GEORGE NEWS - The last remaining trees on the Old Crocodile Farm on the western borders of George have been bulldozed into the ground. According to the official spokesperson of the George Municipality, Chantel Edwards-Klose, this is part of the terrain maintenance. "The George Municipality is busy cleaning the terrain, after which it will be maintained on a regular basis. The George Municipality has not reached finality over the land usage," she said.

Members of the Friends of the George Heronry (Frogh) were shocked at the state of the property after it had been bulldozed.

They reiterated the stance that the western entrance to George is unwelcoming. The thatched roofs of the municipality-owned buildings are disintegrating. The exterior walls are crumbling, and the bulldozed mounds of earth are covered in unsightly rubble and refuse.

In February 2017 the council still seemed to hold out hope that the ideals for establishing a heronry could be accommodated on the land.

Municipal communications officer Debra Sauer said at the time, "The birds that are currently on and around the property can possibly be accommodated under the proposed land use.

"It is possible that the municipality could receive a development proposal which includes accommodating the birds in question. Council recently resolved that tenders be called for long-term leasing of the Old Crocodile Farm premises. The land must be developed as an activity park for community-based facilities."

This terrain is in the process of being cleaned up, said a municipal official.

In November last year, acting director of Human Settlements, Land Affairs and Planning Charles Lubbe stated, "The municipality is in the process of re-looking at the possible utilisation of the land in order to establish activities on site which could be to the benefit of all the citizens of George."

Fallow since 2007
The 4,7-hectare property has been lying fallow since May 2007, when the Old Crocodile farm was closed after operating as a tourist attraction and hatchery for crocodiles for 20 years. A petition signed by 1 100 people in favour of protecting the habitat of the heron and other water birds, together with letters of support, were submitted to George Council for consideration.

Letters of support from Birdlife SA, The Lakes Bird Club, local ornithologist Peter Ginn, University of Cape Town's Animal Demography Unit, NMMU, the local SPCA and other conservation bodies as far as Kwazulu-Natal were handed over to the George Municipality.

Utter devastation
This week one of Frogh's founder members, Colin Ralston said, "I regard it as utter and total devastation, hardly a tree left standing, piles of earth. So much for being an "Interested and Affected Party".

Ten species of birds which use to nest there, including the open-billed storks and African spoonbills, have gone for good.

Christine Ridge Schnaufer, honorary secretary of Wessa (Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), summed up the issue: "Sadly, the bird sanctuary is lost."

The former abattoir of the Old Crocodile Farm is in a state of disrepair.

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