With summer only a few months away, Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro has called on the City of Ekurhuleni to clear and maintain the attenuation dam in Highway Gardens.

He said a lack of budget has resulted in sections of the vital infrastructure becoming overgrown with vegetation and littered with plastic waste.

During periods of heavy rainfall, the attenuation dam helps slow stormwater runoff flowing from Meadowdale towards Buurendal.

“As a community, we are happy to lend a hand and do our part, but it costs residents money to do so.”

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He said that although many volunteers are willing to assist, the community often lacks access to the heavy equipment needed for the work.

“We need heavy equipment and machinery to remove much of what has accumulated on the property.”
Guerreiro said he would ideally like to see the entire property properly maintained.

At present, community members are keeping the vegetation along the pavement under control, but he said the interior of the property remains a challenge.

“Ideally, maintenance on this property should be carried out twice a year,” said Guerreiro.

He added that during his term as councillor, maintenance of the dam has largely been carried out by community organisations such as Essentially Edenvale and residents of Highway Gardens.

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A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni, with a response requested by July 22 at 10:30.

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.