1 From: Megan Wells [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 9:59 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Dogs as protection on walks

When I walk on the mountain without my dog, I feel as insecure as I do when I drive without a safety belt.

I love to collect mushrooms in the pine forests on the mountain. However, on a quiet, wet winters’ day it can be really scary when walking without a dog.

If people were encouraged to walk with their dogs, I am sure encounters with robbers would dramatically drop.

Megan Wells

2

From: Richard Hill and Monique Nauta [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 10:03 PM To: [email protected] Cc: 'Geraldine Goncalves'; 'Liz Johnston' Subject: Dogs in Tokai Precinct

SANParks should acknowledge that the TMNP is an urban park and honour their policy to make their facilities accessible to local communities. Historical traditions of dog walking should be respected, permitted and managed as per the EMP for dog walkers.

Dr R C Hill – dog walker Dept of Environmental and Geographical Science University of Cape Town

From: John Green [mailto:greenhse@mweb.co.za] 3 Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 8:12 AM To: [email protected]; 'Derek Chittenden' Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; 'Philippa Huntly' Subject: Tokai Manor Precinct Plan: Comment sheet Importance: High

Dear Derek, I refer to my previous submissions, at your and the TMNP’s invitation in September 2011, and attach them for reference.

We have from the outset been very enthusiastic about making a positive contribution to the planning development process and are appreciative of having been invited to participate from the outset in September 2011 to the process, we are however very concerned about the lack of subsequent consultation in the development process before a ‘fait accompli’ concept plan, which in our opinion is far from ideal (see, non- exhaustive, points below), is presented to the general public for ‘comment’.

Regrettably, I have to be away from today until the end of next week and cannot therefore give the full considerations to your proposals that they deserve in the time available. However, I have had the opportunity to discuss the concepts briefly with both Grant Chapman, representing part of the equestrian community and deeply involved in the Zwaanswyk baboon fence, and Berta van Rooyen, of the Friends of Tokai Park, who is dedicated to proper research of the precinct’s heritage. I believe that they are largely in agreement with the points below and will be amplifying them in addition to their own specialized comments. For the record, the ones which I recorded from our very constructive discussions are:

 Far too much motorized traffic routed past the Manor House and deep in to the precinct: severely impacts on the ‘sense of place’ of both the Manor House and the ‘soul food’ of the Arboretum  Lack of historical research and incorporation of the layers of history into the use of the ‘precincts’ and buildings  The 3 proposed Baboon fence options appear to be both very impractical and expensive: serious impacts on other wildlife management  While fully in agreement with the concept of an Equestrian Precinct, the details seem to be impractical for a raft of reasons  While fully in agreement with the concept of having the TMNP HQ in the precinct and with the concept of a new ‘Green Building’, the plans do not appear to meet the objective of giving the existing buildings a ‘use’ as part of the HQ which will ensure their usefulness and thus justify their preservation  Far too focused on the ‘deep pockets’ of the mountain biking fraternity to the serious detriment of other low impact recreation users especially walkers and tree lovers  Despite the fact that ‘forestry’ was highlighted as a major heritage issue, there appears to be a dearth of actual consideration being given to forestry heritage or natural forest biodiversity in the proposals.  Question whether all the proposals are in fact in line with the agreed Tokai/ Cecilia Management Framework  The ‘Refreshment Precinct’ needs to be centred on the Stone House in the Southern ‘Orchard Garden’ which can relatively simply be included in the baboon free precinct  Lister’s Place should be outside and above the baboon free precinct, with no food to attract baboons and be used as an ‘Information Centre’ probably highlighting its Forestry heritage  Totally against events marquees, for weddings etc, spoiling the sense of place on the approaches to the Manor House: this is certainly not a function of SANParks  Seriously question whether a number of the proposed uses fall within the definition of the prescribed permissible uses outside and above the approved ‘2001 Urban Edge’ document

We also find it most difficult to make meaning comment, except for ‘sound bites’ without having the benefit of having shared in detailed conceptual discussions or having access to the background documents.

We therefore respectfully request that we have the opportunity of workshopping the above concepts and concerns in a constructive way with Park planning personnel and the consultants as soon as possible.

Would appreciate your comments

Best Regards John Green Cell 083 504 8942

ATTACHMENT : TOKAI MANOR HOUSE PRECINCT INTERESTED & AFFECTED PARTIES MEETING WESSA COMMENTS/ ISSUES (25 September 2011)

VISION In June 2001, at a ‘visioning exercise’ facilitated by MCA for the Porter Estate Development Framework, while representing WESSA and the then Friends of Tokai Manor House Precinct our group recorded our vision for the Estate as:

I see a sanctuary, under the ‘eye of the elephant’, where the crystal streams, cleared of alien pollution, mingle with the memories and wisdom of all the Cape’s people, to create a unique, world class centre for:  Life Skills & Capacity Building: education experience (agricultural to high tech)  Environmental management, education and recreation  Eco-tourism and interaction with the then Cape Peninsula National Park  Cultural tourism showcasing the transition from Afro-montane forest to fynbos; from hunter gatherer to vineyards; from forestry to alien invaders; from slavery and prison labour to reform and life skills building.

I see a place for all, linking the Cape Flats fynbos and people to the central gateway of the Cape Peninsula National Park. Where tourists and all the people of the Cape mingle together to generate social, ecological and visual values funded by cultural, educational and recreation opportunities, and education of people willing to pay for the privilege of both providing and receiving it.

I see the principles of the Peninsula Urban Edge study being upheld. These are ‘to protect the valuable agricultural, natural and cultural/historical resources and to promote appropriate densification’. I see that this is critical in the case of the Porter Estate which is sandwiched between the National Forests on the east, south, and west and the vineyards of the historic Constantia Valley on the north.

The Estate is a key component of Rural Constantia. It can only be accessed via a proclaimed scenic route and then via a proclaimed ‘National Forest’. The access roads are already under immense pressure (27% pa compound traffic growth 1997-2000. I therefore see that any Development Framework must give preference to activities of a non-peak nature and bulk rather than individual car transport.

Much of what was envisioned a decade ago is equally, if not even more applicable today and into the future. In the Tokai Manor House Precinct, we have a unique heritage spanning hundreds of formative years which is encapsulated in a precinct which has seen virtually no change in the built environment for the best part of a century. This provides a unique opportunity to work towards the above vision.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES which immediately come to mind are:

1. The Tokai Manor House Precinct must be considered as part of the whole area, regardless of current management stewardship:  The Manor House itself is integrally linked with the Porter Estate and the development of forestry, including the ‘Bosdorp’ and the ‘Arboretum’ (in fact there are other arboreta in the Picnic area).  The whole road linkage system is integrated: the development of Tokai Rd as a direct access for lumber from the plantations to the Sawmills and railway line at Retreat, and the original road from Spaanschemat Rd.  This route was, above the wetlands, via the ‘Stone Church’ and what is now the Chrysalis Academy.  The ‘church’ was in fact a school of the same stone architecture as many other buildings including the ‘stone house’ in the precinct and Lister’s Place)  It also very difficult to delink the stables ( originally housing the mules for forestry) from the paddocks to the north west between the stables and the Chrysalis sports field. This equestrian area cries out for common stewardship and planning manage.

2. The Tokai Manor House Precinct is most unsuitable for high impact motorised traffic  The Orpen/ Tokai/ Steenberg Road system is already under severe pressure, especially at peak times, and it will be extremely difficult to engineer a significant mitigation for the small Tokai Rd access circle.  The use of the upper Tokai Rd section is under burgeoning pressure: in addition to fundamentally changed operation at Chrysalis Academy and the ‘country market; a massive increase in continuing MTO plantation clear-felling; an explosion in mountain biking centered on the Arboretum gateway to mountain trails of Constantiaberg; the Cape Research Centre is now fed by cars rather than ‘sedentary’ forest workers living in the Bosdorp; the Picnic ‘forest’ attracts many thousands of cars and is undergoing a fundamental revamp; as equestrian users are forced by development pressures in other areas, they are increasingly turning to the Tokai area west of Orpen Rd and increasingly riders are accessing the area by car and horse boxes; and a huge increase in TMNP ‘Gateway’ activities centred on the precinct is now planned. Fundamental major traffic re-engineering is required for the precinct

