ZBRRA

Forum minutes - 10th August 2010

August 13th, 2010

 

ZINKWAZIBEACH FORUM MEETING
 
Date & Time:             Tuesday 10th August, 2010 at 16H00
Venue:                                    The Junction – E Wium’s office
Present :                    
Present: Klaus Achtzehn – Chairman Zinkwazi Conservancy,  Engela Wium – Chairlady Ward 2, Nigel Simmonds – Chairman Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club, Richard Armstrong – Neighbourhood Watch, N Wallace & W Balcomb - ZBRRA
 
1.       Reports from those present:
 
Ski Boat Club: Nigel reported that the Ski Boat club had agreed to refurbish the beach toilets in conjunction with the KDM. Work could not commence until the proposed major changes had been completed ie the pipeline had been installed to remove sewage from the toilets to the conservancy tank in the car park. WB to ask Carlos Mendes and the Civils dept when this is to take place and to stress the need for completion before the Christmas holiday season.
 
Water: Engela  iLembe and Umgeni are to reschedule their planned testing of water from the village boreholes after a disastrous week in July when some residents were without water for 4 days due to poor planning of the shut down by iLembe while tests were in progress. We have been assured that in future the community would be advised well in advance.  Mike Newton reacted well to the criticism from residents and communication has improved.  
Nigel assured the meeting that Umgeni and iLembe were most concerned about the supply and quality of the Zinkwazi boreholes and there was a proposal to pipe purified water from Darnall Mill to Zinkwazi as an interim measure to top up the borehole supply until the Tugela pipeline reaches our area. The funds for the Tugela project have already been approved and he understood that this supply could be available as soon as 2014. Leaks in Zinkwazi’s reticulation line, in the Glen and Nkwazi drive, are the cause of major loss of water.   Tongaat Huletts would not supply water until this is resolved.
 
Crime – Richard Armstrong. Richard said that due to the economic climate it was difficult to retain members and to enroll new members. Engela suggested that she could circulate a short concise daily crime report to residents. This may make them feel more involved and it could encourage them to support the Neighbourhood Watch.  
She stated that there is a need to treat information sensitively should staff be under suspicion. Garden and Household Cleaning services could be disadvantaged by random remarks that a staff member is suspected of being involved in crime.
Richard to discuss suggestion of report with Chairman James Gilleran. It was suggested that garden/cleaning services assist by submitting details to ZNW of staff details. Engela to motivate this.  
Richard said that a Satellite Police station in the village was still under review and Herman Lindveldt was trying to get this approved.
ZNW were once more commended on their good management of New Year and asked to manage the next Festive period
 
KDM – WB stated that KDM were still not responding to the needs of Zinkawzi. It was decided that WB should submit a list to each dept of KDM listing issues still unresolved and to copy this to the MM with advice that due to non-performance of KDM ZBRRA  would seek legal action with a view to declaring a dispute. 
 
Conservancy
Klaus reported that the Nursery is to be the centre of the conservancy. Functions organized by Cliff Hatt had been most successful. There had been a well supported holiday programme for young people which included lectures and demonstrations on sharks, snakes, life in rock pools and on Saturday 7th  August - the first of a two-part beginners bird course took place at Lagoon Lodge. Future events were planned of which the community would be notified.   Cliff was commended for his excellent organization of the events. Some revenue was made to cover costs
The nursery was up and running and several plant sales have been made.
 
General
Engela was thanked for her willingness to circulate information to her vast data base.
Stewardship in the Zinkwazi area was explained :The Conservancy is embarking on a program to ensure the willing participation of landowners in the preservation of ecologically sensitive areas.
 
Closure. The meeting ended at 17H30
 
 
Signed ……………………………Chairman  N. Wallace - ZBRRA
 
 
Signed……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb – ZBRRA
 
 
 One day after this meeting, it was noted that three teams from KDM Civils dept are busy dealing with unresolved.  Thiss as a result of a tour of inspection with WB by Matthew and Mdletche a week before and a promise of an invitation to a braai at the nursery, should the list of needs be met. 
 
