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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The atmosphere of celebration was tangible at the launch event of the first regional waste disposal facility that constitutes the first ever public-private partnership (PPP) of its kind.
The project, a partnership between the Garden Route District Municipality (GDRM) and Eden Waste Management Pty Ltd and was launched in Hartenbos last Friday in the presence of some 200 guests.
Solution to a 'crisis'
“South Africa has a serious waste problem. This project has always been one of the top priorities for the department in terms of waste disposal in the Western Cape. We are in the process of establishing nine big regional waste facilities that will provide various waste disposal options to the 25 local municipalities across the province,” said Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning of the Western Cape.
“On the Garden Route, I have witnessed during my political career that we know crises. During my time in office, we have dealt with the devastation, drought, avian flu. Waste would have been our next crisis,” said Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality, Clr Memory Booysen at the launch.
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The new facility, located next to PetroSA, aims at stimulating the waste economy, create jobs and reduce the environmental impacts of waste management in the region.
“The new facility enables us to provide efficient, compliant waste management services to our community, mindful of the environment of our district. In offering this waste management excellence, we also boost job creation. Today, we celebrated the culmination of 14 years of hard, dedicated work.”
Approximately 500 temporary jobs as well as 60 permanent jobs will be created during the construction phase.
To serve region and beyond
The facility will provide a regional waste management service to accommodate approximately 8500 tons of domestic waste generated monthly originating from multiple municipalities along the Garden Route.
It is however designed to accommodate domestic waste from Hessequa and Oudtshoorn Municipalities in future.
The facility will have a lifespan of approximately 30 years. Included at the facility, will be a domestic waste cell and a separate hazardous waste cell. At the latter, hazardous waste with low and medium hazard ratings will be accommodated. A roaming chipper and crusher will be made available to Mossel Bay, George and Knysna Municipalities on a rotational basis in order to respectively manage green waste, construction and demolition waste, respectively.
Bulk waste transport services will be available to George Municipality to transport domestic waste from Uniondale and George waste transfer stations to the regional facility. Other infrastructure includes roads, stormwater pipelines, a leachate storage dam, offices, a laboratory, a weighbridge, fencing and security infrastructure.
The footprint of the waste management facility, will cover and approximate area of 115 hectares. The landfill site itself will reach a maximum height of 12 metres. Three individual domestic waste cells, and one hazardous waste cell, will be excavated to 6 metres below ground level and filled sequentially.
Councillor Charlotte Clarke, Deputy Mayor of George taking her turn with the sod turning spade at the site of the new regional waste management facility in Mossel Bay. Photo: Cornelle Carstens
Bright future
The GDRM also conducted an organic waste characterisation study in the district on order to determine the quantities and types of organic waste generated, to identify and determine the feasibility of possible alternative technologies. The pilot waste minimisation project indicated that households were good at composting.
Since 30% of waste on the Garden Route currently going into landfills consisting of organic waste, the GDRM is currently in the process of implementing alternative technology at the facility to accommodate certain organic waste streams.
The disposal of waste generated by communities and any related cost, is constitutionally mandated to be the responsibility of the relevant local municipality.
With all eyes now focused on this news waste management facility, Minister Bredell said: “We don’t have an option. This has to work. There are huge economic opportunities to explore. To the Garden Route District Municipality - it is not easy to be the frontrunner, but we will support you all the way.”
At the sod turning event on site, Clr Booisen mentioned the future establishment of a chemical factory as well as a tyre recycling plant.
Councillor Memory Booysen, Mayor of the GRDM (right) and MEC Anton Bredell doing the ceremonial sod turning at the new regional waste management facility whilst Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke from George and Municipal Manager of GRDM, Monde Stratu applaud. Photo: Cornelle Carstens
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