Progress is being made on the development of the Batavia Street Conservancy in Bothasig.
This according to municipal manager Roxanne Moses, who indicated at the last Subcouncil 3 meeting, held on Thursday last week, there has been movement on the item.
According to Moses, Ward 5 Councillor Miquette Temlett and Subcouncil 3 chair Phindile Maxiti met with the newly-established Friends of the Batavia Street Conservancy Park recently. She said the group had a programme of action and created a pamphlet with information about the park. She also mentioned the Friends were eager to create a new space at the site.
Councillors were discussing the fence and walkway at the Batavia Street Conservancy at the meeting.
According to Moses the City of Cape Town’s nature conservation committee will work with the Friends.
“There has been a request for the installation of a fence, but the Department of Parks and Recreation is not in favour of it. We are therefore looking at wooden posts, rails and bollards.
“There is also signage coming, one that will say Batavia Street Conservancy, another one would be a board on what plants can be found at the park.”
She said there will also be looked at how they can create a recreational space at the park itself. These include the possible installation of park benches and a play area in the park.
Eviction order
“We have a family of six living in the public open space now. Parks have applied for an eviction order, which is in process.”
From her side, Temlett told councillors she is very excited that the Friends had been established and also took the opportunity to thank the parks and recreation department for their input at the recently held meeting.
“I must reiterate my concerns regarding the eviction and interdict. This is important for the creation of this space,” she said.
Moses said last week was the last time the Batavia Street Conservancy item would feature on the Subcouncil’s agenda, before its boundary changes come into effect. Once these were complete Wards 1 and 5 would form part of Subcouncil 7. The item on the Batavia Street Conservancy will subsequently be removed from Subcouncil 3 to 7.
Temlett also requested her budget allocation for the financial year be transferred to Subcouncil 7 so she can continue and complete these projects.
