The following extract is from recent items published in the Hout Bay press.

In January the first formal meeting of the Hout Bay Ward Catchment Committee was held being a major milestone for those who would like to see our environment more vigorously protected. Central to Hout Bay's environment is our river which is hardly known by most of Hout Bay's inhabitants. The lower "vlei area" of the river has enormous potential as a bird and wildfowl sanctuary which would be of enormous significance on the Peninsula's tourism map. The Catchment Committee hopes to eventually rehabilitate the area in time and we hope the support of the community will allow this to happen.

Strangely, I believe the major reason why development encroachment was kept at bay all these years was because we have only recently switched to a mains sewage reticulation system. Previously each prospective home builder would have to dig a 2m hole on site for inspection to see if the land could absorb a "soak away", if not - no building was allowed. The other reason was that building below the 50yr flood line was rejected. Whilst some slipped through the net, many applications were presumably refused - hence we still have a vlei area which could be rehabilitated.

If you haven't yet taken the opportunity - walk up the river from the Princess Bridge and get an idea of the immense area that could sustain a wetland which could attract enormous numbers of sea and waterfowl and could become an international attraction.

The importance of the re-establishment of the wetlands is clear. The CMC's recent report shows that the deteriorated water quality in the estuary (where lots of children play) is second only to Three Anchor Bay in terms of pollution and they have been asked to erect signs as health warnings. Sadly the ecosystem has been severely interfered with and damaged in successive years by so called "maintenance" and the point has been reached where the man made central channel is now basically a storm water sewer. Sadly our wetlands have lost their "sponge effect" which is natures method of purifying the the water which should leach through to the lagoon and sea.

However, today I did see a small ray of hope - whilst walking up the river I was delighted to see a tiny Malachite Kingfisher perched on a reed in the river bed and which must be one of nature's most beautiful creations. I haven't seen one there in years - perhaps he's staking his claim because he's secretly heard about our wetlands rehabilitation project!

Dave Cowley