Irate and cash strapped ratepayers, pensioners and property owners slammed the Mossel Bay Municipality's proposed Draft Budget for the 2019/2020 financial year - especially the proposed 15% increase in property rates - as "shocking, scandalous and nothing but a wealth tax to milk a few for the benefit of non-paying masses."
An appeal was also made to property owners to boycott all property taxes.
Residents didn't mince their words in forceful letters to the media to express their shock and disappointment regarding the "thoughtless and cruel" price hikes that will bleed them dry. "I dare say your council cannot be trusted with the welfare of all of Mossel Bay's residents. You cannot keep on taxing the few for the benefit of the non-paying masses."
"Wel, hierdie cash cow gaan nie verder betaal nie, en ek doen 'n beroep op ander inwoners om ook geen verdere belasting op eiendomswaarde te betaal nie. Betaal wel vir dienste."
The vexed Draft Budget that was recently tabled to, and conditionally accepted by the Mossel Bay Council, and the steep increases for Electricity (12,9 %); Refuse (15 %), and Property Rates (15%) immediately caused a public outcry.
The documents with the proposed tariffs have been made public on the Municipality's website https://www.mosselbay.gov.za/resource-category/budget?page=full and the public is urged to submit comments in writing to the municipal manager on the proposed increases and the draft budget.
"All comments received from the public will be considered during the process of setting tariffs and finalising the budget for the next financial year. The final document will be tabled to council for approval", reads a statement from municipal manager Thys Giliomee.
Property owners were also urged to check their municipal property valuation before the deadline for objections at the end of April.
The Supplementary Valuation Roll for the 2018/2019 financial year is open for public inspection on the fourth floor, Valuation Division, Montagu Place Building, Montagu Street, Mossel Bay from 1 April until 30 April. The closing date for the lodging of objections about individual property valuations is Tuesday, 30 April 2019.
Angry residents did not beat about the bush in strong-worded letters against the proposed tariff increases. In one of the letters published in the Mossel Bay Advertiser, a reader wrote:
Learn from the Poor:
"Do not be duped into accepting the latest property valuations, nor the 15% tax increase on property rates.
Take cognisance of the experience of the ageing population of the Bo-Kaap, where property valuations unexpectedly jumped millions of rands, leading to a dramatic increase in rates and taxes.
What safeguards Mossel Bay's residents from a similar experience?
If the bulk of municipal income suddenly comes primarily from taxes on property rates, what measures are in place to safeguard the fixed-income pensioners from dramatic increases in property valuations?
They retired here because of the DA-led council's policy of several years' marketing the town as the ideal place to invest their retirement nest egg. Mossel Bay, like Cape Town is DA-run. These retirees who bought property here are not on SASSA; they do not all qualify for SASSA, the municipal subsidy or discounts.
They do, however, run the risk of losing their homes when in the long run the municipal property valuation for the home they own outstrip their ability to meet the taxes levied.
The cash strapped - and especially older people - can still cut down on water and electricity consumption but will not be able to escape the property tax.
Learn from the reality of the poor in Mossel Bay, whose water is placed on drip when in arrears and whose municipal service charges debt is deducted off their prepaid electricity purchases.
The dramatic tax increase on property rates is nothing but a wealth tax. Municipal income from electricity is no longer guaranteed, so the municipality needs a different cash cow.
I can almost guarantee you the additional tax you pay on the increased value of your property will not be spent on any upgrades in the area you live. Do you have a clinic or library where you live?
What you do have is a municipality which cannot, or refuses to control illegal land grabs such as at the pig farm; which doesn't act against illegal squatters on municipal land, nor their illegal use of electricity; which has taken away your free electricity, only to give it to the people who pay for neither taxes nor services."
Mossel Bay Mayor Harry Levendal said in his Budget speech although the Municipality did not achieve a clean audit outcome for the 2017/2018 financial year, it maintained an unqualified audit opinion. Despite this regression in the audit outcome, the municipality still maintains strict financial discipline and is geared to address the issues highlighted by the Auditor General.
"The 2019/2020 budget is again focussed on service delivery and the community was consulted on their needs through the IDP processes. Through the ongoing and successful execution of the Ward Discretionary Funding Model, the Municipality can make the needed infrastructure development and service improvement to all fourteen wards. In addition, the management team provided guidance on what is necessary to maintain as well as expand infrastructure to be able to cope with future growth of Mossel Bay.
The proposed increase for electricity is 12.9 per cent, which is the percentage that NERSA allows municipalities to increase their electricity tariffs by. The increase for refuse charges consists of an increase of 15 per cent, which is the third of approximately four increases that will be above the inflation increase. The 15 per cent tariff increase is to contribute to the costs of the proposed new regional landfill facility for the Garden Route District municipal area. Property rates will increase with 15 per cent for residential properties. The water and sewerage tariffs increased respectively by 1 per cent.
It also had to be considered that the Municipality is reliant on its ratepayers and users of municipal services for the bulk of its income. The latter cannot be burdened beyond their means to increase the Municipality’s income so that all demands or requests raised during the community participation processes, can be met. There is therefore bound to be some disappointments."
The total proposed budget for 2019/20 amounts to R 1,450,104,573.
This consists of a capital budget of R 277 904 795 and an operating budget of R 1,172,199,778.
The capital budget amounts to 19.2 per cent of the total budget and the operating budget to 80.8 per cent of the total budget.
The following paragraph also evoked some serious reactions in the light of the municipality's alleged wastage of taxpayers' money on unnecessary, costly projects and the appointment of consultants for issues that should be addressed by the huge and well-paid staff corps themselves. The "unnecessary parking and boardwalks on the dunes along Beyers Street, as well as the appointment of a multi-disciplinary team to develop a framework for a new proposed Tourist Route in the CBD, were mentioned in this regard, especially since a complete study and formal proposal for such a Tourist Route apparently have been done already at great cost by the Tourism Bureau a few years ago.
