The Modderfontein Environmental Community Initiative (MECI)

MECI MANIFEST

It is the express intention of MECI to make every effort to protect the Modderfontein Area against unwarranted destruction and pollution MECI will engage with owners and developers of land and or take what ever legal process may be available to reach our goals. MECI understands that the owners and developers have certain rights but MECI will defend the area with resolve and in the spirit of mutual benefit, and give and take. More specifically MECI will address the following issues: (These are priorities but by no means encompass all issues that deserve attention and we welcome resident and business input to expand the issuesof concern)

MODDERFONTEIN PINE FOREST

St Francis Church Forest adjoining the shops: This is an extremely urgent matter which requires that all interested parties stand unified against the proposed destruction of our shops and St Francis Church Forest. This property has been sold, but the sale has since fallen through, which has provided a temporary stay. These old shops have served the community for the past 60 or so years and the sellers / future developers will plan to make way for ANOTHER SHOPPING CENTRE 5 MINUTES FROM GREENSTONE!!

MODDERFONTEIN DAM

Dam 1: Years of neglect have rendered this Dam in Modderfontein, which once supported large amounts of bird and fish life a poisonous infected cesspool of ongoing sewerage, chemicals waste and trash, and the area is silted almost entirely with Ash from surrounding industry. This has lead largely to the almost total eradication of fish life in the dam, the disappearance of flamingos following a Nitric acid ''spill'' from the AEL factory which occurred in the latter part of 2008.

MODDERFONTEIN RIVERS

The rivers into Modderfontein are carriers of most pollution to Dam 1, and Harties. MECI will encourage the owners to take cognance of the law to make sure that this once beautiful central feature of our community is rehabilitated to its former glory as provided for by law, and that neighbors upstream are engaged and enforced to cease the ongoing dumping of pollutants into streams traversing Modderfontein. MECI with a recently conceived ''GRAND PLAN'' mentioned overleaf intend revitalizing the management of all waterways in Modderfontein.

MODDERFONTEIN CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Conservation Area was originally 1063 Ha in a last green lung area of Johannesburg, which has been reduced by the owners over a period of time to 800 Ha andthen more recently 275 Ha. The area was then handed over to a Day Spa operator with no input from the Conservation Society, and with no warning to the Conservation Society, who were then ejected from their own meeting abode of many years.The Chairlady of the Conservation Society in Modderfontein is an AEL staff member imposed upon that committee.

MODDERFONTEIN WESTLAKE WETLAND

Westlake development and wetland: This area west of Modderfontein is a vulnerable area requiring special attention respect and monitoring. Many wild animals and bird life abound here, however presently there is substantial development going on around the South Western Boundary with silt , building rubble and trash fouling the wetland.Still much more development is going to take place here and it is imperative that the community through MECI protects this important wetland

MODDERFONTEIN HERITAGE BUILDINGS

There are numerous areas and buildings of great importance which require Heritage Protection and Status around Modderfontein to guarantee the ambience and history of this unique and potentially beautiful area is maintained and enhanced.

SEWERAGE FLOODS AND SILTING IN MODDERFONTEIN

With the extensive development and inadequate infrastructure, sewerage, floods and unchecked flows of trash and pollution from surrounding industries, has carried on for many years unhindered, making Modderfontein the dumping ground for upstream industry.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND CONGESTION IN MODDERFONTEIN

The Traffic patterns, congestion and pollution is a serious problem that must be addressed urgently.

THE HISTORICAL BEAUTY OF MODDERFONTEIN

Modderfontein was once a country village of serenity and extreme beauty tended by full time horticulturists and gardeners. Today the area is, not with standing some window dressing, in a state of decay. The unwant on development has brought with it an influx of loiterers, crime, and filth. MECI want Modderfontein to be rehabilitated, cleaned and maintained to it's former glory.

Businesses and Associations, Schoolsand Services: MECI has a role to play in engaging Heartland Properties and encouraging their management to realize the important role businesses and residents play within a stable community where tenants would invest their futures into an area provided that the future was guaranteed. Short term leases should become long-term guarantees. Heartland should further deal with inhabitants and businesses for the greater good for allwith special attention to crime and the ongoing enhancement of the beauty of Modderfontein, and the maintenance and upkeep of the property