DVLP Newsletter November - The Rest

THE REST NATURE ESTATE DEVELOPER’S NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2015
Completion of the security fence and handover to the Homeowner’s Association
During September 2015 Knights Fencing completed the final sections of the perimeter security fence, and the
power has been switched on along the entire length. In the event of outages the fence has back up power and
it is linked to the security control room and is monitored on a 24/7 basis. This is a major milestone in the
development of The Rest Nature Estate. Both Brian Sharkey of SMC and Thorburn Security are of the opinion
that the security at The Rest is now the best of any other residential development in the Lowveld and the
developers have met their objective of making The Rest “’ The safest residential estate in the region “’
Views of Security Fence
Access control at the gate
Victoria confirming access
Supervisor conducting parade
The security systems have now been handed over to the Homeowner Association both for maintenance and
operation, under the watchful eye of Jedri Koekemoer, the Estate Maintenance Manager.
The day to day operation and monitoring is handled by Thorburn Security and we are pleased to report that
their security contract has been renewed for another year and they bring a great deal of experience and
professionalism to the Estate.
Also we are pleased to report that over the last 12 months since Thorburn have been managing security and
whilst the security upgrades were incomplete not a single incident has occurred, save for the disappearance of
a handbag from an unlocked car left outside an owner’s house.
As in any environment residents are requested to take reasonable precautions to protect their valuables and
possessions and long may the peaceful life be enjoyed within the Estate.
Landscaping at the two entrances and around the Estate
The main contract is now complete and is going through
a growing period for three months before being handed
over to the HOA for ongoing maintenance. The Rest’s
own team of workers have been trained by Servest to
fulfil this role. Despite the best efforts of the Duikers and
other small wild animals most of the plants seem to have
taken and like most of South Africa we desperately need
rain to make them flourish.
Again as part of the developer’s objective to make The
Rest “’the best place to live in the Lowveld”” we
continued to support Arbour Day at the Curro School
Spring Festival in early September. Despite the rain
spoiling all the fun, over 250 indigenous trees were
bought by The Rest owners and parents at the school for
planting in and around the property and the remaining
50 trees have been planted in strategic places within the
Estate.
Already the efforts of the owners and developer can be
seen as the planted trees and shrubs are already starting
to soften and merge with the houses. This will go a long
way to improving the environment to attract more wild
birdlife. Indigenous tree species were selected by Karen
Dentan of “Tuin Ontwerp Dienste” for Arbour Day. The
hosting of regular bird watching events will continue
both during the remainder of this year and into next
year. Residents and owners are encouraged to attend
these. (Please contact the Sales Centre for more details).
The landscaping planting programme will be an ongoing
process, as with over 100 hectares of natural bush this is
a huge undertaking and included within the plan is the
eradication of the Lantana and other alien vegetation
within phase 2 and into other phases.
Gregory Chalmers of Sanlam & Alec Bates of
Second Lifestyle
Curro Spring Festival
Opening of the new sales centre
Much to the relief of Jedri the sales team have now moved into their home in the new sales centre and he can
reclaim the estate admin office at long last. The sales centre is a magnificent facility and gives the sales team the
opportunity of showing what The Rest has to offer to buyers, to maximum effect.
The building was designed by ARCA the Estate’s nominated architects and reflects the Shaded Pavilion house
design. With over 400 m2 of space it maximizes the indoor/ outdoor living synonymous with The Rest’s lifestyle.
The home was constructed to a very high standard by Felix Lombard of B Sure Construction and a similar home
could be designed and constructed to fit on most of the sloping stands within the Western part of the Estate.
Apart from being a working office for the sales team and their home for many years to come, it also hosts a
small gym in the double garage for owners/residents which is open from 6.am to 9 pm, 7 days a week. Apart
from a range of exercise equipment it is also air conditioned and has DSTV and will fulfil a purpose until a larger
facility may be developed in the future clubhouse.
It is also equipped with a coffee and refreshment
facility and owners and residents are encouraged to
entertain their friends there, whilst their children
play in the sand pit and on the jungle gym.
