SOUTHBROOM NEWS - MARCH 2009

A SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS, CONSERVANCY & COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE.

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

>> CPF REPORT

Crime 4 incidents in January compared to 6 in 2008 – all these incidents were self inflicted due to resident and or visitor not securing doors etc.

Whilst February is not yet quite finished, there have been 2 attempted housebreakings, 3 break-ins and one of these with an unpleasant threat of violence, 1 mugging, and 1 theft from a vehicle.

Please yet again be vigilant with regard to securing your property, car etc and report any suspicious people and or activity and above all report crime.

Many of you will have noticed the new street lights – they are of a new design and give much greater light output than the older model – they are a welcome addition to our village!

Street lighting

All the ratepayer funded street lights have now been installed and have made a big improvement to security and street appeal in general.

Alarm systems - vulnerable points

Please contact your armed response company and have them test your system and advise you of any vulnerable points. This is a free service offered by most armed response companies.

>> SRA REPORT

Main Beach Tidal Pool
Meeting was had with various parties including the organisation tasked with completing the Environment Impact Assessment for the removal of the pool – we are hopeful of the physical pool removal happening towards the end of 2009.

Roads and Stormwater
Some good news in that an undertaking to redo Berea and Woodlands has been approved by HCM Exco, now we would like to see that translate into action and in addition action on the potholes and drainage.

Public Water Quality
Testing continues and we are still very concerned about water quality in both lagoons and pools throughout the ‘central valley’ of the golf course – if you have not commenced treating your septic tank please do so without delay !

Granny's Pool Ablutions

Rehabilitation of the Granny's pool ablutions has commenced. Southbroom Timber Homes are on site and should complete the project shortly after the Easter week-end.

>> CONSERVANCY FUND RAISING GOLF DAY

The Southbroom Conservancy will be holding a fund raising golf day on Saturday 25th July 2009. With your very generous support we raised R31,000 in 2008. This contributed to much needed funds for continuing the work the Conservancy is doing to preserve our wonderful environment of natural flora and wild life.

We undertake the removal of alien vegetation, create and maintain self guided walks through the natural bush as well as being custodians of the unique Frederica Preserve that is now a proclaimed Natural Heritage Site of South Africa. We have a game guard, Rodgers who protects the wild life by finding and destroying the numerous traps set to capture them as well as identifying vagrant and other unwanted habitats. We assist the local community by employing 2 women who work with Conservancy members on a continuing basis to eradicate invasive alien plants. We also have a constant programme to create awareness among homeowners.

> Sponsor a hole or give a donation - R500

> Sponsor prizes - 2 per position

> Enter players - R50 competition fee

> Become a member - Annual subs R200; Life membership R2000; patron R5000.

Contact Val Holtshausen 039 316 8543 or Pearl McGregor 039 316 6409 for further details.

>> LIBRARY NEWS

Library tree

The famous Natal Mahogany tree in front of the library, landmark of Southbroom, has been attacked by woodborers. Pam Quarmby discovered it. Mike Street, the tree-man, hollowed the wound out substantially, almost halfway up the thick branch, treated it with insecticide, and plans to do another treatment in 2 weeks time. Apparently it is very tough to get rid of these little flies, which lies it's eggs in the branches. In the meantime he has trimmed some of the heavy branches to make them less of a hazard to parked cars. The last leg of the 'surgery' is to fill the hole where the borers were busy, with cement.

Donations vs Fees

Since the Library does not charge membership fees or fines for books returned late, it is reliant on the generosity of the many users who have given donations in the form of money, as well as books. We thank those donors for their support.
You are our lifeline!

The Wheely Book Wagons, which we expected, appear to be not forthcoming. Hence the importance of donations in the form of money to purchase new books.

DATES TO DIARISE

Friday

27 March 2009

Domestic Workers Forum

Please encourage your domestic workers to attend.

The meeting is run by SAPS in the interests of information sharing.

It is believed that the majority of house-breakings result from inside-information.

Southbroom Community Centre - 12h00

Saturday

25 July 2009

Southbroom Conservancy Fund Raising Golf Day

Please support this important event.

Contact Val Holtshausen 039 316 8543 or Pearl McGregor 039 316 6409 for further details.

Monday to Friday

16 to 20th March 2009

Bird Identification Course with Monty Brett

The Monty Brett Bird course in Southbroom starts on Monday 16 March and runs each day that week until Friday 20th.

Book soon to avoid disappointment - kim@montybrett.com - or call Kim Brett on 033-266-6113.

The lectures start at 08h00 and end at 13h00 each day, with tea and coffee served at the half time break. This gives you a full 22 hours of bird tuition in all.

The cost of the course is R1200 per person, which includes your own copy of the Bird Call CD and a comprehensive book of notes.

The venue is Riverbend Crocodile Farm in Southbroom.

EASTER FRIDAY

10 April 2009

EASTER BEACH WALK IMPENJATI TO SOUTHBROOM

Meet at Riptide, Southbroom at 07h00 on Good Friday. The tide will be perfect for the walk from Impenjati to Southbroom.

Transport to the start will be arranged and the walk back to Riptide takes between 2 and 3 hours.

