Conservation office fate still in the balance
The Grahamstown nature conservation office is still waiting to know its fate.
Conservation office fate still in the balance
The Grahamstown nature conservation office is still waiting to know its fate.
The DEDEAT (Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism) is undergoing a restructuring exercise that includes the proposed closure of the three subregional offices in the province, including our local office in Huntley Street.
Makana and the subregion has been well-served by this office over the years.
Should the closure go ahead, the local staff would have to relocate to Port Elizabeth. Our nearest relevant offices would then be in PE, East London or Queenstown.
For more info contact Quintus Hahndiek at 046 622 7216.
Golf course housing plans appeal
It is no surprise that the Belmont Development Company has appealed the DEDEAT’s negative decision on the proposed golf course housing development.
The decision revolved around capacity issues of the local Waste Water Treatment Works.
However, the developer’s proposal included a plan to finance the upgrade of the treatment works, which seems a positive spin-off of the development.
But does this justify it?
DEDEAT’s decision coincided with acknowledgement by Makana’s Technical and Infrastructure Services Director Thembinkosi Myalato, that the city cannot sustain further development before issues of under-capacity and ageing infrastructure are addressed.
If funding is an issue, is this a sound model for future development — a dependent partnership between the municipality and developers?
Ultimately we want decisions to be taken that are in the best interests for the future of Grahamstown and all its citizens.
KCC pairs up with SAIAB
The Kowie Catchment Campaign (KCC), a local community initiative to take care of local rivers and streams, has found a new home for its exhibit at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB).
The KCC has grown out of the Makana Environmental Forum, with the aim of working together to improve care for the health of Makana’s river catchments and their communities.
SAIAB invited the KCC to showcase local efforts carried out by their network of concerned individuals, groups and organisations.
KCC chair Nikki Köhly says, “SAIAB is involved in biodiversity and in community outreach — that is why we agreed to display the KCC’s efforts in their entrance area.
It is only through collaboration that we can achieve our objectives.
“SAIAB is setting a great example by reaching out to the community and supporting local initiatives for healthy and sustainable catchments!”
For more info on the KCC go to www.kowiecatchmentcampaign.org.za.
Wessa AGM and Great Fish Reserve talk
The Grahamstown branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) will hold its AGM on Saturday, 2 March at the Rhodes Botany Department lecture theatre at 10am.
Cathy Dreyer, the new assistant reserve manager at the Great Fish River Reserve, will be the guest speaker and give a talk entitled 'An introduction to the Great Fish River Reserve, its challenges and potential'.
This is a great opportunity to meet Cathy — who has recently taken over from Brad Fike — and to learn more about this wonderful asset right on our doorstep, as well as to hear about the activities of the local Wessa branch.
All are welcome.
For more info contact Margaret Crampton on 083 635 0970 or cramptonmargaret@gmail.com.
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News: Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 / Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 / Nick Hamer: n.hamer@ru.ac.za, 084 722 3458 / Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 / Strato Copteros: strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403 / Philip Machanick p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635
