K60 would force FreeMe to move
PAULSFOF - FreeMe volunteer Michelle Watson said relaxing picnics at the Rienfontein Reserve might become a thing of the past if the K60 is built.
She said that if the controversial K60 Road were to go ahead, the noise from the road would be heard from the reserve, which would greatly affect the work FreeMe is trying to achieve. FreeMe is a wildlife rehabilitation centre based within the Rietfontein Nature Reserve.
Watson has been very vocal regarding her opposition to the K60 and said the road could possibly force FreeMe to move. “We’ve measured that the road would be just 80 meters from our most sensitive cases. The noise would affect these recovering animals and others greatly.”
She said FreeMe would not be able to move if the road were to go ahead for a number of reasons. “We help animals that are affected by urbanisation. People bring us small doves and tiny bats. If we are too far away; I fear they won’t bring us the small things, as it will be too much of an inconvenience.”
Currently FreeMe is treating, among other things, a crow with a spinal injury, a bat with a broken wing and two owls with missing eyes.
They are also treating two hedgehogs, a python and a tortoise that was bitten by a rat.
“We won’t be able to continue this good work if the K60 is built,” Watson said.
The K60 road is an east-west link that was planned in the 1970s. Since the public consultation process began, developers have been met with great resistance from residents in the area.
