Calls made for Illiondale Wetland improvement

To improve, rehabilitate and protect the Illiondale Wetland residents of Illiondale, as well as concerned community members, submitted a petition to the City of Ekurhuleni.

Ward 18’s Ald Heather Hart submitted the petition on behalf of the Illiondale residents and community members.

The petition requests funding for the rehabilitation of the wetland, which will be used to conduct an environmental assessment to determine the extent of degradation and necessary interventions; to implement habitat restoration projects, which include the replanting of native species and the removal of invasive species; improve public access and awareness through signage and sustainable infrastructure, and to partner with local environmental groups and experts to ensure the wetlands’ long term success.

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Described as a vital ecosystem, the wetlands play a crucial role in flood control, water purification and biodiversity conservation.

According to Hart, there were potential plans to start improving and rehabilitating the wetlands in 2011.

However, they were delayed to allow for the installation of the Illiondale Outfall Sewer.

“At the time, the contract collapsed after it came to light that the contractor had over-extended themselves,” said Hart.

Hart explained that because the then consultant’s contract had expired, a new tender needed to be put out for a new consultant before a contractor could be appointed.

She said subsequently, the improvement project was delayed.

“There was no point upgrading the wetland before upgrading the outfall sewer.”

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According to Hart, the Environmental Resource Management Department is driving the rehabilitation of the wetlands.

Hart said following a series of challenges over the years, the outfall sewer was upgraded in 2016/17.

Hart said over the years, the budget allocated for the project decreased from R5m then R3m to R2m.

Hart said when funding, approximately R300 000, was later allocated, all that was achieved was the appointment of a contractor to remove some of the reed beds from the wetlands, which had a negligible effect.

She said at the same time, the water and sanitation department was installing gabion beds and gabion walls in the wetlands.

“A wetland rehabilitation programme requires the opposite.”

Hart said since Covid-19, the city has had financial constraints.

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“I have seen projects in wards 18 and 19 fall off IDPs.

“The wetlands have been on Ward 18’s IDP since 2011 and it’s high time it’s implemented.

“Although the community understands that things take time this project has been neglected for far too long,” said Hart.

According to Hart although the wetland has suffered degradation from pollutants, invasive species and habitat loss the Illiondale Wetland is regarded as one of the most effective wetlands in Ekurhuleni if not Gauteng.

It also is home to various wildlife, such as reedbirds, water birds, snakes and water mongoose.

“The community should be complimented that no serious amount of building rubble has been has been dumped in the wetland and that it has not deteriorated further and it has been protected,” said Hart.

According to Illiondale resident Lisa Dalgleish, the petition was started at the beginning of March and accumulated 150 signatures.

She said local security companies Mamba Security and Ironhide Security Services provided letters of concern to support the petition.

“The letters provide information from a security and conservation perspective.”

Dalgleish said besides calling for improvement residents hope that through the rehabilitation project security services will have an easier time monitoring and accessing the wetland specifically when pursuing suspects.

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Lisa said with the wetlands currently overgrown, it’s almost impossible for security officers to pursue and detain suspects in there.

District operations manager for Mamba Security, Tania Rabie said one of the challenges of the wetlands is the fact that suspects can disappear inside.

“Going in the wetland is dangerous for us. The suspects could be lying in wait when we enter the wetland and make us a target,” said Rabie

Ironhide manager Fran Naaidoo said the wetlands not only poses a risk to community members but to security personnel as well.

“We can’t get in to the wetlands because of how overgrown it is and if our staff do access it suspects could be lying in wait for them.”