End of Year: A Batty Affair
On Wednesday the 30th of November, The Klipriviersberg Sustainability Association will be holding their End of Year Function at Duoro Portuguese Family Restaurant in Gleneagles, near the Glen Shopping Centre, and in the same complex as the Checkers.
Platters for a light dinner and desert will be provided, as well as a cash bar.
There will also be a fascinating talk about bats by Ernest Seamark who has 15 years of experience working with bats. You will be amazed at how interesting bats really are. He will be talking about their history, their dramatically different habitats and environments around Southern Africa, as well as their folk tales and myths that have been passed down the generations.
There is a minimal cover charge of R50 that only covers the costs.
RSVP by Friday 25 November to: 011-493-7880 or info@sojo.co.za
For a copy of the invitation click here.
Reduce, Reuse Recycle - Recycling and Waste Collection sites
The Sustainable Urban Living Team have compiled a list of recycling and waste collection sites located in the southern areas of Johannesburg. Please feel free to download a copy from below and use it. Should you know of any other sites please let us know and we will update the list.
To download a copy of the list of sites click here
Comment on Joburg 2040 GDS
A submission on the Joburg 2040 GDS ( Growth and Development Strategy) was made following extensive participation in the public participation process. The submission was well-received and referenced in the final document.
For a copy of the submission click here
A copy of the Joburg 2040 GDS can be obtained from the Joburg Council or downloaded from here
Klipriviersberg Conservancy Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the second Annual General Meeting of the Klipriviersberg Conservancy will be held on Tuesday, 23 August 2011, at the Lido Hotel, Plot 17, Old Vereeniging Road, Eikenhof, at 18h30 for 19h00.
Click here to see the full invitation and proposed agenda.
Members will be introduced to the Klipriviersberg Sustainability Association (KlipSA) which has been designed to replace the Klipriviersberg Conservancy. This move has entailed the revision of the KlipCon constitution to accommodate the changes to KlipSA. Click here to see the proposed constitution. The motivation for this exciting new venture will be presented at the AGM together with its proposed constitution.
Executive committee members for the year ahead will be elected at the meeting. Should you wish to become involved in the Exco or any of our other sub-committees, please attend the meeting.
If you are unable to attend, you may vote by proxy. Click here for a proxy form. This can be returned to Sue Edwards via e-mail or fax (details below).
Our guest speaker will be John Wesson, Chairman of the National Association of Conservancies and Stewardship of South Africa.
RSVP: Sue Edwards (edwards@futurejhb.co.za) or phone/fax No. 011 680 7367 by Friday, 19 August 2011, for catering purposes.
Integrated Management Strategy Plan for the Klip River Wetland
On behalf of the Klipriviersberg Conservancy, we would like to invite you to attend an initial scoping workshop for the preparation and development of an Integrated Management Strategy Plan for the Klip River Wetland area. We are looking for stakeholders who are interested in this area and have knowledge and experience in these matters to assist and guide this process. The details of the workshop are as follows:
Date: Thursday 21 July 2011
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Indaba Auditorium, Rand Water Head Office, 522 Impala Road, Glenvista, Johannesburg
RSVP: To reply please click here
For additional information click here.
The Green Thing ... the bad old days
In the line at the supermarket, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."
She was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day. click here for more
PROMOTE THE KLIPRIVIERSBERG WITH YOUR PHOTOS
Joburg City Parks is calling for your photographs of a green and beautiful Johannesburg in its competition, Viewing Joburg through Green-Tinted Lenses. It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words and Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) is calling on all residents to have their say in a monthly photographic competition, Viewing Joburg through Green-Tinted Lenses.
For more information please go to http://bit.ly/k3IaCQ
This is an excellent opportunity for those of you who are able to take good photographs to offer them to the City to use and promote our area.
We would be happy to post them on our website and here as well.
Looking forward to seeing your contributions.