A very successful opening party was hosted by the
developer on August 20 where over 200 guests and
children were entertained to good food, liquid
refreshments and music provided by Natasha C.
Judging by the late hour a good time was had by all.
For the foreseeable future the sales centre will be
the focal point for the hosting of similar events.
The Sales Team
Sale success and the planning of phase 2 - Albizia
Since The Rest Nature Estate was rebranded and relaunched in early 2014, we are happy to report that sales of
stands have shown a healthy increase, to the extent that most of the 400 serviced stands in phase 1 are now
sold out.
However a few choice stands still remain in phase 1 at very reasonable historic prices, as with the significant rise
in infrastructure costs the selling price per m2 for land in phase 2 is likely to be substantially higher. So hurry
and get along to the sales centre to snap up the last few bargains.
In order to provide more stands for sale to satisfy demand, the planning of phase 2 with our professionals has
been underway for some time. Phase 2 is located on the hillside behind the Curro School playing fields. Because
of the topography it has magnificent views North East over Nelspruit and the mountains beyond.
Access will be through the West Gatehouse and will have a mixture of different types of properties to satisfy a
wider market, from a range of freehold stands for the smaller family, some sectional title units and of course a
few large stands with magnificent views.
Once the new phase has gone through the normal approval processes, it will be launched to the buying market
later in 2016. As one of our loyal buyers you will have first choice before the stands become readily available to
the general market.
More detailed information will follow in due course both as to design of phase 2 and the launch procedures.
Views from Phase 2
Last remaining large stands within the Rest
The developer is about to release to the market
what is likely to be the last remaining larger
stands in the whole of The Rest.
On the East side in Combretum we are in the
process of putting in infrastructure to create two
new prestigious villages.
Bush Willow Village ( SA national tree in 2015)
consisting of 9 stands ranging in size from 3200
m2 up to 4900 m2 with prices ranging from R1.5
million up to R 2.0 million.
And
Londolozi Ridge consisting of 14 stands ranging in
size from 2500 m2 up to 4400 m2 with prices
ranging from R1.3 million to R1.6 million.
The villages will each have their own statement
entrance and gives the buyers the chance to
build a large house of their dreams and to still
have a substantial private garden.
Once the infrastructure is complete, all
development within Combretum will be
completed, except for the construction of
individual houses. The owners from then on will
have peaceful possession. All future expansion
will then occur on the West side of the estate.
for Lowveld living and the new show houses
Please contact the salesDesigned
team to obtain
information on these villages and they would be
The
in July
completed
show house
houses apart from the sales centre, which were designed to comply
onlydeveloper
too pleased
to advise
you ontwo
suitable
with
the for
latest
architectural
themes
and guidelines.
designs
these
unique and
very special
stands. All houses comply with the latest government
requirements relating to green environmental legislation for new houses.
These houses formed part of our Designed for Lowveld Living promotion advertised during August, September
and October and over 500 families visited the Estate to visit the show houses and to look around the estate.
The houses are still on show and for sale, so please contact the sales team if you are interested in seeing what
special features the houses incorporate, to be more environmentally friendly.
The show house on stand 1989 is Modern Rustic and is designed by ARCA the estates designated architects and
was built by Felix Lombard of B Sure Construction.
Stand 1989
Stand 1739
The other show house is on stand 1739, designed by Matt Lankers and built by Wikus Du Plessis, this house
represents the typical barn Style allowed in the Combretum village.
Both designs are indicative of the range of new houses designs and comply fully with the HOA architectural rules
and guidelines.
These guidelines are in place for the protection of the vast majority of owners and are there to prevent a house
being built next to yours that affects your view and peaceful enjoyment of what The Rest has to offer. These
guidelines are being rigidly enforced and building plans will only be approved on that basis. The sales team often
hear grumbles that it is impossible to build at The Rest the type of home an owner requires and this is not true as
long as the plans comply with the Estates’ requirements.
