I never thought...the real threat to the Parkland would be of an invasion led by HOA Trustees

Here is my letter to the Trustees of the HOA. 

This is the covering email:: 

Your scheme is flawed and the way you have gone about it can only be interpreted as disdain for the homeowners. 

Why does your scheme get the full treatment in you email presentation while opposing views get only a few selected (by you, needless to say) paragraphs? There is no justification for this unequal treatment.  It smacks of bias.

I want my email be sent to all homeowners.

I am not asking that you hand over the mailing list, but you are obligated to allow opposing viewpoints be presented in the entirety by email, like you presented your scheme. 

In anticipation of a probable reply that opponents can do that at the AGM, I reject that.  There is not enough time to do that at the AGM. Letters, such as those written by Rolf and Jacqueline Lamprecht and Jennifer Wilkinson need time to be read and to digest. 

I look forward to your reply to this letter and my email.  

I, and many other homeowners, are also waiting on your response  to my brother, Gray's letter. 

Here is my letter:

Date: 27 November, 2014

To: The Trustees of the Thesen Islands Homeowners Association

From: Ken Rutherford – P79

I worked in the Thesen Islands Sales Centre for all the years the stands were being sold. A number of “up country” buyers were nervous about having Parkland near their house - a kneejerk reaction to squatter invasions. I would say to them: “Look at the open space as free ground. You get to enjoy looking over it, the birds will love it, your kids can play on it, you don’t have to maintain it and…. it will never be invaded!”

I never thought for one moment that the real threat to the Parkland would of an invasion led by HOA Trustees.

When a number of you Trustees bought your stands, I was the one answering your questions. I represented to you what the development would comprise by means of the Master Plan and sales literature. You bought on what was represented to you.

Say you had come back into the Sale Centre a few months later and found that there was no longer a waterway in front of your future home. Or the open ground near your home was now earmarked for more stands. Or that no main beach, no clubhouse, no tennis and no squash courts were going to be built.  You would have been outraged.

You would have said “Ken that is not what was represented to me when I bought my stand. It is completely unacceptable. You cannot take away part of what I bought.”

And I said to you: “Well, we have polled the other buyers and half of them don’t want the (fill in the blank) and you going to get a rebate of R (fill the amount of money saved by not building the (fill in the blank) divided by all the buyers).”   Would that have made you happy?  I don’t think so.

But with your proposed development scheme, you are advocating taking away from what your fellow homeowners bought into.  Surely, being a trustee means looking after the interests the homeowners?

I don’t know the owner of P89 but this stand borders the Parkland and has wide views over it. It is a lovely position and I considered buying it. You now plan to build a house on the Parkland next to his home.  Do you not realize that the enjoyment and value of his home would be substantially diminished?

Did none of you think that some, if not all, of the homeowners on the Eastern end of Plantation Point probably bought there because it was a cul de sac with only a few houses?  Yet you plan to take away from what they bought by adding 13 houses. I live on a cul de sac and the limited number of houses beyond me was a major reason we bought there. 

One of the reasons we, and others, decided to make our homes on Thesen Islands because there was Parkland. Yet you propose that if half of the homeowners want to cut up the Parkland, those of us who want it to remain as it was represented to us when we bought our stands, must accept it. We will not.

As Trustees, you must know the history of the contamination and remediation of the Parkland area and the ongoing environmental monitoring.  This is the very area where you plan to develop stands. 

Have you not wondered why P89 and P90 are the most easterly stands on Plantation Point? Why didn’t the Thesen Islands Development Company develop more stands there?   The Thesen Islands Development Company did not develop stands there because of the contamination and remediation. But this is where you plan to develop 13 stands.

You have failed the homeowners. You should resign and let new Trustees take your place. Let us have Trustees who understand what looking after the interests of the Homeowners means.

The proposal is "a betrayal of our trust...and a threat to our quality of life as well as our financial investment" - Rolf and Jacqueline Lamprecht's letter to Brian Sears, Chairman of the HOA

From their letter below:

We see the proposal as a betrayal of our trust in these matters and a threat to our quality of life as well as our financial investment in our property.

“How would New-Yorkers feel if Central Park is to be sacrificed to raise funds for the city?”

                                       P97,  4^th November 2014

RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHERN PARKLAND

Dear Brian

Thanks for briefing us on the proposed development of the southern parkland.

It is with great alarm and considerable concern that Jacqueline and I read about plans to develop this area.

