Fed-up councillor tackles trashy issue

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — The Waste Transfer Station, situated near Graaff-Reinet just off the N9 towards Aberdeen, falls into ward 7 of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.

Rudy Jacobs, ward councillor responsible for this ward, has reported several issues about this facility on many occasions, with no action forthcoming from the municipality.

There are several main issues. There appears to be no access control for vehicles arriving at the site, and security staff is there but according to Cllr Jacobs and several members of the community, they do nothing.

The gates are wide open for anyone to drive in, with no security. There is a new illegal tip at the back of the Waste Transfer Station, and children are often seen playing there, which is both dangerous and unhygienic.

During last year, it was also agreed that trucks carrying rubbish should have netting covering the waste material, to prevent it falling or blowing off. This is not being adhered to, and trucks are seen, piled high with litter, leaving a trail of rubbish behind them.

In the action plan given to Cllr Jacobs in response to this and many other issues, the municipality gave a deadline of 31st March for these issues to be resolved, with more stringent access control to be implemented when a new service provider is appointed.

A prompt response was received from acting communications officer Edwardine Abader.

"The municipality is aware of the situation relating to access control at the Waste Transfer Station in Graaff- Reinet, and in order to improve on this, a tender for municipal-wide security services was advertised a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, supply chain processes are complex and sometimes they take longer than previously envisaged. The delay has not only affected the Waste Transfer Station but has also affected other critical areas that urgently require security services. Once access is controlled, we believe that vagrants will be a thing of the past and there will be better-controlled activities within the site.

In recent weeks, we have resolved to reconsider the opening and closing times of the Waste Transfer Station, especially over weekends and public holidays.

As part of a cost-cutting exercise that is currently underway in the entire municipality, it is our intention to consider keeping the site open (with access being controlled). Our plea with communities is that they are encouraged to use the facility in a responsible manner. Communities will be advised once the final decision has been taken on the matter.

Due to supply chain prescripts, we have so far been unable to source nets for all our refuse removal fleet. We are, however, anticipating that this crucial aspect of our operations will be sorted soon."