1
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO INFORM THE
NEMA/LFTEA APPLICATION FOR RESETTLEMENT OF THE
VISSERSHOK RESIDENTS ON ONE OF THREE SITES IN THE
VICINITY OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN
March 2011
CAPE FARM 32/5 WESFLEUR ATLANTIS
Reference number: E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page no
EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES (ENGLISH, AFRIKAANS, XHOSA)
4
BACKGROUND
10
SECTION A
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
REPORT COMPILERS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
PROJECT DESCRIPTION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
LIST OF ACTIVITIES ASSESSED DURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT……………………………………………………………….
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE ACTIVITY IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN……………………………………………………..
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES IN TERMS OF NEMA AND LFTEA……………………………………….
NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF THE ACTIVITY……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 23 OF NEMA NO 62 OF 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………..
HOW THE PRINICIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AS SET OUT IN SECTION 2 OF
NEMA HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
IDENTIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACTS OF THE ALTERNATIVES…………………………………………
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACTS…………………………………….
INVESTIGATION, ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTS ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE………………………………
SPECIALIST INPUTS/STUDIES, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………………………………………………..
IMPACT SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES AND CRITERIA, GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE, UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS
AND UNCERTAINTIES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
SECTION B
LFTEA DOCUMENTATION (submitted seperately)
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
13
13
15
16
Appendix 5
19
21
26
27
30
35
50
53 & Appendix 8
53
53
55
3
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1a) Ministerial agreement for a combined Section 24 K and Less Formal Township Establishment Act Process
APPENDIX 1b) Report to Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management Committee
APPENDIX 1c) Council Resolution
APPENDIX 1d) NEMA section 24 (4) requirements
APPENDIX 2a) Photograph of model of typical unit to be provided
APPENDIX 2b) Alternative ‘wet core’ and slab option
APPENDIX 3
Water and Sewer connection proposal
APPENDIX 4
Biodiversity map
APPENDIX 5
Site photographs
APPENDIX 6
Summary of issues raised by I&Aps in response to the LFTEA advertisement
APPENDIX 7
Advertisements
APPENDIX 8
Heritage report
APPENDIX 9a) Site Location
APPENDIX 9b) Site Layout
APPENDIX 9c) Internal site layout
APPENDIX 10 Cape Town Growth Directions map
APPENDIX 11 Environmental Management Programme Specifications
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: ATLANTIS WESFLEUR
This environmental assessment is intended to inform the decision of which site may be used for the resettlement of the Vissershok squatters. Three
assessments are being undertaken, one for each of the potential sites for which application has been made by the City of Cape Town. This assessment is for
the Atlantis Wesfleur site (Reference number: E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10).
This site is being considered because it is owned by the City of Cape Town and is located close to existing bulk infrastructure. The Vissershok residents have
to be moved as the landfill site is being expanded and they are occupying land in the expansion pathway. Relocation is a condition of approval for expansion
of the landfill. This application does not form part of the City’s Integrated Development Plan, but falls under a category of emergency housing as identified
in the City’s Housing Plan.
The project involves moving approximately 266 - 300 families (about 850 people) from the Rooidakkies and SkandaalKamp informal settlements at
Vissershok to a new site which will be up to 6ha in size. The area to be settled initially will be about 2.7 ha but will increase over time. The Vissershok
residents will be provided with a plot of 49m2 and a prefabricated (steel and metal) shelter of approximately 24m2. The site would be fenced and provided
with electricity to each shelter, gravel roads, water and water borne sanitation to the adjacent Wesfleur Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP).
The environmental impacts associated with this site are summarised below. Emphasis is placed on the operation phase impacts as they are mostly
permanent. The construction phase impacts will be limited to the dust and noise associated with construction activities that will take place over a 6 – 14
month period.
Impact Summary
Impacts on Geographical and Physical Aspects: There is a risk of pollution of the Atlantis aquifer. These risks are preventable and so are predicted to be of
Low significance after mitigation.
Impacts on quality of life, safety, security and livelihoods: The Vissershok community would be isolated from the Atlantis community but there are concerns
from Atlantis residents about increased crime and unemployment adding to existing social problems, as well as pressure on the schools, clinics and
hospitals. It is not possible to predict the magnitude of any possible increase in crime. Impacts are likely to be felt at individual and community levels and
are anticipated to be of Medium significance after mitigation although this assessment is uncertain.
Impacts on Biodiversity: The site is heavily infested with alien trees and is not important for Biodiversity.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
5
Impacts on economy, employment and City planning: The presence of the Vissershok community on the outskirts of Atlantis is unlikely to have a significant
impact on the economy of the area. Economic impacts are considered to be of Low significance. The addition of more unemployed people in the area will
however exacerbate the existing situation. The effectiveness and extent of any mitigation (targeted interventions) is not predictable and therefore the
impact significance may be Medium - High. In addition, the City would have to find significant resources to prepare this site as a new access road would be
required. This increases the time required to prepare the site. Its proximity to bulk services is however advantageous. The site is located outside the
Atlantis urban edge but within the growth path of Atlantis.
Impacts on cultural historical aspects: The site has no archaeological or cultural significance and so no impacts are expected.
Potential noise and visual impacts: The site would be visible from the neighbouring industrial area. There will be noise impacts. The most affected parties
are likely to be the City of Cape Town Wesfleur Waste Water Treatment Plant staff occupying two cottages on the southern boundary of the site. Distance
factors would reduce the impact. The impact significance after mitigation is predicted to be Low.
In terms of efficiency, equity and sustainability criteria, the Atlantis site is advantageous in terms of the Vissershok resident’s access to services and
amenities, but negative in that the community will be isolated and may add to the high unemployment levels and social issues such as crime and alcohol
abuse in Atlantis. There is land within the Atlantis urban edge available to be developed, but relocation of the Vissershok residents within Atlantis would be
opposed by local residents. The site has potential for significant development and increased sustainability in the long term provided that impacts on the
existing Atlantis residents and demand for jobs and social facilities, such as schools, can be addressed.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
6
UITVOERENDE OPSOMMING: ATLANTIS WESFLEUR
Dié omgewingsimpakbepaling is daarop gemik om die grondslag van die besluit te vorm oor watter perseel vir die verskuiwing van die Vissershok-plakkers
gebruik kan word. Drie bepalings word gedoen – een vir elk van die potensiële persele waarom daar by die Stad Kaapstad aansoek gedoen is. Dié bepaling is
vir die Atlantis Wesfleur-perseel (verwysingsno.: E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10).
