Goals
Its objectives include:
- Represent property owners and residents of Brenton-on-Sea in dealing with issues relating to government/municipal service delivery to the area, and in so doing to maintain a quality living environment with reliable services.
- Where possible, monitor the state of bulk service infrastructure in the area (including roads, fire equipment, water infrastructure, sewerage infrastructure, waste transfer and disposal facilities, street lighting and electricity) and, where necessary, raise problems of major or ongoing concern with the relevant representative/official of local government. NOTE: Landowners and residents are encouraged to log domestic and day-to-day faults that they notice themselves directly with the municipality through the official reporting channels. The BRA is responsible for liaising with the correct officials on infrastructure issues of major or ongoing concern only.
- Promote safety and security in the area through the coordination of a neighbourhood watch/community policing project (the Brenton Owls).
- Partner with the municipal fire department and local Fire Protection Association to promote the effective management of fire risk in the area.
- Where relevant, align and support the local conservancy and landowners in promoting biodiversity and conservation in the area.
- Promote good citizenship, neighbourliness, social responsibility and foster a sense of community in Brenton-on-Sea.
- Undertake community projects that further the shared interests of landowners and residents of Brenton-on-Sea.
| The BRA management committee consists of: | |
|---|---|
| Chair BRA, Chair OWLS & OWLS Zone 1 Leader | Tony Rischbieter |
| Vice Chair & Treasurer | Michaela Fraser |
| Secretary | Amanda Louw |
| Disaster Mitigation | Christo Lombaard |
| Marketing/Aesthetics/Signage | Genevieve Melville |
| Environment and Conservation | Christa le Roux |
| Wildlife | Angela Gaylard |
| Functions | Sue Clifton |
| OWLS Zone 2 Leader | George Coon |
| OWLS Zone 3 Leader | Graham Cochrane |
| OWLS Zone 4 Leader | Jason Stunden |
The BRA works in close cooperation with the other local residents and ratepayers associations, namely the Lake Brenton Residents Association, the Belvidere Home Owners Association and the Western Heads Goukamma Conservancy.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Over the past two years more and more residents have been getting involved in one or more of the Brenton-on-Sea community projects listed in this section. This continues to be one of the strengths of the community.
It is also important to note that over the past few years the communities on the Western Heads have started working together to leverage resources, share learning, integrate security and disaster mitigation work groups and, to work closely with the Western Heads Goukamma Conservation Team, emphasizing that we live in a conservancy. The artwork and signage on the bridge entering the Western Heads Goukamma Conservancy was one of the first projects of the group.
The key projects scheduled for 2024 and beyond are listed under their appropriate category below:
The bad situation on CR Swart Drive and WK Grobler Avenue was addressed. The proper processes were followed and approval sought to ensure that the contractor used was reliable and that there were guarantees in place.
Next steps are to address the other potholes in Watsonia Avenue and Steenbras Street.
Once the major potholes have been fixed, an ongoing maintenance program will be developed and implemented.
The BRA together with a major donor has renovated the ablution block at the steps going down to the beach. Aluminium window frames replaced the old wooden window frames, ceilings were painted and the toilets and showers were repaired.
The security was improved by the installation of solar powered lights and camera motion sensors inside and outside the building. AllSound security sponsored the alarms inside and outside the building and two cameras.
The concrete slab around the beach shower was repaired and shaolin bricks were used to prevent sand from sliding down the dunes and blocking the drains. The Brenton Revive gardeners laid out a garden around the building.
The Knysna Municipality regularly cleans the area.
There is another ablution block next to the On Brenton restaurant which is municipality property. The BRA is working with the Knysna Municipality to see if it can be repurposed, or possibly look at a community project to address later. In the meantime, it has been proposed to board up this ablution block until further notice.
Fisherman’s Walk
A dedicated team is busy renewing this iconic walkway. The following has been achieved:
- The walkway has been cleared and is now easy and spectacular to walk:
- The areas around the west and east entrances, the three pavilions and the steps to the Fisherman’s Walk parking area have been cleared. This was done to access and evaluate the structures;
- The West entrance was repaired and the East entrance is next; and
- The first pavilion structure towards the east was found to be unrepairable. However, a kind resident sponsored the rebuild of the pavilion.
Other pavilion structures need maintenance and are on the do-to-list. There is also work needed on the steps to the parking area and this is planned as part of this project..
The Knysna municipality is assisting.
Water & sewage
Currently we do not have any large water or sewage supply or leak challenges. A number of minor spills, leaks and supply incidents were reported in the past year, but due to a good working relationship with the municipality water and sanitation department they were addressed in a timely manner.
