WHAT WE DO
We are your ‘one-stop-shop’ for dealing with common complaints such as:
- Water and sewerage service problems
- Public open space maintenance
- Noise nuisances
- Vagrancy
- Taxi problems
We help to improve traffic & road systems by engaging with authorities.
We act as the ‘watchdog’ for undesirable development in your area thus controlling urban and commercial ‘creep’, the destruction of heritage etc.
- Unauthorized building work
- Land use contraventions
We collaborate with other bodies to protect the natural environment.
We can give you advice on town planning and building plan submissions.
Our vision statement is simply:
“To conserve Constantia’s rural and cultural landscape for all”
The on-going task and responsibility of the CPOA will be to understand the relationships between the built and historic environments, the farms, public open space, riverine open space, mountain scenery and boundaries, avenues and streetscapes, to ensure that future development does not further unravel this magic.
Protecting the Constantia Valley is one of the precepts in the CPOA Constitution and your Executive Committee and Sub-Committees are dedicated to doing just that.
However, in a changing world we cannot do this in isolation. We need to build an understanding among the many role players in Local and Provincial government and their institutions, as well as the people of Cape Town at large, that Constantia is a valuable asset to all.
We also need to persuade developers that there is no long-term benefit in insensitive development.
It is important that all stakeholders should understand the historic, cultural and natural elements that make Constantia a unique asset to all the people of Cape Town.
We also believe that all the residents of the Valley have a special responsibility to act as custodians of this asset. We need to do this to ensure that this unique environment is protected for future generations.
The Constantia Valley, part of the Cape Winelands, is an outstanding example of a vineyard cultural landscape enriched by cultural influences accumulated from five Continents (Africa, Asia and the East Indies, Europe and the Americas).
Along with natural elements ideally suited for viticulture, it is set in a dramatic environment. It also illustrates the impact of human settlement and agricultural activities and more specifically the production of wine for more than 350 years.
It has taken 300 years to create this unique and special cultural landscape and less than 30 years of development to endanger it.
High density cluster housing against mountain slopes and on remaining open land, together with relentless consolidation and sub-division of existing properties and insensitive treatment of streetscapes, are changing the character of the area.
The cultural landscape of Constantia forms part of the National estate and is a very valuable asset to the City of Cape Town.
It will make a substantial contribution to the sustainability of the city as an international tourist destination of choice and a suitable place to live and play, but only if urgent priority is given to manage the present development frenzy.
A detailed review of the present and future value of the Constantia Valley has shaped our vision
– we intend to protect and preserve the natural beauty, history and landscape of the Valley so as to enrich the well-being and enjoyment of all the people of Cape Town and the world.
A vision, however has to be realized and it is therefore imperative that the efforts of the CPOA and its comments on all planning issues, whether they be of huge importance, like the new Integrated Zoning Scheme for the City, the preparation of overlay zones or any other planning instruments and policies, should be done in a manner that fulfils this.
Waste Management
Working with the City to find a new location for the waste transfer site at Ladies Mile which will be closing in the not too distant future.
Road and Traffic Maintenance
Working with the City to prioritize the maintenance of roads and to improve traffic management (calming measures, traffic lights etc.)
Protecting Our Land
Constantia-Tokai Valley Proclamation as a Grade 1 Cultural Landscape – this is to ensure the protection of the Historic Farms of the valley for posterity.
Controlled Development
The Constantia Valley Shopping Centre Servitude Agreement – this was the result of protracted negotiations between the developer and the CPOA to prevent uncontrolled development of the so called ‘Constantia Triangle’ (through this mechanism we were able to prevent the proposed parking garage at the centre).
Managing of Open Spaces
Working together in Ward 62 – this initiative is to co-ordinate the functions and activities of the various role players in managing the green belts and other public open spaces.