3. The Sense of Place of the Manor House The aesthetics of the Manor House are as equally attributable to its positioning at the top of the long approach lane and stream crossing as they are due to the unique architecture of the house flanked by the werf buildings on either side with the backdrop of Constantiaberg. Every effort needs to made to retain these approach aesthetics, which have remained very little altered for the best part of over a century since forestry was

founded here. Motorised traffic must be drawn off as far as possible before the bridge over the stream or as soon as possible thereafter. This will leave the avenue flanked by ‘paddocks’ on either side and mitigate to a large extent the huge increase in automotive impact. I will pick this up, under suggestions for ‘usage’ precincts within the Manor House precinct, below. 4. Celebrating the Heritage of the Manor House Precinct As is summarised in Section 4 of the Porter Estate Development Framework status Quo Report of May 2001, the ‘Historical Development’ is ‘showcased’ in many features of this precinct which is gateway to the Constantiaberg and which provide significant cultural tourism opportunities, both local and international.  The Pre-colonial period: hunter- gatherers in the lowlands collecting plants and hunting. Living in caves for shelter and safety: ‘The PrinsessKasteel’ or ‘Elephant’s Eye’ linking to Prinsessvlei and the PrinsessKasteel stream which runs through the precinct  The Dutch colonial period – VOC. Dubious connections to vd Stel planting the first oaks here and using the area for his cattle but very well documented development of ‘Steenberg Farm’ being granted in 1682, before Groot Constantia  Dutch colonial period- Private Ownership. Opportunity to showcase wine industry and slavery as well as unique Cape Dutch architecture. Linkage to very early cork oaks in Arboretum?  British colonial period-(1806-1875) probably little changed from preceding Dutch period but could bring in whaling and the Lutheran church (Johan Casper Loos).A good opportunity to introduce the important contribution by Germans  British colonial- forestry and philanthropy. Huge opportunity as national home of both forestry and penal reform.  Institutional period- reformatory and forestry. Connection to road building Bain, daughter married to Storr-Lister living in Manor House, medicinal herbs (buchu garden); Arboretum to experiment for trees suitable for commercial forestry and dry agricultural areas. Introduction of alien wattles to control sand dunes of Cape flats. Differentiating prisoners by race. Reformatory first housed the Manor House outbuildings. Focus on fire protection.  Post war and apartheid period. Picnics, mushrooms, environmental education centre in arboretum etc. Arboretum a wonderful resource for environmental education and low impact shaded recreation/ ‘soul food’ & heritage etc  Recent: formation of Chrysalis, from forestry to National Park; biodiversity etc Baboon/ human interface challenge etc

5. Tokai Manor House Precinct as a Gateway In addition to being a Heritage Gateway, this precinct is the only gateway to Constantiaberg and the lower slopes between the top of Ou Kaapse Weg and Constantia Nek (excluding the ‘exclusive’ Price Drive access to Vlakkenberg). It is also by far and away the closest access to the Central Section of ‘The Park for All Forever’ for the vast majority of the Cape’s people who live on the lowlands of the Peninsula. It is therefore the ‘Gateway’ for:  Car entry picnickers centred on the Picnic ‘forest’  Car entry tourists/ heritage/ Chrysalis/ TMNP centred on the CRC, Manor House and outbuildings and Chrysalis plus lessees and Country Market

 Car entry mountain bikers, walkers, hikers and tree lovers, forestry and Constantiaberg communications activities centred on the Arboretum and  Equestrian activities centred on the stables and via Chrysalis access 6. Tokai Manor House Precinct is above the defined ‘Urban Edge’ and therefore all uses should be in conformity with para 2.4.4 Land Uses Outside the Urban Edge Line ‘include all rural, agricultural and conservation land and/or associated activities not surrounded by urban development or functioning part of the urban fabric. They also include low intensity uses intrinsically linked to the needs of these environments (eg information centres, environment education centres, fire lookouts, ablution facilities) as well as tourism facilities directly associated with natural and rural environments. 7. Tokai Manor House Precinct is the only precinct in TMNP which permits corridor linkage between Afro-montane remnant forestry pockets, granite fynbos and acid lowland fynbos. Therefore a significant corridor must be left between the afro- montane remnant forest pocket above th Arboretum, the granite fynbos to the south of the Arboretum and the acid sandplain (currently under pine plantations) to the south of the CRC to the Zwaanswyk border.

Given the above, which is by no means an exhaustive ‘issues’ consideration of this unique planning opportunity and given that I fully accept the ‘issues’ already identified by the TMNP planners and consultants including:  Adaptive use: no major new buildings  Arboretum landscape  New Picnic area  Baboon management  Traffic movement  Realistic phasing  Commercial opportunities The following initial suggestions about dividing the Manor House Precinct into smaller ‘usage precincts’ are given for your consideration, fleshing out’ and later discussion:

‘USAGE PRECINCTS

1. ‘Stone House & Garden’ Refreshment & Pedestrian ‘no fires’ Picnic Precinct. The concept here is that the entire area to the south/ left of the road bridge over the PrinsessKasteel stream in the gardens up to the Manor house and ‘Stone House’ could be converted into a low key ‘aesthetc’ central ‘Bochendal, Buitenverwachting, Lister’s’ refreshment area on lawns, low key tables, etc for take away and sitdown refreshments and paying picnickers (including children’s parties) in carefully separated areas/ spaces centred on a catering station housed in the ‘Stone House’ 2. ‘Bosdorp/ CRC’ Mountain Biking/ Cycling Gateway Precinct into which all biking and biking related traffic is funnelled off before the bridge to mitigate traffic into the ‘aesthetic’, sense of place, zone above the bridge to the Manor House. The PPA and Mountain Biking Association can be given the opportunity to participate in designing and funding a suitable cycle track to the south of the stream and suspension bridge to connect with the ‘Stone House’ refreshment precinct and the gravel road to the Arboretum Gateway. 3. ‘Stables’ Equestrian Centre Precinct. Coupled with a pre-negotiated ‘stewardship’ understanding with Chrysalis Academy for the paddocks

between the stables and the Chrysalis sport field a multi- purpose equestrian centre can be developed and funded by the equestrian community and paying equestrian trails. These trails can include horse, or even mule cart trails, building on the heritage of the forestry mules, Old Wagon track overt he mountain to Silvermine/ Hoeriquagga Tented Camp or even to the old Manganese mines via Vlakkenberg etc. this would divert all equestrian traffic away from the Manor House immediately after the bridge while retaining the rural aesthetics and heritage of the old mule stables. 4. Potential for diverting Chrysalis, Porter leases and Country Market traffic on east of current Tokai TMNP office between workshops and Foreman’s cottage north beween Porter paddocks? 5. Manor House Heritage Precinct & HQ of TMNP. Conceptual usage of existing buildings to be developed. 6. The main visitor parking for this precinct will probably have to be on the field to the South above the ‘Stone House’. This would have the dual purpose of being the parking area for the Refreshment precinct. 7. Forestry Heritage Precinct centred on the Arboretum and Gateway for walking and hiking trails. This precinct, initially concentrated on resuscitating the Arboretum and Information Centre/ with Lister’s Place reverting to being an information and education centre/ ideal for the development of a forest heritage museum (See the forestry museum at Sabie), could provide an opportunity to involve constructive members of the public in a co-operative project to celebrate trees and forestry. Later phasing can be extended to the Redwoods, Camphors and eucalypt areas of this 70 ha precinct and especially on resuscitating Afro-montane forest pocket remnants. Original (1996 workshop) was to develop a ‘Gondwana’ Arboretum with help from Kirstenbosch horticulturists. Funding can be augmented by reviving very popular events such as ‘Carols in the Arboretum’ with support from organisations such as Rotary. 8. Hiking Trails Precinct above Arboretum. Trails could be resuscitated such as the PrinsessKasteel Trail and the Waterfall Trail giving a circular trip option to the very popular Elephant’s Eye Trail. In due course a contour path linking north/ west to Vlakkenberg via Donkerboskloof could be developed.

Look forward to constructive engagement to develop ideas such as those mentioned above.

From: Dudley & Nicky Cloete-Hopkins [mailto:[email protected]] 4 Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 9:57 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Dog walking in Tokai precinct

Sir / Madam

I have been walking with dogs on the mountain since the 1960’s. Recently is has become more difficult to find sufficiently shady places to walk my dog during our hot summers, even if we do leave at 07h00. About three weeks ago I passed a golden retriever that had collapsed because of heat and was being treated by passers-by who had water with them. I do hope you will allow access to the Tokai precinct with our dogs, as it is sufficiently shady.

Yours faithfully

Nicky Cloete-Hopkins

ALPHEN P.O. Box 3 Constantia 7848 South Africa Tel.: +27 (0)21 794-5921 Fax.: +27 (0)21 794-7582 E-mail: [email protected]

From: Sue Van Der Walt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:25 AM 5 To: [email protected] Subject: comments on shade in Tokia

I am a dog walker and have been for many years. The harvesting of the pines at Cecelia and Constantia Nek not to mention the pines in Tokai forest, means that there is extremely limited opportunities to walk our dogs in the shade. It is imperative for the health of the dogs that when it is so hot, that there is shade to protect them. While I appreciate the circular path that has been created around the circumference of the Tokai lower area, it is incredibly crowded with mountain bikers, families with tots on push bikes etc and then there are the horses which are supposed to ride in the sandy path between the circumference path and the remains of the forest. However, they riders also prefer to ride in the shade and indeed gallop as well. This leaves us dog walkers with very little space to walk our dogs.

I would therefor sincerely request that dog walkers are allowed to take our dogs to the Tokai arbetorium.

Sue van der Walt Tokai

From: Suzanne O'Meara [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 6:19 PM To: [email protected] 6 Subject: re : allow dog walking in arboretum tokai topic

Dearv Tokai Manor Precinct Plan Planne Mr Elavalji

I would like to comment regarding the possibility of allowing dog walking at the Arboretum & paths going from there . For a long time dog-walking enthusiasts have been hoping this could go through & we would be granted all the necessary permission .

