The Bloomberg New Energy Finance, a division of Bloomberg LP, helped the Friends of the Liesbeek plant 40 trees and weed out alien vegetation along the banks of the Liesbeek River. The trees were donated to the organisation by SANParks tree nursery, based in Newlands. The Friends of the Liesbeek wishes to thank all the volunteers from Bloomberg for their time in commemorating Earth Day (which was on the 22nd April), by helping us along the river. In total, 15 Wild Olive, 15 Cape Holly, 5 Assegai and 5 Cape Beech trees were planted along the river from Sans Souci Road to the cleared banks opposite the Wild Fig. We look forward to working with all of you again in the near future.

It came to the attention of the Friends of the Liesbeek that there was a growing concern from residents in Observatory of the increased growth of Indian shot (Canna indica) along the river bank next to the Liesbeek Parkway, opposite Valkenberg Hospital ground. This plant had completely invaded the whole river bank, allowing little else to grow amongst it and providing cover for people wanting to partake in certain anti-social behaviour. This added cover also provided shelter for a number of vagrants, many of whom were found to be hostile to people walking their dogs or simply enjoying the space next to the river.

To try and combat these issues, the Friends of the Liesbeek together with the department of City Parks, devised a plan whereby the Indian shot would be treated with a herbicide and then cleared away once it had died. The herbicide used was found to have great success on indian shot along the Lourens River, which is also undergoing rehabilitation.

The Friends of the Liesbeek is now actively involved in having the dead vegetation removed from this area and getting various agencies to play their part in re-planting the area with indigenous vegetation. However, during this time we ask you to please bear with us as the area will look brown and barren for the next couple of months.

Should you have any further queries or want any further information regarding the project, please contact info@fol.org.za

The Friends of the Black and Vygekraal Rivers are having a public meeting on Tuesday 13 September 2011, at the Rondebosch Golf Club House, Golf Course Road, Sybrand Park, at 19h00. For more information contact Jonathan Hobday 0828965529 or Sonja Pithey 0844932654.

Photograph taken in the Boschenheuwel Arboretum (July 2011). Photo: Andrew Winter

In 2008 the City of Cape Town initiated a process to prepare a Spatial Development Framework for Cape Town as well as 8 integrated Spatial Development Plans / Environmental Management Frameworks (District Plans) – one for each of the planning districts of the city.

The Friends of the Liesbeek committee has participated in this process. Of interest to us are the regulations concerning the 50- and 100-year floodlines, and the restrictions concerning activities within these lines.  We are also concerned with urban densification occurring in the catchment areas of the Liesbeek, for example the proposed Fernwood development off Paradise Road. Hardening of surfaces causes added run-off and increases the water flow in the Liesbeek considerably. We also need to be aware of the proposed development of the Newlands Swimming Pool and motivate for the setting back of any structures from the river bank. These and numerous other issues can be raised in your comments on the Plans.

On the basis of the public comments received, the City has finalised the Cape Town Spatial Development Framework (CTSDF) and is in the process of submitting this to the Provincial Government: Western Cape for approval.

The revised draft District Plans technical reports and summary brochures, including a summary of the public comments received on the first drafts and the City’s response to these, are available for public inspection at your local library, subcouncil office and your Planning & Building Development Management district office.  The summary brochure is available in English and Xhosa/Afrikaans. You can also find this information and more background and supporting information at www.capetown.gov.za/en/sdfhttp://www.capetown.gov.za/en/sdf or by phoning 021 400 9412.

If you have any questions or comments on the final drafts of these District Plans for Cape Town please e-mail to:  futurecapetown@capetown.gov.za
or send a fax to:  021 425 6495
or write to:  PO Box 4511, Cape Town 8000

The closing date for comment is 30 June 2011.