Thesen Islands is a high-density development where public areas serve a vital role in the success of the venture. They have an aesthetic, recreational and environmental function. In many ways they are the life-blood of the community.

When we decided to buy a property and settle on the island, the parkland and the opportunities it offered was one of the main considerations. The greenbelt was more attractive to us than living on a canal. We were particularly attracted to our erf as it is in a quiet cull de sac with little traffic. We believed that these areas were sacred, protected from development at all costs.

We see the proposal as a betrayal of our trust in these matters and a threat to our quality of life as well as our financial investment in our property.

You state that the area is “underutilized”. This is simply not true. Our family constantly make use of this space. We love to walk and play there. We enjoy the magnificent views across the lagoon and above all the open space. Many others do the same. It would be exceptionally short sighted to develop this area. While the golf course itself is underutilized, and I understand must be a considerable financial burden to maintain, it could be re structured to natural wetlands similar to the pond area north of the dog run.

How can the addition of 15 houses possibly “beautify” one of the only open and fairly natural parts of the islands?

Having broadly explained our feelings, we would like to list our concerns:

1)     The conversion of public parkland to housing is a major blow to the nature of our environment here on Thesen Islands.

2)     Doing this is a breach of the trust we place in the custodians of our estate and comparable to a government changing the constitution of a country to suit their current strategy.

3)     We and other homeowners will loose a large part of our “lebensraum”.

4)     Our road will carry much more traffic ( at least 30 more cars), disturbing our peace and threatening our children’s safety.

5)     The area earmarked for housing is an important habitat for birds, notably the Orange-throated Longclaw, Levaillant’s Cisticola and the Spotted Thick-knee. All above-mentioned birds breed in this area. This area has, for the first time, a resident Spotted Eagle-owl.

6)     It would be short sighted and reprehensible to develop housing in a green belt when we live in an area where nature is protected within the area of the Garden Route National Park.

7)     We have more to gain in the long run by leaving the area as communal parkland than building houses on the only truly open area on Thesen Islands.

8)     During the construction phase, which will last many years, there will be major disruption to our local environment and quality of life.

With regards to future budget planning and paying for the continued upkeep of the estate, our feelings are as follows:

The estate was originally developed fully to its current extent. Planning for the upkeep should be possible within the current structure with sound financial planning and management without altering the core structure of the estate. If additional funds need to be raised this should be done without changing our environment profoundly.

The real beneficiaries of the proposal for development of the southern parkland are not the homeowners but the service providers for the development.

We prefer options 1 and 2 in your list of proposals.

Some of the proposed changes to the parkland are good and will enhance the lifestyle of the homeowners but the proposed new housing will certainly not. Within the context of the current proposal including the additional 15 properties, we see the positive proposals as mere “sugar-coating”.

We hope you consider this letter and see it as constructive criticism. We appreciate the work you do and the need for you to plan for the future. We all have the best for our environment of Thesen Islands at heart.

“How would New-Yorkers feel if Central Park is to be sacrificed to raise funds for the city?”

Yours sincerely

Rolf and Jacqueline Lamprecht

"Your scheme...is ill conceived." says Gray Rutherford, former Marketing/Sales Director and shareholder of the Thesen Islands Development Company in his letter to Trustees

To : The Trustees of the Thesen Islands Home Owners Association 

Your scheme to develop a significant portion of the Parkland into 15 residential stands is ill conceived.

Point Number 1:

The original Concept 25 plan for Thesen Islands by Dr Mulder did not have the Parkland and Bird Reserve as it exists today.  These came about as the result of the independent environmental specialist report detailing the toxic contamination of the area formerly used by Thesen & Co for the treatment and storage of poles.  This is the present Parkland area where you plan 15 more stands.

A comprehensive remediation plan including the encapsulation of the worst areas and the removal or covering of the toxic layer by a one metre thick layer of clean sand was presented by the specialists and approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs.  

Slightly contaminated wood waste was also deposited in places as fill material below the one metre sand layer.  If you walk these areas, you will notice that they have been raised above the original ground level. This is evidence of the remediation and filling that has taken place.

It was agreed by the Board of the Thesen Islands Development Company that this area would be excluded from the residential development and my suggestion to create the Parkland and Bird Reserve was accepted.  I believed this green space would be a major attraction for future owners.

There was a very good environmental reason not to develop the Parkland.   Having been remediated, it would be reckless to disturb the sub surface soils with excavations (such as for services & foundations) with the resultant potential of human health risks associated with direct exposure to contaminants.

