Dear ratepayers and residents
As we enter the cooler months in Betty’s Bay, I would like to express my appreciation for the strong sense of community and shared goals that continue to unite us. Your ongoing support and active involvement have been essential in driving progress within our community.
Looking ahead, the vision for “2030 and Beyond” inspires us towards innovation, shared responsibilities and growth. These ideas are not simply concepts but building blocks for a legacy that will endure for years to come.
As we prepare for the changes that accompany the winter season, I am pleased to share that the lease agreement for the land adjacent to Crassula Hall is close to finalization. This development will bring a new garden that will reflect the beauty and strength of our community. Additionally, the moderate success of recent markets highlights the potential for collaboration within our community.
Before delving into the details of our budget and the ambitious 2030 initiatives, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each portfolio principal and community alike. Your dedication transforms challenges into opportunities and brings our ideas to fruition.
Together, we are not only shaping a community but also creating a lasting legacy.
THE BUDGET
I am pleased to inform you that the budget document has undergone thorough review and analysis, and it has been found to be sound, with moderate allocations. However, we would have preferred a more proactive approach to ensure that we started the year with a surplus rather than a deficit, while maintaining a balance between municipal requirements and ratepayer considerations.
The purpose of this communication is to advocate for an overall improvement in the budget to strengthen our municipality’s financial position before presenting it to Overstrand Municipal Advisory Forum (OMAF). It is important to note that growth trends have been addressed, key responsibility areas identified, and a focus placed on community-based projects, crucial for sustainable development as outlined in the Betty’s Bay 2030 plan.
In our discussions, we have considered various factors such as inflation rates, increases in household incomes, and the changes made to the budgets of neighbouring municipalities. Proposed adjustments in water, sewerage, refuse removal, and property rates have been carefully deliberated to ensure they are in line with regulatory guidelines while meeting the needs of our community.
Moving forward, we recommend emphasizing smart technology for online services, improving governance and administration processes, enhancing community and public safety initiatives, promoting economic and environmental partnerships, and optimizing trading services for better efficiency and sustainability.
We urge for a collaborative approach between the municipality and the community to strengthen service delivery, reduce financial strain, and enhance disaster preparedness. Additionally, we propose revisiting senior member tariffs based on merit to alleviate financial burdens on those in need.
In conclusion, we support the budget with the understanding that our recommendations will be taken into consideration for the overall strategic direction. We acknowledge the sacrifices that may be required from the ratepayers and hope that the municipality will also take necessary cost-cutting measures.
MEMBERSHIP
I am writing to emphasize the importance of joining our association. To those that have joined we acknowledge your support. Thank you, too, to those who donate to us on a regular basis.
Membership in the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association (BBRA) is a significant investment in the future of our community. It allows you to actively participate in decision-making processes, stay informed on local issues, connect with fellow residents, fund community initiatives, and ensure that your voice is heard in municipal discussions.
As we navigate through a rapidly changing world, it is crucial that we come together as a community to create a cohesive and sustainable future. By becoming a member of the Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association, you are not only supporting your own interests but also contributing to the overall prosperity of our village.
I encourage you to join us in our mission for progress and prosperity.
|
New For all proof of payments please send to: This includes payments to the Neihgbourhood Watch Thank you |
BANK DETAILS R100 per person per year Account Name: Bettys Bay Ratepayers Association Branch: ABSA Hermanus Account type: Cheque Account Number: 4066616439 Our Ref: Your Surname & Erf Number |
2030 AND BEYOND
The purpose of this notice is to outline a sustainable development strategy for the communities within Ward 10. The goal is to reduce reliance on Eskom and municipal services while maintaining a strong partnership with our municipality. This strategy is necessary due to current government and budget challenges faced by us all.
We believe that developing services closer to the community, in collaboration with the municipality, will benefit both parties financially and operationally. This plan does not seek to separate from the municipality, but rather to create a more efficient and resilient system for all involved.
The proposed project area spans from the Palmiet River to Buffel’s River, extending 12 sea miles out to sea and potentially including the Kogelberg area. This river-to-river project aims to improve service delivery and community support within this region.