 

Posted in Zinkwazi Forum | No Comments »

Forum meeting - January 2010

April 11th, 2010

 

ZINKWAZIBEACH FORUM MEETING
 
Date & Time:             Thursday, 28th January, 2010 at 16H00
Venue:                                    31 Magai drive – the home of N Wallace
Present :                    
PresentKlaus Achtzehn – Chairman Zinkwazi Conservancy,  Engela Wium – Chairlady Ward 2, Nigel Simmonds – Chairman Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club, James Gilleran – Neighbourhood Watch, N Wallace & W Balcomb - ZBRRA
 
1.        Visitors – L Simmonds – business club rep, T Middleton – Zinkwazi News. Engela welcomed both Leizl and Tracey. Tracey to discuss with the forum her proposed news magazine and Leizl to enlighten the forum on her proposal to form a business club where all entrepreneurs could have a say.

2          Magazine Tracey Middleton proposed compiling a magazine to replace the popular ‘Nkwazi News’ which was produced by Dennis Brand. The name of the magazine would be Good Life – Zinkwazi news. This would have an organic look and be accessible electronically. Sponsorship would be from village businesses and initial circulation limited to the immediate area. Articles could be of local content – items of interest – fishing news, news on security. Businesses  could advertise themselves and property for sale or to let could be advertised here.
3          The Business Club. Leizl said that was a need to unify business in the village to communicate with one voice to council. One of the issues that could be identified was the recycling which had already been initiated by XS Recycling. The business club offered to assist with this. The iLembe business forum maybe another platform to which they could be linked. It was hoped that in time the club would evolve into a useful platform for all business in the village.
4          Security. Francois Snyman has resigned as from end of January from Alpha. He has assured the committee that he would continue to be of assistance at anytime and would remain in the village.
Crime through the holiday season was bad. Holiday makers were targeted. New Year’s day was better controlled than previous years, thanks to the co-operation of KDM Protection services and an increased presence of SAPS officials,  who checked vehicles for alcohol at the entrance to the village.   Broken glass on the beach and in the streets after New year’s day is a matter of concern. James Gilleran stressed the need for a satellite station in the village. Speed calming humps are to be constructed at the entrance to the village and around Leonotis park. These would be funded by Gary Prentice and supervised by the NW.
 
5          Ski Boat Club. 
5 (i)Lagoon Access. Nigel Simmonds stated that the Ski boat club was not licensed to launch on the river. KDM held the license for launches to sea and by default covered the launches on the river. 
Klaus said that the KDM did not have formal rights to the lagoon. New legislation is expected shortly to clarify this. 
5 (ii)Signage. Steve Honeysett has promised this but to date none is forthcoming.
5 (iii) Parking tickets. Nigel said that KDM no longer sold booklets of tickets at a discount so that the Ski boat club could make some profit. One of the gate guards had disappeared with the takings in the holidays so this was a loss. 
5 (iv) Discs for entry. Those provided by KDM gave access to all beach in the municipal area and not specifically for Zinkwazi. Nigel to investigate selling through Ski Boat club beach access discs for Zinkwazi.
5 (v) Membership of ZBRRA. Nigel said that the club would not join as a member but it was left to the individual members of the Ski boat club to join as individuals.
5 (vi) The Ski boat club and the KDM will jointly intend to upgrade the toilets on the beach. Until then the 2 inside toilets are reserved for use by ladies and the public toilets on the beach are used by men. 
5 (vii) Social membership is R500 per annum
5 (viii) To launch a boat on the lagoon, one must be a member. Holiday launches to be arranged through Frikkie. 
5 (ix) Functions. The Ski boat club intends holding a fund raiser monthly. Proceeds from a Friday night dinner would be dedicated to a chosen beneficiary. 
 
