City growth reaches critical stage
The absence of key stakeholders was a cause of grave concern at a vital meeting held at the Richards Bay Civic Centre on Tuesday to analyse factors affecting future City development. The ‘Desired State of the Environment’ workshop aimed at ‘defining the future for business and industry’, was not attended by industry, IDZ representatives or the District Municipality’s Coastal Working Group. They would have heard that in terms of the government’s Environmental Management Framework (EMF), future development will only be authorised if it complies with EMF guidelines. After technical teams visited each industry-zoned property to determine existing land use impact, it was determined that there was ‘significant developmental pressure and impact’ and that growth potential was limited. ‘If we do a reality check: we have exceeded the limits in this area,’ said Marita Thornhill of lead consultants, Thorn-Ex. ‘Scientifically, this area is not on a sustainable development path and no development will be allowed that can affect mangroves, swamp forests and grasslands. ‘Air quality also needs to be improved to reach the desired state.’
Mandatory
Thornhill said the EMF needed to be taken seriously. ‘The EMF is a legal instrument to inform EIA decisions and to assist not only in City development but also the future planning of the IDZ and Port expansion,’ said Thornhill. ‘It is more than a mere guide for the decision makers and professionals doing EIA assessments for future industrial devlopment; it is mandatory that they conform to the EMF findings. ‘We can now look at any property and immediately know all the concerns in advance.’
With limited potential for industrial growth in the Richards Bay area, it was agreed that the industrial footprint would have to be enlarged and that future development could take place west of Empangeni and into rural areas.
A need was also identified to consolidate existing information and the many studies that have been done, and that a technical solutions partner such as the CSIR should be brought board.
Concern was raised that the IDZ has had little interaction with other stakeholders and that planning is taking place in isolation.
While the IDZ wants to include big industries, to give them more opportunities, it has thus far not drawn industry because of funding, electricity, water and other issues.
The next steps for the EMF are:
• Draft EMF prepared by 15 March
• 30 days for comments
• Final EMF 30 April
• Handover to National or Provincial MEC/Minister
About the EMF
The Environmental Management Framework was launched in August last year and is a joint initiative between the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development and the uMhlathuze Municipality.
The initiative, to ensure that environmentally sensitive areas are clearly delineated and areas suitable for development identified, is supported by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and is co-funded by the Danish Government.
Based on clear, scientific methodology it promotes co-operative environmental governance and may be used to exclude certain activities from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
