Stellenbosch Ratepayers Association

Stellenbosse Belastingbetalers Vereniging

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2017 AGM / AJV

Website: http://stellenboschratepayers.org

Agenda

1. Overview of activities / �Oorsig van aktiwiteite

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Bestuurskomitee Lede:�Management Committee Members:

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Beginsels / Guiding principles

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1. Co-operative government
2. Holistic, integrated planning for growth and development/Holisties
3. Preservation of arable agricultural land
4. Preservation of heritage
5. Sustainable management of education and sport
6. Stimulation of innovation sector
7. Conservation of wine industry
8. Preservation of natural habitat and reserves
9. Preservation of open spaces

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STB MUN policy guidelines:

• good governance
• safest valley
• green
• dignified living
• innovation

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• SA Constitution
• National legislation
• Provincial Acts
• Policies
• By-laws

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Beleid / Policy

1. The Stellenbosch community has a right to be heard and to be taken seriously.
2. The SA constitution and the rule of law must be upheld, without fear or favour
3. Public representatives that are accountable to their resident voters must govern
4. Stellenbosch’s historic identity and rural, winelands character should not be destroyed by mass urbanisation
5. Planning and development must be integrated, holistic and sustainable
6. Creativity, innovation and technology should be at the forefront of sustainable development in Stellenbosch and environs
7. Local government should be autonomous, not subject to external influence, and inclusive - serving the interests of all of our communities.

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Billy Graham: self-obsession, pride, lack of shame

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Red Herring (safety), Trojan Horse (Steinhoff, Capitec), the Domino Effect (Western Bypass, Longlands, Welgevonden, Brandwacht aan Rivier and Klapmuts/Bottelary).

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Barossa Valley Character Preservation Act

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To ensure that the following core values of its area are protected and enhanced:

• landscape amenity;

• scenic vistas;

• character towns, each with their own "culture";

• agricultural diversity – viticulture, cropping, grazing;

• wine, food and related tourism;

• cultural heritage (e.g. buildings, community origins, business enterprises);

• biodiversity including remnant vegetation within conservation parks, roadsides and along watercourses;

• a cohesive and healthy community, enjoying a high quality of life;

• a strong and diverse economic base supported by strong regional cooperation;

• attractive natural and built environments.

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Further, the Council supports the retention of its regional culture and character and does not support increased urban growth and metropolitan-style residential development within its townships

Voorsittersverslag / Chairman’s Report

ook op ons webwerf / also on our website

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Voorsitter Verslag 1/2

Soos u in my notas hierbo sien, is die SBV se fokus op die volhoubare ontwikkeling van ons dorpe en omgewing en behoud van Stellenbosch en omgewing se unieke karakter.

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Die afgelope jaar het ontwikkelingsaansoeke toegeneem, saam met die verkeer.

Benewens ons opvoedkundige instansies en sport instellings, is die wynlande ’n aantreklike leefstyl bestemming vir veral gegoede Gautengers, maar selfs Kapenaars trek uit die metropool hierheen - met verreikende gevolge vir eiendomeienaars, jong eerste huiskopers en lae-inkomste inwoners wat op die behuisingslys is.

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SBV kommentaar op ontwikkelingsaansoeke is op bg. oorwegings en riglyne gegrond.

Ons is bevoorreg om die dienste van ervare stadsbeplanners in ons bestuurskomitee te hê, asook ’n breë spektrum van ervaring in besigheid en gemeenskapsaktivisme.

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Sake wat baie aandag geniet het was die Mediclinic hospitaal wat nou langs Parmalat op die R44 gebou word, die voorstelle rondom die “verbetering” van die R44, die Westelike verbypad, die voorgestelde nuwe soneringskema en selfoontorings wat oornag soos paddastoele in die dorpsgebied opskiet, die Noordelike uitbreiding van Kayamandi, Eersterivier rehabilitasie en die aansoeke om ontwikkeling van Woodmill, Vredenheim en die kruising by die Drakenstein- polisiestasie ( Boschendal Ontwikkeling).

Ek is bly om te rapporteer dat die BM die selfoontoring-aanslag vir eers gestuit het totdat ’n beleid en verordening wat die plasing van hierdie torings reguleer in plek is. Die SBV en ander gemeenskapsorganisasies was ook suksesvol in die beperking van voorgestelde wysigings in Stellenbosch se stedelike grense ( “urban edge”), met behulp van ons nuwe munisipale bestuurder.

