FINANCE
Financial Statements have been distributed. The financial year end closes on 28 February 2025. The AFS will need to be undertaken by our auditor before the AGM.
ADMINISTRATION / MANAGEMENT
The WhatsApp Group of Marina Centralized have continued to be vociferous confrontations on MDGA ExCom.
Staff resignations of our Inspectors.
LEGAL
Ongoing legal matters.
ARCHCOM
ARCHCOM met on 20 February and examined 8 plans, 7 of which were approved.
The plan for a property in Shearwater Drive, which both ARCHCOM & EXCOM rejected on the grounds that it contributed negatively to the streetscape was discussed again and GH to write a letter to Eben Kuun explaining the reason for this rejection.
The Council have asked MDGA to comment on the proposed departures at 23 Admirals Walk. This plan has already been cleared by ARCHCOM and we will only respond to the Council if a neighbour has an objection. It is noted that the neighbours on the opposite side of the vlei have not been canvassed.
Communications
Two newsletters sent out on schedule.
Planning of 50th commemorative publication of the Marina da Gama.
EVENTS
Nothing to report
Municipal Infrastructure
Past Month’s Activities
The last month’s activities revolved around the ongoing liaison with the City of Cape Town officials relating to MDGA infrastructure maintenance.
Boundary Walls
The responsibility and ownership of boundary walls on the periphery; abutting PGD and the Northern Servitude rests with the individual property owners on whose land it is registered.
The property owners also must ensure that these boundary walls are compliant with the MDGA design manual and regulations as well the City’s DMS.
The safety concerns and public liability of the leaning wall on PGD has been escalated to CCT. Notice has been served on the relevant property owners by the CCT.
A meeting was called by the affected property owners of the leaning wall adjacent to PGD, on 31 October 2024. This meeting was attended by Ulf Martz, Demetri Qually and Alan Hepple from the MDGA ExCom. The ward councillor and City Council Officials also attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Steve Marr, trustee and chairman of Fair Lake. The outcome of this meeting determined that the affected property owners will be responsible to appoint a structural engineer to assess the structural integrity of the wall and make recommendations for securing and replacing the wall. The city would work in collaboration, in so far that temporary hording would be installed on PGD to avoid job seekers sitting against the leaning wall.
Awaiting further communications from the affected property owners driving this process.
Proposed Special Schools in Coniston Park and Access through Oudevlei Road
The MDGA was approached last year by Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve (ZENR) where various access routes to their offices northwest of the Marina da Gama was discussed as a result of the re-routing of their current access road traversing through the designated Special Needs School site. The implication of the preferred route recommends the breaking down of the wall at the end of Oudevlei Road.
Whilst MDGA attempted to contact the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure; involved in the project, no further feedback was received. It is understood that there is no immediate plan to commence with the construction of the Special Needs School Project.
Furthermore, recent developments have shown that the upgrading of the premises at ZENR has been put on hold as an EIA would be required to proceed.
Roads and Storm Water Infrastructure
The MDGA internal roads have shown signs of deterioration as potholes are evident.
Electrical
Replacement of broken bulbs on streetlights has been a challenge by the City of Cape Town. The streetlights have remained on during the day (24-hours) to prevent cable theft. A notice was sent out to upgrade of prepaid electricity meters.
Public open Space
Refer to the Parks and Gardens Portfolio report(s). Issues regarding private owners fencing off adjacent POS and access to the vlei has been raised.
Water and Sanitation
The city has fenced off its pump station of PGD.
Issues requiring attention.
Further engagement with the City of Cape Town to escalate the repair work that needs to be done at the northern boundary wall, via the MDGA office.
City officials has notified the MDGA that they (City) have no objection to the MDGA erecting a fence on their property. The fence was installed in December 2023.
To re-initiate the engagement with the City of Cape Town to bring the M4-M5 road link forward and not leave it under long term planning as published in the District Development Framework Plan. This should be part of the conditions imposed by the TIA for the imminent densification of Vrygrond.
Additional engagement with the CoCT/ Province regarding the proposed access through Oudevlei Road and the Special Needs School/ ZENR access road.
Traffic Signal Heads at the Vrygrond/ Oudevlei/ PGD intersection has conflicting phasing which has been reported to council. This matter has been addressed with the rephasing of the traffic signal heads.
Resolution on the way forward with all Marina da Gama Boundary Wall, in terms of Standards and Council DMS compliance, where contradictions are evident.
PARKS AND GARDENS
Discussions were held with ELICID in terms of collaborative work in terms of sharing resources (garden labour).
STANDARDS
WATERWAYS
LG and UM attended the ZPAAC meeting on 27 November 2024. It was reported that the weed harvesters are currently clearing the southern marina canals and move towards the north in the next week. It was further noted that during strong winds operations are suspended for safety reasons. The City also makes use of operators to assist in fire fighting when required. Another new weed harvester is to be commissioned in April 2025, when the Kingfisher will be removed from Zandvlei waters.
The MDGA welcomes Michael Melck, our new waterways portfolio holder.
Surrounding COMMUNITIES’ Liaison
Lathif Gafoor’s report back:
I have had no feedback from the PEC but will keep in touch as developments proceed
* a senior gang member from the Flakpass if I’m correct in spelling the name was killed recently in the northern suburbs although he’s a gang leader in Vrygrond. It seems to be taxi related as the association refuses to pay protection money. The funeral was on Saturday and part of the M5 in the retreat area was closed to traffic as a result
* hopefully there won’t be any serious repercussions. Police surveillance has been increased
* I was invited to a meeting where a presentation was made regarding the Sandriver and Langevlei catchment areas in terms of sedimentation , nutrients etc was discussed . It revolved around the Rehabilitation of the Sand and Langevlei Canals Confluence and chaired by Alistair Lee.meeting date at Lookout 18/02 . Wide inputs from community organisations bordering these canals are ongoing
* on the 15/02 held in Wynberg I was invited to an an Accountability oversight Community Safety Plan meeting in terms of partnership between police and CPF . A broad Overview was presented on the role of the CPF as governed by “the Western Cape Uniform Constitution For Community Police Forums And Boards 03/24 “
* I raised the long overdue question of CPF representation on the Parole Board. Its important that we know those been released as it impacts on society.
* I raised the vexing question of Appeal regarding the issuing of licences by the Liquor board despite objections from organisations representing society at ground level
* raised the question of police who are not adequately schooled on the law and who they can refer to in case of clarification
* I was asked to address my concerns with the SUBDISTRICT Chair . I am in contact with him and will be meeting with him shortly
* the overdue question revolving around the police station on Erf 82491 in terms of a work-study commissioned by me in 2016 is also on the agenda for discussion Lathif
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Robin Carlise’s report back:
Herewith my report for January 2025.
-7.1.25 – 0401 hours – Cannon island slipway – driver drove into vlei – reported to SAPS
-19.1.25 – 1515 hours – Battleridge – Common theft – reported to SAPS – perp allowed into house!
-28.1.25 – 1600 hours – East Lake Drive – attempted mugging and GBH – victim chased off 4 perps!
-31.1.25 – 2100 hours – Heron/Uitsig – 2 perps allowed into house, assaulted victim, broke her arm –
Reported to SAPS
Of concern here is that half the monthly crimes occurred when perps persuaded the resident to let them into the house.
I have requested that Excom meet with the leadership of both CIDS. If this is agreed to, I request that part of that meeting include management from both our security service providers where together we can discuss the best strategy to deal with this problem and also arrange for the door to door delivery of a leaflet explaining how residents should deal with this problem.
Conservation and engagement
Nothing to report
