GREEN LUNGS PROJECT- draft BUSINESS PLAN
VISION : Ensure - a healthy environment
- Harmonious co-existence with industry
- Proper spatial planning
OBJECTIVES: to preserve the clairwood racecouse area as a green lung
To ensure responsible industrial expansion
To improve the air quality in the Durban South Basin
Provide disadvantaged communities / NGO’s / CBO’S with rent free
office space
Create ecological centre
BENEFITS: mitigates impact of harmful emissions
Improves air quality
Ensures proper and responsible spatial planning & development
Creates sustainable green lung / carbon sink
Creates ecological / nursery centre
Establishes a community / ngo park
TARGET GROUPS: Residents
Industry
Municipality
Government
Funders
OWNERSHIP OF LAND Community or
Section 21 company with shares to industry for their financial contribution
or
Partnership between community/ industry/ local , provincial and national govt
USE OF LAND
The land would be owned by the community and maintained as a green lung with
more trees being planted. Further the land would be used for purposes that do
not increase the pollution levels. Some of the ideas being considered are:
• sports arenas (soccer stadium),
• horse racing (lease premises as racecourse to Gold Circle,
• golf course
• open music concert venues,
• recreational theme park,
• cluster housing,
• office park
• NGO / community learning centre
• Conference / seminar venue
• Provincial nursery/ecological centre
• Restuarant / shopping complex
• Venue for weddings etc
SUSTAINABILITY
• Income from lease of office space
• Waiver of rates by municality
NARRATIVE
The Merebank, Wentworth and Bluff Areas are one of the most polluted areas in
the world. These residential areas are completely surrounded by Industry which
daily spews out toxic and harmful emissions. These emissions can cause various
diseases example Leukemia, Cancer, Respiratory disorders, Asthma.
Recent research has found that trees reduce the harmful effects of sustained air pollution. It is for this reason that green areas (Green Lungs) or Carbonsinks are being recommended to reduce the harmful effects of toxic emissions. In this area there are two such green lungs viz. the Clairwood Racecourse and the Bluff Nature Reserve. The impending rezoning of the Clairwood Racecourse to Industrial has the potential to sever this Green Lung and suffocate the surrounding Communities. The recent research has shown that trees have a greater impact in mitigating the effects of pollution as opposed to grass and grasslands.
The Merebank Environmental Action Committee, Wentworth Development Forum and MRA have embarked on a Tree Planting Project to improve the air quality in Merebank, Wenthworth and Bluff. Residents, Industry and the Municipality are urged to plant as may trees as possible on their properties and on the surrounding areas. The above Organisations will be providing seedlings to interested residents.
Gold Circle, the owners of Clairwood Racecourse, are considering rezoning the
property for light industrial development.
Should this occur, the surrounding areas will be exposed to increased pollution
as a result of the loss of the green lung and the new industries located in
the racecourse.
The community has approached Gold Circle to sell the land to the community.
Gold Circle has indicated they would be prepared to sell at approx R65 million. This is a large sum of money for a community to obtain. This is an unprecedented initiative by a community to protect its environment and the good health of its residents. To raise R65 million the Committee has proposed sourcing donations from international funders, local industry, local and national government and pledges from the residents. It is envisaged that a once off pledge of R200.00 (two hundred rand) per person living in Merebank, Wentworth and Bluff would assist. One hundred rand is a small price to pay for the good health of you and your children. If no action is taken now the future medical bills would definitely exceed this amount.
Please note that no money is required now. All that is required is a show of your support by completing the under-mentioned pledge form. Should you require any further information or copies of the research paper, you are welcome to contact the above organisations. THE HEALTH OF YOUR CHILDREN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIES IN YOUR HANDS.
Rajah Naidoo Des da Sa
MEAC WDF
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
PLEDGE FORM
I,(name)………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Address)……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
tel no home…………………………………………….work……………………cell………………………
DO HEREBY PLEDGE THE SUM OF R100 PER MEMBER OF MY FAMILY.
NO OF MEMBERS………………………………………TOTAL
R……………………………………….
PLEASE RETURN THE PLEDGE FORM VIA YOU CHILD TO YOUR NEAREST SCHOOL OR FAX TO 4678137 OR POST TO 749 MARINE DRIVE, BRIGHTON BEACH, 4052
ACTION PLAN
DUTY RESPONSIBILITY
1. INTERNATIONAL FUNDERS PREMILLA DEONATH,???
2. INDUSTRY DONORS RAJAH /???
3. INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CONCERT Premilla ???
elton john etc
4. RESIDENTS PLEDGES DES/ STRINI /
???
5. MUNICIPALITY DEEPCHAND / ???
TIMAKIA/
6. MEDIA (radio /tv/ newspapers)
pledges on radio / tv SEETHARAM/???
7. DELOITTE TOUCHE ????
accountants / access to funders
structuring of deal
8. LAWYERS - GARLICKES RAJAH/???
9. PUBLICISTS ????
10. NAT & PROV GOVT SEETHARAM