Hazardous Waste Risks:
The facility could process dangerous materials like paints, pesticides, electronics and chemicals. With potentially 65% of Wesco’s French parent company’s revenue coming from hazardous waste, expect a flood of toxic waste from overseas. Do you want this on the outskirts of Melkbos?
Water Pollution:
Using 50 million litres of water annually, the facility could contaminate our groundwater and nearby water sources. Leachate dams, notorious for poor management, could result in harmful run-off affecting our water supply. What happens when we can no longer use our Aquifer for drinking water or our ground water for watering our gardens or filling our pools?
Health Hazards:
Air pollution from the facility could lead to severe health issues such as respiratory problems, persistent coughs, headaches, fatigue and burning eyes – to name a few. Additional risks to our health include pests, flies and rodents. How do we cope with these risks?
Environmental Damage:
The destruction of local fauna and flora, including our precious fynbos and renosterveld, is imminent. How is this preserving the heritage of this beautiful area?
Crime and the Melkbosstrand Economy:
This development could also likely increase crime rates, disrupt tourism and decrease property values. What happens when crime rate spikes, our restaurants and businesses close and we cannot sell our homes?
Traffic and Safety Concerns:
With up to 300 trucks operating 24/7, expect a dangerous surge in traffic on the R27, leading to more accidents on an already dangerous road. What happens when we are too scared to use the R27 or M19?
Pollution:
We will experience air and noise pollution, with seasonal winds bringing the foul smells associated with landfills to the Melkbos and Atlantis area. What happens when you cannot go outside because of the stench?
Fire Hazards:
Landfill sites are known to be prone to fires which may burn for months, and in some cases even years. The effect that this will have on our air quality will be catastrophic. Imagine a fire that cannot be extinguished combined with southeasterly winds jumping across the R27 heading towards Koeberg!