CRA Special Newsletter

June 2004

• the Council's legal services department be instructed to investigate the alleged impropriety in respect of the process followed by JoProp;

• that the final decision on whether or not the koppie area should be sold cannot be made until the above investigation is concluded;

• that they noted the unfortunate timing of JoProp's advertising the sale of the koppie area the day before our petition was heard, but since this has happened we should lodge our objection to the "permanent closure and alienation [ie sale] of the road reserve area."
  
  This means that we have until 30 June to lodge objections with JoProp. It is regrettable that the Council motion agreeing to the sale could not be rescinded, particularly as the CRA had submitted an application to lease the area in the interests of all who live and work in the area. However, we now have no option but to proceed with objections to the sale, and as the whole affair highlights a number of matters of principle, it will be most advantageous to submit as many objections as possible.
  
  The Chairman has asked Wendy McAllister* to coordinate this as she has been involved in all aspects from the beginning of this project. She will assist anyone with queries, objection letters etc and will act as 'post box' for all who write a letter of objection which they would like hand delivered to JoProp. You can also send your letter by registered post - if you go this route, please let her know so that we have a record of objections. If you would like us to hand in your letter, please put a signed original into Wendy's post box (21 Beaufort Avenue, Craighall Park) no later than 28 June 2004. Letters should be headed:
  
  Local Authority Notice 043 of 2004, proposed permanent closure and alienation of a portion of Road Reserve between North Road and Beaufort Avenue, Craighall Park Township adjacent to Erf 163, Craighall Park,¹
  
  and be addressed to:
  
  L J Mckenna, Managing Director, City of Joburg Property Company (Pty) Ltd,
  PO Box 31565, Braamfontein 2017.  
  Tel: 011 339-2700; fax: 339-2727, ref T van Schalkwyk.
  
  Some or all of the following points can form part of your objection - we must think of need and desirability  -
  
  ** There is simply no need for this small piece of ground to be sold, particularly for the give-away sum of R58 800 to a developer whose stated intent is to erect townhouses on it, when it is an area valued by residents and is a community focus, with great potential for further community activity.
  
  ** Environmental issues - eg it is an environmental oasis, preserving the last undeveloped part of a unique granite ridge, with magnificent trees more than 80 years old that will be removed if the area is sold to the developer. We do not want the Beaufort koppie area to be desecrated / developed/ ruined / despoiled by being built on. Geological /possible archaeological value; drainage, water run-off etc.
  
  ** Too much valuable open space has already been sold by the Council (see back page this week's Rosebank Killarney Gazette) - we want to keep this as public open space, in part because it well used by pedestrians, residents and workers alike, to access shops and transport in Jan Smuts Ave; and forms a natural buffer zone between office complexes in Dunkeld West and the eastern border of Craighall Park, yet a meeting point between business and residents to work on a community project.
  
  ** The land is adjacent to an historic building ('Backpackers' Ritz) whose aspect and outlook will be compromised.
  
  ** The sale to 'Excellence Properties cc' was done without following the laid down procedures to notify adjoining property owners. [And note that a week has passed without one of the essential requirements being met, that is, a copy of the proclamation being displayed at the site. - Stroll up and check for yourself!]  
  
  There's no doubt more that you can say but this is a start.
  
  * Wendy McAllister, 011 325-7165; Fax: 011 325-7160; Cell: 083 365-8410