I understand that the Department of Environmental Affairs planning approval given at the time precluded the future development of this area.

Point Number 2:

As the Marketing and Sales Director representing the Thesen Islands Development Company, I and my sales team gave an assurance to every buyer that the Thesen Islands project would be carried out as per our published Master Plan. This included the Parkland and Beach area as it now stands.  Not one where later another 15 stands would be squeezed in.  

The Homeowners Association are the successors in title to the Parkland and other common areas and their Trustees are morally bound by this commitment regarding the layout and size given to owners by the development company.  I believe you are also legally bound.

Gray Rutherford

Former Marketing and Sales Director and Shareholder 

Thesen Islands Development Company

26 November 2014

I heard a rumour that the Trustees were planning to cut up the Parkland for stands.... I though it was a joke! But it isn't

This is my email of 14 November. 2014, to the homeowners whose emails I had as personal contacts.  About a dozen.

Good day,

I heard a rumor of more houses being planned on Thesen Islands with actual plans being circulated among some members, so I searched the most recent Trustee's meeting posted on the TIHOA website and below is what I found. It is more than a few houses, it is a major redevelopment and it appears, from reading the minutes, to have the backing of all the Trustees. 

I quote from the relevant minutes of this meeting on 12 August 2014, in full at the end:

"….Dr. Mulder had agreed to do the proposal, design etc. on risk providing that he be given the development contract should the project be approved.

….purpose of the meeting was to obtain the Board of Trustee’s support.

Dr. Mulder said that there were ample space in the Parkland…. the following possible income generating developments could be considered: residential erven, a frail care centre and storage facilities. He said that the parkland could be upgraded, bigger play areas developed, walking and jogging routes created etc. He said that solar panel and water harvesting could be incorporated in the development.

He showed where the various proposed developments would be and how the area could be upgraded. Dr. Mulder said that council would consider the remaining open space as sufficient.

…it would be easier to convince members to have more stands developed and sold by showing them what the improved parkland would look like. We would need to present some schematics at the AGM to get support from the Members. Dr Mulder said that there was enough time.

…. the next process would be to establish if the municipality would approve of further development on Thesen Islands, the signing of a contract with CMAI, stipulating that the work would be done on risk and the compiling of a presentation for the AGM"

It is alarming to think that the first most members will know about this is at the upcoming AGM when we will be presented with plans and maps. And be asked to approve it?

Yours sincerely,

Ken Rutherford

P79     

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesen Islands Homeowners Association

Minutes of the 76th Board of Trustees Meeting held at 09:00 on Tuesday 12 August 2014 in the

Clubhouse, Thesen Islands, Knysna.

76.6 Address Dr. C. Mulder

76.6.1 BS said as an additional opportunity to generate income the further development of Thesen Islands was suggested.

76.6.2 BS said that he had discussed the matter with Dr. Mulder and reported back to the Trustees who had further queries. He said Dr. Mulder was therefore invited to the meeting to give an overview of suggestions and answer any questions that the Trustees may have.

76.6.3 BS said that he had given Dr. Mulder a list of concerns to be addressed/considered.

76.6.4 BS further said that Dr. Mulder had agreed to do the proposal, design etc. on risk providing that he be given the development contract should the project be approved.

76.6.5 NM asked who would be responsible for the property sales. BS said that it could be managed by the Homeowners Association office.

76.6.6 RW pointed out that approval had to be obtained from members as well as the Knysna Municipality for further development.

76.6.7 BS said that the purpose of the meeting was to obtain the Board of  Trustee’s support.

76.6.8 Dr. Mulder said that there were ample space in the Parkland, available and consent had to be obtained from members to develop it. He said when members’ approval had been obtained a change of land use or rezoning application would be lodged with council.

76.6.9 Dr. Mulder said that the following possible income generating developments could be considered: residential erven, a frail care centre and storage facilities. He said that the parkland could be upgraded, bigger play areas developed, walking and jogging routes created etc. He said that solar panel and water harvesting could be incorporated in the development.

76.6.10 Dr. Mulder gave an overview of the area under discussion and pointed out the location of the contaminated area.

76.6.11 He showed where the various proposed developments would be and how the area could be upgraded.

76.6.12 RW confirmed that the contaminated area would not be included in the proposal and asked if that would leave enough open space. Dr. Mulder said that council would consider the remaining open space as sufficient. He said it could be made mandatory that the proposed new units install solar units etc. if sufficient electricity is generated could even sell to the development.

