Citizen of the Year
David Erickson was awarded Citizen of the Year at the August General Meeting of the STCA. After moving to Simon’s Town some 3 years ago David Erickson immediately set about integrating himself into our community. He joined the Civic Association and volunteered to work on the Executive Committee, he became extremely active in the Historical Society, and was secretary to the Architectural Advisory Committee. He used his experience as a Consultant Engineer to tackle a variety of urban conservation, geotechnical and planning issues, and was like a bulldog worrying at the Provincial and City heritage and planning authorities to ensure that they fulfilled their mandate competently and correctly. David and his camera were everywhere, recording important happenings, and sharing articles and photographs with the local press. David helped anyone who asked, expertly lobbying authorities, performing secretarial duties, and capturing data for the community. He served on the Community Police Forum Executive and ran the Sector 2 Neighbourhood Watch sub-forum. Unexpectedly David had to return to the United Kingdom. His contribution to Simon’s Town is greatly missed and we look forward to his return in a few years.
A Special Award was made to Harry Croome in recognition of his unstinting willingness to voluntarily, usually of his own initiative, undertake numerous tasks after working hours and at weekends. He clears overgrown, alien vegetation, has unearthed benches whose view has been obstructed, repairs what he sees broken, not waiting for someone else to do it, and has tirelessly cleaned up public areas including around the blockhouses, the gun batteries, the naval water tank, and the Old Burying Ground.
The Railway Line
At the General Meeting, Mr Louis Beukes, Senior Manager, Infrastructure, Metrorail Western Cape assured Simon’s Town that the Cape Town to Simon’s Town line was one of Metrorail’s top priority lines. Metrorail had no intention of selling off any of it. He said that repairs on the line would commence within the next two weeks once the Tender Award had been signed, and that the whole repair should be completed some 3 months after start, depending on weather and rock availability. Rocks will be railed in from Somerset West – 10 rail trucks per day, and work will only take place between sunrise and sunset. The whole job is budgeted at R29 million.
New STCA Chairperson
As of the middle of August, Rear Admiral (JG) Arne Soderlund has taken over the Chair of the STCA Executive Committee as Dr Lesley Shackleton has served the 3 years mandated by the STCA Constitution. Arne was unanimously elected Chair, and Lesley has taken over the Vice Chairmanship from Sir Rupert Bromley. Roy Burnie, who has served on the Community Police Forum for many years, has been co-opted onto the STCA Exco to replace Arne in the Safety and Security Portfolio. Lesley Shackleton will continue with the Newsletter and will be responsible for liaison with other civic organisations. In the recent Exco meeting at which these changes were made the need for additional expertise and help in the Property Portfolio was again raised. The STCA is actively looking for a volunteer to assist with monitoring the many, and often controversial, building and development proposals in our area.
Valuations and Rates
As people receive their first rates bills, it is emerging that once again there have been errors in data capture. A number of residents in the Murdoch Valley / Froggy Farm area are finding that even though they accepted a reduced valuation at the local valuation office set up in Simon’s Town during April, that data has been lost and they are being charged rates on the City’s original valuation. Another problem relates to vacant plots. Notices responding to objections to the values of plots (the City’s revaluation) have been delivered to those empty plots (street addresses, not rates bill addresses) and so have not reached their owners. This has also resulted in unexpectedly large rates bills and the City saying that those owners have lost their 30 days grace in which to appeal their re-valuations. We urge you to insist on your rights and fight for a fair process.
Baboons
There is little good news associated with baboons. The three responsible agencies have not yet signed the Tripartite Agreement in which they all accept responsibility and pledge financial support. The new Management Tender has not yet been awarded – it is now due to become operational at the beginning of October. The City has been stepping in to provide interim funding for the management of the 5 Peninsula troops that have been managed over the past months, but this continues to leave the Waterfall Troop and that in Welcome Glen unmanaged. The STCA and local residents have been raising funds to try to manage an increasingly unruly Waterfall Troop, but funds are drying up and have not in any case been sufficient to provide the level of equipment (communication and vehicle) necessary to keep proper tabs on the Troop. The STCA has sent a lawyer’s letter to the City demanding that they take responsibility for the health and safety of residents and property owners in the Waterfall area. We are not holding our breath. Take a look at the most recent Scenic South newsletter to see tips on how to keep baboons away from your property http://www.scenicsouth.co.za/2010/07/.
Note for Waterfall Troop area: We have a new local baboon hotline for this area and all residents are encouraged to report any sightings of the troop in the Waterfall/Admiral’s Kloof/Central Simon’s Town area to 074 464 0997. This will help the Happy Valley Baboon Chasers to follow and chase the troop.
Residents in all areas (including the Waterfall area) are also encouraged to report baboon sightings to the Baboon Hotline 071 588 6540. These calls are logged by the Nature Conservation Corporation and provide data which determines how much management effort is required in each area. There is also a new email primatefactfile@yahoo.com for residents to log raiding incidents. This will assist the UCT Baboon Research Unit in knowing what food is taken/eaten; but most important it will build up a record of threatening accounts to back up the need for City support.
Property issues
Contrary to what some developers might think, the STCA is not outright against all property development. Simon’s Town needs sensible, appropriate development which complies with the Simon’s Town Structure Plan and does not breech the Urban Edge. For these reasons we have recently objected to the Marine Oil site development that was offered to us (an estimated maximum of 785 residential units) and the developments proposed in Erf 1 in Glencairn. We continue to object development along the coast requiring departures which obscure neighbours’ and key scenic views. The unsightly development on Erf 1645 in Gay Road is now attempting to obtain retrospective approval from the Province for not having complied with National Environmental Management Act regulations requiring an EIA. We continue to object to this development that looms above the Boulders National Park.
