PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING

Transcription

1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING

2 MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING IN RESPECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED TINLEY MANOR SOUTHBANK S COASTAL DEVELOPMENT Umhlali Country Club h30 Agenda 1. Welcome and Introduction Kushela Naidoo/SSI 2. Planning Context Presentation Tony Markewicz/SSI 3. EIA Process Kushela Naidoo/SSI 4. Discussion Session All 5. Closure Kushela Naidoo and Tandi Breetzke/SSI

3 Attendance: Present as per the attendance register: 1 Kushela Naidoo SSI - Facilitator 2 Tony Markewicz SSI 3 Tandi Breetzke SSI 4 Humayrah Bassa SSI 5 Rory Wilkinson Tongaat Hulett Developments (THD) 6 Bheki Shongwe Tongaat Hulett Developments (THD) 7 Val Purves Tongaat Hulett Developments (THD) 8 Louis van Zyl Home owner 9 Mari van Zyl Home owner 10 Brett Farquharson Home owner 11 Mike Armstorng Amber Mountain 12 Gary Botha Amber Mountain 13 E.N. Makanga Kijabe Estates 14 Njagi Makanga Kijabe Estates 15 Adam Watson H.D.C. 16 H. Struwig S.M.A. 17 W. Sak RPPH 18 Di Jones Coastwatch, WESSA, Dolphin Coast Conservancy 19 Mike Howard Home owner 20 Bernard Rouillard Northbank Farm 21 Michael Paterson North Coast Courier 22 Adrian Reynolds Neighbouring Farm Owner 23 Leigh Reynolds Neighbouring Farm Owner 24 Neelan Naidoo 25 Shaun White 26 Mark Froman 27 Dave De Lange 28 Marilyn De Lange 29 Dean Hammerich 30 Henry Simpson Home owner 31 Chad Burtt Home owner 32 Xavier Singh Ward 11 Representative 33 Raymond Singh Tinley Manor Beach Civic Association (Chair)

4 1. Welcome & Introduction Kushela Naidoo, SSI Kushela welcomed all present, and outlined the proceedings for the evening. The agenda was confirmed. He presented an overview of the purpose of the public meeting and what was hoped to be achieved. Kushela explained the conduct of the meeting going forward and requested that all cell phones be switched to silent mode and that discussions be reserved for the end of the presentation and discussions go through the facilitator. Kushela briefly explained the purpose of the meeting within the context of the EIA process, noting that it was critical for the process that the affected public feel free to feed comments, queries and suggestions into the EIA process, and even beyond. He stated that the meeting was an opportunity to: provide Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and Key Stakeholders with information regarding the proposed Tinley Manor Southbank s Development Initiative; provide an overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Public Participation Process (PPP) being followed for the proposed project; provide an opportunity for key stakeholders and I&APs to seek clarity and provide input into the project; and record comments raised and include them in the Final Scoping Report. 2. Planning Context Tony Markewicz, SSI 2.1 Locality Tony explained the location of the proposed site on the locality map provided, noting the exact location, a site under sugarcane cultivation located between the coastal towns of Sheffield Beach and Tinley Manor Beach. 2.2 Development Lines and Watercourses Tony went on to provide a concept plan for the site. He explained that Tongaat Hulett has undertaken a considerable amount of work with regards to the environment which has preceded the planning of the development. He explained that this enabled the planner to identify key environmental assets and to ensure that these assets are preserved. Tony explained that two lines were used in developing the concept plan. These were the hazard line (which considers future sea level rise in the area) and a coastal setback line (which considers coastal erosion issues as well as other geotechnical constraints). In addition to