It must be emphasised that it is of absolute importance that capital projects need to be prioritised to ensure that available funds are allocated towards the most important projects. A municipality will always have the challenge to allocate its limited resources amongst the vast needs of its community.
The proposed capital budget shows an increase of 35.1 per cent compared to the revised capital budget for 2018/19. The 2019/20 capital budget will be allocated mainly to:
Technical Services R 142.3 million;
Community Services R 22.6 million;
Planning & Integrated Services R 101.2 million.
The capital budget will be funded with an amount of R 105.98 million from the Capital Replacement Reserve, while the balance will be funded from external sources. Human Settlements funding of R 30.10 million and external loans of R 103.70 million will be the biggest source of external funding.
It is acknowledged that the funding of the Operational budget in the outer years as well as the levels of financing capital budgets from the Capital Replacement Reserve, are slightly above Council’s policy.
Management has been tasked to revisit this as part of the community participation process and table a more credible budget within the acceptable levels to the budget steering committee for consideration together with the tabling of the budget for consideration.
I am a pensioner on a fixed income. I bought my house many years ago and worked very hard to pay off the building society loan so that I might have a peaceful retirement.
Now I am faced with increased taxes on the value that your municipality has ascribed to my humble abode.
How can I trust you that the increase of 15% this year will not be repeated - or worse, in itself increase next year and the next? What proof do I have that the property valuation will not in future be manipulated to gift you the income you so desire?
I am appalled that your council could approve the proposed increases. Clearly you are out of touch with your electorate.
I remind you that the bare minimum of free electricity was also taken from us recently, so what is next?
I dare say your council cannot be trusted with the welfare of all of Mossel Bay's residents. You cannot keep on taxing the few for the benefit of the non-paying masses.
Do not tell me that I can apply for a pensioner's benefit as I - only just - do not qualify.
I urge you, mayor, to reconsider the effect of the proposed budget on the very many folks on a fixed income in this town.
Mosselbaaiers - en veral die internasionale rolbalwêreld- is geruk deur die onverwagse en tragiese skietdood gister (Sondag 14 April 2019) van Trevor en Elma Davis in hul huis in Fijnboschpark in 17de Laan in Mosselbaai.
Trevor (67) en Elma (52), albei geliefde en bekende presteerders in rolbalkringe, is albei met noodlottige skietwonde aan die kop deur 'n swaarkaliber-haelgeweer in hul slaapkamer aangetref. Die 12-boor haelgeweer wat op die toneel gevind is, is in Trevor se naam geregistreer.
Hy het blykbaar eers sy vrou in die been en daarna van agter in die kop geskiet voordat hy homself in die kop geskiet het. Hulle het blykbaar pas teruggekeer van die All Cape-rolbaltoernooi in Port Elizabeth.
Volgens Mosselbaaise polisiewoordvoerder, adj.offisier Pieter Koekemoer, is die polisie, buurtwag en brandweer gister kort ná 17:00 na die woonkompleks ontbied nadat 'n buurman die skote gehoor en hulp ontbied het.
Al die deure en die veiligheidshek van die huis was egter gesluit en hulle moes die deur oopdwing. Die brandweer moes ook help om die veiligheidshek oop te sny.
Die huis is deursoek en die egpaar se lewelose liggame is op die vloer van hul slaapkamer aangetref. Albei is op die toneel dood verklaar.
Daar was geen opsigtelike wanorde of tekens van gedwonge toegang tot die huis wat dui op misdaad of roof nie.
'n Geregtelike doodsondersoek word deur Mosselbaai se speuders uitgevoer.
Die vriendelike en gewilde egpaar se dood het skokgolwe deur die rolbalgemeenskap gestuur. Trevor was 'n lid van die uitvoerende bestuur van Rolbal SA, en het ook op verskeie komitees van Wêreld Rolbal gedien. Hy was ook 'n voormalige president van Eden-rolbal.
Elma, 'n bekroonde Protea-speler wat Suid-Afrika onder meer by die Statebondspele verteenwoordig het, sou ook aanstaande maand aan 'n wêreldrolbaltoernooi in Wallis deelneem.
Albei is ook verlede jaar vereer by 'n byeenkoms wat deur Eden-rolbalklub aangebied is.
Die president van Eden-rolbal, Jenny Sinclair, het die egpaar se dood as 'n tragiese verlies vir hul families sowel as die rolbalwêreld beskryf.
Sy en ander vriende in die rolbalwêreld is ewe verslae oor die gebeure en weet nie wat verkeerd geloop het nie.
Elma het nog Vrydag op haar Facebook-blad 'n foto geplaas waar sy en ander spanlede die semi-finale van die All Cape-toernooi in Port-Elizabeth sit en kyk nadat hul span verloor het.
"Watching the semi finals of All Cape after we lost yesterday afternoon! Thank you for a wonderful tournament with great team!!!"
Sover bekend, het die egpaar nie kinders gehad nie. Dit was glo Trevor se tweede huwelik en die egpaar het ’n paar jaar gelede van Bloemfontein af na die Tuinroete verhuis. Geen begrafnisreëlings is nog bekend nie.
’n Gedenkdiens word Saterdag om 11:00 in die NG kerk Mosselbaai-Suid gehou vir Trevor (67) en Elma (52) Davis wat Sondagmiddag albei met skietwonde aan die kop in hul huis in Mosselbaai aangetref is.
