Following an extensive process of reviewing the OCA Constitution and other examples of Civic Constitutions, involving two task teams, and comment from an NPO lawyer, the OCA is putting out a draft revised constitution for consultation and comment by OCA members. The draft constitution is at OCA Constitution. Please send any comments you have to…
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Observatory Town Hall Talk – The State of the Circus
The Observatory Civic Association will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on the matter of the Willow Road Circus on Tuesday 9th of April at 6PM – 8PM, at the Observatory Community Centre. We have invited various City officials to attend. At the meeting, we would like the City of Cape Town to clarify :…
Municipal Planning Bylaw Comment by OCA
The OCA has submitted extensive comments on the proposed amendments of Municipal Planning Bylaw Comments on the amendments to the Municipal Planning Bylaw, 1st April 2019 Observatory Civic Association 76 Arnold St, Observatory, 7925 On March 1st, the City released a document setting out 87 amendments (actually more than 87, since some clauses include more…
Major developments threaten Observatory while OCA with residents hold the line.
There are numerous major developments that are threatening heritage in the area, which are being contested by the OCA on behalf the community affected. Below is a summary of the biggest threats. The OCA’s Large Development Group, Architecture and Heritage, and the TRUPA portfolios are working around the clock with the community in addressing these…
Property Valuations, MPT By-Law Amendment proposal, and Water Strategy comments
Dear OCA members The City has recently completed a valuation of all properties that comprise their rates base. The previous valuation was completed in 2015 and this is a new valuation in January 2019. (http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-property-and-houses/property-valuations/current-and-upcoming-valuations) Observatory residents will have received a notice if your property was valued, indicating the value the City estimates for your…
Massive Development Plans for Strubens Road Threaten Heritage – Urgent call for a community response
Massive New Development Proposed for Strubens Road – 4 Storied-Block of Flats Calling for an urgent response by the 18th of March! On the 22nd January notices on the homes of 1, 3, 5 Strubens Road where posted announcing the intention of 1 Life Projects to develop a 4 storied-block of flats. The notice requested…
Invitation to attend the Affordable Housing Workshop on Saturday 9 Feb 2019
Please join the Observatory Civic Association (OCA), Development Action Group (DAG), Ndifuna uKwazi(NU), Communicare and Civic Action for Public Participation(CAPP) for a morning workshop. Date: Saturday, 9 February 2019 Venue: Observatory Community Hall, Station Road, Obs (opposite Spar) Time: 10am(sharp)-1pm The programme includes speakers from the partner organisations, as well as facilitated discussion. Seating is limited. Please…
OCA Talk: Dr Helen Robinson on the history of the Liesbeek
The Observatory Civic Association invites you to a talk by Dr Helen Robinson, author of Villages of the Liesbeek: from the Sea to the Source. Date: Wed 10 October 6.30pm to 8pm Venue: NA Room, Observatory Community Centre Dr Robinson’s recent book documents the history of the inhabitants who lived along this once very fertile…
OCA submission on Two Rivers Urban Park heritage appeal
The OCA is alarmed that Heritage Western Cape is being challenged to end its protection of the Two Rivers Urban Park, as provincial government is appealing the decision to give the Park heritage protection. We have lodged a submission in this regard (here). At 10am Thursday 18 October the Ministerial Appeal Tribunals will hold…
OCA Update – August 2018
This is an excerpt from the OCA newsletter of 28 August 2018. Subscribe to OCA Monthly Updates here. The next meeting of the OCA committee is 6.30pm, Thursday 30 August. You can get minutes from our last meeting here. Some highlights from the past month: Civic activism: On Wednesday 5 September, the OCA will host…