The REC AGM was held at the Community Centre at Pringle Bay on 5th April. The Chairman's report summarised the activities of REC during 2020 which despite the limitations of COVID saw progress in supporting Nature in Rooiels. See the Full Report and the 2020 Financials on the REC webpage. A few of the highlights: 1. The Nature Reserve status was fully regularised with all the paperwork reconstructed and the Rooiels Nature Reserve now reflected as a registered nature reserve. The Management plan is in place emphasising the role of the RNR in preserving locally indigenous wetland fynbos. 2. Beach cleaning, dune rehabilitation and the hack all continued although it was not possible to enjoy the social interaction - good progress on clearing Rooikrans but the Chairman pointed to the real problem being faced as there is a resurgence after the fires and with the good rains. 3. With personal contact limited, REC promoted greater understanding of the need to adapt our lives as custodians of our natural heritage, through the production of a brochure for new residents and for visitors. REC also promotes the book Rooiels: tussen berge en die see which raises funds for nature and is available in the Village shop. A proposal was put forward for a new triannual RooielsWild Bulletin on nature. A limited number of printed sample copies were made available, thanks to an anonymous donor. You can download a PDF and see it here No motions were put forward A new REC committee was elected for 2021: Ivan Becker, Fiona Christelis, Leigh Elves, Veronica Jacobs, Hilgard Muller, Wofgang Steinbach The RERA AGM was held at the Betty's Bay NG Church hall on 10th April and was also well attended. The Chairman's report focused on the Outreach activities which had helped to support Overstrand efforts to overcome the hunger and economic difficulties triggered by Covid19. Both RERA and REC provided over R10000 to the efforts (see financial reports) and many individuals contributed directly or through buying food to put in the buckets in the Village shop - and donations are still welcome.
The Chairman also reported that the grader used for the roads was too wide and had resulted in broken water pipes that were immediately fixed. But it was also noted that the damage on the road, especially on Rocklands Road near the Nature Reserve, had not yet been repaired and would result in inconvenience during the rains in winter. In the motions a proposal was made that one member of RERA be appointed to the Roads portfolio to provide residents with a contact point for action. Covid19 limited meetings and engagement and some actions that affected public areas had been taken during 2020 without wide discussion. The Chairman assured the meeting that due process would now be followed and that in future a more transparent approach would be taken using digital communication. The Chairman reported that the Otter statue would be taken down to allow for due process to be followed and to legalise the situation. It was accepted that this is important or it could set a precedent for various individuals to apply their own preferences and impose them on the natural areas that are part of the public space. There were a number of motions from the Floor including recognition of RESA and all the efforts to keep the village safe from the increasing crime - with a special thanks to the residents that steadfastly patrol every night. There was also a commitment made for RERA to be more transparent going forward and to consult the community with proposed changes that affect public space while acknowledging that the RERA committee may need to act quickly on urgent matters. In that instance feedback and report would be made to all. The meeting accepted motions to share the RECOZ (Rooiels Conservation Protection Overlay Zone) with all the Rooiels residents and to work actively with OM to move the process forward. RECOZ was developed using the already implemented Rooiels Heritage Protection Overlay Zone that applies to all the areas in sight of the R44, village inputs and also using the Environmental Management overlay zone principles established by the Overstrand Municipality. It addresses the importance of retaining the character of Rooiels essentially codifying what we have been doing - as discussed by a well attended Cascades meeting in 2019. It includes a few provisions that are not in the REHPOZ e.g. that any property rented out on a short-term basis has someone living in Rooiels to take responsibility for briefing visitors and being available if there are problems. Also very important is that the road reserves in Rooiels are not clear cut. You can see the draft RECOZ here. The New Committee for RERA 2021 is: Ivan Becker, Mike Christellis, Leigh Elves, Veronica Jacobs, Hilgard Muller and Allison Vienings
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