It is finally time for residents and stakeholders to put long-idle plans into action, as the rehabilitation of the Fairland dump site moves ahead following years of delays and repeated community pleas for intervention.

A breakthrough meeting on August 20 brought together Beagle Watch, Fairland SAPS, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), the Gauteng department of agriculture and rural development (GDARD), Pikitup, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), and Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs to agree on a co-ordinated way forward for the neglected site. The approval paves the way for the clean-up of the dump site adjacent to the Market Street park and the removal of displaced individuals occupying the area before work begins on extending the fence around the adjoining Smit Street Park.

Read more: Fairland residents fear ongoing inaction over dumpsite is eroding public trust

The project follows almost two years after the completion of the first phase of fencing around the park.

Beagle Watch managing director André Aiton said the dump site had become synonymous with criminal activity and environmental neglect. “It attracts drugs, by-law infringements, fires on pavements, displaced individuals, public urination, illegal vendors, and even an informal taxi rank.”

Aiton said Beagle Watch’s environmental team regularly intervened after residents discarded furniture and household items that were later used to establish makeshift shelters. “Over three beds have been discovered on the sidewalks. The overgrown vegetation also creates hiding places and provides safe cover for criminal activity.”

He said the project had been years in the making. “What started as securing the park’s boundary has now grown into reclaiming the adjoining dump site that has long attracted illegal dumping. We have engaged tirelessly with all the relevant stakeholders to reach this point.”

Also read: Dumpsite creates more chaos for Fairland

Beagle Watch will deploy heavy machinery, including a tractor-loader-backhow, to level the site once JCPZ has completed the initial clearing of trees, shrubs, and invasive vegetation. Pikitup will then remove the accumulated waste before rehabilitation begins.

The organisation also plans to launch another fundraising drive to complete the remaining section of ClearVu fencing around the park. Approximately R300 000 still needs to be raised to finish the project.

JCPZ’s Alton Rankin confirmed the entity’s role would focus specifically on horticultural work, including tree trimming, removal of blue gums, bugweed, and other invasive vegetation, as well as clearing shrubs. Other aspects of the rehabilitation will be undertaken by the remaining stakeholders.

Jacobs welcomed the collaborative approach, saying it marked a positive step after years of frustration. “There is definitely a positive sentiment. We now have a plan going forward to clean up the site, remove what should not be there and beautify the area. With the help of community stakeholders and residents we hope to raise enough money to finally fence off that section.”

She said restoring the area would allow residents to once again enjoy the park as a safe space for recreation, rather than an eyesore dominated by illegal dumping. Jacobs added that further investigations would also be pursued into why the project had taken so long to reach implementation despite years of complaints from the community.

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