We, the undersigned residents and businesses in Benoni, particularly Northmead, together with patients, visitors and staff of Northmead Provincial Clinic, call on the Executive Mayor and MMC responsible for Environmental Resources & Waste Management in the City of Ekurhuleni as well as The C40 Cities - City Adviser: Waste. Ekurhuleni, STOP the proposed establishment of an Organic Waste Processing and Composting Facility at the Northmead Public Offloading Facility.
NORTHMEAD HAS ALREADY GIVEN ENOUGH
The Northmead facility was originally intended for garden waste. It was subsequently converted into a transfer station, and we believe it is now time to return Northmead to its original purpose: garden waste only and not into a C40 Facility.
Northmead already experiences flies, offensive odours, serious vermin problems and uncontrolled waste-picking, with material being removed from the site and sold along the roadside.
The proposed facility would introduce additional organic waste-processing activity directly next to a Provincial Clinic and a residential and business community. We are concerned about the impact of increased odours, flies, rodents, traffic and other health and environmental risks on patients, healthcare workers, visitors, residents and businesses.
The Ward Councillor was not taken into consideration or consultation, and the Oversight Committee never received any information prior to the Item serving in Council
C40's own Safeguarding Policy is based on "do no harm" and requires the welfare, protection and dignity of affected communities to be considered, including safeguarding risk assessments and appropriate mitigation.
WE THEREFORE CALL ON THE CITY AND C40 TO:
• STOP the proposed Northmead location;
• Return the facility to garden waste only;
• Undertake the required environmental, health and safeguarding assessments;
• Meaningfully consult affected residents, businesses and the Clinic; and
• Identify a more appropriate alternative site for organic waste processing.
WE ARE NOT SAYING NO TO RECYCLING. WE ARE SAYING NO TO NORTHMEAD.
PUT THE RIGHT FACILITY IN THE RIGHT PLACE.