5 this, Tony explained that the green fingers illustrated on the concept plan were various water bodies, stream lines and drainage lines which were buffered due to their environmental sensitivity. He explained that more detailed specialist studies would need to be conducted on these water bodies as the process continues. 2.3 Roads Tony explained that there is a possibility of a new interchange at the N2 which will provide access to the site. He explained the smaller loop connecters that are envisaged in order to provide access to a range of development options which are present for the site. 2.4 Land Use The proposed development will consist of a mix of land uses with a focus on tourist, resort and residential land uses. There is also a potential for commercial and mixed use development around and along the N2 plus a small commercial centre to serve the resort and residential components. 2.5 Swimming Beaches Tony identified and demonstrated the location of potential swimming beaches in the area and stressed that these would need to be protected due to the coastal dune system. 2.5 Spatial Development Framework (SDF) Tony noted the location of the Tinley Manor Southbank s Coastal Development is ideally positioned for the proposed development by Tongaat Hulett Developments, particularly in terms of the SDF which identifies the need for medium level residential development in the Municipality. He further states that the SDF emphasises the need to ensure that the coastal zone and coastal dune system impacts are kept to a minimum with a level of public involvement in order to ensure access is permitted to the beaches and coastal areas by the public. Tony concluded his presentation. Kushela Naidoo added that preliminary studies were undertaken by Tongaat Hulett Developments for the Tinley Manor site which identified constraints which were taken into consideration in the broad conceptual planning of the development.

6 3. EIA Process Kushela Naidoo, SSI 3.1 Aims of Public Participation Process Kushela explained that public participation is a communication tool to inform I&APs of a proposed project. He stated that it is a tool to receive and integrate the comments of the I&APs into the relevant phases of a proposed project. He noted that public participation is not a public relations or marketing exercise and that it is not a means to satisfy grievances but rather an opportunity to record comments. 3.2 Stages of Public Participation Process Kushela then elaborated on the stages in the public participation process with the use of a flow diagram. 3.3 Specialist Studies Kushela outlined the different specialist studies which were envisaged for this project. These were: Planning Context; Traffic Impact Assessment; Infrastructural Assessment; Electrical Assessment; Wetland Assessment; Coastal Assessment; Estuarine Management Plan; Heritage Assessment; Vegetation Assessment; Geotechnical Assessment; and Agricultural Potential Assessment. 3.4 Way Forward Kushela elaborated on the way forward for the project after the meeting. He stated that the following would take place: Compilation and distribution of meeting minutes Public & Authority Review of Draft Scoping Report Inclusion of Authority & I&AP comments into Final Scoping Report Submission of Final Scoping report to KZN DAEARD KZN DAEA Decision on PoS for EIA Commence EIA Phase

7 Dependent on environmental authorization planned mid Review of Draft Scoping Report Kushela stated that the draft Scoping report will be available for a 40 day public review and comment from the 20 October 30 November 2011 at the following places: Impulse by the Sea Restaurant: 167 Seaview Drive, Tinley Manor Tongaat Hulett Developments: Zimbali Resort Offices Zimbali (Adjacent to Sales centre just before northern gatehouse) SSI Website:

8 4. Discussion Session Facilitated by Kushela Naidoo, SSI Kushela opened the floor for discussion. The following questions/comments/issues were raised: COMMENTATOR QUESTION, QUERY, CONCERN RAISED RESPONDED BY Mark Froman Question related to the concept plan what is the Kushela water at the top indicated in blue? Naidoo, SSI RESPONSE The portions indicated in blue indicate mixed use development and not water. Louis van Zyl Tony mentioned a new interchange of the N2. Discussion with SANRAL will be necessary to get the off-ramp from the N2 and this off-ramp is crucial to the development. If the interchange does not happen, this development, in my opinion, will not take place. Also, are there any plans to link Tinley Manor Beach to the proposed development by means of a bridge over the watercourses? Is water-borne sewerage planned? Xavier Singh Electricity is a concern for the residents of Tinley Manor Beach. I am raising a question which was raised at the Civic Association meeting will the power be coming out of the Tinley Manor portion because there is already a very poor power supply in the area. When the wind blows up, the power is gone so there needs to be careful planning with regards to power. Will water be taken from the Tinley Manor water supply or will water be sourced separately? Will there be any water borne sewerage system? Chris Devan of Siza Water produces a report every quarter of a year. Will this development be connected up to the sewerage plant? Rory Wilkinson, THD Kushela Naidoo, SSI The interchange of the N2 has been approved for another development and THD is effectively latching on to this so in probability the interchange will materialise. No road links have been planned over the river as yet, however, as it is early in the planning process, we cannot confirm a yes or no to this question. Yes All of the questions were centred on infrastructure plans. There will be a full infrastructural assessment undertaken at a later stage and this will inform and determine the infrastructure required for this initiative.

