AGM ZOOM held on 21 DECEMBER 2021
Thank you to those who attended the Annual General Meeting held over Zoom this past December.
For those who weren’t available, or would like to go over the meeting again, please see the below link. It contains the video and audio recording of the meeting this morning, as well as the text chat transcript which some used.
HEROLDS BAY RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
HEROLDSBAAI BELASTINGBETALERS VEREENIGING
Chairperson’s Report 2020
SECURITY
I am pleased to report that during the year there were no break-ins despite a number of attempts during the period of the lockdown. This was mainly due to the quick action of the security company operating in our area. Three meetings with them during the year have vastly improved the response and rectified the camera situation in the Bay and the Heights. An investigation into the performance of these units indicated that those that were operating in darker areas were not as effective as those where the area was well-lit. Based on this information, it was decided by the Heights team to install solar lights in these areas. The installations are currently in process with ten lights already installed on the camera pole. A problem is also being experienced with the rusting of the camera brackets which remain to be replaced with stainless steel.
The CCTV cameras at the circle at the entrance to the Heights have been effective in identifying pantechnicons damaging the area. My thanks to the Wedge family who recently moved into the house at the entrance to the Heights and agreed to allow us to monitor the cameras from their home.
Our intention to install CCTV cameras along the boundaries of the Heights was not realised as we were unable to collect sufficient funds to meet the cost of R53 000 for the units along the boundary from the circle to the Dutton’s Cove boundary. We have only managed to collect R24 000 for this project so far, but we will persevere during 2021.
LIFEGUARDS
After numerous requests to the Municipality to assist in supplying lifeguards for the period of the 1st of September to the 31st of March on a yearly basis, as well as for the protection of the school children that are constantly using the church accommodation, and receiving no positive response except for the period 1st of December to the 31st of January, your committee decided to approach the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) for assistance. From discussions with them, it became evident that Herold’s Bay is one of the beaches with the most rescues and that we needed some intervention to reduce this. A major difficulty that they had was the fact that the boat used for rescue was housed in George and had to be towed to Herold’s Bay. This resulted in a time delay and with the strength of the rip currents, led to the lifesaver and patient being a long distance from the beach.
Based on this information, the committee decided to provide a container at the Bay in which the boat is to be housed. This will be for a trial period during the December/January holiday. If it proves successful, Herold’s Bay will be classified as a Sub Station of Wilderness with a permanent boat stationed here. Mr JJ Fourie of OPPIESEE has kindly sponsored the cost of the container for the December period, for which we thank him.
However, in order to have the boat stationed here permanently, we would be required to purchase a container to house it. The cost of this unit from Valley Containers has been quoted at R35 075,00, which will have to be collected by us. This boat would serve both Herold’s Bay and Gwaing River Mouth.
This matter has been communicated to the Municipality with a request for a donation towards this effort.
A meeting was held with the Outeniqua Lifesaving Club, which provides lifeguards to the Municipality for the period of December/January every year. A concern was raised as to how the lifeguards were handled at George where they were employed by the Municipality and not by the Club. The relationship between the NSRI and the Club has improved resulting in a closer working relationship.
FIBRE INSTALLATION
A meeting to discuss the installation of fibre for the Heights, Monate, Dutton’s Cove and the Bay was held with Lighthouse Electronics, who had installed the fibre for Breakwater and The Brink. As it would be difficult to dig trenches in the area, it was proposed that they investigate the use of the installed Openserve pipes to draw in the fibre. Further investigation indicates that pipes may not be available and Openserve has agreed to check whether they might provide the fibre infrastructure for Herold’s Bay. An alternative is to install a wireless system, which we are not particularly impressed with.
FIRE RISK
I attended the AGM of the Southern Cape Fire Prevention Association at Sedgefield, where the structure of the organisation was presented with the various management of the areas. I expressed concern that in the layout of new residential areas, no consideration was given to fire risk – particularly where the area was close to forests.
