P O Box / Posbus 222 NVBV / NVRA The Crags 6602

388 Lagoon Drive / Tel: 044 531 6699 Lagoonrylaan 388 Fax / faks: 044 531 6668 Office Hours: 09:00-12:00 Mon/Wed/Thurs E-mail / Epos: [email protected] Kantoorure: 09:00-12:00 Ma/Wo/Do

Nature’s Valley Newsletter

No. 35 Editor: Doug Blaine July 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Our mid-winter newsletter is intended to update owners on current issues affecting the Valley and help all those who only get down here once a year to get a picture of what is happening in this beautiful neck of the woods.

The winter has been a lot warmer and considerably drier than last year with just enough regular rainfall to keep the vegetation looking very green and healthy. So far this year we have not had to endure any flooding situations but as we all know such events tend to come out of the blue. We have yet to see a good coating of snow on Formosa Peak.

The beach is looking very “normal” and the estuary is opening and closing on a regular and healthy cycle influenced mainly by the tides. Masses of sea birds which have been missing for some time seem to be reappearing. Bushbuck of varying ages are seen on a regular basis, both in the pass and amongst the houses and the guinea-fowl population is growing fast. African fish eagles are heard and seen regularly and baboons are very much in evidence (more later!) No leopards have been sighted this year, so far!

An NVRA meeting with the permanent residents in the Valley was held in March. Useful feedback is gained from such meetings as the permanent residents have a good feel for issues of common concern and a follow up meeting will be planned for when the Church Hall warms up a little.

The AGM this year will be held on 20 December and we look forward to a good turnout. The minutes of last year’s meeting are being sent out with this newsletter.

The NVRA continue to work closely with the Natures Valley Trust which is being very ably managed by Mark Brown who was appointed director on the 1 November 2012. I believe the objectives of the two organisations are very closely aligned and there are a number of meetings where environmental issues are discussed, where both bodies are represented. We welcome the environmental expertise which the Trust brings to the management and resolution of issues in the Valley.

The NVRA are pleased to announce that from the end of July the association will have its very own website. The website is intended to provide a useful resource to all persons interested in the activities of the NVRA and who require access to interesting and useful information about Natures Valley and surrounding areas, both historic and current. The details about accessing the website are covered in more detail elsewhere in this newsletter. The hottest issue in Natures Valley at the moment is the disturbing increase in the marauding behaviour of the baboon troops who live in the adjoining forest but seem to be feeding more and more in the township. Natures Valley is not alone in experiencing this behaviour and certain parts of are badly affected and activities have been experienced in Plett, to a very much lesser degree. The activities of the Natures Valley Baboon Management Forum (NVBMF) are continuing and this body meets on a quarterly basis to review the situation and agree management strategies. The NVBMF is chaired by the NVRA and includes representation from the NVT, SANParks, Cape Nature and Bitou Municipality. Experts on primate behaviour have been brought in on occasions to assist in the decision making. The baboon troops are becoming more and more brazen and their fear of human beings is diminishing fast. A very worrying trend is the manner in which they will target a house which is unoccupied and by trying every door and window are surprisingly effective at finding a weak spot, breaking into the house and causing very real damage and general mayhem in their search for food. The general consensus of most residents and certainly any owners and visitors who have had the misfortune of experiencing a baboon raid, is that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue and a solution must be found. Unfortunately, when baboons have developed a craving for our foodstuffs and the relatively easy pickings, it seems unlikely that the offending troops will revert to the old lifestyle of living off the fruits of the forest. Better management of waste and care in not leaving food in view and keeping windows and doors closed has helped, but it is not a solution. Baboons are a protected species and it is difficult to foresee how this problem will be overcome in a way which will allow life to proceed in a normal relaxed manner with both species minding their own business. The NVBMF has approached Cape Nature with the view of obtaining permits for residents to utilise paint-ball guns to protect themselves and their property and also to create an environment which is not welcoming to the baboons. The issuing of the necessary permits is likely to be forthcoming shortly and it is hoped that a more aggressive response by homeowners will have an impact in reducing baboon raiding activities. Such activities will need to be handled in a very responsible manner to avoid the potential for injuries to people. There are also members of the community who believe that more drastic action will need to be taken and such issues will be taken up with the authorities in the coming months. We appeal to all residents and homeowners to help wherever they can by following the guidelines which have been issued previously (and are available on the website) to continue with the good-housekeeping habits which help to prevent your property from becoming a target and to discourage bad behaviour by the baboons. Some up to date statistics of the extent of baboon activities in the Valley is contained elsewhere in the newsletter.

VALLEY PEOPLE

In Memorium

It is with sadness that we record the passing of members of the community since the last newsletter was sent out. The NVRA extend their sincere condolences to family and friends.

