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ADOPT-A-SPOT INITIATIVE BY CITY OF TSHWANE
Posted on: 16 July 2010
This forms part of our Environmental Affairs articles
GUIDELINE DOCUMENT: ADOPT-A-SPOT POLICY
PURPOSE
“Adopt-a-Spot” is an initiative by Council to enable industries, companies or members of the
public to adopt any open space area at no cost to the applicant. The “adoptee” would then be responsible to clear the area of any illegal dumping, alien vegetation as well as to maintain or landscape such an area with indigenous vegetation. The adoptee may advertise its involvement in this initiative on site, subject to certain conditions.
The main reasons for launching this initiative is to encourage the public to take care of the
environment by removing illegal dumping and combating alien vegetation.
Adopting an area is different from leasing.By leasing an open space one has to pay for rights to utilise the area for private use. “Adopt-a-Spot” does not give the adoptee the right to restrict public access to the area.
AREAS THAT CAN BE ADOPTED
Only areas that belong to the Council can be adopted.
Any unused road reserve, servitude, walkway and other open space areas could be considered for adoption. Areas worthy of conservation would highly be promoted. “Hot spots” on illegal dumping will be priorities
A list of “spots” to be adopted will be identified by both the applicant and the Council, and a final decision will be taken by the Council.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
This is a great marketing initiative to show that we care about our environment. Companies
and industries could use “Adopt-a-Spot” as a social/corporate responsibility initiative. Landscaping companies could use “Adopt-a-Spot” to showcase their creativity and expertise. The environment would benefit by the eradication of alien vegetation, removal of illegal dumping and other many benefits.
This sustainable approach is a contribution towards a cleaner environments and hence healthier neighbourhoods.
Adopted areas would remain public domain. Should the adoptee want to fence the area for security purposes or to curb illegal dumping, or wish to improve the property in any way, the applicant would have to formally apply for approval from Council, in which case Council might decide that the area should be formally leased at a cost to the applicant.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The applicant would apply to the Council for approval of the “adoption” of an
open area owned by the Council;
· An agreement will be drawn up setting out the conditions of the agreement, and
would be signed by both parties. The area would be made available to the applicant
at no cost, subject to approval;
· The “adoptee” will then receive a certificate of recognition signed by the Executive Mayor as an acknowledgement of their involvement and participation.
· In accordance with the agreement, the applicant would be responsible for the removal of illegal dumping, removal and/or treatment of any alien vegetation such as Gum and Guava trees, Lantana, Triffid Weed, etc. The Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management may be contacted to identify alien vegetation that should be removed. The removal of any indigenous vegetation is strictly prohibited;
· The area should then be rehabilitated by for an example landscaping with indigenous vegetation, converting the area into garden beds etc, and should be maintained at regular intervals.
· The applicant can be allowed to fence the area for security reasons at his/her own cost and/or to combat illegal dumping, subject to approval. The public should have unrestricted access to the adopted area at all reasonable times;
The adopting group or individual recognises the need for a desirability of litter-free neighbourhoods and accepts responsibility for picking up litter at its spot and promoting a litter-free environment. Adopting groups or individuals are expected to provide quarterly reports to the Council on the progress made for the rehabilitation and mantainance of “spots” adopted and are encouraged to take “before” and “after” photos.
The Council is not responsible for injuries incurred during Adopt-A-Spot cleanups. Any hazardous items found during the cleanup such as weapons, dead bodies, chemicals, drugs etc, should immediately be reported to the nearest police station a reference number be supplied for record keeping purposes to the Council.
Companies will be allowed to sponsor by supporting any individuals or groups in communities that are willing to adopt any spot over and above their own spot adopted.
The Council:
· will determine the specific spots to be adopted,
· will install and maintain a sign if desired by the group,
· will provide safety training programs for group coordinators on request,
· will provide group members with refuse bags, gloves and masks on request,
· will remove and dispose of filled refuse bags on request,
· will be responsible for the overall monitoring of the project,
· reserves the right to determine whether an applicant is accepted or not.
· reserves the right to cancel any application due to failure to meet requirements of the program or for safety reasons,
· reserves a right to reclaim any spot adopted for any reason, but will assist the applicant to identify a new spot if necessary.
· reserves the right to request particulars of all volunteers,
It is the responsibility of all applicants to familiarise themselves with this policy.
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