George Lea Play Park: ‘An accident waiting to happen’
George Lea Play Park in Parkmore is an accident waiting to happen. This according to a concerned resident, Renee Hauptfleisch, who said the park was looking disgusting. “The informal plastic recyclers have invaded the park underneath the Eskom power lines, and they have erected shacks and use the park as a recycling depot,” she …
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George Lea Play Park in Parkmore is an accident waiting to happen.
This according to a concerned resident, Renee Hauptfleisch, who said the park was looking disgusting.
“The informal plastic recyclers have invaded the park underneath the Eskom power lines, and they have erected shacks and use the park as a recycling depot,” she said.
“It is an accident waiting to happen. If all the flammable plastic caught alight it will have devastating effects.”
She said the state of the park had kept children away from playing there.
“This used to be the most beautiful park which was well used by children in the area, it is now a dangerous place,” she added.
“We have so few green areas we should protect this area.”
Chantal Janneker, marketing and communications manager at the City of Joburg Property Company said much discussion had been held between the company, the Environmental Planning Department and Pikitup to formulate a plan that would incorporate the informal waste sorters into the Pikitup Recycling Programme.
“It is envisaged that a solution could be achieved by assessing and establishing a buy-back centre in the vicinity, without placing a future burden on the existing open spaces in the area,” explained Janneker.
She said all parties involved hoped to reach consensus in identifying the appropriate site together with all stakeholders concerned, including the community, so as to formalise the waste sorters’ operations through the recycling programme.
“At this stage, the company awaits Pikitup’s revised proposal in identifying the ideal site for the establishment of the buy-back centre,” added Janneker.
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