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The construction of the first of nine new regional waste disposal facilities in the Western Cape has commenced in Mossel Bay.

The new facility will serve multiple municipalities along the Garden Route and aims to stimulate the waste economy, create jobs and reduce the environmental impacts of waste management in the region.

Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, says approximately 500 temporary jobs as well as 60 permanent jobs will be created during the construction phase.

“This facility will provide landfill space to the communities of Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay for the next 30 years and provision was also made to accommodate Hessequa and Oudtshoorn Municipalities in the future.”

Bredell says the project has always been one of the top priorities for the department in terms of waste disposal in the Western Cape.

“South Africa has a serious waste problem. We are running out of landfill space everywhere and the increased cost and growing environmental issues is a problem that we must tackle head on before it is too late. This is why the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has been driving a process to establish nine big regional waste facilities that will provide various waste disposal options to the 25 local municipalities across the province.”

The department and disctrict municipality underwent a full consultation process with communities and municipalities for more than 10 years, leading to today’s launch.

“This project is an excellent example of what can be achieved if municipalities cooperate to provide a better service for all their communities,” says Bredell.

The disposal of waste generated by communities and any related cost, is constitutionally mandated to be the responsibility of the relevant local municipality.

“Given rapid population growth and urbanisation, the growing waste disposal problem is one that cannot be ignored. Programmes we run together with our municipalities include minimisation of waste, recycling and budgeting sufficiently for waste management. Efficiently-run municipalities remain key to delivering the services needed to make the province a better place for all who live in it. I am proud of our leaders in the Western Cape because they  understand that they serve the communities of today and tomorrow.”

Issued by WC Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning