KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Ratepayers Association (KRA) has expressed concern over the end of the funding cycle by the Department of Environmental Affairs, affecting the collection of about 100 big black trash bags of litter weekly all along the shore of the Knysna estuary.
In a statement from the KRA committee, they say that new funding will not become available until November at the earliest.
'Muni needs to step in'
“The impact on the estuary will be severe unless Knysna Municipality steps in to bridge the gap. Much of the litter and refuse will inevitably end up in the estuary, fouling beaches and creating a growing unsightly mess all along the shore. Even nearby ocean beaches will be affected by flotsam and jetsam that flows out through the Heads and is then carried by ocean currents and dumped along our coastline,” reads the statement.
“Can Knysna Municipality really afford to allow this to happen to our estuary, which attracts tourists to Knysna from all over South Africa and the world? After all, tourism is the core component of our local economy, and the Knysna estuary lies at the heart of tourism. The Oyster Festival is coming up in July.”
'Assistance required'
SANParks regional spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba confirmed that national government provides funding for three years and the current contract ends on 31 May 2018.
“Of the seven Working for the Coast teams employed to clean around the estuary, one will continue until the end of May 2018. SANParks is engaging the municipality to assist with plans from June until the next cycle kicks in around November this year. R11.3-million was allocated over three years for the cleanup project for seven teams and it is currently not certain how much will be allocated in the next cycle in November 2018,” she said.
She added that SANParks is the implementing agent for the national government programme (Working for the Coast), and that SANParks has management structures in place and is ready to restart once the government funding is renewed.
'All stakeholders must get involved'
The municipality stated, “The protection of this important natural resource demands the collective involvement of all stakeholders. We thank our intergovernmental partners, Working for Coast and SANParks for their efforts and hard work in caring for our estuary.”
They said the municipality agrees with KRA's statement that the litter and refuse are generated by Knysna’s own residents.
“A change in mindset and actions of every person who works, lives and visits in Knysna is required, to ensure that government does not just continue to clean up after everyone. It is time that people start taking responsibility for their waste and discard it responsibly, and for individuals to hold each other accountable for what goes into the lagoon.”
The statement from the municipality concluded by stating that the KRA letter has been referred to the Estuary Pollution Committee for consideration.
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