Dié perseel word oorweeg omdat dit in raadsbesit is en naby bestaande grootmaatinfrastruktuur geleë is. Die Vissershok-inwoners moet verskuif word,
aangesien die grondopvulterrein uitgebrei word, en die grond waarop hulle woon, in die pad van die uitbreiding is. Verskuiwing is ’n
goedkeuringsvoorwaarde vir die uitbreiding van die grondopvulterrein. Dié aansoek maak nie deel van die Stad se geïntegreerde-ontwikkelingsplan uit nie –
dit val in die kategorie noodbehuising soos geïdentifiseer in die Stad se behuisingsplan.
Die projek behels die verskuiwing van sowat 266 – 300 gesinne (sowat 850 mense) van die Rooidakkies- en SkandaalKamp- informele nedersettings te
Vissershok na ’n nuwe perseel wat sowat 6 ha groot is. Die gebied waarop vestiging sal plaasvind, sal aanvanklik sowat 2,7 ha wees, maar dit sal mettertyd
groter word. Die Vissershok-inwoners sal van ’n perseel van 49 m2 en ’n vooraf vervaardigde (hout-en-sink-) skuiling van sowat 24 m2 voorsien word. Die
perseel sal omhein word, elke skuiling sal van elektrisiteit voorsien word, en daar sal gruispaaie, water en spoelsanitasie na die aanliggende Wesfleurafvalwaterbehandelingsaanleg wees.
Die omgewingsimpakte wat met dié perseel verband hou, word hieronder opgesom. Die bedryfsfase-impakte word beklemtoon, aangesien hulle
oorwegend permanent is. Die konstruksiefase-impakte sal oor ’n tydperk van 6 tot 14 maande hoofsaaklik met stof en geraas gepaard gaan wat as gevolg
van konstruksieaktiwiteite veroorsaak word.
Impakopsomming
Impakte op geografiese en fisiese aspekte: Die risiko bestaan dat die Atlantis-waterdraer besoedel kan word. Dié risiko’s kan voorkom word, en sal na
verwagting ’n lae draagwydte hê.
Impakte op lewensgehalte, veiligheid, sekuriteit en broodwinning: Die Vissershok-gemeenskap sal van die Atlantis-gemeenskap geïsoleer wees, maar
Atlantis-inwoners is besorg daaroor dat ’n verhoging in misdaad en werkloosheid tot bestaande maatskaplike probleme kan bydra, en oor druk op die skole,
klinieke en hospitale. Dit is nie moontlik om die omvang van enige moontlike toename in misdaad te voorspel nie. Impakte sal heel waarskynlik op ’n
plaaslike gemeenskaps- en individuele vlak ervaar word en sal na verwagting na versagting medium draagwydte hê, maar dié bepaling is onseker.
Impakte op biodiversiteit: Die perseel is vervuil met indringerbome en is nie belangrik vir biodiversiteit nie.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
7
Impakte op ekonomie, werkgeleenthede en Stadsbeplanning: Die teenwoordigheid van die Vissershok-gemeenskap aan die rand van Atlantis sal
waarskynlik nie ’n wesenlike impak op die ekonomie van die gebied hê nie. Ekonomiese impakte word geag ’n lae draagwydte te hê. Die toevoeging van nog
werkloses tot die gebied sal die bestaande situasie egter vererger. Die doeltreffendheid en omvang van enige versagting (teikeningrypings) is
onvoorspelbaar, en die impak se draagwydte kan dus medium tot hoog wees. Daarbenewens sal die Stad aansienlike hulpbronne moet vind om dié perseel
voor te berei, aangesien ’n nuwe toegangspad nodig sal wees. Dit verleng die tyd wat nodig is om die perseel voor te berei. Die perseel se nabyheid aan
grootmaatdienste is egter voordelig. Die perseel is buite die Atlantis- stedelike soom, maar binne Atlantis se groeipad geleë.
Impakte op kulturele/historiese aspekte: Die perseel het geen argeologiese of kulturele betekenis nie, en geen impakte word dus verwag nie.
Potensiële geraas- en visuele impakte: Die perseel sal van die aangrensende industriële gebied gesien kan word. Daar sal geraasimpakte wees. Die partye
wat waarskynlik die meeste geraak sal word, is die personeel van die Stad Kaapstad se Wesfleur-afvalwaterbehandelingsaanleg, wat twee kothuise aan die
suidelike grens van die perseel bewoon. Afstandsfaktore sal die impak verminder. Die impak se draagwydte na versagting sal na verwagting laag wees.
Wat doeltreffendheids-, billikheids- en volhoubaarheidskriteria betref, is die Atlantis-perseel voordelig ten opsigte van die Vissershok-inwoners se toegang
tot dienste en geriewe, maar negatief in die sin dat die gemeenskap geïsoleer sal wees, iets wat tot die hoë werkloosheidsvlakke en maatskaplike kwessies
soos misdaad en alkoholmisbruik in Atlantis kan bydra. Daar is grond binne die Atlantis- stedelike soom vir ontwikkeling beskikbaar, maar die hervestiging
van die Vissershok-inwoners binne Atlantis sal deur die plaaslike inwoners teengestaan word. Die perseel het potensiaal vir wesenlike ontwikkeling en
verhoogde volhoubaarheid op lang termyn, met dien verstande dat daar van die impakte op die bestaande Atlantis-inwoners en die vraag na werk en
maatskaplike fasiliteite, soos skole, werk gemaak kan word.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
8
ISISHWANKATHELO SESIGQEBA ESILAWULAYO: ATLANTIS WESFLEUR
Olu vavanyo lwendalo esingqongileyo lwenzelwe ukwenza isigqibo malunga nesiza ekufuneka sisetyenzisiwe ekusekeni ngokutsha indawo yokuhlala yoluntu
lommandla wase-Vissershok. Iindidi ezintathu zovavanyo ziye zaqaliswa, uvavanyo lwesiza ngasinye esinokusetyenziswa nalapho isiXeko saseKapa sifake
khona isicelo. Olu vavanyo lolwesiza sase-Atlantis Wesfleur (inombolo yesalathisi: E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10).