Thursday

12 March 2009

PICNIC, GLOW WORMS AND MUSIC IN EYLES PARK

Bring your sundowners and deck chairs and enjoy a relaxed evening in the park at 17h30 on Thursday 12 March.

Arrive at 16h30 for a guided walk of the Bushbuck Trail.

(If it rains, meet on Friday 13 March 2009).

BUY THIS BOOK !

A most informative book on Invasive Alien Plants in Kwazulu Natal is available from David Halle at R50.00 per copy. The book is published under the auspices of WESSA-KZN and every household should have a copy.

Click here to contact David.

SOUTHBROOM NEWS - MARCH 2009

A SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS, CONSERVANCY & COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE.

>> CPF REPORT

Crime 4 incidents in January compared to 6 in 2008 – all these incidents were self inflicted due to resident and or visitor not securing doors etc.

Whilst February is not yet quite finished, there have been 2 attempted housebreakings, 3 break-ins and one of these with an unpleasant threat of violence, 1 mugging, and 1 theft from a vehicle.

Please yet again be vigilant with regard to securing your property, car etc and report any suspicious people and or activity and above all report crime.

Many of you will have noticed the new street lights – they are of a new design and give much greater light output than the older model – they are a welcome addition to our village!

Street lighting

All the ratepayer funded street lights have now been installed and have made a big improvement to security and street appeal in general.

Alarm systems - vulnerable points

>> SRA REPORT

Main Beach Tidal Pool
Meeting was had with various parties including the organisation tasked with completing the Environment Impact Assessment for the removal of the pool – we are hopeful of the physical pool removal happening towards the end of 2009.

Roads and Stormwater
Some good news in that an undertaking to redo Berea and Woodlands has been approved by HCM Exco, now we would like to see that translate into action and in addition action on the potholes and drainage.

Public Water Quality
Testing continues and we are still very concerned about water quality in both lagoons and pools throughout the ‘central valley’ of the golf course – if you have not commenced treating your septic tank please do so without delay !

Granny's Pool Ablutions

Rehabilitation of the Granny's pool ablutions has commenced. Southbroom Timber Homes are on site and should complete the project shortly after the Easter week-end.

>> CONSERVANCY FUND RAISING GOLF DAY

Contact Val Holtshausen 039 316 8543 or Pearl McGregor 039 316 6409 for further details.

>> LIBRARY NEWS

Library tree

SOUTHBROOM LIBRARY

NOW ALSO OPEN ON SATURDAYS ...

AND FOR ART, TEA, COFFEE & BISCOTTI

VISIT US ON:

Tuesdays: 09h00 - 16h00

Thursdays: 09h00 - 16h00

Saturdays: 09h00 - 11h00

SOUTHBROOM NEWS - MARCH 2009

A SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS, CONSERVANCY & COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE.

>> CPF REPORT

Crime 4 incidents in January compared to 6 in 2008 – all these incidents were self inflicted due to resident and or visitor not securing doors etc.

Whilst February is not yet quite finished, there have been 2 attempted housebreakings, 3 break-ins and one of these with an unpleasant threat of violence, 1 mugging, and 1 theft from a vehicle.

Please yet again be vigilant with regard to securing your property, car etc and report any suspicious people and or activity and above all report crime.

Many of you will have noticed the new street lights – they are of a new design and give much greater light output than the older model – they are a welcome addition to our village!

Street lighting

All the ratepayer funded street lights have now been installed and have made a big improvement to security and street appeal in general.

Alarm systems - vulnerable points

>> SRA REPORT

Main Beach Tidal Pool Meeting was had with various parties including the organisation tasked with completing the Environment Impact Assessment for the removal of the pool – we are hopeful of the physical pool removal happening towards the end of 2009.

Roads and Stormwater Some good news in that an undertaking to redo Berea and Woodlands has been approved by HCM Exco, now we would like to see that translate into action and in addition action on the potholes and drainage.

Public Water Quality Testing continues and we are still very concerned about water quality in both lagoons and pools throughout the ‘central valley’ of the golf course – if you have not commenced treating your septic tank please do so without delay !

Granny's Pool Ablutions

Rehabilitation of the Granny's pool ablutions has commenced. Southbroom Timber Homes are on site and should complete the project shortly after the Easter week-end.

>> CONSERVANCY FUND RAISING GOLF DAY

Contact Val Holtshausen 039 316 8543 or Pearl McGregor 039 316 6409 for further details.

>> LIBRARY NEWS

Library tree

SOUTHBROOM LIBRARY

NOW ALSO OPEN ON SATURDAYS ...

AND FOR ART, TEA, COFFEE & BISCOTTI

VISIT US ON:

Tuesdays: 09h00 - 16h00

Thursdays: 09h00 - 16h00

Saturdays: 09h00 - 11h00

Main Beach Tidal Pool
Meeting was had with various parties including the organisation tasked with completing the Environment Impact Assessment for the removal of the pool – we are hopeful of the physical pool removal happening towards the end of 2009.

Roads and Stormwater
Some good news in that an undertaking to redo Berea and Woodlands has been approved by HCM Exco, now we would like to see that translate into action and in addition action on the potholes and drainage.

Public Water Quality
Testing continues and we are still very concerned about water quality in both lagoons and pools throughout the ‘central valley’ of the golf course – if you have not commenced treating your septic tank please do so without delay !