Msunduzi Municipality Private Bag X321 333 Church Street Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg 3200 3200 (033) 392 3000 www.msunduzi.gov.za SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & CITY ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT Environmental Management Unit P O Box 321 Pietermaritzburg 3200

Enq: Mr M.N Hadebe Tel: 033 – 392 3241 Fax: 0867702211 Our Ref:

Date: 12 July 2018

RE: PROPOSED CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS TO NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) FROM HAMMARSDALE TO PIETERMARITZBURG: CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N3 FROM NEW ENGLAND TO TWICKENHAM ROAD

With reference to your background information document a site visit was conducted on the 09th of July 2018, comments are submitted for your information and consideration. 1. The application site has been assessed in terms of the Msunduzi Environmental Management

Framework (EMF), the Msunduzi Ecosystem Services Plan (ESP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF) and the Msunduzi Conservation Plan (C-Plan).

2. The SDF has identified the proposed site to have;

• River 40m Buffer: The proposed development cuts through the 40m buffer and may

require Water Use License.

• Municipal Open Space System: The development cut through the municipal open space

system.

• Active Public Open Space: There are property boarders that are zoned as Active Public

Open Space therefore development it must not be affected by the development.

3. The C-Plan and ESP has identified the proposed site to have;

• Key Areas that are totally irreplaceable • Riparian Corridors

4. The Municipal Environmental Management Framework (EMF) has identified the proposed site to

have; • High biodiversity Constraints: During a site visit indigenous vegetation has been identified

on site including but not limited to Grassland vegetation and grass species Please provide offset for the loss of biodiversity

• A Biodiversity Assessment may be required for the grassland areas due to the high biodiversity on these areas.

• A species relocation plan for flora and fauna must form part of the Biodiversity Assessment

• The Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) pre-construction phase must suitably address the relocation of fauna and flora

• For grassland areas fire management plans and open field burning protection measures for grassland burning must be considered

• High cultural Heritage Constraints: Should any graves/ artefacts’ be found on the site, then AMAFA should be contacted and all works is to cease. Also should there be a requirement for any demolition and/ or renovation of property inside and/ or outside then AMAFA should be contacted in order to grant authority to do so.

• High Wetland Development The proposed project cuts through a wetland and is located within 500m of a wetland. Please provide a wetland offset.

5. The applicant is advised to liaise with the department of Water and Sanitation as the application

site may trigger the need for WULA because the site is within 500m of a wetland.

6. In terms of the approved Msunduzi Integrated Environmental Management Policy. This unit does

NOT support any loss of biodiversity and open space.

7. Please find attached annexures of the EMF, ESP, C-PLAN and SDF please make reference to them in the Basic Assessment Report.

8. Please register this Unit as an interested and Affected party for this development.

9. Further comments will be made during the Draft Basic Assessment Report Phase.

Please contact this unit should you have any queries.

For: MANAGER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT UNIT