Opposition to Swartvlei development rising
While the jury is still out on who the custodian of the Swartvlei Peninsula is, it is a stated fact that Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) wants to develop the area, and by now several hundred objections to the proposed development have been lodged, according to a local.
Residents of Swartvlei in Sedgefield were given until the end of August to object to developments in the area following an advertised notice by the GRDM earlier, but without having the foggiest what exactly they should be objecting to, and amid the added confusion as to which municipality has the authority to develop the area – GRDM or George Municipality.
At the time, upon queries, GRDM pointed out that the advert clearly stipulated that the municipality intends to develop these properties and enter into a long-term lease with a developer. “At this stage, no decision has been taken on the proposed development in any of these properties,” said spokesperson Marillia Veldkornet, adding that the deeds records confirm that GRDM indeed owns the area. “Meetings are planned with B-municipalities who are disputing ownership of the said properties,” she said.
‘Positive meeting’
Former Sedgefield mayor Mike Young attended a meeting with GRDM mayor Memory Booysen in the first week of October to discuss the matter further, and says the outcome of the meeting was quite positive. “He agreed that a lot of negotiation was needed before the municipality went ahead, but didn’t really allude to what was going to be developed. I heard that several hundred objections had been lodged at the time.”
Among those who objected are two geologists who both live in Sedgefield: Morris Viljoen, professor emeritus of geology at Wits University; and Roy Corrans of Geological Consultancy and Mineral Exploration Management Services.
In Viljoen’s objection he notes that the peninsula is part the Wilderness Embayment dune field in which four main dune cordons have been mapped, and adds, “The Swartvlei Peninsula is part of the seaward dune cordon which extends from Wilderness to the Knysna Heads.”
Citing the types of dunes found in the area and its susceptibility to erosion, Viljoen concludes that the low-lying unconsolidated sands of the Swartvlei Peninsula are highly vulnerable to both marine and estuarine water erosion. “This would be hugely exacerbated by any form of human impact. Given this situation it would be unwise for permission to be given for any form of development to take place on the Swartvlei Peninsula,” he says.
‘Several objections upheld’
Corrans has been a property owner on The Island in Sedgefield since 1982. “I participated in 1983/1984 with objecting Sedgefield community members and various other interested and affected parties when a similar proposal … was put forward by the Outeniqua Divisional Council, was successfully blocked by a high court ruling made in 1988,” he says.
His most recent objections support those of Viljoen. In addition though, Corrans questions the legality of the proposals due to the ruling made in the 1980s which was upheld in all subsequent objections by the Outeniqua Divisional Council. He argues that the lack of infrastructure would not support the proposals, and says the Swartvlei Peninsula is unsuitable for building development.
Queries regarding the objection process and whether a decision on what is to be developed has been made, among others, were sent to GRDM. The GRDM says it is not in a position to respond at this stage as it is currently analysing the objections and enquiries received, and no timeframe has been supplied either.
At the time of going to print no response was received.