76.6.13 BS pointed out that the trailer park was unsightly and suggested that it was moved or upgraded.

76.6.14 The possibility of incorporating the volleyball court as a water harvesting dam into the new development was discussed and agreed to.

76.6.15 BS said that the southern boundary was becoming a security risk and suggested that the upgrade thereof be incorporated in the proposal. 5

76.6.16 The proposal was discussed and RW said there was enough frail care facilities in the area and the average age of the members were dropping. He said he had also looked into assisted but found it not to always be successful.

76.6.17 RW said that more stands could be considered where the frail care was proposed.

76.6.18 BS said it would be easier to convince members to have more stands developed and sold by showing them what the improved parkland would look like. We would need to present some schematics at the AGM to get support from the Members. Dr Mulder said that there was

enough time.

76.6.19 He said the next process would be to establish if the municipality would approve of further development on Thesen Islands, the signing of a contract with CMAI, stipulating that the work would be done on risk and the compiling of a presentation for the AGM.

76.6.20 While Dr Mulder accepted the work at risk for his practice, he would need to be paid for 3^rd party consultants as they would not work at risk. This included Gerrit Nieuwoudt.

76.6.21 Dr. Mulder said he would prepare concepts for discussion with Knysna Municipality to establish if they would approve thereof.

76.6.22 PH asked what the time schedule would be should the proposal be approved by the members.

Dr. Mulder said if the final authorisation rested with the Knysna Municipality he predicted 6-8

months. He said that the development would thereafter be done in phases and the costs linked

to each phase.

76.6.23 The funding of the infrastructure was discussed. Dr Mulder said that we could pre-sell stands and it would be self funding.

76.6.24 The meeting thanked Dr. Mulder for his time and input. 

https://cms.gloportal.co.za/dsservlet/215217.pdf?key=DK488369

Making Space for people waiting for lifts at the start of the Lagoon Road - My correspondence with the Knysna Municipality (ongoing).

This is my first letter to the Executive Mayor:

By hand

11 December 2008

Eleanore Bouw-Spies
Executive Mayor - Knysna

Dear Eleanore,

Re: Making Space for people waiting for lifts at the start of the Lagoon Road

I am writing to you as we are familiar faces to each other through the years of the Thesen Islands redevelopment and as someone who has the interests of the people of Knysna at heart.

The side of the road west of the intersection of Waterfront Drive and the Lagoon Road has been used for years for people looking for lifts. A few years ago some bright spark decided that no one should be able to get lifts there and put in the low wooden fence stretching some distance along the road to stop drivers from pulling off the road. This resulted in:

1. Vehicles still stopping in the same spot but now being unable to pull fully off the road, created a dangerous situation for all road users and
2. The lift seekers moving further down the road to beyond the fence.

(By the way, you would have noticed that the same situation in Sedgefield.)

This decision to put the low fence in place was in complete indifference to the realities of the South African people. It hardly needs pointing out – except to this decision maker – that the majority in South Africa do not have a car and are dependent on taxi's and others to transport them. That is why they are on the side of the road.

Therefore provision must be made for them.

Now that the Lagoon Road is being upgraded, I ask that you, as executive mayor of our town, ensure that there is an area alongside the road where vehicles can pull off safely and pick up and drop off passengers.

Failure to provide for the lift seekers and givers in this upgrading will not make them go away. The cars, taxis and trucks will continue to stop in the road, endangering everyone.

Yours sincerely,


Ken Rutherford


She responded, or rather Christopher Bezuidenhout responded on her behalf, saying my letter will be sent to Johnny Douglas. He responded by saying "I will request my Director: Technical Services, Neale Perring to table it at the next Technical Steering Committee Meeting."

This is my response of 22 January 2009 to Mr Douglas:

Dear Mr Douglas,

Someone within the Municipality needs to champion the needs of the poorest people of our town on this issue!

Based on the non committal tone of the replies, my concern is that neither you, nor the Executive Mayor feel the need to "push" the matter, namely the pressing need for for place for vehicles to pull over to pick up people at the start of the Lagoon Road.

The Executive Mayor passes my letter on to you, you pass it on to Mr Perring who then tables it at a meeting of the Technical Steering Committee which is a group of engineers whose primary interest lies in road construction. Who well could be the very people responsible for the current low fence designed to stop drivers from stopping to pick up lift seekers!

Perhaps I am wrong and the plans do include a stopping area. Well, then congratulations to the engineers!