Geen nuwe leidrade of briewe is gevind wat meer lig op die tragedie kan werp nie. Die egpaar het nie kinders gehad nie en volgens 'n familielid word hul drie honde versorg, maar wil die familie nie oor die voorval praat nie. Die Burger het berig Jenny Sinclair, president van Eden-rolbal, het gesê die twee sal onthou word vir die geesdrif wat hulle vir die sport gehad het. “Niks was ooit te veel moeite vir hulle nie. Elma was plat op die aarde. So ook Trevor, wat waarskynlik 23 uur van die dag aan rolbal gewy het. Hulle sal altyd in ons gedagtes wees.” Elma sou binnekort aan ’n wêreld-rolbaltoernooi in Wallis deelneem en het sy en Trevor het na verneem word nog ’n paar dae voor hulle dood vir die toernooi voorberei. Die polisie doen ’n geregtelike doodsondersoek. Die uitslag van die lykskouing was Woensdag nog nie bekend nie.
* 'n Soortgelyke voorval waarin 'n 62-jarige man van Brackenfell blykbaar ook eers sy vrou en daarna homself met sy haelgeweer geskiet het, het hom gister afgespeel. Die skokdood van Izak en Gertruida Nieuwoudt, ook 'n oënskynlik gelukkige egpaar wat al jare getroud was, herinner sterk aan die Davisse s'n en laat vrae ontstaan oor die impak van die land se politieke, ekonomiese en misdaadsituasie op die psige van die gewone landsburger.
Man kom af op ouers se lyke in Brackenfell
Wyle Izak en Gertruida Nieuwoudt
Die seun van ’n egpaar van Brackenfell het Woensdag op hul bebloede lyke afgekom toe hy vroegoggend by hul huis aangekom het om sy gereedskap te kry.
“Dit is iets waarop jy jouself nooit kan voorberei nie,” het ’n erg getraumatiseerde Izak Nieuwoudt (33) aan Netwerk24 gesê. Hy het omstreeks 07:00 op die lyke van Izak en Gertruide Nieuwoudt, albei 62, afgekom. Die egpaar het ook twee dogters, Marlise Snyman en Carla de Kok.
“Ek vermoed my pa het my ma geskiet en toe homself. Hulle was baie jare getroud. Ek kan nie glo wat gebeur het nie,” het Nieuwoudt gesê.
“My pa se haelgeweer, wat hy al jare besit, is op die toneel gevind. My ma was in die slaapkamer en my pa in die gang. Ons sou nog die naweek saam Langebaan toe gegaan het.” Nieuwoudt is ’n loodgieter en gaan haal elke oggend sy gereedskap by sy ouers se huis in Amanda-straat. Hy het dadelik die polisie ontbied.
“Toe ek gister hul huis verlaat het, het ek nog ouers gehad. Nou is hulle nie meer daar nie. Ek word volgende Dinsdag 34 jaar oud. Hoe gaan ek dit vier?” Kapt. FC van Wyk, polisiewoordvoerder, het die voorval bevestig en gesê dat dossiere vir ’n moordsaak en ’n geregtelike ondersoek geopen is.
“Niks word uit die huis vermis nie en daar is geen tekens van ’n inbraak nie,” het Van Wyk gesê. Volgens Kobus Kotze, woordvoerder by Titanium Securitas, ’n sekerheids-en-nooddienstemaatskappy, het die lyke van die egpaar albei op hul mae gelê. “Daar was oral bloed.”
Maar omdat daar sekere goed gebeur het, is jou finansies in die knyp hier op jou oudag, want jy moes jou pensioen elke keer inboet om kop bo water te hou.
'n Leser se eerlike mening oor dié gesinstragedies waarby "oënskynlik gelukkige" pensioenaris-egpare betrokke is, gee 'n indringende kykie in die werklikheid:
* Leser skryf: "Sterkte Izak en ook aan jou susters. Ek wil jou net gerusstel. Dit is niks wat iemand verkeerd gedoen het nie.
Ek dink dis die tekens van die tyd. Ek en my man is ook jou ouers se ouderdom en ons is ook afgetree. Meeste van ons kinders is oorsee en ons gun hulle die vrede en beter toekoms wat hulle in ander lande kan geniet.
Die lewe hier het baie duur geword en die oumense sukkel om te oorleef. Ek en my man het hard gewerk en al ons kinders deur Universiteit gekry sonder beurse en dinge. Ons het ook albei ons werke verloor en moes elke keer van vooraf begin. Ons blameer niemand nie, life happens, maar omdat daar sekere goed gebeur het is jou finansies in die knyp hier op jou oudag, want jy moes jou pensioen elke keer inboet om kop bo water te hou. Die pensioen van jou laaste werkgewer is te klein. Die staat voorsien jou van 'n pensioen, maar dis moeilik om daarmee te oorleef. Jy moet bly afskaal. Jy begin by jou medies, dan jou polisse, dan assuransie en dan jou lewens standaard. As jou kar breek dan kan jy dit nie regmaak nie en so gaan dit aan.
Jy voel in almal se pad en dan eendag kry jy dit nie meer reg om die masker aan te sit nie. Ek sê nie dit is wat in hierdie mense se geval gebeur het nie en ek veralgemeen nie, so moenie my kruisig nie, maar glo my ek het ook al so gevoel.
Miskien was hulle tydsberekening net uit en moes hulle vir oulaas saam met die kinders gaan vakansie hou het."
'n Seder val in Waterkloof . . . en 'n trotse baken en historiese landmerk het verlede week in Mosselbaai geval . . . sommer net so?
Die onseremoniële afsaag van een van die vier palmbome wat sowat 'n eeu gelede deur die legendariese Harry Giddy geplant is as grensbakens van die pragtige Harry Giddy-kloof (ook genoem Harry Giddy Corner) aan die bokant van Georgeweg, het hewige kritiek en ontsteltenis van veral oud-inwoners en bewaringsbewustes ontlok.
