Dealing with Threats

DEALING WITH THREATS TO THE RESERVE

When one considers what an asset the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is to the city of Johannesburg it may come as a surprise to many that it's future existence as a “nature” reserve is constantly being threatened.

These threats come in various shapes and sizes. Some are infrastructural developments within the reserve, others are property developments around its borders and yet another threat, and probably the biggest, is in, either the ignorance or else apathy, of the people of Johannesburg!

Threats within the reserve

Over the last 25 years the Nature Reserve has faced many threats from infrastructural developments inside the reserve itself. These untoward developments have gone a long way to spoiling the outdoor experience sought by those who have utilised the reserve for recreational, spiritual, cultural and educational purposes, and even more importantly, have lead to further impoverishment of its biodiversity.

The various infrastructure developments already in the reserve include:

•	An underground sewage pipeline running north/south which has unsightly manholes along its length and which, at times, exudes unpleasant odours.
•	A sewage pipeline running east/west, a large portion of which spans across an otherwise unspoilt valley and ruins the ambience of the natural surroundings.
•	Many kilometers of overhead power lines and unsightly pylons which spoil the eastern and north/eastern parts of the reserve.
•	A water reservoir at the western end of the reserve.
•	A water reservoir at the northern end of Peggy Vera Road
•	A television booster station at the western end of the reserve
•	An underground water pipe line running north/south from Mondeor to Kibler Park.
•	An electrical sub-station at the north/eastern end.
•	A badly positioned entrance precinct along Peggy Vera Drive.

But it doesn't end here.

•	The SAPS are planning to erect a 30m mast on the highest point in the reserve. Click here to read up on this development and how the association is responding to this threat.
•	Another threat is from a Transnet petrol pipeline cutting across the reserve. Click here to read more on this development and how the association is responding.
•	Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) want to stabilise the banks of the Bloubosspruit (for erosion purposes) within the reserve without undertaking an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Click here to read more
•	Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) plans to build an up-market tented camp in the reserve! Click here to read more on this plan

Such continuing infrastructural developments are going to inevitably place the sustainability of the reserve at serious risk. The Association holds that such developments need to be viewed as a desecration of precious environmental and conservations assets that belong to future generations.

And it doesn't end here either!

Outside threats to the reserve

Another major threat to the reserve is untoward development on properties close to the reserve and along its borders. Untoward developments on these properties really detract from the unspoilt rural ambience of the area. They are a source of visual pollution for users of the reserve and diminish the value of the reserve as a natural area.

•	The Association together with other stakeholders on the area are strongly objecting to the sub-division by a developer of an agricultural property adjacent to the reserve . Click here to get more information on this threat.

And there are rumours of more developments around the corner!

Threats to other conservation areas in the city

City council appears to have embarked on a programme of selling off conservation areas that are exceptionally valuable long term assets, to finance their short term needs. This is a short sighted policy which no prudent business manager would embark upon. Short term requirements should be financed from short term resources. The conservation areas will be desperately needed by future generations. The Zoo Farm, Huddle Park , Delta Park and other areas are under threat.

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The Zoo Farm, where animals were kept for breeding, quarantine and other purposes has been relocated to Parys. The old Zoo Farm property was purchased by the city council in the early 1940's as part of a green belt that was to be established around the city. The wisdom of a far sighted previous generation has been thrown out the window. The old Zoo Farm property, or at least a large part thereof, will soon be up for sale. The KNRA has submitted and objection. Click here to read it.

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At a Ward 99 Committee Meeting held on 7 November 2007 a proposal was made by one Dave Walsh of H D Walsh Construction for the redevelopment of Delta Park . The development will entail excising a 30 metre strip around the entire park. Stands within the strip would be available for housing and owners would be charged a levy that would be used to provide access control at selected points, security within the remainder of the park and the upkeep of the park.

It is important to note that the proposals are at this stage tentative. The developer, should he decide to proceed, is going to have to follow a process that will include an environmental impact assessment and public consultation.

Delta Environmental Centre is leading a petition/e mail campaign that will, it is hoped, indicate the public's opposition to the proposals and stop the process in its tracks.

You are invited to obtain as many signatures as possible to the attached petition or, if you cannot manage that, to send an e-mail to Clive Fletcher at rcf@pop.onwe.co.za expressing your opposition.

