The Cape Bird Club

MINUTES OF THE CAPE BIRD CLUB CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on Mon  26 October 2009 at Dave's house.

Present: Dave Whitelaw, Felicity Ellmore, Frank Wygold, Isabella Haydon, Cliff Dorse, Suretha Dorse.
Apologies: Doug Harebottle, Gavin Lawson.

1. Strandfontein – They applied to the Table Mountain Fund for funding but were turned down as there was not enough botanical importance. Arno said try again next year. Cliff suggested including Pelican Park for the plants.

• Dave has suggested to Vernon that the next big fundraiser should be for Strandfontein. Need to look at Strandfontein as the southern birding area in False Bay Ecology Park. The pans should be classified as contract N R because of their IBA status.
• No students are going to be paid to work for City Nature next year. Dave thinks we should pay a student to work at Strandfontein out of the money the council gave us. Cliff will talk to Asief soon so that we can get the pick of the students.
• Dave has reminded Victoria to send info to Gavin for the website.

2. Paarden Eiland – There needs to be a management plan for Paarden Eiland. Dave suggested that he, Cliff and Frank go to the area to get ideas. Cliff thinks that Bonganie and Koos Retief should be there as well. Need to get ideas/formulate a vision which can be passed on to whoever does the management plan.

• Frank complained about the dogs at the Friends of Paarden Eiland meeting – Bernadette le Roux was there. Next day the dogs were gone.
• The sewage pipe has now been fixed
• The toxic waste is now going into the sewage system not the vlei.
• Frank will phone Chubb to find out what it will cost to fix the alarm system. CBC will pay but Frank must contact Chubb.
• Maizels cottage – the High court has authorised eviction. Fist they appealed but now they have signed a document to say they will be out by March. The hospitals long term plan is to move Frank into Maizels cottage.

3. Raapenberg – Isabella suggests Gill Ford take over – she will contact Gill.

• Isabella went to the Trup agm – they are getting a constitution together to become a PBO
• The hospital wants to demolish the Enviro Centre and build a parking lot.

4. Edith Stephens – Dave will contact Doug and Stacy.

5. Flaminkvlei – They are busy resubmitting the scoping report. Suretha will email to find out what is happening.

6. House crow – Louis Stafford is sending an application to get starlicide registered.

7. Penguins – Rob Crawford has been talking to the fishing industry – and to extend the fishing ban around the islands.

NEXT MEETING – 2 December 2009 at Dave’s house.