Residential Establishment, Leandra Govan Mbeki Local Municipality · 2019-11-15 · i DARDLEA Ref: 1/3/1/16/1 G-131 Residential Establishment, Leandra – Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

i

DARDLEA Ref: 1/3/1/16/1 G-131

Residential

Establishment, Leandra

– Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality

Draft Environmental Impact

Assessment Report

ii

Proposed Residential Establishment, Leandra, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT REPORT

Prepared for: Prepared by:

Henopath (Pty) Ltd

P.O. Box 35465

Menlo Park

Pretoria

0102

Green-Box Consulting

P.O. Box 37738

Langenhovenpark

Bloemfontein

9330

August 2019

iii

PROJECT DETAILS

PROJECT TITLE: Proposed Residential Establishment on Portion

2 of the Farm Rietfontein 313- Leandra,

Mpumalanga Province.

PROJECT PROPONENT: Henopath (Pty) Ltd

Contact Person: Byron Lee Smith

P.O. Box 35465

Menlo Park

Pretoria

0102

ENVIRONMENTAL

CONSULTANT: Green-Box Consulting

P.O. Box 37738

Langenhovenpark

9330

Phone: 082 435 2108

Email: [email protected]

LEAD EAP: Danie Krynauw

Email: [email protected]

ENVIRONMENTAL

ASSESSMENT

TEAM: D. Krynauw

N. Badenhorst

DOCUMENT STATUS: Draft EIA Report for 30-day public review

period

DARDLEA REF: 1/3/1/16/1 G-131

RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: Ms. Sindisiswe Mbuane

DATE: August 2019

mailto:[email protected]


iv

Green-Box Consulting Report Revision and Tracking

Schedule

Document Title Proposed Establishment of a new Mixed Residential

Development on the Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein

313- Leandra, Mpumalanga Province.

Client Henopath (Pty) Ltd

Document Reference DK/17/54

Status Drat EIA Report for 30-day public review period

Issue Date After acceptance of Final Scoping Report

Lead Authors Mr. Danie Krynauw

Reviewer Mr. Niël Badenhorst

EAP Mr. Danie Krynauw

Report Distribution Circulate to No. of hard

copies

No.

electronic

copies

DARDLEA – Draft EIA

(version 1 – Draft)

1 1

This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Green-Box Consulting appointment and contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of Green-Box Consulting. The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Green-Box Consulting. This document is prepared exclusively for use by GBC‘s client. GBC accepts no liability for any use of this document other than by its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared. No person other than the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the contents of this document, without the prior written permission of GBC. The document is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets rules, intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.

v

Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND .................................................................................................. 1

1.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................ 1

1.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION (EA) ..................................... 1

1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS AND EIA TEAM .......................................................... 2

1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THIS EIA REPORT .................................................................................... 3

1.6 PROJECT MOTIVATION .................................................................................................... 6

1.7 NEED AND DESIRABILITY ................................................................................................. 7

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................... 1

2.1 PROJECT SITE SELECTION AND OVERVIEW ...................................................................... 1

2.2 PRESENT LAND USE ......................................................................................................... 2

2.3 KEY COMPONENTS OF THE MIXED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT .................................. 3

2.4 ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES ....................................... 5

2.4.1 Water ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.4.2 Sanitation ...................................................................................................................... 6

2.4.3 Electricity ....................................................................................................................... 7

2.4.4 Roads and Stormwater ................................................................................................ 7

2.4.5 Traffic ............................................................................................................................. 7

2.5 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE ...................................................................................... 8

2.5.1 Construction ................................................................................................................. 8

2.5.2 Operation ...................................................................................................................... 9

2.5.3 Decommissioning ........................................................................................................ 9

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................... 9

3.1 BIOPHYSICAL .................................................................................................................. 10

3.1.1 Climate ........................................................................................................................ 10

3.1.2 Geology and Soils ...................................................................................................... 10

3.1.3 Vegetation and Conservation Status ....................................................................... 11

4. APPROACH TO THE EIA & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .................................................... 16

4.2 OVERVIEW OF THE EIA PROCESS ................................................................................... 26

4.2.1 Scoping Phase ............................................................................................................ 28

vi

4.2.2 EIA Phase ..................................................................................................................... 29

4.2.3 Public Participation Process (PPP) ........................................................................... 30

4.3 APPROACH TO UNDERTAKING THE EIA ......................................................................... 33

4.4 SPECIALIST STUDIES ....................................................................................................... 36

4.4.1 Summary of Ecological and Wetland Impact Assessment ................................... 37

4.4.3 Summary Engineering Bulk Civil Services Report & Electrical ............................. 41

4.4.4 Summary Traffic Impact Study ................................................................................ 44

5. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................. 45

5.1 Fundamental Alternatives .................................................................................................. 45

5.1.1 Developer Alternatives .............................................................................................. 45

5.1.2 Location Alternatives ................................................................................................. 46

5.1.3 Incremental Alternatives ........................................................................................... 46

5.1.4 “No- Go Alternative” .................................................................................................. 46

6. ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ........................................................................ 49

6.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS ........................................................................................ 49

6.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE IMPACTS ........................................................................................... 62

6.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ........................................................................................................ 66

6.4 ASSESSMENT OF NO-GO ALTERNATIVE ............................................................................... 66

7. DESCRIPTION OF KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS ............................. 67

8. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 68

9. IMPACT STATEMENT .......................................................................................................... 70

10. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 71

Appendix: A ................................................................................................................................ 72

CURRICULUM VITAE AND EAP DECLARATION .................................................................... 72

Appendix: B ................................................................................................................................ 81

LOCALITY MAP ........................................................................................................................... 81

Appendix: C ................................................................................................................................ 83

SITE PHOTOS ............................................................................................................................. 83

Appendix: D ................................................................................................................................ 87

FACILITY ILLUSTRATION(S) ....................................................................................................... 87

vii

Appendix: E ................................................................................................................................ 89

SPECIALIST REPORTS .............................................................................................................. 89

Appendix: F ................................................................................................................................. 90

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ............................................................................................................ 90

Appendix: G .............................................................................................................................. 111

LIST OF APPLICABLE LEGISLATION ...................................................................................... 111

viii

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS REPORT

BID : Background Information Document

CBD : Central Business District

DARDLEA : Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental

Affairs

DEA : Department of Environmental Affairs

DWAF : Department of Water Affairs

DWS : Department of Water and Sanitation

EA : Environmental Authorisation

EAP : Environmental Assessment Practitioner

EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment

EIAr : Environmental Impact Assessment Report

EMP : Environmental Management Plan

EMPr : Environmental Management Programme

FSR : Final Scoping Report

GBC : Green-Box Consulting

GDP : Gross Domestic Product

GN : Government Notice

I&AP : Interested and Affected Party

IDC : Industrial Development Corporation

IEM : Integrated Environmental Management

NEMA : National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998)

NEM:PAA : National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No. 57 of 2003)

NEM:WA : National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008)

NHRA : National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999)

NWA : National Water Act (No. 59 of 2008)

PGDS : Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

PoSEIA : Plan of Study for Environmental Impact Assessment

PPP : Public Participation Process

PSDF : Provincial Spatial Development Framework

1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

Henopath (Pty) Ltd (the project proponent) is proposing the establishment of a

new mixed typology Residential Development and its associated infrastructure

outside the town of Leandra. The project footprint is approximately 545 hectares

and is situated on Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein no 313 in the province of

Mpumalanga. The property is owned by Henopath (Pty) Ltd and represents an

opportunity to fulfill the Proponents economic and environmental objectives.

Refer to Error! Reference source not found. for a locality map depicting the

locality of the proposed project. The new Mixed Residential Development will

consist of various types of land uses such as:

Social Housing (3 -Story);

Business Stands;

Free Standing Units;

Community Facilities;

Open Spaces;

Central Community points; and

Internal road network.

The primary objective of this initiative is to establish mixed formal residential

housing and related infrastructure for the residents of Leandra. Several land uses

are proposed for the development with residential and business stands

proposed. Community, open spaces and central community points are also

proposed to form part of the layout.

The provisional assumption is that the proposed development of the mixed

Residential Development will only take place after the upgrading of vital services

/ infrastructure has taken place in order to accommodate the new development.

Bulk water supply, Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) as well as electricity

supply networks needs to be upgraded as per the included services reports in

order to accommodate the said proposed development.

1

Figure 1.1: Locality map of the project site

1

1.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW

A great need for middle income residential units (mixed land-uses) has been

identified, which will include communal and open spaces as well. The area is well

suited as it will be situated next to an existing residential area with access being

gained through the R29 road, which is also the southern border of the proposed

site. Installation and connection to associated bulk services infrastructure will

form part of the development proposal. A township Establishment has been

approved on the open area between the proposed development and Leandra.

This proposal will further link the residential areas linking Eendracht to Leandra.

A conceptual layout has been prepared for the project which depicts the typical

mixed residential layouts that will be constructed within the proposed

development area (refer to Error! Reference source not found.).

Associated infrastructure includes bulk water provision, wastewater removal

infrastructure, roads and electricity supply. A detailed project description (based

on the conceptual design) is provided in Chapter Error! Reference source not

found. of this EIA Report.

A Feasibility Project Team was appointed to complete a feasibility study, and

concluded with the following key findings:

The town of Leandra (Govan Mbeki Local Municipality) is technically

viable with a proper demand for a new Mixed Residential Development &

the feasibility thereof;

Site is well located next to existing residential ervens;

Easy access to main roads;

Bulk service connection on perimeter of site;

Environmental risk can be managed; and

No topographical and ecological concerns.

1.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION (EA)

In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998, as

amended) (NEMA) and the NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Regulations (hereafter referred to as the “EIA Regulations”) promulgated in

Government Gazette 40772 and published in Government Notices (GN) R326,

R327, R325 and R324, the development of the proposed Mixed Residential

Development requires Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the Competent

Authority (CA) subject to the completion of a full Scoping and EIA process.

2

A detailed list of activities contained in Listing Notice 1 (GN R327), Listing Notice

2 (GN R325), and Listing Notice 3 (GN R327) which may be triggered by the

various project components and thus form part of this EIA Process is provided in

Chapter Error! Reference source not found. of this EIA Report.

The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and

Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) has been identified as the Competent

Authority (CA) for the project and is thus responsible for granting EA for the

project. The DARDLEA reference number for this project is: 1/3/1/16/1 G-131.

The purpose of the EIA is to identify, assess and report on any potential impacts

the proposed project may have on the receiving environment if implemented.

The environmental assessment therefore needs to show the Competent

Authority, DARDLEA, and the project proponent, Henopath (Pty) Ltd, what the

consequences of their choices will be in terms of impacts on the biophysical and

socio-economic environment and how such impacts can be, as far as possible,

enhanced or mitigated and managed as the case may be.

1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS AND EIA TEAM

In accordance with Regulation 12 of the EIA Regulations (GN R326) Henopath

(Pty) Ltd has appointed Green-Box Consulting as the independent environmental

consultants responsible for managing the application for EA, and supporting

Scoping and EIA process, inclusive of specialist studies and public participation

process.

Over the past 8 years Green-Box Consulting has been involved in the

management and execution of environmental assessment and management

studies for a multitude of projects across South Africa. These include projects

for both public and private sector clients. The Green-Box Consulting team

consequently offers a wealth of experience and appreciation of the

environmental and social priorities, and national policies and regulations in

South Africa.

The EIA project team is being led by Danie Krynauw, who is also the registered

Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) on the project. Danie will be

supported by Niel Badenhorst in the role of Technical Advisor.

Danie Krynauw is a Senior EAP at Green-Box Consulting and has a Master’s

Degree in Town and Regional Planning. Danie has over 15 years’

experience in the Environmental Management field, and has been involved

3

in various Basic Assessments, EIAs, and EMPs, in the land transformation

fields.

Niël Badenhorst is a Junior EAP at Green-Box Consulting and has a BA

Degree in Geography and Environmental Management. Niel has 5 years’

experience in environmental assessment studies. He has experience in the

Environmental Management field and has been involved in a diverse range

of Basic Assessments, and EIAs.

The EIA team involved in the EIA Process being conducted for the proposed

Mixed Residential Development is listed in Table 1.1. This team includes a

number of specialists which have been involved in or provided input into the EIA

Process.

Table 1.1: EIA Team

Name Organisation Role

Environmental Consultants

Danie Krynauw Green-Box Consulting Lead EAP

Niël Badenhorst Green-Box Consulting EAP Assistant

Specialists

Rikus Lampbrecht EcoFocus Consulting Ecological and Wetland

Specialist

Lloyd Rossouw Palaeo Field Services Heritage Impact

Assessment

Petrus J. Oosthuizen MVD Kalahari Engineering Bulk Civil

Services Report

S. Wessels S & W Consulting Electrical Services Report

Hendrik Wouter Swart Hamatino Consulting

Engineers

Traffic Impact Study

A Curriculum Vitae detailing the EAPs relevant experience and expertise, and a

signed EAP declaration of interest are included in Error! Reference source not


1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THIS EIA REPORT

This EIA Report has been prepared as part of the EIA process being conducted in

support of an application for EA for the proposed development of a new mixed

Residential Development. The primary objective of this EIA Report is to present

stakeholders, Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and the Competent

Authority- Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land

4

and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) with an overview of the predicted impacts

and associated management actions required to avoid or mitigate the negative

impacts; or to enhance the benefits of the proposed project. In broad terms, the

EIA Regulations (GN R326) stipulates that the EIA Process must be undertaken in

line with the approved Plan of Study for the EIA, and must include a description

of the potential environmental impacts, mitigation and closure outcomes, as well

as the residual risks of the proposed activity.

This EIA Report was preceded by a comprehensive Scoping Phase. During the

Scoping Phase, the Scoping Report was made available to Interested and

Affected Parties (I&APs) and stakeholders for a 30-day review period extending

from 25 June 2019 to 26 July 2019. Comments received during the 30-day

review period were incorporated into the Scoping Report (where required), and

the finalised Scoping Report was submitted to DARDLEA for acceptance.

Regulation 23 of the EIA Regulations (GN R326) refers to the submission and

consideration of EIA Reports and Environmental Management Programmes

(EMPrs), and states that:

(1) The applicant must within 106 days of the acceptance of the scoping report

submit to the competent authority –

(a) An environmental impact assessment report inclusive of any specialist

reports, and an EMPr, which must have been subjected to a public

participation process of at least 30 days and which reflects the

incorporation of comments received, including any comments of the

competent authority

(3) An environmental impact assessment report must contain all information

set out in Appendix 3 to these Regulations or comply with a protocol or

minimum information requirements relevant to the application as

identified and gazetted by the Minister in a government notice and, where

the application is for an environmental authorisation for prospecting,

exploration, extraction of a mineral or petroleum resource, including

primary processing or activities directly related thereto, the environmental

impact assessment report must contain attachments that address the

requirements as determined in the regulations, pertaining to the financial

provision for the rehabilitation, closure and post closure of prospecting,

exploration, mining or production operations, made in terms of the Act.

1

This EIA Report has been released to stakeholders for a 30-day review period in

accordance with the requirements of Regulations 43 and 44 (GN R326). All

I&APs on the current database for this EIA (refer to Error! Reference source not

found.) have been informed in writing of the release of the EIA Report for a 30-

day comment period. Comments received during the 30-day review period will

be included in the finalised EIA Report, to be submitted to DARDLEA for

decision-making.

A crucial objective of the EIA Report is to satisfy the requirements of Appendix 3

of the EIA Regulations (as noted in Regulation 23(3) of the GN R326). This

section regulates and prescribes the content of the EIA Report and specifies the

type of supporting information that must accompany the submission of the EIA

Report to the Competent Authority. An overview of where the requirements of

Appendix 3 of the EIA Regulations (GN R326) are addressed in this EIA Report is

presented in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2: Requirements for an EIA Report in terms of Appendix 3 of the

2014 NEMA EIA Regulations as amended

EIA

Regulation

Requirements for an EIA Report in terms of

Appendix 3 of the 2014 NEMA EIA Regulations

(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(a)

Details of –

(iii) The EAP who prepared the report, and

(iv) The expertise of the EAP, including a

curriculum vitae.

Chapter

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found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(b)

The location of the activity, including –

(i) The 21-digit Surveyor General code of each

cadastral land parcel,

(ii) Where available, the physical address and farm

name, and

(iii) Where the required information in items (i) and

(ii) is not available, the coordinates of the

boundary of the property or properties.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(c)

A plan which locates the proposed activity or

activities applied for as well as the associated

structures and infrastructure at an appropriate scale,

or, if it is –

(i) A linear activity, a description and coordinates

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

2

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

of the corridor in which the proposed activity

or activities is to be undertaken, or

(ii) On land where the property has not been

defined, the coordinates within which the

activity is to be undertaken.

Error!

Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(d)

A description of the scope of the proposed activity,

including –

(i) All listed and specified activities triggered and

being applied for, and

(ii) A description of the associated structures and

infrastructure related to the development.

Chapter

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Reference

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found.

Chapter

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found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(e)

A description of the policy and legislative context

within which the development is located and an

explanation of how the proposed development

complies with and responds to the legislation and

policy context.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(f)

A motivation for the need and desirability for the

proposed development, including the need and

desirability of the activity in the context of the

preferred development footprint within the

approved site as contemplated in the accepted

scoping report.

Chapter

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Reference

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found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(g)

A motivation for the preferred development

footprint within the approved site as contemplated

in the accepted scoping report.

Chapter

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found.

Chapter

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found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(h)

A full description of the process followed to reach

the proposed development footprint within the


scoping report, including:

Chapter

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Reference

source not

3

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

(i) Details of the development footprint

alternatives considered,

(ii) Details of the public participation process

undertaken in terms of regulation 41 of the

Regulations, including copies of the supporting

documents and inputs,

(iii) A summary of the issues raised by interested

and affected parties, and an indication of the

manner in which the issues were incorporated,

or the reasons for not including them,

(iv) The environmental attributes associated with

the development footprint alternatives

focusing on the geographical, physical,

biological, social, economic, heritage and

cultural aspects,

(v) The impacts and risks identified, including the

nature, significance, consequence, extent,

duration and probability of the impacts,

including the degree to which these impacts –

(aa) can be reversed,

(bb) may cause irreplaceable loss of resources,

and

(cc) can be avoided, managed or mitigated,

(vi) The methodology used in determining and

ranking the nature, significance, consequences,

extent, duration and probability of potential

environmental impacts and risks,

(vii) Positive and negative impacts that the

proposed activity and alternatives will have on

the environment and on the community that

may be affected focusing on the geographical,

physical, biological, social, economic, heritage

and cultural aspects,

(viii) The possible mitigation measures that could be

applied and level of residual risk,

(ix) If no alternative development footprints for the

activity were investigated, the motivation for

not considering such, and

(x) A concluding statement indicating the location

found.

Chapter

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Chapter

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Chapter

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Chapter

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Chapter

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4

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

of the preferred alternative development

footprint within the approved site as

contemplated in the accepted scoping report.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(i)

A full description of the process undertaken to

identify, assess and rank the impacts the activity and

associated structures and infrastructure will impose

on the preferred development footprint on the


scoping report through the life of the activity,

including –

(i) A description of all environmental issues and

risks that were identified during the

environmental impact assessment process, and

(ii) An assessment of the significance of each issue

and risk and an indication of the extent to

which the issue and risk could be avoided or

addressed by the adoption of mitigation

measures.

