PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - After an eight year-long legal battle between a group of Plettenberg Bay residents and the Bitou municipality, the Western Cape High Court ordered the final closure of the town’s landfill site.
For many years, residents of Whale Rock Heights and surrounding areas have been lobbying for the closure of the dump – situated on Robberg Road – as it had not only reached the end of its “lifespan”, but had subsequently become a nuisance to homeowners.
On November 11, the court ordered by agreement that the solid waste disposal site operated by the municipality at Brakkloof be closed permanently for the dumping of waste. As a result, no domestic waste, building rubble, garden or green waste and animal carcasses are allowed to be dumped at the site.
“Any dumping of waste at the dumpsite is now illegal, and persons who contravene the court order could be liable for prosecution.”
The municipality did not respond to questions about the closure, including a possible alternative dumping site, before going to print. Household waste is, however, collected and taken to the town’s new transfer station, before being compacted and transported to the regional landfill site in Mossel Bay.
The municipality was also ordered to immediately begin with the rehabilitation of the site, and to take reasonable care to undertake the process in such a manner that it will not cause any ongoing nuisance to the public. In addition, the rehabilitation of the site must be done with minimal impact on the environment.
“The court order envisages a cooperative process between the Whale Rock Heights residents and the Bitou municipality in respect of the ongoing rehabilitation process. The Bitou municipality will be appointing a liaison and responsible person who will assume all responsibilities relevant to the closure and decommissioning of the dump.
“The settlement agreement was of huge importance to the residents of Whale Rock Heights in that it finally settled all disputes between the parties with regard to the dump.”
Clarke added that it did not preclude the Whale Rock Heights Residents’ Association from instituting any further action or motion proceedings against the municipality for any act or omission in respect of the closure and rehabilitation of the site.
“We hope that in time, green fields will replace the dumpsite, and trees and vegetation will cover this most unsightly feature of Plettenberg Bay.”
Despite the court order, evidence of dumping was recently still found by Knysna-Plett Herald.
ARTICLE: YOLANDé STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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