Sedgefield service delivery issues
SEDGEFIELD - The alarming state of the Sedgefield refuse facility and the challenges surrounding water supply that marred the December holidays in Sedgefield are receiving attention, according to a report by the town's ratepayers association.
The report states that the Sedgefield Ratepayers and Residents Association (SR&RA) executive committee met with Knysna Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola and Sedgefield area manager Pravir Hariparsad on 8 January to look at the way forward.
According to the report, Hariparsad said the failure of the Knysna Waste
Transfer Station (KWTS) was the primary cause behind the mismanagement of waste removal and the accumulation at the refuse centre. Delays in compaction occurred due to a snapped conveyor belt, causing disruptions in the waste management process. SR&RA requested regular maintenance of the KWTS, which Hariparsad assured would be addressed through a planned upgrade and refurbishment later in the year.
The operational status of refuse trucks in the greater Knysna area was also a topic of discussion. The report states that Hariparsad revealed that there are currently 11 compactors in operation, five of which are brand new. Furthermore, Sebola allegedly committed to commissioning a truck to clear the existing refuse, addressing the immediate concern raised by SR&RA.
SR&RA suggested further investigation before finalising the proposal with the Garden Route District Municipality, emphasising the importance of supporting local authorities and transforming recycled waste into employment opportunities.
Sebola emphasised the importance of the district municipality supporting local authorities and stressed the need to transform recycled waste into employment opportunities.
On the issue of water supply, the report says Hariparsad highlighted the failure of the pump at the Cloud 9 reservoir, followed by two significant pipe bursts that resulted in water shortages in various parts of Sedgefield.
Residents had to rely on water tankers for their daily needs. To SR&RA's questions about long-term plans for water security, he replied that the municipality is actively exploring various options, including drilling additional boreholes, extending pipelines and even constructing a dam in Kruisvallei for sustainable water supply in the future.
SR&RA expressed their commitment to ongoing engagement with Knysna Municipality on service delivery issues. Knysna Municipality was approached for comment on the matter, but had not provided a response at the time of going to print.