were also looked at by the department, and each had its own sustainability and rezoning challenges, according to the school's website.

"The land formerly leased by the Camps Bay Bowling Club appears to be the most viable in terms of cost, proximity and immediate utilisation of the land," read the website.

The club once boasted 300 members and had three bowling greens of 6 700m2.

The school argues that 245 Grade R to Grade2 2 pupils were "squeezed onto two 670m of land across the road. The school was forced to relocate a satellite class of Grade 2 learners to the primary school and had to add an additional classroom to accommodate the Department of Education's three-stream system."

The club's Matthew Bater said discussions would continue with the school to find a way forward.

"Despite the judgment being given in our favour, I point out that the Camps Bay Bowling Club is committed to finding a shared solution that will see it, the school and the community enjoying the property it currently occupies."

Bater added that the club was happy with the decision as "it allows the affected parties an opportunity to achieve the shared solution the club has always been desirous of achieving."

Camps Bay Primary School principal Stuart Collier said he was disappointed with the decision.

"It is quite a long wait to 2018 as the school is overpopulated.

"The parents are also disappointed because they were hoping to get access to the underused facility, there is a gravel parking lot that is not utilised at all.

"We were really hoping we would get access to a portion that would be developed as a play place."

He added that when the school obtains access to the land on or before 2018, it hopes to use the space to create more classrooms as well as sports fields.

Cape Argus

Saturday 22 August 2015

GCTCA Annual Chairmans report 2015

GREATER CAPE TOWN CIVIC ALLIANCE

ANNUAL REPORT AND ADDRESS OF THE CHAIRMAN TO THE AGM OF THE GCTCA ON 15 AUGUST 2015 AT GRASSY PARK

Ladies and gentlemen

At the outset I wish to pay homage to one of our Executive Committee members John Gray, who passed away.  We remember him as a tireless fighter, grappling with disrespectful developments in the De Waterkant and Bo Kaap.   He embodied the spirit of community activism and he will be sorely missed. I invite you all to stand for a moment in respect of this worthy civic activist.

There are so many issues gripping our minds right now and it is virtually impossible to cover it all in a report of this nature.

We live in interesting times.  Unemployment increased by 60% over the last 21 years.  Statistics show that 54% of the population live below the poverty line. The cost of raising a wage is increasing with increases in transportation and petrol cost. We face threats to our food security. Safety of our citizens has become problematic and corruption is increasing in all spheres of our society, in private as well as public institutions.

It is in this environment that an organisation such as GCTCA operates and its work is affected by all these factors. 

The diminishing public participation space and the whittling away of real democracy remains a concern. We are concerned and would encourage citizens to start looking at alternative, peaceful ways of ensuring your vote means something.

Sometimes there is some dim light at the end of the tunnel to be observed and we wish to congratulate the Princess Vlei Forum on its achievements in saving the Vlei but also in engaging the City now in the appropriate development of the area. We look forward to seeing that space turned into a happy place.

The ominous head of the monster of inappropriate development seems to be coming out of the ground so often that one needs to be in full time employment to engage with unbridled and reckless development.  This report will touch on some of those issues.

Limited time does not allow us to focus on all your issues but we wish to encourage you to continue and wherever the GCTCA collective can be of assistance, please do call on us.

RATES AND MUNICPAL CHARGES

Municipal rates remains a continuing concern, especially when it appears that it is now regarded as a means of ripping the poor ratepayer to cover the spiralling cost of a bloated bureaucracy. 
The current increases are way above the inflation rate and obviously has the effect of making the citizen poorer. It is very rare for salaries to increase by 10% or more, yet the citizen workers of Cape Town have to face a municipal increase in rates, water and sanitation of over 11%.  The CPI at March 2015 was estimated at 4% and the increases in all categories of municipal charges are well over double the reflected inflation rate. We believe this shows scant regard for the affordability of ratepayers.  The GCTCA believes that the increase in municipal costs to the ratepayer should be pegged at no more than the inflation rate, which is now below 6%.  We recommend that the City seriously consider how it allocates its funds.  The use of consultants at exhorbitant fees should be curtailed; the so-called specialised staff in the office of the Mayor could be limited to only functions that are vital for the administration of the City and not for political power control.  Perhaps the City of Cape Town should consider if it really needs over 200 councillors at huge costs to the ratepayers.

