BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT:

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1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT: Proposed Construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN A Project of Dymatron (Pty) Ltd 21 NOVEMBER 2014 BID

2 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Client / Applicant: Dymatron (Pty) Ltd Report name: BID for the Proposed Construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Report type: Project name: Project number: Version: Background Information Document (BID) Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN T4E Original Compiled and Authorised by: Compiled By: Date Signature Melissa Padayachee 21 November 2014 / Ballito Authorised By: Date Signature Kushela Naidoo (EAPASA) Technical Director 21 November 2014 / Durban COMPILED BY: Triplo 4 Sustainable Solutions (Pty) Ltd Address: Suite 5, The Circle, Douglas Crowe Dr Ballito,4152 Telephone: +27 (0) Facsimile: +27 (0) hantie@triplo4.com Copyright 2014 Triplo 4 Sustainable Solutions

3 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Background Information Document (BID) is to provide information to interested and affected parties (I&APs) regarding the Proposed Construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN. Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions (hereafter referred to as Triplo4) was appointed as Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner by Dymatron for the proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre. LOCATION OF PROPOSED PROJECT The proposed site is situated within Mpophomeni adjacent to the R617; approximately 6 km to the southwest of Howick and access is via the R617. The Off-Take 6-B Bulk water pipeline project falls within the Umngeni Local and Umgungungdlovu District Municipality. Co-ordinates of proposed development Latitude /Longitude Degrees Minutes Seconds South East Figure 1: Locality Map showing the location of the Proposed Mpophomeni Shopping Centre 1

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5 Figure 2: Proposed Layout Plan

6 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN PROJECT DETAIL Dymatron Pty Ltd proposes the construction of a Shopping Centre in Mpophomeni, Umngeni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, comprising of food outlets, retail stores, etc, as per the proposed layout - figure 2. The proposed development is situated on Portion 13 of the Farm Riet Vallei No which is currently vacant land and not zoned as it is currently not within the town-planning scheme. The total size of the site is and the development footprint is approximately 3.5 hectares. All bulk services (water, electricity, sewage) are available within close proximity to the site and the development will be linked with the existing infrastructure. PROJECT MOTIVATION The Mpophomeni currently has no large shopping centre, with the CBD being the only central shopping area. There are also very few major retail stores operating in the Mpophomeni area. The major retail stores that do operate in Mpophomeni are widely dispersed, making them less frequented by shoppers. The construction of the Mpophomeni Shopping Centre will provide the surrounding area with a central retail shopping hub. In addition, the retail and commercial opportunities will create new temporary and permanent employment opportunities for the residents from surrounding communities. The job opportunities from the retail industry within the mall will help alleviate the burden of youth unemployment. Also, the development will contribute to and promote Local Economic Development in terms of commercial and retail activities. SPECIALIST EVALUATION An independent Wetland and Ecological Habitat Assessment was conducted by Mr Clayton Cook, and the following is a summary of the findings with an additional figure (figure 3) to indicate the sensitivity of the proposed site: Ecological Habitat Assessment: The subject property has been historically as well as currently utilised for agricultural activities including extensive livestock grazing and small-scale agricultural lands (Maize Zea mays).the entire grassland vegetation of the site has been completely transformed during previous agricultural activities as well as recent residential developments around Mpophomeni B. Disturbed areas such as several illegal dumping sites have become dominated by weedy plant and alien invasive vegetation. No threatened bird species were recorded during the brief survey or are likely to occur around the proposed Mpophomeni Shopping Centre due to high levels of habitat transformation and degradation as well as high levels of human disturbances. Reptile species are extremely sensitive to habitat destruction and transformation. No threatened reptile species are likely to occur on the site or the immediate open areas surrounding the site due to extensive habitat transformation and degradation. Low reptile diversity is expected on the site due to extensive habitat destruction and low diversity within the transformed and degraded grasslands. The burst bulk sewer line and illegal dumping activities as well as extreme trampling by cattle results in deterioration of water quality and low amphibian diversity in the adjacent lower-lying valley bottom wetland. 4

7 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Wetland Assessment: The majority of the proposed Mpophomeni Shopping Centre is situated within transformed temporary inundated footslope seepage wetlands. The channelled valley bottom or small perennial stream flows into the Midmar Dam approximately 800m to the north of the site. A Heritage Impact Assessment: Communication with the Heritage Specialist (Mr. Gavin Anderson) yielded that there is nothing archaeological except for a few stone tools at this site. There are more recent house remains from a nearby town and if there were any graves it would be recognizable. 5

8 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Figure 3: Preliminary Wetland Delineation Map for the Proposed Development 6

