Arabella Country Estate Home Owners Association ( estate

Locality

Arabella Country Estate is situated approximately 28 kilometers from Hermanus and 7 kilometers from Kleinmond. It lies between the upper reaches of the Bot River Lagoon and the Kleinmond / Hermanus road at the foot of the Palmiet Mountain Range. The estate property spans a total area of 113 hectares and has a 1.6 kilometer frontage onto the lagoon.

The property is located within the Transitional zone of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and the adjacent Bot River Lagoon, which is a designated Buffer zone of the Biosphere Reserve. Estate management is required to conform to the objectives of the Biosphere Reserve. This includes the principal of sustainable development and protection of the natural environment on and surrounding the property.

Description of the Estate

The estate includes the following components:

•	241 freehold properties that have been developed to a uniform theme, as prescribed in the architectural guideline document.
•	A fully fitted 145-roomed luxury hotel, which include conference, food, beverage and leisure facilities as well as a wellness centre.
•	An 18-hole golf course of international standards with full clubhouse facilities. The golf course has a par 72 layout and was designed by Peter Matkovich, a leading golf course architect.
•	Several large vacant areas that will remain undeveloped.

Biophysical Environment

Wetland vegetation is found in the lagoon areas bordering the property and in the wetland on the southwestern boundary. This vegetation has an important function to act as a buffer that filters out excess nutrients and performs a "polishing" function for runoff from the estate.

A great number of water birds are present on the lagoon next to the golf course. The small bay area adjacent to the golf course provides shelter and roosting areas against the prevailing wind and therefore forms an important part of the ecology.