One of the current projects with the potential to have a big impact on the town’s image is that of the Casterbridge Circle Beautification Project.
Motorists and pedestrians will have noticed that the barren circle is a bit greener, with a few indigenious plants that have already found a home there.
Soon, a few trees, rhino statues and signboards will follow, which will serve both as a landmark for visitors and raise awareness on the plight of the rhino.
The clean-up of the Garret Steam Engine at the train station, spearheaded by We Are White River, has also sparked the interest of many.
Piet Skead, committee member of several organisations, is currently looking at moving it to the park in Tom Lawrence Street and transforming it into a landmark. Read about the clean-up here.
Artists in the park, an initiative aimed at giving local artists a platform to exhibit their work, is also a potential addition to the town’s offerings.
The White River Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) has been promoting the development of this art centre situated in Ronnie Bester Park, where high-quality visual art will be displayed. If this proposal is accepted, the hope is to also present training programmes and workshops there to help the abundance of emerging artists in the area and create jobs.
There will also be a coffee bar, children’s playground and even a botanical garden.
These projects were all discussed at the WRRA’s annual meeting last Monday at Laerskool Witrivier.
A few dozen residents attended to learn how they intend to make White River a clean, well-maintained and prosperous town.
All residents are urged to join, as only 103 out of more than 10 000 households in town are currently members.
Some of the issues the WRRA has tackled include taking legal action against the municipal manager regarding the main sewer line past White River Square following critical and frequent spillage. The pipeline will reportedly be upgraded soon.
The organisation is also putting pressure on the municipality to develop and commission the essential waste transfer station in town and keeping a close watch on the development of schools that will reportedly be built to help accommodate the growing number of children in the area.
There is also a drive to develop the Coltshill 2 area as a sports and recreation area, rather than a high-density housing site.
The fact that there are no public toilets in town is also a great concern, especially considering the amount of trucks and other delivery vehicles that overnight in town. The organisation is also lobbying that facilities should be built and looking for potential sites on municipal land.
For more information on the WRRA, email Mr Simon Evered on slowveld@soft.co.za or contact him on 083-659-6296.