THE BY-LAW ON MUNICPAL PLANNING

The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013 (Act16 of 2013) (SPLUMA) came into effect on 1 July 2015.

LUPO (Ordinance 15 of 1985), which gave communities the right to object to developments if it was felt not to be desirable or in the best interest of a particular community, will be repealed.

It would appear that the voice of the ratepayer is being silenced by the new municipal bylaw on planning (MBL).  Regulation will allow developments to be approved without consultation with the ratepayers and community. A closer study of the MBL reveal quite wide ranging powers given to the City to exclude public participation, e.g the City can decide whom it feels would be appropriate to consult. This means it could bypass the local ratepayer and civic organisations thus denying organised community structures a voice.

UNBRIDLED AND SOMEWHAT RECKLESS DEVELOPMENT

Development of infrastructure and the built environment can be a wonderfully prosperous enterprise if undertaken in the best interest of the whole of society and not only to enrich a few.  Over the last few years we have seen a plethora of unwise and inappropriate developments, encroaching on nature reserves, taking away public open spaces – all in the name of generating more rates income for the City.  We question whether the money imperative should be the only driving force for development in the City of Cape Town.  The battle to save farmland and good agricultural space in Durbanville, such as Uitkamp continues to be a stark reminder that if we are not more vigilant, this beautiful City of ours will be turned into a concrete jungle.
We salute the Durbanville Community Forum and George Sieraha, our deputy Chairman for their valiant struggle against big money power. 

The GCTCA has been at pains to explain that tourists come to Cape Town to see the beauty of nature and if this kind of unbridled, unwise development theory continues to be put into practice, Cape Town will lose its attraction to tourists.
CLIFTON DEVELOPMENT

The GCTCA is keeping a close watch on developments regarding the proposals to take away some more public open space for a major commercial development at Camps Bay.  Concerns include the prospect of more congestion in an already congested area, the minimising of spaces where the community can enjoy recreation, and of course the deficient public participation processes around this matter.

The following quote from representations made by the Camps Bay Ratepayers Association says so much about the concerns of the people.

Although this is part of the Mayor’s strategic development initiative,
it is not in the public interest that political motivation for “better utilization”
of City-owned land, with its narrow financial benefits for political agendas,
be placed before reasoned town planning, environmental and public
amenity considerations”.

Information available to us indicate that much of the area affected by the development has been a declared a heritage site for 70 years and it appears as if this will be changed without public participation to suit the needs of developers.  The Mail and Guardian article of 10 July 2015 is recommended reading for more understanding of the issue.


LOAD SHEDDING

Unfortunately, power outages have become a reality in our lives.  The demand on our energy resources is rising every day for a number of reasons, some of it being bad management and others related to the increase in users of electricity.  No doubt, this is having a negative impact on the economy and therefore denying us all that promised better life.  You would have read many of the representations on behalf of the GCTCA in the media.  More about this and other issues taken up by the GCTCA will be found on our website www.gctca.org.za.   There is a shortage of LP Gas, yet government policy allows exports to our neighbouring countries.  The GCTCA has been applying its mind to this issue for some time and today one of our executive committee members, Mr David Lipschitz will be presenting a talk on the energy crises.  We could all be saved a lot of anxiety and our economy could be energised if only the authorities would listen and take heed of sound advice.  But more on that form our speaker later.