The BRA would like to renovate the hall to full functionality, but it continues to be a challenge getting the key stakeholders around the table. The budget that was allocated to the project by the Knysna municipality has been reallocated elsewhere.
There is a new proposal involving private sector participation, and the community will be kept up to date.
Brenton Hall
The Brenton hall is located on CR Swart avenue on your left as you are entering the village, just before the road turns sharply to the right with the view of the bay. The hall needs restoration and the community can currently use the side hall only.
The BRA would like to renovate the hall to full functionality, but it continues to be a challenge getting the key stakeholders around the table. The budget that was allocated to the project by the Knysna municipality has been reallocated elsewhere.
There is a new proposal involving private sector participation, and the community will be kept up to date.
Mountain Rose Road
Reservoir and Water Supply
Electricity
A good collaborative relationship exists between the BRA and the Knysna municipality electrical department with working meetings taking place at regular intervals.
Prepaid Electricity meter update:
The due date to have prepaid electricity meters updated is November 2024. The BRA had a successful collaboration with the municipality and the BRA is rolling out an awareness and update program. This was a first for Knysna and has since been used in various of the other Knysna communities.
Beach Walkway
Wildlife monitoring
Camera trap placement to observe the actions and conduct, especially of the caracals, is ongoing. The BRA is looking for donations for the camera traps.
Donations
BRAfinance@brentononsea.co.za
Revive Brenton
Electricity
A good collaborative relationship exists between the BRA and the Knysna municipality electrical department with working meetings taking place at regular intervals.
Street lights
An audit of the street lights in Brenton-on-Sea was conducted and presented to the municipality’s electrical department. It was agreed to replace all streetlights with LEDs as it is the most viable and productive option and the action is in line with the municipality’s goals. BRA also conducted a project to number all streetlights in order to identify the location of defects and initiate a faster response form the municipality.
The replacement project was initiated at the end of 2023 and completed mid 2024 with on-going maintenance in place.
Power outages and electrical defects
Electrical defects are treated effectively and in a timely manner. A good report and response culture exist between BRA and the Knysna municipality to ensure that issues are addressed as they arise.
Road signs and road markings
Maintenance of key tourist areas
Margaret’s viewpoint, Buffalo viewpoint, Angels’ View viewpoint, Waves and Whales viewpoint and the picnic areas have been maintained. In addition, the picnic tables and benches along the cliff edge have been beautifully decorated in mosaic by a group of residents.
Join Us
- You will be part of a community initiative aimed at ensuring that we have a safe and thriving neighbourhood, and a community that cares.
- You can volunteer and work on any of the projects mentioned above.
- Your name will be added to our member’s mailing list and you will receive notification via email and WhatsApp of BRA and Owls Neighbourhood Watch meetings, reports regarding security issues, developments in the area, projects on the go and any issues in the area.
- You will be eligible to join the Brenton Owls WhatsApp group and be informed of any incidents or untoward activity in the area.
- You will receive an Owls Neighbourhood Watch sign to place in a visible place so that patrollers, SAPS, Allsound security (and potential burglars!) know you are a member.
- You will receive notifications about inclement weather and the Fire Danger Index (FDI).
- You will be notified of presentations on topics of interest such as wildlife in the area, indigenous plants, Brenton blue butterfly, etc and training workshops on disaster management, such as how to minimise fire damage to your home, things to know and do as a first responder, including communication protocol, location of fire hydrants, how to use fire equipment in your home, etc.
- You are part of a connected community and will meet more people in the Western Heads Goukamma Conservancy which include Brenton-on-Sea, Brenton-on-Lake, Belvidere and Buffelsbay.
The various WhatsApp groups active in Brenton-on-Sea, each dealing with different aspects, are:
- Community issues such as traffic updates, refuse collection on public holidays, etc. and as described above – Brenton Community Issues WhatsApp group;
- Security and fire, as described above – Owls BOS WhatsApp group;
- Wildlife issues such as injured bushbuck, other wild animals, stranded seal puppies, turtles and other sea life – Dr Angela Gaylard via Brenton Wildlife SOS WhatsApp group; and
- Lost pets – Brenton Lost Dogs Cats Brigade WhatsApp group,
Once you join the BRA you are eligible to be part of all of the above WhatsApp groups.
The membership fee for 2024 is R400 per household. This includes automatic membership of the Brenton Owls Neighbourhood Watch.
All residents, tenants and property owners in Brenton-on-Sea are encouraged to join the Brenton Ratepayers Association. Together, we can do more to keep our community and neighbourhoods thriving!
Download the BRA membership form below, complete and email to BRAadmin@brentononsea.co.za.