NOTICE OF QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING Venue: FISH HOEK CIVIC CENTRE.
Date: THURSDAY 25 August 2011. Time: 19h30.
Our Speaker this month: Prof. Robert Schrire.
Professor: Department of Political Studies, University of Cape Town, 1981 – Present.
Subject of talk:
“Our Changing World: Implications for the Future of South Africa”
Prof. Schrire’s research interests are in the fields of South African politics and International relations. His most recent publication is “Theories of International Relations, World Encyclopedia of knowledge”, UNESCO, London. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in international organisation and rational choice theories. He has completed a BCom (Economics) degree at UCT, a Masters Degree from the School of International Service, American University, Washington DC, plus a PHD from the University of California and post-graduate studies in Economics at Columbia University. He is in constant demand as a speaker at Universities worldwide and we are very fortunate indeed in having such a distinguished compatriot to address us on the bigger picture of world political development. Robert resides in Clovelly with his wife and family.
Discount Bonanza with SAARP.
Many members will be familiar with the “ARP&P” from past times. The ARP&P is no longer in existence, having been merged with the “SAARP”, the “S.A. Association of Retired Persons”, originally founded in 1982. The SAARP is a steadily growing family of senior citizens over 50 years of age, who avail themselves of the services of the Association. They now represent some 70,000 senior citizens nationwide. There is no membership fee.
SAARP works to do its utmost to assist senior citizens without trying to accumulate profits to the benefit of any one individual.
They have Social Clubs which are located far and wide throughout the country, providing local communities with services, events and benefits. The local Fish Hoek Social Club does attract a small membership fee (R30 single and R50 per couple), per annum.
Membership of SAARP provides a wide range of member services with discounts available in many establishments such as Mica Hardware, Spec Savers, Doves, Car Hire, Travel Services, Insurances, etc. etc.
A visit to the SAARP website at www.saarp.co.za reveals a Pandora’s Box of interesting benefits and plans for members.
The local SAARP Social Club office is located at 61c Central Circle, Fish Hoek, (Corner Fourth Avenue and Recreation Road), where one can join and get further information. Phone No. 021 782 2719, or Email fishhoek@saarp.co.za or bgmurrell@telkomsa.net . Office hours are 09h00 to 12h00, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Reporting issues to the City
The City Call Centre Number is 0860 103 089. Use this number and ask for a tracking number for future reference.
Problems needing the City’s attention can also be reported directly to the Sub-council Manager, either by Email to desiree.mentor@capetown.gov.za, Tel. 021 784 2011, Fax 021-782 1185, or drop off a note at the Sub-Council offices at Fish Hoek.
Any 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 – e.g. 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.
Serina Retirement Village and Hospital: Issues.
Although the proposed development of a new Retirement Village and Private Hospital on the site of the old kaolin mine is generally welcomed as a potential high value asset to our area, this Association does have some concerns regarding the development.
These concerns are currently the subject of input to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Environmental Planning (DEA&DP), through environmental consultants.
Our major focus is the proposed 100-bed Hospital and the perceived increase of people movement and traffic impact.
There is only one planned entrance to the complex, off the Glencairn Expressway, below the entrance to the Stonehaven Estate. There would appear to be little chance of access being made available from the Harrington Road end of the complex. This was already turned down by the City during the approval process of the Stonehaven Estate and the approved development plan for the Retirement Village does not include provision for this. The critical nature of the nearby Glencairn Expressway/Kommetjie Road intersection, the general congestion on Kommetjie Road and the congestion of the Kommetjie Road – Noordhoek Main Road stretch, have already been identified for upgrading in the Southern District Plan issued by the City in March 2011. The impact on the access to and from the Stonehaven Estate also comes into the equation. The road infrastructure surrounding the area is in need of serious upgrading to accommodate this development and other major developments in the pipeline, such as Dassenberg and Kompanjiestuin. Although the City of Cape Town maintains that the existing infrastructure for services ( i.e. water, sewerage, electricity), is adequate at this stage, our Association, together with the FSPCF (Far South Peninsula Community Forum), contend that this must also be upgraded to support further developments.
Whether the infrastructure upgrades will coincide time-wise with the completion of the Village and Hospital development remains a question on which only the brave would gamble.
Main Road: Kalk Bay-Clovelly, Upgrade.
During the month of August 2011, essential engineering repairs are scheduled for the southern end of Boyes Drive, i.e. the Kalk Bay/Clovelly end. During the work period, this part of Boyes Drive will be one-way going north (towards Cape Town), daily from 09h00 to 16h00.
