Published in the Edge 27 June 2012 (Page 27)
(Corrected) Feedback from Ratepayers Association Meetings of May and June 2012
A document is being compiled by Andy Nortje to initiate a fresh meeting with interested parties to address our concerns about Disaster Management prior to engaging with Lauren Waring of Knysna Municipality and Gerhard Otto of Eden. Municipality. A realistic approach is required as it is to form an inherent part of the Coastal Management Act.
Knysna Municipality has stated that they don’t have the resources to provide Sedgefield with a truck to transport large pieces of garden refuse to Knysna on a regular basis. We don’t consider this a viable response as we need a proper solution for this problem and intend to discuss it further. The same applies to building rubble.
We are still awaiting the promised wall to replace the unsightly shade cloth at the recycling depot.
It has been agreed by Spar management that their own security staff will oversee the unloading of trucks to ensure they park correctly and offload in a manner that does not endanger passing traffic or pedestrians. The situation will be monitored by Law Enforcement too. There’s also nothing stopping anyone from walking into Spar there and then and complaining to management directly if they are affected.
Our thanks to Knysna Municipality for erecting “no Stopping” and “no Parking” signs along Kingfisher Drive to avoid vehicles pulling off the road onto the pedestrian walkway that continually damage the pavement.
Drunken and disorderly behaviour in public places like picnic spots is being addressed by Knynsa Municipality who are initiating training on curbing alcohol abuse and noise. Consideration is also being given to capacitating the Fire Fighters as Law Enforcement Officers when the occasion requires it.
There are reports of loiterers in town around the Green Valley store and the Library and they appear to be of an aggressive nature. Should the public encounter these persons, Mike Hofhuis can be called on 074 506 7242 to assist.
We have in hand Mr Oliver Purcell’s letter dated 23 Jan 2012 about the need for traffic calming along President Steyn Street on the Island directed to the Municipal Manager. A response is awaited.
Maarten Taal has written a letter to the Municipality about an ongoing problem with brown water and broken pipes and sewerage spillage in the Crane Walk/Sysie Street area. We await a response.
Garden Route Chalets maintenance Depot. A municipal inspection of this facility on the Island took place on Thursday 21 June. A report is awaited.
With a view to motivating for traffic circles at both ends of Sedgefield Executive Councillor Louise Hart has undertaken to gather information on the number of accidents that have occurred on the N2, the number of fines issued and the average speed of the offenders.
Alien vegetation on a number of vacant stands is an ongoing problem. A simultaneous cut and spray method needs to be followed to effectively manage it. The secluded vacant land adjacent to the market is becoming a hideaway dormitory for vagrants as is similar land next to the lagoon beyond the Sea Breezes complex.
Terry Cockroft from the Ward 1 Committee addressed our May Ratepayer’s Association advising us of the following:
Ward 1 includes Sedgehill, Smutsville/Sizamile, Cloa/Myoli Beaches and the Island. The ward committee is entitled to have a maximum of 10 members and a minimum of 6 that ought to meet 6 times a year. Each Ward Committee reports to its Councillor, so that they can then take any issues from their Ward back to the Council Meetings. The Ward Committees are each elected from delegates nominated by Organisations in that Ward. The members are not nominated or elected personally.
There are at least three groups on the Island, namely the Island Village Residents Association, the Island Block Watch & the Island Conservancy that need to be made aware that they should now each identify someone who can represent them on the Ward 1 Committee so that the interests of the Island are voiced there.
The Ward Committee is also supposed to provide input for the IDP document each year, so that the views & priorities of their Ward can be noted & included when the IDP document is updated. (The IDP doc reflects a 5 year rolling programme & provides a key input into the Annual Municipal Budget.)
If government or municipal land can be made available, the Retired Engineers Group CEADS hope to launch a pilot Vegetable Garden Project in conjunction with the Karatara community using the treated sewerage effluent that is presently just being discarded into an adjacent stream. The idea is to create some employment as well as income for that community and possibly also provide water to the sports field to improve its condition.
NB. Ratepayers please advise us of any problems that you feel need our attention immediately. Do not wait until our AGM. Please either write to us - the letter can be delivered to our Secretary Toni Elsby at ERA, or contact us by email through our website at http://sedgefield-ratepayers.weebly.com/contact-us.html We welcome new members at any time. The more representative we are of our Sedgefield community, the more effective we can be!
