World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on 2 February, aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet.
GrandWest gave TygerBurger an update about how far they have gotten into the cleanup of the wetlands on its property.
“As a good corporate citizen, GrandWest has a commitment towards environmental responsibility and raising awareness about environmental concerns,” Mervyn Naidoo, general manager for GrandWest, says.
GrandWest started its wetlands project in December 2022, which will see the property rehabilitate the six wetlands on the property to improve the quality of the water that sustains a wide range of species.
The first clean-up took place on Friday 9 December 2022 focusing on the biggest of the wetlands. The 37 staff volunteers removed vegetation that was restricting the water flow.
READ | Staff get down and dirty to clean wetlands which surround GrandWest
Thumeka Siwela, safety, health and environmental officer at GrandWest says alien vegetation, including Port Jackson, overgrown Typhoo wetland grasses, and bull rushes were uprooted.
Further plans to rehabilitate
GrandWest has further plans to rehabilitate the area this year, with the next clean-up scheduled for June. “Given the amount of work that is required, we foresee the project being completed by year-end 2025 and we will make an announcement when it will open to the public, who once again will be able to enjoy the wetlands and wildlife,” Siwela says.
‘Already compromised’
When the complex first opened in 2000, waterlogged areas on the property regularly overflowed into the already compromised Elsies River, further detrimentally affecting the quality of the water.
The development team suggested building wetlands to address the problem. Today, dotted around the 56-hectare property, mostly out of sight from the casino, the wetlands offer an indigenous home to many species of birdlife.
“GrandWest is committed to advocating for sustainability, protection, and conservation of natural resources within the business environment,” Naidoo saiys
This event, themed Wetlands Action for People and Nature, highlighted two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, namely Clean Water and Sanitation and Climate Action.
“The result of the rehabilitation day will be an improved, and purer, flow of water and a safe and sheltered wetland habitat for feathered friends which include Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Pied Crow and many more,” Naidoo says.
