MONTESEEL RESIDENTS INFORMATION

Dear Monteseel Resident                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              October 2022

Monteseel is surrounded by public land which is zoned Environmental Protection Reserve and contains natural forest and grassland. Some of the grassland is KZN Sandstone Sourveld, an endangered veld type, of which only 2% remains in the eThekwini Metro, and it is said to be nearly as unusual and diverse as the Cape Fynbos. The zoning of this land is in the process of being upgraded to Nature Reserve.  We are therefore privileged to live in our ‘own’ Nature Reserve.

In addition to this, many of the properties around the edge of Monteseel have parts that have been designated D’MOSS. D’MOSS is a tool used by the eThekwini municipality to identify areas where there may be unusual plants, habitats or unspoilt environments that can be preserved; or that are important to keep the air and water clean – this maintains the health of the environment and subsequently our health as well. D’MOSS allows only specific and limited development.

We support the enforcement of the following laws and bylaws:

  1. No dumping of anything anywhere – every bit of land is owned by someone.
  2. eThekwini is a smoke free zone. We do not support or encourage burning because it deprives the soil of nutrients and pollutes the air. Make a compost heap from leaves and grass cuttings. Permission to burn has to be obtained from the municipality and the fire department.
  3. Rock and plant harvesting, hunting with dogs, poaching and setting snares are crimes. If you see this happening, please post on the MCW Security or other WhatsApp group.
  4. Invasive Alien Plants must be removed or managed in your garden and on your verge.
  5. Dogs are a threat to the buck and small mammals in the area. Please keep your dogs in your property or on a lead if in a public space.

In addition, we ask that you:

  1. Minimise the use of household poisons, pesticides and herbicides. They enter the food chain and are a threat to the environment and the wildlife – birds and insects in particular.
  2. Drive slowly and stay on the road whatever motorised vehicle you drive – the grasslands are protected by law and the roads are for access to our homes.
  3. The park was created by local residents and the maintenance of it is supervised by the conservancy committee. It can be used by residents, but please leave it as you find it and park your cars on the verge outside. The park can be booked for small gatherings of family and friends. We ask for a donation towards the maintenance if you use it in this way, and we can give you access to the toilets.

If you need any information on garden maintenance, or local plants, birds and animals; or would like to be actively involved in the conservancy, please contact Anne (0827036255) or Nancy (0827161024).

From
Monteseel Conservancy Committee

James, Anne, Nancy, Carrie-Lee, Natasha, Shireen and Debbie

If you would like to become a member of the Monteseel Conservancy, please click here