HPP Newsletter - April 2024
Supplementing Municipal Services for a Safe, Clean and Healthy HSRA
Dear Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA) Property Owner,
During April
- The Director Finance of the Overstrand Municipality (OM) held a combined meeting with the Overstrand’s Special Rating Areas (SRA’s) which includes ourselves, Onrus/Vermont and Kleinmond. Like the HSRA, our neighbouring SRA’s have started the process of applying for an extension of term beyond 30 June 2025.
- Plans were finalised to launch a campaign to extend the HSRA’s term at the start of May. A survey aimed at determining property owners’ views will be the first critical step.
- We responded to the proposal from the Hermanus Baboon Action Group (HBAG) to include Baboon Monitoring in the HSRA mandate.
Extension of Term Campaign
The campaign to extend the HSRA’s term is conducted by HPP in our role as the HSRA’s management company. Through HPP, the HSRA supplements the safety and cleansing services of the Overstrand Municipality in public areas.
The link to the survey is below, which will help us understand:
- If you want the HSRA’s term to be extended for a period of another 5 years.
- If your answer is “Yes” to the above, which municipal services you would like to have supplemented.
- What you are willing to pay for these services
Your participation in this survey will be used to shape our motivation to the OM and thereby determine the future of the HSRA’s supplementary services to our community.
The survey will take around 12 minutes to complete. Please complete it as soon as you can and encourage your neighbours to do the same.
Participate in the HSRA Ratepayers Opinion Survey here.
My thanks go to Rod McLeod, who is leading the campaign on behalf of the HPP Board, as well as Leon Rauch and Marcia Bown, for their support.
Simply click the button below to complete the opinion survey.
Please have your ERF number to hand to complete the survey.
If you have any issues completing the survey, please contact Marcia Bown on 083 267 4527
Hermanus Baboon Action Group (HBAG)
In the March Newsletter I reported that HPP received a proposal from the Hermanus Baboon Action Group (HBAG) to include Baboon Monitoring in the mandate for the HSRA, in specified baboon affected areas of Eastern Hermanus only. Four members of the HPP Board and the Executive Officer met with HBAG representatives on 27 March to clarify our understanding of the proposal and explore options at hand.
Regrettably, the legislative framework within which the HSRA operates and HPP’s Memorandum of Incorporation with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) does not allow us to accommodate HBAG’s proposal. There are however, other alternatives which can be pursued.
Given that baboon management service provider, HWS, contractual relationships end on 7 December 2024, HBAG find themselves in a precarious situation. We remain keen to work with HBAG and the OM to find a sustainable solution to the challenge at hand.
Cleaning Services
HPP cleans the following cliff path areas on a regular basis:
- Roman Rock to the Marine Hotel
- Gearings Point to New Harbour
- Grotto East to Kraal Rock.
In addition, litter and debris in Bekker’s Park and Hoy’s Koppie is also removed.
The area at the lower end of Hoy’s Koppie, across from the Checkers parking area, received additional clearing due to refuse bags which had been torn open by vagrants. At Hoy’s Koppie itself, cleaning “off the path” and into the fynbos itself, was required.
A total of 260 black bags were picked up during the month, including the cleaning of all the beach and path rubbish bins, as well as parking areas along the cliff path.
Good News Story
In a heart-warming display of kindness, two HPP public safety officers (PSOs) have been praised for their acts of compassion.
One officer spotted a person in a wheelchair struggling up a steep incline along the Cliff Path. Without hesitation, the PSO rushed to assist, pushing the wheelchair, and earning gratitude from the occupant and bystanders.
Across town, another PSO noticed an open car boot in a quiet parking area. The officer located the owners and alerted them, preventing potential loss.
It’s crucial to remain vigilant as opportunistic crime is on the rise in the area. Ensure your home and vehicle are secured and report suspicious activity to HPP immediately. Should you be a victim of crime, please report the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS) promptly.
As always, HPP urges you to remain vigilant and to be safe.
Jerry van Niekerk
HPP Chair
E-Mail: chairperson@hpp.org.za
Website: https://hpp.org.za