Rescue the George Crocodile Farm land from Development

The Council of George Municipality adopted a Draft report by local consultants, Africa and Associates and F.C. Holm Architects on the future of the former George Crocodile Farm property. This Draft report is now available for public participation. In view of the fact that this portion of land is such a strategic asset for the growth and development of George, it is important to provide sufficient opportunity to all role-players to comment and provide their input. An official notice has been published in this issue of the George Herald, inviting comments on the report, George Crocodile Farm: Preliminary Planning Proposals (First Daft August 2009), that is available at the municipal planning department.

From the report it is evident that certain land uses are more appropriate for this property than others. Subsequently the report proposes universal development principles that should be adhered to in all circumstances. These principles propose that the development should be geared for the benefit of the community of George, ensure that this area of George is aesthetically improved and that the existing residential areas in the vicinity of the crocodile farm are not adversely affected by the development. Furthermore, the planning of the crocodile farm will include the other surrounding public areas such as the skate lab, Rotary Club and Vryburger buildings in a holistic planning exercise. The report also identified land uses that should not be considered by council as it is believed to be inappropriate for this property and this area.

The report further identified the importance of this property for the communities of George as well as facilities that may be developed in this area for the residents and tourists. The consultants investigated a range of land use alternatives for this strategic property. The report did not consider a single land use for the future use of the property, but has rather investigated a range of six different land use variations with accompanied benefits and disadvantages. The land uses span over a spectrum from full community benefit with minimal return to a full commercial option and maximum return. These alternatives included various land uses that ranged from community orientated facilities such as a landscaped park, theme/ activity park, community facility, public facilities and offices to commercial alternatives such as an office park or even a shopping centre.

The illustration provides a conceptual design of what a development on the crocodile property may look like.

The report also suggests that this area should include an urban sculpture or “folly” that would become internationally recognizable. This sculpture would have to do for George what the Sydney Opera House has done for Sydney, the Eifel Tower is doing for Paris or the huge pineapple has done for Bathurst. This, in itself, can be a very positive tourist attraction.

The decision of Council for the future use of this property will determine whether the land will be sold for office or commercial development or whether the George Municipality will develop the land itself for the benefit of the community of George. The decision to develop the land may include joint ventures and long term lease agreements with service providers that would deliver the facilities or amenities that the council envisages.

Whilst this report and proposals have been adopted by the George Council, no decision will be made until the public of George has had the opportunity to comment on the finding of the report. It is therefore very important that the community of George participate in this process and come forward with suggestions and comments on the report and alternatives available to the council.

All comments and inputs can be made to Stiaan Carstens: E-Mail [email protected] or Fax 086 570 1022

Click to expand...

The former Crocodile Farm – what happens next?

„What is happening at the old Croc Farm ?“ has been asked of the FROGHs („Friends of the George Heronry“) many times of late ......and now we all know – the Municipality has gone to great lengths to make a professional study of the possible uses of that piece of ground by tasking an appropriate consultant and making the report available to every interested citizen of George. (See GH 14.01.2009)

Further, the public has been invited to submit motivated objections/comments before the 15th February ( Public Notice 003/2010 ) and after the citizens of George have had their opportunity of communicating their wishes a further decision will be taken by the Council.

The FROGH comprise of many citizens of George (too many to be named here) who have voluntarily given of their time and professional services to help compile a proposal which was submitted and duly incorporated in the report currently under review.

The motivation of this NPO (Non-Profit Organisation) - who have NO vested interest in the outcome - is to utilise a natural phenomenon of roosting and breeding colonial birds which occurs in an urban area with a stable population for over 20 years to be developed in a manner to create a new tourist attraction, an educational facility and a revenue and job generating centre which can draw visitors off the highways surrounding George and bring visitors – foreign and national – into town.

The main points are :-

1.The birds ( as many as 2400 have been counted roosting at the old crocdile farm last year !) have become habituated to the location for both roosting and breeding. These birds are wild and cannot be simply relocated. Removal of the vegetation that they currently use will lead to them moving to a similar environment close by. This will not be gladly seen by the landowners as the huge amount of bird excrement creates a horrible mess and a potential health hazard. So rather exploit a unique natural phenomenon!
2.George is being seriously by-passed on the Garden Route visitor’s route and needs more attractions to draw overnight visitors to help enhance the local economy. Birding is a very important growing sector.
3.The location at the southern end of the CBD in a Gateway position makes the location perfect – easy to find, easy to reach – for visitors.
4.By developing tourism facilities eg. coffee shop, souvenir shop, information stall, craft market and eco water activity jobs and revenue will be created.
5.Centred around the birds currently in residence an educational facility would be a magnificent development for the school children of George.
6.A Rehabilitation Centre for birds is not available in the area and would offer further ecological services .

The UN proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity ( www.countdown2010.net ) to increase global awareness that declining biodiversity is NOT condusive to a healthy environment..
George has proved that in conditions of dire strain – our current drought - the Municipality and the citizens of George CAN do something to protect the environment. In this case use our most precious commodity – water – sparingly.

So the next challenge – sustaining biodiversity – and creating jobs and income at the same time seems to make sense.
Your opinion counts, so please make the effort to participate. Enquiries, comments and inputs to Mr S Carstens, George Municipality, York Street. Ref. 7/3/4. [email protected] or fax 086 570 1022.

For more details of the FROGH „Proposal for a Bird Sanctuary and more......“ contact [email protected] Fax 086 646 5458.

Click to expand...

PLANS to develop the former crocodile farm near the centre of George have ruffled the feathers of bird lovers who say it would be an ideal location to establish a bird tourism venture.

George Municipality has adopted a draft report from consultants looking at various possible uses for the land, at the cross roads of York Street, Hope Street bypass, the R102 airport road and the exit to the N2 highway.

The area has become a haven for bird life with hundreds of birds including sacred ibis, cattle egrets, greater and black-necked herons, reed cormorants and Lanner falcons on the property.

The report proposes a universal development geared towards the George community. George Municipality also wants a bus terminus, a tourism and accommodation bureau, a law enforcement office, an open market, an urban park for recreation and family entertainment, and a residential entity incorporated in the proposal.

According to the consultants, the land is suitable for six possible development proposals, including a bird sanctuary, youth village, tourism centre, and craft and community development centres, as well as an internationally recognisable sculpture similar to the Taal monument in Paarl.

The report says initial investigation shows the property is not “that crucial” for the birds, although an opinion from a third party might be required. It also says input from George Tourism and the local birding organisations will be required regarding the viability of a heronry as a tourism business.

Vice chairman of the Friends of George Heronry (Frogh), Ken Gie, yesterday said the association put forward a 17-page public/private partnership proposal to the municipality for a bird sanctuary and tourism centre in November 2008.

“We are a little disappointed that nothing has been said in the report about our plans to include a tourism bureau, restaurant and rehabilitation centre for sick birds,” Gie told The Herald.

He was also concerned about the proposal for mass housing on the site where 11 permanent breeding species had been identified.

“It is a phenomenal occurrence to have breeding bird colonies in the centre of a city like George.”

Gie and other bird lovers urged the community to take part in the public participation process and comment on the proposals for the crocodile farm.

The farm was shut in 2008 and about 700 crocodiles relocated to game farms. According to reports Heribert Seyer, who ran the farm where about 4000 crocodiles were bred, relocated to Mossel Bay.

Click to expand...