But if not, I think that for anything to happen this matter needs to be motivated by either you or the Executive Mayor, and preferably both. If you agree it is important, then I ask that you put your weight behind it. If not, well, let me know why!

Will you please keep me informed as to what the outcome is of this matter being tabled at the Technical Steering Committee Meeting?

Warm regards, Ken Rutherford

Communal Jetty Sinking? This communal jetty on Leeward Island looks like it is sinking. As the pictures show it is listing towards the large boat in the hoist. Why would the the HOA gave permission for a hoist to be installed on a communal jetty? It is looking for trouble and, judging from the pictures, it is finding it.

Communal Jetties & Boat Sizes - Email to HOA 27 July 2007

This email to the HOA is self explanatory: The size of the boats can and should be regulated. The last paragraph sums up my concern.

From: Ken Rutherford
Sent: 27 July 2007 11:48 AM
To: TIHOA (tihoa@tihoa.co.za)
Cc: Louwtjie Burger

Subject: Boat Sizes – Attn: Mr Smit

Dear Mr. Smit,

To confirm our conversation regarding boats longer than 5.5m or 2.3m wide berthed at communal jetties:

This is from the order form the buyer of a berth at a communal jetty signs:

►The berth finger is 4.5 metres long and can accommodate a maximum boat size of 5.5 metres long and 2.3 metres wide. The boat should not draw more than 0.5m. Due to design constraints, no boat may exceed the maximum allowed size or draft.

This is from Annexure A of the Berth Agreement:

10. MAXIMUM BOAT SIZE :
11. LENGTH : ……….…………………………… (5.5m is inserted here)
WIDTH : ………………...…………………… (2.3m is inserted here)

Exception: Berths 14-25 to 14-36 inclusive can accommodate a maximum boat size of 7.7m long by 3.0m wide. These berths were included in the purchase price of designated erfs sold by TIDC.

This is from the Berth Agreement:

8. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
8.1 The maintenance and repair of the BERTH and the JETTY will be undertaken by a contractor appointed by HOA and by no other person.
8.2 The BERTH HOLDER will, upon request made by HOA, pay to HOA the BERTH HOLDER's proportionate share of the cost of all such maintenance and repairs together with the HOA's reasonable administrative cost in connection therewith. The BERTH HOLDER's proportionate share is the total of all such costs divided by the number of BERTHS comprising the JETTY.
8.3 The BERTH HOLDER undertakes to notify HOA of any defects in the JETTY.
8.4 HOA shall in its absolute discretion be entitled to undertake maintenance and repair of the JETTY as it deems necessary.
8.5 In the event of a dispute as to the amount of the BERTH HOLDER's "proportionate share" or any amount payable in terms of the aforegoing, the dispute shall be referred by HOA to an independent auditor for summary decision and such decision shall be final and binding on HOA and the BERTH HOLDER who will, in equal shares, bear the costs incurred with the said auditor in implementing the provisions of this sub-clause.

The maximum boat sizes were implemented because the communal berths are designed to accommodate boats no bigger than specified. Boats larger than the maximum put added strain of the jetties and potentially can cause damage. It is unreasonable to expect berth holders to be on the line for repair expenses if the HOA does not enforce the maximum boat size. (Colour & emphasis added for blog).

Regards,
Ken Rutherford
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TIHOA's new acting general manager, Mr Wiekie Smit, was previously the Knysna Municipal Manager. Click on this link to read the funny business, as reported by the Cape Times, that happened there...

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=vn20050314064403551C445420&set_id=1&click_id=15&sf=

I don’t think you could find anyone along the Garden Route who is surprised that the damage to the road at Kaaimans Pass is used as the excuse for the failure to finish the road works between George and the White Bridge in Knysna by December 2006.

I refer to the quote from Kobus Visser of Element Consulting Engineers (Knysna-Plett Herald, 22 February 2006): “However, due to the flooding in August 2006 and the associated damage to Kaaimans Pass and the rest of the route…. (completion) is now only planned for June 2007”.

No one I have spoken to can recall any damage of consequence to the road from the Kaaimans to Knysna from this flood, aside from some minor damage on the Knysna Lagoon section.

So to boil it down, the excuse is “Everyone was working on the Kaaimans Pass repair so we had no other people to do the rest of the road”. Well then, how about hiring more people? Or passing on the opportunity of the additional work on the Kaaimans Pass and finishing on time what you had contracted to do?

