The Walkerspruit river will be cleaned monthly to ensure it is not contaminated.
Frequent visitors to the Austin Roberts bird sanctuary, a popular spot for families and bird lovers alike, recently complained of a stench, prompting a Tshwane metro investigation that uncovered pollution upstream in the Walkerspruit open space system where the sanctuary is located.
In a bid to keep the area clean and conserved, a team of volunteers have joined the mammoth task of safeguarding the Walkerspruit for future generations.
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Ward councillor Shaun Wilkinson told Rekord during the official launch of the clean-up this past Sunday that clean-up operations would take place monthly.
“We have launched the Walkerspruit eco clean-up of the stretch of about 5km from the Brooklyn Mall to the Caledonian stadium, up the Apies and all the way to the Fountains Valley,” he said,
“Every month we will clean a section of the river, working with the World Society Church of God and the student volunteer clean-up group, Asez.”
Wilkinson said it was the community’s responsibility to safeguard the Walkerspruit.
“The Walkerspruit goes all the way from the Waterkloof Koppies to the Mozambique channel and we have to do something to be responsible and accountable for our section through Brooklyn into Sunnyside.”
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He said the Friends of the Walkerspruit and Friends of the Austin Roberts bird sanctuary were also involved and there will be ongoing efforts to ensure the public is kept aware of the work done.
“Please consider that the environment matters and we have to play our part to protect it,” said Wilkinson.
Ward councillor Anru Meyer, who was also part of the clean-up, said he was glad the initiative had been established and every month there would be efforts to keep the area clean.
“De-weeding, stormwater drain cleaning and just ensuring the overall wellbeing of this place is top priority.
“We are looking forward to more clean-ups to get the Walkerspruit walkable as it is in its name – Walkerspruit.
“We have a long way to go, but I am sure we will successfully clean the river.”
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He thanked the city for supplying equipment such as refuse bags and gloves to help with the cleaning.
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