SOUTHBROOM NEWS - DECEMBER 2007

A SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS, CONSERVANCY & COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE.

This newsletter is intended for ratepayers & residents of Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  Click Unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive it, or click Subscribe if you did not receive it direct.

>> SOUTHBROOM SAYS NO TO FIREWORKS

5 January 2007: A Fish Eagle mum and chick have not returned to their nest since huge fireworks discharge at nearby restaurant.

23 October, 2007: Explosions at two fireworks workshops in Beijing killed at least 18 people and injured 15 others.

1 November, 2007: Six people were severely injured at an organised  fireworks display in Durban celebrating Diwali. A rocket that was supposed to fly 50 meters only managed 25.

12 November, 2007: A Staffordshire Terrier is in critical condition after going through a second storey window while trying to escape the fireworks.

Imagine this press release ... and its not impossible:

1 January, 2008: Southbroom reports peace, goodwill and consideration for all. No fireworks were discharged in the village.

This year, Diwali and Guy Fawkes were very quiet affairs in Southbroom. Lets make our December/January season just as special.

And, if you do not wish to consider animals and others, at least be law-abiding and consider the bylaws alongside. The discharge of private fireworks in Southbroom is illegal as there is nowhere in Southbroom that satisfies the 100m restrictions.

"If you believe in evolution, then you have to question the sensibility of anyone who feels that a celebration, religious or otherwise, has to be coupled with piercingly mindless bangs in order to be of any significance or meaningful impact. If we cannot move forward on issues as banal as fireworks, then how on earth are we ever going to develop and unite in more important areas such as world peace and spirituality?" Animal Anti-Cruelty League, January 2007.

>> tHREE ADDITIONAL cars on 24-hour street patrol

Between 1 December 2007 to 16 January 2008 there will be extra 'policing' in Southbroom. Our Urban Improvement Precinct has struck a deal with ADT that will result in 3 of their vehicles patrolling the area twenty-four-seven.

Good news is that crime is down in Southbroom by as much as 70% according to the statistics of our three armed-response companies. Best we keep it that way and not get lax during the season.

We urge ratepayers and residents to join forces in hardening the target. Please ensure that your external areas are well lit; that your alarms are activated; and that your tenants don't think that they are on some tropical island far from the baddies of Gauteng.

Please also remember to report all criminal activity either to Southbroom Sector Police on 039-316-6760, or to the Margate Police Station on 10111.

>> DEFENDING THE TOWN PLANNING SCHEME

The building boom has resulted in property developers seeking increased densities over the past few years. To date, we have largely been able to keep them at bay and the current provisions of our town planning scheme have been upheld by either Hibiscus Coast Municipality or Province.

At Ratepayers Association A.G.M. 2006, it was agreed that every effort be made to entrench the value of the amenity embodied in our low density town planning scheme.

To this end, Southbroom Ratepayers Association and Southbroom Conservancy have appointed Professor Jeff McCarthy to present scientific evidence against a background of agreed national and provincial policy.

At our meeting with Jeff, it became evident that the single biggest reason to refuse densification was the lack of water borne sewerage services to the area. Even within the low-density provisions of the current town planning scheme, should Southbroom develop to its full potential, we would be in the proverbial as would our estuaries and ocean.

The document will be launched during the Easter season and ratepayers and residents, local and provincial government, and the press will be invited to attend. It will possibly be the beginning of yet another long haul but one necessary to lifestyle and investment value in Southbroom.

>> SOCCER TEAM CARRIES GRANNY POOL ABLUTION AWAY

Permission was granted to remove the rubble that, before the storm seas, was the ablution block at Granny's Pool.

What to do? Machinery could not access the beach, the municipal budget didn't have the stretch, and the December season was fast approaching.

Seeing is believing and, so sorry, this scribe neglected to capture the amazing display of teamwork on camera.

It took the Burning Spears Soccer Club from KwaNzimakwe a mere 5 days to carry all the rubble up onto Lewin Road, in 20 litre paint tins! And then they leapt happily into the water, retrieving stray pieces from the pool and its rocky surrounds.

Our thanks go to Beach Manager Anton Botha and contractor Florian Junge for organising this highly successful public/private partnership. 

>> COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE

Our household refuse collection service, normally a Monday, will be increased to twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, from Monday 3rd December 2007 to Thursday 3rd January 2008.

Please ensure that your refuse is placed for collection on the right days. If you will not be around on that day, please make an arrangement with your neighbour or letting agent.

The town looks awful when monkeys and dogs have their way with garbage and, with the increased volumes in town, our litter cart cannot be expected to cope.

Your co-operation will make the difference.

>> REMEMBER WHEN . . .

The cutting alongside appeared in the South Coast Herald on November 11th, 1938.

The following advert appeared in the South Coast Herald of May 27th 1949. Can anyone tell us when the rates policy changed?

SOUTHBROOM

The all-year-round resort

PICK SOUTHBROOM
for

YOUR FUTURE HOME

Golf, Tennis and Bowls

available on the Estate

THERE ARE NO RATES AT

SOUTHBROOM

Consult A.G. Eyles, Local Director

at Southbroom or any local

estate agent.