2016 AGM Chairman’s Report

　Introduction

As most of you are aware, the TRUP Association became informed of the Western Cape Provincial Government’s intention to revise the existing policy for the TRUP area in August last year. This year the TRUP Association has made significant strides in presenting itself as a platform through which the diverse stakeholders comprising the TRUP Association may engage. This includes working closely with the consultants employed by the province to drive this process (Documented at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/two-rivers-urban-park-–-towards-sustainable-integrated-urban-development).

Many thanks to those of you who also attended and engaged in the 8 meetings run by SUN Development between February and August this year.

Key outcomes this year

Ongoing identification and engagement with various stakeholders in the TRUP. Key has been our collaboration with the Development Action Group, DAG. DAG is a leading NGO in the field of urban development in South Africa, which aims to demonstrate how partnership with citizens and other groups can lead to creative and sustainable solutions that redress social, economic and spatial inequalities.

One of our plans for 2017 is, in collaboration with DAG, to support capacity building for stakeholders associated with development within the Black River Corridor.

The outcome of the SUN-facilitated “Tru-Park” process has been the creation of a “Scenario C” – which promotes development that is closely aligned with the spirit and intent of the original policy framework. This would be a “balanced” development, where “reasonable” development that supports the wise management and use of the wetlands and public open space is considered.

According to SUN Development, there exists the intention for Scenario “C”, along with the consultant-developed scenarios “A” &”B” to be further workshopped before the end of this year (several workshops anticipated to take place during November).

Another key outcome has been the engagement of the TRUP Association with the River Club, and the SKA Project Team. Based on the TRUP Associations initial mandate from the City the Association provides the most appropriate platform for enabling sustainable development, through facilitating meaningful public participation, transparency amongst all stakeholders, and supporting heritage protection whilst harnessing the natural capital of the ecological services being provided by nature, all guided by a development frame work co designed through an authentic public participation process.

Key challenges

Key challenges, which are ongoing, include:

Identifying stakeholders;

Building meaningful relationships between all stakeholders (time consuming);

Building trust between all stakeholders;

Embracing the diversity which the different associations within the TRUP represent, and their diverse interests (potentially in conflict with each other)

Funding individuals to co-ordinate meetings and disseminate communication

Optimising communication channels using social and media

Way forward and closing

We are now at a critical point in the development of a new policy for the TRUP and Ndabeni area. The future depends in part, on how we (TRUP together with stakeholders, interested and effected parties collaborate to determine the future development in the area) engage with the City Province and key stakeholders. Our options are:

Passive / apathetic (do nothing)

Active:

Be informed

Get involved and influence and co determine future development in the area

Register as a member with the TRUP Association;

Attend and engage in the “TRU-Park” process;

Engage with the Association – how/where you can offer support; and

Contribute financially.

We believe in collective custodianship of our natural resource, that at all the parties with a stake in the area should form part of the dialogue, that this dialogue should be open and accessible for genuine participation to take place, that stakeholders are assisted in understanding the process, and the role they can play and this requires collaboration, engagement, public meetings and capacity building.

We believe that a “business as usual” approach to development is detrimental to current and future generations of society, and the environment. We therefore support sustainable development, which will require alternative approaches to identifying and creating solutions, as well as alternative approaches to implementing these solutions.

We look forward to our future journey together. We trust you will come along with us, and help us realise a future that further promotes this beautiful City we call home.