Vision Statement - for the Hout Bay River Forum
adopted  8th Dec 1999

Preamble

This Vision Statement recognises that the Hout Bay River System and its associated Wetlands and Catchment Areas constitute a unique natural asset - the last remaining River System linking Table Mountain to the sea that is still capable of restoration and conservation as a natural wildlife and recreational resource of national and international significance.

Aims

To guide the management of the River System so that its biodiversity can be promoted, restored and conserved and the natural continuity and equilibrium of its riverine and wetlands ecosystems can be sustained from the headwaters of its tributaries to the sea.

To assist the development of new river management and soft engineering methods which will allow the whole river system to perform its natural functions of containing floodwaters and filtering and biologically purifying the water in its wetlands before flowing into the sea.

To work towards the establishment of a legally protected green corridor consisting of the River's special natural environments extending from the Cape Peninsula National Park to the sea for the benefit of future generations.

To seek solutions to development issues affecting the River that are sympathetic to the realisation of the Hout Bay River System as an irreplaceable national and international ecological asset.

To establish the Forum as the responsible body for monitoring development activity and advising on all planning decisions affecting the River System, including its tributary riverine courses and wetlands as defined in the Preamble above.

To monitor and publish details of water quality in the river and its outflow and to seek the application of the law against those who abuse the river, its banks and wetlands in any way, eg. by pollution, introduction of alien or invasive plants, illegal use of its waters or by destruction or erosion of its banks.

Hout Bay River Forum Vision.

Motivational rationale
The purpose of the "Vision" is for the Forum to communicate its medium and long term aims to the world at large, for the benefit of the community. We recognise the invaluable support given to the Forum by the participating local government representatives, however, it is the responsibility of the community itself to be the designer and the driver of such a vision and it would be irresponsible for the local community to ignore such a duty.

The vision is in no way at odds with any current planning model, however, we would be happy to debate its content in order to improve or clarify it. It is designed to be apolitical and rests on our concern for the conservation of the natural environment of one of the world's most beautiful valleys, the community we love.

A WWF publication just released, "The living Planet Report 1999" states that since 1970 almost 1/3 of the world's natural resources have been lost, a frightening fact.

In 1970 I frequently saw armies of frogs walking across Empire Avenue. I had tortoises in my garden and chameleons in the trees. Most of the frogs have gone due to fertilisers and other pollutants. I havn't seen a tortoise or a chameleon for a long time but we still have a chance.

On entering a new millennium we have a duty to our children and our children's children to ensure that they will not point to us and say; "That was the generation that destroyed our heritage".

We have to commit to this vision and we have to make it happen.

Dave Cowley  20/9/1999
Chairman Hout Bay & Llandudno Heritage Trust