We are not opposed to development BUT our role is to ensure that it takes place within the legal framework established by Johannesburg Metropolitan Open Space System (JMOSS), the Johannesburg Spatial Development Framework.

The GEKCO (Greater Kyalami) conservancy is located in the greater Kyalami area (north of Sandton and west of Midrand). The area is encompassed by the Kyalami Ridge to the South, the Braamfontein Spruit and R511 to the West, the R562 to the North and R55 to the East and includes the suburb of Carlswald.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The area is largely developed agricultural holdings ranging from 1 ha properties to much larger 20ha – 200 ha portions.  Kyalami is reputed to have the highest density of horses in the world, generating a thriving equine industry and is home to Inanda Country Base, THS, and numerous smaller grounds and arenas where competitions and events are regularly held.

The area has been subject to varying levels of disturbance and several alien plant species are present. There are many noteworthy examples of natural vegetation of the region:  There is a major ridge to the south of the area and many hill slope seepage wetland regions; there are a number of water courses that run through the area and several dams are present.

The area is going through a process of rural urbanisation which many residents do not agree with. The conservancy is generally peri-urban with a strong equestrian presence. Development has and is threatening this lifestyle and one of the objectives is to try to slow this tide or at least educate it in ecologically sensitive and equine friendly development. There are still numerous fauna species in the area that are under threat: tortoises, terrapins, scrub hares, black-backed jackal, mongoose, the African Bullfrog etc. There are several red data plant species and over 240 bird species registered in the area. The wetlands form an integral part of the area not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also as filters and sites of species richness and landscape heterogeneity.

Our Objectives

Our objectives represent those of the residents who appreciate the natural habitat within the region and would like to also preserve and conserve a relatively rural way of life.  In order to achieve this goal, the following objectives have been identified:

- Protect and conserve the remnant indigenous habitat and ecological processes, in an effort to maintain the ecological integrity of the conservancy by ensuring the appropriate protection, rehabilitation and management of:

· Remnant habitat, particularly that which supports populations of red data species.

· Wetlands and waterways in the region.

· Ridges in the region.

- Promote environmentally sensitive development and technologies in an effort to encourage sustainable development that is aimed at:

· Improving resource efficiencies, including the use of water and electricity.

·  Improving waste avoidance, minimisation and recycling.

· Reducing erosion and pollution through effective storm water management.

- Encouraging landscaping principles that reduce water use and utilise species indigenous to the vegetation types zones in which they occur.

- Protect the character and aesthetic quality of Kyalami, as a semi-rural environment that has been established around the equine industry by:

· Influencing property development so that it is sensitive to the character of the Kyalami region and respects the objectives of the conservancy.

· Developing the equine industry in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.

- Align with the principles of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Open Space System (JMOSS), the Johannesburg Spatial Development Framework and the Johannesburg development principle of a compact city with a mixture of housing densities and lower densities on the periphery.

- Raise awareness amongst residents and the public for the need to conserve the environmental resources and character of the region with the aim of:

· Actively involving all residents and the public in the endeavours of the conservancy through conservation projects, educational processes and marketing.

· Gaining recognition as a bone fide organisation for the aims of the conservancy from the public, business and government.

· Affording residents the opportunity to appreciate the fauna and flora of the conservancy and the rural way of life that it characterises.

 

Our Vision

The main vision for action of the conservancy will fall into three overlapping areas:

- Education

- Environmental management

- Conservation and preservation

 

Education, Development and Management Measures

Because the conservancy area is a relatively large area of land that is privately owned by many residents, the role of conservancy management is largely that of custodian or steward and to educate and direct. Given that most of the land that falls within the auspices of Gekco is privately owned, it is understandable that these owners will have to agree with any plans that may affect their land.

This plan may result in general levels of ongoing management but may also lead to a series of specific interventions or projects at various times of the year to ensure that it is effectively protected and managed. 

It is envisaged that specific violations of JHB City Council by-laws and rezoning transgressions will be managed by the relevant Residents Associations or the Greater Kyalami Residents Association (GKRA), the umbrella body of all the relevant residents associations under environmental advice by GEKCO and its members. The GKA has the legal capacity and the structure already in place to cater for these subjects of concern.

The following series of management measures have been identified as the necessary requirements to achieve the vision and objectives for the area.