Please note that even if the developer goes ahead with the process it is important for Delta Environmental Centre to have your contact details so as to include you as an "interested and affected party"

How can I help?

The KNRA committee has its time cut out dealing with these untoward developments. Reports need to be read, research undertaken, responses formulated, resources expended and meetings need to be attended.

The association needs the support of the larger community. If you can and want to help get the sparkle back into the “jewel of the south”, then click here to find out how you can.

Dealing with threats to the reserve

• A 30 metre high SAPS communications mast

The South African Police Service wish to erect a 30 metre high communications mast at the highest point in the reserve. The mast is needed to enhance police radio communications. The committee is in favour of improved efficiency in the fight against crime but believe that viable alternatives to constructing a mast in a proclaimed nature reserve are available. SAPS claim the cost of the alternatives are prohibitive. The cost of the alternatives is however tiny in the greater scheme of things.

Johannesburg City Parks, the supposed custodians of the reserve, to their unending shame, have given approval for construction of the mast.

Despite an objection from the Association, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and the Environment (GDACE) have granted exemption from the requirement to conduct a full environmental impact assessment before construction commences. The Association appealed against the decision. The appeal was rejected.

The Association has taken legal advice and are in the process of requesting a judicial review so that the courts can make the final decision.

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• A Transnet petrol pipeline from the coast to cut across the reserve.

Transnet is in the process of constructing a further petrol pipe line from Kwa Zulu Natal to its depot at Langlaagte. The pipe line is necessary to provide for the country's growing economy. The original proposal was for the pipe line to cut across the reserve from the south-east corner to the north-west corner. The association protested vigorously and two new proposals are now on the drawing boards. The first and least costly alternative is for the pipe to cut across a narrow section of the reserve on the far western extreme. The other is for the pipe line to follow the old Vereeniging road and then turn into Alan Manor along Constantia Avenue. This will cost in excess of 3 times that of the alternative through the reserve. The consultants have been very professional, the views of interested and affected parties have been sought and numerous meetings have been held. An EIA is in the process of being carried out. The association will continue opposing the alternative through the reserve.

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• Stabilisation for erosion purposes, of the banks of the Bloubosspruit within the reserve without undertaking an environmental impact assessment.

The mass of hard surfaces such as roofs, roads, parking areas and paving in the catchment area of the Bloubosspruit (Mondeor, Alan Manor, Winchester Hills, Suideroord, Ridgeway extensions, etc.) cause severe unnatural flooding of the Bloubosspruit when rain storms occur. When this happens, the exaggerated volume and velocity of the water in the Bloubosspruit causes unnatural erosion of the banks of the Bloubosspruit. Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) has therefore requested Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to stabilise the banks of the stream to prevent such erosion. JRA have applied for the work to be carried out without having to undertake an environmental impact assessment. The association have objected to this and have sent JRA a letter of objection.

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• Johannesburg City Parks' plans to build an up-market tented camp in the reserve.

In the early 1990's, the association commissioned and paid for a development plan for the reserve. The central theme of the plan is to utilise the land south of the reserve, which belongs to JCP and which does not form part of the reserve. The land is no longer in a natural state as it has been disturbed over a period of decades. It contains a number of items of historical or cultural interest which could form the focus of a development plan to attract the public and in so doing to bring the reserve to their attention. The development would result in the generation of funds which would hopefully be sufficient to take the pressure to be self sustaining off the reserve. The plan has been accepted by the City of Johannesburg. JCP have however decided to extend the fund generating activities into the proclaimed area of the reserve and have proposed that an upmarket tented camp be constructed in the reserve. The association is totally opposed to the tented camp and have voiced their strong objection and requested that an EIA be carried out. The consultants are at present finalising a scoping report. When this is received, the association will take the matter further.

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• Sub-division by a developer of an agricultural property adjacent to the reserve.

A developer has purchased a 23 hectare plot along Impala Road and adjacent to the reserve. The land is zoned “Agricultural”. The developer has applied to Council to have the land sub-divided into 23 one hectare stands. The stands will be sold for an up-market housing development. Each dwelling will be situated on a one hectare stand. The selling feature will be that the development is in a natural unspoilt area bordering on the reserve. The negative impact on the reserve has been totally overlooked. The sale of the stands alone will net the developer a profit of R40 million. The association has submitted a letter of objection to City planning and are awaiting a date for a tribunal hearing.

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