GALLERY: Cockspur greenbelt stream inspected
WELTEVREDEN PARK – City officials visit the Cockspur greenbelt.
Ward 126 Councillor Mike Tonkin invited residents and City of Joburg officials to witness the tragic state of the Cockspur greenbelt in Weltevreden Park on 18 February.
Officials from City of Joburg, Joburg Water, JMPD, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), City Parks and Zoo, and Building Control attended. The meeting was called due to the flooding in the stream caused by the heavy rains of late.
Councillor Tonkin explained how the greenbelt acts as a catcher for all of the excess rain and storm water. “The water is flowing so fast into the stream and then suddenly slowing down. This is causing the water level to rise and for it to spill into the greenbelt,” added Councillor Tonkin.
He added that it is damaging infrastructure and the environment. Furthermore, as a result of the rising water level, bordering home walls are being destroyed.
Many of the concerned residents in attendance live in the homes that border the greenbelt. One concerned resident, who asked not to be named, explained how on a daily basis he has to use materials to hold up his boundary wall. He had video-recorded the heavy stream outside of his wall during a rain storm on 17 February.
The problem seems to arise halfway down the greenbelt where the flooding has caused the sand to block the stream thereby blocking the flow of water to the next part of the stream.
JRA has the mandate to maintain and ensure the smooth running of the City’s storm drains.
JRA area forum manager Samuel Sambu said that there are possible actions that could alleviate the issue. One such plan of recourse would be to dig up the area in the stream where the water is spilling outwards. This, according to Sambu, would re-establish the stream connection thereby regulating the water flowing speed and its dispensation.
“Our department would have to get permission from City Parks and Zoo to remove some of the flora and permission from environmental affairs in order to go forward with the proposed plan,” he added.
Building Control and Environmental Health Services expresses their concerns to residents and passersby.
Councillor Tonkin thanked the City officials for their time and effort. “I will write a letter to Jane Eagle who is with Environmental Affairs to inform her of the issue and of the proposed plan of action,” said Councillor Tonkin.
Details: Ward 126 Councillor Mike Tonkin, michaeljt@global.co.za or 082 564 0160.
