MISTY CLIFFS VILLAGE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER - December 2004
Editor: Tim Anderson

IT'S nothing less than scandalous that there hasn't been a Misty Cliffs newsletter since January. We have no credible excuse other than that the People On The Mountain have been preoccupied with the saga of their access road, and your committee has been churning out various associated messages only to those affected, thereby deluding ourselves that everyone else is being kept in touch.

PROPERTY VALUES
There have been several sales of Misty land and houses this year and the prices obtained have been truly mind-blowing; they have handsomely underscored our contention that when the upgrade of Old Camp Road has been completed the enhancement to hillside property values would be far in excess of contributions made towards the work.

This is all well and fine for the sellers but the downside will be corresponding increases in rates. Another potential negative is the rising likelihood of our relatively pristine enclave being assaulted by insensitive development, of which there are indications already. It has been pointed out to us that with nearly every possible crack in the Clifton mountainside now exploited, the next target for those with bottomless pockets has to be Misty Cliffs.

For the time being a brake on this possibility is the absence of waterborne sewerage and the general shortage of water. There are already developments along Kommetjie Road stalled because of insufficient water supply to provide for sewerage. At present there seems no hope of funding becoming available soon for either a new disposal works or the associated reticulation. But sheer population pressure will win out unless beaten to it by the predicted serious climate change and consequent water shortage.

FIRE!
We are now in the peak fire season, and Misty Cliffs is at exceptionally high risk from being downwind of the Redhill informal settlement which is all too often a source of runaway fires. There is a well-maintained fire-break between our enclave and Baskloof Nature Reserve, but it is only the mandatory 15 m in width and therefore would be of little effect when an advancing fire is driven by a typical summer south-easter.

Most unfortunately and very irresponsibly some of our hillside properties are thickly populated with alien flora such as Rooikrans (Acasia cyclops) and Port Jackson willow (Acacia cyanophylla) which are more inflammable and burn with far greater heat than the indigenous flora. Owners who do not clear and maintain clearance of alien bush create a serious risk to neigbouring properties. A couple of owners even have full-grown Rooikrans trees to provide shade! That's unforgivable - such trees generate literally millions of seeds which invade other properties where perhaps the owners are diligently trying to keep clear of aliens.

There are services which will undertake clearance but it needs to be understood that this is a continuous process. We recommend that after a major clearing operation, some otherwise unemployed person could be engaged to spend a day or so every month pulling up alien seedlings. The cost would be trifling and the job would be a meaningful help to some desperately poor folks.

Some of the alien infestation on the mountainside is within municipal road reserve. We have been advised that this will be cleared by the council after the road upgrade has been completed and the embankments stabilized.

There are at present at least two court actions now in progress against property owners who have failed to keep their land clear of alien vegetation, one is pending for February and another for April. Charges have been brought in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, and the possible penalties are heavy. There are several other acts and regulations which can be applied. It is possible for an official complaint to be brought at the behest of threatened neighbours, but in our small community it would obviously be more neighbourly if owners would do their bit spontaneously.

Note that most insurance premiums will be reduced, or not loaded, if evidence is given that the fire risk has been minimized by clearance of fire hazards. Insurance claims for fire damage can and have been repudiated if the claimant and/or his neighbour had alien infestation as a contributory factor.

BABOONS
We are still intermittently troubled by simian invasions. In most cases owners, tenants, or thieves have left a window or skylight improperly latched or broken. Extreme care must be exercised against this because the damage and chaos caused by baboons inside a house has to be seen (and smelt) to be believed. Do not under-estimate the cleverness of baboons in opening sliding doors or windows, including popping a junior through a gap to open a bigger door or window from the inside, even by sliding a bolt or twisting a catch.

Baboons are attracted partly by the continuing carelessness of some people who leave bags of trash outside (trash is collected only on Tuesday mornings and nothing should be put out at other times). In addition, baboons esteem the little red seeds in Rooikrans pods, and so long as we have owners who let Rooikrans grow to seed-bearing age the baboons will be attracted.

The matter of effectively funding and organizing baboon chasers has still not been resolved, although recently a move was made which may possibly end up as a special "baboon levy" on ratepayers in the affected areas. At one time the cost of monitoring was borne by the Parks Board (SANPARKS), Cape Nature Conservation, City of Cape Town, and voluntary contributions from residents. Cape Nature withdrew earlier this year. There is a complicated history of efforts to run the show better but so far there's little that's useful to show for it. Sticking points are that the scheme is all unofficial and this goes down badly with bureaucrats and their budget guardians. If a scheme is made official then the labour laws come into the picture which would mean first teaching the baboons to invade us only during office hours, and desist over lunch breaks and holidays. The position is clearly unsatisfactory but we are fairly confident that a more workable and lasting solution seems at last to be in sight.

