Projects

The Noordhoek Conservancy is starting community driven projects e.g. opening up public open space, beautifying pavements, safekeeping heritage sites etc. You could, if you wish, get a group of people together to manage a project of your choice that is to the benefit of Noordhoek as a conservation village.

The Noordhoek Conservancy will support your project through posting information onto our interactive website - calling for interested people to respond.

PROJECT 1: HERITAGE IN NOORDHOEK PROJECT:Click on this link to open this document : heritage-in-noordhoek.doc

PROJECT 2: LEOPARD TOADS PROJECT.

IMPORTANT AND URGENT!

Please get involved.

The toads have started to move in our area. As a result of a few warmer-than-usual evenings last week the males are making their way to water. Please be vigilant. Spread the message to all road users to be on the look out for toads and to drive with care where the Noordhoek Conservancy warning signs designate hot spots on the road.
The Western Leopard Toad

The Western Leopard Toad (Bufo pantherinus) is the largest South African Toad, the females reaching a length of 140mm. It was originally called the August Frog and is also known as the Snoring Toad. This toad was assigned to the IUCN Red List Category of “Endangered” in 2001.Bufonids belong to the Phylum - Chordata, the Class - Amphibia and the Order - Anura.Toads are loosely termed “frogs” - a generalised term applied to all tail-less amphibians

Colouration
Large chocolate brown patches on a yellow to yellow-green background dorsally, with a yellow vertical stripe. A pink-brown parotid gland lies behind each eye, and the top of the head is the same colour.

Call
The male gives a deep snore that pulses for a second and which is repeated every three to four seconds.

LeopardToad

Please download or read the attached document and assist in protecting this endagered species.

Click to open document: Notice to Western Leopard Toad workers and volunteers

PROJECT 3: PUBLIC OPEN SPACES

Most of the residents of Noordhoek enjoy the benefits of our most noticeable piece of public open space – the common. However, how many of us know about, or use, all the other public open spaces that are there for our benefit?

What is public open space?
Public open space or public place means any land used or reserved in the “scheme” (zoning) for use by the public as an open space, park, garden playground, recreation ground and ancillary facilities.

How does public open space become established?
When land is subdivided the planning authorities require that the developer cede to the municipality an area (or areas) of “public open space”. The amount is worked out according to a formula which takes into account the size and type of subdivision in order to prescribe a minimum area of public open space to be accommodated in the development plan. The developer may provide more if s/he so wishes or, if the planning authorities require more than the minimum, the developer may negotiate some form of compensation such as smaller plots or group housing. The planners generally try to use this proviso to improve the overall town plan or to provide some sort of recreational area for the community.

Role of the Noordhoek Conservancy?
One of the roles of the Noordhoek Conservancy is to monitor the legitimate use of land and to promote the enhancement and use of public open spaces. The Noordhoek Conservancy has co-opted Sue Fourie to identify the public open spaces, to organise the clearing of these areas, and to inform the Noordhoek residents about their location.

Where are these public open spaces in Noordhoek?

Maps: Beach area Chapmans Peak estate 1Noordhoek Central Dassenberg San Michelle Crofters V

Download PDF file with maps by clicking this link:
NOORDHOEK MAPS

There are many public open spaces in Noordhoek. We suggest that you view the attached map or look at the very large coloured zoning map produced by the City of Cape Town: Jo Collett has a copy - please phone her on 021 789 2556 to make an appointment to view it. Here are a few examples:

The public open spaces in Noordhaven all run north/south thus providing linkages that cross the roads, most of which run east/west. They also incorporate the mountain stream/seepage areas along that part of the mountainside.

  • Erf 1372 in Brookwood and Erf 558 in San Michele were designated play areas for children and the municipality provided each with a jungle gym.
  • Erven 927/4, 940/6, 698 and 668, which cover the upper areas of Dassenburg and a public open space corridor separating Dassenburg Meadows from Noordhoek Heights, were intended to provide a walkable linkage between the wetlands
  • (Erf 933) and the Silvermine Valley both of which now form part of the Table Mountain National Park. The access is not just for humans but for any form of wildlife that needs to make its way between the two areas.
  • Erven 932/1 and 930/11 are intended to safeguard the river that runs from the middle of the common down into the wetlands.

Community benefits of unleased public open spaces?
Once cleared, Noordhoek residents will be able to walk, hike, ride bikes, ride horses, push prams etc. on these public open spaces.

Maintenance of unleased public open spaces?
Some public open spaces receive a once or twice a year clean-up by the municipality, some don’t. Some receive more regular maintenance by local residents. Others are tended by concerned neighbours, usually with the agreement of the municipality. In the cases of the latter two the maintenance and careful tending are at the cost of the public-spirited people who do it.

Public open spaces with leases?
Five Noordhoek residents have leased public open spaces adjoining their properties. The public is denied access to these public open spaces. These are:

  • The stream south of the common to the southern boundary of Avonrust Mews
  • Between Silvermine Road and Guinea Fowl Way
  • Approx 3 acres between Dassenheuwel Lane and Rosalyn Road
  • Between Silvermine Road and Turquoise Way on the east passageway next to the dam – note that the western passageway is still open
  • A small piece of land next to the reservoir next to Silvermine Road.
  • The sixth public open space – the common – is leased to the Noordhoek Conservancy which maintains it (and will in future be clearing the bins). As you know the common is there for your use. The other role of the Noordhoek Conservancy is to clear aliens (this is part of the lease agreement) and replant indigenous trees and plants. The NC will plan a community tree planting when conditions are suitable. Watch the website for information!

Community problems to solve in relation to public open space?

  • Cleaning and clearing of aliens
  • Maintenance
  • Stop dumping
  • Noordhoek residents have communicated with the Noordhoek Conservancy about peafowl posing a problem to indigenous birds and leopard toads (they are taking over the habitat and eating the young).
  • How can you contribute or participate?
  • Identify the public open space that you would use.
  • Collect a work party of interested neighbours to liaise with the Noordhoek Conservancy and help clear the area.
    Use fences that allow a thoroughfare for tortoises, guinea fowl, toads and frogs.
  • Advise the NC about where peafowl live and their numbers so that we can share information with NEAG, SANPark and Cape Conservation in order to assess the problem.
  • Volunteer to be part of a sub-committee to identify, clear, inform Noordhoek residents about their rights to public open spaces.

What else can you suggest?

NB This is not a definitive exposition on public open space. It is meant to be the start of a process. Contributions and observations are welcome. Either post these to the website or contact Sue Fourie or any other member of the Noordhoek Conservancy. The contact details are available on the website www.ournoordhoek.org.za or the Noordhoek Farm Village notice board (the side facing the playground).
Opening up public open spaces contributes to all the Noordhoek Conservancy’s objectives, which are to:

  • Promote the protection of indigenous plants and animals undisturbed, or important biological communities and landscapes of exceptional beauty.
  • Cooperate with authorities in respect of the management of the conservancy.
  • Collect funds and use such funds for the promotion of the conservancy’s activities.
  • Improve the quality of life of all residents within the conservancy.
  • Stimulate and promote a strong sense of community within Noordhoek.
  • Manage the appropriate development of the urban and rural environment.
  • Promote the enhancement and use of public open spaces.