Nature's Valley - Letters to the editor No:3
No1 - 380 and 381 - Responses
LETTERS FROM:
- Anon
- Roy Parkhurst
- Hannes Koekemoer
- Lindy Rodwell van Hasselt
- Linda Blaine
- Hennie and Karin Dreyer
- Hans & Mary Ann Evenhuis
- Georgina Martin
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: Anon
More open spaces?
I walked through the Phyl Martin Park this afternoon.
I am not proud to say that if this is the way we want to portray the “ nature in the Valley”, I have questions .
The grass is unkempt and growing all over the place, the flowerbeds are non -existent, the whole park looks neglected, dead, fallen trees are lying in the footpaths, dog faeces is the norm, cigarette buts aplenty.
I do believe that this is “suppose to be” the showcase of the Valley? I am sorry, and then you want to maintain more “natural” open spaces.
Shame on you. First maintain what you’ve got, and then strive for more.
Observer and property owner
Letter from: Roy Parkhurst
The huge majority of developments along South Africa’s coastline are characterised by the dominance of commercial interests and the degradation of the natural environment.
Because of its history and its community, Nature’s Valley is a rare exception. The current generation of property owners has a responsibility to honour the obligation implicit is being privileged “guests” in the heart of a highly significant national and internationally important park.
Any debate of property in Nature’s Valley should take place against this backdrop and that of the enormous pressures endangering the township and the environment in its current form.
One of the key pressures is the human “load”.
Having visited the Valley regularly over more then 30 years, my observations are that a lot more people than before visit the Valley - a great many houses have been extended to accommodate more family and friends, there are many B & B’s that weren’t there even a as recently as ten years ago, and far fewer house stand empty over peak periods as more people are letting out their homes.
The environmental strain is clearly visible. As a living system, Nature’s Valley should not be subjected to further residential development, even if it is “only” two extra erven.
One should take the longer view of things.
The extra rates income might help the burden of other ratepayers, but the impact would be tiny as a percentage of rates paid.
Certainly not enough to make a noticeable or decision-influencing difference on things.
What would be a very noticeable difference would be the permanent loss of the visible green “heartland” of Nature’s Valley township and all the associated positive potential.
With the increased fencing of properties in the Valley (which will no doubt continue), I can vouch as a nearby property owner, that the plots do serve as a very active and protected corridor for many animals to reach the fynbos park and the dune fringes.
Take that corridor away and an irreversible step would be taken to restrict fauna to the fringes of the forest.
What a loss to both the natural and human environments.
For these reasons I very strongly support the idea of restoring the erven 380 and 381 to their natural state, save only for the non intrusive and educational sort of interventions planned for the Fynbos Reserve. What a wonderfully diverse yet compact forest-wetland-fynbos-dune-beach-sea axis we have right in our midst – and all in the space of about 300m! What a priceless heritage.
Let’s build on the Valley’s many other initiatives and recognise and preserve this special area.
We’ve only got one chance to do it.
Letter from: Hannes Koekemoer
Ek reageer op die aanslag wat iemand wil maak op die twee erwe langs ons erf. Erwe 380 en 381
Oor erf 380 het ek seker nie veel sê nie, maar erf 381 grens aan ons erf - 177.
Dit is absoluut nie waar dat mense daar hulle afval weggooi nie.
Daar is een hoop klippe wat al baie jare daar lê. Verder is die plek skoon.
Die erf is baie laag en as dit reën bly dit nat.
Daar is geen dreinering nie. Ons maak staat op die diep sloot wat daar deurloop om ons plek droog en leefbaar te hou. Ek het spesifiek die plek gekoop vir sy privaatheid.
As die erf ontwikkel word dan verloor ek my privaatheid en verloor ek dan die premie-waarde van my plek.
Die privaatheid gee 'n groot premiewaarde aan ons plek.
Die lappie grond is ook 'n tuiste vir die bosbokke. Selfs in Desember kruip hulle daar weg.
Los ons plek soos dit is asseblief - daar is reeds genoeg erwe in Natures Valley. Ek is dus glad nie ten gunste van enige ontwikkeling van erf 381 nie, en sal nooit my goedkeuring daarvoor kan gee nie.
Letter from: Lindy Rodwell van Hasselt
I am in full agreement with the other responses objecting to the sale and or development of erven 380 and 381.
- They are lovely indigenous areas - Act as a refuge for the wildlife moving through the township - Being adjacent to the Fynbos Reserve were part of the Brenton Blue butterfly ‘territory’ and in future may play an important role in the reintroduction of the species ( Dr Dave Edges’s opinion on this should be obtained) -
Should play an important educational role when properly managed The Fynbos Reserve and Phyl Martin Parks are very good examples of the value of open spaces and with an active and effective Open Spaces Committee in place in the Valley, there is the capacity and motivation to develop these areas into a valuable resource.
Kind regards Lindy
Letter from: Linda Blaine
I personally would like to see these erven having alien vegetation removed and thereafter monitored then left exactly as they are.
The Valley is blessed with so many areas for us to walk, sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Seldom do we have the opportunity to choose to leave an area undisturbed by greedy humans for posterity.
And I would like to see this perpetuated in the Title Deed or whatever is relevant.
Thanks for good work. Kind regards, Linda Blaine
Letter from: Hennie and Karin Dreyer
Personally I would strongly oppose any form of residential or other form of development and would like to see the space retained as natural forest area, obviously removing any invasive plants.During April of this year we have witnessed each morning and evening a Bushbuck eve and her lamb using erven 380/381 as their save haven for the evenings.
Let's keep Nature's Valley a special place for our children by retaining as much natural space as possible.
Letter from:Hans & Mary Ann Evenhuis
We are strongly opposed to the sale and development of the erven. If the stands are in jeoparday of being sold by the municipality, we would support conservation measures such as the transfer of the erven to the NVT to be administered and maintained by the NVT in perpetuity for the benefit of residents and wildlife alike.We would be prepared to contribute towards a fund earmarked for the clearing of the sites and the installation of benches, pathways and the like to discourage dumping and to emphasise that the stands are to be maintained as public recreational places.
I am sure that the overwhelming majority of other stand owners feel the same way.
Letter from: Georgina Martin
Thank you for keeping us posted on the on-going discussions regarding erven 380 and 381.I would like to have noted that my husband and I are very much against having these properties sold for development and very much in favour of Mrs Murphy's proposals.
Yours aye Georgina Martin
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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