9 COMMENTATOR QUESTION, QUERY, CONCERN RAISED RESPONDED BY We have heard some talk of a marina. This needs to Rory be settled. On the concept plan there are five stars Wilkinson, indicating possible resorts. Is there going to be a THD marina or not? RESPONSE A marina is not envisaged or planned as yet. Dean Hammerich Can you provide us with timelines of how phases will be implemented? I am excited about the development. I have a question with regard to the off-ramp. There needs to be commitment with regard to the off-ramp. In another development, 600 units were approved without approval for an off-ramp. Rory Wilkinson, THD An EIA takes between months and the planning process will follow thereafter. After that the development will be rolled out according to market demand. We are not making any assumptions; an interchange is planned for the area. From the concept plan, there is a road circle going inland are there any plans to link this road to the Trinity College School? We will have to look into that. Chad Burtt What is the setback to the lagoon banks? Tandi Breetzke, SSI Swimming beaches have been earmarked. Will there be access to the beach and is it envisaged that there will be modification to the lagoon to provide public access to this as at present it is not accessible? Is there any initiative to reinstate vegetation which is now under cane? The setback line is based on a 6 metre contour for the estuary. The coastal setback line has been determined using numerous factors. Part of the estuary is below the 5 metre contour and this is based on Andrew Mather s sea level rise. A 6 metre contour has been provided to give access to the coastal zone and it is responsible. The estuary is regarded as part of the coastal zone. There will be no manipulation the opening and closing of the estuary. And estuary management plan will be drawn up which will identify constraints and what is allowed to be done in that area. No, this cannot be done.

10 COMMENTATOR QUESTION, QUERY, CONCERN RAISED RESPONDED BY Di Jones There is an opportunity to correct some of the past Rory wrongs here. Is Tongaat Hulett Developments going Wilkinson, to allow for this in terms of the lease? THD RESPONSE Farmers will be allowed to continue farming until the development happens. Mike Howard Is this a gated development township or will there be public access and will the residential areas be of higher density than the surrounding area? We would like to see it accessible to the public where we can walk our dogs, etc. Rory Wilkinson, THD We cannot really answer both questions right now as that detail of planning has not happened as yet. We ideally would not like a large gated development; much clearly security is a major issue that has to be addressed. Noted Adrian Reynolds I am a neighbouring farm owner so I have a question with regard to access to and through my land but I guess that will be answered at a later stage. I would like to know more about the blue zones on the concept plan. What kind of commercial development is envisaged and will there be another opportunity for the public to comment? Will the road to the right on the plan be open to the public? Kushela Naidoo, SSI Rory Wilkinson, THD Addressed at later stage. This is a public meeting at the scoping phase to introduce the stakeholders to the project. Once detailed planning has occurred, there will be another public meeting during the EIA phase in which you will be invited to. If it is earmarked for commercial development, then yes it will be open to the public.

11 5. Closure Kushela Naidoo and Tandi Breetzke, SSI Kushela emphasised that this meeting was the beginning of a long process of consultation between the various stakeholders and parties. He stated that comments would be noted and addressed during the process and that comments were welcome at any stage during the process. Tandi added comments with regard to the delineation of the coastal setback lines. She stated that a conservative setback line was used for this area. Sea level rise for a 100 year period is determined in order to obtain the hazard line and the coastal setback line considers areas prone to spillages and was taken into consideration at the outset. Kushela thanked everyone for attending and encouraged liaison with between the parties. He encouraged comments to be forwarded to the environmental consultants (details of which were provided on the screen) and stated that reminders will be sent out as the process continues. Kushela closed the meeting at 18h15.

12 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT PROOF OF PUBLIC MEETING

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