Published in the Edge 2 May 2012 Page 10
Sedgefield Ratepayers Association April Meetings feedback
The unsightly Garden Refuse dump has been moved but we’re still waiting to hear from Mr Charl Botha – Manager of Community Services whether it can be arranged that large items be collected by truck twice a month for disposal in Knysna. Knynsa Municipality is searching for long term solutions for the recycling depot and disposal of building rubble.
To date we’ve had no feedback on the “No Parking” signage requested for Kingfisher Drive to prevent vehicles from damaging the paved pathway next to the lagoon.
We are awaiting a response from Knysna Municipality regarding the replacement of viewing platform at Myoli Beach. It was a popular item and considering that Sedgefield has been awarded Cape Getaway Show’s “Best Destination 2012 -Tourism Boards, District Municipalities & Overseas Destinations”, its reinstatement should be a priority.
Knysna Municipality has repaired the children’s play park on the Village Green donated to Sedgefield by the Lions. The understanding is that they will in future maintain it.
At present we are awaiting a report about the condition of the Garden Route Chalets’ Maintenance depot on the Island. This has been an on-going saga for 9 months. The Manager Community Services was requested to address this complaint at our meeting on 20 February 2012.
We agree with Mr A Burger’s letter in the last Edge that the Traffic Dept is closing its eyes to numerous traffic violations as though the speed cameras at the robots have solved all their problems. They need to address the issues that Mr Burger mentions in his letter. They are issues we have documented in our meetings and brought to their attention many times!
A boat launching facility into Swartvlei Lake has been another long drawn out request for several years now. Local residents believe they oughtn’t to have to pay an arm and a leg to launch their boats at Pine Lake Marina as that is currently the only option, when at low tide, one cannot pass under the road bridge in a motorised boat.
Examples of the bylaws have been given to Municipal Manager by Sedgefield Ratepayers regarding Car Guards and feedback is awaited.
As the Flood Prevention Procedures reflected on the SANParks website are unanimously considered outdated and unacceptable by Sedgefield affected residents, the Municipal Manager has agreed to arrange a meeting of representatives of all the involved/concerned parties. It seems that after 3 floods in the last 9 years, the Municipality must realise it has an undeniable responsibility to satisfactorily resolve the controversy concerning these procedures.
An education campaign was suggested for dealing with drunkenness and inappropriate behaviour on Eagle Green but to date we have received no feedback as to its progress.
The unsafe condition of Begonia street stairs and the role they play in criminal actions in both Smutsville and Sedgefield has been tabled with the Municipal Manager but we have no information about further discussion taking place. As many solutions have been put forward, it has been suggested that the whole matter should be taken to a public debate.
After Knynsa Municipality recently chopped down trees other than aliens on Municipal property for no apparent reason, it has been decided to form a local Tree Committee to forestall similar action in the future. Since the incident was brought to the attention of the SR&VA it was felt that the public should be made aware of it too via the press. There is a meeting scheduled with Clive Nunns of Knysna Municipality on 2 May. After that, relevant contact numbers of the committee will be published so any Sedgefield resident can report a similar action immediately.
There has been no response from Mr Charl Botha in connection with Stand 4550, the area west of Van Riebeeck Street on the Island where the alien vegetation is completely out of hand. There are also stands along Kwartel Street to the Island where the dense re-growth of aliens is a real fire hazard.
Knysna Municipality has stated that they don’t have the resources to provide Sedgefield with a truck to transport large pieces of garden refuse to Knysna on a regular basis. We don’t consider this a viable response as we need a proper solution for this problem and intend to discuss it further. The same applies to building rubble.
We are still awaiting the promised wall to replace the unsightly shade cloth at the recycling depot.
It has been agreed by Spar management that their own security staff will oversee the unloading of trucks to ensure they park correctly and offload in a manner that does not endanger passing traffic or pedestrians. The situation will be monitored by Law Enforcement too. There’s also nothing stopping anyone from walking into Spar there and then and complaining to management directly if they are affected.
Our thanks to Knysna Municipality for erecting “no Stopping” and “no Parking” signs along Kingfisher Drive to avoid vehicles pulling off the road onto the pedestrian walkway that continually damage the pavement.
Drunken and disorderly behaviour in public places like picnic spots is being addressed by Knynsa Municipality who are initiating training on curbing alcohol abuse and noise. Consideration is also being given to capacitating the Fire Fighters as Law Enforcement Officers when the occasion requires it.