DOGS
At one time Misty Cliffs was almost untroubled by dogs and this is why we so often hosted beautiful sea otters and had nesting black oyster catchers and other lovely birds. Sadly there are now more dogs, in particular a noisy tailless black dog that runs uncontrolled on the beach chasing anything that moves, and a pair of bored Labradors which bark incessantly throughout the day. The otters and the Egyptian geese have gone, and no oyster catcher nests have been found lately. There are a number of other dogs around and Misty Cliffs may be heading to become like any another noisy suburb with a constant cacophony of mindless barking, which therefore is neither a deterrent nor a warning.

We appeal to people, including tenants and visitors, to keep their dogs under effective control at all times. There are complex but enforceable byelaws and regulations (Parks) which can and have been used to compel control or removal of offending dogs. The beach falls under National Parks control, and in addition Misty Cliffs is considered to be a Conservation Area. Parks officials have the power to shoot or impound uncontrolled dogs.

Do note that at least two dogs in our end of the peninsula have been killed by baboons this year. Even a big dog is no match for an irritated baboon.

OLD CAMP ROAD
Phase 1 has been completed, taking the upgrade as far as the hairpin bend at the end of the middle section. It's a bit of a mess still because of house building operations and driveway adjustments, but that can't be helped. Parking has been frustrating lately because numerous subcontractors have been busy with houses under construction.

Phase 2 is under way and we hope to complete it by the end of March. The lower end of that section is extremely difficult to work in because the road is only 3 m wide and there is continual unavoidable obstruction by builders. When work resumes after the holidays a series of manholes will be constructed, and house connections to the new water main will be laid. This will cause intermittent inconvenience but at least there will soon be effective fire hydrants which is important at this time of year.

The last 40 m or so of the northerly end of this contract is subject to a favourable Environmental Impact Assessment, mainly because there are protected tree species to be taken care of. The EIA process is a Provincial matter under the aegis of the Department of Environmental and Development Planning (known as DEADP !), and involves an elaborate and extensive submission which takes quite a while to pass through the system. However, the officials in DEADP are not at all dead and have been most helpful and co-operative as far as the regulations allow. We are hopeful that the construction programme will not be much affected.

The funding of Phase 2 is extremely precarious, largely because we trusted a few owners who said they'd make their contributions in instalments but are letting us down. We'd like to think this is because of oversight and we appeal most earnestly for them to come to light. Perhaps we should have discounted them in the first place, but we strove to keep the contributions to an absolute minimum and are now facing the possibility of coming short. It's of interest that from the total of 40 affected owners, 30 (68%) paid their pledges, but 4 (13%) so far have not honoured their undertakings. There were 10 owners who declined to contribute but we are hoping that once they see the project nearing completion they will realize its value impact on their properties and chip in at least something. Come on, guys, your ground alone is worth between R2 000 and R3 000 a square metre so let's see the colour of your money!

ROAD SAFETY
For years we have been extremely concerned about vehicles speeding along the main road passing through Misty Cliffs. There have been one or two nasty accidents and we have all been very anxious about children crossing the road to and from the beach. Surprisingly, because the road is a "main" road (M65) certain obvious safety measures are not permissible. However, after prolonged persistence (and charm) from Lyn Mossop the Traffic Department has promised for early 2005, double white lines right through, temporary rumble strips at each end (experimental in case they're too noisy), and speed camera signs with occasional installation of camera (this is roster-based). We will also be rostered for the new laser speed recorder.

DSTV
This is finally up and running and apparently the picture is wonderfully clear. Anyone wanting to hook up should 'phone Leon Morris who will order the special aerial which picks up the transmission - this aerial cannot be constructed by anyone else. They will need to pay their portion of the initial installation costs which will be slowly offset as more people join. Leon: 021-780-1256, 082-415-3343.

DO YOU LET YOUR HOUSE?
We have been officially "reminded" (warned?) that houses cannot be used for commercial purposes without application to and approval from the Land Zoning Department. In this area anything other than self-catering requires this application to be made, and in any case, anything other than a small B&B would not be allowed. A condition for classification as a B&B is that the owner-family has to normally reside in the house, and must provide appropriate extra rooms, parking, etc - and breakfast!

If you let to out-of-towners we suggest you provide in your house the permit for them to walk on the mountain; most of the mountain around Misty Cliffs is part of the Baskloof private nature reserve and a permit is necessary to walk there. Permits cost R10/day or R40 annually, and can be bought from Mickey's Mouse Trap (shop) in Pincushion Street, Scarborough. Also obtainable from the Harris family, 'phone780-1361 or 082-680-6188, or 082-445-3241.