6          Water
Engela said that water problems were better this holiday season as no water outages thanks to good communication with iLembe and Umgeni, an additional borehole – no 5 which yields more than the othes,  and water restrictions.
Improved storage of water is essential as we do not have 48 hours of storage capacity for an emergency.
New fire hydrants have been installed in the village. Should a fire break out the supply of water would be inadequate. KDM to be advised of this and the construction of an additional reservoir recommended The replacement of old reticulation pipes was only partially completed by Joat for iLembe. Additional replacement of reticulation pipes to be encouraged. iLembe have replaced most of the old meters.
Nigel Simmonds said that iLembe were to meet with the Darnall Mill to discuss the Tugela pipeline. The Blythedale pipeline is much closer to completion. The TH mill has to date supplied iLembe with water for the area but this arrangement is not ideal. N Wallace thanked Engela once more for her efforts in managing the wate issues of the village. iLembe had agreed to the lifting of restrictions. W B to ask them to replace the posters with others to thank community for conserving water and to once more urge them to report to the call centre any leaks.  The number of the centre to be on the posters.
 
7          Service delivery.
 iLembe. Burst and leaks still occur and are reported to the call centre.  Another ‘grey water problem at 145 Nkwazi dr. Several reports sent to iLembe and request to block off this conservancy tank since tests with dye proved it did not come from adjacent residences.
Through posters, the community have been encouraged to report leaks directly to the call centre. Wendy stated that KDM had sub contracted another company to make good iLembe excavations (on Shelley, High street and end of Panorama) as they could not cope with the volume of work. Rob Hofmeyr asked that Nollie Rabie ensure us that the  new contractors is accredited, since the work on his servitude has not yet been completed and is still considered a ‘temp’ job by N Rabie of Civils. 
KDM – A list of our grievances is to be drawn up for Mayor Thulani Khuluzu of non performance of several deparments, particularly Civils. Storm water drains, eroded roads, servitude problems, curbing and drains not attended to. 
Beaches. Several complaints since the holiday season of dirty southern beaches. Billy reported staff problems
A poverty relief programme is to be implemented which will bring more staff onto the beaches temporally.  
Parks – thanks to Che for more trees and ZBRA to plant red milkwoods in BRPark. When these are established it is hoped to remove the alien trees.
Refuse – Recycling by XS continues. Dump at Darnall is to the satisfaction of Cnl Pakkies who has said that recycling is to her project under her Youth programme. Lucky Zulu urged to get plastic bags for recycling to Zinkwazi
 
 
8          Conservancy
Klaus said that the greater Zinkwazi area was one of 10 to be accepted as qualifying for stewardship. Ezemvelo were aware of the threat to the coastal areas. A high level of people have been tasked to deal with this issue. Funds are to be made available by Evemvelo – R600,000 over 3 years - for the protection and support of these threatened areas. This would encourage the type of eco-tourism Zinkwazi wants
Cliff Hatt was elected by the Conservancy committee as functions co-ordinator. He would organize regular functions and outings for the community.
Dumisane – one of the two AIP workers is trained to take groups on trails for birding. His fee is R200 for 3 and an additional R100 per person thereafter for a 3 hour walk. 
Nursery toilet to be constructed shortly. This could be a useful venue for functions for the community.
Nursery is progressing well and some sales were made over the holiday season.
 
 
Signed ……………………………Chairman  N. Wallace - ZBRRA
 
 
Signed……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb – ZBRRA
 
 
 
 

Posted in Zinkwazi Forum | No Comments »

Forum meeting - October 2009

April 11th, 2010

 

ZINKWAZIBEACH FORUM MEETING
 
Date & Time:             Thursday, 29th October, 2009 at 16H00
Venue:                                    ZBRRA office – the Junction
Present :                     Nigel Simmonds chaired the meeting 
PresentKlaus Achtzehn – Chairman Zinkwazi Conservancy,  Engela Wium – Chairlady Ward 2, Nigel Simmonds – Chairman Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club, James Gilleran – Neighbourhood Watch
 
1.        Apologies – Neil Wallace
2          Beach restoration - Wendy. 
·       Awaiting response from Carlos Mendes on letter ‘unfinished beach restoration’. The following still unresolved|-
Lights in car park, walk way from Nkwazi dr, paved sidewalk alongside beach, conservancy tank for new toilets, additional parking along Nkwazi drive south of car park to make up the 12 short of 33 we had in the past.
·       Planting by Simon Bundy on retaining dune was not adequate – he subsequently has replanted.
·       Black Rock Park to be planted with brachylena and later with milkwoods.
Service Delivery – Wendy
iLembe/Umgeni co-ordination of work is dysfunctional. WB to write to MM of iLembe and of KDM
Census in village took place and WB to write report for Vicky of Interact with summary of unresolved issues with KDM
Pile of rubble in soccer field not yet removed. WB to request inspection with bpb before departure
Parks dept supportive but still no funding to assist with AIP worker’s salary. 
 
