Final Report and Recommendations on proposed Commonage Sell-off 2016-017

GREYTON COMMONAGE SELL-OFF [Report 7.3 of 7]

Herewith the last in the series of comments on the proposed alienation on the Portion of Erf 595 as envisaged by the Local Authority. What will follow hereafter is a Summary of the numerous comments as received from the Community in response to the articles as published by the W2F (Ward 2 Forum) team.

The full document as submitted to TWKM by the Ward 2 Forum Team will also be published for general information to the W2F database & on Social Media.

The following proposals are part of a larger concept that includes a considerable increase in the area of the Greyton Nature Reserve. The community of Farm 39 intends to register Bakenskop & potentially parts of Snyerskraalkoppe, to the West of Loerkop, as a Nature Reserve. This will eventually form part of the proposed Greyton/Genadendal Biosphere.

PROPOSALS FOR THE FRUIT FARMING PROJECT IN WARD 2

Click on the image for full size

The grounds for objection to the alienation of portion of Erf 595, the Greyton Commonage, are considered a reasonable basis to allow the main parties concerned – TWKM, Consortium, and the Ward 2 community to contemplate an alternative outcome for this joint venture. W2F proposes that the Consortium, their labourers and Farm 39 (Genadendal) enters into a joint venture whereby:

• A new company is formed with the above parties as shareholders. The shareholders’ contributions are illustrated in the accompanying graphic.
• The major portion of the fruit farming, as envisaged, is not done on the proposed portion of Commonage, but on a 200ha portion of Farm 39, whilst a portion of the Commonage is retained for grazing, a biological corridor and current recreational activities. This arrangement will have much less impact on neighbouring Greyton and addresses most of the concerns noted from Greyton residents.
• The Consortium leases a portion of the Commonage land for the farming of fruit, as envisaged;
• TWKM retain ownership of the Greyton Commonage, and its intrinsic value, through a medium term leasehold arrangement for the land to be used;
• Minimum infrastructure for the farm, no residential housing for workers;
• Ward 2 acquires a new sustainable business, labour intensive, mostly local labour, who will have the added benefits of ownership through dividend-paying shares in the business;
• Some of the Commonage to be managed for grazing, which could be improved by additional water availability from Farm 39;
• Mutual agreement between the Consortium and Farm 39 for additional leased land and water rights for fruit farming on Farm 39, further ensuring employment of local labour;
• The amenity value of most of the Commonage to be retained for the community (MTB biking, riding, walking etc);
• Suitable remnant Renosterveld areas to be protected;
• Facilitate & register a Biological corridor, connecting parts of the Nature Reserve and separating farmland from Greyton;
• The areas Knietjieshoogte, Maermanskloof and Loerkop that were designated in 2000 and confirmed in the SDF (2012) to be formally incorporated into the Greyton Nature Reserve, and having recently been surveyed as such, must be proclaimed and finally gazetted by TWKM;
• Clearance of Sonderend River of alien trees and protection of the river banks.
• Energy-efficient tourism project along Sonderend River to be considered for the future;

The benefits for all the parties concerned are evident:

• Seasonal labour problems are minimised;
• Need for new housing and additional municipal services is minimised;
• TWKM retains ownership of an asset of significantly higher value than the proposed sale price;
• Additional opportunities for joint ventures between Farm 39 and the Consortium.
• The aims and intent of the Government Commonage policy are met;
• The Will of Herbert Vigne who created Greyton and its Commonage will be honoured;
• Community approval is anticipated to be widespread;
• Platform from which to launch similar projects throughout the Overberg.

This alternative is an intrinsic part of our objection to the original proposal and as such should be considered together with the objection. This is the preferred concept from Ward 2 Forum, which is subject to modification and agreement between all parties concerned. There could be significant changes resulting from the EIA and the public participation process, from input from TWKM, the Consortium and Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Area and after detailed discussions with the Departments of Agriculture, Land Affairs & Water Affairs.

Should you wish submit an objection to the proposed Alienation of the Portion of Erf 595 by TWKM please note these have to be submitted to TWKM, by latest 31 March 2016:

Address your objection to:

 

The Municipal Manager (Stan Wallace)

Theewaterskloof Municipality,

6 Plein Street,

Caledon 7230.

 

The submission can be handed in at the Municipal office in Greyton (DS Botha Street) or via Email to stanwa@twk.org.za, please ensure that you CC the following when submitting via email:

Cc: records@twk.org.za

Cc: annettesw@twk.org.za

 

We will keep you informed.

Should you want to be placed on the Ward 2 Forum Database please email us at the following address mygreyton@ward2forum.org

 

 

Ward 2 Forum Team