Racecourse site: Consider the environment
Don't they realise trees are the lungs of the earth and for every tree we remove, we need to replant another? See response from NICO PRINSLOO - Development manager
EDITOR – With regards to the development at the sold Clairwood Racecourse, we all know that Capital Property Fund has bought the property for logistic purposes.
However while driving past the racecourse property a while ago, I was dismayed to see that many of the beautiful trees had been removed.
As can be seen by the photo on the front page of the Sun some weeks ago, I honestly can’t see the purpose of removing the boundary trees that were there. I recall some time ago when I went to a party at the Stewards Quarters, I was really awestruck by the beauty of the place and it was because of the beautiful trees. I can understand that some of the trees would need to be removed inside the property, but what I fail to understand is why the trees on the perimeter had to be removed.
Don’t they realise trees are the lungs of the earth and for every tree we remove, we need to replant another?
Why can’t the people involved in this development take heed. We need the oxygen the trees give us and let me tell you that slowly but surely we are experiencing more pollution and less oxygen. Please let’s be good stewards of our environment so that we leave a beautiful legacy for our children.
I’m not opposed to expansion as I believe that we have to move forward and businesses are obviously growing regarding import and export, and development will bring more jobs.
I’m just disappointed that the environment is never seriously considered.
LINDA MILLN
EDITOR – We welcome this opportunity to reply to a letter from Ms Milln regarding the removal of trees on the Clairwood Logistics Park site.
While a small number of trees had to be removed to facilitate the alignment of new roads and infrastructure, the majority were removed in order to comply with legislation that requires the removal of alien species as they either displace indigenous plants or require large amounts of water and compromise the health of watercourses. (Source Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs).
As part of the development, we are rehabilitating a seven hectare wetland. This will conserve and perhaps even re-introduce indigenous plants that have been lost to the greater Clairwood area and race course over the last few decades.
In addition, a donation by the Capital Property Fund to the KZN Crane Foundation will enable this organisation to purchase and rehabilitate a 15 hectare site in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands for the preservation of these endangered birds.
At present, the wetland on the property is low functioning. We aim to create a higher functioning, diverse wetland that will be fenced and open to the local community and schools and serve as an important educational and environmental resource.
NICO PRINSLOO
Development manager – Capital Property Fund