There are reports of loiterers in town around the Green Valley store and the Library and they appear to be of an aggressive nature. Should the public encounter these persons, Mike Hofhuis can be called on 074 506 7242 to assist.
We have in hand Mr Oliver Purcell’s letter dated 23 Jan 2012 about the need for traffic calming along President Steyn Street on the Island directed to the Municipal Manager. A response is awaited.
Maarten Taal has written a letter to the Municipality about an ongoing problem with brown water and broken pipes and sewerage spillage in the Crane Walk/Sysie Street area. We await a response.
Garden Route Chalets maintenance Depot. A municipal inspection of this facility on the Island took place on Thursday 21 June. A report is awaited.
With a view to motivating for traffic circles at both ends of Sedgefield Executive Councillor Louise Hart has undertaken to gather information on the number of accidents that have occurred on the N2, the number of fines issued and the average speed of the offenders.
Alien vegetation on a number of vacant stands is an ongoing problem. A simultaneous cut and spray method needs to be followed to effectively manage it. The secluded vacant land adjacent to the market is becoming a hideaway dormitory for vagrants as is similar land next to the lagoon beyond the Sea Breezes complex.
Terry Cockroft from the Ward 1 Committee addressed our May Ratepayer’s Association advising us of the following:
Ward 1 includes Sedgehill, Smutsville/Sizamile, Cloa/Myoli Beaches and the Island. The ward committee is entitled to have a maximum of 10 members and a minimum of 6 that ought to meet 6 times a year. Each Ward Committee reports to its Councillor, so that they can then take any issues from their Ward back to the Council Meetings. The Ward Committees are each elected from delegates nominated by Organisations in that Ward. The members are not nominated or elected personally.
There are at least three groups on the Island, namely the Island Village Residents Association, the Island Block Watch & the Island Conservancy that need to be made aware that they should now each identify someone who can represent them on the Ward 1 Committee so that the interests of the Island are voiced there.
The Ward Committee is also supposed to provide input for the IDP document each year, so that the views & priorities of their Ward can be noted & included when the IDP document is updated. (The IDP doc reflects a 5 year rolling programme & provides a key input into the Annual Municipal Budget.)
If government or municipal land can be made available, the Retired Engineers Group CEADS hope to launch a pilot Vegetable Garden Project in conjunction with the Karatara community using the treated sewerage effluent that is presently just being discarded into an adjacent stream. The idea is to create some employment as well as income for that community and possibly also provide water to the sports field to improve its condition.
NB. Ratepayers please advise us of any problems that you feel need our attention immediately. Do not wait until our AGM. Please either write to us - the letter can be delivered to our Secretary Toni Elsby at ERA, or contact us by email through our website at http://sedgefield-ratepayers.weebly.com/contact-us.html We welcome new members at any time. The more representative we are of our Sedgefield community, the more effective we can be!
Published in the Edge 2 May 2012 Page 10
Sedgefield Ratepayers Association April Meetings feedback
The unsightly Garden Refuse dump has been moved but we’re still waiting to hear from Mr Charl Botha – Manager of Community Services whether it can be arranged that large items be collected by truck twice a month for disposal in Knysna. Knynsa Municipality is searching for long term solutions for the recycling depot and disposal of building rubble.
To date we’ve had no feedback on the “No Parking” signage requested for Kingfisher Drive to prevent vehicles from damaging the paved pathway next to the lagoon.
We are awaiting a response from Knysna Municipality regarding the replacement of viewing platform at Myoli Beach. It was a popular item and considering that Sedgefield has been awarded Cape Getaway Show’s “Best Destination 2012 -Tourism Boards, District Municipalities & Overseas Destinations”, its reinstatement should be a priority.
Knysna Municipality has repaired the children’s play park on the Village Green donated to Sedgefield by the Lions. The understanding is that they will in future maintain it.
At present we are awaiting a report about the condition of the Garden Route Chalets’ Maintenance depot on the Island. This has been an on-going saga for 9 months. The Manager Community Services was requested to address this complaint at our meeting on 20 February 2012.
We agree with Mr A Burger’s letter in the last Edge that the Traffic Dept is closing its eyes to numerous traffic violations as though the speed cameras at the robots have solved all their problems. They need to address the issues that Mr Burger mentions in his letter. They are issues we have documented in our meetings and brought to their attention many times!