THE CAPE TOWN STADIUM

It has always been the position of the GCTCA that the building of the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point was a bad decision.  The local ratepayers raised concerns, which were ignored or just explained away. Good information about experiences of other countries were ignored and at the behest of the ultimate usurper, we bowed down at the altar of civic management madness and political correctness. 
The latest fiasco with the Cape Town Soccer Cup 2015, proved the point that this was an ill-advised development.  Voices have gone up for the demolition of this white elephant, which is costing the ratepayers of Cape Town over R60m a year to maintain. The GCTCA supports that view and we wish common sense would prevail. The feeble efforts to turn this monstrosity into something useful has been singularly disastrous and the time has come for the City to make take the plunge and do what is right by the ratepayers.

TAKING THE PLUNGE – SEWERAGE IN THE OCEAN

We expressed concern about the negative impact of the sewerage outfall into the ocean along our beautiful coast.   Media reports have indicated, “some 786 million litres of polluted water was being discharged into the sea daily”.  This is shocking and the City, now having been shown the folly of its ways, is in the process of applying for permits to keep on doing what environmentalists consider being an outrage.  Human beings have suffered the effects of this pollution as well as marine life.

The GCTCA engaged the national government on this matter.   We believe the City of Cape Town is taking an arrogant stance on this matter as Len Swimmer, our first Deputy chairman said:

with the Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services,
 Cllr Ernest Sonnenberg, displaying a self-satisfied attitude believing
 that the City could not be doing anything wrong.
On 25 June 2015 Sonnenberg said that the City intends continuing
to use their outfalls for the next 20 years and that there is no land
available to do anything else – there is no intention whatsoever
to even consider proper treatment plants for sewage”.

 The GCTCA again, makes a call on the City to consider more efficient and environmentally safe ways of dealing with sewerage.  We urge the City to explore alternative technologies.

DENSIFICATION

We live in an inefficient and unequal city.  Poorer workers live far from their places of employment and the distribution of income is also not equal. 

The GCTCA invested some energy in the question of densification. We seem to be at odds with the City about its densification policies. 
Urban sprawl, and the need to encroach on sensitive land could be obviated if more attention is given to development of higher density housing closer to transport routes. Our position is that densification should take place next to railway routes, taxi routes and bus transport routes and not in already overcrowded sub-economic housing estates.  The obvious advantage in our model is the saving in travelling time and travelling cost to get to work as well as the reduction of congestion on our roads. 



LIQUOR OUTLETS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.

The GCTCA made various representations and alerted communities to the developments regarding liquor policy.  Alcohol abuse has been a scourge in the majority of our communities.   A recent report by government indicates that  Statistics on the liquor industry relating to manufacturers and distributors showed that there were 35 distributors in 2003 and currently there were over 2 000 licensees. The total recorded alcohol per capita consumption in liters of pure alcohol for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries showed South Africa had the second highest consumption at 27.1 litres alcohol per capita. South Africa had one of the riskiest drinking patterns in the world and ranked in the top five. South Africans drink, on average, 53% more than the rest of Africa. Alcohol was the third leading cause of premature death and disability in South Africa. Tangible financial costs of harmful alcohol use alone were equivalent to 1.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). South Africa was also a global leader in terms of alcohol related harms, with 10 times the global average for male homicides and twice the global average for road injury deaths.
While the national Government is adhering to the WHO recommendations to restrict the easy access to liquor, especially in vulnerable communities, the Western Cape Government seems hell-bent to oppose the restriction that liquor premises to be located at least 500 meters away from schools, places of worship, recreation facilities, and rehabilitation centres, residential areas and public institutions.
The GCTCA will keep up the fight to eradictae shebeening in residentail areas.
THANKS AND APPRECIATION
I acknowledge the support of members of the Executive Committee, who attended our monthly meetings regularly.  Thank you for taking up issues in the interest of our communities.
We thank LOFOB for making its facilities available for our meetings.
We thank the media for taking on our issues and giving us voice.
It is my wish that the new committee would continue the good work started and especially show a brave face under the circumstances where community activism is under attack. 
SAY SOMETHING AND DO SOMETHING!

PHILIP BAM
CHAIRMAN
15 August 2015.