Esi siza siyaqwalaselwa kuba sesesiXeko saseKapa kwaye sime kufutshane nezibonelelo ezikhoyo ezikhulu zemisebenzi. Abahlali base-Vissershok kufuneka
befudusiwe njengoko isiza sokulahla inkunkuma sisandiswa kwaye bahlala kumhlaba okwindlela yolu lwandiso. Ukufuduselwa kwenye indawo kuyimeko
yolwamkelo lokwandiswa kwendawo yokulahla inkunkuma. Esi sicelo asiyonxenye yesiCwangciso soPhuhliso oluManyanisiweyo lwesiXeko koko siphantsi
kodidi lolwakhiwo-zindlu zexesha likaxakeka njengoko kuphawulwe njalo kwisiCwangciso soLwakhiwo-zindlu sesiXeko.
Iprojekthi iquka ukufudukisa iintsapho ezimalunga nama-266 – 300 (malunga nabantu abangama-850) ematyotyombeni ase-Rooidakkies
naseSkandaalKamp eVissershok ukuya kwisiza esitsha esimalunga ne-6 ha (ihekthare) ubukhulu. Ummandla ekuza kuhlalwa kuwo uya kuba malunga ne-2.7
ha ekuqaleni kodwa uya kwandiswa ekuhambeni kwexesha. Abahlali baseVissershok baya kunikwa iplothi engama-49m2 nendawo yokuhlala eseyenziwe
nemalunga nama-24m2. Isiza siya kubiyelwa kwaye kunikezelwe nombane kwindawo yokuhlala nganye, iindlela zegrabile, amanzi kunye nococeko
olunamanzi oluya kwiZiko lokuCocwa kwaManzi amDaka lase-Wesfleur(WWTP).
Iimpembelelo kwindalo esingqongileyo ezihambisana nesi siza zishwankathelwe apha ngezantsi. Ugxininiso lubekwe kwiimpembelelo zenqanaba
lomsebenzi njengoko uninzi lwazo zisisigxina. Iimpembelelo zenqanaba lolwakhiwo ziya kuquka uthuli kunye nengxolo ebangelwa yimisebenzi yolwakhiwo
kwixesha leenyanga ezi-6 – 14.
IsiShwankathelo seMpembelelo
Iimpembelelo kwiMiba ngokweeNdawo neMiba ePhathekayo: Kukho ingozi yongcoliseko kwilitye lamanzi (aquifer) e-Atlantis. Ezi ngozi zingakhuseleka
kwaye zicingelwa njengezinokubaluleka okuPhantsi emva koncitshiso.
Iimpembelelo kumgangatho wobomi, ukhuseleko, ukhuselo neendlela zokuphila:Uluntu lommandla wase-Vissershok luya kohlulwa kuluntu lommandla
wase-Atlantis kodwa kukho ukuxhalaba kubahlali base-Atlantis malunga nolwaphulo-mthetho olwandileyo nokungabikho kwemisebenzi nokongeza
kwiingxaki ezikhoyo zasentlalweni, kwakunye noxinzelelo ezikolweni, iiklinikhi nezibhedlele. Akululanga ukucingela ubukhulu balo naluphina ulwaphulomthetho olwandileyo. Impembelelo inokuvakala kumntu ngamnye nakwimigangatho yoluntu kummandla kwaye icingelwa kubaluleko oluPhakathi emva
koncitshiso nangona olu vavanyo lungaqinisekiswanga.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
9
Iimpembelelo kwiBhayodayvesithi:Isiza sizele kakhulu yimithi engeyonkulelane kwaye ayibalulekanga kwiBhayodayvesithi.
Iimpembelelo kuqoqosho, ingqesho nocwangciso lwedolophu: Ubukho boluntu lommandla wase-Vissershok kwimimandla emelene nedolophu e-Atlantis
akunokufana kube nempembelelo ebalulekileyo kuqoqoqosho lommandla. Iimpembelelo zoqoqosho zibonwa njengezinokubaluleka okuPhantsi.
Ukongezeleka kwabantu abangasebenziyo kummandla kuya kwandisa imeko ekhoyo. Ukusebenza nobungakanani balo naluphina uncitshiso (kumanyathelo
ekujoliswe kuwo) akucingeleki, kengoko ukubaluleka kwempembelelo kungaPhakathi ukuya Phezulu. Ukongeza, isiXeko kuya kufuneka sifumane oovimba
abafanelekileyo ekulungiseni esi siza njengendlela entsha efikelelekayo. Oku kwandisa ixesha elifunekayo ekulungiseni isiza. Ukuba kufuphi kwaso
kwiinkonzo ezinkulu kona kuluncedo. Isiza sime ngaphandle komphetho wedolophu yase-Atlantis kodwa ngaphakathi kwendlela yokukhula kwe-Atlantis.
Impembelelo kwinkcubeko yemiba yembali: Isiza asinakubaluleka ngokobunzululwazi bezakudala okanye inkcubeko, kengoko akukho mpembelelo
ilindelekileyo.
Ingxolo enokubakho kunye neempembelelo ezibonakalayo: Isiza siya kubonakala kwimimandla esebumelwaneni yoshishino. Kuya kubakho impembelelo
yengxolo. Awona maqela achaphazeleka kakhulu ingangabasebenzi besiXeko saseKapa kwiZiko lokuCocwa kwaManzi aMdaka lase-Wesfleurabahlala
kwiindlwana ezimbini kumda ongezantsi wesiza. Imiba yomgama iya kunciphisa impembelelo. Ukubaluleka kwempembelelo emva koncitshiso kucingelwa
ukuba iPhantsi.