TALK ON "ANIMAL REHABILITATION" BY MARGI BRONKLEHURST OF FREEME
The Klipriviersberg Conservancy and SOJO are jointly hosting a talk entitled “Animal Rehabilitation”. The talk will be presented by Margi Bronklehurst of FreeMe.
FreeMe, a rehabilitation centre for indigenous wildlife, is based in the north of Johannesburg. It was founded in 1997 by a group of trained rehabilitators who realised that there was a dire need for the organized care of injured or displaced suburban indigenous wildlife. They have done excellent work since then.
With the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve being home to a variety of wildlife ranging from porcupines, dassies and snakes to antelope, zebra, wildebeest and much more, we are sure you will find this talk a very interesting one that not to be missed.
Details:
Date: 25 May 2011
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Venue: The Lido Hotel, Plot 17, Old Vereeniging Road, Eikenhof
Cost: R20 per person. Scholars free
Catering: Refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be available
Booking is essential for catering purposes. Please contact Nicky Vakaloudis before 20 May on 082 481 8746 or 011 439 7880 or e-mail her on info@sojo.co.za
All proceeds will be donated to FreeMe for their outstanding work and efforts.
Look forward to seeing you there.
RECENT JUDGMENTS SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION AND CONSERVATION (26 April 2011)
There is good news regarding recent judgements on environmental issues. The first was at the end of last year when the high court found in favour of Conservationists participating in development processes. This was the case of Wraypex vs Barnes and others which included representatives of the Renosterspruit Conservancy. The full judgement can be downloaded here.
.A further regional court decision found Stefan Frylinck and his firm Mpofu Consulting CC guilty of providing incorrect and misleading information which led to the development of a construction site on a wetland. The full judgement can be downloaded here
Both of these cases are an indication of the importance of participating in development processes and ensuring that correct information and objectivity are critical in preparing and assessing information.
DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATION PUBLIC MEETING REPORT BACK (30 September 2010)
On Wednesday, 15 September 2010 approximately 90 people attended a meeting held at Thaba ya Batswana with the purpose of exploring the dynamic and complex relationships of development and conservation, or rather integrated sustainability, to be able to guide development into the Klipriviersberg Conservancy area.
As a result of the meeting a clear mandate regarding the approach and philosophy regarding development was established...... To read more, click here.
For a copy of the presentation, click here.
The next meeting of the Development Integration team will be held at 16:00 at Thaba ya Batswana on Tuesday, 12 October 2010. Should you wish to attend, please contact the Chairman.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVANCIES/ STEWARDSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA (NACSSA) (07 September 2010)
The Annual General Meeting for NACSSA was held during its workshop held from 27 to 29 August 2010 at Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick KZN. It was hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Conservancies Association.
GCSA SYMPOSIUM:CONSERVANCIES AND BIODIVERSITY (07 September 2010)
The GCSA held a very successful symposium 20 August 2010 with some interesting presentations and discussions regarding various issues and concerns about conservancies in the Gauteng Province.
For copies of the presentations click here.
SUSTAINABILITY AND GLOBAL WARMING - DAVID COLLINS (07 September 2010)
" The real crisis is sutainability of civilisaion as we know it"
David Collins gave a very interesting talk on TUESDAY 10 AUGUST 2010. To download a copy of his presentation click here (NB the file is 3Mb). He also provided some useful references - click here to see them
NEW EIA REGULATIONS (15 August 2010)
WESSA FIGHTS ILLEGAL RHINO POACHING (03 August 2010)
WESSA has initiated a campaign to raise funds to fight illegal Rhino poaching. You can help - SMS RHINO to 40706 (R20 per SMS).
WESSA proposes to raise funds and awareness to help curb the current illegal rhino hunting. The funds will be raised by encouraging people to make a donation through the WESSA SMS line by SMSing “Rhino” to 40706 (R20 per SMS) or by going onto their website (www.wessa.org.za) and making a donation to WESSA with the reference “Rhino”
For more information and background to this project click here.
