Northmead Transfer Station deteriorates with lack of Ekurhuleni oversight

by Cllr. Lornette Joseph — DA Councillor for Ward 27 in Ekurhuleni

Date: 30 March 2021

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The Northmead Transfer Station, has become hugely problematic with health and safety standards deteriorating following a lack of oversight from the ANC Coalition-led City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).

The site, which neighbours the Northmead Clinic, has been a bone of contention amongst residents as it often reaches capacity becoming particularly concerning given the health crisis that it poses.

Initially the site was used exclusively for the disposal of garden refuse, but has now, unbeknownst to residents, recently been changed to a comprehensive transfer station by the Waste Department. As expected, the classification change has led to an increase in all kinds of waste from the community.

This has been compounded by many of the City’s landfill sites being closed due to mismanagement by the Department, with Weltevreden, Platkop and Simmer & Jack landfill sites being the only ones currently open. This has creating a knock-on effect and extra burden on smaller transfer stations, such as Northmead, as waste trucks can no longer service the transfer stations as they used to.

As a result, there has been numerous complaints from residents compelling the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni to conduct multiple visits to the site. Following pressure from the Party, a professional inspection subsequently confirmed the communities fears, reporting that the site posed a massive hazard with no pest control, no grading to allow for effective surface runoff, and a general lack of maintenance and upkeep of the ground of the site.

The Inspectors Report has since been referred to the Department of Waste, with a statutory compliance notice to be issued to the contractor who manages the site, while the City inspectors will continue to monitor the situation.

It is unacceptable that residents have to endure such service deliveryfailures. Of further concern is the hazard posed to the neighbouring clinic, which performs a critical function as the community battles with Covid-19. The DA will continue to keep a close eye on the state of the transfer station, and will continue to hold the Metro to account.

Cllr. Lornette Joseph

DA Councillor in Ward 27 Ekurhuleni