Andy and Pat Ochse built their Valley home in 1983. They spent many happy holidays there and made lifelong friends. Pat passed away on 6 September 2012.

Kit le Clus, a long-time semi-permanent resident in Nature’s Valley passed away on 25 June 2013. Kit’s family would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Natures Valley for their support during this difficult time. Nature’s Valley is their home away from home and the people here are like family. Kit’s ashes will be scattered at his beloved Natures Valley during December and a bench will be erected in his memory.

Growing up, I was very aware of Dads passion for the grain producing sector of SA, but I was also always aware of his love for us. As an adult, I understand the struggle he faced between the two but I know that you can love your family and your work. His glass was always half full – never half empty. Dad was a liberal and open minded person, and had a wonderful sense of humour. His library of endless jokes and signature laugh will be missed for years to come. Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger or pain, without fear and with bravery. Never again will I hear those words and not think of Dad. (Lynn Louw)

2 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx

Jurie van Rooyen, who spent the last nine years of his life in Nature's Valley, suffered a severe stroke on Saturday 6 July and died peacefully on Thursday 11 July. He loved Nature's Valley fiercely and all the wild creatures in it and was an avid conservator of energy and of our natural resources. He will be remembered for the vigorous daily walks he took on the beach and through the forest in spite of his 86 years, striding quickly, confidently and upright.

Jurie’s wife, Ina Brand and his family wish to thank the whole Nature's Valley community for their support and friendship during his illness and death.

Ann and Richard Haxton moved permanently to Natures Valley in 1986. Affectionately known as “Twinks” to all, Richard, who passed away on 6 February 2013, was a man of great warmth and integrity, with a tremendous sense of humour. He loved fishing and was also a superb marksman and keen sportsman who will be remembered for his exploits on the tennis courts. He had an endless font of stories and could amuse listeners for hours with stories of his exploits as a pilot and of the various fast motor vehicles he owned. He was one of the most generous and kind persons we have ever met, and many residents experienced his concern and love for his fellow human beings. Thank you Ann for sharing Richard with us. (Geoff Smith)

Tina Kamp, the mother of Chris van Melle Kamp, passed away on 5th April 2013.

Daphne Grobicki wife of Ted Grobicki of Erf 465 St. Michaels, sadly passed away early in 2013 after a long illness.

New Arrivals in the Community

We would like to welcome new owners and permanent residents into the Valley community. If we have omitted anyone, we apologise and would like to remind new owners and permanent residents that they should visit the NVRA offices so that we can welcome you appropriately and keep our records up to date. New Homeowners. Inge de Lotte and Tom Beckers, Erf 44 Heather St; Mr and Mrs Sanderson, Erf 132 St George’s Ave; Mr Kobus Roux, Erf 167 St George’s Ave; Ms Sue Beaumont, Erf 169 St George’s Ave; Ms Cari Mouton, Erf 171 Iris St; Mr and Mrs Venter, Erf 193 St George’s Ave; Mr and Mrs H Loubser, Erf 217 St George’s Ave; Mr and Mrs G van Niekerk, Erf 238 St George’s Ave. New Permanent residents Seef and Beatrix Booyse, 279 Forest Drive; Erna and Andrew Fourie, 244 Forest Drive; Rob and Sheenach Harris, 181 St Andrews Ave.

Changes at the The Valley Inn

We would like to welcome Richard and Robin Neisius, who took over the Nature’s Valley Trading Store and Inn at the beginning of March 2013. Together with their two-year old grandson AJ, they relocated to the Valley from the USA. Robin was born in California, and this was her first foray out of the US. Richard’s mother, Joanna Hervey, is a well- known and long-time resident of the Valley. In spite of having to adapt to the big differences between living here and in Cape Cod, they both love Valley life. The locals are friendly and, through the business, they meet people from all over the world. They enjoy the more relaxed way of life and revel in the beautiful location. For Richard, who has travelled extensively in his line of business, this is one of the best places he has been to.

The move has not been without challenges. They took over the business on a downward seasonal cycle, and the building needs a great deal done to it by way of repairs and maintenance. Running a hospitality type business has proved more challenging than they thought it would be and for Richard, an engineer, the challenges are very different from those in his previous work. They had to get used to the cyclical nature of the business and for one year, accept that everything is going to be a ‘first’. The quiet time has a positive side in that it gives them time to address urgent issues and find their feet.