Chapter

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Reference

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found.

Chapter

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Reference

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found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(j)

An assessment of each identified potentially

significant impact and risk, including –

(i) Cumulative impacts,

(ii) The nature, significance and consequences of

the impact and risk,

(iii) The extent and duration of the impact and risk,

(iv) The probability of the impact and risk

occurring,

(v) The degree to which the impact and risk can be

reversed;

(vi) The degree to which the impact and risk may

cause irreplaceable loss of resources, and

(vii) The degree to which the impact and risk can be

mitigated.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(k)

Where applicable, a summary of the findings and

recommendations of any specialist report complying

with Appendix 6 to these Regulations and an

indication as to how these findings and

recommendations have been included in the final

assessment report.

Chapter

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Reference

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found.

Appendix 3 An environmental impact statement which contains Chapter

5

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

–

3.(1)(l)

–

(i) A summary of the key findings of the

environmental impact assessment,

(ii) A map at an appropriate scale which

superimposes the proposed activity and its

associated structures and infrastructure on the

environmental sensitivities of the preferred

development footprint on the approved site as

contemplated in the accepted scoping report

indicating any areas that should be avoided,

including buffers, and

(iii) A summary of the positive and negative

impacts and risks of the proposed activity and

identified alternatives.

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(m)

Based on the assessment, and where applicable,

recommendations from specialist reports, the

recording of proposed impact management

outcomes for the development for inclusion in the

EMPr as well as for inclusion as conditions of

authorisation.

Chapter

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found.

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found.

Part B

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(n)

The final proposed alternatives which respond to the

impact management measures, avoidance, and

mitigation measures identified through the

assessment.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(o)

Any aspects which were conditional to the findings

of the assessment either by the EAP or specialist

which are to be included as conditions of

authorisation.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(p)

A description of any assumptions, uncertainties and

gaps in knowledge which relate to the assessment

and mitigation measures proposed.

Chapter

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3 A reasoned opinion as to whether the proposed Chapter

6

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

–

3.(1)(q)

activity should or should not be authorised, and if

the opinion is that it should be authorised, any

conditions that should be made in respect of that

authorisation.

Error!

Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(r)

Where the proposed activity does not include

operational aspects, the period for which the

environmental authorisation is required and the date

on which the activity will be concluded, and the post

construction monitoring requirements finalised.

N/A

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(s)

An undertaking under oath or affirmation by the

EAP in relation to –

(i) The correctness of the information provided in

the reports,

(ii) The inclusion of comments and inputs from

stakeholders and I&APs,

(iii) The inclusion of inputs and recommendations

from the specialist reports where relevant, and

(iv) Any information provided by the EAP to

interested and affected parties and any

responses by the EAP to comments or inputs

made by interested or affected parties.

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Reference

source not

found.

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(t)

Where applicable, details of any financial provision

for the rehabilitation, closure, and ongoing post

decommissioning management of negative

environmental impacts.

N/A

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(u)

An indication of any deviation from the approved

scoping report, including the plan of study,

including –

(i) Any deviation from the methodology used in

determining the significance of potential

environmental impacts and risks, and

(ii) A motivation for the deviation.

N/A

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(v)

Any specific information that may be required by the

competent authority.

N/A

Appendix 3

–

3.(1)(w)

Any other matters required in terms of section

24(4)(a) and (b) of the Act.

N/A

Appendix 3 Where a government notice gazetted by the N/A

7

EIA

Regulation



(GN R326)

Location

in this EIA

Report

–

3.(2)

Minister provides for any protocol or minimum

information requirement to be applied to an

environmental impact assessment report the

requirements as indicated in such notice will apply.

1.6 PROJECT MOTIVATION

The proposed new Mixed Residential development will consist out of a number

of different housing and services which will be contained in the proposed

development area. The primary objective of the project is to supply additional

business, community facilities, open spaces, central community points and

different residential erven to the residents of Leandra / Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality area. This proposal will further link the residential areas linking

Eendracht to Leandra as a township Establishment has been approved on the

open area between the proposed development and Leandra.

The town of Leandra is situated in an area which is known to for its coal mining

activities, with 83% of South Africa’s coal production taking place in the province

of Mpumalanga. There are also platinum, gold and copper mines in the area

which attracts numerous jobseekers as well as families to the area. Due to these

factors a great need for especially residential, but also mixed land uses have

been identified. The conceptual layout depicts these typical ranges of facilities

(housing) and services that will be housed and include:


Business Stands;



Open Space;

Central Community points;

Main Roads and street networks.

Land Use m² HaProposed

Number Of Units Units Per Ha

% of

Development

Blue - Social Housing (3 Storey) 813240 81.32 6480 80 Units / Ha 14.75

Red - Business Stands 268503 26.8503 n/a n/a 4.87

Orange - Multey Storey Cru -Units 1115266 111.5266 8880 80 Units / Ha 20.23

Yellow - Free Standing Units 671814 67.1814 1340 20 Units / Ha 12.19

Purple - Community Facilities 375108 37.5108 n/a n/a 6.80

Green - Open Space 1227143 122.7143 n/a n/a 22.26

Ligh Green - Central Community point 60293 6.0293 n/a n/a 1.09

Main Roads 981439 98.1439 n/a n/a 17.80

5512806 551.2806 16700 Units 100

8

Figure 1.2: Unit proposal

1.7 NEED AND DESIRABILITY

One of the objectives of the EIA Process as defined by the 2014 EIA Regulations

(GN R326) is to:

“Describe the need and desirability of the proposed activity, including the need

and desirability of the activity in the context of the development footprint on the

approved site as contemplated in the accepted Scoping Report.”

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) published a Guideline on Need

and Desirability in 2017. The Guideline contains information on best practice

and how to meet the requirements prescribed by NEMA and sets out the

context for the consideration of the need and desirability of a development

involving any one of the NEMA listed activities. Need and desirability is based

on the principle of sustainability, set out in the Constitution and in NEMA, and

provided for in various policies and plans, including the National Development

Plan 2030 (NDP). Addressing the need and desirability of a development is a

way of ensuring sustainable development (i.e. ensuring that a development is

ecologically sustainable and socially and economically justifiable) and ensuring

the simultaneous achievement of the triple bottom-line.

The Guideline sets out a list of questions which should be addressed when

considering the need and desirability of a proposed development. These are

divided into questions that relate to ecological sustainability, and justifiable

economic and social development. The questions that relate to ecological

sustainability include how the development may impact ecosystems and

biological diversity, pollution, and renewable and non-renewable resources.

When considering how the development may affect or promote justifiable

economic and social development, the relevant spatial plans must be

considered, including Municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), Spatial

Development Frameworks (SDFs) and Environmental Management Frameworks

(EMFs). In accordance with the Guidelines, assessment reports need to provide

information as to how the development will address the socio-economic impacts

9

of the development, and whether any socio-economic impact resulting from the

development impact on people’s environmental rights.

Table 1.3 contains the list of questions from the DEA’s Guideline on Need and

Desirability, as well as the responses provided to the questions from the context

of the proposed new Mixed Residential development.

1

Table 1.3: “Need and Desirability” of the proposed project

Question Response

“Securing ecological sustainable development and use of natural resources”

1. How will this development (and its separate elements /

aspects) impact on the ecological integrity of the area)?

The manner in which the proposed development will impact on

the ecological integrity of the area has been assessed as part of

this EIA process, and is reported on in Chapter Error! Reference

source not found. of this EIA Report. Environmental

sensitivities present on site were assessed within the Ecological

and surface water assessment conducted for the project and

attached as Error! Reference source not found. to this EIA

Report.

1.1. How were the following ecological integrity

considerations taken into account?

1.1.1. Threatened Ecosystems.

1.1.2. Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or

stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores,

estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems

require specific attention in management and

planning procedures, especially where they are

subject to significant human resource usage

and development pressure.

1.1.3. Critical Biodiversity Areas ("CBAs") and

Ecological Support Areas ("ESAs").

1.1.4. Conservation targets.

1.1.5. Ecological drivers of the ecosystem.

1.1.5. Ecological drivers of the ecosystem.

1.1.6. Environmental Management Framework.

1.1.7. Spatial Development Framework.

1.1.8 Global and international responsibilities

relating to the environment (e.g. RAMSAR

sites, Climate Change, etc.).

2

Question Response

1.2. How will this development disturb or enhance

ecosystems and / or result in the loss or protection of

biological diversity? What measures were explored to

firstly avoid these negative impacts, and where these

negative impacts could not be avoided altogether,

what measures were explored to minimise and remedy

(including offsetting) the impacts? What measures

were explored to enhance positive impacts?



this EIA process, and is reported on in Chapter Error! Reference

source not found. of this EIA Report and the Ecological and

Wetland Impact Assessment / Surface Water Assessment

conducted for the project and attached as Error! Reference

source not found. to this EIA Report..

Measures with which to avoid, remedy, mitigate and manage

identified impacts are included within the Environmental

Management Programme (EMPr) prepared for the project and

included as Part B of this EIA Report.

1.3. How will this development pollute and / or degrade

the biophysical environment? What measures were

explored to firstly avoid these impacts, and where

impacts could not be avoided altogether, what

measures were explored to minimise and remedy

(including offsetting) the impacts? What measures

were explored to enhance positive impacts?





1.4. What waste will be generated by this development?

What measures were explored to firstly avoid waste,

and where waste could not be avoided altogether;

what measures were explored to minimise, reuse and /

or recycle the waste? What measures have been

explored to safely treat and / or dispose of



this EIA process, and are reported on in Chapter Error!

Reference source not found. of this EIA Report and the

Ecological and Wetland Impact Assessment/ Surface Water

Assessment conducted for the project and attached as Error!

3

Question Response

unavoidable waste? Reference source not found. to this EIA Report.





1.5. How will this development disturb or enhance

landscapes and / or sites that constitute the nation's

cultural heritage? What measures were explored to

firstly avoid these impacts, and where impacts could

not be avoided altogether, what measures were

explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting)

the impacts? What measures were explored to

enhance positive impacts?

A Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment has been undertaken as

part of the EIA process. The results of the assessment are

provided in Chapter Error! Reference source not found. of this

EIA Report, and a copy of the report is provided in Error!

Reference source not found. of this EIA Report.


identified heritage impacts are included within the

Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) prepared for

the project and included as Part B of this EIA Report.

1.6. How will this development use and / or impact on

non-renewable natural resources? What measures

were explored to ensure responsible and equitable use

of the resources? How have the consequences of the

depletion of the non-renewable natural resources

been considered? What measures were explored to

firstly avoid these impacts, and where impacts could

not be avoided altogether, what measures were

explored to minimise and remedy (including offsetting)

An Ecological and Wetland Impact Assessment / Surface Water

Assessment has been undertaken as part of the EIA process.

The results of the assessment are provided in Chapter Error!

Reference source not found. of this EIA Report, and a copy of

the report is provided in Error! Reference source not found. of

this EIA Report.


identified environmental impacts are included within the

4

Question Response

the impacts? What measures were explored to

enhance positive impacts?

Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) prepared for

the project and included as Part B of this EIA Report.

1.7. How will this development use and / or impact on

renewable natural resources and the ecosystem of

which they are part? Will the use of the resources and

/ or impact on the ecosystem jeopardise the integrity

of the resource and / or system taking into account

carrying capacity restrictions, limits of acceptable

change, and thresholds? What measures were

explored to firstly avoid the use of resources, or if

avoidance is not possible, to minimise the use of

resources? What measures were taken to ensure

responsible and equitable use of the resources? What

measures were explored to enhance positive impacts?

An overview of the resources required by the project is provided

in Chapter Error! Reference source not found. of this EIA

Report. An Engineering Services Study and Electrical Services

Study have also been conducted for the project. Summaries of

the studies are provided in Chapter Error! Reference source

not found. while copies of the reports are attached in Error!

Reference source not found. to this EIA Report.

1.7.1. Does the proposed development exacerbate

the increased dependency on increased use of

resources to maintain economic growth or

does it reduce resource dependency (i.e. de-

materialised growth)? (note: sustainability

requires that settlements reduce their

ecological footprint by using less material and

energy demands and reduce the amount of

waste they generate, without compromising

their quest to improve their quality of life).

1.7.2. Does the proposed use of natural resources

5

Question Response

constitute the best use thereof? Is the use

justifiable when considering intra- and

intergenerational equity, and are there more

important priorities for which the resources

should be used (i.e. what are the opportunity

costs of using these resources of the proposed

development alternative?).

1.7.3. Do the proposed location, type and scale of

development promote a reduced dependency

on resources?

1.8. How were a risk-averse and cautious approach applied

in terms of ecological impacts?:

The precautionary approach has been adopted for this

assessment, i.e. assuming the worst-case scenario will occur and

then identifying ways to mitigate or manage these impacts.

This EIA is being undertaken without specific technology

providers in mind, and therefore EA granted for the project will

need to cater for a range of industry profiles. The EIA will be

based on the project “envelope” approach, whereby a range of

potential project inputs and outputs will be specified (e.g. in

terms of maximum project footprint, bulk and scale of

structures), and the impact assessment provided for this project

envelope. Then provided that the detailed project design is

within this envelope, the assessment will remain valid.

1.8.1. What are the limits of current knowledge

(note: the gaps, uncertainties and assumptions

must be clearly stated)?

1.8.2. What is the level of risk associated with the

limits of current knowledge?

1.8.3. Based on the limits of knowledge and the level

of risk, how and to what extent was a risk-

averse and cautious approach applied to the

development?

1.9. How will the ecological impacts resulting from this

development impact on people's environmental right

The proposed project is not anticipated to impact on people’s

environmental right with regards to access to resources. The

6

Question Response

in terms following: project is proposed on land, which is owned by the Project

Proponent, Henopath (Pty) Ltd, and is currently used for animal

grazing purposes, with minimal other agricultural activities

taking place on the site. An EMPr has been compiled for the

proposed project to ensure that all potential negative impacts

identified are suitably managed and mitigated, and potential

positive impacts are enhanced, and is attached as Part B to this

EIA Report.

1.9.1. Negative impacts: e.g. access to resources,

opportunity costs, loss of amenity (e.g. open

space), air and water quality impacts, nuisance

(noise, odour, etc.), health impacts, visual

impacts, etc. What measures were taken to

firstly avoid negative impacts, but if avoidance

is not possible, to minimise, manage and

remedy negative impacts?

1.9.2. Positive impacts: e.g. improved access to

resources, improved amenity, improved air or

water quality, etc. What measures were taken

to enhance positive impacts?

1.10. Describe the linkages and dependencies between

human wellbeing, livelihoods and ecosystem services

applicable to the area in question and how the

development's ecological impacts will result in socio-

economic impacts (e.g. on livelihoods, loss of heritage

site, opportunity costs, etc.)?

The project is proposed on land which is owned by the Project

Proponent, Henopath (Pty) Ltd, and is currently used for animal

grazing purposes, with minimal other agricultural activities

taking place on the site, the proposed mixed residential

development will result in the area no longer be used for

agricultural purposes, however the area will contribute to socio-

economic objectives of the municipality.

An EMPr has been compiled for the proposed project to ensure

that all potential negative impacts identified are suitably

managed and mitigated, and potential positive impacts are

enhanced, and is attached as Part B to this EIA Report.

7

Question Response

1.11. Based on all of the above, how will this development

positively or negatively impact on ecological integrity

objectives / targets / considerations of the area?

The project is proposed on land, which is owned by the Project

Proponent, Henopath (Pty) Ltd, and is currently being used for

agricultural (animal grazing) purposes. The proposed project

would therefore result in the transformation of the natural area

into the mixed residential development area.

An EMPr has been compiled for the proposed project to ensure

that all potential negative impacts identified are suitably

managed and mitigated, and potential positive impacts are

enhanced, and is attached as Part B to this EIA Report.

1.12. Considering the need to secure ecological integrity

and a healthy biophysical environment, describe how

the alternatives identified (in terms of all the different

elements of the development and all the different

impacts being proposed), resulted in the election of

the "best practicable environmental option" in terms of

ecological considerations?

An assessment of different project alternatives is provided in


1.13. Describe the positive and negative cumulative

ecological / biophysical impacts bearing in mind the

size, scale, scope and nature of the project in relation

to its location and existing and other planned

developments in the area?

An assessment of cumulative impacts is provided in Chapter

Error! Reference source not found. of this EIA Report.

“Promoting justifiable economic and social development”

2.1. What is the socio-economic context of the area, based

on, amongst other considerations, the following

The proposed project will be supportive of the IDP’s objective of

creating more job opportunities. The proposed facility will

8

Question Response

considerations? assist in local job creation during the construction and

operation phases of development. However, employment

opportunities will be temporary during the construction phase

and long-term during the operational phase of the proposed

mixed residential development. The development will however

more sow focus on the supply of housing and business

opportunities for residents, and job seekers to the area.

2.1.1. The IDP (and its sector plans' vision, objectives,

strategies, indicators and targets) and any

other strategic plans, frameworks of policies

applicable to the area.

2.1.2. Spatial priorities and desired spatial patterns

(e.g. need for integration of segregated

communities, need to upgrade informal

settlements, need for densification, etc.).

The purpose of the Mpumalanga Provincial Spatial

Development Framework (PSDF) is to:

Be the spatial expression of the Provincial Growth and

Development Strategy (PGDS).

Guide (metropolitan, district and local) municipal

integrated development plans (IDPs) and spatial

development frameworks (SDFs) and provincial and

municipal framework plans (ie. sub-SDF spatial plans).

Help prioritise and align investment and infrastructure

plans of other provincial departments, as well as national

departments' and parastatals' plans and programmes in

the Province.

Provide clear signals to the private sector about desired

development directions.

Increase predictability in the development environment,

for example by establishing no-go, conditional and "go"

2.1.3. Spatial characteristics (e.g. existing land uses,

planned land uses, cultural landscapes, etc.)

2.1.4. Municipal Economic Development Strategy

("LED Strategy").

9

Question Response

areas for development and redress the spatial legacy of

apartheid.

The establishment of the Mixed Residential Development in

Leandra will promote the area for further investment, stimulate

and contribute towards the economy as well as created a

number of much needed housing facilities in the area. These

goals / outcomes that will result from the proposed

development are in line with long-term plans for the

municipality. Leandra has also been identified as one of the

areas with the potential to develop mixed residential

development- because of mines located in the province, and a

great need for residential and business properties in the area.

2.2. Considering the socio-economic context, what will the

socio-economic impacts be of the development (and

its separate elements / aspects), and specifically also

on the socio-economic objectives of the area?

There are also a number of positive socio-economic benefits will

result as a direct and indirect effect of this activity. The most

notable being:

Housing and Business supply in the area.

Job Creation.

Growth of the local, regional and provincial economies.

2.2.1. Will the development complement the local

socio-economic initiatives (such as local

economic development (LED) initiatives)?

2.3. How will this development address the specific

physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and

social needs and interests of the relevant

communities?

Developments such as the Leandra Mixed Residential

Development been identified as a priority project for

Mpumalanga to provide strategic housing, business and

investment opportunities.