Ngokwendlela esebenzayo okanye enobuchule, enobulungisa negcinakeleyo, isiza sase-Atlantis siluncedo ngokofikelelo lwabahlali base-Vissershok
kwiinkonzo nezinto eziluncedo, kodwa asiloncedo ekubeni uluntu lommandla luza kuzimela lodwa kwaye lungongeza kwimigangatho ephuzulu
yokungabikho kwemisebenzi nemiba yasentlalweni enjengolwaphulo-mthetho nokusela utywala okungapheliyo e-Atlantis. Kukho umhlaba ngaphakathi
kumphetho wedolophu e-Atlantis ofumanekayo ekubeni uphuhliswe kodwa ukufuduselwa kwabahlali base-Vissershok ngaphakathi e-Atlantis kuya
kuchaswa ngabahlali kwingingqi. Isiza sinalo uphuhliso olunokubakho nokugcineka okwandisiweyo kwixesha elide ngaphandle kokuba iimpembelelo
ezikhoyo kubahlali base-Atlantis namabango emisebenzi nezibonelelozentlalo, ezinjengezikolo, zinokuqwalaselwa.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
10
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO INFORM THE NEMA/LFTEA APPLICATION FOR RESETTLEMENT OF THE VISSERSHOK SETTLERS ON ONE OF THREE SITES
IN THE VICINITY OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN
March 2011
CAPE FARM 32/5 WESFLEUR ATLANTIS
Reference number: E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10
BACKGROUND
In terms of the enabling provisions of section 24K(2) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the provincial Minister for Local Government,
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) and the Provincial Minister for Human Settlements signed an agreement on 16 September
2010 to enable the submission of a combined National Environmental Management Act /Less Formal Townships Establishment Act (LFTEA) application for
the assessment of 3 potential sites for the resettlement of residents currently located in Skandaalkamp and Rooidakkies informal settlements at the
Vissershok landfill site (Appendix 1a). The environmental assessments undertaken are intended to provide DEA&DP with sufficient information to enable
them to make a decision on which of the sites may be used for relocation purposes. Three separate assessments are being undertaken, one for each of the
potential sites. This assessment is for the Atlantis Wesfleur Site (reference number E12/2/4/3-A2/15-3000/10).
The site being considered here was identified1 because it is owned by Council (recently purchased) and is located not too distant from existing bulk
infrastructure. An earlier location was identified between Atlantis Industria and Protea Park. At a local public meeting serious objections were raised to the
proposal and a new location had to be found. Erf CA32/5 had just been purchased for housing and so became a natural site to consider for the relocation.
A formal land use application on a portion of farm CA32/5 was thus initiated (Appendix 1b).
1
Criteria for identification of all the sites: The key criteria in identification were (a) that the land is owned by Council, so that an acquisition processes need not precede
delivery; (b) that the site was serviceable with municipal infrastructure at not too high a cost; and (c) that the area was minimally sensitive as far as the natural
environment goes. Other but lesser criteria included a reasonable prospect of upgrading the area to being a fully-fledged urban area in the longer run, and not relocating
the beneficiaries too far from their current place of residence.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
11
It should be noted that this environmental assessment is required to meet the minimum requirements of section 24 (4) (a) and (b) of the National
Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Appendix 1d). It has been structured according to the guideline attached to the letter provided by the
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (dated 25 October 2010), in which the reference number of the application was given.
History of the selected sites
The need to relocate the squatters on the Vissershok solid waste site has been on the agenda for at least 5 years. In that time efforts to identify a suitable
location have shifted from one line department to another. Initially the intention was to move them aside, allowing for the extension of the waste site. In
2007 a Land Use Planning opinion was given that no residential occupation of the site is allowed – it is Zoned “outspan”. This was followed by a search,
conducted by Spatial Planning, of possible locations outside the Outspan. Several possibilities were identified but found to be unsuitable. An
administrative decision was made that the most rapid, smoothest and simple relocation would be to the edge of the Outspan (region 6), on the other side
of the N7 freeway. The first choice was a location just off the turn-off from the N7 onto the Van Schoorsdrift Pad – in the fork effectively. It was
subsequently found to be unsuitable and a location further up the road, just opposite the Council offices was jointly settled on.
This is also the terrain that is the subject of the current “Van Schoorsdrift” application. In late 2007 it was decided to proceed with a funding application
and construction. Town planning suggested a land use change would first be required. Housing then requested a “deviation” approval from Outspan on
the said portion. This was turned down, and in 2008 a formal Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) application rezoning was launched. Site clearing
continued alongside the public participation process. The result was a legal challenge from the neighbouring land owner which ended up in an instruction
to stop construction, as well as a search for a new location.
Once again Spatial Planning took the lead, offering two sites between Atlantis Industria and the neighbouring residential area. A formal LUPO rezoning
process was started on each of the sites shown below. In the course of the public participation process, together with 2 public meetings hosted by the
SubCouncil, the process was stopped. The objection to the proposal transformed into a community protest, bringing on a new site search.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
12
Aerial Photograph: Atlantis sites (within the urban edge) that were opposed by the Atlantis Community
The Subcouncil thus recommended a location on a piece of land that had just been purchased by the Housing Directorate. This piece is referred to as
Atlantis South and is the subject of the current Application and Assessment. A second response was offered by the Town Planning Branch, more directly in
reaction as an alternative to the Van Schoorsdrift location. This took the form of a motivating report to Council (the draft was never approved) which
recommended that the squatters be relocated to another piece of land recently bought by Housing: this is referred to as the Wolwerivier site (this
application). It forms the 3rd in a trio of applications currently in process. In sum, the identification of sites has been the subject of much politics and
several alternatives have been considered and discarded, not at technical level only, but also politically.
Role in 5 year Housing Plan
It is important to understand that the relocation of the squatters from the Vissershok landfill site is not premised on the provision of housing. It is based on
the need to fulfill the requirements of the operating permit issued by the national Department of Environment. Keeping the waste disposal facility open,
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
13
and extending its capacity, is a crucial urban management function. The relocation “project” does not appear either on the IDP or the 5 year housing plan.
The relocation is in fact a contingency task linked to the Solid Waste function and Vissershok expansion project. However since housing funds will be used
for the relocation and the installation of infrastructure, a capital sum does appear on Council’s (housing) budget and a statement of intent to deal with
“Emergency” housing situations in the 5 year housing Plan also appears. And yet, a benefit with respect to tenure and services will accrue to the subject
community.
SECTION A:
1. DETAILS OF THE PERSON DESIGNATED TO CONDUCT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED
INFORMATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION
The Environmental Impact Assessment reports for the applications for each of the 3 sites have been compiled by staff from the City of Cape Town
Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD): Environmental Management Systems Branch, with the assistance of and information provided
by district staff from the Environmental and Heritage Management Branch of the ERMD as well as district staff from a variety of service departments (e.g
Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Electricity, Bulk water, Solid Waste). Inputs have also been made by the Housing and Planning, Building and Land use
Management Departments.