3 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx Richard and Robin do not plan to introduce major changes. They want to maintain the character of the business and definitely do not want to develop something that looks and feels like a franchise. The restaurant will be their initial focus as they feel this can be built up. There is plenty of painting and cleaning to be done, housekeeping to be improved, and they want to make it more family and child friendly. They have been fortunate in the continuity of kitchen staff and have appointed Susan Retief as Kitchen Manager. Good news for coffee lovers – a new cappuccino machine is already in place. Support from Valley residents in increasing slowly, but they want to encourage more people to use the shop, which they currently really only use when they have visitors. They are listening to the suggestions and requirements of the locals and based on these, will gradually introduce a bigger variety of stock and test these for viability. Richard and Robin see themselves as permanents in the Valley. For them, the business is a long-term project, and they envisage themselves staying here for a long time.

Accommodation over December and January holiday period for Judith Kusel our Office Manager

URGENT APPEAL: Is there anyone who can assist with accommodation in NV from the 21 December 2013 until the 6 January 2013 for the Office Manager who has to vacate her flat for this period? Please contact the office by e-mail if you are able to assist. Thank you.

FINANCES We are pleased to report that in the financial year to 30 June 2013 nearly 60% of all property owners made a contribution to the NVRA. Thank you all very much for your contributions they are much appreciated and will be put to good use. The financial statements for 2013 will be presented at the AGM in December.

Our new financial year started on 1 July 2013 and already some owners have paid, thank you. To all the other owners it would be greatly appreciated if you could make your contribution for the 2013-2014 year as soon as possible. As per the 2013 financial year the suggested contribution is R600 but any amount is welcome. Banking details: Account: Nature’s Valley Ratepayers’ Association Account No: 082 60 9217 Bank: Standard Bank Branch: Branch Code: 05 07 14 When making payment please include your name and Erf no as a reference and if possible send a confirmation to the office. Please note the new financial year started on the 1 July 2013, and the 2013/14 contributions are now due.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Local Service Delivery

The NVRA continues to work closely with the Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Mornay du Plessis resulting in noticeable progress with the day to day service delivery activities in Natures Valley. Where things have gone off the rails, such as the ‘honey-sucker” service, this is as a result of circumstances which are certainly out the CLO’s hands.

The NVRA attended a recent presentation by Bitou Municipality of the IDP Budget for the next financial year and in principle for the two years after that. The sad fact is that the current municipality inherited a very large debt from the previous regime which will take a number of years of austerity to work off. This is having a negative impact on

4 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx capital expenditure projects and sadly on operational expenditure such as maintenance. However, there appears to be an understanding by the current local government officials that the books do need to be balanced to allow sustainable development in the future. One hopes that they will be given the time for their policies to bear fruit.

Some important developments relating to service delivery in Natures Valley are as follows:

- The routine maintenance activities associated with cutting grass and trimming vegetation has always been a contentious issue as this tends to be dealt with once or twice a year and seldom in a thorough manner. In an attempt to improve this service the Municipality have agreed to allocate a permanent maintenance team to the valley, working under the instructions of the CLO. This arrangement is due to commence shortly and we really hope this venture is properly managed and supported by the municipality as it could make a big difference to the general tidiness of the township and avoid the ad-hoc approach we have had to live with in the past. - Associated with the above plan, the municipality have undertaken the clearing of space at the Waste Transfer Station (WTS) to allow organic waste (branches, leaves etc) to be dumped there by their own maintenance team and also homeowners. The municipality will remove waste from this area on regular basis and the intention is that woody material will be chipped on site and either carted way or left for homeowners to collect for their own use. Provided the municipality stick to their undertaking, this arrangement will simplify the lives of all homeowners and result in a more sustainable approach to this endless process. It is anticipated that this facility will be operational from the end of August.

Please note the WTS remains closed to dumping any building rubble and general “junk”. The handling of waste in Bitou Municipality is in something of a crisis as the dump at the top end of Plettenburg Bay has been closed for environmental reasons. All waste collected in the Bitou region now has to be transported, by road, to the waste tip alongside PetroSa in . In order to reduce the amount of waste to be transported it is vital that recycling is introduced in the the Bitou municipal area. There is currently a tender out for the collection and processing of recyclables. Previous attempts to get this process up and running have failed for one reason or another. However it is now environmentally and economically very important that an effective and sustainable process is established. The collection of recyclables from NV will be included. We anticipate that the NV WTS will be upgraded and modified to allow for the depositing and short term storage of recyclable materials and that they will be collected on a routine basis. We will advise in more detail when the arrangements become clear. We are hoping that this will be in place by year end.

