St Francis Property Owners Association Newsletter October 2024
St Francis Property Owners Membership Renewal
This is a friendly call to all members to renew their annual membership. It costs only R600 per annum, or R375 if you’re a pensioner.
For all membership details and payment links, please go to – https://stfrancispropertyowners.com/membership/.
There are also ten excellent reasons to join the St Francis Bay Residents/Ratepayers Association.
Beach Amenities Project Update
Jaco Prins is the SFPO Association Beaches and Environment Representative.
Kouga municipality logged a request with the National Government for a coastal project and funding to enhance the beachfront here at St Francis Bay. The project was approved, but currently, the funding is outstanding. As the SFPO Association, we are working closely with Kouga municipality and various local stakeholders, such as Kromme Enviro-Trust, to bring the project to fruition. In terms of the approved project scope, the following have been listed: construction of a coastal boardwalk, ablution facilities, tidal pool, beach facilities and dune stabilisation and rehabilitation.
To continue the momentum, we have engaged local architects to start a design of the area, from St Francis Main Beach to and including Grannies pool. The area has been surveyed to assist with detailed designs for review and communication. We have also reached out to National Government to see how we can help make this project a reality.
We are excited about upgrading the area with new and enhanced facilities so that all community members can enjoy the beach and coastal experience.
Increased Security In Santareme With Additional Cameras
Paul Middleton is the SFPO Association Safety and Security Representative.
Residents in “Phase 4” of Santareme have come together to install four camera poles in strategic locations, covering all entrance points to the area—specifically Triton Avenue, Cockle Street, and Mussel Avenue. We’ve observed a definite decrease in crime where cameras have been installed. SFPO Association has funded the new Camera Pole that will be placed in the Shark Point car park.
Ambulance Service
As of this month, a Gardmed ambulance will be permanently stationed in St. Francis Bay, thanks to a partnership between Calibre Security, Grand Comoros Retirement Estate, and Gardmed Ambulance Service. This 24/7 emergency response service will provide much-needed medical support to our community.
As part of this initiative, all Calibre response officers and control room operators will undergo Level 3 First Aid training to offer immediate assistance during emergencies. In an emergency, Calibre clients should contact the Calibre Control Room at 042 294 0038. An operator will coordinate with response officers and dispatch the ambulance if necessary.
Levels of Medical Care:
- Basic Life Support (BLS): For non-life-threatening situations.
- Intermediate Life Support (ILS): Includes IV fluids and ECG monitoring.
- Advanced Life Support (ALS): Includes advanced procedures and medication.
Please note that while the ambulance service is available to the entire St. Francis Bay community, reduced rates apply exclusively to current Calibre clients.
For more details on ambulance service costs for Calibre clients, please email Paul at paul@calibresecurity.co.za or pop in and chat with Paul.
If you are not a Calibre client and would like to benefit from this service, please get in touch with Paul at paul@calibresecurity.co.za or 0797558082.
Launch Of Concrete Curb Street Signs Project
Chris Gray is the Vice Chairman of the SFPO Association.
The street name rollout project will involve positioning approximately 110 precast street kerbs 1200mm long with the street name and Association logo embossed into the kerb.
SanStone will manufacture the moulds and deliver the kerbs, and Signarama will provide the signage.
It is envisaged the manufacture and delivery will be this year, and installation will begin mid-January 2025.
Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman launched a petition against Eskom’s proposed 40% tariff increase.
He encourages all residents of the Eastern Cape to sign the petition, which will be delivered to Parliament.
Residents against the proposed increase are encouraged to sign the petition at https://4i959i3h.forms.app/online-petition-form.
Kromme River Welcomes Spring
The Kromme Joint River Committee wishes to welcome all visitors and locals to the Kromme River and trusts that, with the weather slowly improving, everyone will enjoy all the river has to offer.
The authorised EIA for the Spit and Beach is still in place, and once work commences, sand will be dredged from the river to replenish the Beach. Unfortunately, no dredging will be allowed until the project commences. Due to the ongoing silting of the river, it is important to note that the navigable channels are still extremely narrow and shallow in places. Special care must, therefore, be taken when cruising up or down the river.
The River Mouth keeps changing, and care must be taken when exiting from Ski Canal to the River Mouth and sea or cruising down the river and exiting through the mouth to the sea. Strong currents are present in the mouth, and it is advisable not to swim in the mouth and basin area.
We have had some extreme changes to the river mouth estuary area. The area between Manies spruit and the sweeping bend to the right has become almost entirely unnavigable at low tide. The centre sand bar has completely shifted, resulting in little to no channel between the rocks and the beach.
To avoid damaging your boats, we highly recommend that skippers wanting to navigate the river do so via the Cove canal exit to proceed upriver.
Exiting the mouth can still be done safely via the ski canal.
SFPO AGM 2024
The St Francis Property Owners Association will hold their annual Annual General Meeting on 17 December at The Links. The AGM will take place at 16:00. More details to follow.
Useful Links:
Fundraising Update: See the latest figures here.
St Francis Aesthetics Standards document here.
Kouga Local Municipality here
SFPO Contact Details
Lyn Aitken – admin manager
Telephone: 042 294 0594
Email: info@sfpo.co.za
Physical Address: (Office): 9 Philippa Place, St Francis Bay,