Contact Details:
Jens Kuhn
Housing, Land and Forward Planning
Jens.Kuhn@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 4217
2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Cape Farm 32/5 Wesfleur Atlantis
The project involves the resettlement of approximately 850 individuals (approximately 266 - 300 families) currently living adjacent to the Vissershok landfill
site. It is possible that the number of families will increase to 500 (or approximately 1 600 – 1800 people) in the future. The number and timing of the
additional families is not yet known. This application and assessment has therefore assumed a total of 1 600 – 1800 people in the future. The landfill site is
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
14
currently being expanded and it is critically important that the occupants of the site be moved elsewhere as they are located in the direct path of the
extension. Permit requirements prevent human settlement or permanent habitation within an 800 m buffer zone of the landfill site. Three possible
resettlement sites have been identified by the City of Cape Town. The project description below relates to those activities that would be necessary on the
Atlantis site.
Site preparation would involve the removal of vegetation on the site (Alien vegetation: impenetrable Acacia thicket). The terrain is fairly level but some
earthmoving and site reshaping will be necessary. The development concept makes provision for approximately 320 plots, each measuring 49m2 with a
prefabricated unit of 24m2. The 6ha area, is however big enough to accommodate 500 plots. The units will be constructed using a steel framework and
treated metal sheeting (see model photograph Appendix 2a). An alternative being considered is the provision of a slab (40m2) and a ‘wet core’ (Appendix
2b). The wet core includes a wall and bathroom. This alternative allows the residents to build a structure using their own materials and configuration.
The engineering services necessary would include:
Roads: Gravel roads would be provided on the site. Access to the property will be gained from the preferred alternative, i.e. Johan van Niekerk Road. To
gain access, Johan van Niekerk Road would need to be extended by 330m (see Figure 1 in section 10).
Overland stormwater drainage: The property has no formal bulk stormwater system available and the current norm is that the concentrated run-off is
discharged onto the land and natural furrows leading to nearby streams and rivers. The informal standard of services often results in poor quality
stormwater. Attenuation and water quality management will therefore be necessary to ensure compliance with the Water Act and City of Cape Town
Catchment and Stormwater River Management policies. On the Atlantis site, all stormwater will have to be channelled into a sewer. It is possible that the
eastern side of the property has a natural depression where stormwater may accumulate although the natural slope is less than 1%. There may be a
potential for waterlogging in this area in winter. The Department of Agriculture has therefore recommended that the site be surveyed, and if necessary
landscaped to make provision for such circumstances.
Water reticulation and stand pipes:
Presently the site is unserviced. Surrounding properties such as the Waste Water Treatment Plant and industrial erven have a supply of bulk water, from
which water will be sourced.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
15
Sewerage reticulation and toilets: There are no bulk services available on the site. The site is however located directly adjacent to the Atlantis Wesfleur
Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). There is therefore good potential to provide water borne sewerage disposal (see map in Appendix 3).
Street lighting: Street lighting to the site will not be installed however internal street lighting will be supplied on account of safety requirements.
Provision of electricity to dwellings: This site is part of the Eskom supply zone and so Eskom does the installations. Municipal funds are available to pay for
the works done by Eskom. No formal request to do such works has yet been submitted, as it would be premature. The objective is to supply access to
electricity to each household.
Fencing: The entire development will be fenced in for security purposes. Palisade fencing is proposed.
3. LIST OF ACTIVITIES ASSESSED IN TERMS OF GN R. 544, GN NO R. 545 AND GN NO R. 546
The following activities may be applicable to this site:
Government
Notice R544
Activity
No(s):
Activity 9
Activity 22
Activity 37
Describe the relevant Basic Assessment
Activity(ies) in writing as per Listing Notice 1 (GN
No. R544)
Describe the portion of the development as
per the project description that relates to the
applicable listed activity
Construction of facilities or infrastructure
exceeding 1000m in length for the bulk
transportation of water sewerage or storm-water
with an internal diameter of .36m or more, or a
peak throughput of 120 liters or more;
The construction of a road outside urban areas
(ii) where no reserve exists where the road is
wider than 8 meters
A sewer pipe of approximately 196 m in length
would be required. A water pipe (150imm in
diameter) approximately 340 m long would
be required.
The expansion of facilities or infrastructure for the
bulk transportation of water sewage or storm
water where: (a) the facility or infrastructure is
expanded by more than 1000 metres in length;
or (b0 where the throughput capacity of the
facility or infrastructure will be increased by 10%
An access road to the site approxiimately 330
m in length would need to be constructed. It
would be both inside and outside the urban
area. Gravel roads have to be provided on
the site itself.
See activity 9 above.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
16
Activity 23
Government
Notice R546
Activity
No(s):
Activity 4:
Activity 12:
s
4.
or more – excluding where such expansion
relates to transportation of water, sewage or
stormwater within a road reserve or where such
expansion will occur within urban areas but
further than 32 metres from a watercourse,
measured from the edge of the watercourse.
The transformation of undeveloped vacant or
derelict land to – residential, retail, commercial,
recreational, industrial or institutional use, outside
an urban area; AND where the total area to be
transformed is bigger than 1ha but less than
20ha.
Describe the relevant Basic Assessment
Activity(ies) in writing as per Listing Notice 3 (GN
No. R546)
The construction of a road wider than 4 meters
with a reserve less than 13.5 m all outside urban
areas.
Clearing of 300m2 or more of vegetation where
75% or more of the vegetative cover constitutes
indigenous vegetation
Clearance of an area of 1ha or more where 75%
or more of the vegetative cover consititutes
indigenous vegetation.
Surface area of the development is at least
6ha in size.
Describe the portion of the development as
per the project description that relates to the
applicable listed activity
Design details are not yet known but at least
3000 m of new roadway will be graded.
The vegetation to be cleared on this site
consists of alien-invaded Atlantis Sand Fynbos
vegetation. .
The vegetation comprises Atlantis Sand Fynbos
invaded primarily by alien Acacia saligna.
