A PUBLIC meeting, called by
the Beach Joint Action
Committee (JBAC)
By
Yvonne Craig
Editor Our Times
A PUBLIC meeting, called by
the Beach Joint Action
Committee (JBAC), was held
on Thursday, January 18, at
the St Francis Links to
discuss concerns relating to
the Beach Restoration
Project and the levy.
The conference centre was
packed to beyond capacity
(approximately 250 people)
and unfortunately many were
unable to hear either Mike
Wylie of the Beach Joint
Action Committee (BJAC), who
chaired the meeting, or
questions and comments from
the floor.
Some extremely rude people,
who interrupted and
interjected, exacerbated the
whole condition and caused
embarrassment to those
around them. Several people
commented that this was not
in keeping with the spirit
of St Francis.
Mike Wylie introduced
himself and provided
information on his
long-standing links with St
Francis Bay and his business
expertise. He stressed that
the ultimate goal of the
Beach Trust was to save and
restore the beach, but that
the project would not go
ahead without the support of
the community.
He explained that the R700
000 raised so far had been
used for research and
putting the feasibility
study together and that a
Section 21 Company would be
formed to manage the
project.
The Operations Manager would
be the only paid management
position in the company.
There were many questions
and comments from the floor
regarding the levy and other
facets of the project but
there was overwhelming
agreement that something had
to be done about the beach.
Those who had been totally
opposed were considering
options.
Wylie said that the minutes
of the meeting would be sent
to all those who had handed
in their e-mail addresses at
the meeting. A limited
number would be available
from Edward Busakwe at the
Municipal Office.
Joe Oosthuizen also
addressed the meeting and
explained the reasons for
the objections put forward.
The community felt that more
possibilities should be
explored, particularly with
regard to the financing of
the project.
Oosthuizen encouraged
residents to work together
and become part of the
process. He believed that
there were sufficiently
talented people in the town
for this to happen.
Mike Wylie outlined an
organizational structure
that would fully involve the
community. This would
consist of the following
committees: Technical - to
handle the dredger,
pipeline, and reef; Finance
and Legal; Environment and
Kromme River; and
Communications. Two more
were finalised after the
meeting: Referendum and
Fundraising.
The BJAC needs people with
the requisite skills,
qualifications, and
experience to come forward
immediately to make
themselves available to work
on these committees. They
must be prepared to come up
with proposals as time is of
the essence.
A follow-up Public Meeting
will be held to discuss
these proposals after which
a referendum would be
conducted.
People said they were
committed to helping the
cause and did not wish to
see a divided community. The
meeting ended on a positive
note with Drummond Campbell
saying: "The Trust should be
commended for the work done
so far."
Please contact the following
if you are able to offer
your expertise in any of the
above committees:
Joe Oosthuizen: joe@chemdry.co.za
Tel: 042 294 1689 Cell: 072
171 5109
Emlyn Horne: finance@stfrancisbay
.co.za Cell: 083 377
5145
Alan Tonkin: trust@stfrancisbay.org
Cell: 082 777 1519
Paddy Oosthuizen: paddy@chemdry
.co.za Tel 042 294 1689
(W) 042 294 0581 (H) Cell:
082 426 5060.
Three
Artificial reefs planned for
St Francis Bay
Speaking
after a tour hosted by the
St Francis Bay Beach Trust,
the minister said it was
important that the
environmental impact
assessment for the town’s
beach rescue project should
be completed and objectively
assessed by the provincial
authorities.
