| STCA NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2011 Compiled by Lesley Shackleton stcamail@gmail.com http://stcivic.info |
Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 16 February, 2011, 19h30
Please make every effort to attend the STCA AGM on Wednesday 16 February at the Simon’s Town Town Hall. This will be the last meeting at which Nicki Holderness will be our Ward Councillor and we have invited her to “speak her mind”. Nicki has served the greater Simon’s Town (and Fish Hoek, Ocean View and Kommetjie) communities since the 1970s. It is hard to imagine Simon’s Town civic matters without her. Central to Nicki’s message over the recent past is the critical importance of strong civic organisations. Increasingly. we cannot count on officials to monitor compliance with laws and policies. It is up to us, ratepayers, to ensure we get the services for which we pay ever increasing rates and taxes. So come to the AGM and bring your neighbours.
Local Government Elections
The predicted date for local government elections is 18 May 2011. Once the actual date has been proclaimed, people cannot register to vote, so we encourage all to be sure that they are registered to vote in the district where they live (Simon’s Town Town Hall, Glencairn Phoenix Hall, Da Gama Park Community Hall). The final registration weekend will be 5 & 6 March. The different parties are presently in the process of selecting candidates to put up for each Ward. This time round Councillors will only serve three years as the next Local Government Elections will take place with the National and Provincial Elections in 2014.
Property Issues
Residents adjacent to Hospital Terrace (Erf 4053) will have noticed activity on this site above the Town. This activity caused much concern as we were unaware that any development permission had been given. Investigation by the STCA revealed that, in order for the developers to get the extension they wanted of the rezoning approval process, they have been required to provide a geotechnical report. Three holes were drilled to determine the geology and hydrology of the area. Currently we are unaware of any building or development plans for the site being submitted. The STCA is monitoring activity closely.
The STCA property team worked intensively with the Far South Peninsula Community Forum (FSPCF) to make a presentation to the City and submit comprehensive comment on the City’s draft Spatial Development Framework. Of major concern are the lack of a prior Strategic Environmental Assessment, the confusion around Overlay Zones (which are essential under the new policy framework to protect the special features that characterise the South Peninsula), and the proposed flexibility of the urban edge. The full FSPCF comment is available to anyone who wishes to see it.
STCA Membership Dues for 2011
The STCA membership dues have been R50 for well over 10 years. Over the past year or so the STCA Executive Committee has debated increasing them, as expenses are barely covered. All members of the Executive volunteer their time and running expenses for free, but every now and then major outlay is required (eg to make a legal challenge or contribute to crisis in our area). At the
AGM we will be asking members whether they would support an increase, voluntary in 2011 but coming fully into effect in 2012.
Membership dues are now payable. As banks are now charging excessively for cheque deposits, we encourage people to pay cash (this can be done at the STADCO Parking Office on Jubilee Square or directly to our treasurer Tim Skea (021 786 4091) or by internet transfer. Details of how to pay are given below.
Metrorail
So much for the “ready before Christmas” promise…We have not received a revised completion date from Metrorail, but have been told that Atlantic Rail plan to have their Steam Train arrive in Simon’s Town on Sunday 27th February at around 12h00. We are encouraging residents to join the welcome we plan for this, the first train in year(s) to Simon’s Town – it will bring some 180 – 220 people. On a less cheerful note, there has been much concern over the environmental management of the repairs to the railway line. Longbeach is in a dreadful state and the strong winds have not helped. Makriel Beach in front of the old Marine Oil site has almost disappeared with the widening of the rail protection zone. The STCA and City have been active in ensuring continued access to Makriel Beach, which is very popular with dog-walkers. Steps and a simple, narrow concrete strip for pulling up the trek fishermen’s boat are being constructed.
Simon’s Town New Year’s Eve Community Picnic on Jubilee Square
Despite the wind, the Community Picnic was a great success and by popular vote it will be repeated. Residents and locally-based visitors, grandparents and grandchildren, all had a wonderful time, sharing their picnics and dancing to the excellent selection of music by Andre Smit. Entrance is only by pre-booked ticket and the number of tickets are limited.
St Patrick’s Day Celebration
There will be a St Patrick’s Day Celebration on Thursday, 17 March, 2011 at 19h30 in the Simon’s Town Town Hall. Tickets at R125 per person are sold in aid of Anchor’s Away Village for the mentally and physically disabled. Join the fun, and dress appropriately! Further information from Fran Spencer Smith, 021 286 1321 or 083 357 5822.
Save Water!
Hylton Conacher’s data shows that Simon’s Town has had significantly lower rainfall since May 2010 than in the previous year. In December, apart from 26 mm on the 2nd, we only received 3 mm, and there was only 2mm in January – that is a total of only 5 mm in 60 days!!! So again the reminder: Watering gardens, lawns, parks and open spaces with potable water is not allowed between the hours of 10:00 and 16:00. Please ensure that any helpers in your home are aware of this – it is disturbing to drive along our roads and see gardeners watering at midday in the howling South Easter or happily washing a car with our water pouring down the road.
If you wish to receive Hylton’s data each month, email him on hylton@conacher.co.za.
