10th of July 2008

There certainly is a nip in the air, but the frost experienced thus far has not been severe at all and the break from the mist been most welcome. With forty-two homes either under construction or constructed, the builders have thankfully had little rain to contend with. Whilst on the topic of construction, the two tennis courts will commence in two weeks time in the commonage close to the Coffee Shop, Deli, Gym and Swimming Pool. (See photo of the model and a computer generated impression) This contract has been almost awarded and the earthworks and piling will start in August.

Extensive landscaping and planting has been taking place at the main entrance to Garlington. The survey issue at Seeking Avenue has now been resolved, the security equipment and the cameras have been installed and the gate house will be commissioned this month. Julia Thompson, who is based on site all mornings, will contact Home Owners soon to issue electronic tags to them.

We are now entering the third month that IPSS have been responsible for security on the Estate. We did receive various submissions from security firms and took the decision to contract with IPSS specifically because of their experience on other Estates such as Gowrie and Princes Grant. There is a full time supervisor (Dieto) with whom we are in contact with twenty-four seven. There are guards at both gates during the day and two different guards (1 armed) on horseback at night on Mars and Thicket. (See photo) IPSS prefer to use the horses at night as they each double up on eyes and ears. Shannon from Venn Nemeth & Hart has been preparing ID tags (with photos) and identification bibs for all the contractors on site and the delivery vehicles using the contractor’s access off Wier Drive.

There are still five Reid Buck and five Duiker on site, as well as rabbits, a Serval cat and a porcupine. The Orange orchard is now productive and the Avo orchard has been planted and covered with shade cloth. Borehole pumps have been installed as well as an extensive irrigation system installed. The stables have been designed and we are expecting the consent to move them from the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs in the next two or three weeks.

The erection of the street lights has commenced and an armed response system linking every home is currently being installed at the gate house. The intention is that our guards respond initially via quad-bike, horses or golf cart and if required, an outside security company can also be summoned for back-up. We are also in negotiation with Telkom to source some of the additional services such as high speed ADSL lines to each unit on the Estate.

There has been remedial work and various tests done on the roads for which we apologise unreservedly. Most of Garlick Boulevard has in fact “failed” and we are awaiting two specialist reports to determine our recourse and the remedy.