North Coast Courier
July 26th, 2008
To read more about the proposed development at Mandini /Tugela and the plight of the hippo click on the link below and get it from the newspaper bursting with local news
WB
Lease of Mini Mall
May 26th, 2008
The report below relates to the small commercial centre on the corner of Nkwazi and Glen drive. This building is leased to the Convenience store and Hardware shop below. The tender for the lease is to be advertised shortly. We believe that both leases should be renewed in the interests of Zinkwazi …….
SUBMISSION BY ZBRRA TO KWA-DUKUZA MUNICIPALITY REGARDING FUTURE UTILISATION OF BUILDING FORMERLY USED BY ZINKWAZI BEACH HEALTH COMMITTEE
1. We submitted a letter in January 2007 in this same regard. This submission differs in certain respects, but fundamentally follows the same thinking.
2. We believe that the utilization of the ZBHC building has to be considered in the overall context of the land use/ town planning scheme for Zinkwazi Beach. This plan has not been finalized and we look forward to participating in this exercise.
3. In the interim, we suggest for a period of three years to mid 2011,, it should continue to be used to accommodate both a convenience store and a hardware shop.
4. A convenience store is highly desirable in the village, both for visitors ,domestic workers, workers on building sites, and for residents.
5. The hardware store is extremely well used by residents and those with holiday homes. It obviously serves an important need.
6. The village has a need for an information office. If the current building could be restructured to allow a separate entrance to a space suitable for such a centre this would be desirable. ZBRRA would be interested in leasing such space and utilizing it as an association office as well as providing services to an information office which could be run by a suitably qualified young person from the local community. ZBRRA would be able to assist in the development and funding of such a position.
7. The Ward Councilor is presently at a great disadvantage in that there is no appropriate or secure office available in Darnall. If she were able to utilize space, e-mail, telephones and office equipment, say on the basis of two days a week, we believe this would enormously enhance her capacity.
8. The present building has a great deal of space. Ms Wium occupies one large office for her letting business. There is a considerable storage area. However a large area in the “shop” is underutilized. Careful planning and reconfiguration will make possible far more effective use of the building at no great cost to meet the needs identified in 6 and 7 above.
9. Individual and appropriate leases and rentals should be entered into with each of the commercial and non-commercial tenants.
Neil Wallace, Chairman, Zinkwazi Beach Residents and Ratepayers’ Association
Emeraldine Chicken Farm
May 20th, 2008 28th May Our response to the findings of Indiflora - WB
Consultants have completed the Draft Basic Assessment report on the proposed extension of Emeraldine chicken farm near Zinkwazi. It is in my office should anyone wish to read the hard copy. After reading the lengthy report, Klaus, who was tasked to make an assessment wrote as follows……..’It makes for interesting reading, particularly the investigation of the potential fly problem. In simple terms my interpretation of the findings is as follows:
· The only potential issue is flies - there are no other valid concerns for
Zinkwazi.
Zinkwazi.
· Flies apparently radiate up to 3km from source, but tend to concentrate
where they have suitable feeding/breeding conditions.
where they have suitable feeding/breeding conditions.
· The consultant has tentatively ruled out that current flies in Zinkwazi are
from Emeraldene. A source of compost nearer or in the village would be needed for flies to use as a breeding ground in order to proliferate in Zinkwazi.
from Emeraldene. A source of compost nearer or in the village would be needed for flies to use as a breeding ground in order to proliferate in Zinkwazi.
· The EIA will require Emeraldene to properly manage the Chicken litter
disposal/removal ‘from source to grave’, to prevent it becoming a fly
breeding ground as this has the greatest potential for problems. This
requires formal management agreements with the farmers collecting and
utilising it as fertilizer in the fields. Obviously local spillage at source also needs to be managed.’
disposal/removal ‘from source to grave’, to prevent it becoming a fly
breeding ground as this has the greatest potential for problems. This
requires formal management agreements with the farmers collecting and
utilising it as fertilizer in the fields. Obviously local spillage at source also needs to be managed.’