Die bestuur van die rioolwerke en rommelhoop toon ook goeie vordering en die munisipaliteit moet gelukgewens word daarmee. Hopelik sal die besoedeling van die Eersterivier vanuit die Plankenbrugrivier ook spoedig, en suksesvol, aangespreek word.

Die stadsingenieur se vinnige optrede in Pniel en die Dwarsriviervallei, om ou sake daadwerklik aan te spreek, word ook deur die inwoners daar besonder waardeer.

Die debat rondom die R44 en Westellike verbypad is steeds aan die gang, die voorgestelde soneringskema word tans aangespreek, daar is onrusbarende bepalings rondom tuispraktyke en die ruimte tussen residensiële wonings en die erfgrens wat van 2,5m na 1m verminder word.

Bou-oortredings is ook ’n netelige saak en neem toe; inspeksies en strafmaatreêls skrik nie oortreders af nie, wat die klein boetes met gemak betaal en waarskynlik daarvoor begroot.

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Voorsitter Verslag 2/2

U het seker die Lover’s Lane mediaberigte gesien - neem net kennis dat die saak oor beweerde oortreding van erfenisterrein eintlik net op ’n gedeelte van die laan bekend as erf 1771 van toepassing is, ’n groot gedeelte is op universiteitsgrond. Mens sou graag wou sien dat die hele Laan vir die publiek beskikbaar gestel word, dit is pragtig en baie gewild vir almal in Stellenbosch, maar veral vir die inwoners van die omgewing.

Soos u in ons finansiële verslag sal sien, het ons min fondse, maar ons is vol vertroue dat wanneer daar ’n brandende gemeenskapsaak is en ons met steun van die gemeenskap toetree, ons dmv ’n fondsinsameling kostes van enige aksie sal kan dek.

Ek is bly om te kan rapporteer dat die SBV ’n goeie (dink ek) verhouding met die Burgemeester en munisipale bestuurder het. Hulle is albei toeganklik en reageer onmiddellik op ons skrywes.

Wat skakeling met amptenare betref, volg ons ’n protokol om dmv die munisipale bestuurder se kantoor met die munisipale administrasie te skakel. Wat raadslede betref, moedig ons belastingbetalers aan om deur hulle wyksraadslede en wykskomitees met die stadsraad te skakel, indien nodig ook met die burgermeesterkomiteelid verantwoordelik vir toesig oor die direktoraat wat vir jou probleem verantwoordelikheid dra. Wanneer sake na ’n redelike tyd nie behoorlike aandag geniet nie, vestig ons die Burgemeester se aandag daarop.

Wat die toekoms betref is die SBV vasbeslote om ’n goeie, samewerkende verhouding met die stadsraad en administrasie te vestig. Ons weet dat die BM ’n geweldige taak het om leemtes van die verlede aan te spreek, veral die regulatoriese raamwerk van plaaslike regering - baie belangrike beleide en verordeninge is nog nie in plek nie, bv. ’n veiligheidsbeleld, CCTV kamera- beleid ens. Die Telekommunikasietoring beleid is darem op hande; deeglike kommentaar is deur verskeie mense en organisasies ingedien, en ons het versoek om die finale dokument wat aan die raad voorgelê gaan word vir goedkeuring te sien voordat dit ter tafel gelê word om te kontroleer of ons voorstelle in ag geneem is. Ons wag nog vir terugvoer in die verband.

Ons glo dat die munisipale openbare deelnameproses deeglik hersien gaan word sodat die grondwetlike bepaling van deelnemende regering ’n werklikheid sal word in WC024.

Laastens, wil ek net die SBVbestuurskomitee bedank vir hulle onbaatsugtige werk die afgelope jaar. Almal is vrywilligers en spandeer ure om lang, dikwels ingewikkelde dokumente deur te werk in diens van die gemeenskap.

Ons sekretaris vir jare - hy lyk maar so jonk - Jan Momberg het mooi gevra dat hy net ’n bietjie ruskans kry om bietjie meer tyd aan sy familie en sy werk te wy. Ons gun hom dit. Baie dankie Jan, ons hoop jy sien in die toekoms weer kans om betrokke te raak.

Dit, in kort, is my oorsig oor die SBV se werksaamhede die afgelope jaar.

Indien nodig, sal ek in vraetyd op enige spesifieke sake reageer.