To date 59 homes have been completed at The Rest, 30 homes are under construction and 36 new building plans
have been approved for construction.
Curro School
Aside from supporting the Curro School Spring Festival with
the Arbour Day tree planting, The Rest plays an active role
in supporting Curro throughout the year. Earlier in the year
we sponsored the erection of a new electronic score board
at their Astra Turf hockey pitch and the school regularly
uses the Estate grounds for various sporting activities
including mountain biking and jogging.
We also sponsored book prizes for the eight winners of the
Curro School Essay Competition and at the recent High
School prize giving, The Rest Nature Estate Character Award
Matriculation bursary of R10, 000 was awarded to Martin
Garnet - Bennett.
Martin was the worthy recipient as he excelled both in
school and extracurricular activities and we wish him well in
tertiary studies at TUC. Last year this award went to Zoeie
Paul.
The character award for the grade 7 winner will be awarded
at the prize giving on 9th December.
Sponsorship of Grip
This year as we did last year the
developers have donated R30, 000 to
GRIP (Greater Rape Intervention
Programme) to help them fund their
operations over the upcoming festive
season. This is an extremely worthwhile
charity giving immediate after trauma
care to those that have been physically
abused and just as importantly, ensuring
that the assailant is brought to justice.
In 2016 we are hoping to get The
Rest owners’ and the Curro School
pupils more actively involved in
supporting this very worthwhile
charity, through community
minded projects. They have to rely
on the private sector as they
receive very little financial support
from government to provide their
essential services.
Kruger and Lowveld Chamber of Commerce annual awards 2015
The Rest Nature Estate and Sanlam were nominated recently as one of three finalists in the KLCBT 2015 annual
awards for the PWC Large Business Enterprise Award. We were up against some tough competition in Old
Mutual’s Riverside Mall and Sappi’s Lomati Sawmill. This category was billed as “the clash of the Titans.”
Over 500 people attended the glittering dinner on the evening of October 30th. The award went to Sappi. The
Rest’s team are to be congratulated in getting onto the final short list and we are all proud that The Rest is
recognized as being up there with the best in the Lowveld.
Children’s Christmas party held at the sales centre on Sunday 15 th November
The developers hosted a Christmas party for the parents and children of The Rest. All owners and residents were
invited. Over 60 Adults and 60 kids attended. You could either bring your own picnic hamper or enjoy one of The
Rest’s famous Boerewors rolls. These were a huge success.
Santa Claus was in attendance and jumping castles and pony rides were available for the kids. Santa handed out
presents brought by the parents for their children.
The event started at 3.pm and despite the weather young and old had a great time.
Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protection Agency
We all know what devastating effect runaway fires can
have on residential properties, wild life and even human
lives. The Rest Nature Estate is a member of LEFPA
(Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protection Agency) who does
a tremendous job in the area of making fire breaks and
fighting wild fires.
Due to the vast area they have to operate in, it
sometimes takes them quite a while to respond & arrive
on scene in the case of a runaway fire.
From left: Andy Marshall from RW Trailers, Jedri
Koekemoer & Leon Bouwer
To limit the risk of property being damaged at The Rest, The HOA invested in a TFFC3 2500L firefighting trailer to
be based at The Rest. This will be used to contain fires and limit spreading within the estate itself, until such time
that help arrives and to contribute to LEFPA efforts in the region.
With a 2500 litre capacity it is towed behind The Rest’s tractor and has a high pressure firefighting pump and
hoses attached. It can also be used for other roles around the Estate such as the watering of trees and shrubs.
Message from the entire team
2015 has been a momentous year with the completion of the major infrastructure projects to make The Rest
Nature Estate a safer and a better place to live.
With the success of the virtual selling out of phase 1 we look forward to the launch of phase 2 with relish in 2016.
From all the team we wish you and your family a safe and relaxing Christmas holiday and we hope that in 2016
The Rest continues to exceed your expectations.
Sales Centre Contact number: 072 644 4955 – [email protected] – Open 7 Days a week 09:00 – 17:00
www.therest.co.za