3          Feedback on water by Engela – a meeting with G Jacks and Mark Shepherd had taken place on Friday 23rd Oct
·       Joat/bpb have completed their installation of reticulation pipes, which supply Nkwazi and Glen drive. Mark Shepherd to supply maps of the supply and reticulation lines
·       Pressure reducing valve at corner of Zinkwazi/Glen have been installed and pressure reduced by half. In the event of a serious break, the meter automatically closes off water supply to this area.
·       Despite all the above, Zinkwazi has only enough water to supply the village adequately out of season.
·       In peak season, the higher areas are seriously compromised should there be a major pipe burst. Sometimes a water outage which could last 48 hours in the higher areas. Wendy & Engela to notify residents through circular emails, encouraging those in higher areas to install conservancy tanks. Neil to draft outline of  letter.
·       iLembe to impose water restrictions in December, and to put out circular and posters  in village.
·       Proposal that the one borehole from Sugar Bay be directed straight to the higher reservoir to circumvent its dependency on the lower reservoirs was impractical as all water is required to pass through the chlorination process at the base of the lower reservoirs.
·       On Friday, 23rd Oct Gerald Jack closed off a valve feeding a (second) water line through Ridge to Panorama, which Mark S had thought to be redundant. By Sunday 25th, several residences in the Aloe, Glen and Palm reported no water. It was immediately recognized as the problem and re-opened.
·       Engela voiced her concern that the rising main is directly under the property wall of 65 Glen
·       The new meters not well accepted. Many badly placed, and at angles, poor workmanship generally. Several homes still without meters. Several complaints of accounts dept at iLembe.
·       New fire hydrants installed by bpb and old refurbished.
·       Umgeni expect the Tugela project to supply the Zinkwazi area by pipeline in 2014
 
4          Security – James Gilleran
·       Trend is ‘day time burglaries’ Two suspicious vehicles sighted in town which could be linked to ‘Five minute gang’ robberies. 8 attempts robberies recently foiled when trying to get into houses.
·       Speed hump very necessary at entrance. G Prentice has offered to pay for this WB getting local contractors to quote. Eskom to be requested to install good security light at entrance. Gary Prentice offered to pay for effective speed hump at entrance. Nic Nel to construct.
·       ZBRRA will pay for extra 2 guards from 4th Dec until 2nd Jan
·       Boom on BR Park damaged by vehicle and made good by owner and replaced.
Alph Security lock boom gate at night. The park will be controlled by SBC over holiday season and parking will be levied.
             
5          Ski boat club – Nigel Simmonds
·       SBC to assist KDM in upgrade of toilets on beach
·       No fireworks show to be staged by Blackie Swart this year
·       SBC will provide food and drink as normal throughout holiday season
·       In accordance with water conservation, no boats will be washed at beach, but motors will be warmed up
It was suggested that to conserve water, the water meter should be removed on NY day and toilets locked to prevent vandalism
·       Entry tickets are to be sold  by SBC for parking, BRP and main beach throughout holidays. Provision is to be made for purchase of season ticket for frequent users – R100 for year. NS to have discs for motor vehicles made
·       Access to the lagoon for boating is via the launch site on Clewlow land, sub lease to SBC – gate is locked to public and access with permission only
·       Frikkie to manage the beach. Stringent new laws governing boating now control lagoon.
Life guards to be trained as skippers for inland boating. This will qualify SBC for a rubber duck to use in emergencies
·       N.S. to draw up and circulate rules and procedures for launching out to sea and boating on our river
·       Nigel explained the recent death of fish in the lagoon. The opening of the lagoon meant that oxygenated water from the deep centre of the river, flowed out to sea and was replaced with salt water, unsuitable for fresh water fish.   The fish in the lagoon moved to the shallows on the side of the river to get away from the salt water but this was not well oxygenated and some died.    Once the river mouth closed, the fish were once more sufficiently supplied with oxygen and the situation normalized.
 