Additionally, we plan to establish a non-profit company in Betty’s Bay to oversee budget management and ensure transparency in financial matters.
13 PILLARS
- Water Conservation and Infrastructure Improvement Strategies
Implement rainwater harvesting systems by installing large tanks to collect and store rainwater. This will reduce reliance on municipal water sources and save on water expenses. Utilize guttering systems to direct rainwater to storage tanks, maximizing collection efficiency and preventing wastage. Consider underground storage options to save space and protect water quality from evaporation, contamination, and tampering.
Ensure that the water system acts as a buffer between municipal water sources and residential or commercial properties. This system should be capable of providing water during municipal water supply interruptions and allow owners to select their preferred water source. Additionally, the system should enable water sharing between properties.
Assess the existing water infrastructure in the community to identify strengths and weaknesses. Collaborate with other communities or organizations facing similar water challenges to share resources, knowledge, and best practices.
Identify public spaces or unused land areas for conversion into catchment spaces to increase water availability and environmental benefits. Construct community ponds or reservoirs to store excess rainwater as a backup water source during droughts or emergencies.
Implement proper drainage systems to prevent soil over-saturation during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding, erosion, and landslides. Use permeable materials for pavements to facilitate water seepage, recharge groundwater, and prevent water-logging. Plant trees and vegetation to absorb excess water and enhance soil quality, air quality, and community aesthetics.
Install filtration systems at water collection points to maintain clean and safe water for use by removing impurities, pathogens, and pollutants. Regularly test stored water quality and treat as needed with methods like boiling or chemical treatment to prevent water-borne illnesses. Educate the community on safe water handling practices, including using clean containers, hand-washing, and avoiding cross-contamination.
- 2. Electricity Options for Sustainable Energy Solutions
Stand-Alone Power Systems: Stand-alone power systems operate independently of the main electricity grid and utilize local renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, or micro-hydro generators. These systems require energy storage solutions, like batteries, to ensure continuous power supply. Stand-alone power systems offer increased autonomy, resilience, and environmental advantages. However, they involve higher initial investments, ongoing maintenance, and specialized technical expertise.
Hybrid Power Systems: Hybrid power systems are connected to the utility grid but also incorporate local renewable energy sources and energy storage technologies. These systems can utilize the grid as a backup power source or even sell excess energy back to the grid during times of surplus generation. Hybrid power systems reduce reliance on the grid, lower electricity costs, and enhance overall energy reliability. However, they must adhere to grid regulations and standards.
Community-Based Energy Systems: Community-based energy systems involve networks of electricity users and producers who exchange or trade energy using smart meters and blockchain technology. These systems promote community engagement, local economic development, and optimized utilization of renewable energy resources. Community-based energy systems can achieve economies of scale, reduced transaction costs, and increased bargaining power. Nonetheless, they encounter challenges related to legal compliance, social dynamics, and technical integration.
- 3. Sewage: From Tank to Market
Implement a decentralized sewage system where waste is collected in individual or community-based septic tanks. Use natural or mechanical processes to treat the waste-water, ensuring it meets health and safety standards.
Bacteria: Introduce beneficial bacteria into the septic tanks to break down waste materials efficiently.
Consider bio-augmentation, where specific strains of bacteria are added to enhance the treatment process. Monitor and control the bacterial activity and population to ensure optimal performance and quality.
Irrigation: Utilize treated waste-water for irrigation purposes in gardens, parks, and other green spaces after ensuring it’s safe and non-toxic. Implement subsurface irrigation systems to reduce evaporation losses and ensure efficient use of treated water. Avoid over-irrigation and run-off to prevent soil salinisation and contamination.
Open Land Dryer: Use open land dryers for sludge drying; these are cost-effective and utilize solar energy for drying. Ensure that the dried sludge is handled properly to avoid contamination and odour. Use the dried sludge as a soil amendment, a fuel source, or as a raw material for other products.
Biscuits: Use the term “biscuits” to refer to the dried sludge that has been shaped into small, compact blocks for easy handling and transportation. Produce biscuits from the sludge by using a mechanical press or a solar dryer or both. Store the biscuits in a dry and ventilated place to prevent moisture and mould growth.