Die uitheemse dadelpalmbome staan glo al so lank soos die indrukwekkende klipmure en -wandelpaadjies in die kloof wat wyle Harry Giddy destyds self beplan, uitgelê en met behulp van Italiaanse krysgevangenes van WO2 gebou het en word alom beskou as deel van Mosselbaai se kultuurerfenis.
Ontstelde inwoners het verlede Dinsdag die munisipaliteit gebel toe hulle 'n span werkers sien wat besig is om met 'n trapstellasie en kettingsaag die boonste kroon van die eeu-oue palmboom op die een grenshoek af te saag. Dr David McNally, 'n tandarts van Plettenbergbaai en een van die begunstigdes van die McNally Trust aan wie een van die vyf huise langs die kloof behoort, het blykbaar 'n kontrakteur aangestel om die boom te verwyder omdat die wortels glo die "eeu-oue klipmuur beskadig" . . .
Talle inwoners het woedend op sosialemedianetwerke reageer:
"Dis onsin en pure strooi - die klipmuur bestaan al 'n eeu lank en makeer niks. Die boom het seker sy see-uitsig belemmer!"
"Is dit hoe Mosselbaai se eeue-oue historiese karakter en kultuurerfenis deesdae vernietig word vir selfsugtige doeleindes en 'vooruitgang'? wou 'n ontstelde inwoner weet.
'n Ander inwoner het voorgestel dat die munisipaliteit inwoners en nuwe intrekkers op sy nuusblad bedag maak op ou bome (ook dié in private tuine) as deel van die gemeenskap se erfenis omdat bome buite erfgrense die lug in troon en vir talle sigbaar is en estetiese genot verskaf.
Teen die tyd wat munisipale amptenare van die parke-afdeling en die erfenisvereniging Dinsdag opgedaag het, was dit glo reeds te laat om die boom te red.
Volgens Carina Wiggill van die Erfenisvereniging was die "kroon" van die boom glo reeds afgesaag en die boom so erg beskadig dat dit nie sou help om die werkery te stop nie. Sy is veral ontsteld dat die betrokke owerhede nie in die saak geken is nie.
Ook mnr. Eddie Jantjies van die munisipaliteit se Parke-afdeling het gesê dis baie jammer dat so 'n ou baken in Mosselbaai goedsmoeds en blykbaar sonder grondige rede vernietig is.
Kenners meen ook 'n klipmuurtjie kan binne 'n paar uur of dae herstel word, maar hoe vervang jy 'n eeu-oue boom? Daar is ook groot teenstrydigheid daaroor of die spesifieke stukkie muur hoegenaamd deur die boom se wortels gekraak het omdat die mure naaste aan die boom niks makeer nie en grondverskuiwing weens die droogte en huisbouery 'n meer waarskynlike oorsaak is.
Die betrokke boom was glo wel op private trust-eiendom, maar destyds met die onderverdeling van die oorspronklike perseel was streng voorwaardes en beperkings gestel - onder meer dat die ou palmbome nie verwyder mag word nie. Dr David McNally het glo ook téén die wense en besware van die ander trustees opgetree en het daarvolgens nie wettige magtiging gehad om die boom sonder hul toestemming te laat afsaag nie omdat dit nie sy eiendom is nie.
Mnr. Pieter Holzhausen, een van die huidige ses huiseienaars langs die kloof, is ewe ontsteld oor die boom se verwydering. Sy pa, die bekende Mosselbaaise oud-burgemeester Harry Holzhausen, het in 1960 die oorspronklike huis en grond van Harry Giddy gekoop en die grond later in vyf erwe verdeel. Toe was die betrokke dadelpalmbome al groot en gevestig.
Mnr. Pieter Holtzhausen op sy stoep met 'n soortgelyke dadelpalmboom as die een wat afgesaag is, op die agtergrond.
"Wyle Harry Giddy het in 1916 sy huis hier gebou, asook al die uitsonderlike klipmuurtjies en wandelpaadjies. Sover ek kan onthou, was sy huis destyds bekend as West End. Ek het dit 'n tyd terug na Gewels verander sedert dit as 'n gastehuis bedryf word."
"Van die koopvoorwaardes was destyds dat niks aan die huis verander mag word nie en dat die palmbome ook nie verwyder mag word nie. Sedertdien is al vyf erwe op die perseel verkoop en bewoon en ek weet nie of dié beperkinge steeds geld nie. 'n Mens sou hoop dat al die huiseienaars die kosbare nalatenskap van Giddy sou respekteer en bewaar, maar nou lyk dit nie so nie", het hy hartseer gesê.
Bo: Foto's uit die argiewe van Harry Giddy wat uitkyk oor sy geliefde Santosstrand en die oorspronklike gewelhuis en kunstige klip-lushof wat hy destyds met die hulp van Italiaanse krygsgevangenes ontwerp en gebou het.
Dr McNally het gister nie een van die talle oproepe na sy praktyk of selfoonnommer beantwoord nie. Die kontrakteur en werkers op die perseel wou nie kommentaar lewer nie, behalwe om te sê dat hulle die kontrak gekry het om die boom te verwyder en net die "tandarts se opdrag uitvoer."
* Intussen is sommige huiseienaars ook erg ontsteld dat dieselfde kontrakteur ook die tender by die munisipaliteit gekry het om die "stormwaterkanaal skoon te maak" en in die proses glo ook die meeste plante verwyder het wat deur die jare spesiaal aangeplant is ter verfraaiing van die omgewing en om gronderosie te bekamp.