Environment
GEESE’s ambitious programme of activities around World Wetland Day (celebrated on 4th, 5th and 6th February) was a great success. The Coastal Clean-ups produced 56 bags of refuse which were taken to the Bluewaters drop off. Ages of helpers ranged from 2 – 80 and once again the Southern Right Hotel rewarded all with unlimited supplies of iced lemon water and delicious sandwiches. The Mini Regatta and testing of the Glencairn Vlei water on Sunday 6 February attracted 21 mini boats and much enthusiasm from children and adults alike. A small booklet was produced and distributed to all, showing the sort of beasties that live in the Vlei mud. Unfortunately, at this time of the year, they are not in great abundance but plenty of crabs were caught and released.
Safety and Security
Vagrant activity has unfortunately increased in Simon’s Town centre, with new incomers challenging and sometimes fighting our ‘old hardies’. This is most unpleasant for residents and visitors alike and we encourage anyone who sees a vagrant showing aggressive or anti-social behaviour (eg drinking or urinating in public) to make a report to the police (021-786 8646). We are informed that the Simon’s Town Police are currently spending over R6000 per month on meals when detaining vagrants, mainly for being under the influence of alcohol. The STCA will again be asking the bottle stores in town to refrain from selling the cut-price low-quality alcohol which attracts vagrants.
Sector 1, Glencairn Heights continues to suffer from house break-ins, and the SAPS have increased night patrols in the area. One person has been arrested.
Despite ongoing pressure, progress with respect to clearing of overgrown alien vegetation on privately and state owned erven is virtually non-existent. The meetings with authorities continue, and the STCA has sent a strongly worded letter to the City Manager requesting that a realistic amount be budgeted in the 2011/12 year for alien clearance and fire prevention. We are also going to suggest at the AGM that Simon’s Town residents be proactive and follow the example of Pringle and Betty’s Bay to become a “Fire Wise Community”.
Baboons
The Baboons continue to attempt to push back into the built up areas where food is more readily accessible. This causes challenges for both the contracted monitoring agency, Nature Conservation Corporation (NCC), and for residents. Lorraine Holloway has been very active in the Glencairn / Welcome Glen / da Gama Park areas, meeting with residents and providing information about baboon-proofing homes – this is continuing. All residents in this area are encouraged to get baboon-proof bins. Although these are not perfect, if kept lying on their sides (so that baboons cannot topple them over), they are reasonably effective in protecting household and garden waste. To get a Baboon-proof bin, complete sections 1,2,8 and 10 of an “Application for the Supply of Services Form” which can be obtained from the Fish Hoek Municipal Offices. Return the form to the Municipal Offices with a copy of your ID (also take your ID book with you). The bin will be delivered in 3-4 weeks, and an additional charge of approximately R6 will be charged to your Municipal Account.
The baboons to the south of Simon’s Town are also doing their best to move into “town” and single males have been a problem at Castle Rock, Miller’s Point and Murdoch Valley. Although through working with the City and the Baboon Liaison Group, great strides have been made, human / baboon management is an ongoing challenge. Please play your part:
- Baboon Hotline number – office hours: 071 588 6540 – report all sightings in built up areas
- After hours and weekends : 076 222 6661
- Reporting Feeding of baboons – use the above numbers
- Please pass this information on to your neighbours
- If you have any comments or would like to assist please email Lorraine at hollowp@telkomsa.net.
School
We congratulate the staff and pupils of the School for achieving a 97% pass rate in 2010! The Simon’s Town School Action Group has been extremely active over the past year (details will be listed in the STCA’s Annual Report at the AGM) and again we encourage residents to sign up for a “MY SCHOOL” card at Woolworths, nominating the Simon’s Town School as beneficiary. The Action Group have also identified the need to help a young student (Yolande) whom the music teacher recognised has having a beautiful but untrained voice. She was taken to UCT for an audition and was accepted subject to her passing Matric which she has now done, and is currently preparing for University. However, she lives in Phillipi in a shack with eight other people and will need funds to help her through residence. Anyone able to assist in any way should contact Jack London at 021 786 5337.
Naval visitors
The USS Stephen W Groves is currently in port at Simon’s Town. It is carrying out exercises with our submarines. Towards the end of the month the destroyer, HMS York will arrive with a crew of ~ 220 people.
Admiralty House Garden Concert
The annual Navy Band Concert will take place in the Admiralty House gardens on Sunday 27 February from 17h30 to 19h00. All are welcome. For more information contact Naval Base Simon’s Town Public Relations Office on 021 787 4684.
Reporting issues to the City
Issues needing the City’s attention can be reported directly to the Sub-council Manager, either by email to desiree.mentor@capetown.gov.za, fax 021- 782 1185, or by dropping off a note at the Sub-council offices at Fish Hoek. Please keep Desiree Mentor informed of progress / or lack of progress so that she can follow-up if necessary. Each report should contain the Date (of submitting the request); the Category (Roads, Waste Management, Parks, Water supply, Graffiti, etc); a 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), and provide the name and contact details of the person submitting the request.
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 2011. Please pay membership fees at the STADCO parking office on Jubilee Square during office hours, or by internet banking. (We are trying to avoid use of cheques if at all possible – the bank is now charging exorbitantly for cheques.)
For internet banking : BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS:
Bank: Standard Bank, Branch: Fish Hoek
Branch code: 036009 Account number: 073815209
Account name: Simons Town Civic Association (Market link savings account)
Please say “Subs, your name, tel. number” as the sender. Please also notify the STCA that you have paid.
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
STCA Web Page: http://www.stcivic.info/
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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).
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