GEORGE NEWS - Two recent events of destruction of indigenous vegetation and large trees in the George area have been brought to the newspaper’s attention.
The removal was done by contractors under the watch of government authorities, sparking concern among residents for the seeming disregard for the impact on the environment and tourism.
In one incident, along the Seven Passes Road in the Wilderness Heights area, a contractor appointed by the George Municipality’s (GM) Electrotechnical Department had seemingly removed all vegetation between the road and the fence to make way for some powerlines.
Wilderness resident Dr Arne Witt said the extent of this clearing was totally unnecessary. In some places, the full 30m stretch between the road and the fence was cleared.
“You only needed to clear an area 3m to 5m wide for a powerline, and then you should only really have to remove vegetation that may pose a threat to transmission. All vegetation was removed, even if it posed no threat to transmission - now or in the future. Some of these plants may even have been protected species.”
The removal of the vegetation along Seven Passes Road could have been handle differently. Photo: Supplied
A grader then also graded much of the cleared areas. “So, what was once a tract of indigenous trees and shrubs is now part of the road. I can only assume that the powerlines will be erected in the edge of the road, and not alongside the road.
"The chances of any natural regeneration of any native species is now close to nil. What was
The municipality acknowledged that the method of clearing “had been excessive and not fully aligned with best environmental practices”. It said revised instructions were issued to the contractor after inspection by their environmental officer, and no further vegetation work had taken place since 23 April. “The project remains on hold pending the necessary way leave from the Western Cape Provincial Government.”
Victoria Bay Heights
In another event in Victoria Bay Heights, the South African National Road Agency (Sanral) started removing and severely pruning a lane of trees planted some 30 years ago by longtime resident Mandy Fick.
The trees line both sides of a road running over her property. “I am devastated to see this happen to the trees my late husband and I planted so many years ago. They were mostly indigenous,” said Fick.
Essenhout Lane at Victoria Bay Heights. The root systems of the trees have been compromised, and pruning was done. Some trees were also removed. Photo: Supplied
Sanral will be tarring the road, Essenhout Lane, to accommodate traffic from neighbouring properties whose access from the N2 is being closed as a result of the N2 upgrades.
Luphelo Ngalo, stakeholder engagement co-ordinator of Sanral, said in response to Fick’s concerns that selective tree pruning and limited removals are needed to enable fencing, drainage and durability of the road.
An appointed independent botanist had confirmed that none of the affected trees are of conservation concern, and Sanral has the necessary approvals for the construction and environmental activities.
“All feasible measures to minimise the impact of the road upgrade will be implemented.”
Ngalo said Essenhout Lane as well as Denneberghof Road were being upgraded in accordance with national standards for this class of road.
The excavations for the road in Essenhout Lane, Victoria Bay, exposed the roots of several old trees. Photo: Supplied
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