Simultaneously, the engineers will replacing a water connection above Clovelly railway station, giving them an opportunity for them to judge how disruptive the future work on the Kalk Bay-Clovelly section of the road will become, when it happens later.
Chapman’s Peak Know How.
If you are a regular user of the Chapman’s Peak route, and do not have a high opinion of the toll charges, take a few minutes to visit the Chapman’ Peak website at www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za. You may find it financially worth your while. Regular road users are invited to take advantage of various frequent user discounts. The amount of discount depends on the frequency of usage and the class of vehicle. Discounts start after 3 uses. Plus: further discounts are available to Wild Card holders.
What to do: Discount tariffs are only applicable to users who have pre-registered with the Concessionaire Company, Entilini Operations (Pty) Ltd. They have offices in Hout Bay and Noordhoek, or at the Toll Plaza on the Hout Bay side of the toll road. A minimum deposit of R100 per user is required. Tickets can be purchased at these offices.
Refer to the “Contact” page on the website for full details of contact addresses and ‘phone numbers.
Here’s what you can get: For example, in a best-case-scenario, if you drive a light motor vehicle, have a frequent user card and also a wild card and use the toll 28 times per month, the tariff can be as low as R3.00.
As a card holder, you also enjoy an early warning notice by SMS when the road is closed and reopened again. Tariff increases become effective from 1st June every year.
Kommetjie Road Indaba: “Enough is Enough”.
“Scenic South” website founders Viv von der Heyden and Kim Kruyshaar deserve all possible credit for re-creating awareness of the dangers of the Kommetjie Road traffic disaster area, following the latest tragic death of 80 year-old Mr Ray Renaud on Sunday 05 June 2011.
Over the years there have been many other fatalities of both pedestrians and motorists and many near misses on this road.
With highly commendable determination and using their website to the greatest effect, (including an online petition which attracted around 600 signatures and suggestions from signatories), Viv and Kim were able to pull together a dedicated meeting on 07 July at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre, which was well attended by a large section of our highly concerned community, many of whom had a tragic tale to tell.
After many years of efforts by concerned and effected residents, including the FHVRRA, with most of the action falling on the seemingly deaf ears of the Traffic Dept, this latest tragedy was the final motivation for the mounting of this meeting. The meeting was chaired by retired councillor Nicki Holderness.
A key reason for its success was the attendance in person of actual people who can do something about it…Mr. Sean Glass, City Engineer dealing with Transport, Roads and Major projects and Mr. Mark Harding, Principal Area Inspector for this area. Alderman J.P. Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security was invited but did not respond or attend. Also present at the meeting were Councillors Simon Liell-Cock, Dave D’Alton and Felicity Purchase, along with members of the FHVRRA, the Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers Association and local Taxi Associations.
The outcome of the meeting was an overwhelming vote in favour of visible “Law Enforcement” and “Speed Reduction” being the main factors in stopping the fatalities on Kommetjie Road. But this is not enough…was the sentiment of the meeting. It is vital that all the good work achieved so far must be seen to have been effective and not a waste of time.
Thus, a follow up meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 4th at 19h00 at the Civic Centre. All are welcome.
Full details of all the developments in this campaign, and much other useful and interesting local information, can be found at the Scenic South Website. Go to www.scenicsouth.co.za for informed commentary on our local scene.
City of Cape Town Spatial Development Plan, Southern District.
Invitation from the City to comment on the final draft. Local Civic Associations have made significant contributions on the Southern District Plan, in response to the City’s invitation to comment on the final draft.
The Far South Peninsula Community Forum (FSPCF) commented that the plan does not appropriately recognize the fundamental environmental attributes of the far south peninsula area and its importance in respect of tourism. The FHVRRA made specific comment in respect of the Fish Hoek Beach, Silvermine River, Fish Hoek Bypass Corridor (proposed), Railway Station Precinct and Kommetjie Road developments. The Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers Association boldly responded in respect of environmental sustainability to the extent that they commissioned an in-depth study by independent specialists in environmental and sustainability law, at significant cost. As this study provides invaluable insight of the various legal instruments and the requirements imposed on the City, the FHVRRA Exco has voted a contribution to the cost of this study.
DIARY NOTE: Our next Quarterly Meeting will be on Thursday November 24, 2011.
Our Speaker will be Mr. Andre Rademeyer, local Architect and resident.
Subject: “Fish Hoek: Disaster or Delight? Architectural and Urban errors: can they be remedied?
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