2.4. Will the development result in equitable (intra and The proposed mixed residential development has been

10

Question Response

inter-generational) impact distribution, in the short-

and long term? Will the impact be socially and

economically sustainable in the short- and long-term?

identified as a priority project for Mpumalanga to provide

strategic investment opportunities. The proposed development

will result in social cohesion through the supply of housing and

business opportunities for residents and newcomers to the area,

the local economy will be stimulated through this development.

As long as the development is operational the positive effects

will be applicable to residents /businesspeople of the area.

2.5. In terms of location, describe how the placement of

the proposed development will:

The proposed development area is located west of the town of

Leandra in Mpumalanga province.

2.5.1. Result in the creation of residential and

employment opportunities in close proximity

to or integrated with each other.

2.5.2. Reduce the need for transport of people and

goods.



2.5.3. Result in access to public transport or enable

non-motorised and pedestrian transport (e.g.

will the development result in densification

and the achievement of thresholds in terms

public transport).



2.5.4. Compliment other uses in the area. The Mixed Residential Development project has been identified

as a priority project for Mpumalanga to provide housing and

business stands for the area, which has in recent years seen an

increase of residents, especially lower to middle income

individuals.

2.5.5. Be in line with the planning for the area.

2.5.6. For urban related development, make use of The land proposed for the development is well located between

11

Question Response

underutilised land available with the urban

edge.

the town of Leandra, Leandra’s residential extensions, and

Residential extension of Eendracht. Integration of these areas

will be achieved through the proposal.

2.5.7. Optimise the use of existing resources and

infrastructure.








2.5.8. Opportunity costs in terms of bulk

infrastructure expansions in non-priority areas

(e.g. not aligned with the bulk infrastructure

planning for the settlement that reflects the

spatial reconstruction priorities of the

settlement).








2.5.9. Discourage "urban sprawl" and contribute to

compaction / densification.

The land proposed for the development is well located between

the town of Leandra, Leandra’s residential extensions, and

Residential extension of Eendracht. Integration of these areas

will be achieved through the proposal.

2.5.10. Contribute to the correction of the historically

distorted spatial patterns of settlements and to

the optimum use of existing infrastructure in

excess of current needs.

The proposed Mixed Residential Development in Leandra will

afford people the opportunity to live and work in the area, in

the past much of the area was not available to live in and

workers had to travel far from work to home on a daily basis.

12

Question Response

2.5.11. Encourage environmentally sustainable land

development practices and processes.

Based on the findings of this EIA, the proposed project would

not have a significant (“high”) negative impact on the receiving

environment, with the implementation of suitable mitigation

measures. No impacts of high significance (with the

implementation of mitigation measures) were identified in the

EIA. Currently, the site is mostly used for agricultural purposes.

2.5.12. Take into account special locational factors

that might favour the specific location (e.g. the

location of a strategic mineral resource, access

to the port, access to rail, etc.).

No special location factors were identified the proposed

property is partly utilised as grazing fields, therefore an

agricultural land use.

2.5.13. The investment in the settlement or area in

question will generate the highest socio-

economic returns (i.e. an area with high

economic potential).

Investment in the area has been identified as a priority s there is

currently a lack of housing / business opportunities in the area.

The proposed Mixed Residential Development will result in high

economic potential and will uncourtly stimulate the local

community, as well as Mpumalanga’s economy in a positive

way.

2.5.14. Impact on the sense of history, sense of place

and heritage of the area and the socio-cultural

and cultural-historic characteristics and

sensitivities of the area.

A Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment has been undertaken as

part of the EIA process. The results of the assessment are


EIA Report, and a copy of the report is provided in Error!


2.5.15. In terms of the nature, scale and location of

the development promote or act as a catalyst

to create a more integrated settlement.

The supply of housing in the area through the mixed residential

development has been identified as a priority project for

Mpumalanga to provide strategic investment opportunities.

The proposed area is currently only utilized as agricultural land,

13

Question Response

with cattle grazing on the area, the proposed site is also located

next to the town of Leandra and will therefore integrate with

existing residential / business practices.

2.6. How were a risk-averse and cautious approach applied

in terms of socio-economic impacts?

The proposed Mixed Residential Development project has been

identified as a priority project for Mpumalanga.

2.6.1. What are the limits of current knowledge

(note: the gaps, uncertainties and assumptions

must be clearly stated)?

2.6.2. What is the level of risk (note: related to

inequality, social fabric, livelihoods, vulnerable

communities, critical resources, economic

vulnerability and sustainability) associated with

the limits of current knowledge?

2.6.3. Based on the limits of knowledge and the level

of risk, how and to what extent was a risk-

averse and cautious approach applied to the

development?

2.7. How will the socio-economic impacts resulting from

this development impact on people's environmental

right in terms following:



2.7.1. Negative impacts: e.g. health (e.g. HIV Aids),

safety, social ills, etc. What measures were

taken to firstly avoid negative impacts, but if

avoidance is not possible, to minimise,

manage and remedy negative impacts?

14

Question Response

2.7.2. Positive impacts. What measures were taken

to enhance positive impacts?

2.8. Considering the linkages and dependencies between

human wellbeing, livelihoods and ecosystem services,

describe the linkages and dependencies applicable to

the area in question and how the development's

socioeconomic impacts will result in ecological impacts

(e.g. over utilisation of natural resources, etc.)?



2.9. What measures were taken to pursue the selection of

the "best practicable environmental option" in terms of

socio-economic considerations?



2.10. What measures were taken to pursue environmental

justice so that adverse environmental impacts shall not

be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly

discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable

and disadvantaged persons (who are the beneficiaries

and is the development located appropriately)?

Considering the need for social equity and justice, do

the alternatives identified, allow the "best practicable

environmental option" to be selected, or is there a

need for other alternatives to be considered?



2.11. What measures were taken to pursue equitable access

to environmental resources, benefits and services to

meet basic human needs and ensure human wellbeing,

and what special measures were taken to ensure



15

Question Response

access thereto by categories of persons disadvantaged

by unfair discrimination?

2.12. What measures were taken to ensure that the

responsibility for the environmental health and safety

consequences of the development has been addressed

throughout the development's life cycle?

An EMPr has been developed to address health and safety

concerns. An Environmental Control Officer will be appointed

to monitor compliance.

2.13. What measures were taken to: An overview of the PPP is provided in Chapter Error! Reference

source not found. of this EIA Report and supporting

documentation pertaining to the PPP is attached as Error!


2.13.1. Ensure the participation of all interested and

affected parties.

2.13.2. Provide all people with an opportunity to

develop the understanding, skills and capacity

necessary for achieving equitable and effective

participation.

2.13.3. Ensure participation by vulnerable and

disadvantaged persons.

2.13.4. Promote community wellbeing and

empowerment through environmental

education, the raising of environmental

awareness, the sharing of knowledge and

experience and other appropriate means.

2.13.5. Ensure openness and transparency, and access

to information in terms of the process.

2.13.6. Ensure that the interests, needs and values of

all interested and affected parties were taken

16

Question Response

into account, and that adequate recognition

were given to all forms of knowledge,

including traditional and ordinary knowledge.

2.13.7. Ensure that the vital role of women and youth

in environmental management and

development were recognised and their full

participation therein was promoted.

2.14. Considering the interests, needs and values of all the

interested and affected parties, describe how the

development will allow for opportunities for all the

segments of the community (e.g. a mixture of low-,

middle-, and high-income housing opportunities) that

is consistent with the priority needs of the local area

(or that is proportional to the needs of an area)?

An overview of the PPP is provided in Chapter Error! Reference

source not found. of this EIA Report and supporting

documentation pertaining to the PPP is attached as Error!


2.15. What measures have been taken to ensure that current

and / or future workers will be informed of work that

potentially might be harmful to human health or the

environment or of dangers associated with the work,

and what measures have been taken to ensure that the

right of workers to refuse such work will be respected

and protected?

An EMPr has been developed to address health and safety

concerns. An Environmental Control Officer will be appointed

to monitor compliance.

2.16. Describe how the development will impact on job

creation in terms of, amongst other aspects:

During the construction phase, both skilled and unskilled

temporary employment opportunities will be created. It is

difficult to specify the actual number of employment

opportunities that will be created at this stage; however it is

2.16.1. The number of temporary versus permanent

jobs that will be created.

17

Question Response

2.16.2. Whether the labour available in the area will

be able to take up the job opportunities (i.e.

do the required skills match the skills available

in the area).

expected that more than 100 opportunities will be created. This

EIA is being undertaken without specific technology providers in

mind, and it is therefore not possible to determine the number

of jobs that would be available during the operational phase of

development. 2.16.3. The distance from where labourers will have to

travel.

2.16.4. The location of jobs opportunities versus the

location of impacts (i.e. equitable distribution

of costs and benefits).

2.16.5. The opportunity costs in terms of job creation

(e.g. a mine might create 100 jobs, but impact

on 1000 agricultural jobs, etc.).

2.17. What measures were taken to ensure: Legislation, policies and guidelines, which could apply to

impacts of the proposed project on the environment, have been

considered. The scope and content of this EIA Report has been

informed by applicable integrated environmental management

legislation and policies. Chapter Error! Reference source not

found. of this EIA Report and the specialist studies included in

Error! Reference source not found. of this EIA Report also

provide a description of the relevant applicable legislation that

the proposed development complies with.

2.17.1. That there were intergovernmental

coordination and harmonisation of policies,

legislation and actions relating to the

environment.

2.17.2. That actual or potential conflicts of interest

between organs of state were resolved

through conflict resolution procedures?

Public Participation has been undertaken as part of the Scoping

Phase for this EIA process, and to date no information on

potential conflicts of interest have been received. A Comments

and Response Report containing all the comments received to

18

Question Response

date is attached as Error! Reference source not found. of this

EIA Report.

2.18. What measures were taken to ensure that the

environment will be held in public trust for the people,

that the beneficial use of environmental resources will

serve the public interest, and that the environment will

be protected as the people's common heritage?

Public participation forms an integral part of the EIA Process

and assists in identifying issues and possible alternatives to be

considered during the EIA Process. An overview of the PPP is


EIA Report and supporting documentation pertaining to the

PPP is attached as Error! Reference source not found. of this

EIA Report.

2.19. Are the mitigation measures proposed realistic and

what long-term environmental legacy and managed

burden will be left?

The proposed mitigation measures included in the EMPr

prepared for the project and attached as Part B to this EIA

Report have been informed by the specialist studies undertaken

and includes a detailed assessment of the environment as well

as the impacts associated with the proposed development.

2.20. What measures were taken to ensure that the costs of

remedying pollution, environmental degradation and

consequent adverse health effects and of preventing,

controlling or minimising further pollution,

environmental damage or adverse health effects will

be paid for by those responsible for harming the

environment?

The EMPr prepared for the project and attached as Part B to this

EIA Report must form part of the contractual agreement and be

adhered to by Project Proponent, and Contractor(s) / workers.

2.21. Considering the need to secure ecological integrity

and a healthy bio-physical environment, describe how

the alternatives identified (in terms of all the different

elements of the development and all the different

An assessment of different project alternatives is provided in


19

Question Response

impacts being proposed), resulted in the selection of

the best practicable environmental option in terms of

socio-economic considerations?

2.22. Describe the positive and negative cumulative socio-

economic impacts bearing in mind the size, scale,

scope and nature of the project in relation to its

location and other planned developments in the area?

An assessment of cumulative impacts is provided in Chapter

Error! Reference source not found. of this EIA Report.

1

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This chapter provides an overview of the conceptual project design and project

site identified for the proposed development of the Mixed Residential

Development in Leandra.

The purpose of this chapter is to present sufficient project information to inform

the EIA Process in terms of design parameters applicable to the project. It is

important to note that the project description details presented in this EIA

Report are preliminary in nature at this early stage of the project life-cycle and it

is therefore likely that some of the design features, presented herein may

change during the detailed design phase. However, the project description (and

design) utilised in this EIA Process assumes a worst-case scenario, where the

maximum development footprint and requisite infrastructure is considered.

Error! Reference source not found. presents the preliminary “footprint” of the

proposed facility (bearing in mind that the entire site is to be cleared).

Consequently, should any changes in project design be affected; such changes

will only serve to reduce the overall infrastructure requirement and / or

development footprint.

2.1 PROJECT SITE SELECTION AND OVERVIEW

The study area falls within the jurisdiction of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

and Gert Sibande District Municipality. The proposed site is situated

approximately 2km north-west of the town of Leandra Central Business District

(CBD), which is located in the province of Mpumalanga. (see Map 2). The R29 is

located on the southern border of the proposed new mixed residential

development, the R29 road enters the town of Leandra from the east. The

proposed area falls almost entirely on undisturbed Themeda triandra fields, with

most of the area still in moderate to good state. The area has a localised

topographic highpoint/ridge apex which roughly traverses through the centre of

the assessment area in a north-south direction. This highpoint acts as a surface

water drainage separation between the areas west and east of the ridge apex

and surface water from the assessment area therefore drains in an easterly and

westerly direction respectively. This has resulted in the entire assessment area

forming part of a localised catchment and surface water drainage area which

feeds into numerous first order ephemeral water drainage lines within the

assessment area. These drainage lines subsequently join a number of significant

2

second and third order watercourses downstream outside to the east and west

of the assessment area. The assessment area therefore forms an important part

of the upper commencement portion of a quaternary surface water catchment

and drainage area which regionally drains towards the north.

The assessment area can be divided into four separate ecological components

namely:

Terrestrial

o Undulating grassland slopes and hills

o Isolated rocky outcrops

o Transformed and Degraded areas

Aquatic

o Watercourses and Wetland area

It must however be kept in mind that although the assessment area is being

artificially divided into separate components for practical reporting purposes,

the components do not function independently and should not be viewed as

separate, isolated units, but rather form part of a larger interrelated ecological

network associated with the entire assessment area and broader surrounding

ecosystem.

Undulating Grassland Slopes and Hills

The overwhelming majority of the assessment area constitutes homogenous

undulating medium height open grassland slopes and hills. These grassland

areas are mainly in a relatively natural condition although lower grass tuft

densities and biomass within the northern camps of the assessment area relative

to the southern camps are evident which indicate a slight degree of overgrazing.

It is likely that these northern camps were utilised as winter feed during the

previous dry season, hence the lower biomass.

The grassland areas are situated on dark, high clay content vertic soils as

opposed to the expected deep reddish soils typically associated with the

relevant Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8). It is therefore

3

evident that the assessment area does not necessarily constitute a representative

‘type’ sample of the nationally vulnerable Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation

type (Gm 8) but rather forms part of the more clayey vegetation types

associated with the Mpumalanga Province.

The grassland areas are mainly dominated by the species Eragrostis chloromelas

& Themeda triandra while other grass species also found to be present include

Eragrostis curvula, E capensis, Cynodon dactylon, Hyparrhenia hirta,

Cymbopogon pospischilii & Aristida spp. Forb species found to be present

include Helichrysum spp., Gnidia burchellii, Falkia oblonga, Oenothera tetraptera,

Aptosimum indivisum, Gazania krebsiana subsp krebsiana & subsp serrulata,

Euphorbia clavaroides, Convolvulus saggitatus subsp. saggitatus, Lessertia

stricta, Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca, Conyza podocephala, Ledebouria revoluta &

Hermannia depressa. Only a single individual of the provincially protected

species Boophone disticha was found to be present within the grassland areas; it

is however likely that more individuals of this species might be present.

Individuals of the low growing woody shrub species Seriphium plumosum are

sparsely scattered throughout the northern camps of the assessment area.

Due to the natural state of the grassland areas, these areas are likely utilised by a

variety of common and specialised small antelope, burrowing and predatory

mammals as well as reptilian species for breeding, foraging and persistence

purposes. Although the assessment area and surrounding landscape does not

fall within any Important Bird Area (IBA) as per the latest IBA map obtained from

the Birdlife SA website (www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/important bird

areas/iba-map), the grassland areas also provide significant natural breeding,

foraging and persistence habitat for numerous avifaunal species.

The potential presence of the provincially protected and Red Data Listed

vulnerable species Tyto capensis (African grass owl) forms one of the core

features resulting in the demarcation of the relevant CBA optimal within north-

western portion of the assessment area. No individuals or nests of this species

were however encountered during the site visit. The absence of optimal habitat

in the form of very tall dense grassland with specific mention to the absence of

the grass species Imperata cylindrica (often favoured for nesting) also reduces

the likelihood of the potential presence of this species. The continued presence

and activities of large herds of livestock utilising the area, further reduces the

4

probability of presence. It can therefore be reasonably assumed that there is

merely a low to moderate possibility of this species utilising the grassland areas

for breeding and persistence purposes. No Red Data Listed or nationally

protected species or any other species of conservational significance were found

to be present within the grassland areas.

Isolated Rocky Outcrops

Four distinct linear rocky ridges/outcrops are exposed at separate locations

within the grassland areas along the western boundary of the assessment area.

Diagnostic vegetation species associated with the rocky ridges/outcrops, which

are absent from the surrounding grassland areas include the ferns Pellaea

calomelanos & Cheilanthes eckloniana, the forbs Eulophia clavicornis

(provincially protected), Cyrtanthus tuckii (provincially protected) Gerbera

piloselloides as well as the woody species Diospyros austro-africana, D lycioides

& Kiggelaria africana.

Remnants of an historic farm homestead are evident on the upper plateau of the

most southerly situated rocky ridge/outcrop. A clump of the legally declared

invasive species Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Category 1b) is subsequently present

in this area which was probably planted by the historic occupants of the

homestead.

Although not necessarily viewed as being of high conservational significance,

these rocky ridges/outcrops possess locally unique/distinct habitat attributes

due their increased exposure of surface rockiness and subsequent shallower soils

as well as their sheltering nature. It is therefore reasonably expected that these

areas are utilised by various specialised reptilian species as refuge and for

breeding/persistence purposes. With the exception of the most southerly

situated rocky ridge/outcrop, the rest fall within the CBA optimal which is

present in the north-western portion of the assessment area. It is therefore

recommended that these portions of the rocky ridges/outcrops should be

adequately buffered out of the proposed development footprint area.

No Red Data Listed or nationally protected species or any other species of

conservational significance were found to be present within the rocky

ridges/outcrops.

5

Transformed and Degraded Areas

The small southern and northern portions of the assessment area have been

completely transformed through cultivated lands and virtually no natural

vegetation remains. The ecological functionality and value of these two areas

have therefore been completely lost. The southern portions are being planted

under grass pasture such as Eragrostis curvula for baling and livestock fodder.

A number of small ephemeral water drainage lines, which form part of the

localised catchment and drainage area, however still run through the cultivated

northern portion. It is therefore recommended that these drainage lines be

adequately buffered out of the proposed development footprint.

Two portions along the western boundary of the assessment area have also

been densely infested by the shrub species Seriphium plumosum (bankrupt

bush). This species is classified as an undesired indicator species of bush

encroachment in accordance with the Conservation of Agricultural Resources

Development Act (Act 43 of 1983) Regulations: Regulation 16. It is a significant

problematic plant throughout Mpumalanga which invades natural grassland by

outcompeting and replacing the natural grass and forbs species present. The

species also possesses allelopathic characteristics which means that a toxic

chemical substance is available within the leaves which prevents other plant

seeds from germinating and establishing in the immediate vicinity of the

bankrupt bush individuals. This adds to a considerable decrease in natural grass

species establishment within such infested areas which in turn, leads to a

decrease in ecological veld condition. It is recommended that active

management/eradication measures be implemented within the infested areas as

soon as practicably possible in order to prevent further increase in density and

spreading of the infestation throughout the farm over time.

