Significant progress has been made since the Batavia Street Conservation Area had been established, says Russell Hope, coordinator of the project.
The project has been a point of discussion in Subcouncil meetings for some time after rare fynbos species, some of which are only found in the area, had been discovered. To help ensure that the area and fynbos are protected and looked after, a Friends of the Batavia Street Fynbos Area has also been established.
Over time a sign had been erected to indicate that the land is a conservation area, and a 10-metre perimeter had also been cut by the City of Cape Town – firstly as a firebreak, and secondly as a perimeter for people to walk around on, says Hope.
He says as the Friends of the Batavia Street Fynbos Area, the team had been doing several clean-ups.
“We had put concrete bollards in the ground and do quarterly clean ups. To date we have had four with our fifth one taking place in December. We go out and pull out alien vegetation, pick up litter and put it on a pile. We also put in a whole lot of sticks, wherever the really protected fynbos is, to show that people must keep out,” he explains.
Future plans
Hope says that the City indicated that they will in future install a post-and-rail fencing along Batavia Street, as well as put up a sign that says Batavia Street Conservation Area with information on what plants there are. He says this is estimated to take place in February or March 2025 sometime.
“We have planted a lot of plants,” he says.
The seeds they planted in June are now about one inch high, he says.
“We have Proteas growing there and the endangered Spider Heads are also growing quite well.”
Hope says these blossoming plants are partly because there had been no mowing taking place in the area for the past three years now.
He also says they continue to get support from the City. These include supplying them with bags, mowing of the perimeter, removing the rubbish, and engaging with them regarding the fence and the signs.
“In the long run, we want to put a pathway in the area. But that is a while away,” Hope says.
Ward councillor
Local ward councillor, Miquette Temlett, confirmed to TygerBurger that the City’s parks and recreation department has committed to install a post-and-rail fence along with signage at the Batavia Street Conservation Area using savings from her ward allocation in February and March of 2025.
“No specific date has been set for the completion of the pathway,” she says.
She also made mention of the group of vagrants currently occupying the area. “The department has not yet provided any updates regarding the ongoing eviction matter, although I do know that the application was submitted.”
Temlett says in the meantime, the Friends of the Batavia Street Fynbos Area continue to make significant strides in maintaining and enhancing the space.
“Their dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated, and I commend them for their ongoing commitment to protecting and supporting this gem of nearly extinct flora in our community,” she says.
