scubes Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I found this map which shows how the Zendai Chinese company will develop Modderfontein. Looks like the nature reserve will be surrounded. Will it survive? What will cycling be like hemmed in by this huge development?
Cranky Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Before Zendai, Heartland had always planned to develop the land too. The reserve fence is currently incomplete allowing us to ride on the large adjacent area of land too. Once that is developed, the small reserve will remain, but whether we will still be able to ride there I don't know. Obviously total trail length will be drastically reduced, and wildlife like antelope and zebras probably will need to be relocated. I reckon we have about 5-10 years left to enjoy the trails.
scubes Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 that is a pityit is a good cycle venuei emailed zendai and aeci asking them to keep the reserve as is..
scubes Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 I received a reply from AECI : "I share your sentiments regarding the Modderfontein Reserve and AECI's has> put every measure in place to ensure that the future of the Reserve is> secured and that ongoing management initiatives are sound from an> environmental and conservational perspective. The Endangered Wildlife Trust> (EWT) acts as independent managers of the Reserve to ensure that this> outcome is achieved."
Davey_Jones Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Well at least we know now that the Chinese guys are not allowed to own the land just take out a long lease on it.
Cranky Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 But as you say, the reserve will be surrounded by huge development. Currently there are many migrants (like European bee-eaters, red-chested cuckoo) coming into the area, and small animals (like jackals, genets, duiker) outside the designated reserve area. The river systems already have been polluted by the Greenstone development. I received a reply from AECI : "I share your sentiments regarding the Modderfontein Reserve and AECI's has> put every measure in place to ensure that the future of the Reserve is> secured and that ongoing management initiatives are sound from an> environmental and conservational perspective. The Endangered Wildlife Trust> (EWT) acts as independent managers of the Reserve to ensure that this> outcome is achieved."
EmptyB Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 I received a reply from AECI : "I share your sentiments regarding the Modderfontein Reserve and AECI's has> put every measure in place to ensure that the future of the Reserve is> secured and that ongoing management initiatives are sound from an> environmental and conservational perspective. The Endangered Wildlife Trust> (EWT) acts as independent managers of the Reserve to ensure that this> outcome is achieved." Hmmmm....not convinced!!
Cranky Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Well at least we know now that the Chinese guys are not allowed to own the land just take out a long lease on it.As far as I know, the Chinese already sold the Westlake area to Balwin properties, the guys who have built most of the apartments in Greenstone. Seehttp://www.balwin.co.za/westlake-eco-estate-soon-to-be-released/
Plentipotential Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 But as you say, the reserve will be surrounded by huge development. Currently there are many migrants (like European bee-eaters, red-chested cuckoo) coming into the area, and small animals (like jackals, genets, duiker) outside the designated reserve area. The river systems already have been polluted by the Greenstone development. Those rivers have always been filthy as its the stream/river which flows from the industrial area Sebenza. This flows through the golf course then into dam no. 1 at the small shopping centre and then into the reserve. The other river comes off the ash dump to the North East of Founders View, also includes the small sewerage works next to the R 25 on the way to Kempton Park, and also ends up in the dam. The other rivers start North of this area and are the ones crossed well into the ride, these are cleaner but can include chemicals from AEL. Sadly it will not be there forever but lets enjoy it while it lasts. Saw African Grass Owl, Cape Eagle Owl and Steppe Buzzard on Wednesday.
Cranky Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Those rivers have always been filthy as its the stream/river which flows from the industrial area Sebenza. This flows through the golf course then into dam no. 1 at the small shopping centre and then into the reserve. The other river comes off the ash dump to the North East of Founders View, also includes the small sewerage works next to the R 25 on the way to Kempton Park, and also ends up in the dam. The other rivers start North of this area and are the ones crossed well into the ride, these are cleaner but can include chemicals from AEL. Sadly it will not be there forever but lets enjoy it while it lasts. Saw African Grass Owl, Cape Eagle Owl and Steppe Buzzard on Wednesday. True, but it has got much worse since Greenstone was developed. I have lived in Modderfontein for 13 years. In the first few years, my dogs and many others swam in dam 1 often, and there were lots of birds. No one lets their dog swim there anymore. It stinks. How people can fish there and eat what they catch I don't know.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.