Pretoria - The City of Tshwane has denied allegations that it has neglected the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary and Trim Running Park.
Thomas Muller-Rust, a concerned resident from Centurion, said that about three months ago he noticed that the sanctuary was in bad shape.
“I have noticed last Sunday and in the last months already that both the places suffered from bad neglect and lack of attention and restoration.
“The Austin Roberts Lake, for a long time one of Pretoria’s oldest recreation parks and bird sanctuary, in particular lacks care and repair.”
However, the city said the sanctuary had not been neglected and that it had been experiencing funding challenges. It added that its nature conservation operations were on site daily to catch up on maintenance.
Muller-Rust also raised concern about the state of the lake and said the water level, despite all the recent rain, was at the lowest he had seen in years and almost empty.
“This has ripple effects on its natural habitat and brings the whole sanctuary out of biological balance. The water level is merely 50cm or below, even small water birds can walk (not swim) through most parts of the lake, and moss, algae and water weeds are growing everywhere, hence it’s starting to stink as well.
“With such low water level there is not enough oxygen for the fish, so they are dying. With no or few fish, the birds don’t come any more to feed and nest/breed; with no fish and no birds the tourists won’t come any more, making this – one of the few and oldest tourist attractions – a poor show and sad experience for everyone,” said Muller-Rust.
City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the main dam had been a problem for some time due to silting.
“Plans are under way to desilt the dam which should be accommodated on the project schedule as from the next financial year,” he said.
Muller-Rust said even the adjacent restaurant, The Blue Crane, had lost customers, and the bird hide wasn’t what it used to be.
Muller-Rust said an inspection was needed to find the cause of the low water level.
“Either there is too little water flowing into the lake or too much water flowing out of the lake.”
Muller-Rust said the concrete dam wall at the entrance needed to be made higher. At one corner the dam wall was far too low and too much water was flowing out. This gap needed to be closed and raised.
Another concern for Muller-Rust is the entrance where the thatched roof is torn, creating an eyesore.
Mashigo said the city would have the thatched roof repaired as well as the bird hide in the next financial year.
Muller-Rust's other concern is the Trim Park, which he said now looked like a jungle. “This too needs repair and reopening,” he said.
Pretoria News