Our good relationship with the farmers concerned will no doubt facilitate this. With their co-operation, we hope to actively monitor the management of the disposal of chicken litter as well as encouraging good management of compost at our nearby horse stables.
20th May 08 The following document from consultant, Indiflora, is available to all interested parties. We will respond after studying their report - WB
Indiflora wrote ………..
Good Day Interested and Affected Parties
The proposed expansion to the Emeraldene Poultry Farm which was
advertised in the North Coast Courier of the week ending 29 June 2007,
the Background Information Document distributed for this project during
July 2007 and a public meeting held on 20 September 2007 has reference.
The Draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) for the abovementioned
application is now available for public comment.
A copy is available at the Darnall library, adjacent the Darnall Country
Club, and at the Municipal offices of Kwa Dukuza Municipality, Chief
Albert Luthuli Street, Kwa Dukuza (Stanger). Copies have also been
provided to the Zinkwazi Beach Ward Committee and the Zinkwazi Beach
Ratepayers Association.
Further copies can be provided on CD on request, or the documents may be
downloaded from the web at www.indiflora.co.za (available 17 May 2008).
The 30 day comment period closes on 9 June 2008, and we would be
grateful if Interested & Affected Parties would be kind enough to
respond on or prior to that date to facilitate a timeous Record of
Decision.
After the closing date comment will be collated and included into the
Report to produce a Final Basic Assessment Report for submission to DAEA
for a decision.
Should any additional information be required we may be contacted at the
following numbers Sue George 082 961 5750 or Johan Bodenstein 082 577
0898.
Kind Regards
Sue George
INDIflora cc - Environmental Services
Johan Bodenstein 082 577 0898 johan@indiflora.co.za
Sue George 082 961 5750 sue@indiflora.co.za
Town Planning Scheme - survey results 2004
May 13th, 2008 Most visitors to Zinkwazi remark on its unique ‘Village Atmosphere’ …Surprising since it lies amidst a fast developing strip of coastal resorts. Those in the know are aware that the ZBRRA association ardently uphold and protect the wishes of investors. An outline of their ideals was made known to us after an objective and comprehensive survey was carried out in 2004. This portrayed a society who were intent on protecting its tranquil ’sense of place’ Read on…….
WB
ZBRRA
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT of the ZINKWAZI TOWN-PLANING SCHEME
as proposed by the Zinkwazi Ratepayers and Residents Association
15.5.2007
SURVEY RESULTS
The overriding response to the survey was to ensure that the peaceful village character and tranquil holiday environment of Zinkwazi was of paramount importance and there was no place for a Ballito style development. All future development should be eco-friendly and fit in with the ’sense of place’ of Zinkwazi.
Provided that the unique character of the place was not compromised, controlled low impact commercialization in the form of eco-tourism, service provision and recreational facilities was acceptable under the following conditions. Their purpose is only to satisfy the needs of ratepayers, residents as well as local bonafide holidaymakers and guests. Any business attracting casual day visitors from outside the area to the detriment of the village would not be acceptable.
ZBRRA COMMITTEE PROPOSALS
The committee has evaluated and researched the survey results at length and has come up with the following proposals to address the concerns and objectives of the community.
1. Town planning regulations must be strictly enforced, particularly with regard to coverage and height of structures. It is imperative that planning approval must take into consideration the obstruction of views. With this in mind we would require that no dwelling be allowed to rise more than two storeys above street level, although we understand that this has been relaxed to three storeys in the Ballito area.
2. Rezoning of special residential properties should only be allowable in exceptional cases with the approval of the community. No development generating high traffic volumes should be allowed. Prime special residential properties are under great pressure to be ‘developed’ due to high rates costs and/or profit opportunities. This needs to be addressed to prevent undesirable types of development. Current controls allow an additional ‘granny flat’ on special residential. Special residential development pressure could possibly be controled by allowing a single dwelling for say every 600 m2 of property as long as current coverage and FAR controls are not exceeded. This would enable for example an 1800 m2 beachfront property to erect 3 dwellings without increasing the existing coverage controls.
