Rubble rouser at festival

The Delicious Food and Wine Festival held at Century Property Developments Blue Hills Equestrian Estate on 5 and 6 October, caused anger among residents after waste from the event was only completely removed on 25 October.

Chairperson of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy, Kristen Kallesen said the event’s organisers were aware of the impact that the waste could cause. “Members of the Sun Valley Residents Association met with the event organisers, VWV Massive prior to the event and the issue of noise and the impact it would have on residents and wildlife were raised.”

Vice-chairman of the conservancy Mandy Collins said, “The event organisers did not responsibly remove the waste that was left after the event. We met with the event organisers VWV and highlighted the environmental sensitivities in this area, and introduced our conservancy partnership with the Diepsloot Recycling Buyback Centre.

“Eyethu Events was responsible for waste management through EnviroWaste. Their duty was to handle the waste responsibly and send all recyclable material to the buyback centre.” Collins added that this was the third event managed by Eyethu Events in the conservancy this year where waste disposal had not been handled properly.

Eyethu Events representative Phil Prinsloo said, “Eyethu Events could not honour their commitment to remove the waste and take it to Diepsloot Recycling Buyback Centre because EnviroWaste said there was a problem with the licensing. EnviroWaste did not want to be involved in removing the trash until all the paperwork was in order.”

Century Property Developments marketing director, Martin O’Connel said, “We are aware of the delay with removing some of the refuse left behind. We have taken note of this issue on behalf of the event organisers for future events. Although this delay was not negotiated with Century properties, the waste has since been removed, without any visible harm to the area.”

He said his company was pleased with the feedback they received from the festival.

Ward 112 councillor Leverne Young said, “Events companies use the property because its vacant land, it is cheaper for them but they end up taking advantage of the area. Residents always complain that the events disrupt their peace as people who attend the events make noise, throw beer bottles from moving vehicles and drive drunk. Events companies and property owners should be held responsible for the proper removal of waste after each event.”