6          Conservancy – Klaus Achtzehn
·       This is to be project funded. Funds are to be made available early next year for beach access, the creation and maintenance of trails, removal of alien vegetation etc.
·       All ZBRRA members automatically are free member of conservancy. Non-members welcome to join for a fee.
·       Nursery growing – toilet is being built so that it may be used for functions.
·       Dumisane to be assessed shortly after his studies through Birdlife to become a guide. Ultimately for him to become a contactor funded by Ezemvelo in the Working for the Coast programme.
 
Signed ……………………………Chairman N. Simmonds – Ski Boat Club
 
 
Signed……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb – ZBRRA
 

Posted in Zinkwazi Forum | 3 Comments »

Forum Meeting - July 2009

July 29th, 2009

 

ZINKWAZIBEACH FORUM MEETING
 
Date & Time:             Monday, 27th July, 2009
Venue:                        7 Idwala Lodge
Present :                     Neil Wallace - Chairman ZBRRA,  Klaus Achtzehn – Chairman Zinkwazi Conservancy,  Engela Wium – Chairlady Ward 2, Nigel Simmonds – Chairman Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club, James Gilleran, Richard Armstrong  – Neighbourhood Watch Rep,   Glen Middleton – rep Zinkwazi business sector, Nic Ellender rep Zinkwazi business sector,  Wendy Balcomb – Ward 2 rep. Mark Shepherd – Joat Const. – consult. engineer - iLembe
 
1.        Apologies - none
 
2          Feedback on iLembe water reticulation by Mark Shepherd .
Mark confirmed that 1.3km of reticulation pipes had been laid down Nkwazi drive to junction with Glen drive at the south end. This was at cost of 1.8 million. Final connection to be made Friday 7th August.    All ruts in tar will be repaired as were all driveways. Three more interruptions to water supply expected. Notices would be on display to notify community. WB and EW would be notified by email so as to circulate.
Pressure of 7 bars was too high and caused burst pipes so this will be reduced to 5 slowly over 3 weeks. Only one PRV valve was installed on whole system as this is all that was needed.
 
Mark was confident that we would not have leaks in the future but said that pipes could still burst. Old asbestos pipes often burst when movement of soil – after rain. These at the lower south end of Glen should be replaced in about 3-5 years. There is a 12 month warrantee on the work done by bpb construction.
Mark undertook to supply Engela and ZBRRA with drawing of the new reticulation pipes for our files.
 
3          Wendy summarized the Beach Restoration as follows
·       Tarred car park and protective palisade and wooden post constructed. Requested additional wooden post to protect dune on northern end.
·       Lights to be installed - Nic Hall to meet EW and WB in carpark to discuss suitable type
·       1m wide walk way to beach from Nkwazi dr to be constructed
·       KDM’s Simon Bundy to plant retaining dune
·       33 parkings lost to high seas are to be replaced along Nkwazi dr.
·       New contract to handle conservancy tank to be awarded shortly
 
4          Year end Security and Festive season disturbance.
To discourage night time visitors and noise from Black Rock Park
Nigel Simmons to meet with Steve Honeysett to establish what he can do – ie notice board
WB to plant barrier of plants in spring on inside of hedge to secure area.
ZNW to lock boom gate from 6pm – 6am to prevent vehicles remaining inside through night.
Suitable trees to be planted in park before removal of casurinas.
New year
It was decided to tolerate the influx of visitors and their behaviour.
Not to make provision as in the past for water, toilets, refuse bins. N Y arrangement to be left to KDM
To encourage day trippers to visit beaches to south – ie Nonoti WB to meet Clr Pakkies
5          Closure: 
The meeting ended at 6.45pm.
The next forum meeting will be in September on a date to be decided.
 