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Chairman’s Report 1/2

As you will see in my notes above, the SRA focuses on the sustainable development of our towns and environs and preservation of the unique character of Stellenbosch and surrounds.

Development applications have increased this past year, also the traffic.

Besides the attraction of our educational and sports institutions, the winelands has become a lifestyle destination for wealthy Gautengers, but even Capetonians are moving here from the metropolis - with far-reaching consequences for property owners, young first-time buyers and lower income inhabitants on the housing waiting list.

SRA comments on development applications are based on the above list of considerations and guidelines.

We are privileged to have experienced town planners on our management committee, also a broad spectrum of experience in business and community activism.

Matters that were addressed include the Mediclinic hospital being built next to Parmalat on the R44, the proposals re the “improvement” of the R44, the Western bypass, the new zoning policy and cellphone towers that shot up all over town like mushrooms overnight, plans for the Northern extension of Kayamandi, rehabilitation of the Eerste River, applications for the development of Woodmill and Vredenheim and the proposed development of the intersection at the Drakenstein Police station (Boschendal Development).

I am happy to report that the mayor has halted the spread of cellphone tower construction pending the adoption of a telecommunications tower policy and by-law by council, after a thorough public participation process. The SRA, with other community organisations (notably the FSM) was also successful in limiting the extentsion of Stellenbosch’s urban edge, with the help of the municipal manager.

The management of our sewage works and municipal dump site shows good progress, for which the municipality must be congratulated - hopefully the pollution of the Eerste River from the Plankenbrug River will also be addressed speedily, and successfully.

The town engineer’s rapid response to longstanding issues in Pniel and the Dwars River Valley is much appreciated by the residents there.

The debate about the R44 and Western bypass is still ongoing, also the zoning policy which contains disturbing provisions relating to home business and relaxation of building restrictions on residential erven, allowing building to 1m from the erf edge, as opposed to the previous 2.5m margin.

Building transgressions are also a vexing issue and increasing; inspections and fines are not a deterrent to trangressors, who easily pay the fines and probably budget for them.

Chairman’s Report 2/2

You will probably have seen the Lover’s Lane media coverage: please note that the issue here is about a part of the lane, erf 1771; a large part of the lane is on university property. One would like to see that the whole stream is accessible to the public, it is a beautiful, popular path, especially for residents in the immediate vicinity.

As you will see in our financial report, our funds are limited, but we are confident that when a burning community issue which requires our intervention arises, we will be able to raise the necessary funds to take appropriate action.

I am happy to report that the SRA has (I think) a good relationship with the mayor and municipal manager, both are approachable and respond immediately to correspondence and calls.

With regard to communication and contact with officials, the protocol that we have adopted is to communicate with the administration via the municipal manager’s office.

With regard to councillors, we encourage residents to direct their concerns through their ward councillors and ward committees, if necessary also to the mayoral commitee member responsible for the relevant directorate. When matters have not been addressed satisfactorily within a reasonable period, matters are brough to the attention of the mayor.

Regarding the future, the SRA is determined to establish a good, cooperative relationship with the town council and administration.

We know that the mayor has a huge task addressing past structural and systemic weaknesses, especially the municipal regulatory framework - very important policies and bye-laws are not yet in place e.g, a community safety policy and CCTV camera policy

The Telecommunication Tower Policy is in process at the moment- substantive inputs were made by individuals and organisations, and we have requested to see the final document that is to be placed before council for adoption to check whether community concerns have been taken into account. We await feedback in this regard.

We believe that the municipal public participation process is undergoing a thorough review and that the cooperative government principle in the SA constitution will become a reality in Stellenbosch.

Lastly, I would like to thank the management committee of the SRA for their unselfish work this past year. All are volunteers and spend hours working through long, often complex, documents to serve the community.

Our secretary for years now - he just looks that young - Jan Momberg, is taking a sabbatical in order to pay more attention to his work and family. He deserves a break. Thank you Jan, we hope that you will become involved again in the future.

This, briefly, is my overview of SRA activities this past year.

I am happy to answer specific queries in the Q & A session.

