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Ecological burns scheduled for Cape Town nature reserves

Carefully managed burns of old vegetation are necessary to maintain species diversity and to reduce fuel loads, which in turn reduces the risk of wild fires.

Carefully managed burns of old vegetation are necessary to maintain species diversity and to reduce fuel loads, which in turn reduces the risk of wild fires. ‘We ensure that the surrounding residents are provided with further details of each planned ecological burn once the dates are confirmed so residents can be prepared. The actual dates depend on ideal weather conditions and will be confirmed closer to the time,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt. The City plans to conduct controlled ecological burns at nature reserves and conservation areas over the next two months as follows:<table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">Size of area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">Scheduled time</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Nirvana Conservation Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">4,6 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Blaauwberg Nature Reserve</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">50,8 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Meadowridge Common Conservation Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1,5 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Table Bay Nature Reserve, Parklands Fynbos Corridor</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">5,3 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Table Bay Nature Reserve, Milnerton Racecourse </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">10,5 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Zonnestraal Conservation Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1,5 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021 </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">20,4 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Helderberg Nature Reserve</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">20 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Haasendal Conservation Area</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">4 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March to April 2021</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Botterblom Nature Reserve</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2,9 ha</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">March 2021</td></tr></tbody></table>‘Our Environmental Management Department will work with the City’s Fire and Rescue Service and partners to ensure that the procedure for all of these planned burns is conducted efficiently and safely on the day,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt. The Fire and Rescue Service will also conduct the required pre-inspection of the areas; fire-breaks will be maintained and widened where necessary; and firefighting equipment and fire hydrants will be tested to ensure seamless operations on the day. For safety reasons, these reserves, or portions thereof, will be closed to the public on the day of burning and for a few days after until the area is deemed safe. ‘We can assure the surrounding community that all required burning permits will be obtained from the City’s Air Pollution and Fire and Rescue Service Departments,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt. Prescribed ecological burns are crucial for the management of our conservation areas as fire plays a fundamental role in these ecosystems. Where Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation becomes too old, the vegetation can become thick, shading out many species, and shrubs start to die. The rejuvenating fire removes all the dead material, and stimulates seeds to germinate, and annuals and bulbs to flower. While fires occurring too frequently can lead to a decline in slow-growing species and reduced seed production, too infrequent fires can lead to bush encroachment and extinction of local species as well as dangerous wild fires. End

2021-02-25T22:00:00Z

Surge season decline shows fewer cases, hospital admissions

Halfway through Surge Season, there is a notable decline in diarrhoea and pneumonia cases.

Surge season data tracks cases of diarrhoea, pneumonia and severe acute malnutrition in young children. If these are not diagnosed timeously and treated, it can have life threatening consequences.The City’s Surge Season Team was created to prevent poor outcomes and includes City Health Primary Care and Environmental Health.Between November and January, there has been a 29% decrease in cases and a 15% decrease in hospital admissions, compared to the same period the previous year. The number of deaths have remained stable at 10 children who have succumbed.The figures are as follows: 2017/18 - 30 714 diarrhoea cases 2018/19 - 26 634 diarrhoea cases 2019/20 - 18 749 diarrhoea cases‘While we are only halfway through the season, we expect a similar trend. Diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition remain the biggest health risks to young children and yet it can be treated and is entirely preventable. While the current data shows a decline, we encourage continued vigilance and adherence to health protocols,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.The decline is partially attributed to the increased adherence to health protocols for Covid-19.‘We have always encouraged increased hygiene and regular handwashing to prevent diarrhoea. The pandemic has brought greater awareness of these protocols and further education drives have contributed to an increased consciousness of how these simple health protocols can prevent disease and save lives,’ said Councillor Badroodien.The City’s clinics provide services to diagnose and treat diarrhoea, pneumonia, malnutrition and a number of other ailments affecting children.‘Annually, we have thousands of children who are treated and hospitalised for these illnesses, therefore it is important for parents and caregivers to continue with health protocols and to seek treatment at their local clinic as soon as they observe symptoms or suspect one of these ailments,’ added Councillor Badroodien. Apart from handwashing, parents and caregivers are advised to wash bottles, bowls, spoons and teats before feeding young children.They are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of diarrhoea:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Vomiting</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Loose, watery stools (runny stomach)</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Lethargy (low energy)</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Dehydration – passing little urine, dry mouth, few tears when crying, sunken eyes and weakness</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Severe dehydration – drowsiness, pale/mottled skin, cold hands or feet, dry nappies, fast and shallow breathing</div></li></ul>Dehydration in children can be countered through a rehydration solution (it can be made at home by mixing eight teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in one litre of cooled boiled water), breast milk, thin soup or very thin porridge that is fed to them a little bit at a time. End

2021-02-25T22:00:00Z

Part of Monwabisi Beach temporarily closed due to decommissioning of desalination plant

Part of Monwabisi Beach will be temporarily closed for safety reasons, from Monday, 1 March 2021 to Friday, 5 March 2021

The dates mentioned above have been predicted as favourable to conduct these operations. The beach section will be temporarily closed during this period, while contractors work on the beach to remove the intake and brine pipelines. Residents are reminded that the area will be treated as a construction site and all applicable safety practices and procedures will apply. Also, the City will ensure that the area is rehabilitated and restored to the same condition as before.In the meantime, we kindly request that beachgoers avoid the construction site and instead make use of the rest of the facilities at Monwabisi. The tidal pool will remain open. The City wants to thank residents in advance for their patience and cooperation. End

2021-02-25T22:00:00Z

City advises of water supply disruption affecting Crossroads

The City’s Water and Sanitation Department will be conducting zero pressure tests on the main water supply to Crossroads, which will result in the disruption of water supply from 10:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 2 March 2021.

Zero-pressure testing is part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done to see if there are any unmapped inflows that need to be taken into account before smart pressure reducing valves are installed. Residents are advised to store water in clean, sealed containers for use during this period and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored. This work forms part of the City of Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.The City regrets any inconvenience caused.

2021-02-25T22:00:00Z

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