The end of Groenkloof Nature Reserve?

[Dibles]

"A plan for a massive development inside the Groenkloof Nature Reserve has surfaced."

 

http://rekordeast.co.za/81210/the-end-of-groenkloof-nature-reserve

 

 

[CDK]

I saw the plans for this in 2013 at Dali Tambo's offices. There are some serious ANC heavy weights behind this.

 

They are already busy with the sculpture project and I know there are some Chinese hand in there as well.

[wiledog_x]

as usual, no impact studies have been done to date, no public consultation entered into... typical ruling elite greed.

[Enduro_Jakes]

From an MTB point of view: Groenkloof has been lost to us for many years already due to the sickening crime levels and utter lack of caring.

 

From a conservation point of view: This is disgusting. Further proof the government cares even less about the country than it does about the people.... and that is less than f***all.

 

Conspiracy theory: Perhaps this is why the crime rate at Groenkloof has sky rocketed and all the k@k has hit the fan on every level. The city is purposely ignoring reports and evidence of issues in the hope that no one cares anymore and they can do what they want. They see it worked on the rest of the country so why would groenies be any different.

but thats just crazy talk I guess

[kosmonooit]

Despite the current problem of security, we really shouldn't let this happen,

[Beer4Recovery]

this effing country! 

[Toxic]

I always enjoy riding here.  But lately with all the security issues anyway I might go to Red barn more.  Any security issues at Red Barn anyone know off?

[wiledog_x]

I always enjoy riding here.  But lately with all the security issues anyway I might go to Red barn more.  Any security issues at Red Barn anyone know off?

it's safe on the Barn's side... not so on the other side of the main tar road. They use those trails for the USN races - very nice, but not safe to ride alone.

[Enduro_Jakes]

I always enjoy riding here.  But lately with all the security issues anyway I might go to Red barn more.  Any security issues at Red Barn anyone know off?

 

Red Barn is awesome! Always felt safe there and I have never heard of any incidents in the barn itself. Across the road are some nice trails but very dodge if you alone or in a small group.

[RudoJ]

Geez, and just a week after we had a total blast there for my son's 7th Birthday. It will be a very sad day, as Groenies has been the place where many of us fell in love with MTBíng and many pleasant hours where spent.

[River Rat]

No need to panic yet! These plans have been on the cards for sometime with the normal inaction from the municipality. The Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve are monitoring this quite closely so when they have some information I'll broadcast it here.

 

However, it might be worth reflecting on the possible impact of such a development. As I understand it, the intention is to develop the Fountains section and link it to Freedom Park. From a MTBiking perspective this might not be the worst thing to happen as it would effectively create a buffer zone between the squatter camp below Unisa and Groenkloof Nature reserve. Our Klapperkop Safety group has identified this squatter camp as one of the chosen hiding spots for perpetrators of crime in the Groenkloof and Fountains area and we have been trying to get Council to address the issue, so far without any joy (other than the odd raid from Hi Risk Security).

 

The other issue to consider is that this development requires private investors and the fact that the Moyos restaurant at Fountains has not been a success should be a concern for the council. Chatting to the chaps from Moyos their expectations were that they were going to tap into the LSM5 + market ( that's MTbikers, Hikers, Trail Runners etc). This disappeared from the Fountains reserve thanks to the security issues and some of you might recall that Moyos even started selling boererolls at Groenkloof on weekends to try and entice us as potential patrons for their restaurant. This also failed as the numbers in Groenkloof dwindled as well, so in a roundabout way this mooted development could prove to be the lightning rod needed to address the security concerns in the area.