Port tackles Naval Island trash

NAVAL Island proprietor Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is putting its foot down about trash being dumped on the prominent Richards Bay visitors’ spot.

In a response sent to the Zululand Observer following numerous complaints from the community about the island’s dismal state, the TNPA stated it has arranged for additional litter collection contracts to keep the area clean, especially with the peak holiday season approaching.

‘TNPA recognises and appreciates that Naval Island is a popular recreational area,’ says the statement.

‘As such the TNPA endeavours to ensure that the island is properly maintained and has appointed additional contractors to ensure proper waste management and cleaning of waste skips at Naval Island on a regular basis.’

However, TNPA asserts it does not tolerate ‘disrespectful visitors’.

‘There has been an influx of visitors using this public space who appear to have no respect or appreciation for our efforts to maintain a healthy environment on the island for the benefit of the community and visitors to Richards Bay.

‘Users of the facility are therefore respectfully requested to ensure they collect their waste in a refuse bag and place it into one of the waste skips provided.’

Aggravating the issue even further has been people dumping their personal rubbish into the skips.

Materials found in these containers have included building material waste, garden refuse and discarded fish tanks.

‘We will appreciate any assistance to make the public aware of the importance to control the behaviour of a minority of irresponsible culprits that hamper and endanger everyone’s right to enjoy a clean, healthy open recreational space,’ said the statement.

9 OCTOBER 

Island of waste

REVELRIES over the weekend left Naval Island under heaps of trash and dumped food, which can be seen scattered all over the local visitor’s attraction.

A wedding ceremony held on the edge of the mouth on Saturday morning was one of the biggest culprits according to one community member who found the event’s invitation among a sea of plastic water bottles.

‘I was absolutely shocked to find the island in such a terrible state,’ he said on request of anonymity.

‘I picked up an invitation which pointed out that a wedding celebration started at 10am on Saturday and you could see from the amount of rubbish left on the ground that there were a lot of guests.

‘I’d like to know if the hosts were ever granted permission to have a function there, because I believe there are normally strict rules that apply in such cases to avoid this type of mess.

But this was not the only side of the popular leisure point that can be found under garbage.

All along Bridgetown Road, visible bonfire spots display broken beer bottles while refuse containers and bins overflow with trash and the centre of the island signifies a variety of ‘paper’ trails.

An inquiry was sent to property owner Transnet regarding rules and regulations for events held on the island, however a response was not received at the time of going to print.