Ward Committee

The Ward Committee system in Bitou Municipality is in place and Ward Representatives for the various sectors in each Ward have been elected. Natures Valley is part of Ward 1 which includes , Crags, , Green Valley, Kurland and Covie. The Ward Councillor for Ward 1 is Nevelle de Waal and there are Ward Representatives for each of the following sectors:

- Community Safety - Youth - Health and Welfare - Faith based Organisations - Education - Environmental - Sports, Arts and Culture - Ratepayers and Civic organisations - Women - Business

Bill Nel from The Crags is the Ward Representative for Ratepayers Organisations and it is through him that our issues related to major service delivery matters get channelled to the Mayor’s office. Paul Zietsman who is resident in Natures Valley was elected Ward Representative for Community Safety. It is difficult to judge at this stage whether the system will be truly effective and a lot depends on the ability of the Ward Councillor to get a good grasp of all the 5 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx issues which are tabled for his consideration and then to give due motivation in Council meetings. This is not an easy job.

The municipality have indicated their intention that the NV Blue Flag beach will be kept open for a longer period in the coming holiday season. The dates are still to be finalised but the period could extend through to mid Feb. We believe that this arrangement will be in the interest of all in NV as the beach and its facilities will be properly managed to the standards required for Blue Flag status for the full duration of the holiday period. This will include the provision of lifeguards for the extended period.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Sewage

The provision of improved sewerage infrastructure was placed high on the agenda of issues submitted to the Ward Committee for consideration for inclusion in the IDP Budget. The NVRA are obviously concerned that this important service remains somewhat antiquated despite the tremendous amount of work and wasted expenditure that has been committed to the issue over the past few years.

The municipality have advised that the EIA Report previously prepared and approved for implementation in 2008 has expired and a new study would have to be undertaken to get this process restarted. In view of the financial situation at the municipality the likelihood of any change in the current sewage system is unlikely in the short term. However the issue remains high on the NVRA agenda and alternative approaches are being considered.

On the subject of sewage, a meeting was held recently with the relevant municipal officials to discuss two important issues relating to conservancy tanks.

1. Mechanical failure of the two municipal tankers has caused serious frustration with residents recently. Collections were delayed while the municipality arranged a contractor to undertake the collections and there was doubt as to whether the replacement taker could carry a full load although the charge remained the same. At the meeting the municipality confirmed that their tankers have now undergone significant maintenance upgrades and that they are no longer dependant on a contractor. The NVRA stressed the importance of a reliable “honey-sucker” service to which the entire community contribute around R 50 000 per month, with users being charged around R 390 per collection.

The following important issues came out of this discussion:

a. The municipality do require two days notice of a need to make a collection (as stated in the latest municipal notice covering collections) so that they can effectively schedule the activities of the tankers. In order to avoid nasty surprises and a subsequent crisis, owners who rely on conservancy tanks must consider installing a level sensing and alarm system or they must conduct a routine inspection of the level in the tank. It makes no sense to only arrange for a collection once the tank starts to overflow. The tanker drivers are under instructions to make only one collection per visit before discharging it at the Kurland Sewage Works. The tankers are designed to take a load of 6000 litres which should be adequate for any single owner. If you suspect that you are not getting a full load for your money you should advise the CLO in writing. In addition owners are encouraged to check the level gauge on the side of the tanker before and after the collection to ensure that they are not being short-changed. b. The NVRA investigated the cost of employing a private contractor to perform this service to improve reliability. The cost per collection would be around R 900 and to ensure this charge the contractor would need to be making around seven collections a day. So for the present this is not an option. The entire Natures 6 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx Valley community, including those who are not resident are contributing to the municipal service by paying a sewage availability levy of R 129 pm. Conservancy tank users are being subsidised by all ratepayers so they are encouraged to make their own lives easier by keeping a close eye on the level in their tanks as the tank system will be around for the foreseeable future. c. In order to keep the number of call-outs to a minimum, owners of conservancy tanks are strongly encouraged to split their domestic waste systems, with “black-water” from the toilets and kitchen going to the conservancy tank and “grey water” from showers, baths and washing machines going to a soak away or into a tank from where it can be pumped to irrigate the garden. d. Owners who have conservancy tanks are encouraged to make sure that their Erf No is clearly displayed on the street front, so that the “honey-sucker” has no difficulty in finding your property.

2. The relatively recent requirement by the Municipality that, whenever alterations on a property are undertaken, a conservancy tank must be installed (if not already existing). Building plans will not be approved until this is clearly shown on the plans. This requirement applies even on those properties where a septic tank has operated satisfactorily for many years. The municipality are apparently required by central government to insist on this arising from a directive from the Dept of Water Affairs that the installation and use of septic tanks in built up areas is no longer permitted. At the meeting, the municipality advised that this requirement has arisen due to new research which has indicated that septic tank and soak away systems do result in contamination of the ground water and that this presents a pollution threat to the lagoon and the sea adjoining Natures Valley. The NVRA believe this approach is not logical in the case of Natures Valley in view of the municipality’s inability to provide an alternative sustainable solution to the use of septic tanks, which have also been proven to have no detrimental effect on the ground water in the Valley. Very substantial tests were conducted some years ago by the Sewerage Steering Committee during the investigations into the introduction of a water-borne sewage system in NV. The municipality were major players in this investigation as they paid for the research involved. The long term outcome of insisting on Conservancy Tanks with each building alteration is that the entire village will become dependent on the “honey-sucker” service! This is not a sustainable or an eco-friendly alternative and the NVRA will be taking the matter further with DWAF and other government departments if necessary.

