Environment Portfolio report back at AGM

Report back on the Environment Portfolio at the Camps Bay Ratepayers Association AGM :

Camps Bay Ratepayers Association AGM 7 November 2022

1. When I started picking up litter in Camps Bay almost 3 years ago I could not have through that picking up litter could be seen to be sexy – it felt like a thankless task, and my friends were embarrassed to walk with me and were worried that I would catch COVID! Receiving a City of Cape Town Civic Award last year and walking in a clean Camps Bay every day has made it all worth while.

2. Who do we have to thank? – Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined us on 27 May, with a record turn-out of 77 persons filling 145 bags, with his #springcleancapetown and ‘Let’s keep Cape Town Clean, together’ campaign.

3. In the past 12 months we have filled 600 bags with litter as a Community of Camps Bay residents doing Beach Cleans once a month, and on public holidays and hot weekend days

4. Gift and Joy have cleaned litter hotspots throughout the year, 395 bags full, at vagrant structures and sleeping places, on Camps Bay Drive, corner Tree and Geneva Drive, along Victoria Road in Balie Bay, at the Simmonds Field, and at the pump Station in the main.

5. A total of close to 1000 bags filled in the past 12 months.

6. I started a Camps Bay Clean What’s App Group a year ago, which has grown to 72 members, reporting Litter Hotspots, announcing Community Clean ups, providing feedback about clean ups, and requests to the City of Cape Town to assist with more difficult clean ups.

7. The Cleansing Department of Cape Town is gearing up for the Festive Season, with teams of morning, afternoon and even evening cleaners, clearing bins and cleaning the lawns and beaches. Ricardo Thompson with his assistant Rafeeqah and Mr Goliath are doing a fantastic job for Camps Bay in responding to requests for morning and afternoon cleaning issues. Ten additional green litter bins will be added to the Tidal Pool area. I’m delighted to hear that bins will be numbered so that I can report damaged bins.

8. Thank you to our hands-on Councillor Nicola Jowell for participating in clean-ups and for assisting in applying for another 2000 bags. To the Ratepayers Association and Harcourts Atlantic for a monthly fee to pay Joy and Gift. To the members of our community who have donated cold drinks and energy biscuits, as well as gift vouchers, for Gift and Joy. To The 41 Restaurant for supplying a beverage to each beach cleaner and a Burger prize to the person collecting the most litter. And to I Know a Guy recycling and Clearer Conscience Recycling for their support. And to the Camps Bay Primary School.

9. And last but not least for our community support in reporting litter hot spots and for participating in clean ups. We hope to count on you to assist cleaning up at the end of the day on the three Festive Season public holiday days and on hot weekend days.

THANK YOU

Chris von Ulmenstein

Camps Bay Clean

Camps Bay Ratepayers Association

0825511323