The spruit needs you
BRYANSTON – The community is urged to be environmentally conscious following the excessive rains as littering increases the risk of flooding.
The Bryanston and Sandton communities are encouraged to remain environmentally conscious and properly dispose of their litter as the Braamfontein Spruit is faced with the consequences during periods of excessive rains.
During heavy rains the Braamfontein Spruit becomes overflowed due to unwanted debris and the low-water bridges in Bryanston, namely on Belgrave Street and Bryanston Drive, are closed off and inaccessible. As recent as 8 February, the spruit turned into a raging river as it lapped over the Belgrave bridge.
“People discard litter in the form of plastic bottles, packets, and food containers, in particular polystyrene burger boxes and the like in the streets. They obviously pay no attention to what happens to it – out of sight out of mind as the saying goes,” said Barry Cribb, a member of the Braamfontein Spruit Rehabilitation Project.
The rehabilitation project aims to preserve and protect the area surrounding the Braamfontein Spruit. The spruit is the longest stream in Johannesburg following from Northcliff all the way through to Midrand.
“We must raise the consciousness of the probably relatively few ‘littering public’ to the point where they realize that littering is detrimental to the whole of society, in a way it affects tourism, job creation and crime,” said he said.
Cribb added that the rainy season does, however, present the best opportunity to have an impact on removing undesirable debris from the river as it washes up on the banks of the river. “So if you would like to play your part in helping to clean up our rivers, now is one of the most productive times to do it to have the greatest impact,” he said.
In an effort to get the community more involved, the organisation have planned a series of river clean up’s. The first one is set to take place on 14 March, working from the Belgrave bridge through to 12th Avenue in Rivonia. “Our teams are actively trying to clear the banks in this section to allow for easier access and help aid the removal of this contamination.
Details: 084 876 2891
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