TALK BY DAVID COLLINS: SUSTAINABILITY & GLOBAL WARMING (02 August 2010)
Dave Collins has a Masters' Degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge. He has had a life-long interest in climate change and its effect on human history, and more recently in the evolving energy crisis. He has developed an extensive understanding and insight into the real issues we need to understand and address. He consults on climate change response and energy strategies to many JSE Top 100 companies, the SA coal industry and to various industry organizations and has recently participated in several radio and TV shows.
TUESDAY 10 AUGUST 2010, 18H30 FOR 19H00,
MONDEOR HIGH SCHOOL - Auditorium, Beauval Avenue – Mondeor,
Cost – R50.00 p/p (scholars free)
A small taste of what to expect:
“Civilisation as we know it is based on two pillars - an unusually stable climate and cheap energy from fossil fuels. There are three major issues coming together to threaten its sustainability:
· Global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change.
· The depletion of cheap fossil fuels – oil, coal and gas – the use of which will prove to have been just a blip in the greater scheme of history.
· The demands of a burgeoning world population for cheap energy, water, food and space.
Kindly RSVP by 6th August to book your seat and to allow for refreshments
Nicky Vakaloudis - 082 481 8746 – nicky@sojo.co.za
Sue Edwards - 011 680 7367 – edwards@futurejhb.co.za
To print out an invitation, click here.
THE ROLE OF IUCN WORLDWIDE (24 July 2010)
Founded in 1948, IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organisations in a unique world partnership: over 1000 Members in all, spread across some 160 countries.
As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. A central Secretariat coordinates the IUCN Programme and serves the Union membership, representing their views on the world stage and providing them with the strategies, services, scientific knowledge and technical support they need to achieve their goals. Through its six Commissions, IUCN draws together almost 11,000 expert volunteers in project teams and action groups, focusing in particular on species and biodiversity conservation and the management of habitats and natural resources. The Union has helped many countries to prepare National Conservation Strategies, and demonstrates the application of its knowledge through the field projects it supervises. Operations are increasingly decentralised and are carried forward by an expanding network of regional and country offices, located principally in developing countries.
IUCN builds on the strengths of its Members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global levels.
(Information from the Secretary NACSSA, Tel: +27 (0)16 590 2914 email: kathy@nacsa.org.za)
Urban Raptor Conservation Project: Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust
The latest newsletter from the Urban Raptor Project is available to you if you click here.
It has exciting and interesting news regarding the Klipriviersberg Verreaux's Eagles and their chicks that are breeding on the Artificial Nesting Platform located on the Alzu Weltmeyers Farm in Merersdal.
AMENDMENTS TO THE NEMA EIA REGULATIONS (18 June 2010)
The Department of Environmental Affairs has published the amendments to the NEMA EIA Regulations on 18 June 2010 which will come into effect on 2 August 2010.
SUCCESSFUL CLEANING OF ILLEGAL DUMPING PROBLEM IN DEVLAND (10 June 2010)
Following a request for assistance from an industrialist in Devland the Joburg Council has successfully addressed a problem caused by the illegal dumping of nappy waste and crates in an open area. There were a lot of departments involved in solving this problem: Environmental Health, Joburg Property Company , PIKITUP commercial and PIKITUP Medical Waste to name but a few.
An investigation revealed that the company responsible for the illegal dumping did not have or failed to request for a refuse service, hence Environmental Health department had to be involved to issue a fine for non compliance of the refuse SOLID Waste By-Laws . The refuse Solid Waste By-Laws were also invoked to force the company to apply for services from PIKITUP.
It was established that the type of refuse generated by the company should be treated as medical aste due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process . PIKITUP's Medical Waste department has been instructed to render a service to the company.
In addition, the company was also requested by Environmental Health to clean the area where they had been dumping illegally.
