A PROPOSED recycling project on the grounds of the former Mandene Park Sports Club in Manor Gardens has been put on hold pending an investigation by the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Alerted to the activity on the site last September, Janus Horn, chairman of Mayville SPS CPF Sector 1B in Manor Gardens investigated reports that earth moving equipment had been moved onto the site to clear the property and that fencing and the floodlights had been removed. Contractors on the site informed Horn that the area was being cleared and would be renovated for use as a recycling centre.
Angered that residents had not been informed or consulted about the development, Horn called a community meeting with city officials asking for clarity on the developments at the site. Garth Kloppenborg from Parks confirmed that the grounds had been rezoned to become an educational training centre for the municipality. A response received by Berea Mail stated that the municipality had received numerous complaints about activities at the site and had engaged with Cleaning and Solid Waste who said they were aware of the Academy Project and were also responsible for the construction of a recycling project currently happening on site. It was stated that the recycling project was only a temporary measure which would only last about six months before construction on the academy commenced.
Unhappy with the explanation, Horn contacted the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs as he felt an environmental impact assessment needed to be done on the site. He met with officials on site in November last year, where a stockpile of glass bottles was seen at the property.
READ RELATED: Mandene Park site cleared for recycling project
“Feedback I received from the Department since then stated that as the owner of the recycling company was not present on site for questioning, they did not collect sufficient information on what the recycler intended to establish on the site. The Department is still investigating the matter to determine whether the recycling company has complied with any relevant environmental laws,” said Horn.
He said once all the information had been gathered from the recycler, the Department would be in a better position to make a decision, however the recycling facility operations had been stopped pending the outcome of the investigation. Horn said the glass recycling operation was meant to be up and running by December. He said the flood lights, poles and fencing which were all a part of the infrastructure at the site had been removed.
“Although the operation has stopped, glass is still being dumped on site, covering the tennis courts. It is such a wasted space and it seems like no one cares what is happening in the area. It would be great to revive the club. My father built the squash courts and I grew up at the club. As a community, a glass crushing operation and recycling centre is a no go. Regarding an education centre on site, an architect was going to look at the premises to see what can be done so plans could be put in place to finance the project, but I can’t see anything happening there for the next two years,” he said.
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