Seed banks of fynbos are likely to be present
and the area is considered restorable
following alien clearance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE ACTIVITY IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN
(a) Physical size of the proposed activity
1. Size of the parent property on which the activity is to take place: 85.5 ha
2. Size of the proposed development is a maximum of 6ha which includes all ancillary infrastructure.
b) Gradient of the site: the site is fairly flat but there are depressions that may need to be leveled out.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
17
c) Location in landscape: The site is on a flattish plain. There are no distinguishing features. Alien vegetation will have to be cleared before this can be
confirmed.
d) Groundwater, soil and geological stability of the site: The site has sandy soils that are likely to be geologically stable. According to Fleisher and
Eskes (1992) the thickness of the sand is in order of 40 m. Studies undertaken for an environmental assessment of a detention pond immediately north
of the proposed site revealed that the overlying sediments are made up of the Bredasdorp Group and Recent aeolian Witzand formation. The Atlantis
aquifer extends under the site (see below).
e) Surface water: there is no surface water on the site although there may be some potential for waterlogging, but which will not affect the IDA/TRA
portion of the property. There is an aquifer2 underlying the southern portions of the cadastral unit in question, but does not influence the 6ha portion
being proposed for development. Groundwater levels are likely to be between 3 and 8 meters. Groundwater levels are likely to fluctuate by about 1 m
in response to winter recharge. Groundwater is likely to flow in a south to south-south-easterly direction at the site.
f) Biodiversity: This site is potentially Atlantis Sand Fynbos (which will be Critically Endangered under the NEMBA ecosystem status listing, owing to the
species criterion) in restorable habitat condition but is dominated by Acacia saligna. It is unselected on the Bionet as sufficient higher habitat condition
areas remain (see Appendix 4).
g) Land use of the site: The site is vacant and is not used for any purpose at present.
h) Land use character of the surrounding area: The site is adjacent to the Atlantis Industrial area (west of the site) and the Wesfleur Waste Water
Treatment Plant (south west of the site).
i) Socio-economic characteristics of the community:
Vissershok residents:
The following information is from a 2008 survey of the residents. Most of the Vissershok residents are extremely poor and are reliant on authorities
and charitable organisations for shelter and basic services. Most of the beneficiaries earn less than R1500 per month. Up to 80% of the beneficiaries
could be unemployed (an estimate). Many of the residents were previously scavenging on the Vissershok landfill site but this is now being prevented
2
The information about the aquifer and groundwater depths and levels is for a site immediately north of the proposed site. The information is contained in a specialist
report by Parsons & Associates (October 2007) for an environmental assessment for a detention pond. It has been assumed that the conditions on the proposed
resettlement site are not substantially different from the site to its north.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
18
due to conditions contained in a Record of Decision issued by DEA&DP for the extension of the landfill site. There are approximately 266 informal
dwellings in the Rooidakkies and Skandaalkamp settlements. The total number of inhabitants is approximately 850 people. Of these, approximately
503 are adults and 340 are children under the age of 16 (2008 data). The Incremental Development Area (IDA) site is however, intended to support
up to approximately 500 families as there is a need to move squatters from other sites as well.
The Atlantis community:
Atlantis is a town established during the 1970’s as part of the then government’s industrial decentralization programme. The town was established
with a view to create an industrial hub but since 1994 the removal of government subsidies and the exodus of several of the major industries which
were greatest employers, has contributed to very high levels of unemployment (estimated to be between 35 – 40 %) in the town. According to the
2001 Census data, Atlantis had a population of 55 000 people. This figure could currently exceed 60 000 people.
j) Historical and cultural aspects: The farm is on a portion of the original farm Brakkefontein. This farm has a long history. It was granted to Wessel de
Jongh in 1714. From 1714 – 1717 Jacob Kruger (an ancestor of President Paul Kruger) was farm manager there. Helena Gulix, the widow of Willem Ten
Damme and later the wife of Jan Jurgen Kotze lived on the farm. During the VOC period, this farm occupied a strategic position in the Slagtersveld – the
area aound the outposts Ganze Kraal and Groene Klook, largely used for grazing cattle for slaughter and sale to passing ships. The farm continued to be
occupied and was farmed by successive owners until 1855. Portion 5 of Cape Farm 32 is a portion of ‘Portion 4’ of Brakfontein, surveyed in 1967.
k) Applicable legislation, policies and /or guidelines
The following legislation is applicable:
•
•
•
National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998
National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999.
Less Formal Townships Establishment Act 113 of 1991
The following policies, frameworks and guidelines are applicable:
•
•
•
Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework (2009)
City of Cape Town Northern Urban Edge Report (2001)
City of Cape Town Draft Development Edges Policy (2009)
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
19
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Draft Cape Town Spatial Development Framework (2009)
Atlantis and Environs Guide Plan (1981)
City of Cape Town Floodplain and River Corridor Management Policy (2009)
City of Cape Town’s Management of Urban Stormwater Impacts Policy (2009)
City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network
City of Cape Town Veldfire Planning Guidelines (2004)
City of Cape Town Scenic Routes Management Plan
City of Cape Town Heritage Resources Strategy
City of Cape Town’s Agricultural Land Review (2008)
5. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs are attached in Appendix 5.
6. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES ITO NEMA AND LFTEA
a. LFTEA
The proposed development has been announced to the public in terms of the requirements of the Less Formal Townships Establishment Act. Such
requirements included a) publication of an advert in the press; b) publication of an announcement in the Provincial Gazette and c) informing political
representative of the intended development (by getting a mandate from Council) and d) getting clearance from the MEC to apply in terms of LFTEA.
Furthermore, and in line with the directive issued by the MEC, the application had been circulated to all line-departments within the municipality for
comment and information. The subject site is the second identified in Atlantis. A public meeting, attended by the Mayor and several representatives
objected to the first site. At the meeting, as well as a later one, details on what is intended was shared with the community.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
20
b. NEMA
A “Notice of Intent” was submitted to the MEC launching a NEMA case, followed by a NEMA oriented advert, placed in the local press in fulfilment of the
NEMA regulations. A notice board announcing the proposed development was not placed on the site, partly because the development by that time was
already so well known, and partly because it would not be seen. The site is distant from any existing road.
The Draft report shall be open to inspection
from mid March to Mid April and all feedback shall be logged, processed and submitted along with the NEMA application to the MEC. The squatter
communities of Rooidakies and Skandaalkamp are also well informed, specifically also of the Atlantis prospect.