Any regular traveller between Knysna & George knows only too well, that disorganisation, time wasting and the redoing of sections are the major reasons the job was not finished on time.

All of this would be merely extra inconvenience if the poor execution of the job had not come at such a human cost. It certainly appears that the inadequate temporary signage and/or marking of the road during the repair work could have been a major cause of many of the accidents that killed and maimed of a number of our Knysna neighbours and friends, as well as others. To be fair, the temporary signage and road marking has improved, but it should have been better from the start.

Not to discount the added probable factor in the accident of poor driving and/or speeding. (Quick road safety quiz: Do you know what a solid white line means? What side of the white line should you drive? What does a sign saying “60” mean? Note to contractor: Please remove the sign when the particular road work has finished. Nothing breeds contempt for speed limits more than ridiculously low limits.)

Let’s all drive smarter when the White Bridge to Knysna section is progress. Let’s see if we can have no one killed or maimed. And can our elected leaders and municipal employees be proactive in looking after the interests of Knysna residents by seeing that the work is done in the safest possible manner?

Took a trip around the Islands on my boat... the trees and shrubs are really starting to make a difference. Especially in the older parts of the Islands, say, Ferry, Hammock and Leeward Islands.

The secret is to find what grows.... Wind is a problem in my garden. In the more exposed parts, growth is definitely slower.

Has anyone tested their soil? Ian Horne, who planted all the common areas, says the soil is very salty. Recommends gypsum. I can't find much information on it on the web. I am going to see if I can get a soil test kit here in Knysna

What's happening to the Design Guidelines? Am I the only one who is noticing the extra large doors and windows going into some new houses? Also what is with the paving of huge areas of a stand? That's supposed to be limited!

Is it to much to ask that the architects don't redesign the same house over and over again? You can walk down a street and often tell who designed each house!

Any suggestions for the best looking house on Thesen Islands?

More Stands on Plantation Island ReleasedPark and Bird Reserve Layout Plan Unveiled
First published June 8, 2002

On Ferry Island, looking south towards The Heads. The platform in the freshwater pond will soon house a gazebo

Park and Bird Reserve Layout Plan Unveiled
After three visits of a few months each, Don Austin, a respected former head professor of Landscape Design & Urban Architecture at Texas A&M University received his doctorate) recently completed the layout design of the 11 ha Park and Bird Reserve. It promises to be a natural wonderland.

The large freshwater ponds will be a haven for water birds -the small freshwater vlei at Avocet Close (in Phase 1) has had over a dozen Yellowbilled ducks visiting at a time. The small hill west of the Bird Reserve will offer great views over the Islands and the Lagoon. At 6 metres above mean sea level, it will be the high point of the Islands. As a comparison, a waterway stand is approximately 2.8 metres above MSL.

Reflections off the water in the early morning sun.The home in the foreground was recently sold. It was on the market for R2,950,000

More Stands on Plantation Island Released
Many of these slightly elevated stands (3.4m above MSL) have lovely long views over the Parkland or Bird Reserve towards The Heads and Leisure Island. The group of 8 smaller stands north of the Clubhouse will be released when the designs for the homes are completed. These stands will be sold with concept plans for "Harbour Houses".

"Highest Tide in 50 years"
You may have heard or read about the big storms along the Cape coast in late May 2002 and the damage caused. Here in the Knysna area, the damage was limited to the caravan park at Buffelsbaai and flooding on Leisure Island and parts of lower Knysna town.
According to some old locals, this was the highest tide in 50 years. It was caused by a combination of events happening at the same time - spring tide, a cold front and strong westerly winds. On Leisure Island, to quote the Knysna Plett Herald, "streets were flooded and in some cases sea water washed into low level garages and homes. Small boats moored in the area were stranded on pavements."
No problems were experienced on Thesen Islands in part due to the raising of the Islands by an average of 1 metre. The nine years of planning that was put into Thesen Islands translates into practical benefits for all Thesen Islanders!

The inter-tidal plants along the sides of the waterways, which are submerged at high tide, create a natural look. This view is north towards the town of Knysna.

Causeway Bridge Construction Started
The new bridge, which will be similar in design to the smaller arched bridges linking the Islands, will allow boats to pass underneath it. A section of the causeway will be removed and replaced with a bridge that will be approximately 40 metres in length, with a 25 metre water flow opening.

At the end of May 2002, construction started on the Causeway Bridge. The completion date is November 2002.

