R500K FOR 50 BRAAI STANDS IN NAHOON

Councillor allays fears of noisy partying as only patrons will use facilities

Fifty back-to-back braais – at a cost of half a million rand – may be installed at the municipal Nahoon Caravan Park in time for the festive season.

Residents living close to the park say they hope this will not lead to a noisy party culture, but Buffalo City Metro (BCM) has said this is not going to happen.

DA ward 18 councillor Jason McDowell said the 50 braai structures would be enough to service every campsite.

He said: “Every year BCM was replacing half-drum braais for the campers and decided to now build permanent braai stands. The ward 18 residents who live in the vicinity were extremely concerned that the braai stands would be in some of the open areas, which would then be open to the general public resulting in public drinking, parties and noise.

“With BCM law enforcement not in operation after hours, any noise problem would then be very difficult for the residents to deal with. There used to be braai areas in the bushy area alongside the Nahoon River near Playwaters and the noise from revellers was an enormous headache for the previous ward councillor, Isabel Thompson, to try to deal with.

“Those who used to braai and party there also used to leave litter and smashed bottles behind and would damage the trees and vegetation too.”

McDowell said these worries were quelled when BCM assured the residents that the braais “will only be used by caravanners and campers booked into the park”.

“They will thus be well-managed and the upgrade will benefit the caravan park.

“The Nahoon Caravan Park falls within the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve and before any building of braai stands or chalets can take place an environmental impact assessment needs to be done,” the councillor said.

“It is thus very difficult to determine when construction of the braai facilities will start.

“BCM had hoped to complete the construction in time for the upcoming holiday season, but they need to comply with legislation.

“The cost which the IDP [Integrated Development Plan] has set is R20,000 per double braai stand (R500,000 for the whole braai stand project),” McDowell said.

The councillor explained that other facilities planned for the park were “five wooden chalets planned to be built on the old camping site, which will benefit eco-tourism in the area.

“These are proposed to be built within the next two years. Each chalet will also have its own braai stand built.”

McDowell said that the braai stands project would mean that “the caravan park is able to offer better facilities to campers”.

“This can only be a good thing.”

The cost which the IDP has set is R20,000 per braai stand