and constructive ideas, and input on concepts with owners regarding their water, with
and suggestions from property owners that instant notification of any emergency.
might add value. There is a genuine desire to
determine what people may want and/or need.
COMMUNITY
The success of Gowrie Village and
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
One of the most important aspects already the consistently high retention of
identified is ongoing risk management, with property values here are based on
identification and rectification managed by its success in delivering the Gowrie
specialists such as engineers. concept: safe country living within a
Gowrie’s HOA management structure consists
familiar, friendly community, with all of
of the board, the estate manager, the Graham Balfour, Gowrie Village Board Chairman, the conveniences close by, and easy
administrative manager and two ground staff, explains the need for a more technical and accessibility to larger centres when
with security and other ground maintenance expert mindset to address any issues or needed.
contracted out. The village itself consists of matters up for consideration. ‘There are two 144 levy payers, which includes the commercial major things we have to drive: firstly we need About 60% of Gowrie residents are
precinct. Managing the common areas and risk management and, secondly, we need to permanent, with quite a few (very
commercial areas also falls within the HOA have a very clear view on what our capital active) retirees. More and more
management sphere. Buildings within the reserve position is. For example, we have a newcomers are younger families,
commercial spaces are privately owned, some kilometre of public road that we must maintain, with children who can roam freely and
by the individual businesses, others by a so when are we going to resurface it? Is it in safely about. Houses are often street-
commercial entity. eight years, or 10? What are we going to do? facing, with verandas that evoke days
We need to know the way ahead.’ gone by when people would sit on their
Gowrie Village is fortunate to have a very active
‘stoep’ and chat with passers-by.
board of directors – the current board has been HIGH QUALITY WATER in operation in the village since 2017. They are Another area that receives ongoing Gowrie really is a village – the perfect
very hands-on and actively involved in the management attention is water supply. Gowrie’s place to call home.
estate, working daily and keeping up to date water is not municipal but comes from two with any changes in legislation, or anything new pristine boreholes, and the quality and quantity and innovative that comes on the market. The are excellent.
retention of property values and maintaining
Gowrie’s high investment potential is a priority.
STAYING ON TOP OF THINGS
The average daily water use of Gowrie Village
and the neighbouring Gowrie Farm Estate is
monitored regularly. Water readings are taken
Something that was raised at the last board physically three times a week, and if there’s a
meeting was the question of ‘what are we suspected problem, more often, sometimes
doing to add value?’ To address this, the daily. Any water leaks are detected through
board is putting out a survey before the water usage – the amount pumped versus the
approaching AGM to gain forthright feedback amount used. There is regular communication
41
INDUSTRY JOURNAL
. . .
ABOUT 60% OF GOWRIE
RESIDENTS ARE
PERMANENT, WITH QUITE
A FEW (VERY ACTIVE)
RETIREES
gowrievillage.co.za