Municipality in Search for New Landfill Site - The Witness , 8 February 2010
There is good news for Hayfields and Sobantu residents, who have had to put up with the unpleasant effects of having a landfill site in their back yard. The uMgungundlovu District Municipality is searching for a new landfill site for the district as a matter or urgency.
The two largest landfill sites in the uMgungundlovu district are near the end of their lifespan. The new source of many complaints over the years, the New England Road landfill site has an estimated remaining lifespan of less than six years. The Curry’s Post site near Howick is already full, but a new cell is being constructed. A second cell is planned for construction in the next decade.
The district municipality has appointed a local consulting engineering and environmental firm, Jeffares & Green (J&G), to investigate a suitable location for a new regional landfill site within the uMgungundlovu boundaries. Geotechnical engineer Jan Norris and solid waste specialist Stuart Gower-Jackson are managing a multi-disciplinary project team of professionals in the fields of waste management, environmental services and social facilitation.
“J&G have completed a high-level assessment of the district using GIS and have identified potentially suitable zones for the establishment of a new site,” said Gower-Jackson. “The estimated life expectancy for the proposed new site would be about 50 years. We need to find a site of between 50 and 150 hectares to handle approximately 40 000 tons of waste a month.”
Gower-Jackson said the project to identify a new landfill site is at the stage where public involvement and participation is required. “We are planning a series of public open days at various locations, which will be advertised soon. Members of the public who want to know more, comment or participate in the process should consult the website or look out for the advertisements in the press.”
In 2008, the district municipality commissioned a review of its integrated waste management plan to co-ordinate effective waste management services throughout the district. This project aims to optimise service delivery and minimise costs. It is being undertaken by a consortium of companies led by Phelamanga Projects.
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