Douglasdale Business and Residents Forum wants those responsible for destroying community garden to pay
DOUGLASDALE– Mottram said whoever is responsible for the destruction will have to pay to restore their garden at his or her own expense.
The chairperson of the Douglasdale Business and Residents Forum, Susan Mottram, has described the destroying of a community garden on the corner of Douglasdale Drive and Leslie Avenue, allegedly by a contractor, as disrespect for the community and disregards of the City’s bylaws.
Mottram said a contractor that was tasked to erect a large advertising billboard on the corner had allegedly destroyed the 13-year-old community garden.
“We, the members of the community, planted these gardens 13 years ago and have nurtured them for all this time, putting in our money and hours of time and attention, willingly and happily. The contractors have decimated our garden to install a massive billboard, which I’m sure the community doesn’t want there. They have ripped out and taken our plants to install a mammoth frame. We have a wayleave [written permission from the City] for the two gardens at that intersection,” she said
She added whoever was responsible for the destruction would have to pay to restore the garden at their own expense. “I’m working with our local councillor Chris Santana and Mark van der Merwe, the ward committee member ,to get this sorted. The proposed billboard is being investigated by the municipality’s outdoor advertising department and JMPD to see if a permit was obtained for its installation.”
Mottram has urged community members to join forces with the forum to hold those responsible for the destruction.
This is a developing story, more information will be published as it becomes available.
