Douglasdale residents sign petition against an alleged billboard on Douglasdale Drive and Leslie Avenue

Residents of Douglasdale and some from neighbouring suburbs came out in their numbers on November 20 to revive a community garden that was allegedly destroyed by contractors recently on the corner of Douglasdale Drive and Leslie Avenue.

Chairperson of Douglasdale Business and Residents Forum (DBRF), Susan Mottram said it was encouraging to see members of the community coming out to take part in the initiative and to sign a petition against the erection of an alleged illegal billboard close to the garden.

“Look at what happens when community members pull together to uplift their neighbourhood. Kerb stones fixed, rubble and dead branches removed, loose soil raked, litter picked up, damaged back wall painted and our communal garden renovated at our restoration and restitution day. This is a true beacon of beauty and hope in our community,” she said.

Mottram thanked members of the community who donated plants and volunteered their time to restore the garden.

“Those who attended our restoration and restitution event signed the petition against the illegal and unsafe giant billboard that does not have a permit from the City of Johannesburg, located behind the white wall at the intersection of Douglas Drive and Leslie Avenue West. “We will circulate the petition to everyone who wishes to protest against this giant billboard.”

Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana also participated in the initiative and said he was in support of the community to have the alleged illegal billboard removed.

“We work closely with concerned residents and the executive of DBRF to have this illegal billboard taken down. It’s quite clear that the community doesn’t want this billboard here, so we can’t allow companies to do something that is against the will of the community members,” Santana said.