A boat launching facility into Swartvlei Lake has been another long drawn out request for several years now. Local residents believe they oughtn’t to have to pay an arm and a leg to launch their boats at Pine Lake Marina as that is currently the only option, when at low tide, one cannot pass under the road bridge in a motorised boat.
Examples of the bylaws have been given to Municipal Manager by Sedgefield Ratepayers regarding Car Guards and feedback is awaited.
As the Flood Prevention Procedures reflected on the SANParks website are unanimously considered outdated and unacceptable by Sedgefield affected residents, the Municipal Manager has agreed to arrange a meeting of representatives of all the involved/concerned parties. It seems that after 3 floods in the last 9 years, the Municipality must realise it has an undeniable responsibility to satisfactorily resolve the controversy concerning these procedures.
An education campaign was suggested for dealing with drunkenness and inappropriate behaviour on Eagle Green but to date we have received no feedback as to its progress.
The unsafe condition of Begonia street stairs and the role they play in criminal actions in both Smutsville and Sedgefield has been tabled with the Municipal Manager but we have no information about further discussion taking place. As many solutions have been put forward, it has been suggested that the whole matter should be taken to a public debate.
After Knynsa Municipality recently chopped down trees other than aliens on Municipal property for no apparent reason, it has been decided to form a local Tree Committee to forestall similar action in the future. Since the incident was brought to the attention of the SR&VA it was felt that the public should be made aware of it too via the press. There is a meeting scheduled with Clive Nunns of Knysna Municipality on 2 May. After that, relevant contact numbers of the committee will be published so any Sedgefield resident can report a similar action immediately.
There has been no response from Mr Charl Botha in connection with Stand 4550, the area west of Van Riebeeck Street on the Island where the alien vegetation is completely out of hand. There are also stands along Kwartel Street to the Island where the dense re-growth of aliens is a real fire hazard.
Published in the Edge 4 April 2012 (Page 13)
Feedback from Ratepayers and Voters Association
On 12 January the committee held their first meeting of the year and drew up a long list of issues to discuss with the newly appointed Municipal Manager, Ms Lauren Waring.
Unfortunately the meeting arranged for 13 February was postponed until 20 February.
Although Ms. Waring had been supplied with all the issues to address with her managers beforehand, she did not yet have responses. We received Ms Waring’s written responses to our various issues on 29 February.
Some of the matters that have been resolved are reflected here.
Further interaction has resulted in:
On 12 January the committee held their first meeting of the year and drew up a long list of issues to discuss with the newly appointed Municipal Manager, Ms Lauren Waring.
Unfortunately the meeting arranged for 13 February was postponed until 20 February.
Although Ms. Waring had been supplied with all the issues to address with her managers beforehand, she did not yet have responses. We received Ms Waring’s written responses to our various issues on 29 February.
Some of the matters that have been resolved are reflected here.
- The unsightly garden refuse on the N2 entrance to Sedgefield, has been removed to a site situated at the back, north of the municipal workshop and the area has been cleaned by municipal staff. The Basic Assessment Process to establish a new Garden and Builders site for Sedgefield is in process and a public meeting as part of the process should take place shortly. Two sites, both old quarries, situated to the west of Sedgefield, have been identified as possible suitable sites.
- Traffic cameras have now been installed at the robot in Sedgefield.
- The matter of the vandalised ablutions at the river mouth was attended to speedily, vandalised twice again but fixed and now they are being locked at nightfall and monitored frequently.
- Instruction has been given to both the Parks and Fire Dept. to use suitably trained contractors to do clearing and that they must use the herbicide when aliens are removed/cut.
- Law Enforcement has taken up the shop’s management the matter of congestion and noise at Spar caused by off-loading. They will continue to monitor the situation. The Fire department visited the site and handed a notice of compliance to the owner/ manager. The Municipality has also visited and checked all the town planning and building requirements which were in order.
Further interaction has resulted in:
- MEC Daniel Plato attended a meeting in Sedgefield on 24 February to hear the concerns of the Sedgefield Ratepayers & Voters Association, Sedgehill Neighbourhood Watch, Groenmeed Neighbourhood and Sedgefield Community Intelligence Centre.
- Mike Maughan Brown met with some of the Committee and Island Conservancy Representatives on 28 March to explain the purpose of the “Densification Survey” on the Island. It would seem that there is no ulterior motive to the survey other than to get a feeling for residents’ opinions of the issues raised by the questionaire. In view of the strong feelings it has engendered, Mr Maughan Brown will refer the procedure back to the Municpality. This will be discussed further in another article.
