THE Aller River Pilot Project which was started to help find sensible solutions to address the deteriorating health of the rivers in eThekwini is currently seeking funding to continue with Phase 4 of the project.

Phase 1 of the project was was funded by eThekwini Municipality facilitated by the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department from July 2016 to May 2017. From June 2017 to February 2018 Phase 2 of the project was funded by the United Kingdom Arts and Humanities Research Council facilitated by the University of Cambridge, National Lotteries Commission also stepped in for Phase 3 from March till December 2018.

“Right from the start the project team was very much aware of the complexities of task at hand as evidenced by; demonstrably poor quality river water, extensive dumping of solid waste, ongoing infrastructural failures/deficiencies, general poor management of river banks and stormwater from hard surface, poor application of by-laws, lack of accountabilities and predominance of invasive species along the river and neighbouring properties,” said project manager, Nick Swan.

He said a number of proposals have been presented to potential funders but these are all either waiting for funding cycles to start or further discussions.

“We would very much like to keep the team running with at least the monitoring and school advocacy programmes running until additional funding is secured. The minimum we need is approximately R50 000 pm which is 10 companies donating R5000 pm each, not a lot considering the long term benefit to our community of this project,” he said.

“Donations can be structured to secure BBBE points or we can provide Section 18A tax donation certificates from Kloof Conservancy,” added Swan.

If you are in a position to assist email info@kloofconservancy.org.za. You can also donate directly by using the ZAPPER code, your donation will go to the Kloof Conservancy who are the implementing agents for this project and it will then be allocated to the Aller RIver Pilot Project.

At the last gathering to look back at the challenges and celebrate the hard work that they have done since the inception of this project, community liaison officer, Thozeka Letuka thanked everyone who has played a role in this project.

“When it started, we did not know what to expect but the Eco-champs with lots of support from various stakeholders, we are here today and we have definitely made a difference and we would like continuing so for years to come,” she said.

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.