Beautifying Wentworth: Community comes together

The Austerville Ratepayers, Residents, and Civics Organisation (ARRACO), in partnership with various other stakeholders, successfully ran a clean-up drive for the rejuvenation of main areas in Austerville recently.

Also read: Ratepayers’ associations want clarity on Integrated Development Programme, Draft Budget

The clean-up was facilitated in collaboration with the Communities Building Credible Ownership, parks department, Durban Solid Waste (DSW), Roads Stormwater, Drizit, and enthusiastic community members.

Gael Meek, a member of ARRACO, said about 30 community members participated, showing tremendous dedication to clearing the litter and overgrowth that plagued several critical sites.

“These include the plot of land at the corner of Wynburg Place and Austerville Drive, the plot at 100 Austerville Drive, the gulley between Major Calvert Street and Woodville Road, the pathway between Austerville Primary School and Durban East Primary School, the arc in the park between Austerville Drive and Major Calvert Street and a dumping area at the corner of Austerville Drive and Major Calvert Street,” she said.

Meek expressed pride in the group’s efforts. “These are areas used by the residents of this community, especially children and these spaces had become overgrown with bushes and rapidly grew into dumpsites,” she said. Meek added by cleaning them, they’ve reclaimed these spaces for everyone to enjoy.

The initiative not only beautified Austerville but also strengthened community ties and fostered a sense of environmental stewardship. ARRACO hopes this effort will encourage more residents to take an active interest in keeping public spaces clean.

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