Watercourses and Wetland Area

Due to the undulating topography of the assessment area, numerous ephemeral

water drainage lines/areas are present which subsequently feed into a number

of significant second and third order watercourses downstream outside to the

east and west of the assessment area. The entire assessment area therefore

forms an important part of the upper commencement portion of a quaternary

6

surface water catchment and drainage area which regionally drains towards the

north. Small earth dams have subsequently been constructed within three of

these water drainage lines/areas.

Due to the ephemerality of these drainage lines/areas within the assessment

area, they possess no distinct riparian zones or significant variation in vegetation

species composition relative to the surrounding grassland areas.

A single significant ephemeral watercourse and associated narrow channelled

valley-bottom wetland area traverses the western portion of the assessment

area. It then exits the assessment area after which it briefly re-enters the

assessment area in the north-western corner, where it forms a slightly broader

valley-bottom wetland area. A small earth dam has also subsequently been

constructed within the watercourse.

This watercourse and associated wetland area possess a distinct aquatic

vegetation component mainly dominated by the hydrophytic species Typha

capensis & Cyperus spp. The watercourse and associated wetland area

subsequently provide significant natural breeding, foraging and persistence

habitat for a diversity of specialised amphibian, aquatic avifaunal and

invertebrate species. The potential presence of the provincially protected species

Pyxicephalus adspersus (African giant bullfrog) forms one of the core features

resulting in the demarcation of the relevant CBA optimal within north-western

portion of the assessment area. Although no individuals of this species were

encountered, and no calls detected during the site visit, the watercourse and

associated wetland area provide suitable habitat for its potential presence. It can

therefore be reasonably assumed that there is a moderate possibility of this

species utilising the areas for breeding and persistence purposes.

7

Table 2.1: Overview of Project Site

FEATURE DETAIL

Land Portion

Number Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein 313

Size 545 hectares

Registered Owner Henopath (Pty) Ltd

Title Deed

Number T42505/2007

Access Direct access along the R29

Land use Agriculture - Cattle grazing

Occupancy Vacant

Ground conditions Dominated by natural grass groundcover- Themeda

triandra

Corner coordinates of the proposed development site (refer to Figure 2.1) are

presented in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Corner coordinates of the proposed development site.

Corner Point Latitude Longitude

A 26°22'29.21"S 28°54'4.88"E

B 26°20'14.81"S 28°52'41.15"E

C 26°20'30.48"S 28°51'51.80"E

D 26°20'41.17"S 28°51'55.86"E

E 26°20'27.19"S 28°52'40.16"E

F 26°21'55.91"S 28°52'40.73"E

G 26°22'5.33"S 28°52'50.27"E

H 26°22'12.40"S 28°53'3.25"E

I 26°22'21.80"S 28°53'7.59"E

J 26°22'26.52"S 28°53'7.35"E

K 26°22'54.12"S 28°53'41.85"E

1

Figure 2.1: Locality map of the project site

2

Figure 2.1: Map showing corner points of the proposed development site.

2.2 PRESENT LAND USE

The investigated site is located roughly 2,0 km west of the town centre of

Leandra, north of the R29 road which snakes from Devon in the west to Leandra,

east of the proposed site. Access to theproposed rresidential development can be

gained through the R29.

In accordance with the Govan Mbeki Spatial Development Framework 2014 -2034

(SDF), the assessment area falls inside the urban edge and is zoned for residential

and mixed use development. Currently the land is vacant and consits of

eragrostis grass cultivation on the southern portion , with grassveld on the rest.

The western side is in close proximity toa drainage line. Active land use only

relates to gattle grasing. The assessment area consists of a single surface

footprint area of approximately 545 hectares in size and is situated on Portion 2

of the Farm Rietfontein 313 outside of the town of Leandra, and north-east of

Eendracht.

3

The proposed site (assessment area) is situated in the Gert Sibande District

Municipality, in the Mpumalanga Province. In accordance with the Spatial

Development Framework (SDF) within the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

Integrated Development Plan 2017 – 2022 (IDP), the assessment area falls outside

the urban edge. Access to the assessment area is obtained via the R 29 provincial

road which is situated south of the site.

2.3 KEY COMPONENTS OF THE MIXED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

The project footprint is approximately 545 hectares and is situated on Portion 2

of the Farm Rietfontein no 313. The conceptual layout depicts these typical

ranges of facilities (housing) and services that will be housed and include:


Business Stands;



Open Space;

Central Community points;

Main Roads and street networks.

Land Use m² HaProposed

Number Of Units Units Per Ha

% of

Development

Blue - Social Housing (3 Storey) 813240 81.32 6480 80 Units / Ha 14.75

Red - Business Stands 268503 26.8503 n/a n/a 4.87

Orange - Multey Storey Cru -Units 1115266 111.5266 8880 80 Units / Ha 20.23

Yellow - Free Standing Units 671814 67.1814 1340 20 Units / Ha 12.19

Purple - Community Facilities 375108 37.5108 n/a n/a 6.80

Green - Open Space 1227143 122.7143 n/a n/a 22.26

Ligh Green - Central Community point 60293 6.0293 n/a n/a 1.09

Main Roads 981439 98.1439 n/a n/a 17.80

5512806 551.2806 16700 Units 100 Table 3: Unit proposal

This EIA is being undertaken without specific technology providers in mind, and

therefore EA granted for the project will need to cater for a range of housing and

business profiles. The EIA will be based on the project “envelope” approach,

whereby a range of potential project inputs and outputs will be specified (e.g. in

terms of maximum project footprint, bulk and scale of structures), and the impact

4

assessment provided for this project envelope. Then provided that the detailed

project design is within this envelope, the assessment will remain valid.

Figure 2.3: Concept layout with components of mixed residential

development

N

5

2.4 ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

Rand Water is the only supplier of potable water to the town of Leandra through

a bulk water supply line and a series of reservoirs. No boreholes are in operation

for the supply of additional water to the bulk supply network. No water treatment

works are therefore found within the municipal boundaries of the town.

The town of Leandra is being supplied off the East Dump Mine –

Wildebeesfontein reservoir pipelines. These pipes are rising mains supplied from

the RW Bloemendal booster pump station with the estimated maximum pumping

capacity of 120 Mℓ/day (2 x 60 Mℓ/day). Currently the Bloemendal booster pump

station is operating at its maximum capacity, hence the East Dump

Mine/Wildebeestfontein reservoir system has insufficient water to supply the

proposed new development in Leandra. Rand Water is currently in the planning

stage of increasing the capacity by the implementing of an upgrade schedule.

Time frames however are not known at this stage. The total demands required for

this proposed development has been supplied to Rand Water to be used for their

long-term planning.

In terms of sanitation the current capacity of the Waste Water Treatment Works

(WWTW) of Leandra is 8.5 Mℓ/day with a spare capacity of 3 Mℓ/day. This has

been confirmed by the District Municipality in a meeting at the Govan Mbeki

District Municipality in Secunda with Mr. Rofhiwa Mulaudzi, Acting Deputy

Director.

The WWTW is some 1,5km east of the proposed development. Also shown is the

existing bulk sewer lines closest to the proposed development which is made up

of gravity and rising mains.

The proposed Leandra Integrated Housing Development is bordered in the south

by the R29 which is a provincial road connecting Springs, Devon and Leandra.

The N17 National Route is further south and runs parallel to the R29. Also

indicated on the layout are several other entrance/exits to the proposed

development.

6

The main access initially to the development will be from the R29.

2.4.1 Water

As per Engineering Services Report, 2019, various options for securing sources for

future bulk water supply to this area as well as the upgrading of the bulk water

storage and distribution infrastructure for the region as a whole will have to be

considered. Discussions with Rand Water which is the sole potable water supply

agent to the town of Leandra indicated that they are currently in the process of

addressing this situation. The demand figures for this proposed development

have been forwarded to Rand Water, Me. Hape Sebatana, Senior Planning

Engineer: Rand Water for planning purposes.

The design of the potable water network will comply with the design standards

and criteria as set out in the “Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and

Design”. In accordance with the water demand calculations the study area will

need at least 42 Mℓ (48-hour storage capacity) combined low level reservoirs with

a demand of 243ℓ/s at peak flow demand. Several elevated storage reservoirs will

also be required to cater for the peak demands for the different areas which will

be determined in the prefeasibility design phase.

2.4.2 Sanitation

The sewer system for the proposed development will be water borne and will

incorporate a network of uPVC pipes with diameters ranging from 160mm to

250mm. Due to the topography of the site; the development site can be divided

into 3 drainage zones. The 3 zones will have to be sub-divided into sub-zones

due to the size of the proposed development to prevent too deep excavations for

gravity pipelines.

Once a geotechnical report of the area has been compiled, the economic

comparison will be done between deeper excavations for a gravity pipelines

versus shallower pumping lines.

A new WWTW is to be constructed with a capacity of at least 15 Mℓ/day

including bulk infrastructure pipelines connecting the study area with the new

7

WWTW. It is envisaged that the entire internal sewer network will require main

collectors ranging from 200mm Ø to 355mm Ø to handle the PWWF for the

various sub-areas. The terrain lends itself to gravity pipelines for most of the

development but will require several pump stations with rising sewer mains to

transfer sewer from these low points (due to the drainage zones encountered on

this site) to the new WWTW. The collector lines will gravitate to a low point from

where it will be pumped to the WWTW. It is also possible for some drainage

areas within the study area to gravitate to the WWTW. This will however be

determined during the pre-feasibility design phase.

2.4.3 Electricity

Leandra electricity network falls under the jurisdiction of ESKOM and is supplied

from the local Eskom 132kV substation referred to as the Lebohang/Wildebees

SS. S&W Consulting (2019) determined that there is currently not enough

capacity at the Lebohang SS and the sufficient electivity supply to the Rietfontein

Town Establishment is dependent on one of the strengthening projects planned

by Eskom.

2.4.4 Roads and Stormwater

The provincial road R29 will connect the proposed development with the town of

Leandra amongst other. Other entrance/exit roads are also shown on the town

layout but most of the shown entrance/exit roads’ link roads have not been

constructed yet.

All minor storm water will be accommodated in the underground storm water

system and the surfaced streets, bus and taxi routes. Culverts will also be

introduced to convey storm water underneath roads at crossing of natural

drainage lines.

2.4.5 Traffic

Based on the conclusions that have been derived from this Traffic Impact Study

(TIS), the following are recommended:

That the development be supported from a traffic engineering point of view;

8

That the following intersection be upgraded by the developer:

R29 (P5/1) / Scheepers Street intersection;

R29 (P5/1) / Bezuidenhout Street intersection;

R29 (P5/1) / R50 intersection;

That an additional new access to the development be provided on the R29

road;

Bus lay buy shall be provided along the main access and internal road at

distances of approximately 600m apart.

2.5 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

2.5.1 Construction

The construction phase will take place subsequent to the issuing of EA. The

construction phase is expected to take past over a number of years in phases, as

the development area will consists out of various land uses. It is therefore

foreseen that the construction phase will take around 2 to 3 years to be

completed, the exact timeframes are however not known at this stage. The

construction phase will involve the removal of vegetation as is currently on the

site, transportation of personnel, construction material and equipment to the site,

and personnel away from the site. In terms of site establishment, laydown areas

will be required at the outset of the construction phase, as well as dedicated

access routes from the laydown areas to the working areas. Haul roads for

construction traffic (for the delivery of concrete, road materials and other

construction materials) will be required.

The laydown areas will be located at the project site. It is expected that the

laydown areas will be temporary in nature (for the duration of the construction

phase) and will include the establishment of construction site camps (including

site offices and other temporary facilities for the appointed Contractors). The

laydown areas are expected to cover a maximum area of 500m² to 800m²

(depending on the contracting strategy at the time). If the laydown area is

located outside of the footprint of Mixed Residential Development area, the area

9

will be rehabilitated (i.e. returned to its pre-construction condition) at the end of

the construction phase.

All efforts will be made to ensure that all construction work will be undertaken in

compliance with local, provincial and national legislation, local and international

best practice, as well as the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr)

included as Part B to this EIA Report. During the construction phase, both skilled

and unskilled temporary employment opportunities will be created. It is difficult

to specify the actual number of employment opportunities that will be created at

this stage, however it is expected that more than 100 opportunities will be

created.

2.5.2 Operation

The proposed project is expected to become fully operational in the beginning of

2022. During operation the Mixed Residential Development will provide

infrastructure to support the development of targeted housing and business

opportunities in the area- Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. Housing and

business opportunities for residents in the Govan Mbeki, but more specifically the

town of Leandra will be realised.

2.5.3 Decommissioning

The main aim of decommissioning is to return the land to its original, pre-

construction condition. Should the unlikely need for decommissioning arise (i.e.

if the Mixed Residential Development becomes outdated, the housing / business

area becomes uninhabitable or the land needs to be used for other purposes),

the decommissioning procedures will be undertaken in line with the EMPr and

the site will be rehabilitated and returned to its pre-construction state.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

This chapter provides an overview of the receiving environment that may be

affected by the proposed Mixed Residential Development. The receiving

environment is understood to include biophysical, socio-economic and heritage

aspects which could be directly, indirectly or cumulatively affected by the

10

proposed development or which in turn might impact on the proposed

development.

This information is provided to identify the potential issues and impacts of the

proposed project on the environment. The information presented here has been

sourced from:

o EIA input from the specialists that form part of the project team;

o Information available on the South African National Biodiversity Institute

(SANBI) Biodiversity Geographical Information System (BGIS) and

Agricultural Geo-Referenced Information System (AGIS).

o Govan Mbeki Local Municipality’s IDP and SDF.

3.1 BIOPHYSICAL

3.1.1 Climate

The rainfall of the region peaks during the summer months and the Mean Annual

Precipitation (MAP) of the area is approximately 689 mm (www.climate-data.org).

The average monthly temperature is approximately 20°C in the summer months

and approximately 8.8°C during the winter. Average maximum monthly

temperatures can reach up to 26.4°C in the summer months and dip to as low as

0°C during the winter.

3.1.2 Geology and Soils

According to Mucina & Rutherford (2006) the geology of the landscape and

associated vegetation type can be described as the following:

Shale, mudstones, sandstones and shale of the Madzaringwe Formation Beaufort

Group or the intrusive Karoo Suite dolerites which feature prominently. Soils are

deep redish and land types include Ea, Ba and Bb. In accordance with the Govan

Mbeki Spatial Development Framework 2014 – 2034 (SDF), the geology of the

assessment area is classified as dolerite while the soil formation association is Rg

and AR.

http://www.climate-data.org/

11

3.1.3 Vegetation and Conservation Status

According to SANBI (2006- ), the entire assessment area falls within the Soweto

Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8). This vegetation type mainly consists

of gently to moderately supporting short- to medium height dense tufted

grassland dominated almost entirely by the species Themeda triandra. Other

frequent grasses also include Elionurus muticus, Eragrostis recemosa,

Heteropogon contortus & Tristachya leucothrix. The vegetation type is classified

as endangered because of significant transformation and degradation mostly

caused by agricultural, urban and mining activities (SANBI, 2006- ). The Soweto

Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8) was however subsequently officially

classified as having a nationally vulnerable status in terms of the National

Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) National Threatened Ecosystems

System (Government Gazette No 34809, 9 December 2011). This renders the

entire vegetation type a priority ecosystem type for conservation on a national

scale.

The majority of the assessment area is categorised as Other Natural Areas (ONA)

in accordance with the Mpumalanga Provincial Spatial Biodiversity Plan which

sets out biodiversity priority areas in the province. An area within the north-

western portion of the assessment area is however classified as a Critical

Biodiversity Area optimal (CBA). Critical Biodiversity Areas are areas that are

irreplaceable or near-irreplaceable (CBA 1) or reflect an optimum configuration

(CBA 2) for reaching provincial biodiversity targets for ecosystem types, species

or ecological processes (Collins, 2017). Such an area must be maintained in a

natural or near-natural state in order to meet biodiversity targets (Collins, 2017).

The remaining portions of the assessment area are categorised as moderately to

heavily modified.

The proposed residential development and infrastructure will in all probability

completely transform the majority of the existing surface vegetation on the

assessment area.

12

Map 3.1: Vegetation map of proposed site

13

Map 3.2: Sensitivity map illustrating the sensitive areas associated with the

assessment area

3.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC

Regional-economic information and data has been gathered from the following

key source:

Economic development and planning documents such as growth

strategies, Integrated Development Plans (IDP), Local Economic

Development (LED) strategies and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF).

14

Table 3.1: Population distribution within the Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality 1996-2016.

Govan Mbeki is the most prominently 2nd fastest growing population with an

annual population growth rate of 3.10% in the whole of the Mpumalanga

Province after Steve Tshwete with a population growth of 4.29% A population

growth of this proportion is likely to place strain on existing backlogs and the

municipality’s ability to effectively service the community. Because of the increase

in households which directly demand services.

15

Table 3.2: Population growth rate within the Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality 1996-2016.

Table 3.3: Economically active people in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

16

4. APPROACH TO THE EIA & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

This chapter presents the approach to the EIA process, and provides the

legislative context within which the EIA is being conducted. It also provides

information on the Scoping, and Public Participation components of the EIA.

4.1 APPLICABLE LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES

There are various gazetted Acts and Regulations that regulate environmental

management in South Africa.

These regulatory documents must be considered in order to guide development

initiatives and therefore assist in proper decision making. EIAs, when conducted

with the purpose of obtaining EA for a proposed development activity, are also

regulated by this legislation. South African Environmental Law is founded in the

Constitution of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996). Section 24 of the Bill of Rights

states that:

Everyone has the right:

To an environment that is not harmful to their heath or well-being, and

To have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future

generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that –

Prevent pollution and ecological degradation,

Promote conservation, and

Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources

while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

The National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) expands

on and specifies these principles. The Act states that the principles of Integrated

Environmental Management (IEM) should be adhered to in order to ensure

sustainable development. Accountability to the various parties that may be

interested in and / or affected by the proposed development forms an integral

part of the IEM procedure. This procedure requires public participation, starting

during the scoping phase, when potentially significant environmental impacts

have to be identified. The purpose of the IEM procedure is to ensure that the

environmental consequences of a development proposal are understood and

17

adequately considered and that negative aspects are resolved or mitigated, and

positive aspects enhanced.

Government Notices R326, R327, R325, and R324, in Government Gazette No

40772 (dated 07 April 2017), published in terms of Chapter 5 of NEMA (as

amended), contain the EIA Regulations (GN R326), as well as a schedule of

activities that may not commence without environmental authorisation from the

competent authority. The listed activities associated with the development of the

proposed Mixed Residential Development are listed in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1: Listed Activities

Government

Notice

Activity

No.

Activity Description

GNR 325 15 The clearance of an area of 20

hectares or more of indigenous

vegetation.

The development proposal will

have a total footprint of more

than 20ha in extent. (Exact

development area is not known

at this stage). More than 20ha

of indigenous vegetation will be

affected.

