The rubbish dump will serve Region E, a large portion of Johannesburg which covers Killarney through to Alexandra and Fourways.
According to the petition created by Clinton van Loggerenberg, the dump will be situated on the green belt at the James and Ethel Gray Park which borders Abbotsford, Oaklands, Houghton, Atholl, Melrose and Birdhaven.
It states that the plan is to close the current dump at Patterson Park in Norwood and the small dump on Melrose Street in Birdhaven, and to consolidate these into a mega dump. The proposed site is close to the Great Park Shul, a school, and a number of residential areas and businesses.
Concerns surrounding noise pollution, bad smells, rats and vermin, the influx of people including scrap collectors and recyclers, as well as property devaluation have been raised by the community.
The petition was launched on 3 March and has already garnered much support. Many who have signed it have commented, sharing their concerns.
Following a public outcry to prevent the proposed rubbish dump, Ward 74 councillor Jack Cooper said he is against the project. According to him, meetings are still to be held with the City of Johannesburg to discuss the issue.
“I am against it, it is not a good thing for the area. The location they want to use does not make sense as there are offices there. We are still going to have meetings with the city to oppose it,” said Cooper.
Pikitup has yet to comment on the issue.
This is a developing story, more updates will follow as they become available.