Return: Achieve a return on investment by selling the biscuits to companies that produce compost or biogas from organic waste. Also use the biscuits as a source of income for the community or as a way of reducing our waste disposal costs. We can market the biscuits as an eco-friendly and nutrient-rich product that can improve soil health and crop yield.
This is also a form of job creation in the area.
- 4. Waste Management Strategies for Enhanced Community Sustainability
Implement a comprehensive waste management plan that encompasses the entire waste life-cycle, from collection to processing and market sale, to improve your community’s self-sufficiency in waste management.
Efficiently collect, sort, process, and recycle various types of waste, including plastics, glass, paper, metals, rubber, and hazardous materials, utilizing local facilities and resources.
Generate income and reduce waste disposal costs by creating and selling products made from recycled materials, such as furniture, art, or clothing.
Plastics Recycling Process: Separately collect plastics and transport them to a local recycling plant for processing into pellets, flakes, or fibres, using specialized machinery.
Glass Recycling Process: Collect glass items separately and transport them to a processing plant for cleaning, sorting, and recycling into cullet for reuse in art projects or construction materials.
Paper Recycling Process: Collect paper separately and transport it to a paper mill or composting facility for recycling into pulp or compost for use in schools, offices, or community gardens.
Metal Recycling Process: Separately collect metals and transport them to a recycling facility for sorting, cleaning, and resale to companies for melting and reshaping into new products.
Rubber Recycling Process: Collect rubber waste, such as tires, and transport them to a recycling plant for processing into granules or products like rubber mulch, mats, or shoes for sale to consumers or businesses.
Handling of Hazardous Materials: Collect hazardous materials in designated bins and transport them to specialized facilities for safe disposal or recycling using proper protective equipment and methods.
Promoting Sustainability and Return on Investment: By adopting a comprehensive waste management approach, communities can benefit from job creation, pollution reduction, income generation, and environmental conservation, potentially leading to savings on healthcare costs associated with pollution-related illnesses.
- 5. Nature-Based Solutions
Strategic Planning: Align the direction of development with the community’s vision, values, and needs, while also considering conservation goals. Evaluate different types of development (economic, social, cultural, environmental) and their potential impacts. Engage stakeholders like residents, businesses, NGOs, and government agencies for input and support.
Development Management: Determine the suitable pace of development based on community capacity, resources, and conservation challenges. Balance urgency and feasibility to avoid negative consequences Monitor progress, evaluate impact, and adjust development pace as needed.
Conflict Resolution: Acknowledge potential trade-offs and compromises in development. Communicate effectively with all parties to find mutually beneficial solutions. Respect and accommodate the diverse aspects of development.
Decision-Making Process: Involve all relevant stakeholders in project planning and decision-making. Use evidence-based criteria to prioritize projects based on feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. Ensure accountability and address any issues that may arise during project implementation.
Quality Assurance: Establish and uphold high standards for development in line with conservation objectives. Benchmark standards with other entities and update them regularly. Reflect changing community needs and environmental conditions in standards.
Oversight Mechanism: Create a watchdog and oversight mechanism for lawful, ethical, and accountable development. Assign roles to monitor and verify development processes and outcomes. Enforce sanctions for violations and recognize good performance.
Problem-Solving Approach: Focus on practical and effective solutions to conservation challenges. Use a systematic and creative problem-solving process, such as design thinking. Collaborate with the community and other sources for innovative solutions.
Education Programs: Implement tailored education programs to enhance awareness and knowledge on conservation and development. Evaluate program effectiveness and make improvements based on feedback. Utilize appropriate methods, materials, and media for targeted audiences.
I have mentioned 5 pillars as they all follow a similar development strategy and philosophy.
RESHUFFLE IN THE COMMITTEE
We say goodbye to Graeme McGill and thank him for his valued input and presence. We have also renamed ‘Conservation’ as ‘Nature Based Solutions’.
‘Water and Sanitation’ falls away and is replaced with ‘Disaster Management’.
The portfolios are represented as follows.
