Invasive plants strangle Salt Rock stream

Salt Rock residents will have noticed the green shirted men sweating away as they cleared out the watercourse behind the library last week.

The Dolphin Coast Conservancy (DCC) has embarked on a campaign to remove invasive plant species in Salt Rock.

Also read: Recognising invasive plants on the Dolphin Coast

DCC chairperson Di Jones said invasive species are strangling the indigenous flora, particularly in the stream behind the municipal offices and library.

“This stream has become absolutely choked and overgrown with alien invasive plants to the extent that a lot of the large, indigenous trees have died,” said Jones.

“We are hoping that once the weeds have been cleared out, the stream will be able to run freely and the area will become more like it should be, i.e. a functioning wetland which has an important role to play in the natural biodiversity of our area.”

The work is being hampered by a lot of illegal dumping which has been going on over the years and Jones said they hoped that by restoring the natural appearance of this special place, local residents would take ownership of the space and treat it with the respect it deserves.

The DCC’s work here was made possible by a very generous anonymous donation and with the support of Dolphin Coast Waste Management, who are sending a large truck once a day to collect the mounds which need to be taken away.

“We need them to come every day because we discovered that if we leave the heaps of greenery/brownery on the verge for more than a day, they mysteriously multiply overnight with neighbours bringing old palm fronds etc. to add to the pile!

“We would like to take the opportunity to remind people that it is illegal to dump garden waste, just as it is illegal to dispose of general household waste other than in the bags provided. After all, we have two general refuse collections per week, and one collection of the three free bags of garden refuse.”

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.