Water Supply

The Ozone treatment plant at the Natures Valley works has been out of operation for some years and the quality of the water has been successfully controlled for some time on a manual basis. The municipal budget for 2013/14 includes a sum of money for the replacement of the Ozone equipment and we will monitor the activities in this respect. The municipality have reported that the total consumption of water in Natures Valley is around 30% higher than the total which is metered and billed and they are concerned that there could be significant leaks in the system. The municipality will be conducting tests to try and identify the location of pipe leaks and owners are asked to please advise the CLO if they see any signs of water leakage or unusually low pressure conditions. Our water reticulation system is old and a new capital expenditure problem could well be in the “pipeline” so to speak.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Building Plans : 13 plans for extensions and alterations to homes, submitted to the NVRA so far this year, have been recommended for approval. 7 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx Restrictive conditions of title

In follow up of the 2012 AGM report, members of the NVRA committee held a meeting with our lawyers and senior counsel in Pretoria in May. The focal point of these in-depth discussions was the status of our restrictive conditions of title as praedial servitudes that cannot be removed. A final and definite opinion arising out of this meeting will be forthcoming.

NV Spatial Development Framework (NVSDF)

In 2012 the Chief Town Planner of the municipality recommended that the 2009 NVSDF be revised and condensed in the format of a Local Area Spatial Plan (LASP). The LASP document has the same objectives as the NVSDF and will be submitted to Bitou for consideration and approval. Once adopted by the municipality, the Local Area Spatial Plan will enjoy the status of a statutory planning instrument to guide and inform all decisions on spatial development and land use management within municipal jurisdiction.

Regulations relating to B&B’s

We wish to inform you of a resolution taken by the Bitou Mayoral Executive Committee (Mayco) on 31 January 2013. The resolution clarifies the status and legitimacy as well as terms and conditions that apply to B&B’s operating in the municipal area, thus including those operating in Nature’s Valley. It is important that you take note of the following: - You may legitimately operate a B&B in your house on your single residential property providing you adhere to the terms and conditions set out below. - You do not have to apply to Bitou for a consent use to operate a B&B which is a time consuming and expensive exercise. - Normal municipal rates and taxes applicable to single residential properties will be charged, and there are no additional accommodation levies for a B&B. - Bitou Municipality Terms and Conditions:

“Bed and Breakfast establishment” means a dwelling house in which the occupant of the dwelling house supplies lodging and meals for remuneration to transient guests who have permanent residence elsewhere, provided that:

- The property complies with provisions pertaining to a bed and breakfast establishment. - The dominant use of the dwelling concerned shall remain for the living accommodation of a single family. - No more than two rooms shall be used for bedroom accommodation for paying guests or lodgers, and no more than five guests and lodgers will be supplied with lodging or meals at any time. - Every guest room must be attached to the dwelling house. - Guest rooms must not be converted to, or used as, separate dwelling units and there shall be no cooking facilities in the guest rooms apart from a kettle. - Only meals that are supplied to guests or lodgers, who have lodging at the B + B establishment, are permitted. - On-site parking must be provided to the satisfaction of the Council. - A register of guests and lodgers must be kept and completed when rooms are let, and the register must be produced for inspection on request by a council official.”

8 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx SAFETY AND SECURITY

General

The NVRA remains in close liaison with the NVRO with a view to achieving a safe and secure environment for residents, holiday makers and visitors to the valley.

The economic slow-down in the region, coupled with widespread unemployment and a growing criminal element in the area, has seen crime levels increasing in Plett and more worryingly a significant increase in the Crags area, to the extent that the Crags have established a formalised and well organised neighbourhood watch and appointed a permanent security “manager” who is a paid employee of the community. The Plett Security Organisation is also taking an active role in fighting crime in conjunction with security companies and the police. This new awareness, coupled with swift reaction to events and follow up on incidents in close collaboration with the local police force is good for reducing crime in the area generally but we need to be aware that this may result in criminals taking a greater interest in Natures Valley. There have been a number of well organised burglaries in the Valley during the past six months, where unoccupied houses have been broken into and goods removed over a period of days or set up for removal at some future date. Generally these houses have not been fitted with monitored alarm systems and we would encourage owners to consider the installation an alarm system coupled to an armed response service.

