Report from The Riparian Homeowners Association
August 2011
The Dune Spit
The preservation and enhancement of the Dune Spit remains the Riparian Home Owners (RHOA) most important objective.
In consultation with Dr Werner Illenberger and Frank Silberbauer the RHOA initiated an application last year with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for the establishment of revetments along the full length of the Dune Spit.
This was despite objections from SIC (The Danes) who maintain that the PEM System was effective in protecting the spit from further damage.
The photographs taken in the last week have proven beyond doubt that this is not the case and that the RHOA is correct in pursuing this course of action. Click here to view the photos on our gallery.
Reports by Dr Werner Illenberger can be found on the RHOA website and describe the breaching of the spit as being a "No Go Option" that can only be addressed by the establishment of revetments along the full length of the Dune Spit.
It is against this expert advice that the RHOA embarked on this application.
The good news is that the approval from the DEA is expected to be received shortly and once received the RHOA will proceed with obtaining formal quotes for the work to be done.
Unfortunately the offer by a Canal Homeowner to cover the costs of establishing the revetments is no longer available and as a result the RHOA will be looking to all Canal Owners to finance the construction of the revetments.
The funds that were raised several years ago from several Canal Home Owners for this purpose have been ring fenced in the RHOA accounts and will obviously be taken into account when funds are called for from all Canal Home Owners.
The preservation of our unique canal system along with the value of our properties remains our principle objective and we look forward to the unanimous support of all our members for this process.
Dredging of the Canals
After utilising 3rd party contractors to carry out the dredging of the canals the RHOA came to the conclusion that it was necessary that we construct our own dredger that would be suited to the unique SFB Canal System.
The 3rd Party contractors were not prepared to move their dredger to smaller pockets of sand build up stating that it was sub-economic. In addition in some instances the dredger was unable to operate within the more narrow canals we have in SFB.
The RHOA is happy to report that the construction of the new dredger is well advanced and we are hopeful that it will be able to be commissioned prior to the holiday season though the full benefits of this dredger will only be felt next year when more extensive areas can be worked on.
Riparian Levy and other income
The RHOA is happy to report that the Kouga Municipality has paid some of the outstanding amounts due under our agreement whereby the Riparian Levy's and other income (Mooring and Licence Fees) is ring fenced in the Municipality's books and paid to the RHOA on a bi-monthly basis less a 5% Administration fee.
The RHOA has been assured by the Municipality that all outstanding amounts due will be regularised by the end of August 2011.
The Kromme River
The RHOA is currently working on installing marker buoys along the Kromme River up to the bridge to mark the new channels for boats to travel upstream and it would appear that a new channel has been created opposite the mouth of the Sand River that will be marked accordingly.
The impact of sand deposit from the Sand River will continue to be monitored leading up to the Holiday season but we do not expect that it will affect the passage of boats travelling upstream as the river establishes a new path (See following photo)
The additional flow of water from the Churchill and Mpofu Dams continues to assist in this process.
