A meeting was held on 18 October 2023 with Parks and Biodiversity department. It was mentioned that the owner department is parks and the responsible department would provide feedback on the recommendation of the motion.

 

Xolelwa Lusithi was present from Parks Department and indicated that a biodiversity unit within department headed by Susan Steyn exists and this unit will communicate the responses to the recommendations made. X Lusithi further stated that the department is aware of the endangered species that exist in the public open space. She said that Parks department is in the process of establishing a friends group of Batavia Street public open space that will be composed of community members that is already actively involved. She indicated that the department is currently mowing the green corridor as part of their maintenance plan for the year. She indicated that the department would need to consider the reasons and criteria for fencing off the site as it may remove the natural feel of the conservation area and if so, the kind of fence installed would also need to be considered. X Lusithi indicated that costing of the fence would also be done and funding will need to be sourced. She indicated that signage and benches are required and that a walkway would be considered at a later stage. Cllr Temlett indicated that the recommendation stated in the motion should firstly be considered before the implementation of benches and signage as no clear walkway exists and this could be part of the greater plan to upgrade the conservation site.

 

X Lusithi mentioned that a report will be sent by the 30^th of October 2023 to the office of the Subcouncil manager for further intervention.

Noted.

The Subcouncil manager mentioned that the motion was submitted by Councillor Temlett who is on annual leave. She further mentioned that feedback has been received from the department and is tabled as a late item.



It was also noted that the motion and feedback to be deferred to the next Subcouncil meeting when the ward councilor returns from annual leave.



Noted.

A report was received from Parks Department and included in the Subcouncil 3 meeting agenda for January 2024. 



Parks Department has commenced with the Friends of the Park application. Public participation period is for 52 days, ending 31 Janaury 2024. Notices for public comment was sent by the Subcouncil on 11 December 2023 to all councillors in Subcouncil 3, the ward 5 committee, ratepayers associations and interested / affected parties / organizations for their comments. The proposal is supported by the area planner/head of department.

RESOLVED   It is recommended that the report submitted to Subcouncil, BE NOTED subject to:   Parks Department provide feedback on the methodology used to determine a Bio-Diversity / Nature Conservation site; Parks Department clarify the correctness of the hectare size of the ERF and number of endangered species A management plan be submitted to the Subcouncil; Funding be sourced to erect signage; A site visit be scheduled by Subcouncil 3; The Matter Receiving Attention remains on the schedule.

It is recommended that the report submitted to Subcouncil, BE NOTED subject to:

 

1. 
   Parks Department provide feedback on the methodology used to determine a Bio-Diversity / Nature Conservation site;


2. 
   Parks Department clarify the correctness of the hectare size of the ERF and number of endangered species


3. 
   A management plan be submitted to the Subcouncil;


4. 
   Funding be sourced to erect signage;


5. 
   A site visit be scheduled by Subcouncil 3;


6. 
   The Matter Receiving Attention remains on the schedule.

The Subcouncil manager indicated that a comprehensive report with recommendations was provided to the Subcouncil by the Parks Department with the input of the Ecological Management Department that attends to the recommendations of the motion. It was also mention that the piece of land would not be fenced off, unless the ward allocation funding is allocated and community buy-in is obtained. A site visit was held on the 2nd of February 2024 and it was concluded that the departments would commence with the erection signage for the property and parallel to this, Parks Department has already commenced with creating the Friends of Batavia Street Conservancy.



In addition, Councillor Temlett informed the meeting that Parks and Conservation Departments will provide the Subcouncil with a walkway plan, signage and implement the legal process to ensure that the site stays safe from land invasion. Councillor Temlett also mentioned that in order to consider development of Batavia Street Conservancy and funding from the ward allocation, she would require clear plan from the departments. Noted.

The Subcouncil manager reported that this matter is ongoing and that the Friends of Parks application has been sent out for Public participation which runs for 31 days (07 March to 08 April 2024). She further stated that all other matters pertaining to the signage and walkway plan will resume from the start of the next Financial year. The Subcouncil manager further stated that there are possible savings from the Ward 5 Allocation budget that the Councillor has requested to be redirected to Batavia Street Conservation in the new financial year. 

 

Councillor Temlett said that she would like to request the site plans that the Park Department and Biodiversity team promised to provide which entails their plans for the site and short-term solutions etc.

Outcome of ADHOC meeting held at Subcouncil 3 office regarding Batavia Street Fynbos Area - Ward 5 with the Friends of Batavia Street Conservancy:

 

• 
  Parks Department proposed that before any major upgrades to the POS ERF 8347 have a resting and regrowth period for 5 – 10 years.


• 
  Parks Department indicated that application for the interdict and eviction order has been submitted for the illegal land invaders on ERF 8347, update on the process to be provided by the next meeting or as soon as information is received.


• 
  Fencing: Parks Department to look into the implementation of post and rail fencing for the open space during FY24/25 to secure and cordon off the POS.


• 
  Parks Department to obtain and present quote of 183m of post and rail fencing


• 
  Park Department indicated that signage of the POS will be implemented in FY24/25 and that updates on this project to be presented at the next meeting


• 
  Plan to implement pathways to be discussed with ward councillor, Friends of Batavia Street Conservancy and relevant departments at the next meeting


• 
  Ward councillor indicated that she will be allocating her ward allocation savings to Batavia Street Conservancy for projects through Parks Department and this would be concluded between Subcouncil 3 & 7


• 
  ERF plan and design from Parks Department to be sent to Subcouncil 7 and ward councillor


• 
  Illegal dumping is excessive and various operations have been concluded by Batavia Friends, Parks Department indicated that all service requests to be sent to Solid Waste Department


• 
  Batavia Street Friends and ward councillor to communicate that to residents that illegal dumping to be logged via the service request system and that registration numbers of vehicles dumping should be recorded and information sent to Solid Waste Unit


• 
  Ward councillor encouraged the Batavia Street Friends to register their organization on the COCT database as she will be allocating a seat on the ward committee under the Environmental Sector.


• 
  The ownership of the POS may change over time from Parks Department to Conservation Department – relevant departments to inform all stakeholders when this would come into effect


• 
  All matters and implementation of plans pertaining to Batavia Street Conservancy be discussed with relevant line departments, Friends of Batavia Street Conservancy and ward councillor

 

It needs to be noted that as of today (2 September 2024) Ward 5 now resides within Subcouncil 7 and that this matter will be handed over to the administration of Subcouncil 7. I have attached the Motion and MRA History of this matter as featured on Subcouncil 3 agenda. I have included Subcouncil 7 chairperson and staff for their information.



The Subcouncil Manager informed the meeting that Cllr Temlett has requested that the savings for ward 5 be relocated to park. And the item be removed from the MRA.

 

Cllr Temlett requested that the item be removed from Subcouncil 3 but transferred to Subcouncil 7.

 

The Subcouncil Manager mentioned that the item can be moved to Subcouncil 7.

 

MRA Transferred to SC07: item 03SUB 27-09-2024_MOTION OF EXIGENCY: FENCE AND WALKWAY AT BATAVIA STREET CONSERVANCY (ERF 8347)