Month: April 2012

The dam is currently 57% full. Last year at this time, it was 83% full. Check here for details ProvinceWeek.aspx?region=WC

Here are the minutes from the 30th GARDEN ROUTE CONSERVANCY FORUM

Download the details below:

Series 1 PPP Workshops April 2012

Series 1 Workshop presentationII

Lower Breede River Conservancy – Night Ban.

Rhett Hiseman from Cape Nature sent me this….”Ok the way to go about registering for a jetty . Firstly if it is an old jetty you need to prove that it was built pre 1997 (the new NEMA legislation came in then ) You will need to make a sworn statement stating that it was built in whatever year. Photo`s of the original structure etc. We will need a scale drawing of the structure with all measurements in metric. We will also need a diagram of the property showing where the jetty is sited ,in the diagram we need to see clearly where the reedbed line is and how far beyond the reedbed the jetty structure protrudes. A GPS point for the jetty also important. Once we have this we can send it to DEA/DP for there approval / rejection. Once DEA/DP are happy we send you application forms for a lease of state land . This has to go through a advertisement phase before being signed off.
Secondly for a new jetty you will not have to go through a basic assessment process if the structure is less than 10m2 (total ; everything below high water mark) Same process as above sent to CapeNature. For inspection ! NB The construction of a jetty is not allowed until the lease is in place. For a jetty larger than 10m2 you will need to contact DEA/DP and notify them of what you want to do . You will be required to complete a basic assessment process. Once you have a record of decision (ROD) the lease can be applied for . Then construction can begin.
Although it seems a cumbersome process it has been streamlined by DEA/DP.
Cape Natures role in this process is ; a commenting authority in terms of the application and the state approved authority for leasing state land.”

I have attached the jetty policy documents. Jetty Sizes vs Listed Activity 16[1]

Revised Jetty policy _with comments from ZT 24.01.07

With the successful 2012 AGM behind us, it is now time to collect our
membership fees for 2012.

I know that some of you have already paid, but for those you haven’t yet paid, the annual Duiwenhoks
Conservancy fees are now due.

The fees for landowners remains at R220.
‘Friends of the Duiwenshok Conservancy’ can join for R 100
And those with financial hardship can join for R 1.

Please can you make a direct direct deposit into bank a/c:
Duiwenhoks Conservancy,
Standard Bank
Rondebosch
Branch Code: 02500911
A/c No: 0755 77623

Once you’re done this, please notify me of the transaction.

Also, if you require an invoice, please let me know and I will prepare this
for you.

Thanks to all who attended the AGM on Sat 8th April. Interesting guest speakers included Dr Guy Preston from WFW, Rhett Hiseman from Cape Nature and Charl Wade from the Southern Cape Fire Protection association. Our thanks go out to all three for giving up their time over Easter!

Here are some of the key discussion points from the AGM

1. Jetties

The question of jetty registration was raised and Rhettt Hiseman explained that there are 35 private jetties/slipways on the Duiwenhoks depending on whether people have replaced jetties after flood events. According to the records, there are 14 structures on the Duiwenhoks which are registered and are paying for their leases. The 14 structures produce R7000.00 year. Members are encouraged to register their jetties.

2. The River

The regulations for the Duiwenhoks River are to be drafted by the Hessequa Municipality after a stakeholder consultation meeting. The Conservancy will endeavour to engage in this process and keep members informed on the outcomes. The Conservancy will initiative a river survey to help provide some data on boating on the river.

3. The ‘Kleinboer’ Project

Alfred Mxhalisa explained the ‘Klein Boer’ project which involves state funding to assist small farmers develop sustainable small scale farming initiatives. For this scheme to work, the small farmers need to access small parcels of land from landowners. This land can be leased from landowners by the state. Duiwenhoks Conservancy supports the ‘Klein Boer’ Project and will work to help find suitable tracts of land for the 14 local ‘Klein Boers’. Conrad Hicks undertook to drive this project and liaise between landowners and the local land seekers.

4. A Fire Management Plan for Vermaaklikheid

Charl Wade from the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA) outlined the benefits of the SCFPA and the role that the SCFPA could play in helping land owners develop a Fire Management Plan for the area. It was agreed that the Conservancy should initiate a drive to collectively develop a Fire Management Plan for the Vermaaklikheid area. Chris Giffard and Paula Hathorn kindly undertook to liaise with Charl Wade to set this in motion. The critical first step is that landowners join the SCFPA.

Please download applications here: index.php?comp=content&page=content&op=edit&id=5

5. Alien Clearing

John Thorne has breathed new live into the alien clearing initiative and undertaken to help the Conservancy develop a new proposal/business case to possibly secure funding for a large scale alien clearing project.

Thanks once again to everyone for making the effort to attend.

All the news from Kirstenbosch for those who are interested….

Kirstenbosch Branch Newsletter March 2012