Volgens Madre van den Berg, een van die vyf huiseienaars langs die kloof, het sy die afgelope sowat tien jaar die munisipale deel van die kloof by die munisipaliteit "gehuur" om dit te rehabiliteer en in stand te hou. "Ons het baie geld en tyd bestee om die kloof te verfraai en in stand te hou - juis omdat dit so uniek en besonders is sodat dit steeds 'n baie gewilde plek is vir foto-sessies van spesiale geleenthede soos troues, matriekafskeide, ens.
"Ek het deur die jare baie inheemse, waterwys-plante soos Arum-lelies, clivias, varings en watsonias langs die spruit en teen die klip-terrasse geplant en ons het self die kloof skoongehou in samewerking met die munisipaliteit wat op 'n gereelde basis die tuinafval kom wegry het.
"Dit wil egter voorkom asof die kontrakteur wat nou deur die strate- en stormwaterafdeling aangestel is om die kloof "skoon te maak", nie behoorlik ingelig was nie en voor die voet alle plante saam met indringerplante verwyder het. Nou is die kaal grond juis 'n groot risiko vir gronderosie en stormwaterprobleme omdat daar niks is om dit te anker nie", het sy gesê. Van die kliptrappies is blykbaar ook beskadig toe 'n stomp wat afgesaag moes word, daarop beland het.
"Hier was nog nooit 'n stormwaterprobleem nie omdat ons self die kloof skoongemaak en onderhou het. Dis jammer dat so iets moes gebeur weens swak kommunikasie en onkunde."
Die betrokke kontrakteur wat anoniem wou bly, het by navraag ontken dat enige plante benewens indringerplante, blare en rommel verwyder is of dat enige skade aangerig is. "Ons het die tender gekry om die gras te sny, bome wat in die pad is te snoei, indringerplante te verwyder en die stormwaterkanaal skoon te maak. Dis wat ons gedoen het en die munisipaliteit is tevrede en het ons betaal," het sy gesê.
Die bekende Harry Giddy Park in Marsh-straat is oorspronklik in 1887 as Victoria Park uitgelê ter ere van die Britse koningin Victoria. Gedurende die 1940's het wyle Harry Giddy omvattende opknappingswerk aan die park en die kloof gedoen en is die park na hom herbenoem. Die park, asook die lowerryke kloof waardeur 'n standhoudende spruit vloei, is vandag steeds twee van Mosselbaai se trotse erfenisgebiede en gewilde ontspanningsterreine.
* Dit blyk daar is ook verwarring en onsekerheid oor die korrekte spelling van wyle Harry Giddy/Giddey se naam. In feitlik alle dokumentasie en internet-verwysings is dit jare lank as Giddy gespel en ook in die jongste munisipale kennisgewings, ens. word dit steeds as Giddy gespel, terwyl die naambord van die park nou glo verander is na Giddey . . . ?
Toerisme-roete:
Hoe belangrik is Mosselbaai se kultuur-historiese erfenis vandag nog vir inwoners? Die eeu-oue palmboom se "onwettige" afsaag is ironies in die lig van die munisipaliteit se planne om 'n spesiale toerisme-roete te ontwikkel wat juis Mosselbaai se ryk geskiedenis - ofte wel die "storie" van Mosselbaai - uitbeeld . . .
"A proposal was developed to link tourists and tourist related activities in the historic Mossel Bay CBD via a Tourist Route, which tells the history or “Story” of Mossel Bay and its people whilst providing relevant information regarding tourist activities, businesses, restaurants, coffee shops and the history of Mossel Bay. "
The terms of reference include the following:
Identify the location of existing focus points and tourist assets;
Determine the best route to link the identified focus points and other tourist assets;
Identify the best locations for the newly identified focus points within the existing and future urban fabric of the historical CBD;
Develop a tourism or user optimization and implementation plan for Harry Giddy Park to maximize the use of this park;
The development of an Art Concept for all the focus points, which will tell a part of the larger “Story”;
The concept of each artwork for all the focal points will be developed to brief an artist; and
Development of a business model with costs and timelines will form part of the Tourism Framework.
The study area is the central area of Mossel Bay which covers the area from the Point to Harry Giddy Park as a first phase. The idea is to use this route to create linkages to all tourist activities in the larger Mossel Bay municipal area.
Despite several concessions being made, homeowners in Beyers Street along the pristine Little Brak River mouth and estuary are sad and deeply disappointed that the money allocated for the "unnecessary and unwanted" upgrading of the road and the provision of formal parking areas and a boardwalk is not used for more urgent matters.
This comes after months of meetings, public participation processes and objections against the Mossel Bay Municipality's initial proposal to upgrade/reseal Beyers Street and to provide formal parking within the road reserve. The municipality's proposal, as part of its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), also includes the construction of a boardwalk within the road reserve, as well as additional formal parking within Lindt Street.
Homeowners who have lived across the river for decades are now busy identifying and removing trees, shrubbery and plants which they have planted and nurtured for decades on the "extended part of their gardens" on the road reserve - which will now be replaced by grass blocks.
The need and desirability of the costly project have been questioned and opposed from day one, as it is feared that the formal parking and boardwalk will impact on the authenticity and character of the area.
Homeowners and affected parties along Beyers Street also feel this costly project is a waste of taxpayers money and unnecessary in the light of much more urgent matters such as the cleaning up of the polluted/blocked rivers to avoid future flooding, housing shortages and ongoing legal actions regarding the homeowners of Riverside and Seemeeu Park.
The municipality's reasons for the comprehensive project - to protect the dunes south of Beyers Street from the impact of informal parking during peak holiday periods and to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists during high season - were also opposed and deemed unjustified.
