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GEKCO Projects |
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GEKCO, the Greater Kyalami Conservancy has only been in existence since late 2006 but has already received widespread recognition for its environmental, conservation and educational initiatives. We continue to monitor issues such as wetlands, fireworks, development and recycling.
ALIEN VEGETATION: Do you have alien vegetation on your plot? Love them or hate them, trees such as blue gums, syringe and wattle are invasive alien plants. Did you know - · Invasive alien species cause billions of Rands of damage to South Africa’s economy yearly · Are the biggest threat to the biological biodiversity because they out-compete the indigenous species. · Pose a threat to water security · Affect the functioning of natural systems · Threaten productive use of land · Intensify the impact of fires and floods and increase soil erosion · By law we need to remove the alien invader plants from our properties. At last you can have them removed with no cost to yourself! After many years of consultation “Working for Water” has money to spend in the Greater Kyalami Conservancy to remove alien trees. They will concentrate on blue gums, wattle, lantana and syringa.
About the Working for Water programme The fight against invasive alien plants is spearheaded by the Working for Water (WfW) programme, launched in 1995 and administered through the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. This programme works in partnership with local communities, to whom it provides jobs. The programme has cleared more than one million hectares of invasive alien plants providing jobs and training to approximately 20 000 people from marginalized sectors of society in local communities including women (52%). They use a range of methods to control invasive alien plants. These include: · Mechanical methods - felling, removing or burning invading alien plants. · Chemical methods - using environmentally safe herbicides. · Biological control - using species-specific insects and diseases from the alien plant’s country of origin. To date 76 bio-control agents have been released in South Africa against 40 weed species. · Integrated control - combinations of the above three approaches. Often an integrated approach is required in order to prevent enormous impacts.
Vision for Greater Kyalami Since its inception in 2006, GEKCO has played a leading role in defending, preserving, sustaining and maintaining the unique “country in a city” lifestyle that characterises Greater Kyalami. However, GECKO needs assurance that it is representing the views and vision of the residents and stakeholders. To this end we have conducted the first of a series of workshops planned with community members and stakeholders in order to develop an inclusive Vision Statement which encapsulates why people live in and wish to conserve Kyalami. (A vision statement is a vivid idealised description that inspires, energises and helps one create a mental picture of ones desired outcome.) As a starting point for discussion we developed a broad provisional Vision Statement: Preserving and conserving our relatively rural way of life in an area which sustains several endangered species, wetlands and ridges, a thriving equine industry, and provides jobs and job opportunities for a large number of people. Creating opportunities for businesses, residents, visitors and local communities to thrive through the natural environment and the unique relationship between man and horse, where kids can be kids and all can discover the inner peace that open space brings.
The workshop yielded the following: 5 Key Drivers Equestrian (Horses) This area is unique in the world. No other area can boast this level of horse activity with this proximity to a major city. Ecology Kyalami is a unique green lung with benefits for the entire city. Country Living The opportunity to have access to country living within the boundaries of a large city is unique. Community Spirit Community spirit must be enhanced and maintained if the area is to survive. Safe & Secure Safety and security are a key component of why people choose to live here.
5 Key Words to incorporate into a vision for Kyalami 1. Education 2. Recreation 3. Development 4. Community (Comm-Unity) 5. Preservation If you are interested in helping to develop the Vision for Greater Kyalami, please contact Margie Donde.
Other GEKCO PROJECTS Fireworks: educating residents about the dangers of fireworks, particularly in an area like Kyalami where there is a high incidence of horse and other domestic animals likely to be adversely affected. Also, drawing people’s attention to the legal issues involved and that the setting off of fireworks is highly restricted in terms of days and times and location and COMPLETELY BANNED in agricultural areas such as Kyalami. Read about fireworks bylaws. Conservation and Environmental Management
Halting of developments in a wetland: two developments were planned in a wetland area in Crowthorne. The developer was granted exemption from doing an EIA but was issued strict guidelines for the wetland at the centre of the development. The guidelines were seriously transgressed and GEKCO and GKRA brought this to the attention of the local press (article in Fourways Review), our local councilor and G-DACE. The building of the perimeter wall was halted across the wetland until such time as the developer complied with the building guidelines and appointed a specialist to restore the wetland.
Sewage spillages and potential collapse in Carlswald: the sewage pipeline that runs down the watercourse in the Carlswald Valley was built around 10 years ago to service the Regent’s Hill development and residents of the Carlswald Valley. A large number of subsequent developments have been linked into the pipeline (20cm in diameter at its widest point) which is now grossly over its intended carrying capacity resulting in regular eruptions and spillage of sewage into the wetlands and dams in the valley. In addition, one section of the pipeline has been seriously eroded by storm-water with the result that the pipeline could collapse at any time. Ongoing efforts by Carlswald Residents Association, GEKCO and the local government councilor have resulted in repairs to the pipeline and the planning of a new pipeline.
Illegal builders / workers camp in Crowthorne: a major developer in the Midrand area had been housing their builders on site in contravention of regulations. The site grew rapidly as other workers moved in. There was minimal provision for water, sanitation and rubbish removal and the site rapidly deteriorated to become a serious health hazard. Gekco and GKRA (Greater Kyalami Residents Association) wrote letters to the developer, contacted the press and met with the developer with the result that the camp was eventually removed.
Arbour Day: Gekco identified trees that were endemic to the area and sourced a supply from a local wholesale which were then sold at the Crowthorne shopping centre on Arbour Day in 2007 and 2008.
Successfully opposed “The Great Wall of Zinnia”: a development proposed for the corner of Zinnia and Caracal Roads, adjacent to Summit College in Kyalami. The developer submitted an application to develop an ‘upmarket housing complex’ (32 units on 1ha stands which is outside of current regulation) and also applied for exemption from conducting an Environmental Impact Study. Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE) refused permission and concluded that the development will contribute to urban sprawl outside the urban edge and will lead to densification of the area. With our intervention and the wide support of the surrounding community the developer will be forced to build in compliance with current regulations — a total of 6 houses on the property.
Objection lodged for 137 Walton Rd. Objection to proposed building of 115 units in Walton Rd on a site, effectively 50 units per hectare in an area which is zoned in the RSDF for a maximum of 4 per hectare. Results pending.
Cellphone Towers: We are opposed to the construction of more towers: first there is considerable debate around the health risks associated with living in close proximity to cellphone towers (there is considerable evidence of the detrimental effects of the towers on domestic animals including cows and horses as well as on bees); second the area seems to be well-supplied with these towers and thirdly, even though there is an attempt to address aesthetics through the erection of “tree towers” they continue to be eyesores and detract from the character of the community.
On-going projects Rehabilitation of wetlands in Kyalami and Crowthorne Recycling our waste: We can no longer ignore the amount of waste that we create on a daily basis. Of course the invention of plastic has been a major change in the way we function and our expectations from a convenience point of view. Managing plastic waste has one of the biggest impacts on waste management. It’s interesting that in most indigenous cultures there is no word for waste. Here in South Africa, we have adapted the word ‘Checkers’ to describe a plastic bag which is known as our new national emblem. Ignorance is no longer an excuse for contributing recyclable waste into traditional landfill sites. |
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We need your help! If you are passionate about preserving your environment and lifestyle, please join us. The more like-minded people we have with us the greater our voice and likelihood of being heard. |
