Nature's Valley - Letters to the editor No:2
No1 - 380 and 381 - Responses
LETTERS FROM:
- Maaike Murphy
- James Theron
- René le Roex
- John D Rae
- Ian and Jenny Firth
- Greg Grobler
- Bob Keeble
- Dennis Farrell
We have received the following letters from readers in response to an article
that appeared in the
N.V.R.A newsletter erven 380 and 381
(click on the link and read the article on "Vacant land")
Letter from: Maaike Murphy
The Editor NVRA Newsletter
Re: Erf 381 Nature's Valley - The Dell
Since taking up residence in the Valley five years ago I have regularly wandered around Erf 381 and admired the trees there.
I have long thought of it as a beautiful patch of forest which could be used to teach us and future residents and visitors about our indigenous trees. Erf 381 is covered by a wide variety of indigenous vegetation.
The mix of vegetation types makes the area particularly important from an educational perspective.
The North Eastern portion, bordered by Forest Drive and Nemesia Street, consists of a small forest containing a variety of large trees which include at least two mature Outeniqua Yellowwoods.
We have measured these trees and the canopy stands at some 12.5m whilst the girth of the largest yellowwood is about 1.65m which leads to an age estimate of more than 250 years!
Within this forest is a natural open glade floored with bulbous plants and ferns.
The Southern and Western portions include a drainage channel and consist of a mix of coastal trees and forest margin shrubs.
The more open areas of the Western portion contain a few invasive plants like Australian Blackwood and Bramble. Ecologically, the Dell forms an important corridor and refuge for bushbuck and other creatures moving across Nature's Valley.
From an educational viewpoint it is an invaluable resource and for those of us without forest in our back yards it is a peaceful and beautiful place in which to browse.
Many of us are afraid or unable to access the forest of the National Park on our own.
The Dell is a safe refuge within bounds of the Valley.
The Dell, as a wild forested enclave, complements the Fynbos Reserve and the cultivated Phyl Martin Botanical Garden.
Maaike Murphy Resident of Nature's Valley
Compiler of booklet on Problem Plants of Nature's Valley
Secretary to Bitou Twig of Botanical Society
Letter from: James Theron
I wish to respond to the letters regarding erven 380 and 381.
These erven as I understand have been zoned as public open space, obviously due to the drainage problem that exists in this area.
I do not consider it wise to develop these sites for residential or other purpose, but to retain them as "park" area. If paths are constructed the design shall be such 95 to limit on-going maintenance.
Letter from: René le Roex
Beste Robert, dankie dat julle my op hoogte van sake hou.
Toevallig toe ek en my vrou vandag vir 'n paar uur in die Valley was, en in Forest Drive gery het, het ek heel toevallig die bos onder bespreking opgelet.
Om eerlik te wees, was ek totaal onbewus van die omstandighede om die erwe.
Ek het 'n groot probleem met Mornay se stelling dat die verkoop van die erwe ons met dienslewering en belasting sou help.
My ondervinding is dat sulke gelde in die groot koffer verdwyn, en nooit aangewend word in die gebied waar dit vandaan kom nie.
Daarenteen, as ons dit as gemeenskaplike oopgrond wil behou, moet 'n plan soos in die ander briewe gemeld, gemaak word.
Uitheemse plante moet verwyder word, en die erwe moet skoongemaak word, om dit vir ons almal toeganklik te maak.
Letter from: John D Rae 464
Dear Mr Editor,
Thank you for your e-mail attaching letters regarding 380 and 381
I am fully in agreement with the sentiments expressed by Mrs Murphy and would hope that these two areas can be cleaned up by removing alien vegetation, making trails etc etc. I, for one, would use this facility whenever I visited the Valley.
I am afraid that any funds raised by the Bitou Municipality by selling erven would merely land up in the general pot and very little, if any, benefit would accrue to Natures Valley.
Letter from: Ian and Jenny Firth
Dear Editor, (Robert Kleyn),
In reply to your request for comment on the 2 open spaces, erven 380 and 381, we are very much in favour of retaining the erven as open spaces and having them opened up as wetland/parkland with meandering pathways, benches, trees numbered, retaining bulbs and mature trees etc.
We feel that the sub-division and sale of these two erven would not benefit the Natures Valley owners and residents at all and we would be opposed to such a scheme.
Certainly, if the erven are presently being used as dumping sites for builders' rubble and left to provide growing space for alien vegetation, this is undesirable and needs to be addressed.
The unique character of such an area, if developed, could be an enhancement to the Valley, perhaps attracting water fowl etc.and providing habitat for other indigenous fauna and flora.
Letter from: Greg Grobler
Dear Mr Kleyn
Thank you for your letter.
I personally reject the idea of selling off erf 380 and 381.
We do not need any more houses built in the valley! I support the idea put forward by Mrs Murphy of opening up the erwen to make them more accessible to residents.
The idea of placing benches in the area is a great idea.
Once again thank you for keeping us informed.
Letter from: Bob Keeble
Dear Mr KleynThank you for your e-mail of the 10th October 2004.
I am very much opposed to the development of erven 380 and 381 which are designated as public places.
I have often entered these properties in the course of my birding interests.
I think we all like to see the bushbuck in the valley and these two public places probably assist in giving the bushbuck access to the erven in the valley.
It is unfortunate that nothing has been done over a period of many years to keep these two erven tidy and that the erven have to a degree been used as a dumping ground.
I think that this is an issue which should be taken up with the Municipality which bears the onus of keeping these erven clean and tidy and accessible by the public and this is also an issue which can be linked to the rates argument to indicate that unlike Plettenberg Bay the Municipality has done nothing over the years to keep the two public places clean and tidy and accessible.
I would hate to see the two erven developed as suggested by Mornay du Plessis who I think is overly optimistic that houses built on these erven would fit in with the Nature's Valley image when one looks at recent developments in the valley.
Letter from: Dennis Farrell
I feel the subdivision and related development of the stands under strict building regulations is the way to go.If we do not do this now who knows what will happen in the future with the highest bidder for commercializing the stands. Support Morney on this.
Will add that we subdivide which includes the protection of the indigenous trees on the stands.
Development should be done around this.
Letters published on this webpage does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor.
Letters are omitted that contain abusive language or personal attacks.
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