Public Information and liaison process
The subject Application has been made widely known through the following public and decision-maker process:
Process
LUPO
LFTEA
NEMA
Type
Date
1
Public meeting in Protea Park (incl Mayor)
20 October 2009
2
Meeting with Ward Committee
20 January 2010
3
4
5
6
7
8
Municipal MAYCO decision
Advertisement in Government Gazette #6774
Advertisement in open media
Public meeting in Protea Park
Meeting with MEC & Premier
Internal circulation to line departments
Mayor’s Meeting in Atlantis
20 April 2010
6 August 2010
29 July 2010
24 August 2010
20 September 2010
September 2010
24 November 2010
1
2
3
4
6
Notice of intent to MEC
Placement of report in Local Library
Mail-notice direct to I&A parties
Web-site placement of BAR
Comment due by
19 October 2010
10 March 2011
10 March 2011
11 March 2011
21 April 2011
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
21
Note:
This process is very politicized and thus well known. It has been discussed at Subcouncil meetings, at various Portfolio meetings, by land owners and
communities.
SUMMARY LIST OF ISSUES RAISED BY INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES (I&Aps) AFTER THE ISSUEING OF THE LFTEA ADVERTISEMENT
A list of issues, summarised from written submissions from I&Aps that were received in response to the LFTEA advertisement of 30 July 2010, is contained
in Appendix 6. The NEMA advertisement of 19 November 2010 (Appendix 7) indicated that issues raised in response to the LFTEA advertisement would be
taken into account in the NEMA environmental assessment process. No written submissions were received in response to the NEMA advertisement.
7. NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF THE ACTIVITY
(a) Describe the need and desirability of the activity
NEED (timing)
Question 1: Is the land use (associated with the activity being applied for) considered within the timeframe intended by the existing approved Spatial
Development Framework agreed to by the relevant environmental authority? (i.e is the proposed development in line with the projects and programmes
identified as priorities within the credible IDP)?
The need for resettlement of the Vissershok communities is not a specific type of project as identified in the IDP – but is a strategic need to enable ongoing
solid waste disposal at the expanding Vissershok site.
The proposed land use is not one that is intended in the Draft Spatial Development Plan for the Blaauwberg District. In terms of this plan and the draft City
Spatial Development Framework, the site is located outside of the proposed medium term urban edge. Whilst the long term growth of Atlantis will take
place in a south–easterly direction, this is still a long way off based on the extent of vacant land that is still available within the interim urban edge of
Atlantis.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
22
Question 2: Should development, or if applicable, expansion of the town/area concerned in terms of this land use (associated with the activity being applied
for) occur here at this point in time?
Settlement should not take place here at this point in time as the site is located outside the urban edge and there is still vacant land within Atlantis.
Although the site is located in the growth path of Atlantis, settlement here would be premature and the site would be relatively isolated in relation to the
rest of Atlantis. Furthermore, the site is isolated from public transport and social services and is located adjacent to a waste water treatment works.
Question 3: Does the community/area need the activity and the associated land use concerned (is it a societal priority)? This refers to the strategic as well
as local level (e.g. development is a national priority but within a specific local context it could be inappropriate).
There is an urgent local and regional need to move the informal residents away from the Vissershok landfill site as it is being expanded to accommodate
waste from the Cape Town Unicity. The Vissershok informal community are living in an unhealthy and unpleasant environment. The Atlantis site and area
and the communities who live or work nearby do not however need the IDA and are opposed to it.
Question 4: Are the necessary services with adequate capacity currently available (at the time of the application) or must additional capacity be created to
cater for the development?
Water: This site is relatively easy to service due to its proximity to Atlantis. Connections will be made to existing water supply infrastructure.
Electricity: This site is located in the Eskom supply zone and so Eskom does the installations. Municipal funds are available to pay for the works done by
Eskom. No formal request to do such works has yet been submitted, as it would be premature. The objective is to supply access to electricity to each
household.
Sewer: The site’s proximity to the Wesfleur Waste Water Treatment Plant increases the chances of water borne sewerage being supplied. If this is not
possible, one chemical toilet will be provided for each household. The water borne sewerage option is preferred by the applicant as it results in much
lower running costs.
Roads: There is more than one alternative for access to the site. The alternatives are assessed in section 10. Access could come from an extension of
Louwtjie Rothman crescent – under the ESKOM powerlines and onto the site or a new road could be provided from the road that goes to the Wesfleur
Sewage Treatment Plant. A third option is to use Johan van Niekerk Drive. In terms of costs, the Louwtjie Rothman alternative is preferable but the Johan
van Niekerk option is better in terms of spatial planning and impacts on interested and affected parties (see options in section 10).
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
23
Solid Waste: The City’s Solid Waste Department would need to start a waste collection operation for this site, much the same as any other informal
settlement.
Question 5: Is this development provided for in the infrastructure planning of the municipality, and if not what will the implication be on the infrastructure
planning of the municipality (priority and placement of services and opportunity costs)?
The infrastructure (site facilities within the boundary of the site) has been planned for and a budget approved from the housing subsidy. The services to
the site will be funded through Municipal Infrastructure Grant funding (not yet approved). The site has been purchased by the City of Cape Town with the
objective of providing land for resettlement purposes. The allocation of funds to this site for infrastructure and services would however be premature as it
is outside the urban edge. It is however located in the proposed expansion pathway for Atlantis.
Question 6: Is this project part of a national programme to address an issue of national concern or importance?
No
DESIRABILITY (‘placing’)
Question 7: Is the development the best practicable environmental option for this land/site?
Biophysical environment: This site is potentially Atlantis Sand Fynbos (which will be Critically Endangered under the NEMBA ecosystem status listing, owing
to the species criterion) in restorable habitat condition but is dominated by Acacia saligna. It is unselected on the Biodiversity Network as sufficient higher
habitat condition areas remain. Loss of this site would reduce future options for conserving national targets of this ecosystem. There are no other
biophysical factors that would prohibit the use of the site. The site is therefore suitable in terms of biophysical criteria.
