Concern over invading black wattle

GEORGE NEWS - The natural scenery of magnificent fynbos veld in the Outeniqua Mountains that passengers enjoy on excursions offered on the Power Van is being marred by black wattle trees invading the area along the railway line.

Power Van operator Nicol Marais says the fire of 2018 has led to black wattle almost completely taking over the mountain fynbos, which is one of George's biggest assets and a big drawcard among passengers who book for the mountain trips.

The mountain is located in the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, which is managed by CapeNature. It boasts a huge variety of fynbos species as well as indigenous forest.

For over a year, the Power Van could not undertake its excursions up the mountain because of extensive fire damage to the railway line. It resumed operations in December 2020 after repairs by Transnet.

"We are happy and relieved to be offering the excursions again, but it is really disturbing to see the wattle taking over at a rapid rate. It is really detracting from passengers' experience," says Marais.

He has appealed to CapeNature and Transnet to take urgent remedial steps.

According to CapeNature landscape unit manager Barend le Roux, the 2018 fire burned the majority of the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, resulting in an overall increase of invasive alien vegetation in the reserve.

"CapeNature receives funding for the clearing of invasive alien vegetation and prioritises according to species, age and densities. The reserve is divided into approximately 458 clearing units where these operations take place. For the 2022/23 financial year, clearing is scheduled according to priority and the availability of budget. Unfortunately, the budget is not sufficient to clear the entire reserve and the work has therefore been prioritised."

Le Roux says the area surrounding the railway line has been identified as a priority, but due to the slope it has also been identified as an area that requires specialised teams.

"This area has been included in the 2022/23 Annual Plan of Operations for the high altitude team.

This team is currently attending to other priority areas, but the area around the railway is scheduled for clearing. Depending on the person-days, it is possible that this work will take place later in the financial year and possibly extend to 2024."

Transnet senior media relations manager Thandeka Ngwenya says she is awaiting feedback from the business unit in question.

Black wattle has invaded large sections along the railway line in the Outeniqua Mountains.