One of the objections is that the main issues - namely parking/congestion/safety along Beyers Street - are only applicable for about two weeks of the year during peak holiday when a high volume of visitors frequent the Estuary/beach area.
"Their concern was the safety of pedestrians, but now there will be far less parking space and pedestrians will have to walk much further and cross several streets to get to the beach", one resident said.
There is also concern that the boardwalk on the dune system will be covered with sand more often than not, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road anyway despite the walkway and that the detailed impact of the project on the sensitive river mouth area has not been properly investigated/assessed in terms of the area falling within the coastal risk area and being subject to flooding.
Affected parties also feel the proposed project is against the Kleinbrak Estuarine Management Plan that specifies that there should be a reduction/cessation of inappropriate development activities in and around the Estuary. Furthermore, existing home services such as septic tanks, water meters, etc. along Beyers Street are already within the study site and the cost and impact of relocating them have not been investigated/assessed.
"We still feel the entire project is unnecessary and a waste of money, but are nevertheless grateful for the concessions made and have now resigned ourselves to the idea and made peace with it. We can't fight the resurfacing of the road and can only hope the proposed boardwalk, which has not yet been approved, will be cancelled", one of the homeowners said.
Registered affected parties are mainly disappointed that their counter-proposals and/or recommendation that the Status Quo be upheld, were not duly considered. Their proposals include that Beyers Street be converted into a one-way road which will enable vehicles to travel along the road whilst making sufficient space for parking within the existing road footprint;
Traffic control be implemented during the peak holiday periods to manage parking/traffic instead of creating formal parking/walkways;
Development/utilise alternative parking areas in proximity to the beach/estuary such as the open space next to the ablution facilities or at the railway station parking;
Ice cream and food vendors can be moved to near the playground by the showers to unlock additional parking at the beach parking area.
Following the heated public participation process and even threats of lawsuits, the following decisions have been made and will be implemented during April:
Grass blocks will be installed for the entire length of the section north of Beyers Street (excluding where the 15ft line comes too close to Beyers Street to make it viable).
·The area demarcated for the grass blocks will respect the 15ft setback from erven;
·These grass block areas will be seeded and the contractor will be required to water the area during the establishment phase to ensure that the area gets covered with grass;
·The grass block area will not be fitted with any structures that may obstruct views i.e. bollards;
·The grass block area will be slightly tilted towards the road to direct runoff away from individual erven;
·Grass blocks were selected because it is easier to accommodate and maintain existing services within this area (i.e. individual blocks can be removed should access to services be required);
·The Municipality still intends to fix and upgrade the road base and surface as planned originally;
·The Municipality intends to still erect the boardwalk along the southern side of Beyers Street to improve pedestrian safety and deter vehicles from parking on the dunes (subject to the approval of the MMP);
·The Municipality acknowledges the concern raised by interested and affected parties indicating that implementation of the proposed project will affect parking along Beyers Street, therefore they will commission a separate parking study to look at the available areas that stakeholders identified during the process (and possibly other areas) for establishment of more parking areas, due to the fact that approvals for such other portions of land may be different to the current process (i.e. rezoning/consent etc), such a process will be run separately;
·The pedestrian access (boardwalk) will be extended to link to the main parking area;
·Lind Street will be converted to formal parking as planned (sufficient space will be left open to allow access to erven that can only access their properties via Lind Street);
·The Municipality will obtain the necessary consent from the Department of Public Works for the section of boardwalk encroaching beyond the high water mark.
The Mossel Bay Municipality's motivation for this project includes the following:
Protection of the dunes south of Beyers Street from impacts associated with informal parking during the peak holiday periods when visitors visit the beach/estuary;
Safety of pedestrians and motorists during peak holiday periods when vehicles park on both sides of Beyers Street forcing pedestrians to make use of the road surface where they compete with vehicles travelling along Beyers Street;
Beyers Street requires maintenance work in the form of resealing (which will imply layer works/traffic control);
The Municipality is ultimately looking to the future, long-term development and pressure from increasing tourism to the area that requires improvements to the access/parking areas favoured by visitors; The Municipality maintains that they are responsible for and have the mandate to implement road and pedestrian safety/maintenance activities within the Beyers Street road reserve.
The following key issues/concerns were raised by participating stakeholders:
* Lack of reasonable/feasible alternatives investigated/considered during the environmental process.
