GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality’s draft river management plans (RMPs) for the Gwaiing, Schaapkop and Meulen rivers were welcomed by concerned residents at a presentation by Zutari consultant Wynand Loftus on Thursday 28 August.
The municipality appointed the Zutari Engineering consulting firm to develop these plans that are aimed at facilitating maintenance of infrastructure along the watercourses, and improving the ecological functioning of the rivers. The rivers are under increasing pressure of sewage spills, stormwater runoff, alien invasive plants and prolific littering.
The RMPs provide directions for contractors and construction staff, proposed rehabilitation measures and prescriptions for creating buffer areas.
Loftus said leaking sewage is the most widespread problem, due to broken pipes, blocked manholes or malfunctioning pump stations. The proposed infrastructure maintenance management plan (MMP) for each river will fast-track maintenance jobs as it will eliminate the currently required authorisation processes.
An environmental control officer (Eco), appointed internally in the municipality, would enforce compliance of contractors and municipal teams.
Buffer zones are also to be enforced around the rivercourses in new developments. Delia Power, deputy director of planning and environmental affairs, said protection policies and climate mechanisms were introduced in the city’s 2019 spatial development framework (SDF) and in 2023, included in the city’s zoning scheme by-law.
“Based on this, if you have tributaries or watercourses on your property, we will enforce buffer areas around them. There is nothing we can do about the existing developments at this stage. The policies are only triggered if you submit a new building plan or do a rezoning application for your property. Our predecessors haven’t thought in that direction, but this is a step forwards.”
Litter a huge hurdle
Several residents raised their concerns about littering. Monica Vaccaro of the Landmark Foundation stressed that litter and invasive alien vegetation removal must be done in ecologically sustainable ways. The knowledge of local experts should be tapped.
An example of rubbish being dumped into the Meulen River watercourse. Photo: Supplied | Zutari
Melissa Dalton pf the Wilderness Environmental Action Forum (Waleaf) said it is crucial that the impact of homeless people on litter that ends up in rivers be addressed.
Power acknowledged that unlawful land occupation leads to the degradation of watercourses, which leaves the municipality open to prosecution. She said the more sensitive riparian pockets should be prioritised. Managing the situation of the homeless is, however, “a completely different monster”, and solutions are elusive.
Loftus said informal housing in some parts of the river catchments also impact river health, but does not form part of the RMPs. He said it will be complex to address.
Once finalised, the plans must be approved in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) and National Water Act (NWA). Power said the municipality is pursuing avenues of acquiring funding for implementation of the RMPs through interested European funders.
Public input can be submitted until 15 September.
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