Dear Members and Friends of TBRA, Aug.2010
Here is an update on what your Association has been doing since the AGM.
Sea crying Orange alert
Remember 22 June? It was the day that the sea along the North Coast became orange! It had rained very heavily the days before and the island was soaked. Along the road to Batu Ferringhi, lots of the mud washed down the cut slopes left unprotected from the many ‘developments’ there. One heavy rain and the road risks becoming impassable because of mudslides. And it’s the only road we have.
Alerted by a member, TBRA immediately sent SMS and email messages to MPPP asking them to clear and monitor and to the CM & co reminding them that this would not be happening if approvals for construction had been denied. Denuded steep hillsides will suffer erosion, landslides may result, roads get flooded, and the sea has to swallow all that mud and debris. No wonder it protested: orange alert.
Our Adun YB Teh responded promptly saying… “The best solution is to totally ban development on all hill slopes along the Tanjong Tokong-Tanjong Bunga-Batu Ferringhi-Teluk Bahang " eco-sensitive tourism area and also make sure Tanjong Bunga be returned its substantive status as ‘Tanjong Bunga-Teluk Bahang Secondary Corridor’ in the Penang Structure Plan which was gazetted in June 2007 and state it very clearly in the Local Plan (Bahagian Pulau).”
Ongoing struggle re Structure Plan.
As you will recall, TBRA has been arguing to get our township back into the Secondary Corridor for years now. We have held umpteen meetings with both the previous and the present governments, written dozens of letters, even painted a colorful mural: Welcome to Tanjong Bunga ! to indicate the border line of TB town. The State Government claims Tanjong Bunga starts at Mar Vista Resort !
TBRA is pursuing its efforts to establish if Tanjong Bunga is in the Primary Corridor (allowing for high density high rises) or in the Secondary Corridor where there are limits. Mind you, judging by what is allowed to take place in Batu Ferringhi, the Secondary Corridor designation does not provide much protection…
We shall keep you informed. But it is a two-way street. Do also keep us posted. Do tell us if you hear of any new planning or concept ‘development’ that is going for approval. Keep an eye on empty lots near your place. Are they sold? Are they boarded up? Once the construction signboards are up, it is too late.
Other news in brief:
Chee Seng Gardens was flooded again but what really annoyed the residents there was the blasting of rocks and the way Bolton carries on with construction on the very steep hillside.
Another Stop-work order
Complaints about hazardous blasting with rocks flying across the road resulted in a stop-work order on Surin Bolton for all its work. The complaints were backed up by video footage on the blasting incidents given to the police along with reports. The clips were also presented to the press by TBRA chairman George Aeria on 7 June and resulted in considerable press coverage. The stop-work order has since been lifted and Bolton seems to be making up for lost time with works until late into the evening, resulting in more complaints about noise overload and absence of police supervision when blasting takes place. Residents are taking turns in showering MPPP with angry emails.
Launch of the Coastal Public Park
Strangely enough only the Chinese press covered the launch of Tanjong Bunga’s Coastal Park at the “Sore Thumb”, next to the Penang Swimming Club. The launch which took place on Saturday, 5 June, attracted over 100 residents who listened to speeches by TBRA chair and by Tanjong Bunga Adun YB Teh. The crowd then moved to the entrance to State land which has been hoarded up by the owner of the Tanjung Club.
YB Teh cut the ribbon, the banner came down, the gate was opened giving access to a path leading to the “Sore Thumb”. Although it was very hot, all supporters walked down to have a look at the future seaside park where they will be able to exercise and play games. Meanwhile, passing traffic honked three times to show their support. Upon their return, residents were treated to cold drinks and snacks graciously provided by the Copthorne Hotel.
It seems like the conversion of the top of Pearl Hill into a Public Hilltop Park is nearing completion. YB Phee Boon Poh declared on 9 June to an audience of 80 at the Hydro Hotel that he would be signing the gazetted allocation of the public park the following week. If any of you have seen confirmation of that (any newspaper clippings?), please do let us know. Otherwise it will be time for more reminders. It is so easy to make promises…
Your membership fees - we need your support…
At the AGM, last May, it was decided to start a membership drive. Some volunteers have diligently worked away at an updated computer file which slots when our members became members and when they last paid their fees. As you can imagine, there is work to do. We need to collect your fees, your donations, your ideas as well. Some of you have been mindful to pay up, others forgot. As soon as we complete the computerized list, TBRA will be in touch with you.
Become a life member !
The fee collection process has also been slowed somewhat because we are still waiting for the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to approve the option of life-membership. Once this is OK, you will most likely opt to solve the cumbersome process of paying RM12 renewal fee per year and, instead, just pay RM100 to be a life member. That way, you will support your Association and it never needs to bother you again. ROS has now promised to confirm its approval by the end of this month.
Too long to wait so we are sending you this news NOW.
Best wishes from TBRA
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