Best Regards suzanne o'meara

From: D L Wragge [mailto:[email protected]] 7 Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 9:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Ojections and Comments SANParks Tokai precinct Proposal

20 February 2012

SANParks

The Tokai District Riding Association – Concerns

This is to confirm that I am in total agreement with Grant Chapman (acting Vice Chairman)’s concerns regarding the SANParks Precinct Redevelopment.

All future discussions regarding this should be done in conjunction with the Tokai District Riding Association.

Yours faithfully

Mandy Thomas Stabled at Porter Stables.

From: Ingrid 'Inky' Serritslev [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 4:02 PM 8 To: [email protected] Subject: Tokai Manor Precint - Comments

Hi there

I was at the recent Tokai open day and would like to add these comments to the proposal. They are mainly aimed at the mountain biking community, as I am a mountain biker and a trail runner.

 Have showers for mountain bikers  Have a proper bike wash and perhaps even a bike shop - give BEN some space there?  Include a bike park along the edge of the lawns/restaurant, so that we can park our bikes and keep an eye on them while we in turn park off post-ride - so that we don't clutter lawns with bikes  If you're going to encourage and support more biking, then increase the number of trails - have some open process whereby people can suggest and build new track – I know of some unused hiking trails that would be great to extend existing mtb trails.  Create some marked routes (eg Black, Red, Yellow, Blue as Oak Valley & Lebanon) - so that people new to the area can find their way  Have some directional trails for peak times – ie the main singletrack should only be downhill between 9am at 12midday.  Make sure that we can still access the mountain after hours - eg for early morning training rides and mid-week night rides  Make sure that we don't have to suddenly pay double to enter the area...  Signage to remind mtbikers that those coming downhill have right of way  Generate funds for building and maintaining new trails by holding an event once a year – if people know that their entry fee is going towards trail building, they will support it – as long as the money does actually go there!

My main concern is that if you are going to make the area super nice for mountain bikers, hence encouraging more to use the area, the network of trails should be increased to accommodate these numbers.

I posted comment on my website regarding the planned upgrade, from which some of these comments came: http://www.rudeawakenings.co.za/report/general/tokai-manor-precinct-open- comments

I would appreciate it if you could add me to a mailing list to keep me updated with the progress – so that I can in turn keep fellow bikers up to date.

Kind regards

Ingrid

Ingrid 'Inky' Serritslev RudeAwakenings What gets you up, early in the morning? www.rudeawakenings.co.za Mob: 072 405 6382

From: "Karena" Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:01:00 +0200 To: 9 Subject: comment on the Tokai precinct development

Hi Derek I met you at the Manor House open day and said I would jot down some thoughts regarding the horse stables and possible equestrian facilities. Sorry it's taken so long. There is lots to write but I will keep it short and to the point.

1. There is the traditional way to keep horses. This involves stables, small paddocks, horses standing individually in small paddocks, highly concentrated foods, blankets and horseshoes. All the things we assume are natural when we see horses. Lots of people chose this way. Most people in Swaanswyk go for this model. International research has proven that keeping horses the traditional way is bad for them both physiologically and psychologically. There is a newer, much more integrated way that takes the horses' needs into account. A lot has been written about this but it's harder work for riders and it's different so there is lots of resistance. Most of the arguments against it can be blown out of the water if you have a horse's well being at heart. Authors to look out for would be Dr Strasser; Jamie Jackson, Dorrance brothers. There are a host of them. (Dr Strasser did research for an insurance company in Germany which was concerned about the rate that competition horses were being put down due to lameness. Her studies revealed that horses kept traditionally were retired or put down at around 14 years old, while horses kept more naturally life well into their 20s and can compete for a lot longer. She is very controversial because she is so uncompromising in that German sort of way but she does good work.)

2. Tokai is an longstanding equestrian area so it does make sense to try and integrate horses and horse facilities into the Tokai precinct development. I suspect your planning was based on traditional models like Deltacrest in Franschoek. If the whole plan is to be more green (the plans displayed on the open day had lots of examples of green buildings blending into the environment), then basing stables on a very traditional method seems to be a serious flaw.

3. You need a lot of paddock space for horses otherwise the grazing gets completely wiped out and the horses will end up standing in dust bowls. Minimum of 1 acre for two horses is what city bylaws recommend.

4. I understand that Sanparks would like the horse facility to generate income for the gateway to the mountain. In order to generate any sort of money from horses you need good facilities. Nova Zonnestral on Wynberg Hill charges R6,5k (or R6k) per month, but they have a rubber chip dressage and jumping arena. Very few people will pay this amount and infrastructure like an arena etc cost an enormous amount. I think a good quality arena will cost around R600k now. In order to cover costs people tend to up the number of horses and then you end up with too many horses on the land. See comment 3.

5. If you do want a horse facility, then I think you need to think out of the box. What is sorely missing in SA is a centre of excellence for horses. Jhb has more facilities than Cape Town but generally we really lag behind and what is out there is same same. I understand

that you are a very creative thinker, so I'm hoping the links aren't hard for you to make. Table Mountain is a World Heritage Site, Tokai is a valuable fynbos site which is also totally unique. So, anything that falls under this development should also be totally unique or offer something pioneering or different. No point in taking an exceptional site and delivering up something that is ok but not mind-blowing.

I'm not even sure that I support the whole idea of the Tokai development (I think some rural areas should be left rural and undeveloped) but if it's going to happen, then I would urge that the equestrian facilities get a total rethink. Wouldn't it be amazing if there was a prototype horse facility that integrates some of the latest thinking? Horses live out (with low key shelters that blend with the environment and use traditional building methods.) Instead of severe paddocks drawn up on a grid, horses are on a paddock paradise track (see Jamie Jackson) that gets them to move and walk throughout a whole area. (Horses need to move about 15km a day to stay in optimal health). The track (with fynbos on both sides of it so that it is true to the wetland and fynbos of the area) has different surfaces so the horses get to be in an environment that more closely replicates their own. They walk through the river, stand in mud, walk over pebbles, through sand to get to the grazing which is interspersed).

The actual buildings needed would be a barn for feeding (horses that are not stabled need to be fed separately otherwise the dominant horses steal all the food) and storage of hays, a tack room, toilet and shower for riders, some sort of teaching facility. So building costs would be less than for a whole series of stables.

I could go on and on. I rode the area this morning and was struck by the idea that it could be really innovative instead of supremely depressing and the same old stuff that gets trotted out when it comes to horses. Cape Town desperately needs more horse facilities and we need something to attract international riders and judges and horse practitioners. There is such interesting work happening on how to train horses more sympathetically (see Andrew McClean from AEBC). He talks about a paradigm shift and that there is a need to move away from the tired and ill informed methods of the past (and present). I guess that is what you are aiming for your designs. It would just be fantastic if the equestrian facilities could reflect these qualities.

I am happy to talk more if you want to but this might be something to think about. Thanks Karena du Plessis 083 448 8462

From: Carol Poole [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 11:07 AM 10 To: [email protected] Subject: Comments on Tokai Precinct plans from equestrian perspective

Dear Ela I am hoping to become involved in the Committee of the proposed Tokai District Riding Association, and I know the Acting Committee is going to be putting forward a consolidated equestrian point of view regarding the Tokai Precinct Plans. However, as the TDRA is not officially constituted yet (first AGM coming next week I believe), we have also been encouraged to put forward our personal views to you. I am a directly-affected interested party as my horse is on the Crysalis land currently leased by Karena du Plessis, and currently the land that the Precinct Plans have ear-marked as expansion of the equestrian sub- precinct. I also very much appreciate the biodiversity perspective and the balancing act that TMNP has to do between conservation and sustainable use of the land, as I have a Masters in Environmental Management and currently work for SANBI.

While I really appreciate Blue Green Consulting and TMNP for including equestrian pursuits as one of the key activities for the Precinct, I am afraid there are several things on the current proposals that are cause for concern. I hope the following summary makes sense:

1. The plans for 3 stable blocks (what I understand to be a total of 60 stables) is unrealistic for the area, as insufficient land has been set aside for paddocks in the plans. Horse-racing yards in Philippi and Milnerton might keep that many horses on small land-area, but the recreational and competitive riders of the Constantia/Tokai valley would not want their horses living in stables for the majority of the day. Grazing is something that is very important to horse-health and therefore to horse-owners. Green paddocks also have aesthetic appeal, and prevent the area from becoming a dust-bath. Grazing management takes very careful control, paddock rotations and only a certain number of horses per acre - in fact I think it is a maximum of 2 horses per acre if under irrigation, but I am not an expert. I really do think that VERY careful thought needs to go into any plans for stables and full EIAs need to be done that will encompass the grazing issue, manure management, water supply, and many other factors.