- A meeting with Knysna Valuation Representatives, Grant Easton, Steven Douglas and Geoffrey Bezuidenhout about the valuation procedure was held on 30 March. It was reiterated that the valuation is mainly based on two factors, the size of the property and “the willing buyer, willing seller” aspect. Any concerns that anyone has concerning their property valuation can be discussed with these persons who will be at Sedgefield Spar on 7th and 14th April between 9am and 1pm.
Published in the Edge 25 January 2012 (page 5)
CANCELLATION OF
VALUATION MEETING
After the Knysna Municipality recently cancelled a meeting set up to educate Sedgefield residents on the valuation process, the Sedgefield Ratepayers Association expressed its total dissatisfaction. They submitted this report.
We wish to make it known to Sedgefield residents that Sedgefield Rate Payers Association has objected in the strongest terms to the late cancellation of the valuation meeting that was to be held on 23rd January 2012 in the Town Hall. This has happened after the first cancellation of the meeting on 9th January.
A letter dated 19 Jan 2012 was received from Knysna Municipality stating the following,
“ After a meeting between Mr. Douglas and Mr. Easton this morning it was confirmed that we need to please cancel the meeting on Monday. We together with the valuator are now in final stages of finalising the valuation roll and need to address the queries received and finalise the printing etc. for the roll to be advertised at the end of the month. “
Meanwhile Sedgefield residents were waiting for this meeting to address their queries to the Valuator on the 23rd. Therefore, those queries have not been submitted to the Municipality as it was decided that a clearer understanding was required as to how homes had been valued.
Assurances were given at the Sedgefield Ratepayers’ AGM in December that answers would be forthcoming at the January meeting. Now it appears that our request has been sidelined and, from our point of view Knysna Municipality has ridden roughshod over Sedgefield’s concerns!
The SR&VA finds this treatment unacceptable and has insisted on a meeting with the Knysna Municipality to address the situation on this and other issues that require answers.
We will keep you advised of developments.
After the Knysna Municipality recently cancelled a meeting set up to educate Sedgefield residents on the valuation process, the Sedgefield Ratepayers Association expressed its total dissatisfaction. They submitted this report.
We wish to make it known to Sedgefield residents that Sedgefield Rate Payers Association has objected in the strongest terms to the late cancellation of the valuation meeting that was to be held on 23rd January 2012 in the Town Hall. This has happened after the first cancellation of the meeting on 9th January.
A letter dated 19 Jan 2012 was received from Knysna Municipality stating the following,
“ After a meeting between Mr. Douglas and Mr. Easton this morning it was confirmed that we need to please cancel the meeting on Monday. We together with the valuator are now in final stages of finalising the valuation roll and need to address the queries received and finalise the printing etc. for the roll to be advertised at the end of the month. “
Meanwhile Sedgefield residents were waiting for this meeting to address their queries to the Valuator on the 23rd. Therefore, those queries have not been submitted to the Municipality as it was decided that a clearer understanding was required as to how homes had been valued.
Assurances were given at the Sedgefield Ratepayers’ AGM in December that answers would be forthcoming at the January meeting. Now it appears that our request has been sidelined and, from our point of view Knysna Municipality has ridden roughshod over Sedgefield’s concerns!
The SR&VA finds this treatment unacceptable and has insisted on a meeting with the Knysna Municipality to address the situation on this and other issues that require answers.
We will keep you advised of developments.
Published in the Edge - 11 January 2012 (page 4)
NOTICE FROM
SEDGEFIELD RATEPAYERS AND VOTERS ASSOCIATION
The meeting relating to the new Municipal Valuations that was tentatively scheduled at the AGM in December by Councillor Louise Hart for 9 January 2012 has been rescheduled for the 23 January in the Sedgefield Town Hall at 18h00. It is anticipated that a representative from the Pretoria based outsourced company doing the valuations will be present to explain the process and answer residents’ questions. All Sedgefield, Smutsville and Sizamile home-owners are invited to attend.
The meeting relating to the new Municipal Valuations that was tentatively scheduled at the AGM in December by Councillor Louise Hart for 9 January 2012 has been rescheduled for the 23 January in the Sedgefield Town Hall at 18h00. It is anticipated that a representative from the Pretoria based outsourced company doing the valuations will be present to explain the process and answer residents’ questions. All Sedgefield, Smutsville and Sizamile home-owners are invited to attend.