GNR 327 28 (ii) Residential, mixed, retail,

commercial, industrial or

institutional developments

where such land was used for

agriculture or afforestation on or

after 01 April 1998 and where

such development:

(ii) will occur outside an urban

area, where the total land to be

developed is bigger than 1

hectare.

Parts of the proposed

development area is utilised for

agricultural purposes, including

grazing and grazing grass

cultivation.

GNR 327

24(ii) Development of a road –

(ii) with a reserve wider than

13,5 meters, or where no reserve

exists where the road is wider

than 8 meters.

The development includes the

installation of an internal road

network and connection to

existing main access roads,

these might be wider than 8

meters.

GNR 327

19 The infilling or depositing of any

material of more than 10 cubic

meters into, or the dredging,

excavation, removal or moving

of soil, sand, shells, shell grit,

Internal road infrastructure and

network might cross the

applicable drainage lines on the

development property, and

therefore the removal of soil for

18

pebbles or rock of more than 10

cubic meters from a

watercourse.

the construction of bridges, and

other service infrastructure

related to water supply and

sewerage removal.

GNR 327

12(ii)(c) The development of—

(ii) infrastructure or structures

with a physical footprint of

100 square metres or

where such development

occurs—

(c) if no development setback

exists, within 32 metres of a

watercourse, measured from the

edge of a watercourse.

Water courses inside the

development footprint are

applicable, structures and/or

infrastructure might be within 32

meters of these drainage lines.

GNR 327

10(i)(ii) The development and related

operation of infrastructure

exceeding 1 000 metres in

length for the bulk

transportation of sewage,

effluent, process water,

wastewater, return water,

industrial discharge or slimes –

(i) with an internal diameter of

0,36 metres or more; or

(ii) with a peak throughput of

120 litres per second or more.

Associated infrastructure for the

development will include

connection to existing bulk

sewerage removal services, as

well as internal sewerage

removal networks.

GNR 327

9(i)(ii) The development of

infrastructure exceeding 1 000

metres in length for the bulk

transportation of water or storm

water—

(i) with an internal diameter of

0,36 metres or more; or

(ii) with a peak throughput of

120 litres per second or

more.

Associated infrastructure for the

development will include

connection to existing bulk

water and stormwater services,

as well as internal water supply

networks.

An application for EA subject to the completion of a Scoping and EIA process is

currently being undertaken for the proposed development of the Mixed

Residential Development in Leandra. In addition to its function as a decision-

making aid in terms of EA, an EIA is an effective planning and decision-making

tool for the project developer as it allows for the identification and management

19

of potential environmental impacts, as well as the identification of other

applicable legislation that must be considered and adhered to.

Other applicable legislation and policies include:

National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999)

In section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act No. 25 of 1999, the

following is stipulated:

“(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (7), (8) and (9), any person who

intends to undertake a development categorised as—

(a) the construction of a road, wall, powerline, pipeline, canal or other similar

form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length;

(b) the construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50 m in length;

(c) any development or other activity which will change the character of a

site—

(i) exceeding 5 000 m2 in extent; or

(ii) involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or

(iii) involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been

consolidated within the past five years; or

(iv) the costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations by

SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority;

(d) the re-zoning of a site exceeding 10 000 m2 in extent; or

(e) any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA

or a provincial heritage resources authority, must at the very earliest stages of

initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources

authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent

of the proposed development.

(2) The responsible heritage resources authority must, within 14 days of receipt of

a notification in terms of subsection (1)—

(a) if there is reason to believe that heritage resources will be affected by

such development, notify the person who intends to undertake the

development to submit an impact assessment report. Such report must be

compiled at the cost of the person proposing the development, by a person

or persons approved by the responsible heritage resources authority with

relevant qualifications and experience and professional standing in heritage

resources management; or

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(b) notify the person concerned that this section does not apply.

The responsible heritage resources authority in this case is the Mpumalanga

Provincial Heritage Resources Agency and/or the South African Heritage

Resources Agency (SAHRA). A Heritage Impact Assessment has been conducted

to inform SAHRA of any findings.

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983)

Section 5 of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, Act No 43 of

1983 (CARA), prohibits the spreading of weeds and Section 6 and Regulation 15

and 15 E of GN R 1048 addresses the implementation of control measures for

alien and invasive plant species.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is guided by

this Act. With the development of the mentioned activities the developer must

take care of the following:

Article 7. (3)b of Regulation 9238: Conservation of Agriculture Resources, 1983

(Act 43 of 1983) states as follow:

Utilisation and protection of vlei, marshes, water sponges and water courses

7.(1) “…no land user shall utilize the vegetation in a vlei, marsh or water

sponge or within the flood area of a water course or within 10 metres

horizontally outside such flood area in a manner that causes or may cause

the deterioration of or damage to the natural agricultural resources.”

Relevance to the proposed new Residential establishment at - Leandra:

An Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment has been conducted for the

project and the results are appended in Error! Reference source not


No person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure,

which is older than 60 years or disturb any archaeological or

palaeontological site or grave older than 60 years without a permit issued

by the relevant provincial heritage resources authority.

No person may, without a permit issued by the responsible heritage

resources authority destroy, damage, excavate, alter or deface

archaeological or historically significant sites.

21

(3) “Except on authority of a written permission by the executive officer, no

land user shall (b) cultivate any land on his farm unit within the flood area of

a water course or within 10 metres horizontally outside the flood area of a

water course.”

National Forests Act (Act No 84 of 1998)

The National Forests Act (NFA) as amended and Regulations, Section 7 conclude

that: No person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any indigenous, living tree

in a natural forest, except in terms of a licence issued under Section 7(4) or

Section 23; or an exemption from the provisions of this subsection published by

the Minister in the Gazette. Sections 12-16 (read with S 62(2)(c)) deal with

protected trees, with the Minister having the power to declare a particular tree, a

group of trees, a particular woodland, or trees belonging to a certain species, to

be a protected tree, group of trees, woodland or species. In terms of Section 15,

no person may cut, disturb, damage, destroy or remove any protected tree; or

collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner

acquire or dispose of any protected tree, except under a licence granted by the

Minister. The list of protected tree species was published in GN 716 of 7

September 2012.

The Branch: Forestry and Natural Resource Management, DAFF, is mainly

concerned about the potential impacts on protected tree species. See the

National Forests Act, Act 84 of 1998 (NFA) as amended, section 12(1)(d) read with

s15(1) and s62(2)(c). The list of protected tree species was published in GN 877 of

22 November 2013. No protected tree may be cut, removed, damaged, disturbed

or destroyed without a valid Forest Act License.

Implications to the proposed new Residential establishment at Leandra:

If any declared weed and/or invader species listed in terms of this Act is

present on site, it will have to be removed.

Department of Agriculture will have to consider development proposals

on economic viable agriculture units where applicable.

22

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004)

The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, Act No 10 of 2004

(NEM:BA) provides for the MEC/Minister to list ecosystems which are threatened

and in need of protection (Section 52) and to identify any process or activity in

such a listed ecosystem as a threatening process (Section 53). A list of threatened

& protected species has been published in terms of Section 56 (1) GG 29657 GN

R 151 and GN R 152, Threatened or Protected Species Regulations. The act also

deals with restricted activities involving alien species; restricted activities involving

certain alien species totally prohibited; and duty of care relating to listed invasive

species.

Implications to the proposed new Residential establishment at - Leandra:

If any protected trees in terms of this Act occur on site, the developer

will require a licence from the DWAF to perform any of the above-listed

activities.

23

National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008)

The National Environmental Management Waste Act, Act No 59 of 2008 (NEM:

WA) reforms the law regulating waste management in order to protect health

and the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of

pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable

development.


The Biodiversity Act allows for the publishing of bioregional plans to

provide a map of critical biodiversity areas with accompanying land use

planning and decision-making guidelines, to inform land-use planning,

environmental assessment and authorisations and natural resource

management by a range of sectors whose policies and decisions

impact on biodiversity. Such a biodiversity plan has been developed

for the Mpumalanga Province, however not published. This

biodiversity plan will be used as a guideline to inform the proposed

development proposal, its layout and sustainable functioning. It

should be clearly noted that the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Plan is not

gazetted and serve as a guideline document. It is in this light that the

Plan will be used to inform the development proposal towards a

sustainable proposal.

The proposed development must consider endangered ecosystems,

protect and promote biodiversity;

Must assess the impacts of the proposed development on any

endangered ecosystems;

No protected species may be removed or damaged without a permit;

The proposed site must be cleared of alien vegetation using

appropriate means.

24

National Environmental Management Act: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of

2003)

The National Environmental Management Act: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of

2003) (NEM:PAA) provides for the protection and conservation of ecologically

viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural

landscapes and seascapes; for the establishment of a national register of all

national, provincial and local protected areas; for the management of those areas

in accordance with national norms and standards; for intergovernmental co-

operation and public consultation in matters concerning protected areas; and for

matters in connection therewith.


All reasonable measures must be taken to avoid the generation of

waste and where such generation cannot be avoided, minimise the

toxicity and amounts of waste that are generated; reduce, re-use,

recycle and recover waste; where waste must be disposed of, ensure

that the waste is treated and disposed of in an environmentally sound

manner;

Manage the waste in such a manner that it does not endanger human

health or the environment or cause a nuisance through noise, odour

or visual impacts;

Prevent any employee or any person from contravening this Act; and

prevent the waste from being used for an unauthorised purpose.


The areas where the proposed mixed residential area will be

situated is not listed in a national register as a protected area.

25

National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998)

In terms of the definitions contained in Section 1 of the National Water Act, Act

No 36 of 1998, (NWA) a “water resource” includes a watercourse, surface water,

estuary, or aquifer. “Aquifer” means a geological formation which has structures

or textures that hold water or permit appreciable water movement through them.

“Watercourse” means a river or spring; a natural channel in which water flows

regularly or intermittently; a wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which,

water flows; and any collection of water which the Minister may, by notice in the

Gazette, declare to be a watercourse, and a reference to a watercourse includes,

where relevant, its bed and banks.

Furthermore, in terms of the definitions contained in Section 1 of the National

Water Act, waste “includes any solid material or material that is suspended,

dissolved or transported in water (including sediment) and which is spilled or

deposited on land or into a water resource in such volume, composition or

manner as to cause, or to be reasonably likely to cause, the water resource to be

polluted”.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs is allowed to regulate activities

which have a detrimental impact on water resources by declaring them to be

controlled activities. No person may undertake a controlled activity unless such

person is authorised to do so by or under this Act.

Duty of Care to prevent and remedy the effects of pollution to water resources is

addressed in Section 19. Section 20 addresses the procedures to be followed, as

well as control of emergency incidents which may impact on a water resource.

Recognised water uses are addressed in terms of Section 21 and the

requirements for registration of water uses are stipulated in Section 26 and

Section 34.


All Section 21 water uses, such as infrastructure crossing water

courses, storage of water, use of effluent water, groundwater use, etc.

must be licensed by Department of Water and Sanitation.

26

National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998)

Section 28 of the National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998

(NEMA) requires duty of care where reasonable measures are taken to prevent

pollution or degradation from occurring, continuing or recurring, or, where this is

not possible, to minimise and rectify pollution or degradation of the

environment. Section 29 addresses the protection of workers refusing to do

environmental hazardous work. Procedures to be followed in the event of an

emergency incident which may impact on the environment are addressed in

Section 30. Section 31 addresses access to environmental information and

protection of whistle blowers.

4.2 OVERVIEW OF THE EIA PROCESS

The EIA Process is a planning, design and decision-making tool used to

demonstrate to the responsible authority, DARDLEA, and the project proponent,

Henopath (Pty) Ltd what the consequences of their choices will be in biophysical,

social and economic terms. As such it identifies potential impacts (negative and

positive) that the project may have on the environment. The EIA makes

recommendations to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive impacts

associated with the proposed project.

An EIA process as prescribed by the EIA Regulations (GN R326) comprises of two

distinct phases, namely a Scoping Phase, and an EIA Phase. The sequence of

documents, legislative process, and opportunities to comment within the broader

EIA Process are depicted in the process flow chart (refer to Figure 4.1).

Relevance to the proposed new Residential establishment at - Leandra:

The developer must be mindful of the principles, broad liability and

implications associated with NEMA and must eliminate or mitigate

any potential impacts;

The developer must be mindful of the principles, broad liability and

implications of causing damage to the environment.

27

Sco

pin

g P

hase

PROCESS PRODUCT OPPORTUNITY TO

PARTICIPATE

Undertake baseline studies Baseline studies

Complete Application Form Formal Application

Place Media Notices Media notices Response to notice

Compile information sheet

(Background Information

Document (BID))

Information sheet

(BID)

Comment on

Information Sheet

(BID)

Compile draft Scoping

Report Draft Scoping

Report Comment on Draft

Scoping Report

Compile Final Scoping

Report Final Scoping

Report

Address comments and

finalise Scoping Report

Final Scoping

Report for

submission

EIA

Ph

ase

Undertake specialist studies Specialist reports

Compile draft EIA Report Draft EIA Report Comment on Draft

EIA Report

Address comments and

finalize EIA Report Final EIA Report We are here

Submit final report to

DARDLEA for Environmental

Authorisation

Environmental

Authorization from

DARDLEA

Notify all registered I&APs

of Environmental

Authorization

Notification letters

to I&APs

Appeal period

Figure 4.1: EIA process flow chart

28

4.2.1 Scoping Phase

The objectives of the Scoping Process as contained in Appendix 2 of the EIA

Regulations (GN R326) is to, through a consultative process –

Identify the relevant policies and legislation relevant to the activity.

Motivate the need and desirability of the proposed activity, including the

need and desirability of the activity in the context of the preferred

location.

Identify and confirm the preferred activity and technology alternative

through an identification of impacts and risks and ranking process of such

impacts and risks.

Identify and confirm the preferred site, through a detailed site selection

process, which includes an identification of impacts and risks inclusive of

identification of cumulative impacts and a ranking process of all the

identified alternatives focusing on the geographical, physical, biological,

social, economic, and cultural aspects of the environment.

Identify the key issues to be addressed in the assessment phase.

Agree on the level of assessment to be undertaken, including the

methodology to be applied, the expertise required as well as the extent of

further consultation to be undertaken to determine the impacts and risks

the activity will impose on the preferred site through the life of the activity,

including the nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration and

probability of the impacts to inform the location of the development

footprint within the preferred site.

Identify suitable measures to avoid, manage or mitigate identified impacts

and to determine the extent of the residual risks that need to be managed

and monitored.

In accordance with the requirements of Appendix 2 of the EIA Regulations (GN

R326) a Scoping Report must contain the information that is necessary for a

proper understanding of the process, informing all preferred alternatives,

including location alternatives, the scope of the assessment, and the consultation

process to be undertaken through the EIA process. A Scoping Report was

prepared for the project in accordance with the requirements of Appendix 2 of

the EIA Regulations (GN R326). The Scoping Report was made available to I&APs

and stakeholders for a 30-day review period extending from 25 July 2019 to 25

August 2019. Comments received during the 30-day review period were

incorporated into the Scoping Report (where required), and the final Scoping

Report was submitted to DARDLEA on 26 August 2019.

29

4.2.2 EIA Phase

The objective of the EIA Phase as described in Appendix 3 of the EIA Regulations

(GN R326) is to through a consultative process:

Determine the policy and legislative context within which the activity is

located and document how the proposed activity complies with and

responds to the policy and legislative context.

Describe the need and desirability of the proposed activity, including the

need and desirability of the activity in the context of the development

footprint on the approved site as contemplated in the accepted scoping

report.

Identify the location of the development footprint within the approved site

as contemplated in the accepted scoping report based on an impact and

risk assessment process inclusive of cumulative impacts and a ranking

process of all the identified development footprint alternatives focusing on

the geographical, physical, biological, social, economic, heritage and

cultural aspects of the environment.

Determine the –

Nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration and probability of the

impacts occurring to inform identified preferred alternatives.

Degree to which these impacts –

- Can be reversed.

- May cause irreplaceable loss of resources.

- Can be avoided, managed or mitigated.

Identify the most ideal location for the activity within the development

footprint of the approved site as contemplated in the accepted scoping

report based on the lowest level of environmental sensitivity identified

during the assessment.

Identify, assess, and rank the impacts the activity will impose on the

development footprint on the approved site as contemplated in the

accepted scoping report through the life of the activity.

Identify suitable measures to avoid, manage or mitigate identified impacts.

Identify residual risks that need to be managed and monitored.

In accordance with the requirements of Appendix 3 of the EIA Regulations (GN

R326) an EIA process must be undertaken in line with the approved Plan of Study

for EIA, and an EIA Report that sets out the environmental impacts, mitigation

and closure outcomes as well as the residual risks of the proposed activity must

be prepared.

30

All registered I&APs on the project database have been notified in writing of the

release of the EIA Report for review. Comments raised during the review of the

EIA Report, through written correspondence (e-mails, comments) will be captured

in a Comments and Response Report for inclusion in the Final EIA Report that will

be submitted to DARDLEA for decision-making in terms of Regulation 23 (1) (a)

of the EIA Regulations (GN R326). Comments raised will be responded to by the

EIA team and / or the applicant. These responses will indicate how the issue has

been dealt with in the EIA Process. Should the comment received fall beyond the

scope of this EIA, clear reasoning will be provided.

An EMPr has also been prepared for the project in accordance with Appendix 4 of

the EIA Regulations (GN R326) and is attached as Part B to this EIA Report. The

EMPr is based broadly on the environmental management philosophy presented

in the ISO 14001 standard, which embodies an approach of continual

improvement. Actions in the EMPr are drawn primarily from the management

actions in the specialist studies for the construction and operational phases of

development. If the project components are decommissioned or re-developed,

this will need to be done in accordance with the relevant environmental

standards and clean-up / remediation requirements applicable at the time.

4.2.3 Public Participation Process (PPP)

Public participation is one of the most important aspects of the EA Process. This

stems from the requirement that people have a right to be informed about

potential decisions that may affect them and that they must be afforded an

opportunity to influence those decisions. Effective public participation also

improves the ability of the Competent Authority (CA) to make informed decisions

and results in improved decision-making as the view of all parties are considered.

In 2017 DEA published a Public Participation Guideline in terms of NEMA and the

EIA Regulations. The Guidelines states that at a minimum, the Public

Participation Process (PPP) must allow for the following:

To provide for the opportunity for all role players including potential and

registered I&APs, EAPs, state departments, organs of state, and the

competent authority (CA) to obtain clear, accurate and understandable

information about the environmental impacts of the proposed activity or

implications of a decision.

To provide for role- players to voice their support, concerns and questions

regarding the project, application or decision.

31

To provide the opportunity for role-players to suggest ways for reducing

or mitigating any negative impacts of the project and for enhancing its

positive impacts.

To enable the person conducting PP to incorporate the needs, preferences

and values of potential or registered I&APs into its proposed development

that becomes the subject of an application for an Environmental

Authorisation (EA).

To provide opportunities for clearing up misunderstandings about

technical issues, resolving disputes and reconciling conflicting interests.

To encourage transparency and accountability in decision-making.

To contribute toward maintaining a healthy, vibrant democracy.

To give effect to the requirement for procedural fairness of administrative

action as contained in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000

(Act No. 3 of 2000).

