AGM MINUTES

May 4^th, 2010

• Welcoming: Howard Butcher: Chairman
• Introduction to Executive committee members: Henk van Wagtendonk, Vice-Chairman,
• Approval of Founding Meeting minutes by membership
• Apologies and brief summary of conservancy’s efforts 2009-2010: Petra ten Velde, Secretary
• Financial Report: Tine Robinson, Treasurer
• Discussion and decisions of the main new points brought forward
• Any other matters to be raised not on the agenda

DISCUSSION POINTS

§ Rheenendal Action Group: Everyone on the Farmwatch, Fire Management Unit, Conservancy and Ratepayers Association e-mail lists were sent two emails outlining the formation of a mandated group that would allow all organisations operating in Rheenendal to fall under one umbrella. Two members indicated that they had not received the e-mails.

• So far, there is a 30% response, however, Chair of Farm Watch wants a 50% response from Farmwatch members specifically. The go ahead will therefore largely depend on farm watch support and approval
• All members are being asked to please respond to this initiative.
• Members agreed there are overlaps in the efforts of the four current organisations and in particular the Conservancy and the Fire Management Unit
• Grant McAlpine, as advisor to the Conservancy, read out an excerpt from the Knysna Municipality Executive Summary for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012
• By July 1, 2012, a new property valuation roll will be in place which would result in a huge increase in rates and taxes. In some cases this increase would be up to 2000%

Apart from Keurhoek, the rest of Rheenendal falls outside of the Urban edge The rural rebate currently applied would be withdrawn and replaced with a “green reabate” subject to an auditable alien vegetation control and eradication plan.. Each landowner would have to apply for this rebate through the Conservancy. It is not yet clear of how “bona fide” farmers would be affected.

• The importance of being pro-active and not reactive was stressed. We need to stand together as a community. We need to make sure that the Municipality does not put requirements in place which cannot be achieved., Ideally the Rheenendal Action Group would be comprised of the 4 chairpersons of the existing organisations (Farm watch, Conservancy, RRRA, FMU) and one additional person as co-ordinator.
• A major problem that stands in the way are apathetic residents who remain on the outside of decision making and are possibly not well informed

§ It was suggested by the meeting that a door –door campaign would result in more support and this will start soon.

Road Side LITTER

• Litter continues to be a problem
• The executive committee has had various discussions with municipal waste managers; no real solution
• A meeting with taxi drivers in Keurhoek will be organized to discuss steps to curb litter being thrown out of taxis
• 17 requested bins and poles have been donated by the Municipality
• The bins need to be made baboon proof and erected at various points along the Rheenendal road
• Instead of executive committee carrying on with regular road clean ups the possibility of employing 1-2 persons for 2 days per month to remove litter was discussed
• The Municipal Waste Manager will need to be contacted prior to the clean ups to ensure bags are removed

Youth for Nature project

§ Project has successfully run 2 outings with a boys and girls group

§ Community development worker, Eunice Lodewyk, thanked for her support and enthusiasm in organizing the groups

§ Support is required from the membership to continue with the project

§ Any one with specific skills to share-please to come forward

§ The next outing to take place in June/July holidays

ALIEN veg clearing

§ Free herbicide available from both Cape Nature and Working for Water

§ Alien veg clearing to take place in the Knysna River Catchment area starting on Derek Devine’s property

§ Information required on when this is to take place

WEBSITE

§ Website up and running: www.phantomhomtini,co.za

§ Require input by the membership: news, pictures, ideas-anything to make website look good!

§ For a minimal fee conservancy members can advertise their accommodation on the website

§ Website should be a platform keeping us all up to date

Other Things

§ Eco trails project: this project hasn’t been set up as yet but has a good potential

§ The idea being that properties that have marked trails on them to make these available to locals/tourists for a minimal fee

§ This will support forming that sense of place and create more interest in the area-apart from the usual tourist hotspots up in Millwood and Jubilee creek

§ A suggested trail was starting from the Red Barn and working south in to the Goukamma valley

§ Interested persons to please contact conservancy secretary

• Look out Point: about 50 gravestones were found on Metzner’s property (property right after Phantom Pass turn off) and after the fires there is a spectacular look out point as well
• Possibility of keeping area clear for a nice view point and look into historical significance of graves
• Interested persons to notify secretary
• Rheenendal Fire Management Unit: Deon van Zyl briefly updated on the efforts of the FMU.
• The fire wardens are working on the action plan and main fire breaks have been identified
• Small properties pose a threat because of number of houses on them
• Main problem area to initiate a fire break is on the Knysna river side-due to its very steep slope

DECISIONS

ü Grant McAlpine would send out a final letter to residents to get support and approval for the formation of the Rheenendal Action Group

ü Information would also be placed on the information board, Portland Mini Market

ü An extra fee of R50 will be added on to the membership fee in order to employ 1 person to clean the road side of litter for 1 day/month (fees will now be R170/annum)

ü Jamie Fearon has agreed to guide the next Youth for Nature outing as he specializes in Marine biology

ü Michelle from the Red Barn has agreed to supply the sandwiches for the outing

ü Jamie Fearon and Mark de Bruyn to find out more about the possibility of creating the look out point and on gravestones

ü Deon van Zyl and Petra ten Velde interested in furthering eco trail idea

ü Committee to keep in contact with Working for Water teams to ensure updates and information on clearing

ü