Bush becomes growing concern
An Ashley resident is fuming after discovering that trees are being felled close to her home, but the overgrown bush next to her house has been left to grow wildly.
IN the past four years Ashley resident, Bev Farrell, has tried vigorously to have an open area, owned by public works, next to her house cleared and cleaned, but to no avail.
The Hyacinth Road resident said she’s lived in the same house for 40 years and added the bush bordering her home has been overgrown and untidy for as long as she can remember.
“I have reported this bush to many departments on numerous occasions, but have had no luck. Last week again I called the parks department and I was told someone would call me back, but I’m still waiting for that call,” she said.
In recent years security companies have found stolen goods inside the bush and Farrell said she fears for her and her family’s safety.
“It’s not only a huge health hazard, but our safety is also in danger,” she added.
Farrell’s frustration grew even bigger when she saw a municipal truck at a house in Hamilton Road felling trees inside and outside the property.
She said she questioned the municipal staff as to why they were felling inside the homeowner’s property: “They told me they were cutting the trees because the homeowner didn’t like it.”
“How can they fell trees just around the corner from my house, but they cannot cut back or maintain the open area next to my house?” she asked.
Local councillor, Bruce Sutcliffe, said he visited the area at the weekend. ” I will be taking it up with the head of parks, as well as public works,” he added.
“I investigated the situation and identified the properties involved. There appears to be a major problem in that it involves three properties, which are owned by Ashley Primary School (which is strange as it should be in the name of the Department of Public Works), the Republic of South Africa and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.
“It appears that all of these properties were originally identified for a high school, but this was shelved. The Ashley Primary School was then given permission by the education Department to build their sports field crossing a portion of the three properties.
“With the current situation the responsibility rests with Ashley Primary School, but after a meeting with the school’s acting principal, I will be preparing a letter to the school governing body relating to the situation for their annual general meeting later this month and will be assisting them in resolving the problem as it appears to be Public Works who are actually responsible for the property.
The governing body will need to approach the department to have the land on which their sports field is situated excised from the three properties and the rest of the land will remain in the name of the Department of Public Works.
“There appears to be a serious attitude problem within the Department of Public Works as I have identified various properties with a similar problem where there is a total lack of control or maintenance on properties owned or managed by them,” Sutcliffe said.
eThekwini Municipality did not respond at the time of going to print.