Environment
Should anyone be considering installing a solar water, Cilla Bromley who has recently gone through this exercise (which was not as straight forward as she had expected) has offered to share her experiences. She can be contacted on cilla@bromley.co.za or 021 782 6400.
Rainfall statistics – Correction to email address
Hylton Conacher’s rainfall statistics are very interesting and clearly show how we are presently experiencing a very dry winter. Please note the correction to Hylton’s email address which was incorrect in the July newsletter: It should have been hylton@conacher.co.za. Please contact him if you would like to sign up to receive the monthly and historic rainfall statistics.
Plant Sale
The residents who have planted and are maintaining the attractive garden at the Main Road turn-off into Murdock Valley South will be holding a plant sale to support their ‘growing’ initiative. Plants, mainly indigenous, will be on sale at the Murdock Valley South / Main Road intersection between 09h00 and 11h00 on Saturday 28 August. All are welcome to come and get bargains! The hardworking gardeners thank all Murdock Valley residents who have already contributed towards the beautifying of their neighbourhood. There is also an appeal for a PETROL lawnmower and/or PETROL weed-eater for maintenance of the street garden. Please contact Maxie Burger 021-786 1459 if you can help.
Navy News
During September and October the SA Navy will be participating in the bi-annual joint operation with the Indian and Brazilian navies. Their vessels will be visiting Durban and Port Elizabeth and will end up in Cape Town towards the end of September. The operation will include mock battles, including firing of guns. The Navy is aware of whales and says that they plan to be firing here only once the whales have left False Bay. They also urge those with animals sensitive to noise to ensure that they are on the list to receive advance warning of any firing. To check that you are on the list, please contact Rachel Khumalo on 201 787 4735. Residents with any Navy related queries are invited to phone Commander Greylingh van der Berg 021-787 4697.
2011 Ward Councillor
The STCA would like to urge all voters in Ward 61 to be active in ensuring that the political party they vote for does not “plonk” an outsider into our Ward as our new Ward Councillor when Cllr Nicki Holderness retires. It is apparently the political party who decides who will represent a Ward on the City Council, not us the voters. In the past there was an attempt to foist a candidate from another part of Cape Town onto the Ward. The STCA believes that it is essential that our Councillor whom we have to work with knows Simon’s Town and the Far South well and has lived here for many years. Please do all you can to promote this important principle.
Motor Licensing
It is hoped that the long anticipated motor vehicle driver’s testing and licensing centre will open at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre during September 2010. This will enable locals to take driver’s tests and renew their licences without having to go over the mountain. Also useful is the new motor vehicle registration and licensing site provided by the City at www.capetown.gov.za/vehiclelicensing. According to the City: “The new site provides useful information for motorists and businesses with vehicles registered by the City. It features a list of Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing(MVR) offices, a handy ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section and an online vehicle licence payment facility”. There is also a new online vehicle licence payment facility which enables residents to pay their licence fees by EFT from their banking web site.
Membership and Subs
Many thanks to those who have paid their subs and apologies to those who were reflected as not having paid but who were in fact paid up (Tunbridge, Ensor Smith, A Smith among others). We also urge you to encourage your neighbours and friends to join the STCA – strong civic action is essential in dealing with the centralisation of power in the MegaCity.
Reporting issues to the City
Issues needing the City’s attention can also be reported directly to the Sub-council Manager, either by email to Mailto://desiree.mentor@capetown.gov.za, fax 021- 782 1185, or by dropping off a note at the Sub-council offices at Fish Hoek (something written on paper is preferable to a telephone conversation). Please keep Desiree Mentor informed of progress / or lack of progress so that she can follow-up if necessary.
The following 5 points must be detailed in each report, and each issue must be reported separately, on a separate piece of paper or email.
- 1. Date: (of submitting the request)
- 2. Category: (Roads, Waste Management, Parks, Water supply, Graffiti, etc)
- 3. From: (full name of person submitting the request)
- 4. Contact details: (street address, and telephone number, and email if used)
- 5. Detailed description of the problem (this must include the exact location – eg not just a street name, but opposite which house number, or which end of a beach)
Simon’s Town Handbook
Copies of the Simon’s Town Handbook are available at the STADCO parking office on Jubilee Square (this is the “shop” on Jubilee Square, Simon’s Town, which is nearest to the main road).
Subscriptions
STCA membership fees (R50 per annum per household) become due on 1 January 2010. Please pay membership fees at the STADCO parking office on Jubilee Square during office hours, or post a cheque made out to ‘STCA’, clearly stating who it is from, to P O Box 47, Simon’s Town, 7995.
New members must give the STCA contact details so as to be put onto the Newsletter mailing list.
Please encourage neighbours and friends to join the STCA
Emergency numbers:
- Simon’s Town Police: 021 786-8646 or 8647
- Fish Hoek Emergency Control Centre: 021 782 0333, 782-0444
- Metro Police (Law Enforcement): 021 784 2033
- Fire and Emergency: 107 from Telkom phones, 112 from cell phones
- Roads, potholes and stormwater: 0860 103 054 (24 Hours)
- Water/Sewage Emergencies: 0860 103 054 (24 hours)
- · To report people tossing burning cigarette butts into vegetation: 021 424 7715
- · Cable theft, toll free 24/7 hotline: 0800 222 771.
- To report people feeding baboons: 021 957-5937or 959-5900
- Baboon emergencies: 071 588-6540 (all hours).
STCA Web Page: http://www.stcivic.info/
P. O. Box 47
Simon’s Town
795
Compiled by Dr. Lesley Shackleton
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