The NVRA have recently been in discussions with ADT who are contracted to some 300 property owners in NV. We are concerned that because of our location we are not getting a fast enough response in the event of an emergency and that ADT’s resources are being shared between NV and The Crags. We feel that the number of clients in NV should allow the permanent allocation of a vehicle to the valley and the NVRA will make every effort to achieve such a service for owners and residents in particular. ADT have indicated that they will review their current procedures and advise what can be done in this respect and we will report back as soon as there is any news.

In order to improve the allocation of SAPS resources to the Crags area it is important that every case of criminal activity in the valley is reported to the police, no matter how small and possibly inconvenient it may be. The number of policemen allocated is dependent on the amount of crime which is occurring in the area and this is based on the number of cases opened. Unfortunately the police station in Kurland was closed some time ago but there is a petition out at the moment to have this station re-opened. Accurate stats of criminal activities will help this cause.

The telephone number for the POLICE IN PLETTENBERG BAY is 044 5011900. Please put this number into your cell phones.

It has been noticed that the number of “house-minders” who are permanently resident in NV is increasing, or so it appears. The NVRO have asked that those owners who have one or more persons who are legally living on their property to please advise the NVRA of the situation as well as to provide the names of the persons so that it will be easier to home in on any illegal “squatting” which may be taking place. This information will be passed on to the NVRO so that while doing their rounds they will have knowledge of who is legally entering or leaving a property.

Baboons

Sadly baboons have had to be elevated to appear under the heading of safety and security. As noted in the Introduction the management of baboon activities is being approached from a number of fronts and we would appeal to home-owners and their guests to please play their part in helping to minimise the attractions to baboons. We highlight the following:

- Baboons are becoming a genuine threat to safety in the township and they must be treated as wild animals. No active FEEDING. Even fruit, seeds and sugar water put out for the birds should regarded as food for the baboons and will attract them to

9 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx your property. - Don’t drop your guard. If they haven’t bothered you for a while assume it is because of your good behaviour. They will be on the lookout for any opportunity. - Don’t put out kitchen waste except on the day of collection. Any waste which must be put out on another day MUST be taken to the WTS. Don’t put any kitchen waste into the public bins in the street. This WILL bring the baboons and WILL cause a horrible mess which somebody else always has to clean up. All owners are encouraged to purchase a Wheelie-bin so that rubbish bags put out for collection are less likely to be pilfered and spread around. - Do use the SMS Alert system, which allows the NVT to alert all contributors to the presence of baboons in the valley. This system has probably prevented a lot of heartache over the last year or so and is an important cornerstone in minimising the opportunities presented to the baboons, thereby reducing their enthusiasm for the township as a happy hunting ground. - Do close all windows or doors when you are not at home, unless properly baboon-proofed. Even when at home, windows and doors which are not close to your activities should be closed and locked. Without baboon-proofing, a normal relaxed lifestyle is unfortunately no longer possible. - Do have a good solid stick handy to give yourself confidence in scaring away a baboon, but do not corner them inside your house. Open a door and give them room to leave. - Have a good look at the trees growing in your property when next in NV. Fruit trees, wild bananas and eugenias, attract the baboons into the valley at different times of the year. Apart from the wild bananas these are non-indigenous and would be worthwhile taking out anyway. The NVRA can assist with identifying offending species if you need any help with this. - - Consider buying a paint-ball gun. Cape Nature has granted permits to persons in NV who register with the NVRA as approved users. The conditions under which the permit is issued must be clearly understood and adhered to by users.

Please refer to the Baboon Guideline documents which are posted on the website.

Below is a graphical record of the baboon incidents which have occurred in NV since January this year. These stats should not be regarded as complete as there are many incidents which take place which are not formally reported to the NVT and are therefore not recorded. Please report all incidents to the NVT or the NVRA so that these stats can be as complete and realistic as possible. These stats are important when it comes to discussions with Cape Nature about reaching an effective long term solution to our baboon problem. Their decision on what action is required, or will be permitted in terms of the legislation, will be based on the severity of baboon activity in the township.

24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July

Figure 1: Breakdown of the number of reported baboon sightings per month from Jan to July 2013

10 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July

Figure 2: The number of home invasions reported to the NVT from Jan to July 2013.