The PPP being conducted for this EIA Process is being driven by a stakeholder

engagement process that includes inputs from authorities, I&APs, technical

specialists and the project proponent.

4.2.3.1 Public Participation during the Scoping Phase

Identification of Stakeholders

In line with the requirements of the EIA Regulations (GN R326), relevant local,

provincial and national authorities, conservation bodies, local forums, and

representatives of affected landowners and occupants have been notified during

the EIA process.

The following stakeholders have been identified:

The following stakeholders have been identified:

Affected surrounding landowners;

Local Municipality, Town Planner, Municipal Manager; and Environmental

Officer;

Department of Agriculture Mpumalanga, Land Use Management;

Mpumalanga Heritage Resources Agency;

Department of Water and Sanitation;

Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental

Affairs, Mpumalanga,

32

Department of Human Settlements;

Area Ward Councillors;

Provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport.

Register of I&APs

A register of I&APs has been opened and is being maintained throughout the EIA

Process (refer to Error! Reference source not found.).

Notification of Assessment Process

A BID containing information about the proposed project and the Scoping / EIA

process was compiled and distributed to the initial list of key stakeholders by

post and / or email.

A newspaper advertisement announcing the commencement of the process, and

inviting members of the public to register was placed in English in the ECHO

News local newspaper on 14 December 2018 (refer to Error! Reference source

not found.).

Two site notices were also placed, notice one were placed in front of the Dutch

Reformed Church in Eendracht, west of the proposed site- 26°22'33.41"S;

28°53'1.68"E. Notice two were placed on the R50 road which enters the town of

Leandra from the north, the R50 is situated east of the proposed site-

26°20'46.16"S; 28°54'40.47"E (refer to Error! Reference source not found.).

Review of Documentation

I&APs registered on the project database were notified of the release of the

Scoping Report for a 30-day review period and invited to provide comment

thereon (refer to Error! Reference source not found.)for a sample of the

notification letter which was distributed to I&APs).

Comments and Response Report

A Comments and Response Report containing all comments received from

stakeholders, I&APs, and organs of state has been prepared for the project and

will be maintained throughout the EIA Process (refer to Error! Reference source

not found.).

33

4.2.3.2 Public Participation Process during the EIA Phase

In accordance with the Plan of Study for EIA prepared for the project the

following processes will be conducted as part of the EIA Phase:

All I&APs will be notified of the comments raised by DARDLEA regarding

the Scoping Report.

A register will be kept of all I&APs that register as concerned parties.

All new comments received by I&APs as well as the previous comments by

I&APs will be addressed in detail and mitigation measures will be

discussed.

Registered I&APs will be kept up to date on the EIA progress and

comments received from DARDLEA.

The EIA Report will be circulated to all Registered I&APs.

The comments received from DARDLEA on the EIA Report will be

circulated to all registered I&APs.

4.3 APPROACH TO UNDERTAKING THE EIA

The impact assessment methodology has been aligned with the requirements for

EIA Reports as stipulated in Appendix 3 of the EIA Regulations (GN R326). In

accordance with Appendix 3 an EIA Report must contain the information that is

necessary for the CA to consider and come to a decision on the application, and

must include, amongst other things:

(j) An assessment of each identified potentially significant impact and risk,

including –

(i) Cumulative impacts.

(ii) The nature, significance and consequences of the impact and risk.

(iii) The extent and duration of the impact and risk.

(iv) The probability of the impact and risk occurring.

(v) The degree to which the impact and risk can be reversed.

(vi) The degree to which the impact and risk may cause irreplaceable loss

of resources.

(vii) The degree to which the impact and risk can be mitigated.

34

The following criteria were used to determine the significance of impacts

associated with the proposed development of the Agricultural & Forestry

Technology Park. The criteria take into account the nature of the impact, the

extent and duration, the magnitude, and the likelihood of occurrence to

determine the significance of the potential impact. Also taken into account were

cumulative impacts, a cumulative impact being defined as the impact on the

environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added

to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future developments or

actions regardless of who undertakes them.

The nature of the impact provides a description of what causes the effect, what

will be affected, and how it will be affected. It is discussed under the subheading.

The extent, wherein it is indicated whether the impact will be local (limited to the

immediate area or site of development), regional, national or international. A

score of between 1 and 5 is assigned as appropriate (with a score of 1 being low

and a score of 5 being high). The scores are as follows:

1 – Local immediate area

2 – Local immediate area and surroundings

3 – Regional

4 – National

5 – International

The duration was assigned a score of 1 to 5 where:

1 – The lifetime of the impact will be of a very short duration.

2 – The lifetime of the impact will be of a short duration.

3 – Assigned to medium-term (5 – 15 years)

4 – Assigned to long term (> 15 years)

5 – Permanent.

The magnitude, quantified on a scale from 0 – 10, where a score is assigned:

0 is small and will have no effect on the environment

2 is minor and will not result in an impact on processes

4 is low and will cause a slight impact on processes

6 is moderate and will result in processes continuing but in a modified way

8 is high (processes are altered to the extent that they temporarily cease)

10 is very high and results in complete destruction of patterns and permanent

cessation of processes

35

The probability of occurrence, which describes the likelihood of the impact

actually occurring. Probability is estimated on a scale, and a score assigned:

Assigned a score of 1 – 5, where 1 is very improbable (probably will not happen)

Assigned a score of 2 is improbable (some possibility, but low likelihood)

Assigned a score of 3 is probable (distinct possibility)

Assigned a score of 4 is highly probable (most likely)

Assigned a score of 5 is definite (impact will occur regardless of any prevention

measures)

The significance, which is determined through a synthesis of the characteristics

described above (refer formula below) and can be assessed as low, medium or

high. The significance is determined by combining the criteria in the following

formula:

S = (E+D+M) P, where

S = Significance weighting

E = Extent

D = Duration

M = Magnitude

P = Probability

The status of the impact describes whether the impact will have positive,

negative or neutral ramifications of the environment.

The significance weightings for each potential impact are as follows:

Value Significance

< 30 points Low (i.e. where this impact would not have a direct influence on the

decision to develop in the area)

30 – 60 points Medium (i.e. where the impact could influence the decision to develop in

the area unless it is effectively mitigated)

> 60 points High (i.e. where the impact must have an influence on the decision process

to develop in the area)

As the applicant, Henopath (Pty) Ltd has the responsibility to avoid or minimise

impacts and plan for their management (in terms of the EIA Regulations (GN

R326)), the mitigation of significant impacts is discussed. Assessment of impacts

with mitigation is made in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the

36

proposed mitigation measures. An EMPr which includes the mitigation measures

has been prepared and is included as Part B to this EIA Report.

Other aspects to be taken into consideration in the assessment of impact

significance are:

Impacts are evaluated for the construction and operation phases of the

development. The assessment of impacts for the decommissioning phase

is brief, as there is limited understanding at this stage of what this might

entail. The relevant rehabilitation guidelines and legal requirements

applicable at the time will need to be applied.

Impacts have been evaluated with and without mitigation in order to

determine the effectiveness of mitigation measures on reducing the

significance of a particular impact.

The impact evaluation has, where possible, taken into consideration the

cumulative effects associated with this and other facilities / projects which

are either developed or in the process of being developed in the local

area.

The impact assessment attempts to quantify the magnitude of potential

impacts (direct and cumulative effects) and outline the rationale used.

Where appropriate, national standards are to be used as a measure of the

level of impact.

4.4 SPECIALIST STUDIES

In accordance with the Plan of Study for EIA prepared for the project the

following specialist studies have been conducted for the project and will be

submitted to DARDLEA together with the EIA Report:

Ecological / Vegetation and Wetland Specialist Study:

Habitats.

Wetlands.

Vegetation.

Heritage Impact Assessment.

Engineering Bulk Civil Services Report.

Electrical Services Report.

Traffic Impact Study.

37

4.4.1 Summary of Ecological and Wetland Impact Assessment

The assessment area consists of a single surface footprint area of approximately

545 ha in size and is situated on Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein no 313 directly

north-west of the town of Leandra which forms part of the Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. In accordance with the Govan Mbeki Spatial

Development Framework 2014 -2034 (SDF), the assessment area falls inside the

urban edge and is zoned for residential and mixed-use development. Access to

the assessment area is obtained via R 29 provincial road from the south.

According to SANBI (2006- ), the entire assessment area falls within the Soweto

Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8). This vegetation type mainly consists

of gently to moderately supporting short- to medium height dense tufted

grassland dominated almost entirely by the species Themeda triandra. Other

frequent grasses also include Elionurus muticus, Eragrostis recemosa,

Heteropogon contortus & Tristachya leucothrix. The vegetation type is classified

as endangered because of significant transformation and degradation mostly

caused by agricultural, urban and mining activities (SANBI, 2006- ). The Soweto

Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8) was however subsequently officially

classified as having a nationally vulnerable status in terms of the National

Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) National Threatened Ecosystems

System (Government Gazette No 34809, 9 December 2011). This renders the

entire vegetation type a priority ecosystem type for conservation on a national

scale.

The majority of the assessment area is categorised as Other Natural Areas (ONA)

in accordance with the Mpumalanga Provincial Spatial Biodiversity Plan which

sets out biodiversity priority areas in the province. An area within the north-

western portion of the assessment area is however classified as a Critical

Biodiversity Area optimal (CBA). Critical Biodiversity Areas are areas that are

irreplaceable or near-irreplaceable (CBA 1) or reflect an optimum configuration

(CBA 2) for reaching provincial biodiversity targets for ecosystem types, species

or ecological processes (Collins, 2017). Such an area must be maintained in a

natural or near-natural state in order to meet biodiversity targets (Collins, 2017).

The remaining portions of the assessment area are categorised as moderately to

heavily modified.

38

Although the natural undulating grassland slopes and hills of the assessment area

form part of the nationally vulnerable Soweto Highveld Grassland vegetation type

(Gm 8), it is evident that the assessment area does not necessarily constitute a

representative ‘type’ sample of this vegetation type due to variations in soil type

but rather forms part of the more clayey vegetation types associated with the

Mpumalanga Province. The small southern and northern portions of the

assessment area have also been completely transformed through cultivated lands

and virtually no natural vegetation remains. The ecological functionality and value

of these two areas have therefore been completely lost. Only a single individual

of the provincially protected species Boophone disticha was found to be present

within the grassland areas; it is however likely that more individuals of this

species might be present. No Red Data Listed or nationally protected species or

any other species of conservational significance were found to be present within

the grassland areas and there is merely a low to moderate possibility of the

provincially protected and Red Data Listed vulnerable species Tyto capensis

(African grass owl) utilising the grassland areas for breeding and persistence

purposes. The undulating grassland slopes and hills are therefore viewed as being

of moderate conservational significance for habitat preservation and ecological

functionality persistence in support of the surrounding ecosystem, broader

vegetation type and regional surface water catchment and drainage area.

Although not necessarily viewed as being of high conservational significance, the

distinct linear rocky ridges/outcrops situated along the western boundary of the

assessment area, possess locally unique/distinct habitat attributes due their

increased exposure of surface rockiness and subsequent shallower soils as well as

their sheltering nature. It is therefore reasonably expected that these areas are

utilised by various specialised reptilian species as refuge and for

breeding/persistence purposes. Furthermore, the majority of the rocky

ridges/outcrops fall within the CBA optimal which is present in the north-western

portion of the assessment area.

Although no Red Data Listed or nationally protected species or any other species

of conservational significance were found to be present within the rocky

ridges/outcrops, two provincially protected species were found to be diagnostic

of the rocky ridges/outcrops and absent from the surrounding grassland areas

namely Eulophia clavicornis & Cyrtanthus tuckii. The isolated rocky outcrops are

39

therefore viewed as being of relatively high conservational significance for habitat

preservation and ecological functionality persistence in support of the

surrounding ecosystem, broader vegetation type and CBA optimal. It is therefore

recommended that the portions of the rocky ridges/outcrops falling within the

CBA optimal should be adequately buffered out of the proposed development

footprint.

The numerous ephemeral water drainage lines/areas present within the

assessment area, subsequently feed into a number of significant second and third

order watercourses downstream outside to the east and west of the assessment

area. A single significant ephemeral watercourse and associated channelled

valley-bottom wetland area also traverses the western portion of the assessment

area. The entire assessment area therefore forms an important part of the upper

commencement portion of a quaternary surface water catchment and drainage

area which regionally drains towards the north. The significant ephemeral

watercourse and associated wetland area further provide significant natural

breeding, foraging and persistence habitat for a diversity of specialised

amphibian, aquatic avifaunal and invertebrate species. There is also a moderate

possibility of the provincially protected species Pyxicephalus adspersus (African

giant bullfrog) utilising the watercourse and associated wetland area for breeding

and persistence purposes.

The watercourses and wetland area are therefore viewed as being of relatively

high conservational significance for habitat preservation and ecological

functionality persistence in support of the surrounding ecosystem, broader

vegetation type, CBA optimal and regional surface water catchment and drainage

area. It is therefore recommended that the watercourses and drainage lines be

adequately buffered out of the proposed development footprint. A minimum 40

m buffer area must be implemented around the significant ephemeral

watercourse and associated wetland area as indicated on the Sensitivity Map

under heading 8.6 and no development is allowed to take place within the

buffered areas. Development and layout designs should also include adequate

storm water management measures to ensure that sufficient volumes and quality

of surface water runoff from the footprint area is still channelled back into the

localised catchment in order to maintain the ecological functionality and integrity

of the broader surface water catchment and drainage area.

40

It is in the opinion of the specialist that although there are a number of

potentially highly significant ecological impacts which the proposed development

could pose to the local and broader surrounding environment, these impacts can

be suitably reduced and mitigated to within acceptable levels. The project should

therefore be considered by the competent authority for environmental

authorisation and approval. The proposed development may however only

continue if all recommended mitigations measures as per this ecological report

are adequately implemented and managed for both the construction and

operational phases of the proposed project. All necessary authorisations and

permits must also be obtained prior to any commencement.

4.4.2 Summary of Heritage Impact Assessment

Based on the assessment of the area it was found that the terrain is primarily

underlain by Jurassic-age dolerites (Jd), but coarse-grained Vryheid Formation

sandstones are primarily exposed along the western margins of the study area

where no fossils or fossil localities were observed. The area is covered by a well-

developed residual soil overburden, but it has been severely degraded by

previous agricultural activities. A pedestrian survey revealed no evidence of

Quaternary fossils or fossil exposures within Ecca Group, Vryheid Formation

outcrop. Given the predominance of palaeontologically insignificant dolerite

bedrock and degraded Quaternary overburden, most of the study area is

generally regarded as of low palaeontological significance, three smaller areas are

underlain by potentially sensitive argillaceous rocks that are more or less buffered

by superficial overburden. Given the nature and potential scale of the

development excavations larger than 1 m2 that exceeds depths of >1 m into

potentially unweathered Vryheid Formation sediments will need further

monitoring by a professional palaeontologist during the construction phase of

the project.

Except for indication of modern farming activities, the pedestrian survey revealed

no evidence of in situ Stone Age archaeological sites or scatters, prehistoric

structures related to the occupation by early agricultural societies, graves or

graveyards or historically significant structures older than 60 years. The effect of

modern farming practices on the landscape is clear with the result that the study

41

area is also not considered to be archaeologically sensitive. It is assigned site

rating of Generally Protected C (GP.C).

4.4.3 Summary Engineering Bulk Civil Services Report & Electrical

Rand Water is the only supplier of potable water to the town of Leandra through

a bulk water supply line and a series of reservoirs. No boreholes are in operation

for the supply of additional water to the bulk supply network. No water treatment

works are therefore found within the municipal boundaries of the town. The town

of Leandra is being supplied off the East Dump Mine – Wildebeesfontein

reservoir pipelines. These pipes are rising mains supplied from the RW

Bloemendal booster pump station with the estimated maximum pumping

capacity of 120 Mℓ/day (2 x 60 Mℓ/day). Currently the Bloemendal booster pump

station is operating at its maximum capacity, hence the East Dump

Mine/Wildebeestfontein reservoir system has insufficient water to supply the

proposed new development in Leandra. Rand Water is currently in the planning

stage of increasing the capacity by the implementing of an upgrade schedule.

Time frames however are not known at this stage. The total demands required for

this proposed development has been supplied to Rand Water to be used for their

long-term planning.

In terms of sanitation the current capacity of the Waste Water Treatment Works

(WWTW) of Leandra is 8.5 Mℓ/day with a spare capacity of 3 Mℓ/day. This has

been confirmed by the District Municipality in a meeting at the Govan Mbeki

District Municipality in Secunda with Mr. Rofhiwa Mulaudzi, Acting Deputy

Director.

The WWTW is some 1,5km east of the proposed development. Also shown is the

existing bulk sewer lines closest to the proposed development which is made up

of gravity and rising mains.

The proposed Leandra Integrated Housing Development is bordered in the south

by the R29 which is a provincial road connecting Springs, Devon and Leandra.

The N17 National Route is further south and runs parallel to the R29. Also

42

indicated on the layout are several other entrance/exits to the proposed

development.

The main access initially to the development will be from the R29.

4.4.3.1 Water

As per Engineering Services Report, 2019, various options for securing sources for

future bulk water supply to this area as well as the upgrading of the bulk water

storage and distribution infrastructure for the region as a whole will have to be

considered. Discussions with Rand Water which is the sole potable water supply

agent to the town of Leandra indicated that they are currently in the process of

addressing this situation. The demand figures for this proposed development

have been forwarded to Rand Water, Me. Hape Sebatana, Senior Planning

Engineer: Rand Water for planning purposes.

The design of the potable water network will comply with the design standards

and criteria as set out in the “Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and

Design”. In accordance with the water demand calculations the study area will

need at least 42 Mℓ (48-hour storage capacity) combined low level reservoirs with

a demand of 243ℓ/s at peak flow demand. Several elevated storage reservoirs will

also be required to cater for the peak demands for the different areas which will

be determined in the prefeasibility design phase.

4.4.3.2 Sanitation

The sewer system for the proposed development will be water borne and will

incorporate a network of uPVC pipes with diameters ranging from 160mm to

250mm. Due to the topography of the site; the development site can be divided

into 3 drainage zones. The 3 zones will have to be sub-divided into sub-zones

due to the size of the proposed development to prevent too deep excavations for

gravity pipelines.

Once a geotechnical report of the area has been compiled, the economic

comparison will be done between deeper excavations for a gravity pipelines

versus shallower pumping lines.

43

A new WWTW is to be constructed with a capacity of at least 15 Mℓ/day

including bulk infrastructure pipelines connecting the study area with the new

WWTW. It is envisaged that the entire internal sewer network will require main

collectors ranging from 200mm Ø to 355mm Ø to handle the PWWF for the

various sub-areas. The terrain lends itself to gravity pipelines for most of the

development but will require several pump stations with rising sewer mains to

transfer sewer from these low points (due to the drainage zones encountered on

this site) to the new WWTW. The collector lines will gravitate to a low point from

where it will be pumped to the WWTW. It is also possible for some drainage

areas within the study area to gravitate to the WWTW. This will however be

determined during the pre-feasibility design phase.

