Meyerspark sanctuary stymied by contractual delays
The metro said it is working hard to address the maintenance backlog at Meyers Park Bird Sanctuary and equipment have been acquired.
A backlog and delays related to contractual arrangements are the cause of maintenance delays and cleaning of the Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary, according to the metro.
The community and nature lovers have complained about the overgrown grass, tall trees and general upkeep of the facility, which was an eyesore.
A resident of Silverton, Marietjie van Deventer said the state of the facility was not good at all due to the overgrown grass.
She said neglecting Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary by Tshwane Nature Reserve authorities is pathetic.
“We as a community can only do so much… we clean and help when we can but now we do not have tractors to cut the grass,” she said.
She added that the best “we can do with limited equipment is to keep the 5m around the river open and keep the bridge clean to prevent overgrowth to protect pedestrians”.
She pleaded with Tshwane to prioritise cleaning the facility as it is very important to nature lovers.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the sanctuary has not been neglected.
“The city’s maintenance operations are undertaken largely through hired equipment that is based on contractual arrangements with external service providers.”
He said there were delays related to the contractual arrangements which resulted in the late acquisition of equipment.
“This delayed the commencement of maintenance operations for Region 6 facilities, including Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary.”
Mashigo said some equipment has already been acquired and maintenance work is ongoing.
“The city is working hard to address the maintenance backlog in the region, including Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary.”
He said given the fact that there is an existing backlog linked to the contractual arrangement delays and recent consistent high rain volumes, it is acceptable that there is a high number of maintenance-related complaints throughout the city.
“The regional team is responding to the complaints received depending on their urgency and severity. Relating to the sanctuary, there is a departmental grass-cutting schedule that is followed by respective regional maintenance depot,” he said.
Mashigo added that the city has procured tractors for the remainder of the financial year to assist in the maintenance of the city’s facilities.
“Coupled with this, plans are underway to conclude a long-term plan for the provision of equipment to all the affected city departments.”
Mashigo said the overgrown trees and grasses are, however, cut for aesthetic reasons within the Meyerspark Bird Sanctuary.
“From an ecological management point of view, the trees and grasses provide a perfect habitat for fauna in their natural state as ‘overgrown’, but for aesthetic reasons, they are maintained to an acceptable artificial state.”
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