Hope
this finds everyone in good health. Let’s hope for a great
2008 !
The good news is that the Hillside Dams lease has now been signed
and we are initiating various developments. The old tearoom area
is currently being repegged and we hope to start other projects
soon. We would love to hear from those who have ideas and who
may be able to assist.
The website has been uploaded. The work on this was kindly done
by Lee Nesbitt and we cannot find the words to thank her for all
the hard work that this has entailed – it has set a high
standard that we will struggle to repeat on the other projects.
It can be viewed at www.hillsidedams.com.
Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated. If you have old
pictures please do let us know.
The Hillside Dams area has been leased from the BCC by Mungrisdale
Marketing (Pvt) Ltd. with the view of creating a restaurant. This
is the commercial interest. HOWEVER the remaining 85.5 hectares
have been ceded at no cost to the Hillside Dams Conservancy –
a NON-PROFIT company with a broad range of experience. Their mandate
is to ensure that the area is developed to served all members
of the community. It must remain a prime recreational venue but
one with added security and restoration of existing amenities
as well as adding a number of suitable educational facilities.
It has to be stressed that the area has to be fenced and made
secure – this is in the lease of the larger Hillside Dams
area and we are considering how to achieve this. We have also
taken on the responsibility for grass cutting, security, cleaning
etc. All of this work will entail costs which will have to be
recouped. This means that:
-
We charge a nominal entry fee for those who are in a position
to pay - adult, child and car fees. This will only be implemented
once the security is in place.
-
We will create a seasonal option where “Friends Cards”
are issued.
- We
must also take into account the financial position of some residents.
Reduced rates or free entry will be subject to individual application.
We must not exclude anyone, most especially those who have supported
the area for many years despite its problems.
Other issues that require a response include:
-
The issue of dogs off the leash. A difficult one but we must
have rules for reasons of public liability. In fact all dogs
are supposed to be on leash according to the existing BCC bylaws.
We appreciate the desire for freedom on the part of some of
our four-legged visitors but we must insist that they are controlled
at all times – on or off the leash. Please take cognisance
of other users. In the area around the tearoom ALL dogs should
be on a leash and poop-scooping must be the order of the day.
We do not want to be forced into taking any unpopular decisions
and ask that dog owners don’t force the issue.
-
It is not intended to ban all fishing in the Upper Dam. However
we will need to set aside some sections of the shore as fish
and bird breeding zones. These locations will be marked and
there will be no fishing. We will be getting professional advice
on what, when and where.
- For
the time all boating remains barred.
The negatives aside we are now initiating several projects but
these require us raising the necessary funds or seeking donations.
It must be stressed that these are donations to the Hillside Dams
Conservancy for the benefit of the community as a whole.
-
to erect the security gates at the two main entrances
-
to create a nice, but accessible area for wedding pictures (this
could be a major earner for the Conservancy)
-
To do an audit of the fishing.
Rob
Burrett
Hillside Dams Conservancy
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