2. While it is absolutely super that the plans include proposals for arenas for equestrian purposes, I am very concerned that the arenas proposed (without the agreement with Crysalis/Porter) are far too small. I really do believe that SANParks should consider a multi- purpose space that would cover a larger area, but would allow for greater income- generation. A model, in my opinion, is the SA Riding for the Disabled / Constantia Valley Riding Club facilities on Brommersvlei Road in Constantia. There is multi-purpose use for that land (car boot sales, dog shows, dog training, horse shows, horse training, the start/finish area for athletic events, etc). Properly managed (to ensure that events and uses do not clash), such a space would be of benefit to all and provide income to TMNP. In my opinion, an ideal piece of land for such a multi-purpose event space is the block of land directly below the Crysalis Academy athletics track - that piece of land that has been ear-marked as an extension of the picnic site. In my mind, that extension of the picnic area to that block makes little sense, as it crosses an important access road for horse riders, mountain bikers, walkers and fire-vehicles, and I understand that eventually that piece of the road will be fenced off. My thoughts would be to keep the picnic site on the one side of the road, and then have a multi-purpose events area in that block that is already very degraded (young pines have invaded it, it has already been landscaped - flattened to some extent). Access to the area

could be through the Crysalis boom, or via the stone church road (as currently used on Porter Market days), but mostly it will be horse riders riding to that area - which they already use substantially.

3. There were several aspects of the Tokai Precinct Plans that seemed to cut off certain access points for horse riders - e.g. the relocation of office blocks with baboon-proof fencing would mean that horses riders will loose certain current access points and thoroughfares. While I can understand that some access points and thoroughfares will be closed, I really do believe that the equestrian community needs to be consulted more fully with regards to both the precinct and the upper plantation in particular. The lower plantation tracks have already been restricted, leading to conflict between users. We need proper engagement regarding the riding routes for the whole of the Precinct, middle plantation and upper plantation. We should remember that horses are accessing the Tokai Precinct from up the Swaanswyk side, from below lower Plantation, from Porter Estate and there are several riding routes and thoroughfares that should be kept open. It is important for riders to have several options for circular routes out and back home, and this also then prevents particular trails from becoming over-used and eroded.

I hope that the above points are understandable. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss anything further. Kind regards, Carol

-- Carol Poole 073 148 7773

From: Mark Brown [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 2012-02-20 10:23 11 To: Michael Slayen Cc: [email protected] Subject: Tokai Canopy Tour Proposal February 2012

Hi Mike

It was good to finally meet you at the Tokai open day.

It was also great to see our Canopy Tour activity formally proposed as part of the Tokai Manor Precinct after so many years of waiting. Unfortunately only one of the viable site options we proposed was include in the plans, so I would like to formally send you the other site option so this can be considered. Especially as you mentioned at the open day that there may be SANParks specific ecological obstacles in utilising the first proposed 'upper arboretum' site for a Canopy Tour.

Considering the many merits to the establishment of a Canopy Tour in Tokai, we do not understand why SANParks is not willing to immediately investigate this further and allow for a transparent tender process to get this project underway. Such benefits are as follows:

1. New icon adventure activity for the Tokai Forest which will increase visitor numbers to the TMNP. 2. The creation of approximately 25 new full time jobs, skills training and careers for previously unemployed members of the surrounding community. 3. Low if any impact on current users and activities within the Tokai Forest 4. Low if any impact on the trees and environment of the Tokai Forest 5. The opportunity to generate substantial revenue and job creation from a small 3Ha plantation of old gum trees that are not currently utilised for anything, and whose future remains uncertain 6. Additional concessionary income for SANPArks of approximately R900,000.00 per year from the new business 7. The opportunity to refurbish and transform the old disused stables building into a vibrant adventure centre which can play host to other activities and forest users if desired

From the above list it seems inexcusable that a proposal such as this with so many positive spin offs has been continually deferred for 9 years!? Our first proposal was submitted to DWAF in 2003 and then again to SANParks in 2006.

We hereby request a written response from SANPArks on whether or not a decision can be made on this proposal during the next six months. We have two other viable Canopy Tour sites in the Cape area, although they are not as good as Tokai, and will have to investigate these once we know that the Tokai proposal will not be permitted or will take another five years before a decision is reached.

I have attached an updated 'February 2012' draft of our proposal so this can be reviewed and circulated as necessary.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Mark

Mark Brown CANOPY TOURS ® Tsitsikamma | Magaliesberg | Karkloof | Magoebaskloof | Drakensberg | Swaziland m +27(0) 824533970 f + 27 (0) 866 351 653 skype: canopy.tour www.canopytour.co.za

INCLUDE ATTACHMENT : Mark Brown Canopy Tour Proposal (.pdf)

INCLUDE ATTACHMENT : Mark Brown Canopy Tour Comments (.pdf)

From: Emma de Nobrega [mailto:[email protected]] 12 Sent: 20 February 2012 10:14 PM To: 'D L Wragge' Subject: RE: SANParks Precinct Redevelopment Proposal - Concerns and Suggestions

Hi Lynn

Please pass on to the relevant parties………….

Just wanted to re-iterate exactly what Grant Chapman has highlighted so succinctly in his response to Sanparks proposals for the Tokai Precinct. And would like to add my name to the bottom of the list of these documented points for consideration.

My observations over the last few years has been that the riding community’s facilities in the Tokai area has greatly diminished with the total loss of all Shora facilities and the ‘upgrade’ of the lower forest plantation. This has removed a lot of the traditional riding paths that have previously been used by the equestrian community over decades in the Tokai / Constantia area. As it is today, access to the mountain via the Arboretum has become quite impossible over the weekends with the amount of mountain bikers also using the facility. It has become quite a danger to both horse rider and mountain biker when riding on the mountain with so many bikers using the same paths as the horse riders, as many bikers are unaware of the dangers that can arise when they cycle too close to a horse at very high speeds and in large groups.

I am sure that when all interested parties (particularly the equestrian community) concerns have been considered, a mutually beneficial outcome will be found but until then I have to voice my strongest objections to Sanparks new development plans for the Tokai precinct.

Yours sincerely

Emma de Nobrega (083 5268553)

Livery Client - Porter Stables

13

21 February 2012

Our Foundation is strongly opposed to a change of usage to the original lease of The Manor House.

The Western Cape Government granted the lease after repairing the Manor House for the second time for the TMNP to use the buildings for office purposes.

The proposal that the Manor House be leased as a restaurant or art gallery is a digression from the lease agreement. Although this proposal will ensure improved public access to the Manor House, detail plans with regard to internal alterations have to be prepared and discussed with stakeholders.

The two old buildings abutting the main werf (and effectively part of the werf), the Old Stables and The Orpen House complex are desperately in need of attention to avoid further damage. These building should be sympathetically restored to yet again form a coherent part of the 18th c werf. It is imperative that a viable use be found for these buildings. Formal proposals have to be made and discussed with the various interested and affected parties.

We believe that the first tranch of R11 million from the National Parks Board should be spent on repairing the Old Buildings and The Road as was originally intended.

The new ‘Green’ head office buildings should be put on hold until the above action has been taken. A Heritage Impact Assessment must be done before any decisions can be made regarding the introduction of new buildings in this precinct.

On the issue of parking areas, we would suggest these be divided into long and short term areas. Bikers, runners, walkers should be in the long term area. Parking areas should also be screened from the Werf to minimise the impact thereof on the historic experience of the place.

An alternative access road to Chrysalis Academy should be provided. This would allow parking space next to Orpen House.

An undertaking was given by the applicant that the information will be available on the website but this was not done - therefore more time should be given to interested and affected parties to comment.

Listening to comments made at the Open Day, we believe that a Heritage Impact Assessment must be done, further time should be given for comments and that a further public participation meeting be held, as it is only becoming clear who some of the stakeholders are.

Yours faithfully

Ian Pretorius Chairman

From: BootCamp Cape Town - Kyle Sanders [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 9:34 AM To: [email protected] 14 Subject: Bootcamp Comment Sheet

To whom it may concern.

The only comment we here at Bootcamp can think of at the moment is that we are against the Boom entrance infront of the Manor house. We think it will have a negative impact on business for us, as our clients will have to go through TWO boom entrances before heading up to Bootcamp.

Other than that we are happy.

Kind regards

Kyle Sanders Operations Manager --

COMMENT SHEET 15 TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT PLAN

NAME Dr Philip Richardson

ORGANISATION Human Wildlife Conflict Solutions

CONTACT NO. 082-337 2213

EMAIL ADDRESS [email protected]

COMMENT

1) There has been a huge increase in the number of cyclists using the mountain beyond the arboretum over the last 10 years. National Parks should make sure that they provide additional roads for cyclists on the mountain before they increase the access by way of roads to, and parking on the mountain. At present the roads / cycling tracks on the mountain are probably already oversubscribed and it will only start leading to accidents if facilities beyond the Tokai precinct are not increased at the same rate as they are increased to it. Rather than increase the traffic to Tokai, National Parks should look at providing additional sites for cyclists to access the mountain and thereby reduce the bottle neck in Tokai. They could also encourage the use of a circular route so that cyclists access the mountain at one site but return via another. In the meantime, the focus at the precinct should be on improving the area for green activities and not devote any additional space to parking for any activity except possibly walking.

