PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Neighbours and nearby residents in Fisanthoek on the N2 at Harkerville are dismayed by the sound of motorbike engines on an off-road track on the property Harper’s Creek.
Residents say they have had to endure the noise for two years – and it is especially bad at weekends.
At the core of their objections is the lack of environmental impact assessments and the inaction of the owner, who is allegedly defying municipal directives to cease using his land for such an activity.
In spite of notices issued by the Bitou Municipality for the off-road track to “cease the unlawful use of the property” - one as far back as September 2023 - the track has continued to function.
In addition, a criminal case for non-compliance was registered against the landowner on 12 March this year, according to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies.
“This office is not in a position to provide the particulars of the complainant in the matter,” said Spies.
Brent Harper, the owner of Harpers Creek and the race track, said he did not want to be quoted on “false information” being spread about him and his property and that he is taking legal action against those who were spreading misinformation and being malicious towards his application.
“They have no respect for me and have created a situation where even my staff are worried about losing their jobs if I do not get the application through, as I will then sell,” said Harper. “Many people do not know any details about me and my property and are following misinformation spread through various online media channels.”
Respect the sense of place
The Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum has also criticised the activities on the property.
“Clearly, environmental laws have been infringed and this may include clearing of land, noise pollution and inappropriate land use.”
The forum is following an application by the owner to rezone the property.
“We, as the Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum, believe that the activities proposed by the landowner (off-road motorbike track and events) are in total conflict with the existing sense of place and natural environment," it said.
“We do not believe that the noise created by off-road biking activities is conducive to any sensitive forest environment and, if a public participation process is undertaken, as an interested and affected party, the forum will strongly object to the currently proposed activities.”
A community of previously disadvantaged people at the Forest View settlement have handed in a petition about the disturbance, while guest houses in the area say they are being affected by the noise. In addition, people who rely on nature-based activities are also affected.
Forest life a privilege
“Landownership of spaces in the forest should be considered a privilege,” said the forum.
“It should not come with an assumed right to destroy the vegetation, the sense of place, the indigent sounds (so important to fauna living in densely vegetated environments) or, in this instance, people's rights to operate established businesses that are based on ‘minimum impact activities’ within the natural environment and that are dependent on its offerings (indigenous forest, forest bird and animal life, stillness of nature).”
Neighbours claim that Harper created the off-road motorcycle track on about 3ha of private land two years ago with the addition of a hard enduro course along the Bos River without an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
“This was done without an EIA, public consultation, consideration for the peace of their neighbours, or the fragile ecosystem that surrounds them,” say neighbours on smallholdings in the area.
“Unfortunately, our peace has been profoundly disrupted by the neighbouring farm, which regularly hosts extremely loud off-road biking. The noise is relentless and it completely drowns out the sounds of nature. I often can no longer hear the birds, which were part of what made this place feel like a sanctuary,” said a neighbour living next door.
The Bitou Municipality has been asked for comment and it will be included once received.
Highway noise
Harper said his property has industrial category 3 zoning for mining and he could apply for mining rights as it had in the past. “We are also bordering on a road reserve and the N2 which creates more noise than the few bikes riding over a weekend in daylight hours.”
He said neighbours like Forest View, who had submitted a petition, were illegal occupiers of land and not the land owner.
Clearing the forest.
“They are on Bitou Municipality’s land which has an agricultural 1 zoning and does not allow for a settlement and have to follow the same rules as we private land owners.
“We are attempting to do something positive for Plett tourism by creating jobs and bringing in much-needed income into the town to the benefit of accommodation establishments, restaurants, shops, and to boost the town’s economy. We are hopefully planning on a sport development programme with the Sports Arts and Culture Department and to raise money doing charity events,” said Harper.
‘Consent use, not rezoning’
He said he has been asked by Bitou Municipality to provide a noise impact assessment and is following all Bitou Municipality’s procedures regarding off-road trails and the consent use application.
He pointed out that agricultural 1zoning allows for off-road trails “and in a definition of this is a motocross track”.
“This is a consent use, not a rezoning application.”
He said clearing of vegetation on his private property was aimed at alien vegetation and he has an EIA which clearly states that there are alien trees on his property.
“There is a lot of false information being spread of me cutting down Harkerville Forest but my neighbours keep cutting down trees on their properties 24/7 and chainsaws run every day at louder sound levels than a bike.
“The N2 is also very loud with trucks with air brakes, superbikes, and personal vehicles that run 24/7,” he said.
“We also have a registered dumpsite and sand business next to us with trucks running up and down and a sand shaker going almost every day.”
He said when references are made to the forest, there is no specific demarcation of Harkerville Forest.
“Where is the Harkerville Forest? People don’t even know where it is. I did not buy a forest. I bought an agricultural zone 1 with category 3 industrial zoning.”
He said he has taken all measures possible to be environmentally conscious about what he is doing and recently appointed a private environmental consultant to work with him.
“We hope that this gives a better understanding to those out there that have been misinformed. This is a healthy sport facility that can benefit many in the community. We all drive cars and trucks deliver our goods. We all live in towns that were once forests, so why can our kids not enjoy riding their bikes outdoors in a controlled safe area on private property over a weekend, instead of sitting on a phone or iPad?” he asks.
Harper hopes the community sees the benefits of having this sport facility which, in future, all can enjoy.
ADDED COMMENT FROM HARPER - Update added at 14:50 on 27 August:
Harper said he had complied with municipal notices and met with Bitou municipal town planners who indicated the track would be acceptable as it was “not for tourists“.
He was only asked much later to put in an application which was delayed because of the Christmas period. The municipality was concerned that Wild X Adventures (another quad bike company) was operating on the property and that and Wild X was renting quad bikes to tourists and that that was an illegal business.
“I complied and immediately cancelled the lease (with Wild X) as I was only renting them space and it was not my business,” said Harper.
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