Harbour: Public Works keeps Hout Bay guessing

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure says a meeting it was due to hold last month with Hout Bay community representatives on plans for the harbour will now only happen in October... or, perhaps, November.

The department had planned to hold the meeting last month (“Harbour meeting to happen this month – Public Works,” Sentinel, August 2) after members of a Hout Bay Harbour steering committee complained that they had been left in the dark about the national government’s project to renovate the harbour (“Harbour renovations must involve the community,” Sentinel, July 26).

“So far we didn't hear anything from the Department of Public Works,” said Hout Bay Harbour steering committee vice-chairperson Haneefa Opperman.

After Sentinel sent several queries to the department about the meeting, spokesperson Cindy Green confirmed the date for it had been pushed back.

“Due to unforeseen challenges, the initial meeting could not take place during August. It is contemplated that it will take place during October or November.”

Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said he had raised the issue of the harbour renovation when he had met Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment Dr Dion George at the minister’s offices at Parliament on Tuesday August 20.

Challenges faced by Hout Bay’s small-scale fishers and seal petting at the harbour had also been discussed, he said.

“It is no secret that our community have challenged, found issue and highlighted their concerns around quota allocations, amongst other issues. I felt it important for the new minister to be made aware and to take note of the support needed for our fisher folk.

“The seal petting was raised as a concern, in terms of its illegality and the harm it causes the animals, which become overweight and incapable of hunting for themselves and thereby dependent on those persons illegally interacting and profiting of wildlife,“ Mr Quintas said.

Ms Opperman said the 18-member steering committee had not been told about or invited to the meeting with Dr George.

“This is the also first time I heard about this meeting with the councillor and the DFFE minister. If they discussed plans for the harbour, they should come to the community and the committee. The harbour belongs to the coastal people, which is the Hout Bay community. They should show us the plans so we can collectively discuss it,” she said.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson had been scheduled to tour the harbour and inspect the neglected buildings there on Thursday August 15 , but that tour was postponed due to flight delays at OR Tambo International Airport, according to the minister’s spokesperson, James de Villiers.

The new date for the harbour tour is yet to be confirmed, but Mr De Villiers said it was likely to happen at the end of the month.