Klip River Park Final VIP proposals

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=30 BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" style=" border-left: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Tulbagh Info Information</B></div> <div> Klip River Park Final VIP proposals</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="120" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#0099CC HEIGHT= 15 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="local_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tulbagh News Page 2"><U>Back to Local News</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Councillor John Veschini of the VIP - Voice of Independents Party submits his final proposals for the consideration of Council for a decision on the future of the Tulbagh Klip River Park. </B> It is hoped that Council will finally come to this decision after near on 10 years of procrastination and community participatory consultative meetings. The Park currently loses over R800,000 per annum (not including the cost of maintenance. Council is surely aware of the losses and is aware of the sentiments of the public by now?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 14 November, 2011</div> <bR> <div> To the Municipal Manager, all Councillors, relevant Directors and Managers.</div> <div> Witzenberg Municipality</div> <bR> <div> Alienation of the Klip River Park and surrounding land</div> <bR> <div> Further to the workshop regarding the above matter, I submit herewith my motivation in support of my proposal that;</div> <bR> <div> 1.     The Klip River Caravan Park be demarcated properly (slightly enlarged to allow for further development of accommodation and camping) and be offered for rental through the bidding process. In other words, I propose that the Municipality retains ownership of this property. This Park was once rated as one of the best in the country and I see no reason why it can’t be so again and as such be truly an asset to this town and a financial asset to the Municipality in the longer term as opposed to being a liability as it is now.</div> <div> 2.     All the surrounding land be demarcated and offered for sale by a bidding process for development so as to increase the Rates base of the town except for Erf 1 and Portion of Erf 1352 (which should be retained as a future picnic spot and the community has clearly determined it should in the numerous community consultative meetings that were held). It would also be necessary to build a swimming pool on this portion to replace the current Public pool in the Caravan Park?  The property is currently being used by Fire Services. I believe that the Triangular Road reserve marked 4 on the diagram should also be sold off – possibly to the neighbor on Erf 1757? This would release the Municipality from the obligation of maintaining the land and would enhance the prospects of development for the neighbor due to his apparent access difficulties and the new flood line requirements. </div> <bR> <div> Kindly note the diagram below, which was kindly provided by Claus Riding, Land Surveyor.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="10fcd0050.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="1029" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> You will note that we have increased the size and demarcated the Klip River Park for reasons as set out in 1. above.</div> <bR> <div> You will note that we have retained a portion of Erf 1 to be retained as Nature Reserve. The reason for this is that it is covered with Fynbos and this would undoubtedly be protected in any event.</div> <bR> <div> The suggestion is that the Remainder of Erf 1 be de-proclaimed as Nature reserve as it is disturbed land (currently being grazed upon). </div> <bR> <div> If you are aware of the topography, you will note that the land slopes upwards from the river to a point corresponding with the south east boundary corner of Tulpak (the industrial property). That line is essentially the knoll of the hill after which, the land slopes gently downwards in a westerly direction to the road leading to the Garden Refuse site (Mopgat). This land is therefore ideal for either the development of middle income group cluster housing, township development or grazing.</div> <bR> <div> It is my contention that should the surrounding land as shown be sold off in time, the said sale of such could realise substantial revenue for the Municipality and would be an encouragement for development and hopefully a means of expanding our Rates Base.</div> <bR> <div> The diagram below shows the current extent of the Galgaheuwel nature reserve. Clearly, the reserve needs realignment and possibly part of the area marked 1a could also be de-proclaimed as this land has mostly been disturbed also and may be suitable for the expansion of the sewerage works, settlement dams, Fire Services etc.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="10fed2fe0.jpg" border=0 width="722" height="1022" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> I urge Council to finally come to a decision in regards to this matter – a decision which is perhaps long overdue?</div> <bR> <div> Kind regards,</div> <bR> <div> Clr. John A Veschini</div> <div> VIP - Voice of Independents Party</div> <div> Witzenberg</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width=28 style=" border-top: 1px solid #0066CC; border-left: 1px solid #0066CC;border-right: 1px solid #0066CC; border-bottom: 1px solid #0066CC;" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>