2) Parking facilities should be catered for in the lower forest (above Orpen road). This could be for some cyclists, but the real need will be for horse boxes, particularly if one is going to cater to have horse shows and not just practice facilities here. It would probably be best to have separate areas for parking for horse riders and cyclists. Cyclists are here to cycle the mountain so an additional 1km ride on flat terrain will have no effect on them at all if one does not increase parking for cyclists at the precinct, but lower down in the forest (but note point 1 anyway). Similarly horses can walk to the arenas, but the need to be higher up the mountain and closer to their destination will be greater for horse riders, particularly if one is able to have shows here.

3) The precinct should be used exclusively for "green" purposes and appreciation of the mountain. There is no need to provide facilities for market gardening and shops which are already very well catered for within a few km of the precinct. This space should be used to increase green facilities not consumptive facilities. We do not want to waste parking space on shoppers, and nor do we want to encourage shoppers to come to the mountain to the detriment of people coming there to enjoy the mountain – walkers, cyclists and horse riders. There is also a cycling shop on Tokai about 1 km from the precinct.

4) Cape Town has no secure site for horse riding shows. All the sites are on private land or leased land that could be taken back by the state at fairly short notice. The Tokai precinct could provide the perfect place to establish excellent facilities for all forms of horse riding - dressage, show jumping and cross country. If this was established here it would secure these activities for ever in Cape Town, and could provide a beautiful site for spectators to

enjoy the sport as well as the mountain.

5) The horse riding facilities (arenas) suggested at present will hardly cater for anybody and need to be increased by at least a factor of 3. If the arenas are level enough to ride on (which looks very doubtful at present), they will provide practice areas for a minimal amount of horses. They will not allow for more than one horse at a time in either arena, nor will there be any spectator area nor will there be any warm up area. In other words these facilities will hardly encourage any additional horse riding activities in the area and an excellent opportunity to create a really fantastic facility, which could become quite a tourist attraction, will be wasted.

6) Additional stables are suggested to be built. This may be a good idea particularly if somebody were to establish a riding centre catering for tourists to be able to hire horses and ride up the mountain. This would make the mountain available to an entirely new set of people and hugely increase the appreciation of the mountain. There is also a need for additional stabling for people who own horses in the area. However, in order to meet these needs, one must be very careful to make sure that there is enough land set aside to additional paddocks for these extra horses. The last thing one would want, would be to create dust bowls at the entrance to the precinct because the number of horses far exceeded the carrying capacity of the land set aside for them. This seems to be the case in the presently suggested plans.

Yours sincerely,

COMMENT SHEET

TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT PLAN: OPEN DAY 7 FEBRUARY 2012, TOKAI MANOR HOUSE 16 Name: Dr P M Holmes Organisation (if any): City of Cape Town: Biodiversity Management Branch Contact Tel No: 021 514 4185 Email Address: [email protected]

Comment:

 The main priorities from a biodiversity perspective are the two Critically Endangered ecosystems occurring in this footprint: Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and Peninsula Granite Fynbos (South subtype). These ecosystems need to be maximized towards National Conservation targets. As such the current plantation areas are indicated as “conserved (assuming restoration)” on the fine-scale systematic biodiversity plan for the city (the Biodiversity Network). It is also essential for conservation of the biota that their future functioning is ensured by restoring fynbos from seed banks post-plantation forestry. This entails prescribed burning, minimization of fragmentation and edge effects (through additional developments) and ensuring a viable ecological corridor from the lowlands to the mountains. Towards this goal, it is important that: o The Bosdorp footprint is reduced as far as possible o The TMNP headquarters are located off the corridor, to the north of Tokai Road o The gum plantation compartments are harvested and restored, and not included into the Arboretum. The present plan shows these plantations to be incorporated into the Arboretum and this will make the ecological corridor too narrow (<130m) at this critical point adjacent to upper Zwaanswyk.

 A second priority is the Prinskasteel river and wetland system that forms part of the “Source to Sea “project. According to Forestry ISO14001 standards as well as City Floodplain River Management Policy (2009) there should be no invasive alien plants or development in the river buffer area. In a national park one would expect the highest conservation standards, with alien removal along the water courses and restoration of indigenous riparian plant communities. The proposal of “Zip line canopy touring” appears to be the motivation for lack of compliance here. This activity should not be introduced at the expense of conserving and restoring critical biodiversity in the Cape Floristic Region, especially in a national park. In addition, there would be additional disturbances associated with this through the construction of car parks. Maintaining the gum plantation here would also prevent a natural linkage between the fynbos corridor and the river system.

From: Alberta van Rooyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 4:31 PM 17 To: [email protected] Subject: re: Comment from D. Robinson onTokai Precinct Draft 7/2/2012

Mrs. Dillys Robinson*, (021-7123566) asked me by telephone to submit the following comment on her behalf as she does not have internet access:

Mrs. Robinson is against any tearoom / restourant / food sales within the old werf or within any of the buildings.

She suggests a gild / craft activity inside the slave lodge / convict outstation focussing on hand made products depicting any aspect of the history of Tokai or this area. That will include teaching of painting classes; hand made carts; dolls and other curiosities made by several artists living in Tokai and who are also involved with upliftment projects.

She suggests that the products must be sold as curiosities at the Manor House if open to the public or any curiosity shop within Tokai precinct.

She is also opposed to so called "important" curiosities of other sections of the country and other countries like Zimbabwe; Malawi etc. The focus must be very strongly on art / crafts depicting Tokai's very vivid tapestry of cultural and natural history.

*Mrs. Robinson is well known for her porcelain painting focussing on DEIC ships according to paintings in the Frere Collection. She is also well connected to several artists in this area. She has exhibited on several occasions at Kirstenbosch. At present she is giving art classes also to the less privileged. She is known for her very sharp mind and has a wonderful collection of memories on Tokai of old and its people and activities.

Mrs. Robinson is against any activity within the precinct which will disturb the tranquillity and pastoral atmosphere of the place.

Kindly contact her for more information.

With regards on her behalf

Mrs. Berta van Rooyen 072-4740608 Tokai 21 February 2012

From: Riaan Vorster [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 5:08 PM 18 To: [email protected] Subject: Tokai Manor Precinct development plan comments

Hi All, attached please find my comment sheet regarding the Tokai Manor Precinct Development Plan. The sheet is too small to cover all my comments, please see additional comments below: 6. The Adventure aspect in the planning sheet is very questionnable as it conflicts with the conservational aspect of SANParks, eg zip lines down gums and pines do not constitute an eco canopy trail. 7. Yet another craft market is a) not required and b) not in accordance with conservancy in the Arboretum area. 8. It does not seem that a traffic impact assessment on Tokai has been done. The volume of additional traffic (especially buses) will turn a recreational and conservancy area into a traffic jam, congestion and fumes being in total contradiction with the purpose of the development plan. 9. Tokai Forest is not an ideal entry point for masses, there are better " Gateways" which already have the suitable road access and parking facilities without having to destroy even more nature.

Regards, Coco Hantel

INCLUDE ATTACHMENT : Comment Sheet (Coco Hantel.jpg file)

COMMENT SHEET 19 TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT PLAN: OPEN DAY 7 FEBRUARY 2012, TOKAI MANOR HOUSE Name: Dr AG Rebelo Organisation (if any): SANBI Contact Tel No: 021 799 8727 Email Address: [email protected]

Comment:

Panel 1: Don’t use outdated background maps: use the current map, such as the one presently on Googleearth, which shows the situation as it is now, not at it was in 2009. The map source is not credited and the date is not shown – is there not a copyright issue here?.

Panel 2: Objectives Why is conservation only given lip service in Objective 1. Core conservation objectives in the area that need to be elevated to high priority are: 1. Restoration of the Prinskasteel River to a natural riparian wetland and its significance as a natural link from the mountains to the lowlands and the maintenance of the Sandriver Catchment. 2. Maintenance of the biodiversity corridor – the only and prime link between the mountain ecosystems and the Critically Endangered Sand Fynbos on the flats.

Panel 3: Cultural Landscape: Local Context - The “Arboretum Associated Plantings” are a pure fabrication. These were gum block plantations, and were still listed as gum plantations in the Tokai lease maps that TMNP provided SANBI in 2005. As a plantation they are now “illegal” and do not conform to Environmental legislation, ISO1401 standards and good practice forestry guidelines. Specifically they have been planted in a wetland and riverine ecosystem, and as a minimum must be cut back 30m on each side of the banks of the Prinskasteel River. Cultural Landscape: Manor House Area – the south line of the line of historical oak planting is in the Prinskasteel wetland: oaks are a major invasive in river systems. They should be removed from within 50m of the river. No permit has been given or should be given to plant them in riverine systems. (This is mentioned in panel 4) Vegetation and Geology Plan: no mention is made of the significance of the Prinskasteel River (and the Flagstaff stream) in the Sandriver Catchment, and the fact that these are Critical riverine components of the two Critically Endangered Ecosystems. It is not mentioned that they should be restored. No mention is made that for the Biodiversity corridor to work it needs to be an absolute minimum of 100m across, preferably 200m wide. This width requirement can only be met by extending the corridor to the river by removing the gums on the south side. Furthermore any alien fire prone compartments are a major fire risk adjacent Fynbos and the wider fire belts required will compromise the corridor even more! The classification of Granite Fynbos as Endangered is wrong: it is Critically Endangered. Precinct area: no water mains to the Cape Research Centre?

