Secunda Steamers want to save the Secunda Duck Pond

SECUNDA – While members of the Secunda Steamers search for a way to save the Secunda Duck Pond, trees around the dam are also dying.

Several large trees around the pond have toppled over and on Saturday, 4 August, one of these were blown over by strong winds and came crashing down on the train station.

Messrs Ernst Pretorius and Frans Pretorius of Secunda Steamers are really concerned about the decay at the pond.

They operate the little steam trains and train rails around the dam.

The Echo last week reported that the Secunda Steamers have been battling to keep one of the bridges on the opposite side of the Duck Pond from collapsing and taking their train track with it.

The barrage under the bridge that was built to stop the dam from running dry, is now eroding rapidly.

“If the wall breaks, the bridge will cave in and the entire Duck Pond will run dry. This will be an ecological disaster for our town,” explained Mr Ernst Pretorius. He adds to this that a large number of trees are in poor condition.

They are especially concerned about the safety of pedestrians, the steamers and children who make use of the park.

“We are appealing to the public to help us with expertise, advise and funds to save the Secunda Duck Pond,” said Mr Frans Pretorius.

The Secunda Steamers has a huge event coming up in October and they are concerned that the traffic on the bridge might be too much to bear.

They will be the host to the national steamers convention on 27 and 28 October when stream train enthusiasts throughout the country will be in Secunda to show their trains.

Although the Duck Pond area belongs to Govan Mbeki Municipality, Sasol Ikusasa has been cleaning and patrolling the area, but according to Mr Frans Pretorius, they are unable to assist in this matter.

Anyone who can help, are asked to phone Mr Frans Pretorius at 083 236 9578

https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/120678/disaster-is-only-a-rainfall-away/