Page 17 - Interface February Issue 2025

FLOODING AND RIVER CLEANUP:

Understanding the Process of Managing flooding of

the Hennops River in Centurion Residential Estate

and Country Club

looding is an unfortunate reality The Challenges of the River Under normal circumstances, the CHOA manages to
that we, as residents of the Cleanup process remove between 2,000 to 2,500 bags of litter during
FCenturion Residential Estate It is important to recognize the the rainy season. During December 2024 an estimated
and Country Club regularly contend significant challenges posed by of 10 000 bags were removed, and the clean-up is
with. Each year, heavy rains cause flooding. When a flood occurs, a continuing.
substantial flooding, and with it, vast amount of debris, litter, and
significant challenges in maintaining even large objects such as trees, The River Cleanup Process
our environment. The Centurion tyres, and more are flooding in via 1. CHOA security team assesses whether it is safe
Homeowners Association (CHOA) the Hennops River. These debris to begin clearing the affected areas.
would like to take this opportunity to get washed out on the banks of 2. The priority is always the restoration of fences
provide clarity on the matter, share the river and at times large objects and securing vulnerable sections, to secure
some important facts, and explain and trees block the flow of the the Estate’s security.
the cleaning process. river, which need to be addressed 3. The Santa Monica Road bridge is cleared for
immediately to prevent damage to access and safety of the residents.
The Role of the CHOA and the the river walls, the bridges and the 4. On the first workday the gardeners from Life
Centurion Country Club in the Golf Course. Landscapes focus on the Santa Monica Road
clean-up sidewalk areas, this then means that the
The responsibility of maintaining It is crucial to understand that programme for normal garden maintenance is
the river area is shared between the the Hennops River cannot even affected negatively.
CHOA and the Centurion Country accommodate a 1-year flood and 5. Do note that the river level needs to be safe
Club. The Centurion Country Club that in some circumstances while before any of the teams can start working.
is responsible for all areas adjacent the clean-up efforts are still in 6. The tree fellers will attend to the first 20
to the golf course including the Golf process, the next flood takes place meters on both sides of the road bridge,
cart bridges and the CHOA takes causing the efforts to be erased and ensuring that any fallen trees or debris that
responsibility for cleaning up all other the entire process starts over again. could impede the river’s flow are cleared.
affected areas like Santa Monica Debris and litter inside the banks of 7. The clean-up contractor will start manual
Drive, all the sidewalks and the River the river, including objects on tree cleaning upstream from Nellmapius drive,
walking trail. A full-time employee roots are very dangerous and, in provided that the weather forecast still
was also employed who is tasked most cases, impossible to remove. permits.
with cleaning the riverbanks daily.

A professional contractor who
conducts cleanup operations is
used by both parties. Prioritization
is always given to areas where
there is the most immediate need,
particularly where fences have
been damaged or where security
could be compromised. The Santa
Monica River crossing area is another
priority during flood events to clear
up the road for access purposes and
ensuring the road is safe to use.

All of the above is done while
monitoring weather predictions and
trying to work responsibly with the
member’s funds.

INTERFACEDigimag | FEBRUARY 2025 | 15