ENVIRONMENT

Open spaces

The open spaces committee which is a sub-committee of the NVRA is now being chaired by Mark Brown of the NVT. We are grateful for the enthusiasm he has shown in taking up this role which has been ably handled by Ina Brand for the past few years. Since the NVT are concerned about the urban environment as well as our surroundings this arrangement ensures that the two organisations are not duplicating any efforts and remain on the same wave length. We have also discussed with Mark, the possibility of resurrecting the Urban Conservancy which could become the vehicle for managing the open spaces and incorporating the aims and objectives of a conservancy which includes both fauna and flora. Amongst other things the Open Spaces Committee have been instrumental of ridding the township of numerous stands of eugenia trees in the public spaces. The municipality have co-operated in this exercise by providing the labour to take down these trees and to chip the remains.

The NVRA are still investigating ways to ensure the long term protection of the Open Spaces (Phyl Martin Park, Fynbos Reserve, The Dell and the Padda Puddle) from possible future development.

Phyl Martin Park

The park which is so ably managed by Daan Muller with help from the OSC members continues to thrive, although in winter things are very quiet in this neck of the woods. There is some concern that the demand for plants from the park’s nursery has fallen off over the past few years. Owners are encouraged to visit the nursery when planning any planting activities rather than use outside nurseries as the money earned is literally “ploughed back” and the plants are well attuned to the environment and soil conditions in Natures Valley.

Lagoon Road and Parking area

Meetings with SANParks and Bitou Municipality who are the other members of the Contractual National Park of which the township of Natures Valley forms an integral part, continue to be held on a quarterly basis. Co- operation is good and each member continues to play their part in ensuring that the environmental integrity of the area is maintained.

A matter of particular concern to the NVRA is the deterioration of the road to the lagoon parking area. After much discussion about who is responsible for maintaining this road, SANParks have recently undertaken to bring in the necessary gravel material to raise the level of the road to that of the parking area so that the virtually permanent puddles (small lakes) which form along this road are eliminated and with some careful placing of drainage channels will not reform after every downpour and whenever the lagoon is flooded. 11 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx Some progress has been made by SANParks with tidying up the lagoon edge at the parking area which has been badly affected by flood conditions in the recent past. Financial constraints make it impossible at the moment to do anything to prevent similar damage with future floods. We will however continue to push for a general tidying up of the adjoining beach and braai area which at the moment forms a poor entry point for what is otherwise a pristine estuary and beach environment.

Rainfall

The rainfall records for the Valley from 2004 to July 2013 are kindly provided by Yvonne Bath

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Ave Jan 70 61 89 54 62 4 18 20 35 51 46 Feb 86 49 20 41 48 44 25 28 37 68 45 March 82 109 62 97 42 6 23 57 150 38 67 April 61 47 101 30 39 68 56 16 35 29 48 May 21 46 100 102 8 16 8 183 22 43 55 June 42 23 46 41 69 51 85 127 48 47 58 July 34 13 91 40 14 66 56 180 198 40 73 August 38 8 232 55 78 11 47 66 56 66 Sept 142 34 16 18 21 68 7 20 17 38 Oct 74 14 57 86 90 53 129 51 187 82 Nov 20 93 61 308 98 32 27 87 30 84 Dec 203 46 60 89 31 44 116 45 30 74 Totals 873 543 935 961 600 463 597 880 845 316 736

As can be seen from the above chart we seem to be heading for an average year in terms of rainfall. Hopefully we are not surprised by more floods this year. The dunes at the mouth are recovering nicely and deserve a short break from that!

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SPECIAL PROJECTS

Website

We are pleased to advise that our first NVRA-controlled website www.nvra.co.za will be published on Thursday 1st of August. Its main aim is to be a one stop reference for Natures Valley property owners and their families. We encourage you to browse the site and let us have your feedback, preferably via the “Contact Us” section. You will see that the site structure is simple but its contents comprehensive. Detailed information is available via a variety of downloadable documents.

Potential visitors to Natures Valley should be encouraged to use the site to learn what it is that makes Natures Valley unique and to act as fellow custodians of that uniqueness.

We see the site as a key way to improve communication with NVRA members and therefore would be interested in your ideas as to how it could best be used in the future.

The websites total start-up costs have been limited to R 6000. Operating costs are budgeted at R 2500 pa. Basic content changes will be managed in-house by the NVRA. While our resources (money and voluntary time and expertise) to make bigger changes to the site are limited, consideration will certainly be given to implementing ideas that help us achieve the aims of the NVRA.

The site’s development has been made possible by a major collaborative effort involving many contributors. Their efforts are greatly appreciated (see acknowledgement section on the site).

A last and very important point to note is that the NVRA’s e-mail address has changed to [email protected] Please update your contact details accordingly. Our old address will be phased out shortly.

