We need to start experiencing the joy of being both embedded in community and connected to the natural world.

Helena Norberg-Hodge


Economic prosperity must go hand in hand with social cohesion and ecological sustainability

Mikhail Gorbachev






Sunday, May 15, 2011

Fick's Pool rezoning announced by the OM is another can of worms!



Who could possibly be interested in buying a R50m piece of prime real estate to build a restaurant on?



With view like this over Fick's Pool; Where did you say was the Cliff Path?



. . . . and what do the neighbors think of this looming
property scam?

Now the Municipality is making application (same story as Schulphoek – area run down and unsafe) for rezoning and will no doubt then sell off the land as a done deal (see Schulphoek for clues on modus operandi)

How will it be priced you may well ask and whats this talk of a restaurant?

Is Bredell behind this again, by any chance?

Will the OM be able to finesse a tender and allow a crony to pick it up for a song and make a bundle?

If so, the big question is who?

Is there any truth in the buzz in town that the extremely unpopular Ward 3 DA candidate may be involved?

We certainly would hope not! This would be going too far even for the DA in Hermanus!


Sunday, May 1, 2011

HERMANUS 'BYPASS' RIP-OFF!

"Upon entering Hermanus “proper” you have the option of taking the bypass which starts at the first traffic circle (roundabout) or going on through the centre of town. The bypass allows you to miss the centre of town traffic and is a convenient way of getting to your destination if your place of accommodation is in Eastcliff, Kwaaiwater, the Golf Estate, Fernkloof or Voelkip".

Taken from a Travel web site



YOU WISH IT COULD BE SO SIMPLE!

Read on about this DA particular scam, incorporated in some of the worst town planning in the Western Cape.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION: This long standing problem remains and is being exacerbated by a combination of uncontrolled and extremely bad town planning. The morning congestion on the R43 into Hermanus and the evening congestion out of Hermanus are confirmation of grossly ill-conceived town planning and failed attempts to cover this up with ‘by pass’ and other ineffective and costly cosmetic tinkering.
The Onrus traffic lights and the now tortuous route through town, around Checkers and back onto the R43 have achieved nothing, except, in the case of the latter, a huge bill footed by Ratepayers. Province could and should have born the cost of a more effective bypass, had it not been for the ill conceived, ill positioned Checkers development.
TOWN PLANNING: Atrocious, uncontrolled and ill-conceived town planning has destroyed Hermanus as an attractive village. This disgraceful destruction has been justified and sold as ‘necessary development’ and ‘if we don’t develop, Hermanus dies.’
  • Has the destruction and sale of the old library building and the grossly over bulked Hotel, enhanced Harbour Road?
  • Has the gross bulk and positioning of the unsightly Checkers development been good for the town?
  • How do the Main Road shop owners and how do the B & B's feel about the results planning on our town and their businesses?
  • What is to happen on the two sites opposite the Marine Hotel?
Surely all this development should have taken place on the Northern side of Hermanus where 80% of the population lives.