Proposed Recreational Water Use By-law

CBRRA - Byron Herbert	May 17 (1 day ago)
to Matthew, CBRRA

Hi Mathew

As per usual the city have many new bylaws which they wish to rush through and pass almost simultaneously and as such one has to be skeptical of how sincere these are to the well being of the general public, or if there are ulterior agendas, which one would hope to not be the case.

Taking a cursory glance at the two water bylaws ie the one relating to use of water for households and the other being use of water bodies for recreational purposes, it appears that they are creating even more avenues to prosecute people and generate fines, rather than dealing with the real issues of policing current by-laws and managing the water resource properly. A recent study was done and it showed that the average time it took the city to repair a burst council main was Days, and more recently a burst main in Hout Bay took them more than a month to rectify even after the councilor tried to get involved, a problem that was resolved in a matter of minutes when the burst mains team eventually came out.

It has in fact been suggested the increase in the water tariff was not so much to reduce water consumption, but rather to ensure the city didn’t loose revenue due to lower consumption, a very plausible argument.

On the Recreational Water Use by-law, what I did find rather puzzling is that they appear to want to create there own rules pertaining to Safety Officers (generally known as Life Guards), and rather than using the National body of South African Surf Lifesaving with their extensive knowledge and expertise, the city have the notion that they can do there own thing. Last season, aside from everything else the city employed a fraction of the recommended number of lifeguards and put the beach users at grave danger and had it not been for the dedication and passion of the active surf lifesavers and volunteers the drownings would have read like traffic statistics, and then on top of this I have been told that the paid life gaurds where instructed by the City “ not to report all incidents as this would negatively impact on the blue flag beach safety record” A truly bizarre approach.

Needless to say there are so many regulations pertaining to so many different things all thrown into two documents, and as a result its not possible to fully understand the impact of each one, and any ramifications, which I fear is the intent.

Kind Regards

Byron Herbert

(Office) 021 438 3888

(Mobile) 083 625 0430

(Email) ByronHerbert@CBRRA.co.za

CAMPS BAY & CLIFTON RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION

From: Matthew Hirsch [mailto:matthew.hirsch@inl.co.za]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 10:30 AM
To: Byron Herbert
Subject: Fwd: MEDIA RELEASE: News highlights from the Subcouncil 16 meeting held on 16 May 2016

Hy Byron 

This is the Statement that was sent out. Here is the subcouncil agenda. It is item 6, thanks. https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/CouncilOnline/Pages/ViewSubCouncilMeetingDetails.aspx?RecurrenceId=14869

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Media Account <Media.Account@capetown.gov.za>

Date: 16 May 2016 at 16:23

Subject: MEDIA RELEASE: News highlights from the Subcouncil 16 meeting held on 16 May 2016

To: 

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

16 MAY 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

News highlights from the Subcouncil 16 meeting held on 16 May 2016

Headlines:

·         Extracts from the Chairperson’s Report

·         Proposed Recreational Water Use By-law

·         Refurbishment of the Lightfoot Memorial Fountain

Extracts from the Chairperson’s Report

Water is a scarce resource and it is therefore prudent that the City of Cape Town better monitor and control water use. In order to align and provide for the control and regulation of water services in the City, it’s necessary to amend the current Recreational Water Use By-law. The draft is being tabled today and is open for public comment.

Included in the Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department report is a list of programmes and events that have taken place in the past six months in the Good Hope Subcouncil. It reflects an impressive number and range of activities and events.

Not often recognised is the ancillary functions that the City performs for activities and events that take place in Cape Town. For example, the Disaster Risk Management Centre plays a vital role in minimising risks and responding to disasters. Similarly, the Fire and Rescue Service does much more than putting out fires. Fire and life safety education and awareness activities form an extensive part of the department’s actions. In the first three months of this year, the Hout Bay Fire Station dealt with 106 medical and trauma walk-in patients.

The Subcouncil also says goodbye to a familiar official who has been with the Subcouncil for many years. Paul Kadalie will be leaving the City of Cape Town at the end of May after 35 years of dedicated service. I will be handing a certificate to Paul while he attends his last subcouncil meeting.  

Proposed Recreational Water Use By-law

The Subcouncil noted the proposed Recreational Water Use By-law which seeks to regulate recreational water use activities, thereby making the use of city water bodies safer.

The City of Cape Town has a number of water bodies that support a variety of activities such as yachting, canoeing, power boating, fishing, kite- and wind-surfing and model boating.

Not only do several formal clubs utilise these facilities, but they also support extensive residential housing components. A number of these water bodies are ecologically sensitive environments and are situated in nature reserves.

It has become necessary to align the By-law with national regulations for inland bodies.

Chapter 2 of the By-law deals with vessel compliance and safety as well as restrictions and mooring of vessels. Chapter 3 deals with fishing, prohibited ways of catching fish, and exemption for scientific purposes.

The By-law follows a participatory approach, making provision for advisory forums consisting of representatives from interested parties to assist with the management of the facilities.

The new By-law, if approved by Council and promulgated by the Western Cape Government, will make water bodies safer for all to enjoy. The Subcouncil has the opportunity to comment on the new By-law.

The new draft By-law aligns with the National Regulations for Recreational Water Use under the Merchant Shipping Act and the National Small Vessels Safety Regulations, 2007.

Refurbishment of the Lightfoot Memorial Fountain

The Subcouncil noted the presentation on the refurbishment of the Lightfoot Memorial. The Subcouncil support the commitment to incorporate a review and upgrade of the broader environment as well as restoring the 109-year-old memorial. The location of the memorial is the site of where Archdeacon Lightfoot died.

Various City of Cape Town departments, in consultation with the ward councillor, Councillor Dave Bryant, will steer the process to involve all relevant role players.

An update on the proposals and final plan will be submitted to the Subcouncil.

End

Note to editors: a high-res version of the above photo of the certificate handover to Paul Kadalie is available on request to media.account@capetown.gov.za

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Alderman Demetri Qually, Acting Chairperson: Subcouncil 16, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 487 2001 or Cell: 071 855 9554, E-mail: DemetriLance.Qually@capetown.gov.za

--

Matthew Hirsch

Atlantic Sun

Reporter/ Photographer 

0214884621