The burning of the Voelklip area has been discussed with the farmer who has agreed that it needs to be burned with a controlled fire. This has been raised with the Fire Department numerous times. The matter has now been elevated to the SCFPA.
A visit by the management of the SCFPA was undertaken to point out the problem areas, namely:
• The Voelklip Area
• The roadsides at Geriche’s Farm
• The Southern Boundary of the Heights
• The Eastern Boundary of Monate
• The proposed new development
ROOIDRAAI ROAD
This road, which is regarded by the residents as safety-critical, has been delayed once again as a result of insufficient funds being available. As I mentioned in my last report, the engineering design and costing is complete. An endeavour to commence with the worse half of the road was also turned down. I have ensured that the project is provided for on the budget for the 2021 year. We received the Environmental Maintenance Management Plan, which was published for comment on 19/11/2020 and registered as an interested and effective party to participate in the process.
VOELKLIP ROAD
After the AGM last year, where the decision was taken to attempt to keep the road open, an investigation by the committee found that the road had been proclaimed as a provincial road under the control of the province. A meeting with the Provincial Roads Department, the Environmental Department, the Municipality and ourselves took place at the road, where dangerous areas were identified and remedial action proposed. The action was delayed because of Covid but is now ongoing with the Local Roads Department.
At a meeting with the owner of the land, we informed him of the situation and after some discussion about who took responsibility for preventing the abuse of his land, he agreed that we could continue using it. I must appeal to residents using this road to assist in preventing unacceptable behaviour from taking place. Please report any such observation to me or any committee member and the police.
STRAAT ADRESSE
As gevolg van die Covid is die addisionele straat name nie deur die Minisipaliteit goedgekeur nie, maar ek is aangese om met die straat nommers voort te gaan. Die plan met die nuwe straat nommers aangedui is by die Kaffee opgesit vir julle inligting. Volgens die Munisipale straat naam reels is dit nodig om Uitsig straat se nommers te verander want dit moet by nommer een begin. As gevolg van die insluiting van die strate Fyndraai en Seester is dit nodig dat van die nommers in Rooidraai Straat ook verander word.
Om die nommers offisieel te registreer is dit nodig dat die gemeenskap geraadpleeg word. Dit sal by die algemene vergadering gedoen word. As daar enige ontevredenheid is oor die nommers moet julle my in kennis stel per e-pos. Die Munisipaliteit soek ‘n verslag oor die besprekings by die vergadering en die besware.
GETY POEL
Die balustrade by die swembad is voltooi, maar sal in die toekoms nog verder verleng moet word.
GARDENS
After the good rains we have had this year, the gardens are really looking good. To Mel and the Garden team – many thanks again for the effort you put into making Herold’s Bay a beautiful place.
MAINTENANCE TEAM
Despite the Covid-19 lockdown which kept John and his team away for a long period, they have managed to bring the bay up to the standard they expect. Well done.
FIREWORKS
Although we have had good rains, fireworks still remain problematic and I, therefore, request that we refrain from setting them off. Municipality ruling remains a zero tolerance.
SEISOEN REELINGS
Soos in die verlede bly die reelings as volg:
• Gebruik van vuurwerke word nie toegelaat;
• Drank op die strand en grasperke word nie toegelaat;
• Voertuie wat verkeerdelik parkeer sal weggesleep word;
• Verkeer en Strand Patrollie personeel sal elke dag hier wees;
• SAPS sal elke 2 ure ‘n draai kom maak; en
• Sosiale distansieering moet waar moontlik behou word.
DANKIE
My persoonlike en hartlike dank aan die kommittee lede wat my ondersteun het gedurende ‘n baie moeilike jaar veral as ‘n mens in gedagte hou dat die Munisipaliteit vir die helfde van die jaar nie by die werk was nie.
GREETINGS
Finally, I want to wish you and your families a peaceful, blessed Christmas and a better, prosperous 2021