3. All Zinkwazi applictions for rezoning or relaxation of TPS controls put before Kwa Dukuza Planning should be referred to the ZBRRA Planning Sub-Committee for comment. We could also be of assistance in referring to them variances from town planning requirements as regards FAR, distance from boundaries and dwelling and roof heights.
4. Bigger commercial establishments(such as hotels, lodges, guesthouses, restaurants, Arts & Crafts & Home Industries) should not be run on residential properties nor within special residential areas. Further approvals or rezonings in this regard should only be considered where commercial or cluster housing rights already exist. Small B & B’s up to 4 rooms, run from private homes and low impact SOHO are however acceptable within residential areas.
5. Public beach access points should be strictly controlled to prevent undesirable behaviour, vandalism, crime and public disturbance within the residential areas. Access to recreational facilities should ideally be on a pay for use basis preferably privately controlled.
6. The PUBLIC CAR PARK off Seagull Road should be developed as a pure access and parking area without picnic or other facilities. An extension to the car park is essential particularly since the storm damage. Vacant land, which is available in Seagull drive, should be acquired for this purpose. This would also obviate the need to restore the existing car park to its original size in an eco-sensitive zone. The remaining car park just needs to be stabilized and protected. Access should be controled on a 24 hour basis. During the night parking should be restricted to the new ‘off-beach’ parking area to minimise public nuisance problems. The facilities at Mahogany Reef should remain under private control. The container in the car park is an undesirable health hazard and is in conflict with the principle of avoiding attractions in public places unless under Mahogany Reef control and should possibly be removed to a commercial zone.
7. BLACK ROCK PARK currently is a public disturbance nightmare. It also should be controled on a 24 hour basis. It is inadequately serviced for sanitation and day visitors have a problem in this regard. This is unacceptable. Leasing out the park to private enterprise could perpetuate the problem of public disturbance within a residential area unless a solution is found. The lessee could provide suitable facilities for day trippers with constraints on maintenance, noise levels and hours of business.
8. Lots 224, 225, 226 and 227 in the area between Nkwazi and Magai Drives, are either Municipal property or are zoned for commercial use. In order to protect residential areas from commercial disturbance they should be encouraged to be rezoned residential, with permission for intermediate density to compensate for the loss of commercial rights. Parking facilities would have to be provided for access to the beach from Sandy Cove.
9. Lot 243, which is zoned for a church, and the municipal building on lot 39 LA should be rezoned residential and the shops moved to the new commercial area.
10. With the rezoning of Lots 224, 225, 226 and 227 the commercial hub of Zinkwazi should be moved to the entrance of the village, probably in the area presently occupied by the stables or further. This would require a developer to acquire land for commercial development. All convenience services and commercial infrastructure should be concentrated on the perimeter and/or access node to the village or in Darnall.
11. Our public open space including parks and admiralty reserve should be maintained as green belts. Indigenous bush should be preserved and protected. Expert advice should be sought how best the parks can serve the community. Facilities in our public spaces should be developed but not to the detriment of the surrounding areas. Private functions should not be allowed where they are surrounded by residential areas. Flamingo park on Lot 247, where the developers of the Ocean Reef property have dumped rubble, should be cleared and maintained as a public park. Discussions should be held with Ocean Reef regarding the funding of this enterprise. The same applies to the damage at Oyster Park.
12. Surface and underground water collection points should be encouraged on each property.
13. Policing of Noise pollution needs to be done.
14. Environmental and health considerations require that the village cannot operate for ever on a septic tank system. Consideration should be given to slurry tanks as a planning approval requirement. However this would also increase heavy vehicle traffic and could be a source of noise disturbance.
Below find links to the independent survey carried out and a map of the village
WB