9 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES Relevant Environmental Legislation The below mentioned environmental activities are potentially being triggered by the proposed development, requiring an Environmental Authorisation from KZN EDTEA: Listing Notice 1 (GNR 544, 2010): Activity No. Listed activity as per the project description Activity 11 The construction of: (x) buildings exceeding 50 square metres in size; or (xi) infrastructure or structures covering 50 square metres or more where such construction occurs within a watercourse or within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse The development footprint is approximately 3.5 hectares and occurs within the transformed hillslope seepage wetlands and adjacent to a channelled valley bottom wetland. Activity 18 The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 5 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock or more than 5 cubic metres from: (i) a watercourse; The development occurs within the transformed hillslope seepage wetlands and adjacent to a channelled valley bottom wetland. Activity 23 The transformation of undeveloped, vacant or derelict land to (ii) residential, retail, commercial, recreational, industrial or institutional use, outside an urban area and where the total area to be transformed is bigger than 1 hectare but less than 20 hectares; - The proposed site is currently vacant land and is situated outside the urban area. The development footprint is approximately 3.5 hectares. A person who wishes to commence, undertake or conduct an activity listed in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, or NEMA EIA Listing Notice 1 activities must conduct a basic assessment process. Legal requirements for the proposed construction of off take 6B Pipeline This development triggers activity 11, 18 and activity 23 of Listing Notice 1 of the EIA Regulations and will conduct a Basic Assessment Report as per The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA). A Water Use License Application is required for the proposed development. A Water Use License (WUL) is a legal process governed by DWA requiring the authorisation of all water uses defined in section 21 of the National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998) [NWA]. The above mentioned project requires Section 21 (c) and (i) water uses. The NWA defines a Section 21 (c) and (i) water uses as: Section 21 (c) Impeding and diverting the flow of water in a watercourse, Section 21 (i) Altering the bed, bank, course or characteristics of a watercourse. 7

10 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Basic Assessment Process The basic assessment process being followed comprises of the following: Submission of an Application for Authorization to EDTEA; Public participation Process: o o o o Submission of a Background Information Document (this document) to identified stakeholders; An advertisement in the local newspaper (Eyethu Newspaper); Placement of a site notification at the site notifying I&AP s of the proposed activity and inviting them to register; and; Relevant I&AP s consultation to address issues and concerns raised; Compilation of Draft Basic Assessment Report for I&AP s review and comments, which will be available for review and comment at Mpophomeni Public Library for a period of 40 days from 02 October 2014 to 11 November 2014 Submission of a Basic Assessment Report and details of I&AP consultation to the EDTEA, for a decision; Communication to I&AP s regarding the Environmental Authorisation. Public Participation Process The public participation process and time frames are summarized as follows: Announcing the opportunity to participate and register, 25 September 2014 Distribution of the Background Information Document to all identified stakeholders to announce the project and inviting stakeholders to register as an I&AP and participate in the public participation process; Posting of the site notice at the site; Advertisement in the Eyethu Newspaper which will be available on 10 September 2014 Obtaining initial comment, Providing this BID and comment sheets to stakeholders; and Capturing all comments in a Comment and Response Report / Issues Trial. Draft BA Report 02 October 2014 to 11 November 2014 Availability of the draft BA report at Mpophomeni Public Library, which will contain a full project description, alternatives considered, and relevant information. 8

11 BID for the Proposed construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Submitting the final BA report to Authorities, providing a comment period of 40 days (excluding public holidays); and Submitting the final BA report to EDTEA for consideration and communicating the decision to I&AP s. Your contributions are important You can get involved in the process: 1. By responding (by phone, fax or ) to our invitation for your involvement in the process; 2. By completing the attached comment form and ing, posting or faxing it to Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions; 3. In writing contacting or telephoning consultants if you have a query, comment or require further project information; and 4. By reviewing and commenting on the BA Report within the allowed 40-day review period. In terms of the NEMA Regulations (GN 543) you are invited to formally register as an I&AP. Please note that in terms of Regulation 56 (c), I&AP s need to disclose any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which they may have in the approval or refusal of the application. Please register by 25 September 2014 by completing the enclosed registration and comment sheet and please declare the interest with regard to the project with your comments. 9

12 REGISTRATION FORM: Proposed Construction of Mpophomeni Shopping Centre, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KZN Attention: Hantie Plomp Cell: / Fax: Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms) Name Organisation / Interes Phone Fax Signature Please tick the appropriate circle and confirm your contact details above: Registration I would like to register as an Interested and Affected Party for the BA process for this Project Non stakeholder: I would like you to take me off your distribution sheet for the Proposed. I would not like to receive any further information regarding this process. Other If you know of any other individual or organisation that would be interested in registering as an Interested and Affected Party please provide their contact details: Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms) Name Organisation / Interes Phone Fax Signature

13 I have the following queries/comments: II