Environmentally Speaking   

We are privileged to live in an environment that provides open spaces with security, golf, padel, tennis, snooker, pétanque, squash and cricket and clubhouse facilities that cater for families with a bar, restaurant, pool and braai facilities.

The Board’s Technical committee is responsible for developing strategy, policy and methodology for the likes of sidewalk maintenance, parks and gardens, garden refuse, tree pruning with the objective of maintaining a balance between humans and the wildlife with which we are privileged to share our homes. To this end, under this portfolio, the Environmental Committee operates.

In mid-2024, the Board adopted an Environmental Plan, a simplified version of two previous efforts developed in 2013 and early 2024. This approved plan is available on request from the General Manager.

The biggest step forward is the re-establishment of a nature trail around golf holes 15 – 18, along the banks of the river up to Pinehurst Park, returning through bush towards the padel courts and the club.

In addition, the golf club has kindly allowed walkers access to the fairways on the course.  The Estate is home to an immense variety of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, wild flowers and indigenous trees. Nature lovers are excited about the increasing numbers of unusual sightings residents spot from their gardens or on their walks around the estate.

The route has been finalised following discussion with concerned residents and the golf club.

See the Interactive Map on our website.

The trail is approx. 2.8km long and offers shade on most of the route, with many viewpoints along the way.

As with most things today there are a few rules, the most important are:

• Walkers, runners, fishermen are allowed on the course with the specific condition that golfers are always given right of way.
• Golfers have right of way at all times. Primarily for your safety, please show respect and wait for them to play, or retreat if you are in their line of sight. It is preferable to use the fairways before 08h00 and after 17h00 where possible.
• Dog walkers are allowed, but dogs must always be on a leash. Dog poo is to be picked up and disposed of responsibly.
• The ONLY leash-free zone is at the cricket club.
• Adult cyclists and golf carts are not permitted.
• The recently renamed Otter Island accessed over the new rustic bridge opposite Muirfield, is a sanctuary and therefore a NO DOG ZONE.

We request that people respect the above rules.

They apply to owners, tenants and visitors alike. Non-compliance will result in fines being issued and added to the levy account of the owner.

Access to the golf course by non-players is part of a concession by the golf club. This can be removed or amended at any time if we do not abide by these reasonable conditions.

Monkeys – the existing approved status regarding a monkey policy has not changed.

The HOA does not take any responsibility for any incident resulting from any interaction with any wildlife of any description on the estate. The estate will not remove, relocate or interfere with any wildlife unless a particular individual or group presents a serious threat of injury to human life and the individual or group is clearly identified as the threat.

When this occurs, then any action taken by the HOA will be accordance with the existing laws and current good practice.

The HOA does not recognise relocation as a viable alternative, due to its complexity and cost. There is no levy budget allocation for euthanising of any animal and if such an action is requested and approved by the HOA, the costs may be for the account of the complainant.

Environmental biodiversity group.

There is a dedicated WhatsApp group that records sightings daily.  We have over 50 participants and encourage other enthusiasts to join. Please note it is not, and will not become, a monkey incident group.

Help us make it better:

Any ideas, suggestions, complaints and compliments may be submitted in writing to the GM via email. (N.B. WhatsApp and phone calls are not considered a formal form of communication).

Other than grass cutting, verges, trees and the regular monthly costs the Environment committee avoids being a burden to the Estate financially and much work is done on a voluntary basis and with private donations (financial, materials, signage etc.).

We are always looking for people to assist with tree identification, route marking, removal of invader species and we have projects identified for bird hides, environmental centre, upgrade of picnic spots and park benches to name a few.

Making this a better place for all – one step, one bridge, one bird, one wildflower at a time.