* No-Go alternative has not been given due consideration in terms of the EMMP;
* Maintenance work on Beyers Street generally supported, additional (i.e. parking) and new (i.e. boardwalk) structures/infrastructure not supported for Beyers Street;
* The overall need and desirability of the project has not been proven and therefore the delegated authority cannot apply its mind in terms of the EMMP;
* Formal parking and a raised boardwalk will impact on the authenticity and character of the area and this has not been considered/investigated/assessed considering proximity to the Blue Flag Beach;
* The applicability of the Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA) has not been thoroughly considered and applied ito the long-term impacts of the proposal;
* The sensitive dune system along the estuarine mouth plays an important role in protecting the safety of infrastructure/structures along Beyers Street especially during coastal storm surges and flooding events – concern about the introduction of new structures/infrastructure within this area and that it has not been considered/investigated/assessed properly;
* The position of the proposed boardwalk on the dune system will result in it being covered with sand more often than not which implies that pedestrians will most likely walk in the road despite the walkway, hence the feasibility and desirability of the walkway is questioned;
* The proposal will result in a significant reduction in the number of vehicles that will be able to park along Beyers Street, thereby creating a severe shortage of parking over the peak holidays;
* The EMMP lack information about pedestrian access from the walkway to the Estuary in order to protect the dunes;
* The project cannot be justified in terms of expense/motivation since the issues being addressed, namely parking/congestion/safety along Beyers Street, applies for approximately 15-days of the year during peak holiday only when high volume of visitors frequent the Estuary/beach area, therefore the Municipality’s preferred option of implementing formal parking and a boardwalk cannot be supported;
* The proposal is in conflict with historical agreements between property owners and the Mossel Bay Municipality pertaining to specified portions within the road reserve;
* The additional ‘15ft building line’ created between the 1969 consolidated erven and the road reserve of Beyers Street was intended as a ‘buffer zone’ on which building restrictions would apply and therefore structures/infrastructure cannot be constructed within these areas;
* Concern about due process not being followed in terms of the Environmental Regulations, namely that an EMMP is not the appropriate tool to investigate and/or make an informed decision about the proposal and instead a Basic Assessment process must be followed because the new parking and walkway cannot be interpreted as ‘maintenance purposes’ irrespective whether these fall within the so-called ‘road reserve’;
* The tender procedure was followed prematurely, before the outcome of the stakeholder engagement and environmental processes;
* The mouth of the Klein Brak Estuary is a highly sensitive and dynamic area, however, the detailed impact of the project on this environment has not been properly investigated/assessed with the study area falling within the coastal risk area and subject to flooding;
* The proposed project is in contrast to the Kleinbrak Estuarine Management Plan that specifies that there should be a reduction/cessation of inappropriate development activities in and around the Estuary;
Klein Brak residents and affected parties feel formal parking and a raised boardwalk will impact on the authenticity and character of the area and this has not been considered/investigated/assessed considering proximity to the Blue Flag Beach.
* Existing services associated with homes along Beyers Street are already situated within the study site (i.e. septic tanks, water meters) – the impact of relocating these services have not been investigated/assessed;
* The potential impact of increased flood damage as a result of the proposal has not been considered;
* Parking provided in Lind Street does not acknowledge existing accesses to homes getting access via Lind Street;
* The proposal will compromise safe access to existing properties along Beyers Street;
* Erecting a boardwalk on the Estuary side of Beyers Street will require the use of heavy machinery in some parts and the level and significance of such interventions has not been investigated/assessed;
* Concern that the Municipality will not be able to maintain the new infrastructure i.e. stormwater management, cleaning of sand, replacing of structures/infrastructure;
* The EMMP lacks detail about the project scope and does not include sufficient specialist input to make informed recommendations for maintenance and environmental management;
* The EMMP and subsequent public participation is misleading in that it refers to ‘resealing of Beyers Street’ whereas the tender information refers to complete rebuilding of Beyers Street with deep excavations/slip roads which is a ‘upgrade of the road’, not just maintenance;
* A portion of Lind Street has been closed as a ‘road’ and approved as such by the Surveyor General and therefore it cannot be claimed for public street purposes any longer;
* The proposal has not been assessed in terms of the prevailing coastal processes and insufficient information is included in the EMMP dealing with sea level rise as a result of climate change over the next 100 years i.e. disaster management requirements.
Participating stakeholders also put forward a number of alternatives they believe need to be considered by the delegated Authority (in no particular order):
Status Quo: It is submitted by most registered I&APs (read Beyers Street owners/residents/family/acquaintances) that the current scenario is acceptable to residents along Beyers Street and that should, therefore, be the preferred alternative;
Beyers Street should be converted into a one-way road which will enable vehicles to travel along the road whilst making sufficient space for parking within the existing road footprint;
Traffic control can be implemented during the peak holiday periods to manage parking/traffic instead of creating formal parking/walkways;
Development/utilise alternative parking areas in proximity to the beach/estuary such as the open space next to the ablution facilities or at the railway station parking;
Ice cream and food vendors can be moved to near the playground by the showers to unlock additional parking at the beach parking area.
It is evident that the vast majority of registered I&APs are not in favour of the Municipality’s proposal to perform upgrades to Beyers Street to accommodate formal parking and a pedestrian walkway. The proposal to formalise parking along Lind Street and to perform maintenance work on Beyers Street (resealing of the road) received much less opposition.
In the absence of broader community support for the project, there is a strong possibility that the proposal will be opposed by registered I&APs in their private capacity or in a group format irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing environmental/consultation process. The Mossel Bay Municipality is therefore at risk of implementing the current proposal with potential delays associated with legal action.
Read the follow-up to this story (with pics) here:
Strong and valid objections against the proposed fish meal factory in Mossel Bay's harbour have been pouring in since Mosselbayontheline was urged by concerned residents to launch a petition against the industry due to its devastating effects on the environment, tourism and the livelihood of residents and visitors.
Although most people indicated their concerns and objections, only 331 people have thus far actually SIGNED the petition. The deadline for objections is TODAY and those against such a factory can still register and email their concerns to the following address and/or sign the ongoing petition:
Here are some of the concerns and objections raised by those who have already signed the petition:
* It is unacceptable to give permission to go ahead with the proposed Fish Meal Factory without taking into account the concerns of the taxpaying residents of this town. The location of this factory would cause severe problems of air pollution and stress to the residents. Progress is not made to the detriment of the taxpayer nor can the local Government make this decision without considering the impact on business and tourism in our town. I am against this factory and will do all within the law to see it doesn't happen.
* Ek werk in Mossdustria en daar is 'n vismeelfabriek en dit vrot. Kan nie leef van stank party dae.
* We live next door to a fish factory and have first hand experience of just how unpleasant the odours are and how the seawater is polluted by the activity. A fish factory has no place in a primarily holiday destination - especially if the town was not previously renowned for such an activity.
* I'm signing as air, odour and sea pollution are inevitable outcomes of this proposed factory. It has no place in Mossel Bay's most important and sensitive areas and facilities tourism wise (Dias Museum Complex, Santos Blue Flag Beach, Gannet/Protea Hotel complex, the Point, the Goods Shed, proposed Mossel Bay Waterfront) and is also close too close to residential areas.
