Pikitup, move away, please

Residents of complexes near the Pikitup garden refuse site in Allens Nek are tired of complaining about the smells and troubles caused by the site and want to have it removed from the area.

Resident Jeannine Rabie explained that she and her neighbours have been fighting with Pikitup for the past 10 years.

One of their main complaints is the smell, which is caused by other items besides garden refuse being dumped at the site, such as food and old wood.

“When we moved in, it was just garden refuse, which we were fine with, but now it has turned to something else,” said resident, Dane Michael. “It is embarrassing and family do not want to visit anymore because of how bad the smell can get,” said Rabie.

Another resident also complained that there was no proper drainage.

A sewerage pipe burst on the site and residents had to deal with the stench of raw sewage that had seeped into the ground and resurfaced when it rained.

Other issues include homeless people who live in the containers on the site and residents say they have broken into nearby complexes in the past.

Trucks and trailers also park on the side of the road on Pranticole Avenue, where the site is situated, making it difficult for residents to see oncoming traffic as they drive out of their complex.

Some residents are trying to sell their properties but they have found it difficult because of the site’s reputation and, as a result, properties have devalued.

In response, Pikitup communications officer, Muzi Mkhwanazi explained that occasional waste such as broken furniture and appliances, as well as wood is placed in the corner of the loading bay but it is placed in a 30-metre cubed container on wheels, for daily removal.

He added the furniture and appliances are recycled by the on-site ‘recyclers’.

“It appears as dumping as it does not get placed in a receptacle,” said Mkhwanazi.

Regarding the homeless people who allegedly sleep at the site, he said Metro police and a security company are assisting in removing them, however, he said Pikitup is not aware of any break-ins.

“If indeed this is true, then residents are advised to seek the intervention of the police,” Mkhwanazi added.

Additionally, he explained the leaking sewerage pipe was repaired and the smell dissipated in a day or two when the area dried up.

“However, the heavy rains of the past weeks resulted in the re-emergence of the smell. The site was inspected and it was discovered that the smell emanated from the compost, which was still waterlogged as a result of the heavy rain. Chlorine was scattered into the stagnant water and sand was poured into the water to absorb it,” he said.

Christa Venter, chief operating officer of Pikitup, explained that it is a very long process to move any site.

“Firstly, new land will have to be identified and the cost of moving the site will have to be covered by the people making the request for relocation. We had cases like that, where a developer wanted us to move a site and then the developer needed to carry the cost of relocation.

“Secondly, an Environmental Impact Assessment will have to be done on the new site and that is a lengthy process. Even if residents do [submit] a petition, we will just deal with the issues in the petition and inform them that we will address it as best as we can,” Venter said.

“The biggest problem is to find alternative land. For this, you need to do the impact study on the new piece of land, and this can take two years.

“We are busy with plans to upgrade the site. Consultants are busy finalising drawings and specifications. We hope to have an upgrade finalised by the end of June. If we continue with the upgrade and then need to move the site it will be seen as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.”

Resident, Serena Murugesan, said the residents would like to know what they mean by an ‘upgrade’, and to what extent these upgrades will solve the issues.

Pikitup was unable to comment by the time of publication.

Read

https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/244550/residents-wish-to-remove-pikitup/

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