Panel 4:

The Arboretum subprecinct is far too wide and should be restricted to the Actual Arboretum as per the Monuments act. As it is construed here it inclues critical Riverine habitat and compromises the Fynbos corridor. Biodiversity corridor : The contraction of the Bosdorp is a positive outcome for the biodiversity corridor. Unfortunately, this has not been extended higher up the slope where the gums impact on the corridor. Degraded Riverine Environment Both streams (Prinskasteel and Flagstaff) somewhat degraded, have lost riparian indigenous plants, and require management. Nothing is mentioned of their required restoration: nor the linking of the natural ecosystem with the rest of the Sandriver catchment area. Riverine and Ecological Corridors: this is mentioned but the ecological constraints underpinning their survival and ecological integrity are not mentioned. These need to be restored. The minimum requirements of the biodiversity corridor are 100m across, ideally 200m (this is because 15-20m is firebelt – more if the edge is compromised by fences and exclusion areas, and especially buildings, and the 20-50m (some argue more!) adjacent this becomes degraded due to edge effects. So for each corridor the core corridor is width – 2*(fire belt+degredation) – so the effective Fynbos corridor is that only met for widths significantly greater than 2*(15+20~50) = 70-130m. This is the bottom line and wherever possible, and a minimum core width of 50m should also be considered, sot that 120-180m is the minimum width that we should be considering. Similarly, a border of 15m (to canopy) or 30m (to trunk) corridor must be maintained as natural vegetation on each side of the rivers. This must exclude the fire belts – these are Fynbos riverine ecosystems – so add an extra 15m firebelt to these. In reality it is much easier to link these to Fynbos areas as they can then be managed as part of the system. Upper Tokai Road: The Biodiversity corridor section of this road must be cleared of trees to provide a corridor for Fynbos animals (mainly birds and insects) to move unimpeded from the upper to lower reaches, free of predation by perching predators and factors that might prevent movement. The avenue can thus start at the Research node/Fireplace area, but should be clear of trees within the actual corridor.

Panel 5: Again: incorrectly states that Peninsula Granite Fynbos is Endangered. In the latest published assessment it is classified as Critically Endangered. In figure 3.1 the heritage resource of the Arboretum is shown extending south of the Prinskasteel river: this is incorrect: the Arboretum does not include the river or any area south of it. Nowhere is it mentioned that there are illustrations of the early manor with a Silvertree Woodland on the slopes behind.

Panel 6: Upper Tokai Road The Hakea hedge must be removed. The species is being considered for upgrade to Category 2 status: not allowed. It is invasive and a problem nearby (Highlands State Forest). The hedge will also compromise the firebelt as it is highly inflammable. The cross section shown is not applicable anywhere.  It cannot apply by the picnic site as the picnic site has an electric fence outside of the gums and therefore the horse path must be outside of the gums.  It cannot apply in the biodiversity corridor as the gums must be removed to maintain the biodiversity corridor viability. This zone is the ciritical weak link in the corridor and its effects should be ameliorated. To do this any trees or barriers to the upslope downslope

movement (especially to flying birds and insects) must be removed. There is also the aesthetic visual affect of the corridor, that would be destroyed by having an avenue of trees. Historically the avenue only started at the bridge. There is thus no historical reason to keep the avenue, and especially not at the biodiversity corridor at the far outside end of the road. Tokai Manor Commonage Sub-Precinct The use of rehabilitation for the Prinskasteel stream is meaningless. It will not be restored or rehabilitated to its natural state – which will require fire. It will merely be landscaped. Don’t mislead the public. The irony in panel is that you show it planted with Oaks (illegal!) and call it “rehabilitation”! Manor House Sub-Precinct The use of rehabilitation for the Flagstaff stream is meaningless. It will not be restored or rehabilitated - it will merely be landscaped. Ditto Prinskasteel stream (which is a river). Manor Gardens Sub-Precinct Has anyone looked at the economics of this? The area is ridiculously small to be economically viable. Please don’t provide a blueprint for an economical disaster. How will the vineyard and market garden work? What will happen to the executive picnic site: will that be removed? Why is it not mentioned? Rehabilitated trees and Fynbos: Fynbos cannot be rehabilitated within the firebelt or next to thatch cottages as shown between rangers residence and owl house. This is not an option.

Panel 7: Arboretum Subprecinct Includes blocks of Gum plantations that are not compliant that are not part of the Arboretum. These plantations are not compliant with iso14001 standards These plantations are not compliant with best practice These plantations are illegal in that they intrude upon and destroy the riverine habitat of the Prinskasteel river. Biodiversity Corridor: Those on the south side of the Prinskasteel river impact and compromise the vitally important Biodiversity corridor on the south side. This drastically reduces the width of the corridor and because of the tall trees further impacts by casting shade, supporting sit and wait predators that will compromise the corridor, requires fire belts, and requires upgrading of the road and high traffic levels that will impact on the functioning of the corridor. It extends in a long tongue into the Fynbos area, resulting in loss of biodiversity of a Critically Endangered vegetation type (Peninsula Granite Fynbos), made worse by the unmapped impacts due to the need for extra firebelts and the rain of alien seeds into the Fynbos areas. The “staging area” will be a source of invasion of high levels of Argentinean Ants into the Fynbos area. This is utterly unacceptable. Baboons: Restricts access for baboons to critical water resources for areas inside the electric fence. Provides unwanted nesting sites for baboons to trees outside of the electric fence. The Zipline will be sending out a message totally incompatible with the conservation ethos of TMNP. This is Critically Endangered Ecosystem that should be restored, not further degraded and destroyed, and should not be allowed to furthermore impact on the critical biodiversity corridor that is essential to the integrity of the lower Tokai Park. This is made doubly worse by the proposed electrical fence that will require the rerouting of horses and walkers and thus destroy more Fynbos in the biodiversity corridor. Already land has been given to the

The Champion Trees in the Arboretum are exclusive to the national monument. The handful of Sequioas (which are invasive in the area!) can be maintained within the Fynbos, and should be capable of surviving fires in the Fynbos beneath them. As champion trees they violate the principle of champion trees which may not interfere with natural ecosystem processes and ecology, so it is remarkable that they were passed as champion trees. By confining all tree top acitivities to the actual arboretum, the smaller footprint will have major ecological benefits for the Critically Endangered Peninsula Granite Fynbos, for the functioning of the Biodiversity Corridor, for the restoration of the critical riparian habitat and the restoration of the Sandriver catchment system, as well as allowing baboons access to water, but without roosting areas. It would also rationalize pathways across the current gum area for horses and hikers without compromising the baboon proofing of the Arboretum itself. It will also eliminate the need for fire belts and remove a major fire hazard between two blocks of Fynbos. All in all removing the gums is a complete win-win situation. If the Prinskasteel River is to be rehabilitated –then this is incompatible with having gums in the area. All gums within 15m (to canopy) of the river must be removed to comply with legal wetland provisions, and ISO1401 standards and good forestry practices. Wood Owl Cottage: the historical visual access is a bugbear and has no historical meaning. But maintaining it as a public access route, compromises the baboon fence integrity: access to the mountain should be restricted to the smallest possible number of gates. In this case, this gate can be combined with the cycle gate north of Owl cottage and if a visual avenue is envisaged, it does not need to be coupled with the hiking track. Why is the Buchu patch above Owl House included in the fenced off area. This means maintaining a fire-prone area next to the Tatch roof. It makes far more sense to put the Buchu area in the Fynbos and have a proper fire belt and shorter electric baboon-proof fence around the area, with fewer gates. The area above the rangers house cannot be restored to “trees and Fynbos”: Fynbos must burn and this on the wrong side of the Baboon-proof fence and firebelt. Use this are for some Arboretum or picnicking activity, or trees, but forget about Fynbos and stop misleading people to think can Fynbos can be maintained in areas that you have no intention of allowing any fires in. Utility Subprecinct The Historical line of Oaks in the Prinskasteel River is illegal: reroute the line 50m to the north so that it is out of the river! Oaks are serious alien invasive species of riverine and wetland areas and are category 2 trees.

Panel 8 River cottages subprecinct. The Fynbos trail in the corridor is unacceptable. Activities must be kept to the firebelts on the north an dsouth of the Corridor, with minimum of paths across and NONE through the area. Paths are a major source of invasion and alien plant access, and horses disperse additional alien seeds, so that the biodiversity corridor – which is already at its margin for not being able to function effectively, will be compromised. The buildings require a firebelt, but far more significantly, the placing of an electric fence between the access road – which functions as the north firebelt at present, would compromise the biodiversity corridor even more, but requiring a new path for horses and people in the existing corridor and a new firebelt. This is utterly unacceptable. The road shown does not lead to the arboretum, and long term will be needed for access to the upper slopes, but can function as a firebelt over part of its length, and trail for both hikers and horses.