4.4.3.3 Roads and Stormwater

The provincial road R29 will connect the proposed development with the town of

Leandra amongst other. Other entrance/exit roads are also shown on the town

layout but most of the shown entrance/exit roads’ link roads have not been

constructed yet.

All minor storm water will be accommodated in the underground storm water

system and the surfaced streets, bus and taxi routes. Culverts will also be

introduced to convey storm water underneath roads at crossing of natural

drainage lines.

4.4.3.4 Electricity

Leandra electricity network falls under the jurisdiction of ESKOM and is supplied

from the local Eskom 132kV substation referred to as the Lebohang/Wildebees

SS. S&W Consulting (2019) determined that there is currently not enough

capacity at the Lebohang SS and the sufficient electivity supply to the Rietfontein

Town Establishment is dependent on one of the strengthening projects planned

by Eskom.

44

4.4.4 Summary Traffic Impact Study

The Traffic Impact Study found that All of the analysed intersections are currently

(2018) prior to development operating at an acceptable level of service during

both the am and pm peak hours. No intersection upgrading is required in order

to be able to accommodate the 2018 background traffic demand;

· The trip generation of the development is expected to be as follow:

4063 AM trips (1016 in; 3047 out);

4063 PM trips (2641 in; 1422 out).

All of the analysed intersections will not be able to accommodate the

development traffic demand and need to be upgraded prior to

development completion by the developer;

Sufficient sight distances are available at the existing access localities;

Based on the conclusions that have been derived from this study, the following

are recommended:

That the development be supported from a traffic engineering point of

view;

That the following intersection be upgraded by the developer in accordance with

section 7 of this report:

R29 (P5/1) / Scheepers Street intersection;

R29 (P5/1) / Bezuidenhout Street intersection;

R29 (P5/1) / R50 intersection;

That an additional new access to the development be provided on the R29

road;

Bus lay buy shall be provided along the main access and internal road at

distances of approximately 600m apart. These bus lay-bys shall be

designed in accordance with TMH 16 Vol 2.

45

5. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

This chapter provides an overview of the alternatives considered and assessed for

the Mixed Residential Development as part of the EIA Process. The 2014 EIA

Regulations (GN R326) define “alternatives”, in relation to a proposed activity as:

Different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity,

which may include alternatives to the:

Property on which or location where the activity is proposed to be undertaken,

Type of activity to be undertaken,

Design or layout of the activity,

Technology to be used in the activity, or

Operational aspects of the activity

And includes the option of not implementing the activity.

Alternatives are typically accepted as being “different means of meeting the

general purpose and requirements of the activity” and must be feasible and

reasonable. The “feasibility” and “reasonability” of an alternative can be

measured against the general purpose, requirements and need of the activity and

how it impacts on the environment and any communities that may be affected by

the activity. It is therefore necessary to consider the need and desirability of the

proposed activity when identifying alternatives.

There are two types of alternatives, namely fundamental alternatives and

incremental alternatives

5.1 Fundamental Alternatives

Fundamental alternatives are alternatives which are completed different to the

proposed project and usually involve a different type of development on the

proposed site, or a different location for the proposed development.

5.1.1 Developer Alternatives

The proposed township establishment as a development type has the following

mission statement –

46

To provide needed residential space and be a node attracting businesses into a

shared multi character environment.

Its goals and objectives include –

• To provide needed housing for the growing Leandra and its surrounds.

• To provide for the accommodation of several typology type housing erven, in

close proximity to open spaces, places of worship and business complexes.

For these reasons no activity alternative will be considered.

5.1.2 Location Alternatives

Land proposed for the residential extension is best suited to link a new approved

residential area next to Leandra, and therefore allows for proper town planning

integration. The property applicable were scrutinized through a feasibility

assessment and determined to be of best located, no location alternatives will be

considered.

5.1.3 Incremental Alternatives

Incremental alternatives are modifications or variations to the design of a project

that provide different options to reduce or minimise environmental impacts.

There are several incremental alternatives that can be considered, including:

The design or layout of the development proposal;

The services technology to be used, and

The operational aspects of the development.

These alternatives will be considered and assessed.

5.1.4 “No- Go Alternative”

The ‘no-go’ option assumes the site remains in its current state, i.e. used for

grazing / agricultural activities. It may be argued from an environmental

perspective that the no-go option is the favourable alternative as the surface area

47

will not be transformed, however The countries president has identified and aims

to eradicate informal settlements, this proposal serve a social function in that

formal housing will be presented and therefore assist in addressing the housing

and business needs being experienced.

It is therefore recommended that the ‘no-go ‘option may not be viable in terms

of social and economic sustainability. It will however be used as a baseline

throughout the assessment process against which potential impacts will be

compared in an objective manner.

The costs / implications and benefits of implementing the “no-go” alternative is

presented in Table 5.1. Implementing the “no-go” alternative would result in the

Mixed Residential Development not being developed and contributing to

environmental, social and economic change (positive and / or negative) in the

area surrounding the proposed project site near Leandra.

Table 5.1: Cost Benefit Analysis of the “no-go” alternative.

COST BENEFITS

The establishment of a Mixed

Residential Development will

not take place, and the area

will remain as is.

The construction and

development of several

diverse mixed residential,

including business facilities

will not take place after EA

has been obtained.

No additional employment

opportunities will be created.

Both skilled and unskilled

employment opportunities

are anticipated to be created

for the construction and

operation of the Mixed

Residential Development.

No vegetation clearance-

consisting mainly out of dense

tufted grassland dominated almost

entirely by the species Themeda

triandra will take place.

No strategic investment

opportunities in the area of

Leandra will take place

No supply of formalised housing

and other services will take place.

No influx of job seekers to the

province, including professional

and unskilled individuals.

48

COST BENEFITS

No additional opportunities

for skills transfer and

education / training of local

communities created.

Potential positive socio-

economic impacts likely to

result from the project, such

as the supply of formalised

housing and business

facilities and the creation of

local employment

opportunities, will not be

realised.

The development of a Mixed Residential Development in Leandra will supply

much needed formalized housing and business opportunities for the residents of

Leandra and the wider Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. The area has been

selected as it borders Leandra and Eendracht. The proposed development will not

only supply much needed housing and small-scale business opportunities, but

will also lead to job creation, which will take place especially during the

construction but also during the operational phases of the developments.

The proposed development area is currently being used for agricultural activities

(animal grazing) with several perennial and non-perennial watercourses identified

which will dictate the layout of the proposed development. The area is however

not seen as having a high ecological value.

The positive economic effects the proposed development of the Mixed

Residential Development will have on the area is therefore seen as being greater

than the total transformation of the development area. The specialist / services

reports should however be adhered to in order to successfully establish the

mixed residential development.

49

6. ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

The issues and impacts presented in this chapter have been identified via the

baseline of the receiving environment (environmental, social and heritage

features present on site – as discussed in Chapter Error! Reference source not

found. of this EIA Report), a review of environmental impacts from other similar

projects and input from specialists that form part of the EIA project team.

The proposed Mixed Residential Development near Leandra is anticipated to

impact on a range of aspects of the biophysical and socio-economic

environment. One of the main purposes of the EIA process is to understand the

significance of these potential impacts and to determine if the potential impacts

can be mitigated or minimised. Potential impacts identified as part of the EIA are

anticipated to occur during the construction and operational phases of

development. While some impacts may occur during the decommissioning

phase of development, these are anticipated to be similar to those associated

with the construction phase of development but of lower significance.

6.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS

Assessment Area No go alternative

Identified Environmental

Impact

Transformation of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation

on the assessment area associated with the Soweto

Highveld Grassland vegetation type (Gm 8), and

grassland dominated almost entirely by the species

Themeda triandra.

Magnitude of Negative

or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -

Duration of Negative or

Positive Impact

Long term (4) -

Extent of Positive or

Negative Impact

Local (2) -

Irreplaceability of Natural

Resources being

impacted upon

Moderate (3) -

Reversibility of Impact Low (4) -

50


Probability of Impact

Occurrence

High (4) -

Cumulative Impact Rating

prior to mitigation

Medium -

Environmental

Significance Score and

Rating prior to mitigation

Medium-high (76) -

Mitigation Measures to

be implemented

The delineated ephemeral water drainage lines

situated within the west, south-west and north

western portion of the assessment area, must

be adequately buffered out of the proposed


A minimum 40m buffer area must be

implemented around the ephemeral water

drainage line and no development is allowed

to take place within the buffered area.

The proposed development must adhere to

conditions as stipulated by the Ecological

Assessment. (Report attached to this EIA

Report)

The project construction footprints must be

kept as small as practicably possible to reduce

the actual surface impact on vegetation and

no unnecessary / unauthorised footprint

expansion into the surrounding areas may take

place.

The proposed development must refrain from

encroaching into- and significantly impacting

on the remaining natural / agricultural area

situated adjacent of the assessment area.

No site construction camp to be established

within the recommended buffer zone or in any

natural surrounding areas outside the

assessment area. Site construction camps only

to be established within the plantation areas

and specifically within the recommended

development area.

Adequately fencing off the construction areas

and ensure that no construction activities,

machinery or equipment operate or impact

51


outside the fenced off areas or within the

buffer zone or the remaining natural /near

natural area situated directly adjacent to the

assessment area.

Existing roads and dirt tracks in close proximity

to the proposed project area must be used

during construction. No new roads or dirt

tracks to be constructed or implemented

outside the fenced off construction areas or

within the buffer zone or the remaining natural

area.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental


Rating after mitigation

implementation

Low (48) -



Impact

Terrestrial and aquatic alien invasive species

establishment.


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Short term (2) -


Negative Impact

Local (2) -


Resources being

impacted upon

Moderate (3) -

Reversibility of Impact High (2) -


Occurrence

Medium (3) -


prior to mitigation

Low -

Environmental



Low (45) -

52



be implemented

Alien invasive species individuals currently on

site must be actively eradicated from the

assessment area and adequately disposed of

in accordance with the National Environmental

Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004);

Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, 2014.

An active alien invasive species clearance and

eradication initiative must be implemented for

the improvement of the ephemeral water

drainage lines ecological integrity.

Implement an adequate Alien Invasive Species

Establishment Management and Prevention

Plan during the construction phase. Such a

management plan must be compiled by a

suitably qualified and experienced ecologist.

Areas within and immediately surrounding the

proposed development footprints must be

adequately rehabilitated as soon as practicably

possible after construction in order to prevent

significant alien invasive species establishment.

No site construction camp to be established

within the recommended buffer zone or in any


assessment area. Site construction camps only

to be established within the plantation areas

and specifically within the recommended

development area.

Adequately fence off the construction areas

and ensure that no construction activities,

machinery or equipment operate or impact

outside the fenced off areas or within the

buffer zone or the remaining natural area

adjacent to the assessment area.



during construction. No new roads or dirt

tracks to be constructed or implemented

outside the fenced off construction areas or

within the buffer zone or the remaining natural

area adjacent to the assessment area.

53



after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (12) -



Impact

Surface material erosion.


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Short term (2) -


Negative Impact

Local (2) -


Resources being

impacted upon

Moderate (3) -



Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium -

Environmental



Medium (60) -


be implemented

An adequate Storm Water and Erosion

Management Plan must be implemented for

the entire assessment area during the

construction phase. This must be done to

sufficiently manage storm water runoff in

order to prevent any significant erosion from

occurring.





54


significant erosion.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (24) -



Impact

Dust generation and emissions.


or Positive Impact

Low (4) -


Positive Impact

Short term (2) -


Negative Impact

Local (2) -


Resources being

impacted upon

Moderate (3) -



Occurrence

Medium (3) -


prior to mitigation

Low -

Environmental



Low (39) -


be implemented

Implement suitable dust management and

prevention measures during the construction

phase.

Construction roads and camps must be

adequately wetted-down on a continual basis,

special care should be taken at areas situated

next to Eendracht.

The water being used for wetting-down areas

must be of sufficient quality in order to

prevent significant contamination of the

55


surrounding areas.





significant dust emissions.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (10) -



Impact

Impeding of the ephemeral water drainage line’s,

catchment areas and flow regimes.


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Short term (2) -


Negative Impact

Regional (3) -


Resources being

impacted upon

High (4) -

Reversibility of Impact Moderate (3) -


Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium -

Environmental



Medium (72) -


be implemented

The delineated ephemeral water drainage lines

situated within the west, south-west and north

western portion of the assessment area of the

assessment area, must be adequately buffered

out of the proposed development footprint.

56




drainage lines and no development is allowed


The proposed development must be focussed

within the selected areas as depicted in the

layout and specifically within the

recommended development area.






place.





ensure and sufficiently manage storm water

runoff quality, quantities and flow speed

towards the watercourses in order to maintain

their ecological functionality and integrity.

Development and layout designs for the

proposed project should include adequate

storm water management measures to ensure

that sufficient volumes and quality of surface

water runoff from the footprint area is still

channelled back into the ephemeral water

drainage line and through the culverts into

applicable drainage lines watercourses. This

must be done in order to maintain the

ecological functionality and integrity of the

broader surface water catchment and drainage

area.

A Water Use License Application (WULA) must

be submitted to the Department of Water and

Sanitation if required in accordance with the

National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) (NWA).


after mitigation Low -

57


implementation

Environmental



implementation

Low (28) -



Impact

Contamination of the ephemeral water drainage line

and subsequent downstream watercourses.


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Short term (2) -


Negative Impact

Regional (3) -


Resources being

impacted upon

High (4) -



Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium -

Environmental



Medium-High (76) -


be implemented

The delineated ephemeral water drainage line

situated west, south-west and north western

portion of the assessment area must be

adequately buffered out of the proposed




drainage lines and no development is allowed


The proposed development must be focussed

within the proposed layout / development

areas and specifically within the recommended

development area.

58







place.






runoff, clean / dirty water separation and

erosion towards watercourses in order to

maintain their ecological functionality and

integrity.







drainage line and through the culverts into the

watercourses. This must be done in order to

maintain the ecological functionality and

integrity of the broader surface water

catchment and drainage area.

If hydrocarbons or other chemicals are to be

stored on site during the construction phase,

the storage areas must be situated as far away

as practicably possible from the watercourses

and buffer zone.

It is recommended that hydrocarbon and

other chemical storage areas be situated

within the eastern or southern portions of

both the assessment area.

Hydrocarbon and other chemical storage areas

must be adequately bunded in order to be

able to contain a minimum of 150% of the

capacity of storage tanks / units.

Adequate hydrocarbon and other chemical

59


storage, handling and usage procedures must

be developed, and all relevant construction

personnel must be sufficient trained on- and

apply these procedures during the entire

construction phase.

Process water, waste water and any other

chemical / artificial by-products must be

adequately contained and disposed of in a

lawful and environmentally responsible

manner.

No process water or any form of contaminated

wastewater or any other chemical / artificial

by-products resulting from any construction

activities is allowed to be unlawfully

discharged directly or indirectly into any

watercourses areas. If any form of process- or

waste water or any other chemical / artificial

by-products needs to be discharged into any

watercourses (perennial or non-perennial) this

must be lawfully done in accordance with all

relevant legal requirements and the quality of

the water must continuously meet legal

discharge quality and quantity standards.

A Water Use License Application (WULA) must

be submitted to the Department of Water and

Sanitation if required in accordance with the

National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) (NWA).


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (30) -



Impact

Transformation of CBA areas associated with the

development area


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -

60



Positive Impact

Long term (4) -


Negative Impact

Regional (3) -


Resources being

impacted upon

High (4) -



Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium-high -

Environmental



Medium-High (84) -


be implemented

The delineated watercourses and drainage lines

must be adequately buffered out of the

proposed development footprint.

A minimum 40 m buffer area must be

implemented around the significant ephemeral

watercourse and associated wetland area as

indicated under heading 8.6 and no

development is allowed to take place within the

buffered areas.

Development and layout designs should also

include adequate storm water management

measures to ensurethat sufficient volumes and

quality of surface water runoff from the footprint

area is still channelled back into the localised

catchment in order to maintain the ecological

functionality and integrity of the broader surface

water catchment and drainage area.

It is recommended that the portions of the rocky

ridges/outcrops falling within the CBA optimal

should be adequately buffered out of the

proposed development footprint area.

The project construction footprints must be kept

as small as practicably possible to reduce the

actual surface impact on vegetation and no

unnecessary/unauthorised footprint expansion

into the surrounding areas may take place.

61


No site construction camps to be established

within the recommended buffer zones or in any


assessment area.

Adequately fence off the construction areas and

ensure that no construction activities, machinery

or equipment operate or impact outside the

fenced off areas or within the buffer zones.



during construction. No new roads or dirt tracks

to be constructed or implemented outside the

fenced off construction areas or within the buffer

zones.

Construction activities should follow a phased

approach over an extended period of time in

order to limit the amount of construction

disturbances at a specific time to restricted

portions of the assessment area.

This will extend the continued ecological

functionality of the broader assessment area and

ecosystem until the phased development

reaches the furthest areas.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (32) -

62

6.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE IMPACTS



Impact

Continued impeding of the ephemeral water

drainage line’s catchment area and flow regime.


or Positive Impact

High (8) -


Positive Impact

Long term (4) -


Negative Impact

Regional (3) -


Resources being

impacted upon

High (4) -



Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium-high -

Environmental



Medium-High (92) -


be implemented




operational phase. This must be done to


runoff quality, quantities and flow speed









drainage line and through the culverts into

appropriate storm water management

infrastructures. This must be done in order to

maintain the ecological functionality and

63


integrity of the broader surface water

catchment and drainage area.

The minimum 40m buffer area implemented

around the ephemeral water drainage lines

must be adequately maintained and no

development is allowed to take place within

the buffered area.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (38) -



Impact

Continued contamination of the ephemeral water

drainage lines and subsequent downstream

watercourses.


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Long term (4) -


Negative Impact

Regional (3) -


Resources being

impacted upon

High (4) -



Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium-high -

Environmental



Medium-high (84) -


be implemented




64




runoff and clean / dirty water separation









drainage line and through the culverts into the

formalised storm water management features

This must be done in order to maintain the

ecological functionality and integrity of the

broader surface water catchment and drainage

area.

A comprehensive South African Scoring

System 5 (SASS 5) aquatic bio-monitoring

assessment must be conducted of the

watercourses directly downstream of the

proposed project area on an annual basis in

order to ensure that the ecological

functionality and integrity of the watercourses

is maintained. This information must then be

compared to the baseline data collected

during the initial assessment prior to the

commencement of the construction phase.

Such an assessment must be conducted by a

suitably qualified and experienced ecologist.

Water sample chemical and biological analyses

of the watercourses directly downstream of

the proposed project area must be continually

conducted on a 6-month basis in order to

ensure that the water quality of the

watercourses is maintained. This information

must then be compared to the baseline data

collected during the initial analyses prior to

the commencement of the construction phase.

If any reduction in SASS 5 scores or chemical

65


and biological water quality is determined due

to the project, the competent authority must

immediately be notified and the necessary

steps must be followed by the project owner

to locate and remediate the source of

contamination / health reduction as soon as

practicably possible.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (34) -



Impact

Continued surface material erosion


or Positive Impact

Medium (6) -


Positive Impact

Long term (4) -


Negative Impact

Local (2) -


Resources being

impacted upon

Moderate (3) -

Reversibility of Impact Moderate (3) -


Occurrence

High (4) -


prior to mitigation

Medium -

Environmental



Medium (72) -


be implemented




66



sufficiently manage storm water runoff in

order to prevent any significant erosion from

occurring.


after mitigation

implementation

Low -

Environmental



implementation

Low (30) -

6.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Cumulative impacts include the supply of formalized residential and business

facilities as well as creation of permanent employment and development

opportunities for members from the local community. This will create an

addition and cumulative impact on the employment opportunities in the area.