According to calculations done by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the water opening in the bridge will restore the historical flow to the Ashmead channel. The building of the bridge will be a huge plus for the ecology of the lagoon and has been widely praised by environmentalists. Professor Brian Allanson, Chairman Executive of the Outeniqualand Trust said: " We look forward to it. It is a very positive contribution to the upper Ashmead channel. The increase in the water flow will improve the water quality." Gerhard Nieuwoudt of the local consulting engineers for Thesen Islands, Nieuwoudt and Hofmeyer, added that a 2.5 meter landscaped cycling and pedestrian pathway will make walking and cycling across the causeway and bridge a safer, more pleasurable, experience.

First published March 22, 2002

New Parkland Stands Release and Progress Update
Phase 2 ReleaseIn early March, the first of the Phase 2 stands - the 20 stands on the southern shores of Khoi and Leeward Islands - were released. Several have already been sold!
Soon to be released are the first of the Parkland stands. These slightly elevated stands have lovely long views over the Parkland or Bird Reserve towards The Heads and Leisure Island.


Looking South to the bridge linking Plantation Island and Hammock Island.









Gazebos on each Island are a welcomeplace for walkers to rest and enjoy the views




The plans for the 11 ha Parkland and Bird Reserve include freshwater ponds and reedland bird habitats with walking trails, boardwalks and elevated bird hides. The lucky few who act quickly will have a unique spot on Thesen Islands. For the latest details, click on Contact Info and ask for more information and prices.
Construction Update The 28th of February was an exciting day. The Phase 2 waterway between Leeward and Plantation Islands was opened at low tide by removing the plug between L38 and P47. By early evening, with the spring tide coming in, the waterway was spectacularly full. Another high point at Thesen Islands!
The construction of Phase 2, which includes part of the Parkland, is well underway. It is expected that this phase will be completed by the end of August 2002.
Home Building Update Four homes have been completed with about another 16 under construction. Judging from the planning activity, it is estimated that up to 50 homes could be under construction or completed by the end of the year.

Living on the beach at the Cove on Leeward Island

Security Update
The Gate House is now manned 24 hours a day. The TIHOA Trustees have awarded the security contract to Khulani Fidelity Services Group. Entry to the Islands is to Thesen Islanders and their guests only. Each home will be electronically linked to the Gate House. Prospective owners who want to see the completed Islands can contact the Sales Centre to schedule an appointment.

Island Flags
Each Island has its own flag design. These designs have been taken from the signal flags of the Knysna Steamship Co, which was operated by Thesen & Co. These flags were flown at the Thesen Jetty to announce to the town the progress of their various ships along the coast. For example, the Crab Claw Island flag would signal "Steamer is expected to arrive at Knysna today". Thesen Islanders are entitled to use their particular Island’s flag design on their stationery, at their home or on their boats.

Late afternoon view of the waterways

Old Editions of the Islander News

The "Islander News" was started as a way of keeping the buyers informed of what was happening on the Island. Having signed a sale agreement and paid a 20% deposit, they were naturally keen to be kept in touch with how their "investment" was progressing. Many of them signed up in the period from late '98 - when sales started - and mid 2000 when the redevelopment of the Island started.

As the sales manager at the Thesen Islands Sales Centre, I was responsible for taking the photos (in the early stages) and doing the writing. Other photographs, including the aerial ones) were taken by Ian Fleming

First Published December 2001

11 Islands Completed

The creation of Thesen Islands is well underway with 11 Islands completed and 5 Islands partially completed.

Owners in the first phase (1A) took transfer of their stands in July 2001. At last count 13 homes were under construction with four homes looking like they will be completed in time for the festive season.

Phase 1B was competed in November, with owners taking transfer in late November and early December 2001.

Here are some recent pictures of the Islands...

The copyright notices on the photos and the childlike explanations of what copyright means are in response to finding my photos and writing (yes, whole sections cut and pasted) on other internet sites. Copying someone else's work without permission and putting on your website, or one you are doing for a client, is stealing.

First published 17 May 2001

Here comes the water... and the Premier of the Western Cape!

Premier of the Western Cape, Gerald Morkel, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials , visited Thesen Islands on Monday 14th May 2001, reported the Knysna-Plett Herald.

After a presentation of the re-development of Thesen Islands at the Sales Centre by Chris Mulder, they were taken for a tour of the work in progress. They then had lunch at the Knysna Oyster Company on the Island.


A view of the waterways looking towards the Heads.