Two unlisted major disadvantages: * eliminates baboon and other animals (e.g. Porcupine, buck, etc) access to river in middle Tokai Biodiversity Corridor; **Prevents widening and restoration of the Biodiversity corridor to make it more viable and increase its effectiveness. Scenario 2: is an even bigger environmental disaster – all the negatives above are far worse! Where is Scenario 3?: restoration of Biodiversity Corridor for entire area south of and including the Prinskasteel River. Why is this scenario not seriously considered. This is a Critically Endangered Ecosystem and all proposals above are to the detriment of the corridor, reducing its effectiveness. Equestrian Subprecinct Has an EIA been done on the surrounding area to ensure that the paths and roads and conservation area can cope with additional horses? Increasing the number of horses will have a major ecological impact in terms of path degradation and erosion, alien plant seed introduction, and the viability of the Biodiversity Corridor. What mitigation will be done to prevent any such effects? None of this can be considered without a Tokai/Porter/ adjacent farms assessment of potential riding routes and access. What about waste from the stables and possible contamination of the Prinskasteel and Flagstiff river with pollutants. Are there not too many horses suggested. What is the economic and precinct effects of the horses. Will there be enough lunging, exercising, training and dressage and jumping arenas to allow the activities envisaged for the number of horses envisaged. Is there enough space for paddocks for the number of horses envisaged? Already there are conflicts with horses and people/dogs/cyclists at lower Tokai: is this plan viable and desirable?

Panel 10. Baboon Management Options This is a farce. This is not baboon management but fencing baboons out of certain areas. The ideal situation is to remove all trees from outside of the electric fence, and minimize the area and extent of baboon proof fencing. The advantages and disadvantages are contrived and a far more intelligent and better analysis should be done with baboon experts and local biodiversity experts. For instance, confining the fencing to the Arboretum as the upper edge and the Tokai precinct, Cape Research Centre and the Picnic site is by far the cheapest option to any shown. The only viable option is to remove the gums and restore the Biodiverity Corridor and Critically Endangered Peninsula Granite Fynbos, allowing baboons and other animals access to the water in the Prinskasteel River, but not allow them any roosting sites other than the cliffs on Constantiaberg. That will ensure that Baboons take a few hours to get down to the flats in spring when they utilize lower Tokai, but keep them within the corridor and lower area. Landowners on the edge must provide their own fencing should they so wish it. Constantia Uitsig had an electric fence and replaced it in 2011 (but it was cut by Vodacom? because access to the repeater station was prevented). Landowners are thus perfectly happy to put up electric fences. In Tokai Park, all that needs to be done is to remove lower roosting sites (remove the trees) and allow access to water so that the baboons remain in the corridor.

Signature: A.G. Rebelo (Dr) Please hand in comments or submit to [email protected] by 21 February 2012. Proposals are available for viewing on TMNP website: www.tmnp.co.za and at Tokai Library.

20 : Berta Van Rooyen (pdf)

21: Debbie Cussens (pdf)

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23: E Van Rooyen (pdf)

24: G Howell (pdf)

25: Grant Chapman TDRA (pdf) (pdf)

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From: Mathys Hattingh [mailto:[email protected]] 35 Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 11:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [!! SPAM] Tokai Manor Precinct: Comment Sheet

Tokai Manor Precinct: Comment Sheet TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT PLAN: OPEN DAY 7 FEBRUARY 2012, TOKAI MANOR HOUSE Name: Thys Hattingh

Organisation (If any): Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa

Contact Tel No: 082 423 2416

Email Address: [email protected]

Comment: VASSA believes that there should be an overall Conservation Management Plan in place. It seems that the precinct will be redeveloped piecemeal as priorities and funds allow. This should not prevent a formal HIA which would provide an opportunity to research and memorialise the extremely significant social histories related to the complex. The deterioration of the built fabric of the compex is of great concern to VASSA and should be given urgent attention.

Signature:

MW Hattingh: VASSA Chairman

Please hand in comments or submit to [email protected] by 21 February 2012. Proposals are available for viewing on TMNP website: www.tmnp.co.za and at Tokai Library.

From: Kathy Dumbrell [mailto:[email protected]] 36 Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 9:52 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Mathys Hattingh; [email protected] Subject: Tokai Manor House and surrounding cultural landscape: request for Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa to be included as an I&AP in this process

To Whom It May Concern

Please include VASSA (represented by me and the Chairperson, Mathys Hattingh) in your database of I&APs for this area.

It has long been noted by VASSA that the Tokai Manor House and its cultural landscape are artefacts of a complex and not-yet entirely researched and documented social history spanning centuries. We would like to see a planning process that properly addresses these issues in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary Heritage Impact Assessment and the establishment and implementation of a [Heritage] Conservation Management Plan that meets the criteria for such studies set internationally, by (for example) Kerr and Clark.

The published panels do not sufficiently address our concerns and we await SANParks' response on these before we can be considered to support the current proposals in any way. Our formal comment once we are registered on your database will be issued from our Chairperson, Mathys Hattingh.

Regards Kathy Dumbrell for VASSA -- Kathy Dumbrell Co-ordinator: VASSA Watchdog Committee personal contact details: 14 Roosevelt Road Claremont 7708 tel: 0216747272 fax: 0866038265 cell: 0824609899

From: craig ferguson [mailto:[email protected]] 37 Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 4:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Tokia Manor Precinct Plan: open day comment form

Name: Craig Ferguson

Organisation: The Cape Riders Forum

Conact tel no: 072 830 8370 email address: [email protected]

With regard to the Equestrian sub-precinct (panel 8) information on your website, I believe that your planning addresses the need for equestrian facilities in the area very well.

The ideas presented on your site are a welcome approach to enhancing the Tokai Manor precinct, and also recognises the value and appeal of maintaining a healthy equestrian environment in the park, thereby further enhancing the natural feel of the area whilst providing sorely needed recreational and sporting facilities.

The Tokai Manor precinct is an ideal environment to create an equestrian centre as outlined in your proposed scenarios. Such facilities would bring immense benefit to the area, and would also contribute to the wellbeing of the community. Equine facilities represent employment opportunities, community participation in the exciting world of horses, benefit to local businesses (vets, farriers, tourism-related businesses, etc).

As horse owners and residents in the area, we would welcome initiatives such as what is proposed on your website. A quality equestrian centre would improve an already outstandingly beautiful part of the Cape Town.

Currently there is nowhere in the Southern Suburbs to operate “The Pony Club”, and hence there are many children who are missing the opportunity to become involved in equestrian life. The proposed equestrian centre could serve well to address this shortcoming and give many kids the opportunity to learn to ride, and to appreciate the physical spiritual wonders that go with it.

Further to an equestrian centre, the bridal paths of Tokai Manor precinct should be protected as outriding is very much a part of the equestrian world and riding in the park offers a spectacular experience. In conjunction with an equestrian facility, the park can provide invaluable facility to the community, those from all walks.

I would like to lend my support for equestrian facilities where possible.

It’s a very encouraging prospect for the precinct.

Apologies for being a day late with my comments, but I have been away. I hope they will still be considered.

Yours sincerely,

Craig Ferguson

From: Dawn Brosens [mailto:[email protected]] 38 Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 6:00 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Comments regarding the proposed Tokai Manor House Precint Plan

To whom it may concern

Thank you for affording us the opportunity to provide our own comments to the proposed development. I have had the privilege of using the district in which you propose the above development for many years as a student, mother, dog walker, mountain biker and horse rider.

This specific district has the wonderful appeal of being a natural protected and not-over- burdened area of Cape Town. It is utilised by so many different interest groups who continuously comment on how fortunate we have been to preserve the area affording the current and future generations the chance to enjoy what we have had in the past.

Time moves on and change happens but it need not be at the expense of what has been.

My objections are the following  The plan motivates all aspects of the development to increase the number of people and vehicles into the area. This will have a dramatic effect on the current traffic of the district. I was previously needed in an emergency while up in the area and was unable to get out due to the already congested traffic used for the picnic area.  The current riding fraternity are very limited in the available areas and have lost rides due to the lower forest having restricted paths. Introducing 60m additional stables will burden the area further since the SHORA field used to absorb a lot of the riders wanting to exercise their horses. There is very little financial motivation for building stables and arenas since the time it would take to recoup these costs will offer little profit for funding another venture in the same development. The riding community would rather request an appropriate amount of land to redevelop what was lost at SHORA and with the motivation and commitment of the new proposed unified riding association in the area this aspect would be served in the best interests of preserving the TMNP and keeping the heritage of riding in the area.

I also wish to support the submissions that will be furnished by the proposed TDRA.

