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Road Construction Plans Proceed Despite Concerns For Endangered Wildlife
The Western Cape High Court ruled that the City of Cape Town can build a road that will run through a section of wetlands in Noordhoek.
An eight-year battle to stop the City of Cape Town from building a road to connect Kommetjie Road and Noordhoek Main Road via the Noordhoek wetlands has ended in defeat for local activists determined to protect the natural habitat of creatures such as the endangered Western Leopard Toad.
Last week, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of the City.
In a statement last week following the ruling, the City said it planned and applied for environmental approvals in 2017 to build a road that would give Masiphumelele residents better access. "The City planned and applied for environmental approvals in 2017.
"The application was to extend Houmoed Avenue to provide Masiphumelele residents with better access to Noordhoek village and surrounds; and to also give the police, fire service and ambulances quick access in times of need or emergencies."
However, the project has been delayed for nearly eight years after the Noordhoek Environmental Action Group (NEAG) appealed the environmental approvals that were granted by the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
Mayco member for urban mobility Rob Quintas said building the road would improve access and traffic.
"Finally, we have an outcome that will allow us to go ahead and execute a project that we believe will bring huge relief to the community of Masiphumelele."
The approval allows for extending Houmoed Avenue from the intersection with Buller Louw Boulevard to Lekkerwater Road in Sunnydale and from Lekkerwater Road to Fish Eagle Park. "The biggest benefit is that an extended Houmoed Avenue will make it substantially easier for residents from Masiphumelele to get to work, school, shops, and other destinations in Sunnydale and Noordhoek. Also, once complete, the police, fire services and ambulances will be able to respond quicker with an additional access route," said Quintas.
An environmental impact assessment (EIA), due to the presence of wetlands inside the road reserve, was carried out before the approvals. "I want to give those concerned about the natural environment our full undertaking that we will do all we can to mitigate any impact on the wetlands inside the road reserve and the leopard toads.
"I trust the Noordhoek Environmental Action Group will accept the outcome of the court's ruling and allow us to go ahead."
Responding to the ruling, Alison Faraday co-founder of ToadNuts (Noordhoek Unpaid Toad Savers) a group of volunteers who aims to save the endangered Western Leopard Toad from extinction, said they fought hard for the animals who cannot fight for themselves. "We console ourselves knowing that we fought hard for the animals, frogs and birds of our beloved wetland who are unable to fight for themselves," she said.
"This judgement means that there are no further obstacles preventing the City of Cape Town from building this 1 200 m stretch of road along the Pick n Pay reed bed, thereby connecting Kommetjie Road and Noordhoek Main Road."
She added that a small group of volunteers had fought the case on environmental grounds "through every twist and turn" of the public participation process since 2017.
"Thanks must go to NEAG for 'hosting' this case and the Noordhoek Ratepayers Association for supporting throughout. The biggest thanks goes to Network for Animals International for their financial support and mentorship. And of course, we are grateful to our legal team."
Residents reacted to the ruling on social media. "Why is it so difficult for people to see that we are destroying our environment one planning decision after the other," wrote one resident.
While another commented: "At the very least, we managed to delay the road being built. So gutted, all the animals that will die from this road."
Conway Students Leap Into Toad Races
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Poisonous Toads: How To Spot Them To Protect Your Pets
Prev NextThis morning T.A. Walker is Shining A Light on the battle against lethal cane toads threatening our furry friends and giving you tips on what to look for to protect your pet.
What to know:
I keep hearing about how the Bufo toads are dangerous to small dogs, like my dog, Tito (he is a small Schoaucher retriever mix).Tito likes to smell EVERYTHING on our daily walks and get inside the bushes to make sure he hasn't missed a scent. But it concerns me because I see all these frogs around our neighborhood (usually lime ones falling from my backyard umbrellas when I open them up on a nice sunny day).
The poisonous toads aren't great climbers so that's not what I need to be looking out for to keep Tito safe. The poisonous ones are an invasive species called Bufo toads, also known as cane toads.
Florida Fish and Wildlife says, "They have enlarged glands behind the eyes, which angle downward onto the shoulders. The glands secrete a potent milky-white toxin (bufotoxin) as [a] defense against predators including domestic pets."
How to identify cane/Bufo toads (Source: University of Florida):
Jeannine Tilford owns Toad Busters, a toad removal business. Her biggest tip is to get the dogs back inside before sundown.
"Toads are nocturnal. So generally they're going to be out at nighttime. So what we recommend is that if you have time to get your dog fed and to the bathroom before it gets dark, have them out at that point, because they're less likely to run into the toad," Tilford said.
Tips from Toad Busters:
1) Get your dog/pet in by sundown2) Keep your dog on a leash to control/know where they are going3) Don't leave your dogs alone4) Have an emergency kit5) Get toad-resistant pet protecting fencing6) Have the emergency vet's number posted on the refrigerator (know their location).Jeannine said removing Bufo toads is a good idea because they are territorial.
What to do if your dog/pet gets poisoned:
You'll notice your dog/pet may seize, eyes dilate, and vomit.
1) Immediately get wet paper towels and wipe out their mouth several times including the tongue, gums, and teeth.2) Contact and take your pet to the emergency (smaller dogs are are at greater risk).You may only have five to 20 minutes to get your dog assistance.
The Cuban Tree Frogs are the lime frogs that do drop down from my umbrellas (one dropped during a Zoom meeting... I shrieked). They also are invasive and have a toxin that could give dogs an allergic reaction. Toad Busters says they should be an issue unless your dog has a respiratory issue.
What do you want me to Shine A Light on? What are you most proud of where you live? E-mail me, tawalker@wptv.Com.
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