CBRRA Ward Committee report back Apr 2013

From: Chris Willemse
Date: 01 May 2013
To: Lucille Muller, Vivienne Sasman
Subject: Ward Committee report back Apr 2013

Hi Lucille & Vivienne
Herewith report back from John Powell and me - although different Wards, the CBRRA acts as one association and can therefore only generate one report back.
I trust that this is OK.
Cheers
Chris

Click on image to enlarge:

LETTER FROM

Friends of Camps Bay Beaches

Recommendations

Friends of Camps Bay Beaches (FCBB) has used the Table Mountain National Park policy on people walking with dogs as a guideline for these recommendations.

We are a group of citizens concerned with the environmental sustainability of Camps Bay and Glen Beaches, and with reasonable rights of access to the beaches for dogs accompanied by their owners (or handlers). FCBB consists of a group of about fifty interested stakeholders with representatives in a working group mandated to negotiate with the appropriate administrative authorities. Our primary objective is to represent and protect the interests of the dog owning community while respecting the environment and the needs of other interest groups. FCBB members will offer education to other dog owners, other beach users and proximate residents and will act as a liaison between dog owners and the Camps Bay Ratepayers Association.

FCBB working group comprises the following members: Dorly Viollier, Mikki van Zyl, Pauline Mitchell, John Lazarus, Sonia Rees, Anita Suchland, Laurie Leve, Fay Silverman, Bernie Shelley, Peter Stoppel, Dafne Nienhuys. They can be contacted at friends_cb_beaches@mweb.co.za.
FCBB recognises that people who walk with dogs are diverse, and use the beaches for a variety of reasons. Many people, especially women and older people who do not want to venture into remote areas on their own for fear of crime, feel safe to exercise on Camps Bay beaches with their dogs because of its good visibility. They also enjoy the scenic beauty of the beach. Moreover, the mental and physical health benefits of caring for a valued pet is well documented, and includes exercising the dog.
FCBB members are deeply aware that dog ownership demands special responsibilities in ecologically sensitive areas and where there is potential conflict with other members of the public. However, the people who bring their dogs to the beach mostly have dogs that are trained and well socialised, and are accustomed to interacting with other dogs and people.

Some members of the working group have been walking their dogs on the beach for more than thirty years and note that the primary environmental impact on the beach is caused by people who are unconcerned with clearing up their own litter, such as bottles, broken glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, cigarette butts, rotten food and dirty disposable nappies. Regrettably, people who do not clear up their dog’s excrement form part of this group. We also noted inadequate facilities for disposing of litter and little enforcement of the regulations regarding littering. Amongst the regular dog walkers (the 60 or more members of FCBB) there has for decades been voluntary adherence to an informal code of conduct to remove their dog’s faeces from the beach. There has also been a culture of educating others who are observed not to be doing so.

Code of Conduct

FCBB therefore requests that people walking with dogs be allowed to use the beach under the following conditions.

1. Dogs must be under supervision and under control at all times. (Control will be defined as the ability of the handler to recall the dog/s to heel).
2. Dog handlers must always carry a leash for each dog.
3. If a dog exhibits uncontrolled behaviour it must immediately be put on its leash.
4. All dog handlers to carry bags for collecting and disposing of their dog’s faeces.
5. All dog faeces to be collected by the handler and disposed of in litter bins.
6. FCBB members will carry cards to show their membership as a sign of their commitment to the code of conduct.
7. FCBB members will continue to educate other members of the public about removing their dog excrement and keeping their dogs under control.

Times of access

After a trial period during the summer of 2012/2013 the following times were found to be suitable for walking with dogs on Camps Bay and Glen Beaches. It is recommended that Camps Bay and Glen beaches be treated the same. 1. In summer (1 November to 30 April) until 0900 in the morning (as it was for many years). 2. In winter (1 May to 31 October) all day (as has been the rule for at least twenty years or more). 3. In winter (1 May to 31 October) until 0900 on Glen Beach.

Note: the lawns between the street and the beach are considered to be part of the beach, and therefore the same rules regarding dog walking and littering apply.