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.
Friends of the Black and Vygekraal Rivers
September 5th, 2011Pelican
September 5th, 2011Recently I filmed, rather poorly I am afraid, a trio of pelicans on the Liesbeek. While not exactly an uncommon occurrence it is neither that common either. I drive down Liesbeek Avenue at least twice a day and I have only seen a pelican on a handful of occasions. This is the first time I have seen more than 2.
Here are some links you may find of interest
Stunning scene along the Liesbeek
July 23rd, 2011Photograph taken in the Boschenheuwel Arboretum (July 2011). Photo: Andrew Winter
What the Friends of the Liesbeek have learnt over 20 years
July 20th, 2011This slide presentation was given by Kevin Winter at a public meeting to launch the Black and Vygekraal River Friends / Action group. What the Friends of Liesbeek have learnt over 20 years (file about 6.5Mbs!) It summarises some important lessons that shape the approach the Friends of the Liesbeek have taken over the years since the organisation was founded on the 28th November 1991. This approach is working well for the FoL, but the presentation was not intended to suggest that this is what the B and V Friends need to follow. Maybe they will need to form an Action Group rather than a Friends? The condition the Black River is serious – maybe a more radical approach is necessary. Kevin Winter
City of Cape Town Spatial Development Plan and Environmental Management Framework
June 15th, 2011In 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.
Peninsula Paddle Video
June 9th, 2011Peninsula Paddle
May 30th, 2011
Here is the link to the website http://peninsulapaddle.wordpress.com
More on SUDS
May 27th, 2011Professor Neil Armitage’s talk on SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) raised so many important points that I want to expand on the topic. In the UK much research has been done, and one very interesting report available on the Internet is the CIRIA report on social impacts of SUDS (http://www.ciria.org.uk/suds/pdf/social_impact_summary.pdf).
They found that new and innovative drainage technologies must be designed to be accepted by the public. Poor public perception of SUDS may be a deterrent for developers in using them at new sites, as it can negatively influence buyers’ decisions to acquire property within the development. In contrast, positive attitudes towards SUDS can attract house-buyers and raise property values in developments where these systems are applied. The report stressed that unlike conventional drainage, SUDS are likely to form part of public open spaces. This promotes interaction between communities and their local environment and can also result in amenity benefits.
The report used a survey questionnaire to determine what people who lived near SUDS sites thought about the systems. Contrary to US results, people in the UK survey (92%) were aware of how their actions influenced catchment pollution, but there was a lack of awareness of SUDS specifically. People were more positive about ponds than swales, stating that “the attraction of wildlifento the ponds, the increase in the amenity and recreational value of the surrounding areas, the improvement of the landscape, and the environmental nature of the drainage methods, all played an important role in achieving positive attitudes towards the systems.” The people in the survey all thought busy roads were more of a danger than a pond, and a pond was considered safer than a river or a landfill. They understood the benefits of SUDS in reducing flood risk, and how SUDS generally improved the landscape.
The recommendations the report makes can be applied to the Liesbeek. People wanted ponds or in our case the river itself, to be as “natural” as possible, with planting of native species on the banks and slopes. The slopes should be gentle and deep water signs should be used. Benches should be introduced and picnic tables, walkways and children’s play areas considered. Land based and aquatic species should be encouraged to colonise the system. Litter and silt removal programmes should be given a high priority and clearing of inlets and outlets should be regularly undertaken. Marginal vegetation should be maintained. The report suggests that educational campaigns should be set up for local communities and interpretation boards should be introduced. These all have been recognised to be important on the Liesbeek, it only needs time and effort to implement – the Friends of the Liesbeek are definitely on the right track!
Maintenance of Bird Hides
April 26th, 2011The Liesbeek maintenance Team and personal from Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area recently completed cutting a path in the reeds in front of the bird hide situated in the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and varnishing of the hide. An additional three perches (dead trees) were also installed to encourage better sightings. This was done in preparation for the upcoming winter months that will see +- 50 bird species visiting the Raapenberg seasonal wetland.
Fig. Team cutting the reeds.
Fig. Team varnishing the hide.
From May 2011 monthly bird counts will be conducted at Raapenberg, the Liesbeek and other surrounding wetlands. If you would like to join us for these counts please contact James Cooper no: (021) 700 1843 or 078 031 6749. Arrangements for groups to visit the hide can also be made, groups may not be larger than 20 people and arrangements must be made at least two weeks in adnavce.
