|
|
|
Propose for the Tourism Center and not Housing Dev
|
|
Date: 2010/01/14 18:12
|
By: admin
|
Status: Admin
|
|
|
|
|
Admin
| Posts: 59 |  |
|
|
When I opened the George Herald Page 10 today I was shocked to hear about a proposed Crocodile Farm housing development,
in other words it means destroying some of the habit for the below listed birds ie
Greater Heron, Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis etc etc
When looking at images below supplied by the Friends of the Heronry I felt shocked that this development can even be proposed.
I believe not mentioned is a George Municipality Tourist Center proposal that will keep most of the land and not be used for housing development.
This Tourist Center proposal will be a big drawcard to George especially for bird watchers, tourists, scholars, oldies - no need to drive far to view the "traffic jam" in the morning and evening as 1000 of birds fly in to roost for the night or fly out to look for food. Its awe inspiring to see so many birds so close to town.
Please email Stiaan Carstens Deputy Senior Manager at the
George Municipality: Planning Department 4th Floor to say that
you object to the Crocodile Farm Housing Development and propose
the Tourist Center proposal
Email: stiaan@george.org.za
Fax: 0860 570 1022
Please do not use strong language and support the Tourism Center idea
Hopefully the flood of emails in support for the Tourist Center will change their minds,
goto the Planning Dept and ask to view the Tourist Center proposal.
Due to George Herald newspaper not believing on setting up a website
here is scanned copy of the article
More Photos to be viewed here
Cattle Egret
No space left
Sacred Ibis
|
|
|
The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
|
|
|
Re:Propose for the Tourism Center and not Housing Dev
|
|
Date: 2010/01/21 02:33
|
By: admin
|
Status: Admin
|
|
|
|
|
Admin
| Posts: 59 | |
|
|
Croc farm flies in face of birders’ plans
PLANS to develop the former crocodile farm near the centre of George have ruffled the feathers of bird lovers who say it would be an ideal location to establish a bird tourism venture.
George Municipality has adopted a draft report from consultants looking at various possible uses for the land, at the cross roads of York Street, Hope Street bypass, the R102 airport road and the exit to the N2 highway.
The area has become a haven for bird life with hundreds of birds including sacred ibis, cattle egrets, greater and black-necked herons, reed cormorants and Lanner falcons on the property.
The report proposes a universal development geared towards the George community. George Municipality also wants a bus terminus, a tourism and accommodation bureau, a law enforcement office, an open market, an urban park for recreation and family entertainment, and a residential entity incorporated in the proposal.
According to the consultants, the land is suitable for six possible development proposals, including a bird sanctuary, youth village, tourism centre, and craft and community development centres, as well as an internationally recognisable sculpture similar to the Taal monument in Paarl.
The report says initial investigation shows the property is not “that crucial” for the birds, although an opinion from a third party might be required. It also says input from George Tourism and the local birding organisations will be required regarding the viability of a heronry as a tourism business.
Vice chairman of the Friends of George Heronry (Frogh), Ken Gie, yesterday said the association put forward a 17-page public/private partnership proposal to the municipality for a bird sanctuary and tourism centre in November 2008.
“We are a little disappointed that nothing has been said in the report about our plans to include a tourism bureau, restaurant and rehabilitation centre for sick birds,” Gie told The Herald.
He was also concerned about the proposal for mass housing on the site where 11 permanent breeding species had been identified.
“It is a phenomenal occurrence to have breeding bird colonies in the centre of a city like George.”
Gie and other bird lovers urged the community to take part in the public participation process and comment on the proposals for the crocodile farm.
The farm was shut in 2008 and about 700 crocodiles relocated to game farms. According to reports Heribert Seyer, who ran the farm where about 4000 crocodiles were bred, relocated to Mossel Bay.
|
|
|
The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
|
