Die Bestuurskomitee van hierdie Vereniging het in, 'n poging om beter kontak met lede te maak en hulle meer op hoogte te bring met al die aksies wat gedurende die jaar plaasvind, besluit om 'n halfjaarlikse nuusbrief, bykomend tot die November nuusbrief uit te stuur. Weens verhoogde posgeld, is dit egter nie moontlik om die nuusbrief te pos nie en sal dit net per e-pos versprei word - dus 'n vriendelike versoek om die nuusbrief aan alle belangstellendes beskikbaar te stel.

We are very proud that one of our members, Heilie Mostert, was one of the 5 finalists for the prestigious Mayor's Award for conservation in the Overstrand. This award is awarded annually to either an individual or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to environmental conservation within the Overstrand Municipal Area. Heilie was nominated for her role in the establishment of the Herbarium. Although she did not win the award, it gave the Society a lot of positive press coverage and we will definitely take part again next year. Good luck next time, Heilie!

It was with regret that the Society has learned that the appeal against the proposed rezoning and subdivision of a portion of Erf 1892, the Pearly Beach Caravan Park, was only upheld in part. Several further conditions have been imposed over and above the conditions imposed by the Overstrand Municipality and the former Chief Directorate: Environmental Affairs. A Monitoring Committee was appointed to oversee the process. As this Society is part of the Monitoring Committee, we will make sure that all conditions are enforced and that the impact on the environment will be minimal.

Die Vereniging is besig met onderhandelings met die Overstrand Munisipaliteit om 'n inheemse fynbostuin op 'n gedeelte van Erf 1780, waar die hengelklubsaal geleë is, te vestig. Dit sal 'n groot bate by die ingang tot die dorpsgebied wees, en sal ook help om 'n veilige plek te skep waar skaars en bedreigde plante aangeplant en vermeerder kan word.

Several sessions were held with developers to ensure that future developments, for example on Erf 162 and 607, will be in line with the aims of our Society.

Probleme met die leegmaak van vullisdromme op strande is aangespreek en etlike dromme is op ons versoek verskuif.
We are also busy with negotiations with Wollie Alheit of the Department of Agriculture to prepare a leaflet to draw the attention of residents to the fast spreading of Manatokas in our township. An urgent appeal is hereby made to free your gardens from Manatokas and to rather plant indigenous trees.

Die voorgestelde Pearly Beach rioolsuiweringswerke en veral die jongste voorstel om gesuiwerde rioolwater in die Klein Hagelkraalrivier te stort, is deur die Vereniging aangespreek en daar is ten sterkste beswaar gemaak teen hierdie voorstel. Verskeie alternatiewe opsies word op die oomblik ondersoek, maar die Vereniging sal sorg dat almal op hoogte gehou word voordat finale besluite geneem word.

Die Vereniging is alreeds vanaf April 2002 besig met onderhandelings met die Overstrand Munisipaliteit om die groenstrook voor die dorpsgebied (Erwe 163, 164, 165, 166, 645 en 1893) se sonering van openbare oopruimte na privaat natuurreservaat sone 3 te verander. Dis 'n poging om die bewaringsstatus van hierdie ongerepte natuurlike fynbosveld te verseker. Sodra die konsep Ruimtelike Ontwikkelingsraamwerk (Spacial Development Framework) deur die Raad goedgekeur is, sal verdere vordering met hierdie proses hopenlik gemaak kan word.

The Society has resolved to actively promote the actions of the local Seawatch branch. Any irregularity, whether it is suspicious people, divers, vehicles or behaviour, please report it immediately to Rob Nothnagel at tel 028-381 9666 or 082 890 5803. Please assist us in trying to put an end to poaching and the destruction of our natural marine assets.

'n Ander aspek wat vir ons baie bekommerd, is die feit dat weens die gebrek aan wetstoepassing, die aantal 4x4 voertuie en motorfietse wat op die strande en duine waargeneem word, alweer besig is om te vermeerder. Dit bly nogsteeds onwettig om op die strand of duine te ry. Die skade wat sulke voertuie aan die neste van voëls aanrig, is onnoembaar en moet ten alle koste vermy word.

The Society is on a continuous basis busy with the eradication of aliens on public open spaces, sometimes even on private plots, along the entrance road and also along the footpath from the Caravan Park to Harbour Road.

Ten einde 'n sigbare en daadwerklike bydrae tot die uitroei van indringers te maak, wil ek graag 'n uitdaging tot alle lede rig om deel te neem aan ons projek om 'n openbare oopruimte aan te neem en om terselfdertyd die rommel in die aangrensende strate op 'n gereelde basis op te tel. Die idee is dat lede die naaste openbare oopruimte aan hulle huis aanneem en hulle is dan verantwoordelik om slegs die indringers, hoofsaaklik Rooikrans, Port Jacksons en Manatokas op hierdie erwe uit te roei.

This is your Society and the success or failure of this Society will depend largely on inputs from you as members. Please feel free to contact any of the Management Committee members with suggestions or proposals on ways and means to promote the actions of this Society.

Elrina Versfeld
Voorsitter/Chairperson
Tel 021 - 850 4107