The club recently disclosed that maintenance and management of the open space which the golf course occupies may cease because of financial constraints it faces.
Du Bois has called on all Bluff residents, businesses and stakeholders to safeguard their property investment by investing in retaining the Bluff’s vital green lung area.
“The Bluff National Park Golf Course is far more than a series of 18 holes. It occupies an environmentally and ecologically sensitive part of our suburb. As an ecosystem, it is among the last surviving outposts of nature in our increasingly urbanised environment. It is both a wetland and a green lung which affords solace and aesthetic beauty to our otherwise man-made, materialistic habitat.”
He says this ‘priceless asset’ contributes enormous value to the suburb. “And just as properties which have a beach or an ocean frontage command higher values, properties overlooking the Bluff’s green lung derive a similar advantage,” said Du Bois. “The survival of our green lung is, therefore, in the interests of all Bluff residents. It is a responsibility which needs to be shared and not left only to members of the golf club.”
His concern stems from the green lung’s likely degradation and deterioration – as well as the likely establishment of an informal settlement – should the golf club not be able to manage and maintain the site. “Soaring costs in the upkeep of our green lung have exceeded the financial capacity of the club. Unless additional sources of funding become available urgently, management of the green lung is going to cease.”
Du Bois strongly suggests that in order to avert such a crisis and in a bid to sustain the green lung, a special trust fund is to be established, the aim of which is to secure a minimum of 1,000 donors who will each contribute R400 per annum.
“This is fractionally more than R1 per day. I urge you to commit to safeguarding your property investment on the Bluff by making a small investment in our green lung,” he said.
The trust fund account details will be made available as they are finalised.
