The Residents Association of Dana Bay Conservancy We care about our environment

Contact Dana Bay Residents Association or the Conservancy at:

info@danabayactive.co.za

Dear Dana Bay Conservancy Resident The Dana Bay Residents Association and Conservancy Committee wish to extend a hearty welcome to you as a resident in our beautiful suburb and hope that your sojourn here will give you as much pleasure as it does all of us.  We are sure that you have noticed and appreciate the natural beauty of this coastal residential area with its ravines and slopes, hosting a unique collection of Fynbos which offers shelter to numerous birds, various mammals and small game.  It is the ideal of all of us here to preserve and protect this rare natural Conservancy in all its beautiful uniqueness. Dana Bay was registered with Cape Nature Conservation and the Mossel Bay Municipality as a Conservancy in 1998. Your support and cooperation with the Conservancy Committee in our quest to protect our very special Dana Bay will be greatly appreciated.

A few guidelines for a remarkable experience in our area are set out below.

1.       Regard the Green Belts as small National Parks. These areas are the heart and soul of Dana Bay and the most noticeable feature of this coastal urban Conservancy. Treat them with care and respect.

2.       Property Boundaries.  Some gardens and structures have encroached into the Green Belts. It is illegal and such areas will have to be rehabilitated by the current owner even if he was not responsible for the action.

3.       Do not indiscriminately destroy all the natural vegetation on your stand prior to development.  Some plants are highly endangered and are difficult, or even impossible, to replace.  Selectively clear only the area that will be occupied by buildings.  Contact D'Atana, 044-698 1466 or 082 584 6611, for assistance in the removal of any unique plants for reestablishment in more suitable areas. 

4.       Alien vegetation is a major problem and concern. Eradication of alien vegetation is a slow and expensive process. Please ensure the garden service you use is Green friendly i.e. no refuse, especially Kikuyu grass may be dumped in the Green Areas.  Avoid planting any of the Listed Alien plants such as Pampas Grass, Lantana, Minatoke etc.  Destroy the alien plants in an appropriate manner. The aliens strangle and starve our natural vegetation and contaminate the natural stream flow in our kloofs.

5.       Indiscriminate and uncontrolled dumping of waste and beach litter (plastic bags, wrapping, bottles, fishing line, Pilchard boxes, cigarette butts etc) is a major problem. Wind contributes to garbage dispersal making the whole area unsightly.  Please use the garbage bins provided.

6.       New buildings or alterations.  Insist the contractors have proper waste disposal facilities. Be sure your builder adheres to the Conservancy rules and removes building waste regularly. 

7.       Poaching activities. Poaching by its very nature is a criminal offence and punishable by law.  Incidents of snares and poaching are rife when building activities are in progress.  A R1000-00 reward has been posted for information leading to the successful prosecution of poachers.  Make sure your builder supervises his workers.

8.       Our recommended speed is 40km/hr, especially between sunset and sunrise. It is an unwritten rule that ANIMALS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY in our Conservancy.

9.       Our beautiful Angulate tortoises are road kill during breeding season.  Please lend a helping hand if you see any trying to cross the road.  Do not remove from the area.

10.   Be a responsible pet owner. Control your dog/s.  Dogs are to be walked on leash.  Attach bells to cat collars.  Unsupervised pets, especially roaming dogs, are a danger to wildlife.

11.   Fireworks are illegal in Dana Bay.  Fireworks present a huge fire risk, especially in the more densely wooded Green Belts.  They wreak havoc with wildlife and pets.

12.   Absolutely NO Off Road Vehicles (ORV’s), including quad bikes, scramblers etc. are allowed on the beaches or in any of the Green Belt Areas.  Remember you are part of our Conservancy and the future of our wildlife is your personal responsibility. 

Let us be proud of this little piece of heritage, that for a short while, belongs to us. 

You are invited to join the Residents Association by calling:  Willie Claassen, 044-698 1392, or the Dana Bay Conservancy by calling:  Terry, 044-698 1296 or 084 870 1849.  Alternatively contact us on our e-mail: info@danabayactive.co.za