MUSSEL PICKING
It looks like we have inexhaustible mussel beds, but experience elsewhere is that it needs only a couple of restaurants to routinely collect and in no time the stock is decimated. When the mussels are depleted it affects the food chain and fishing is adversely affected as well as various birds and other animals that feed on mussels. Most of us do collect modest quantities of mussels for our own use, but please note that a permit is needed. Permits at R70/year entitling you to 50 mussels/pick can be bought from any Post Office (nearest are Fishhoek and Long Beach Mall). Please keep your eyes peeled for mussel pickers equipped with backpacks or sacks. Make a note of their vehicle number and type, and in any case notify Marine and Coastal Management chaps - Johan de Wit 082-829-3922 or Richard - 082-829-3918.

BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT OVERSIGHT
Until recently your association had a building advisory committee (BAC) which liaised with the Local Authority, various relevant NGOs, and our sister association in Scarborough. Broadly speaking its function was to scrutinize building proposals and plans with respect to the Scarborough and Misty Cliffs Special Area Building Guidelines and Regulations, and Scarborough's Environmental Management Plan. Thereafter the BAC endeavoured to keep an eye on the resultant construction work and associated matters.

On an as-and-when basis the main MCVA committee members kept their eyes on general environmental issues, both built and natural, as they came to light.

With experience these arrangements were found to be difficult to manage timeously, and as an unfortunate result in certain instances, somewhat porous. With intensifying building work and its inevitable threat to adversely affect the natural environment, it was decided to re-engineer (let's be fashionable) these tasks to make them more effective and more responsive to owners' needs.

The upshot has been the appointment of an AA, "architectural advisor" (a qualified architect familiar with our area), and an ECO, "environmental conservation officer", both on an honorarium basis. Each position carries a job description.

Broadly expressed, the AA will scrutinize sketch plans and building plans in consultation with the owners' architects and as preludes to formal submissions to the Local Authority. If the ECO requests it, the AA will visit building work in progress whenever there appear to be deviations from plan, including rider plans. The system has been designed to ensure that owners'/architects' needs are promptly met and professionally dealt with. Gerrie van Tonder has been appointed to this position; he has designed several houses in Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, where he lives.

The ECO is charged with making sufficiently frequent inspections of the entire Misty Cliffs area to check on alien flora, tidiness of building sites, condition of paths, notices and firebreaks, incidence of baboon problems, etc. Photographic records will be kept. Where necessary for the general good, authority will be obtained from Parks or Council to clear alien flora infestations and recover the cost from the owner(s). The ECO will ensure payment of the road/environment damage deposit which remains as a prerequisite to building commencement. The ECO will also monitor building work and if necessary draw the AA's attention to apparent deviations from plan. Tim Anderson has been appointed to this position; he is a mechanical engineer and has been acting as Clerk of Works during the Old Camp Road upgrade contracts.

Greater detail about these appointments and their modus operandi will be given early next year in an update of the advisory notes provided to intending builders. The positions will be retrospectively formalized at the next AGM.

SECURITY
There has been a considerable upsurge in thefts of late. Numerous casual labourers are legitimately on site because of house building and road construction. Some of the thefts have been opportunistic and despite the commendably swift response from Scarborough Security Services the thieves have made off even more swiftly with various items. Even the Council has been a victim, having had long lengths of redundant but usable cable evaporate overnight.

Essential precautions: Frequent checks of burglar alarms. If your alarm relies on a telephone connection it is useless - it must be a radio alarm direct to Scarborough Security Services. Alarm back-up batteries run for no more than a few hours. If you're an absentee owner and turn off your power as a precaution, or if it should trip for any reason, then your back-up battery will not recharge and will be non-functional when you need it most. Make sure all your window/skylight catches and door latches are strong and tightly secured. Sliding doors and windows can be lifted out of their tracks unless appropriate security bolts have been fitted. If you don't often use your house it's really better to take away portable electric and electronic goods.

MONEY
PLEASE PAY YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS! Your committee members put in a tremendous amount of time, much of it in essential interaction with local authorities which despite the cordial and helpful officials, can nevertheless be exasperatingly tedious. Your committee people pay considerable sums from their own resources but there are still operational expenses which have to be met from subscription income.

At present, only about half our owners chip in with subs; this is really a rotten effort considering that Misty Cliffs properties are all valued in the millions - including vacant land! Some of our non-payers even have the gall to turn up at our AGM and help themselves to the biscuits and tea! If you think this association is useless, come to the next AGM and ask what we've been doing for you and how we've spent your money.

The fact of free riders forces up the subscription rate. Our treasurer is keen to circulate a list of the non-payers, but we would rather not do this unless our appeal to your community spirit turns out to be naïve!

People, let's "do the right thing" for beautiful Misty Cliffs. Come to the next AGM and enjoy your tea and biscuits knowing that it's your right as a subscriber. If everyone pays we could even do better than biscuits - perhaps nice unhealthy sticky cakes and boerewors rolls.

WEBSITE
One of our owners has voluntarily set up an experimental Misty Cliffs website which will activate as soon as the committee has approved the design. Please send (email) any suggestions for what information the site might carry. There will be a further announcement.