The Klipriviersberg Conservancy thanks all those involved in addressing this problem including Clr Anne Boxall, SOJO, and the various Joburg Council Departments and Agencies.
NACCSA has just become a member of IUCN (08 June 2010)
National Association of Conservancies/Stewardship in South Africa (NACSSA) was yesterday informed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), that at their June meeting, held in Gland, Switzerland, NACSSA's application for membership to this Worldwide Association was approved. This is a great step forward for NACSSA.
"What is IUCN?
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice." To read more click here
FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP: MEXICANS MOVE INTO KLIPRIVIERSBERG CONSERVANCY AREA (06 June 2010)
The Mexican team for the FIFA 2010 World Cup have arrived in Joburg and more importantly have chosen the stay at Thaba Ya Batswana as the official team base camp and will be training at Waterstone College. Both of these venues are located in the area of the Klipriviersberg Conservancy. To welcome the team into the area a letter of welcome from the Klipriviersberg Conservancy and Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Association was prepared in Spanish. A copy of the letter with the Spanish and English can be seen here.
We welcome the Mexican team to South Africa and wish them a happy and memorable stay in our very beautiful country, especially in the south of Johannesburg.
GAUTENG CONSERVANCY AND STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION (06 June 2010)
The Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association (GCSA) has set out a letter to all its members setting out what it has been involved in and doing for the member Conservancies in Gauteng and towards conservation and supporting the members. The GCSA provides important support for Conservancies especially with regard to the establishment of new ones and then providing guidance and advice.
A copy of the letter sent out by the GCSA Chairman can be read by clicking here.
REACTION REGARDING TENT CITY (Comaro Chronicle 02 June 2010)
After the article published in the CHRONICLE/COURIER about the Tent City being erected at the recreation centre there has been an outcry from the public voicing their concerns regarding Tent City. Read more.
FIFA 2010 ROAD CLOSURES & DEVIATIONS (14 May 2010)
The City of Johannesburg has prepared a Road Closures Plan and Related Timeframe/Diversion Routes (Version 4 dated 2010-05-04). This has been released for public information and can be accessed at the Joburg City web site by clicking here. (Please note it is a 3Mb file).
The Joburg website also has additional pages of info regarding 2010 Transport which is available here.
Also please note that due to the nature of the traffic management operations these plans and proposals are subject to change and the original document from Joburg should be checked regularly for the latest updates.
To assist people to obtain access to the information for specific areas or venues, the following extracts have been prepared from the version in smaller files (still upto 1.5Mb). Click on the area you wish to obtain information on:
Included in the extracts is information regarding the policies and procedures for gaining access to the different traffic and security zones. Residents and businesses who need to obtain authorisation for vehicles to enter these areas can apply for a Vehicle Access and Parking Permit (VAPP). The people to contact in this regard include:
This information has been provided to the community to assist in manging traffic and transport routes. Your feed back would be appreciated to the Chairman.
Good day Anne and Dionne
Sorry that I took so long in giving you feedback on the matter . There is a lot of departments involved in solving this problem : Environmental Health ;JPC ; PIKITUP commercial and PIKITUP Medical Waste to name but a few .
An investigation revealed that NATIONAL PRIDE the company responsible for the illegal dumping did not have or failed to request for a refuse service ,hence Environmental Health department had to be involved to issue a fine for non compliance of the refuse SOLID Waste By - Laws . Also to invoke the refuse Solid Waste By - Laws in forcing the company to apply for services from PIKITUP. Note that PIKITUP cannot invoke the By - Laws , especially on Business Waste .
It was established that the type of refuse generated by NATIONAL PRIDE should be treated as Medical Waste due to the camicals used in the manufacturing process . PIKITUP's Medical Waste department has been instructed to render a service to NATIONAL PRIDE
NATIONAL PRIDE was also requested to clean the area where they were dumping illegally by Environmental Health
Further developments will be communicated to you in due course