Whilst the additional impact might be minor it will be long term in nature and will

contribute to the amount of formal housing facilities available in the area and will

also reduce unemployment figures in the area.

6.4 ASSESSMENT OF NO-GO ALTERNATIVE

It has been determined following an assessment of potential environmental

impacts associated with the project that the potential negative impacts

associated with the proposed Mixed Residential Development can be mitigated

to within acceptable levels (i.e. low significance) with the application of

appropriate mitigation measures. In the event that the proposed Mixed

Residential Development is not constructed, the objectives associated with the

development of a mixed residential, including social housing, business,

community facilities and related structures will not be realised. These include:

Development of much needed formalised housing in the area

Development of business stands for the residents of the housing areas,

and adjacent communities

Promoting cohesion between local communities within the area and wider

municipal areas

67

Attracting a number of skilled workers to the area

Stimulating the economy, alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment

within the region.

The purpose of the project, which is to create a positive and sustainable socio-

economic impact in Leandra but also the greater Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

area through job creation, residential development and stimulation of local

communities.

The economic benefits associated with the development of the Mixed Residential

Development outweigh the benefits associated with the current agricultural

activities (animal grazing) occurring onsite. From an economical perspective the

Mixed Residential Development will generate revenue for the Govan Mbeki Local

Municipality on a continual basis. It is therefore recommended that the “no-go”

alternative not be considered a viable option in terms of economical

sustainability.

7. DESCRIPTION OF KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS

In undertaking this investigation and compiling the EIA Report, it has been

assumed that:

The information provided by the project proponent and specialists is

accurate and unbiased.

The scope of this investigation is limited to assessing the environmental

impacts associated with the proposed development of the proposed

Mixed Residential Development and associated infrastructure.

Should the proposed project be authorised, the applicant (Henopath (Pty)

Ltd) will incorporate the recommendations and mitigation measures

outlined in the specialists’ investigations and the final EIA Report for the

proposed Mixed Residential Development in Leandra

68

8. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The findings of the studies undertaken within this EIA to assess both the benefits

and potential negative impacts anticipated from the proposed development of

Mixed Residential Development near Leandra conclude that:

There are no environmental fatal flaws that should prevent the proposed

development of the Mixed Residential Development provided that:

The recommendations provided are considered.

The recommended mitigation and management measures in the EIA

and EMPr are implemented and given due consideration during the

formalisation process.

The required additional capacity for bulk service supply is made

available by the municipality to fully cater for the requirements of the

project (this can however be implemented across a phased

development approach).

The area is already largely transformed due to agricultural activities on site

as well as the area currently being used for animal grazing purposes,

therefore the impact on fauna and flora is considered to be low.

The cumulative significance of all the negative potential impacts on the

natural environment is considered low.

The social significance is seen as positive based on the fact that the

development of the Mixed Residential Development is likely to contribute

towards socio-economic development within the region.

Table 8.1 provides an overview of Environmental Significance Score & Ratings of

impacts identified for the proposed project both prior to mitigation and after

mitigation. From this table it is evident that while a number of potential impacts

of medium, and medium-high significance have been identified for the project, all

of these can successfully be reduced to low significance rating with the

implementation and application of appropriate mitigation measures.

69

Table 8.1: Environmental Significance Score & Ratings of impacts

identified for the proposed project considered both prior to

after mitigation.

Environmental

Significance Score &

Rating prior to

mitigation

Environmental

Significance Score &

Rating after

mitigation

Construction Phase Impacts

Transformation of terrestrial

and aquatic vegetation Medium (76) Low (48)

Terrestrial and aquatic alien

invasive species establishment. Low (45) Low (12)

Surface material erosion. Medium (60) Low (24)

Dust generation and

emissions. Low (32) Low (10)

Impeding of the ephemeral

water drainage line’s

catchment area and flow

regime.

Medium (72) Low (28)

Contamination of the

ephemeral water drainage line

and subsequent downstream

watercourses

Medium-High (76) Low (30)

Transformation of CBA optimal

areas associated with

development proposal

footprint


Operational Phase Impacts

Continued impeding of the

ephemeral water drainage

line’s catchment area and flow

regime.


Continued contamination of

the ephemeral water drainage

line and subsequent

downstream watercourses.


Continued surface material

erosion Medium (72) Low (30)

70

9. IMPACT STATEMENT

Based on the nature and extent of the proposed project, the local level of

disturbance predicted as part of the proposed Mixed Residential Development

near Leandra and associated infrastructure, the findings of the EIA, and the

understanding of potential environmental impacts, it is the opinion of the EIA

project team that environmental impacts associated with the application for EA

for the proposed development of an Mixed Residential Development on the

preferred project site (i.e. Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein 313- Mpumalanga

Province) can be mitigated to an acceptable level.

The following conditions would require being included within an authorization

issued for the project.

Recommendations and mitigation measures contained within this EIA

Report and the specialist studies attached as Error! Reference source not

found. must be implemented.

Once finalised the EMPr contained within Part B of this EIA Report should

form part of the contract with the contractors appointed work in the area

and will be used to ensure compliance with environmental specifications

and management measures. The implementation of this EMPr is

considered key in achieving the appropriate environmental management

standards as detailed for this project.

Applications for all other relevant and required permits / licences /

agreement required to be obtained by Henopath (Pty) Ltd (the project

proponent) must be obtained from the relevant regulating authorities.

During construction, unnecessary disturbance to habitats should be strictly

controlled and the footprint of the impact should be kept to a minimum

and disturbed areas should be rehabilitated as quickly as possible. Special

caution should also be taken when working close to any watercourses on

the proposed development site.

71

10. REFERENCES

LAMPBRECHT, R. 2018. Ecological Impact Assessment Report, Leandra Township

Establishment

OOSTHUIZEN, P.J. 2019. Engineering Bulk Services Civil Services Report:

Integrated Housing Development, Mpumalanga- Leandra

WESSELS, S. 2019. Township Establishment- Integrated Housing Development on

Remainder of Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein 313 IR (Mpumalanga- Leandra):

Electrical Services Report

RUSSOUW, L. 2018. Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment of the Farm Rietfontein

313 near Leandra, Mpumalanga Province

72

Appendix: A

CURRICULUM VITAE AND EAP DECLARATION

73

DETAILS AND EXPIRIENCE OF PERSON PREPAIRING REPORT

REPORT PREPARED BY: Danie Krynauw

CONTACT DETAILS: Email: [email protected]

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING Green Box Consulting

COMPANY: P.O. Box 37738

Langenhovenpark

9330

Tel: 082 435 2108

Fax: 086 66 34343

QUALIFICATIONS OF EAP: Danie Krynauw has a Master’s degree in Town and

Regional Planning (UFS), and completing his dissertation

to obtain a Master in Environmental Management (UFS).

D. Krynauw has over 18 years’ experience in the

environmental management field, and is a member of the

International Association of Impact Assessments South

Africa.


75

ONE PAGER - CURRICULUM VITAE

DANIE KRYNAUW

1. Family name: Krynauw

2. First name: Daniël

3. Date of birth: 1971/12/14

4. Nationality: South African

5. Contacts: Cell: 0824352108 / e-mail: [email protected]

6. Education:

Institution Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained

University of the Free State 2001 -

2002

Master in Environmental Management – Dissertation

pending

University of the Free State 1996-

1998

Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (UFS)

University of the Free State 1993-

1995

BA Geography and Sociology (UFS)

7. Membership of professional bodies:

International Association of Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa)

8. Present position: Environmental Scientist / Director – Green-Box Consulting

9. Current Responsibilities:

Liaising with clients in both the private and public sectors.

Conduct Environmental Impact Assessments and other Environmental Technical

Investigations.

Apply and obtain waste licenses, water licenses, mining permits and environmental

authorizations for clients.

Use different GIS datasets in order to create new information or investigate patterns

for projects.

Conduct environmental compliance and other environmental audits.

Provide technical-level support for environmental remediation and mitigation projects,

including remediation system design and determination of regulatory applicability for

incoming projects.

Collaborate with other environmental scientists, planners, engineers, and other

specialists, and experts in law and business etc. to address environmental problems for

clients.

Conduct Environmental training.


76

10. Years within the organization: 8 years

11. Other skills (e.g. computer literacy, etc.): All suits of Microsoft Office, Arc View, ReGIS,

and Project Professional.

12. Professional experience:

Date 2011 - Current

Organisation Green-Box Consulting (Environmental Consultants)

Position Environmental Scientist (Owner and Director)

Date 2009 - 2016

Organisation Terra Works Environmental Consultants

Position Senior Environmental Scientist and COO

Date 2001 - 2009

Organisation Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental

Affairs, Free State

Position Principal Environmental Officer

Description of

duties

Review Environmental Impact Assessments

Review Environmental Management Programmes

Issuing Environmental Authorisations

77

DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER, DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND UNDERTAKING UNDER OATH

(For official use only)

File Reference Number:

NEAS Reference Number: DEA/EIA/

Date Received:

Application for authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014, as amended (the Regulations)

PROJECT TITLE Proposed Residential Establishment on Portion 2 of the Farm Rietfontein 313- Leandra, Mpumalanga Province.

Kindly note the following: 1. This form must always be used for applications that must be subjected to Basic Assessment or Scoping &

Environmental Impact Reporting where this Department is the Competent Authority.

2. This form is current as of 01 September 2018. It is the responsibility of the Applicant / Environmental Assessment

Practitioner (EAP) to ascertain whether subsequent versions of the form have been published or produced by the

Competent Authority. The latest available Departmental templates are available at

https://www.environment.gov.za/documents/forms.

3. A copy of this form containing original signatures must be appended to all Draft and Final Reports submitted to the

department for consideration.

4. All documentation delivered to the physical address contained in this form must be delivered during the official

Departmental Officer Hours which is visible on the Departmental gate.

5. All EIA related documents (includes application forms, reports or any EIA related submissions) that are faxed; emailed;

delivered to Security or placed in the Departmental Tender Box will not be accepted, only hardcopy submissions are

accepted.

Departmental Details

Postal address: Department of Environmental Affairs Attention: Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Private Bag X447 Pretoria 0001 Physical address: Department of Environmental Affairs Attention: Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Environment House 473 Steve Biko Road Arcadia Queries must be directed to the Directorate: Coordination, Strategic Planning and Support at: Email: [email protected]

1. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) INFORMATION

EAP Company Name: Green-Box Consulting

B-BBEE Contribution level (indicate 1 to 8 or non-compliant)

Level 4 EME

Percentage Procurement recognition

100%

EAP name: Danie Krynauw

EAP Qualifications: Master in Environmental Management (Dissertation pending) Masters in Urban and Regional Planning BA in Geography and Sociology

Professional affiliation/registration:

International Association of Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa)

Physical address: 51 Willie du Plessis Fichardtpark Bloemfontein

Postal address: 51 Willie du Plessis Fichardtpark Bloemfontein

Postal code: 9301 Cell: 082 435 2108

Telephone: - Fax: -

E-mail: [email protected]

The appointed EAP must meet the requirements of Regulation 13 of GN R982 of 04 December 2014, as amended.


79

2. DECLARATION BY THE EAP

I, Danie Krynauw , declare that –

I act as the independent environmental assessment practitioner in this application;

I have expertise in conducting environmental impact assessments, including knowledge of the Act, Regulations and

any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity;

I will comply with the Act, Regulations and all other applicable legislation;

I will perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that

are not favourable to the applicant;

I will take into account, to the extent possible, the matters listed in Regulation 13 of the Regulations when preparing the

application and any report relating to the application;

I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the Competent Authority all material information in my possession that

reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing - any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the

Competent Authority; and - the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by myself for submission to

the Competent Authority, unless access to that information is protected by law, in which case it will be indicated that

such information exists and will be provided to the Competent Authority;

I will perform all obligations as expected from an environmental assessment practitioner in terms of the Regulations;

and

I am aware of what constitutes an offence in terms of Regulation 48 and that a person convicted of an offence in terms

of Regulation 48(1) is liable to the penalties as contemplated in Section 49B of the Act.

80

Disclosure of Vested Interest (delete whichever is not applicable)

I do not have and will not have any vested interest (either business, financial, personal or other) in the

proposed activity proceeding other than remuneration for work performed in terms of the Regulations;

I have a vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding, such vested interest being:

Danie Krynauw

Signature of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner:

Green-Box Consulting

Name of Company:

Date:

81

Appendix: B

LOCALITY MAP

82

83

Appendix: C

SITE PHOTOS

84

Photo 1: Some areas denuded of vegetation

Photo 2: Typical grazing veld, centre of development area

85

Photo 3: Southern portion planted with eragrostis grass

Photo 4: Small graveyard middle of development site

86

Photo 5: Natural vegetation cover

Photo 6: Some Exotic trees located at the western border, however localised

87

Appendix: D

FACILITY ILLUSTRATION(S)

88

89

Appendix: E

SPECIALIST REPORTS

90

Appendix: F

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

1. Advert placed in newspaper ECHO on 14/12/2018. 2. Two (2) site notices placed, one in town and two along the site access routes; 3. Draft Scoping Report submitted to registered I&APs, and applicable Sector

Departments. 4. Proof of the Draft Scoping Report sent to the I&APs, and applicable Sector

Departments. 5. Comments and Response form from relevant I&APs, and applicable Sector

Departments.

91

ECHO Newspaper Advertisement

92

Advert placed in the ECHO News (Local Newspaper)- 14 December 2018

93

Site Notices Placed

Site Notice 1: Placed on the R50 road which

enters the town of Leandra from the north, the

R50 is situated east of the proposed site-

26°20'46.16"S; 28°54'40.47"E.

Site Notice 2: Placed in front of the Dutch

Reformed Church in Eendracht, west of the

proposed site- 26°22'33.41"S; 28°53'1.68"E.

94

Mixed Residential Establishment- Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP) Database

Name of Department Contact person Address Email Address Phone number

Goven Mbeki Municipality Mr. Nic van der Merwe

Private Bagx1005 Balfour 2410

[email protected] 017-620 6061

Gert Sibande District Municipality

Mr. M.P.P. Nhlabathi

PO Box 24 Carolina 1185

[email protected] 017-8434000

Department Agriculture & Rural Development

Ms. O.G. Xaba Private Bag x9071 Ermelo 2350


Department of Water Affairs Mr. F. Guma Private Bag x11259 Nelspruit 1200


Department of Human Settlements

Mr. G. Sihlangu Private Bag x 11328 Mbombela 1200

[email protected] 081 8425704

Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport

Mr. David Nkambule

Private Bag X11302 Mbombela 1200

[email protected] 013-766 6887

Goven Mbeki Municipality- Planning and Development Department

Mr. Caiphus Ncobizizwe Methula

- [email protected] 017-6206058 / 071 293 7218

Goven Mbeki Municipality- Ward Councillor (Ward 01)

Cllr. L. M. Mbonani

- [email protected] 073 535 4022

Adjacent landowner Mr. Izak de Lange - [email protected] 082 920 8004

Registered Interested and Affected Party

Mr. Lazarus - [email protected] 017-6322939









tel:073%20535%204022


tel:0176322939

95

Proof of the Draft Scoping Report sent to the I&APs, and applicable Sector Departments

96

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

Example of letters Sent to I&APs

108

109

Comments and Response Report- Final Scoping Report

The Draft Scoping Report was e-mailed and posted to stakeholders for

comment/s on Thursday, 25 July 2019, together with a letter explaining the

project and the timeframe in which comments can be directed to the EAP. It must

be noted because of corrupted / sending errors experienced on various I&AP’s

email addresses some Draft Scoping Reports were both emailed as well as posted

to the relevant I&AP’s

The Draft Scoping Report was sent to the following stakeholders (sector

departments):

Goven Mbeki Local Municipality;

Gert Sibande District Municipality;

Department Agriculture & Rural Development;

Department of Water Affairs;

Department of Human Settlements;

Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport;

Goven Mbeki Municipality- Planning and Development Department.

The Draft Scoping Report was also sent to Goven Mbeki Local Municipality- Ward

Councillor (Ward 01)- Cllr. L. M. Mbonani.

In addition, the Draft Scoping Report was also e-mailed to a number of I&APs

who registered during the initial phase one stakeholder engagement process:

Mr. Izak de Lange;

Mr. Lazarus.

110

Comments and Response Table

Authority or Stakeholder Comment/s Received Response given by EAP

Goven Mbeki Local Municipality No Comment Received No Response Given

Gert Sibande District Municipality No Comment Received No Response Given

Department Agriculture & Rural Development No Comment Received No Response Given

Department of Water Affairs No Comment Received No Response Given

Department of Human Settlements No Comment Received No Response Given

Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport No Comment Received No Response Given

Goven Mbeki Municipality- Planning and

Development Department

No Comment Received No Response Given

Goven Mbeki Municipality- Ward Councillor (Ward

01)


Mr. Izak de Lange- Adjacent landowner No Comment Received No Response Given

Mr. Lazarus- Registered Interested and Affected

Party


111

Appendix: G

LIST OF APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

112

ISSUE PRIMARY LEGISLATION

General Duty of Care and

remediation of environmental

damage

Constitution of South Africa Act No 108 of 1996.

National Environmental Management Act (No.107 of

1998)

Environment Conservation Act (No. 73 of 1989) (ECA)

Water related issues National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998)

Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997)

Soil erosion Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No. 43 of

1983)

Air quality issues National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No.

39 of 2004)

Noise issues Environment Conservation Act (No. 73 of 1989.) (ECA)

Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 2003)

(OHSA)

Waste disposal National Environmental Management: Waste

Management Act (No. 59 of 2008) (NEM:WA)

Cultural heritage and historical

issues

National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999) (NHRA)

Ecosystems and wildlife National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act

(No. 10 of 2004)

National Forests Act (No. 84 of 1998)

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas

Act (No. 57 of 2003)

Alien Invasive Species Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No. 43 of

1983) (CARA)

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act

(No. 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA)

Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock

Remedies Act (No. 36 of 1947) (FFFARSRA)

Public health related issues National Health Act (No. 61 of 2003) (NHA)


(OHSA)

Public Nuisance National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of

1998) (NEMA)

Common-Law Controls

Hazardous substances Environment Conservation Act (No. 73 of 1989) (ECA)

Hazardous Substances Act (No. 15 of 1973)

Borrow areas Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No.

28 of 2002) (MPRDA)

Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996) (MHSA)

Blasting Explosives Act (No. 15 of 2003)


(OHSA)

Mine Health and Safety Act (No. 29 of 1996) (MHSA)

Traffic related issues Road Traffic Act (No. 93 of 1996) (RTA)

National Road Traffic Regulations 2000

Note: This list is not exhaustive

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Documents

Residential Establishment, Leandra Govan Mbeki Local Municipality · 2019-11-15 · i DARDLEA Ref: 1/3/1/16/1 G-131 Residential Establishment, Leandra – Govan Mbeki Local Municipality