 

Vegetation management (Flora)

Background

Despite a history of disturbance that has impacted upon the vegetation, a diverse flora continues to exist within the conservancy area.  A list of species is to be compiled for the site.  The list will include the exotics and noxious weeds to be targeted for eradication and education.

Approach to vegetation management

Vegetation management will be through education and projects to manage and eliminate alien species (& weeds) from public and private areas where requested. Flora endemic to the area will be encouraged. 

The primary management issue that must be considered in effectively conserving and managing the area’s natural vegetation in that it identifies that the grassland component of the area is the most ecologically valuable and that management interventions should focus on it. The structural diversity of the vegetation within the area is to be managed to ensure the segregation of the grass, wetlands and woody components as well as the rocky ridge area.  This will ensure a level of heterogeneity within the habitat available, which will in turn encourage a diversity of plant and animal species.

This also requires that several key management actions must be implemented and the area should be monitored to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.  The priorities in managing the area’s vegetation include:  The control of weeds and potentially invasive species; the control of erosion and the rehabilitation of exposed areas and instituting of measures that protect remnant biodiversity, including the structural and species diversity, of the area.

Fauna management

Background

In the past the conservancy area has provided habitat for steenbok, tortoises, terrapins, jackal, hares, hedgehogs, monitor lizards, cranes, chameleons, African Bullfrogs and many other fauna on a fairly large scale.  In addition there is a reasonably extensive list of birds that are known to frequent the area’s different habitat types.

Some of the historical impacts of the equine industry, security initiatives and badly managed developments identified within the area have resulted in the demise (at worst) or rarely recorded sightings of many of these.  High, fast road traffic has resulted in the untimely death of many. Walls, dogs and electric fencing prevents the natural movement of many and impacts on breeding cycles.

While horses are an integral part of the lifestyle in the area they are impacting upon the natural vegetation as they graze on certain grasses and seedlings, which may alter the area’s plant species composition. Secondary grass impact in dryer times needs to be taken into consideration. Overstocking needs to be discouraged and supplementary feeding encouraged in dryer times.

Approach to fauna management

Again, due to the private nature of the area, education and encouragement of fauna friendly fencing and ‘open area’ availability will be encouraged in managing fauna in the area. Building footprints are to be encouraged to be kept to a minimum and non-lawful or non eco-friendly business activity discouraged as guided by City policy. Environmentally sensitive building design and landscaping will be encouraged.

 

Key to the success of this is the maintenance of connectivity between areas of remnant habitat along natural pathways of faunal movement such as waterways, drainage lines, wetlands and clumps of thicket or remnant bush.

GEKCO does not foresee or encourage the reintroduction of fauna on a grand scale into the area.

Catchment rehabilitation and management

Background

Six major and 29 minor wetlands have been identified within the conservancy area. Dams, streams and the seepage wetland system are to be monitored and protected.  Water flows into dams naturally through seepage and from the upstream catchment but because these are artificial water bodies (dams) they require ongoing management.

The key issues that have been identified as requiring ongoing management include: encroachment by reeds;  levels of siltation; habitat management to encourage water birds and invertebrates; access to the water for the area’s fauna; chemicals, fertilizers and sewerage spills contaminating the wetlands and invasive water plants (hyacinths etc.).

Because of the extent of bare areas, some farming activity associated with historical activity in the area and other major impacts such as medium density developments, roads and bad storm water management, there has been an increase in runoff and the amount of sediment entering the water systems and dams.  This in turn has encouraged the encroachment of reeds such as Phragmites sp., which respond favourably to such sediment inputs.

Approach to the rehabilitation and management of the watercourses and dams

The key to the effective long-term management of watercourses and dams in an environment such as Kyalami that is characterised by roads, buildings and a number of hard surfaces is effective stormwater management.  Gekco will offer advice on the management of erosion, siltation and pollution in the form of litter, eutrophication and chemical contamination.  Erosion leads to the canalizing of wetlands, siltation leads to the choking of waterways and the proliferation of reeds and pollution leads to visual impacts, degraded habitat conditions and the death of sensitive fauna and flora species. The water act dictates very specifically how development needs to take place.

Management of the watercourses and dams requires specific interventions aimed at the sources of degradation and the rehabilitation of existing watercourses, wetlands and dams.  This may require the emptying of the dams to remove silt and an ongoing management programme for the reed beds, to ensure that they do not become too extensive or shield views across the dam and area.