- Treasurer Hannelie Coetzee Stony Point
- Disaster Management Liz Buncker Stony Point
- Fire and Rescue Jorika Rabie Stony Point
- BEST Rob Boyd Central
- BBNW Wayne Jackson Stony Point
- Engineering Amund Beneke Sunny Seas
- Nature Based Solutions Liezel Bohdanowicz Central
- Crassula Hall Claudele Jackson Stony Point
- Business Shameez Joubert Rondevlei
- Property and Development Karon Scholefield Stony Point
- Community Development Abigail Davids Central
- Web page and media Wendy Lucas Silversands
- Editor/newsletters Vivienne von der Heyden Jock’s Bay
FIRE AND RESCUE: The portfolio for Fire and Rescue run by Jorika Rabie, is no longer alone. We have strengthened this space as a matter of importance by adding a disaster management portfolio run by Liz Buncker. They will work together with others to produce a document suited to Betty’s Bay with all the relevant plans, regulations, responsibilities and actions that need to be taken by them and by us, the general public.
WHEN REPORTING A FIRE PHONE, THE FIRE CONTROL ROOM FIRST, 028 312 2400
When to phone the fire control room: Report smoke, fire, missing person, persons stuck on mountains, information about potential arson, fireworks of any kind, dangerous open fires, spillage of hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, or any other disastrous and dangerous situations.
Creating and Maintaining Fire Wise Erven in Urban and Suburban Areas of the Overstrand Municipality is the single most important aspect of reducing excess fuel in our village. We must play our part and more to be safe.
SPEEDING: We are currently facing issues related to certain residents in Betty’s Bay who are driving recklessly and speeding on the roads. This behaviour is not only dangerous but also inconsiderate. Implementing speed humps may not be the most effective solution as it can hinder emergency services vehicles. It is crucial for us as a community to take responsibility and make a positive adjustment in our driving habits. I trust that we are all mature and responsible enough to make this change for the safety and well-being of everyone. Thank you for your co-operation in advance.
BRIGHT LIGHTS: We have observed that some individuals continue to leave bright lights on throughout the night, causing disturbance to their neighbours and negatively impacting the quality of life for others. Despite being within their rights and following the law, it is important for these individuals to consider the impact of their actions on our community. We kindly urge them to exercise common sense, respect our environment, and be mindful of the well-being of all residents in Betty’s Bay.
BETTY’S BAY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: We are making a plea to you to join us as we require day patrollers and night time patrollers. Please send me a WhatsApp if you feel you are up to it. The dynamics in our area are constantly changing and this requires us to change as well. The camera project is growing steadily and we are looking at new technologies to make the camera network more efficient and effective.
DOGS ON A LEASH: I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all individuals who have embraced the practice of walking their dogs on a leash, and I am especially thankful to those who also responsibly use waste bags, cleaning up after their dogs.
BARKING DOGS: Attention pet owners! We kindly request that you address any excessive barking from your dogs. Continuous barking can be disruptive to the surrounding community. It is important to adhere to the updated pet policy, which is now in effect as law. For further information, please visit the municipal website to review the guidelines.
POACHING: Illegal poaching continues to be a significant criminal issue in Betty’s Bay. Sea Watch is actively collaborating with relevant agencies by providing valuable intelligence and physical evidence to aid in their efforts. While progress has been slow, there is a noticeable positive trend emerging, although we recognize that there is still much work to be done to address this issue effectively.
ELECTIONS: Election season is approaching, and we may see an increase in disruptive activities such as sabotage, vandalism, land invasions, and protests. It is important to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to the construction of informal dwellings or materials being stockpiled for such purposes. These incidents may occur at any time, but extra caution should be taken during late hours.
For those that feel that they would like to help our councillor during the election weekend please send me a WhatsApp and I will ask the councillor to contact you.
CRASSULA GARDENS: We are a bit closer to establishing a garden next to Crassula Hall as the application is in its final stretch.
OM TELEPHONES: Please also note that when you phone the control room or any number at our municipality the phone rings continuously. This does not mean that they are not answering the phone, it means that they are busy on the phone. Our municipal phones do not have engaged signals. So do not give up, give it a minute, and try again.
Thank you to those who have adopted a fire hydrant space. These spaces are looking good, making life so much easier when we need to use them.
Kind regards
Wayne Jackson
Chairman