Your article in the Midrand Reporter regarding the Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gekco) and the updating of their records provides an understandable view on their objectives.
However, there may be other factors which are not being brought to your readers’ attention.
It is difficult to understand why Gekco is strongly objecting to and delaying the installation of municipal sewerage. Once installed, sewerage pipes are below ground and do not affect the view or ecology of the area. Where reliance is placed on septic tanks and French drains, eventually they all need repair or replacement and unless they are maintained in pristine condition they can easily pollute the ground water.
Municipal sewerage provides a hassle-free way of disposing of sewage in an ecologically sound manner with no pollution of the ground water.
Those who are committed to a life with septic tanks can stay with their tanks, but for those plot owners who want to benefit from a more convenient solution and eliminate pollution of the ground water, there is the alternative of municipal sewerage and it becomes a decision for each individual plot owner.
Plot owners who think the idea of being in a conservancy is good, might wish to consider how this is going to affect the value of their property.
Their plots may be worth R1.5 million to R2 million per hectare but if developers see an opportunity in the area, their property values could increase up to R4 million per hectare.
Your article calls for support of Gekco from the owners of plots in the surrounding areas. It is interesting to note that Crowthorne, adjacent to Kyalami and an obvious neighbour with their residents having the strongest basis for objection, is omitted from the list.