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2. Stellenbosch groei -�verlede and toekoms planne / ��Stellenbosch growth -�past and future plans

Stellenbosch Municipal Area

Link to interactive map / Skakel na interaktiewe kaart

Stedelike Groei / Urban Growth

Urban Sprawl / Stadspreiding

Video 1984-2016 Click here / Klik hier

Helderberg-Firgrove border / grens

De Wijnlanden border / grens

Kayamandi-Welgevonden �(12 years/jaar - wards/wyke)

2005

2017

Voorgestelde en Nuwe Ontwikkelings / �Proposed and New Developments

Developments (from south) Ontwikkelings (van suide)

Second Mediclinic

Woodmill Centre 75,000m^2 floor on 14ha

Kayamandi Northern Extension

Dorpstreet 5 storey building - mixed use

Bosman’s Crossing multi-use buildings & possible link to Dorp Street

Remgro Developments

Developments (from west) / Ontwikkelings (van wes)

Squattercamp Jonkershoek

Kayamandi Northern Extension

Western Bypass

(approximate �- see next slide)

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Idas Valley New Development?

Welgevonden new extension

New Industrial

Zone

Bosman’s Crossing

New Municipal Offices

Bypasses

(red & blue lines)

Developments (from far south) / Ontwikkelings (van ver suid)

Development at �old Waldorf School Site

Technopark area?

Jamestown - Aan de Weber,

Informal settlement then�new development 520 houses?

Phase 5 de Zalze?

Libertas Development?

Bottelary /Koelenhof Developments / Ontwikkelings

De Novo 500 houses?

Nooitgedacht 700 houses?

Corobrick 3000 houses?

Hazendal Estate development?

Koelenbosch Estate

Devonvale Golf Estate

Proposals Public Transport /

Voorstelle Publieke Vervoer

Full document here / Volledige dokument hier.

Beplannings Tribunaal / Planning Tribunal

• Is it operational?
• Delegation of authority to officials has circumvented public participation
• Delegation has been withdrawn and mayor now exercises direct oversight
• Amendments to the IZS were made as addendum to IDP?
• Provincial land use management legislation aimed at reducing red tape ( SPLUMA) in conflict with co-operative governance provision in the SA constitution

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Behuising / Housing

• Affordable housing a major challenge -
• 20 000 houses will be added to 24 000 existing and new erven
• increasing proportion of non-contributing housing (rates and taxes)?
• Municipal land
• municipal farms - future? (see end slide)
• many have long term rental agreements
• water rights ?
• Defunct forestry areas and stations
• who assumes responsibility?
• Squatter camp in Jonkershoek a prime example of overlapping jurisdiction giving rise to inaction

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Publieke Deelname / Public Participation

• A constitutional imperative
• A structured approach to community interaction:
• ward committees should play a key role
• recognised community organisations are an essential part of a structured approach
• An inclusive, effective communication system should be the integrating mechanism
• Stellenbosch innovative technology, intellectual capital and abundance of experience a major plus
• workshops involving all stakeholders should be a part of the public participation process
• “Defensive Walls”
• PAIA undermines transparency and credibility

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Nuwe denke nodig / Rethink required

• Growth and Development should not be at the expense of the unique Western Cape flora and fauna, winelands and agricultural sector;
• Massive urbanisation a major threat to Western Cape identity
• Building industry jobs not sustainable
• Agri-processing and tourism offers low barrier to employment and long-term outcome
• Stellenbosch: Heritage, Wine Estates, Sports, Education
• crime, poverty a major concern - creative solutions required
• broadening of tax base a challenge
• nature of growth and development of great concern
• holistic, integrated planning -
• unique character should be retained
• excessive urbanisation is a major threat to Stellenbosch and environs
• If Stellenbosch could accommodate 5 skyscrapers, where would you build them and who would you build them for?

3. Finansiële Verslag / �Financial Report

Changes made

• Treasurer since Nov 2016 (M Snyman)
• took over from Mrs Berta Hayes
• received all relevant records
• historical records held at Erfurthuis
• New FNB Bank account 2017 (consolidated bank accounts)
• New auditors for 2017 onwards will be LDP
• Thanks to Pieter-Jan Bestbier of LDP for the support

4. Voorstel en verkiesing van die volgende SBV bestuurskomitee / �Nomination and election of the next SRA management committee

5. Burgemeester van Deventer se visie vir STB 2025 / �Mayor van Deventer’s vision for Stellenbosch 2025.

6. Vrae en gesprek / �Questions and discussion

7.Wyn en versnaperinge / �Wine and snacks.

http://stellenboschratepayers.org

More detail / Meer besonderhede