Smoking garden refuse site ‘difficult to manage’
Clouds of smoke emanating from the municipal garden refuse site near Upper Old Place is an all too familiar sight for residents of Knysna, and it seems there is no real end to the burning as an alternative site is yet to be secured by the municipality.
Every week, residents complain about the murky skies and possible health hazard the smoke poses.
A site visit by Knysna-Plett Herald this week revealed that fires were burning at several spots around the refuse site as municipal workers just looked on – including piles of garbage such as broken chairs and tiles, building rubble and black plastic bags.
This is despite the fact that the municipality employs a full-time caretaker, a chipper operator and four general workers, tasked with the responsibility of the daily operations on the site.
Free facility
The ground at the refuse site is covered with black ash and a smell hangs over the area. Members of the public are not asked a fee to enter the site and utilise the facility free of charge.
According to the municipality, the Upper Old Place garden refuse facility was established and authorised in accordance with a licence issued by the provincial department of environmental affairs and development planning.
When asked to comment regarding the smoke blanketing Knysna and the health concerns raised by residents, the municipality responded, saying, “The blanket smoke covering Knysna area is not only a result of the green waste site.” It did not elaborate on the answer.
The municipality stated that the facility is normally set alight by people passing through on the walkway.
“Under no circumstances is the municipality responsible for the burning of green waste.
“The facility is not fenced and is being used as a walk-through for people,” it stated.
‘Alternative site planned’
It continued saying it is investigating the option of closing the site, however an alternative needs to be identified before closure can happen.
It said that its solid waste department is investigating the option of partnering with an owner of a privately operated facility to divert green waste to their site.
Mayor Mark Willemse last week said on a local radio station that the municipality is exploring alternative sites, such as relocating to a Simola site.
“This matter is a thorn in my side,” he said. “It is an issue but we are looking at long-term solutions. It is almost at capacity, it’s difficult to manage, it’s very expensive to manage,” he said.
According to Marcel Geldenhuys, who spoke on behalf of the owner of the Simola property referred to by Willemse, the municipality has been in contact with them regarding the site but formal negotiations are yet to take place.
“The property in question has obtained a licence from the Western Cape authority for chipping, shredding and crushing.
“So it is a preferred site that can be utilised as an alternate location for the green refuse. But only informal talks have taken place and nothing has been decided,” said Geldenhuys.