Once a tourist attraction, now a potential environmental disaster.
Newcastle resident, Johannes Oosthuizen recently approached the Newcastle Advertiser with major concerns regarding Amcor Dam.
During an outing with his family, he said he was told fishing was no longer allowed in the area.
“I don’t understand why we aren’t allowed to catch fish there. The dam is part of our town.”
A nature-lover at heart, Mr Oosthuizen said he was appalled by the chaos local litterbugs were leaving behind.
“I went there with my children. There were rubbish bags, condoms, alcohol bottles and nappies in and around the water,” he explained.
Furthermore, he claimed a strange smell was emanating from the shrubbery near the weir.
“It smelled like rotten meat. I put my hand in front of my mouth; I wanted to throw up.”
Upon further investigation, he came across a few decaying chicken carcasses.
“We pay to make use of the area. The person responsible for this deserves a fine. Who has so little respect?” he questioned.
Mr Oosthuizen said he was perturbed by wildlife in the area consuming the ‘filthy water’ on a daily basis.
“Cows are drinking that filth; it’s disgusting!” he exclaimed. “Animals don’t know they shouldn’t be drinking the water.”
Reminiscing on the occasional braai and fishing trip, he said he wished Amcor Dam could be restored to what it once was.
“The dam used to be a place for social gatherings. How can we be proud of what it looks like now?”
Head of Parks, Recreation and Cleansing, Vish Govender, refuted Mr Oosthuizen’s allegations and said fishing was permitted.
“As far as we are concerned, the only issue previously raised was the water quality of which the water section addressed.”
Mr Govender said Civil Services is in the process of removing the water cabbage currently plaguing the dam.
“We have a permanent resort controller at the site who can be contacted on 034 318 1273 should the community have any problems relating to the dam,” he concluded.
