Bright fuel station light snuffed

Concerns about the impact of a very bright light beam on the roof of the Astron filling station in Wilderness were first brought to the attention of George Municipality (GM) last year, but were not addressed.

- Alida de Beer

Wilderness resident Prof Christo Fabricius approached George Herald two weeks ago, upset that his complaint with the GM had still not elicited any action. His concerns were with some higher lying properties that were right in the line of the light's glare.

"I am convinced that Astron's light pollution is in violation of several clauses in Section 8 of the Outdoor Advertising Management and Control by-law," said Fabricius, who'd lodged his complaint in October. Subsequent communications between him and the officials, and the filling station, were to no avail, even though the municipality had confirmed to Fabricius that an application by

Astron for an advertising lighting permit was still being processed.