The visit coincided with the opening of the Phase 1A waterways to the lagoon. This long awaited event took place at low tide on Monday when the earthen wall separating the waterways from the lagoon was carefully removed. To slow down the flow of the water into the waterways, water was pumped into the waterways to equalize the level of the lagoon and waterways, prior to the removing of the wall. The incoming tide then slowly filled the waterways for the first time, witnessed by an excited group of workers.



A view of the waterways looking towards Knysna.






The whole process took place under the watchful eye of Pieter Badenhorst, the Environmental Control Officer, who is tasked with ensuring that the redevelopment takes place within the guidelines laid down by the Department of Environmental Affairs.


The tidal flow around the islands promises excellent natural circulation. The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) have used a state of the art modelling system developed by The Danish Hydraulic Institute to assist with the design and layout of the waterways.
With a team of 240 local workers, the construction of the waterways proceeded quickly. 70 metres of the natural stone packed gabions waterway sides were completed daily. The top edges of the gabions, above the inter-tidal zone, are planted with indigenous groundcovers. The sides will be planted with inter-tidal plants from the onsite nursery. The bottom of the waterway is the existing fine white sand. The average water depth of the waterways is 1.6 metres. Waterfront properties have a private timber jetties, with stairs down to the water.


A view from a jetty on Plantation Island towards Jubilee Island. A typical jetty is on the left.

The first phase of the re-development, now 80% sold out, is scheduled for transfer in mid June. The second phase, already 50% sold out, will be complete in November 2001. To date, 177 stands have been sold.

A number of owners are planning to start building their homes immediately. Many of them will be spending Christmas, 2001, on Thesen Islands.

First published in November 2000

Deputy Minister praises Thesen Islands - Very Best SA Research
On Monday a party was held on Thesen Islands to celebrate the start of construction of the re-development of Thesen Island into a marina with 19 islands. The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Minister Ms. R.T.Mabudahfhasi opened the event after welcoming addresses by Chris Nissen, Community leader and Arcus Gibb director and Knysna Mayor, Alan Kock.

Graham Power, on behalf of the Development Company, gave a brief history of the planning of the project, which was begun in 1990, and thanked all those who had been supportive, particularly the Knysna Town Council.

In her well received, passionate address, Deputy Minister Mabudahfhasi " We stand today on the threshold of a new era in the history of Knysna. An era that will be characterised by development that is sustainable, that takes into account, very seriously, environmental concerns and the need for the future generations to also sustain themselves."

The wide waterways of Thesen Islands give a feeling of openness and space. The natural stone sides are planted with indigenous ground cover and intertidal plants. This photo was taken from Plantation Island looking North up the waterway, with Jubilee Island on the right.

She expressed her appreciation to Thesen & Co for the "for the most responsible manner in which they conducted, supported and financed the environmental research, which probably represents the most comprehensive, professional and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment ever undertaken in South Africa, (including St Lucia and Saldanha Steel). The cooperation between Thesen & Co. and the Thesen Islands Development Company with all the authorities was evident."

She ended by saying that Thesen Island has "evolved into a symbol of sound public participation, the successful management of environmental concerns, and a fresh and meaningful thrust for the socio-economic sustainability of Knysna and the South Cape Coast."

Mayor Alan Kock said that the Council had looked at all aspects of the planned redevelopment. Recognizing the need for environmental sensitivity, the Council had ensured that strict controls were imposed to ensure that the environment would be safe guarded before deciding to approve and support the project.

The Knysna Choral Choir, who the Thesen Islands Development Company have sponsored for some time, performed a number of foot tapping traditional songs to the enthusiastic response of the audience. Led by Graham Power, a number of the professional team as well as owners pledged donations totaling more than R20 000 to the choir.

With the construction of the first phase of the R800 million project having been underway since June, the guests enjoyed "Island Safaris" to view the progress achieved. Guests were dropped off at "lookouts" where construction and environmental experts were on hand to talk about the project. Already 3.4 kilometres of waterway frontage have been constructed. Guests expressed amazement at the size and scale of the waterways and at how much had already been done. Graham Power announced that construction was 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule.

The first phase of the development, which consists of 150 single residential stands, is scheduled for completion in July 2001. Virtually all the stands in the first phase have water frontage. With over 120 stands sold, sections of the second phase have now been released. Included is "North Beach", a select group of North facing stands all with a private jetty and beach, smaller "Tidewater" stands set next to the wetlands and "Edgewater" stands on the banks of the Waterway. The prices of these stands start at R385,000.