Kind regards

Dawn Brosens

Plessey Building Corner Victoria and Main Roads 39 Plumstead Private Bag X5 PLUMSTEAD 7801 MEMORANDUM Ask for: Joy Garman Tel: 021 710 8018 Fax: 021 710 8002 E-mail: [email protected]

ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMEN TAL AND SPATIAL PLAN NING DIRECTORATE ENVIRONMENTAL R E S O U R C E MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND HE RITAGE RESOURCES MAN AGEMENT BRANCH - SOUTHERN REGION

DATE: 24 FEBRUARY 2012 TO: THE CONSULTANT ATTENTION: ELA COMMENT ON THE TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT PLAN: OPEN DAY ON 7 FEBRUARY 2012

The district environmental office for the City of Cape Town has the following comment on the abovementioned proposal:

Western Leopard Toad and Cape Rain Frog The impacts of increased traffic along the main access road on the endangered Western Leopard Toad (Amietophrynus pantherinus) and the vulnerable Cape Rain Frog (Breviceps gibbosus) must be considered and mitigation measures implemented. This branch suggests designing underpasses at strategic points along this road. The underpasses could be simple in design such as culverts with grids overhead. Stormwater channels running perpendicular to the road could double up as channels by which to guide the frogs to the underpasses.

Baboon fencing Any baboon fencing transecting the biodiversity corridor could result in the sterilization of the lower portion of the corridor due to the restriction it will place on faunal movement. In areas where the fencing crosses rivers and streams the design of the fence must not obstruct the high flow of the rivers.

AM GREENWOOD, REGIONAL MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BRANCH SOUTHERN REGION

40: SAHRA (pdf)

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TOKAI RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION P O BOX 30069 TOKAI 7966 Telephone (Cellular) 082 701 0048 Email [email protected] Fax 086 579 8590

24 February 2012 Mr Michael Slayen SANParks PO Box 37 Constantia 7800

Dear Mr Slayen

Tokai Manor Precinct Plan – comments by TRA

The Tokai Residents Association (TRA) would like to thank you for extending the deadline for submission of comments on the Tokai Manor Precinct Plan.

The TRA recognizes that the area has potential for redevelopment, but this needs to be undertaken in such a way to ensure that the rural character and heritage of the area is retained. The TRA feels that the following issues require further discussion as they appear to be contrary to our vision of retaining the rural feel of the area:

1. Parking – the plans propose an increase in parking at the Arboretum and slightly lower down. The TRA would like to suggest that the parking area be relocated to the existing “Bosdorp” site, becoming a paid parking area. The existing parking area could then be limited to disabled or elderly visitors. This would reduce the number of vehicles travelling over the bridge and result in better traffic flow and increased safety. The existing boom at Chrysalis could be moved to a point just beyond the

new parking area at “Bosdorp”. We do not see asphalt parking as appropriate for this precinct at all.

2. Regarding the equestrian element of the precinct, the TRA believes that a professional riding body should be consulted to help with this. There are already a number of stables in the precinct and the TRA does not believe it is viable to increase the number of stables. If additional grazing is not made available, there will be excessive pressure on the land, resulting in sand areas. The TRA encourages the provision of paid arena facilities for the riding community (who have recently lost their facilities).

3. Any type of retail outlet in the precinct must be appropriate for the area. There is already an over-supply of retail in Tokai and the Tokai Manor precinct has the advantage of a beautiful setting, which can be capitalized on by providing something different. The TRA sees an opportunity for a unique farmstall-type outlet, restaurant, tea room (such as Listers Place) that would complement the existing Porters market.

4. There is further potential to explore the cultural heritage within the precinct, and the location of a museum and information centre is seen as appropriate tourist attractions for the area.

5. Although we appreciate the need for rehabilitation of the fynbos in some areas, it is also clear that the forest area is an important part of the precinct. The precinct plans put little emphasis on this aspect and appear to favour the establishment of further areas of fynbos, rather than focusing on the appeal of the forest areas to the public.

The TRA would like the opportunity to meet with yourselves and all other interest groups to discuss these issues. We feel that this is the only way in which all the available expertise and knowledge can be combined to produce a plan that will create a top class area for mountain bikers, cyclists, riders, walkers, tourists and the community.

While we noted that there was a good turnout at the recent open day, we were a little disappointed that there was no space on the registration form for attendees to leave comments, making it difficult to gauge their views. We believe these people should also be invited to any follow-up discussion.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

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G VAN DIEMAN CHAIRPERSON

Porter Estate, Tokai, Western Cape, 7945, P/Bag x 2 Tokai, 7966, Tel: 021 712 1023, Fax: 021 712 1075

20 February 2012 The Head Sanparks Table Mountain National Park P.O. Box 30088 TOKAI 7966

For attention: Mr Michael Slayen

COMMENTS / CONCERNS PERTAINING TO TOKAI MANOR PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT

Kindly accept our appreciation for presenting details of what you envisage with the Manor House and precinct development to the Chrysalis Academy management team on 17 February 2012.

In principle we are not opposed to the envisaged developmental plans for the Tokai Manor precinct. However, we would kindly like to record the following comments and concerns:

 The proposed possible utilization of Orpen House as a training facility will be welcomed as there might be synergy with our youth development efforts in terms of training opportunities as well as employment for Chrysalis students.  It is obvious that the anticipated shops, stalls and other commercial ventures within precinct boundaries will attract large numbers of visitors. Proper traffic control will have to be in place especially on those days when it coincides with registration and graduation days as well as parent workshops presented at Chrysalis Academy.  As you probably know we have declared the area that we occupy a no smoking zone. The main reason for this is that many of our students come from addiction backgrounds, so we would not like to expose them to any habit forming substance if it can be avoided.

We also realize that we cannot dictate to your tenants what to sell, but would appreciate your understanding and possible assistance in this regard.  The current sewerage system is already under severe pressure, thus meaning that the system will not be able to cope with an additional influx of visitors. You have addressed this issue in your presentation, but due to its importance we would like to reconfirm that the installation of an additional separate sewerage system is definitely part of your implementation plan.  We would maintain the status quo with regards to our current security access control: point at our main gate. Should it be possible to have one security access point that will be able to service both your and our property then we can explore that possibility.

-2-

 With regard to the baboon electric fencing, it is very unlikely that the Chrysalis Academy will have the financial resources to be able to cover the cost of baboon proof fencing on its perimeter.  A detailed transport survey will have to be conducted on current and future traffic flows to determine the proper specifications of access road(s) to be constructed for cyclists/pedestrians/light vehicles/busses/Construction vehicles etc.  Chrysalis has a legal commitment towards a tenant who currently makes use of horse paddocks bordering Sanparks land. Should you wish to develop this specific area and extend it further as planned to provide for the envisaged equestrian centre, then we certainly will have to enter into negotiations.  We are opposed to your idea of incorporating a produce market in your plans while, as you know, we already have a produce market which is less than a kilometer away from where you have a market planned. You will be in direct competition with us for the same market share, which we do not see as being in the spirit of good neighborhood ship.

With regard to the house to the left before entering at the Academy’s main gate, you are kindly requested to also appeal to the Department of Public Works to address the possible illegal activity that is being conducted there. You will understand that it is certainly not a healthy state of affairs if property of Public Works is misused in this manner.

We look forward to a healthy business relationship and good co-existence on the Porter’s Estate.

Yours faithfully

______Ms Lucille Meyer Chief Executive Officer

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From: Soderlund, Erik [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 10:04 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Development of Tokai Manor precinct

Dear Sir/Madam

We note the proposed development of the Tokai manor precinct and wish to comment as follows:

It appears as if part of the development impacts on pine compartments currently forming part of the MTO lease Area

Specifically at this point compartments A2, B31c, B33c and B34 seem to be affected by the planning.

In addition we need to note the ongoing requirement of access on the road for loaded log trucks until the end of the Tokai/Cecelia lease period.

Regards

Erik Soderlund

Commercial and Legal

telephone:: +27 21 866 1512 I cell:: +27 0 83 626 9590 I fax:: +27 21 866 1343 MTO Corporate Office, Jonkershoek Valley Road, Stellenbosch, 7600. Private Bag X5024, Stellenbosch 7599 www.capepine.co.za - disclaimer -

44 From: Michael Slayen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 3:30 PM To: Ela Cc: Derek Chittenden Subject: TMNP comments on the Precint plan

Hi Ela,

SANParks has met to comment on the precinct plan. I ‘m not sure these form part of the formal comments process as in being listed in the C&R report. However if some of the issues are not raised though public comments and we are to make changes they may need to be included in the report. I am still finalising the list with managers but these are our initial comments for your records, I don’t think there is anything major:

Determine an appropriate use for the old reservoir next to current Group braai site and indicate on the plan. Possible uses – refilled and used for recreational activities, left empty and put to some alt use (?) or filled in over time and closed down?

No refurbishment of Woodowl Cottage needed as indicated on the plan

Types of picnicking need to be distinguished for different locations in the precinct ie more formal, managed picnics on the lawns behind the Manor and informal picnics alongside Prinskasteel river.

The future preferred use of Listers needs to be clarified – as an interpretation centre; a tea room; an interpretation centre with tea room, a base for eco-tourism activities (eg canopy tours) are all options

Orpen House be recommended to be developed as a major Government funded training centre with sale outlets (eg crafts, tours etc). It should be referred to as “Orpen House Design and Training Centre”. Proposal needs to align with Provincial and National government policy on training centres.

Efforts should be made to Africanise the precinct through interpretation, activities and business that operate there

Regards

Mike Slayen Manager: Planning Table Mountain National Park South African National Parks (SANParks) Ph: 021 701 8692 Fax: 021 701 8773

Please note new e-mail address: [email protected]