* I have experienced these factories on the West Coast , Saldanha, St Helena Bay and even with the new high technology extractors and equipment it makes the whole area smells worse than shit!
* I read the environmental impact study which makes it very clear that there is no guarantee that the stinking and toxic emissions will not be impacting the inhabitants of the city.
* It will destroy the charm of Mosselbay for kilometers around that area where they plan the facility. Financially it does not make sense for Mosselbay and the incidence of shark attacks will definitely increase. Mosselbay as a tourist destination will cease to exist. This will impact on the value of property in the area. The overall balance of current versus future value of Mosselbay will take a turn for the worse. Especially if the investors are not from South Africa or more specifically from Eden. Economical spin-offs from this factory will be minimal in comparison to the oil find or Petros A for instance. I think that an EIA must be further supported by a socio-economic impact study. The reasons will then become clear why not to go ahead with this idea. It makes more sense to enhance the current economic drivers of the town. Waterfront development? That makes sense!
*
* It's going to destroy Mossel Bay's harbour with restaurants and tourism. Those kind of factories need to be set up in Industrial areas, not in residential areas where its people rely on tourism.
Besides having family in Mossel Bay, Mossel Bay attracts tourists and makes its money through tourism, if you open up that factory the restaurants and hotels and guesthouses will have to close, since no one wants to stay or eat at a place that stinks of fish. Mosselbay will become a ghost town because of the stench. Not the brightest move.
Job creation to a small number of people will result in job losses in the tourism industry. Restaurants and other retail will die away. Mosselbay will not be an attractive retirement destination any longer and development will seize. Property value will drop and investment in real estate will decline. Stop this Gupta style of capture of our town because a selected few will benefit.
I am a resident living within the immediate vicinity of the proposed project. As in Saldanha and Hout Bay, the fishmeal processing plant will not be able to contain the odours and effluent, resulting in unpleasant smells in the residential and business areas adjacent to the harbour. This will have a negative impact on tourism, business and residents.
This application by Afro Fishing (Pty) Ltd, the owner of the canning factory in the Mossel Bay harbour, to establish a fish meal factory on the old I&J premises, comes in the wake of an appeal by the notorious Southern Cape Fish Meal plant in Mossdustria against the decision of the Garden Route District Municipality NOT to renew its Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL).
Southern Cape Fish Meal's application for the renewal of their AEL on 15 December 2017 was initially refused by the Eden District Municipality on 17 April 2018, following serious complaints and concerns from residents in Mossdustria, Dana Bay and Aalwyndal regarding the unbearable stench that plagued their health and living conditions.
The Mossel Bay Municipality was also against the renewal of the licence due to the negative impact that SCFM has on investment and economic growth in Mossdustria and the greater Mossel Bay area. Furthermore, SCFM does not comply with the Mossel Bay By-Law on the discharge of industrial effluent.
Following SCFM's appeal, the EDM has now requested additional information that is now being distributed to the registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) for comment before 11 April 2019 as part of an ongoing public participation process.
Note that the public participation process only applies to already registered interested parties of the previous advertisement regarding the AEL renewal.
The additional information is available on the website of the environmental assessment practitioner, Pieter Badenhorst Professional Services at www.pbps.co.za
Comments may be emailed before 17:00 on 11 April to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Mische Molife Environmental Assessment Practitioner Pieter Badenhorst Professional Services P. O. Box 1058 Wellington 7654 Website: www.pbps.co.za
Please feel free to browse the document section of this website and download files as part of our Public Participation programme.
* This latest development comes after a short-lived victory for the complainants.
On 26 April 2018 it was reported that the Eden District Municipality chose to uphold the Constitutional right of the community to clean air when it refused to renew the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for Southern Cape Fish Meal (SCFM) (PTY) LTD, the fish meal factory in Mossdustria.
For residents of Dana Bay, Aalwyndal and Mossdustria - who for years have been continuously complaining of their living conditions being negatively affected by the ongoing foul odour emanating from this plant - the decision comes as a victory.
Public participation The EDM decision follows a comprehensive public participation process in which none of the Registered Interested and Affected Parties supported the factory's renewal application.
In a letter to the owners of SCFM on 17 April, the Eden District Municipality (EDM) stated that it "must be emphasised that some of the Interested and Affected Parties are representing Ward 11 and the residences of Aalwyndal and Dana Bay."
A significant number of complaints received are related to after-hours operations when the management is not present to oversee critical control parameters.
Furthermore, the EDM found that "the SCFM is not taking all reasonable steps to prevent the emissions of offensive odour as are evidenced by the amount and degree of on-going complaints received by both the district municipality and the Mossel Bay Municipality."
Cease activities Pending a possible appeal process, the EDM instructed SCFM to cease activities relating to Category 10 Animal Matter Processing by 30 April and that plant decommissioning must be completed by 25 July. The current AEL of SCFM lapsed on 28 February. EDM granted an extension until 30 April.
The Mossel Bay Municipality also did not support the renewal of the licence specifically as SCFM is deemed to have a negative impact on investment and economic growth in Mossdustria and the greater Mossel Bay area.
In addition, SCFM also does not comply with the Mossel Bay By-Law on the discharge of industrial effluent.
The EDM Air Quality Unit received repeated complaints from residents in Dana Bay, Aalwyndal and business owners in Mossdustria about the offensive odours emanating from SCFM.
Estate agents have in the past stated that the constant foul smell directly and negatively impacts property ownership in these areas, but especially in Mossdustria where the Mossel Bay Municipality incentivises new businesses growth.
