Invasive plants and overgrown depot a concern for Rundle
“Because of the facility’s location on Edenvale Ridge if there is any wind here at any time of the year all of these bugweed seeds will be spread across Edenvale from the heights here.”
A former municipal depot that stands vacant and unused is overgrown and home to invasive fauna such as bugweed.
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Over the years the property has become an eyesore for the community with residents raising concerns over its condition.
Located on Third Avenue in Edenvale Ridge, Ward 19 Ald Bill Rundle said the depot has been unused for over two decades.
“I’ve been a councillor for almost 11 years and during that time there has never been any activity here and residents report that there was no activity here for more than a decade before that.”
Rundle said when in use the depot was used to store equipment and plant material.
Rundle said one of the complaints he has received from community members is the number of rats coming from the property.
“As far as I know where you find rats you find snakes,” said Rundle.
“Residents along the Third Avenue side of the property are up in arms because of what it looks like,” said Rundle.
“You sit with expensive properties and homeowners pay huge ratess, yet they have to deal with this depot.”
Speaking on the bugweed, Rundle said as soon as the plants’ seed pods ripen and are ready to pop more seeds could spread across Edenvale.
When the City of Ekurhuleni last provided comment on the condition of the property in 2018, it stated that contractors were meant to maintain the property at least once a month.
CoE spokesperson at the time, Themba Gadebe, said the clearing of vegetation was normally done annually during the winter season.
He explained that because the property is not occupied it takes longer for weeds to be identified as invasive species.
Back then, the NEWS was also informed that the property was identified as a strategic land parcel.
Rundle said there previously was a proposal to develop the depot as the new headquarters for the CoE’s Department of Environment. This fell through.
“Due to contour problems, water problems and access problems for the nearby complex residents objected. There were petitions done which were submitted and the whole matter was stopped,” said Rundle.
“We heard about SLPs for the first time in the second half of last year when the real-estate department let us know that they were visiting potential sites for development.”
The proposed development for the former depot is unknown to Rundle, however, he could confirm that the site does have water and energy.
“At the moment there is a security company that has placed security guards on the property who live in the back rooms of the property.”
Access onto the property can still be obtained through a hole in its perimeter fence.
“It’s nothing for anybody who may have criminal intentions to come through here.”
A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on March 1 requesting comment by March 4 at 10:00.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
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