 
Signed ……………………………Chairman N. Wallace - ZBRRA
 
 
……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb - ZBRRA

Posted in Zinkwazi Forum | No Comments »

Forum meeting - 22nd April 2009

May 18th, 2009

 

ZINKWAZI BEACH FORUM MEETING
 
Date & Time:             Thursday, 22nd April, 2009

Venue:                        7 Idwala Lodge

Present :                     Neil Wallace - Chairman ZBRRA,  Klaus Achtzehn – Chairman Zinkwazi Conservancy,  Engela Wium – Chairlady Ward 2, Nigel Simmonds – Chairman Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club, James Gilleran – Neighbourhood Watch Rep,   Craig du Bernard – rep Zinkwazi business sector, Nic Ellender rep Zinkwazi business sector,  Wendy Balcomb - Zbrra.

 
 

1.        Apologies - none

 
2          Feedback on iLembe water .

Engela confirmed that Gerald Jack at Umgeni had kept his word in supplying information relating to the supply and loss of bulk water and flow from the reservoirs. Of interest was the finding of flow meters that 50% of day time consumption is lost at night between 11pm and 4am.

Notha Mapumulo of iLembe’s undertook (in the iLembe meeting) to replace reticulation pipes throughout the village. iLembe’s financial year ends in June and the understanding is that they cannot commit themselves until July. 

The committee wanted

i)          commitment of a starting date

ii)         assurance that the task of laying new reticulation pipes would meet certain standards and to this end copies would be requested of the specs and of the tender. 

Of particular concern was the need for isolation valves, pressure release mechanisms and sensors to monitor leaks.   Nic Ellender was asked to view the plans and to verify they were suitable.

E W said Seshan has replaced old meters in most areas of the village but when new pipes are installed, new meters may be required.

It has hoped that Zinkwazi would be self sustaining in water from boreholes if the loss through reticulation was solved. Piped water was promised from the Tugela and from Hazelmere dam in the future. 

           
3          Festive Season

Mr Phiri of KDM who was to direct the various departments to handle NY problems and failed to do so, has not answered letters or returned phone calls. We understand he has been absent form  work due to illness.  It was resolved that a letter be sent to the Municipal Manager and Mayor of KDM. The past correspondence to Mr Phiri to which he did not respond, to be copied to them with a request that some solution be found.

Nic Ellender and James suggested that some protocol be established in dealing with crowds throughout the year. KDM to install boom gates at parks and at the beach parking. These to be locked at night throughout the year. Limited parking in public areas and the amenities in the public areas should limit the number of visitors coming into the village.   The KDM acknowledge that with past experience New Year constitutes a ‘disaster’ and KDM therefore are permitted to implement exceptional measures to control crowds. Klaus supplied the KDM by-laws and these should be adhered to by KDM

With regard to a lack of service delivery, W B to compile a list of village issues which the KDM have not attended to over the past 2 years - these will be submitted in writing to the Mayor of KDM and the MM.

 
 
4          Beach Parking

Di Jones and KDM had suggested, in their proposals for beach restoration, that the toilet block on the beach be demolished and be rebuilt at the car park. Neil proposed that since the alternate building would still be in the Admiralty reserve this was not the solution. He suggested to solve the pollution of the river/beach from the toilets, the sewage be pumped into a conservancy tank at the car park along with the sewage from the toilets within the Ski Boat Club. The position of the existing toilets, although ecologically incorrect, is closer to the bathing area and would be monitored and maintained by the Ski Boat club. Whereas those constructed in a deserted car park at night are likely to be vandalized. Nic explained that there were alternatives to conservancy tanks such as the Liliput system to deal with sewage and this could be investigated. 

Nic to investigate the number of parking bays at the beach parking, before the high seas. The equal number would be replaced by KDM elsewhere

 
5          Closure: 
The meeting ended at 6.45pm.
 
 

The next forum meeting will be in April on a date to be decided.

 
 

Signed ……………………………Chairman N. Wallace - ZBRRA

 
 
 

 ……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb - ZBRRA

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted in Zinkwazi Forum | No Comments »