We wish you enjoyable and useful browsing of www.nvra.co.za

Groot Rivier Bridge

As a result of two serious floods in the past eight years the natural forest and picnic areas in the vicinity of the bridge have suffered enormous damage. In the case of the forest a number of ancient yellowwoods have been lost and many other young trees have been damaged or uprooted. Sadly these were not natural occurrences but rather the result of the damming of the flow of the rampaging river, caused by the massive build-up of vegetation against and on top of the bridge structure.

In order to avoid this situation occurring again and again in the future the NVRA made a submission to the Provincial Roads Dept in Feb this year, that the bridge should be removed and the crossing be restored to a simple drift or causeway as it had been in the past, before the road became part of the busy coastal route

13 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx from Cape Town to PE. With the “new” , the R102 is now only a local access and tourist route so a causeway would be very adequate and would allow the river to pass in flood without spreading out and causing destruction to the forest as well as the approach roads. It would also create a very pleasant environmental solution and enhance the feel of the river crossing. This idea had been bandied about by some of the older residents for some time, particularly Twink Haxton and others. Geoff McIlleron spent considerable time in producing sketches and a strong motivation for this exciting idea. SANParks also provided their written support for this initiative. Unfortunately it fell, not on “deaf ears” but the more predictably, on “empty coffers”.

No response was received to our submission and numerous calls resulted in it finally getting to someone in a position to comment. From there it was passed around a bit to others for comment. The general consensus among the engineers who reviewed the proposal was that it was a good idea and something they have already implemented in other similar situations. However, having recently spent a lot of money in repairing the approaches to the bridge after the 2007 floods and other minor repairs to the bridge itself they could not undertake the proposed modification as no money had been made available for these repairs out of the flood disaster fund. The cleaning up of the flood damage in the adjoining forest and the repaving of the approach roads has since started and is currently on progress. I guess we can be thankful for that! The NVRA will also push for routine maintenance and removal of branches which block the water passages below the bridge as these no doubt increase the severity of the damming when the river comes down in flood. Part of our submission was also an appeal for the Roads Dept to address the reopening of the Blaaukrantz Pass. The half has been fully repaired after the 2007 floods, while the Eastern Cape half has not and the pass remains officially closed and is slowly deteriorating. We believe this is an unacceptable situation in terms of the historic nature of this pass which is one of the highlights of the Garden Route. In addition there is now no “alternative route” and road users are forced to pay for using the toll road. We will continue to push for action in this respect and will be approaching the Garden Route Tourism authorities as well as SANParks to get their support.

The conversion of the bridge will probably have to wait for another generation.

Covie Community

The NVRA have been closely involved in attempting to bring the Covie Community out of isolation by liaising with the recently formed Covie Forum, which is the committee which has been formed to represent the community’s interests. We have assisted in seeing that major service related concerns have been tabled with Bitou Municipality via the Ward Committee system and they have joined the NVRA in attending the Bitou Rate-payers Alliance (BRA) meetings which are held every two months or so, as well as BRA meetings with the mayor. We are pleased to note that Covie is certainly receiving some recognition as a part of the Bitou

14 NVRA Newsletter July 2013.docx community, with reaction from the Ward Committee to their schedule of needs as well as the Land Claim issue being resurrected after having been put on a back burner for a few years.

Beefy Mance, as a member of the Natures Valley community, has been very active in helping the Covie Forum with plans for the implementation of various income earning projects as well as assisting with setting up a community office and most importantly the associated communication systems. These are vital if Covie is to stay in touch with the various bodies who are important in establishing its future progress and economic sustainability.

The Covie Trails which were opened earlier this year for hiking and mountain biking have also been used with much enthusiasm by trail runners from Plett and the general consensus is WOW what a beautiful spot! All Natures Valley owners and visitors are encouraged to include the Covie Trail, which has now been finished off to include a forest section, in their outdoor activities in future.

Natures Valley Jubilee

Natures Valley turns 60 this year and the NVRA are planning an extraordinary AGM to include a presentation celebrating this auspicious occasion. Any owners who are in possession of any historical photos, stories or paraphernalia which represent the history of Natures Valley and its people are asked to please contact the NVRA office so that arrangements can be made to collect the documents or whatever, so that they can be included in the planned event which, needless to say, is still very much in the planning stage.

Please note that the AGM will be held on 20 December 2013 in the Church Hall and all homeowners are encouraged to attend.

Accommodation over December and January holiday period for Office Manager

URGENT APPEAL: Is there anyone who can assist with accommodation in NV from the 21 December 2013 until the 6 January 2013 for the Office Manager who has to vacate her flat for this period?

TOTSIENS

We would like to thank all those homeowners who support the NVRA and its activities and wish everyone well as another year winds down. We look forward to seeing more houses being used as the summer approaches. We ask that this Newsletter be circulated to family members who may not be on our mailing list so that as many people as possible are kept up to date with developments in Natures Valley.

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