Socio – economic environment: The site is not the best practicable environmental option in terms of socio-economic criteria as the introduction of
additional unemployed people into the Atlantis area is likely to further exacerbate socio-economic tensions and consequences. The 2001 census indicated
an unemployment rate of 37.7% but since then many industries have closed and it is estimated that the unemployment rate is likely to be closer to 40%.
Those members of the Vissershok community who currently have work in the Morningstar and Van Schoorsdrift areas would possibly not be able to reach
their work destinations – or only with greater difficulty. There is however, no data on how many individuals this may affect. The chances for Vissershok
residents to find work in the Atlantis area, although low, are possibly better than in their current location. Potential for provision of informal economy
services would be greater in the Atlantis area.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
24
Spatial planning and infrastructure: The site is not the best practicable option in terms of spatial planning as it is outside the proposed medium term urban
edge. Although it is intended that Atlantis grow in this direction, the site would remain isolated for a long period of time. Furthermore, the site is some
distance from public transport access and social facilities although these are available within Atlantis itself. In terms of infrastructure, the site is better
placed as there is access to the infrastructure and services in Atlantis and connections to water and sewerage would be relatively easy.
Question 8: Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity of the existing approved and credible municipal IDP and SDF as agreed to by
the relevant authorities?
The approval of this application would be contrary to the principles contained in the draft SDF and the proposed planning as indicated in the draft SDP for
the district. The site is outside the urban edge and not located within a short or medium term growth path.
Question 9: Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity of the existing environmental management priorities for the area (e.g. as
defined in EMFs) and if so, can it be justified in terms of sustainability considerations?
This particular site is not the subject of specific priorities in the EMF. Use of this site would not compromise the environmental management priorities for
the area.
Question 10: Do location factors favour this land use (associated with the activity applied for) at this place? (This relates to the contextualisation of the
proposed land use on this site within its broader context).
Other than the site’s proximity to infrastructure and services within Atlantis, location factors do not currently favour this land use.
The site is within the 16 kilometre, urgent protective action planning zone of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. The Vissershok landfill site is also within
this zone and the application therefore does not result in an increase in population within this zone as it involves the relocation of existing residents within
the zone. People will not be brought into the IDA from areas outside the 16 km zone in the future. The numbers are however unlikely to be problematic in
terms of the emergency requirements which require that the population within the urgent protective action planning zone be evacuated within 16 hours.
Question 11: How will theactivity or the land use associated with the activity applied for, impact on sensitive natural and cultural areas (built and
rural/natural environment)?
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
25
There are no sensitive cultural areas on or in the immediate vicinity of the site. The activity will impact an area of Critically Endangered vegetation and
thus reduce future options for reaching national conservation targets for the vegetation type. However, currently there remain sufficient alternative sites
with vegetation remnants to meet the targets (although not yet secured) and this site is not included in the Biodiversity Network.
Question 12: How will the development impact on people’s health and wellbeing (e.g. in terms of noise, odours, visual character and sense of place etc)?
Vissershok residents: The Vissershok residents’ situation would be improved in that they would be located away from the expanding Vissershok landfill site
and be provided with basic shelter and services. The noise, dust and odours from the landfill site would cease to be a threat to the health and wellbeing of
the Vissershok community. The Atlantis site is however directly adjacent to the Wesfleur Waste Water Treatment Plant and they would periodically have
to tolerate the odour from this plant. The Vissershok residents would ultimately be given tenure of the sites and this should encourage occupants to
improve their living conditions.
Communities currently living and working in the vicinity of the Atlantis site: The Atlantis Wesfleur site is adjacent to the Atlantis industrial area and the
Wesfleur Waste Water treatment works. The development of the site into an IDA will change the character of the area from one that is rural (albeit
inaccessible due to dense alien vegetation) to one that is semi-urbanised. Noise from the site is unlkely to be an issue except for City of Cape Town staff
members from the treatment works who have been provided with accomodation in two cottages near to the site. The visual character of the area will
change with the removal of the alien vegetation, but there is nobody living in the immediate vicinity of the site and some screening vegetation could be
retained or provided if necessary. The site is not on a scenic route and will not be visible to members of the general public. If the site is developed to its
fullest capacity, the presence of the IDA residents may have an indirect impact on the health and wellbeing of Atlantis residents due to the increased
pressure on schools, clinics and other services in the area. According to the Ward councillor for the area, services are overburdened, the hospital is not
coping with the current load and schools are overcrowded.
Question 13: Will the proposed activity or the land use associated with the activity applied for result in unacceptable opportunity costs?
The use of this site will have indirect costs in that resources will need to be diverted to service a site that is not within the short or medium term planning
framework. The area in the vicinity of the site would eventually be used for mixed development – but the nature of this development is not yet known as it
is so long into the future. It is therefore not possible to determine whether the presence of the IDA would bring about opportunity costs.
Question 14: Will the proposed land use result in unacceptable cumulative impacts?
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
26
Most of the impacts of creation of an IDA on this site will be direct and immediate (as opposed to cumulative) impacts. The scale and nature of possible
cumulative impacts is difficult to predict at present.
b) Indicate the benefits that the activity will have for society in general and also indicate the benefits that the activity will have for the local
communities where the activity will be located.
There will be strategic and essential benefits for the residents of the City of Cape Town and the City Council as the resettlement of the Vissershok
community will enable the completion and permitting of the expansion of the Vissershok landfill site. There will be some benefits for the Vissershok
community as they will be living in a healthier and quieter environment with a better level of service and will ultimately gain tenure of the sites. There will
be no benefits for the residents of the area around the Atlantis Wesfleur site.
8. DESCRIBE HOW THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 23 OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT NO 62 OF 2008 (NEMA) WHICH
SPECIFIES THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IEM) WILL BE MET.
The general objectives of IEM are to:
a) Promote the integration of the Principles of NEMA in terms of section 2 into the making of all decisions that may have a detrimental effect on the
environment
See section 9 below
b) Identify, predict and evaluate the actual and potential impacts on the environment, socio-economic conditions and cultural heritage, the risk and
consequences and alternative and actions for mitigation of activities, with a view to minimizing negative impacts, maximizing benefits and
promoting compliance with the principles of environmental management as set out in Section 2
See section 11 below
c)
Ensure that the effects of activities on the environment receive adequate consideration before actions are taken in connection with them.
See section 11 below
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
27
d)
Ensure adequate and appropriate opportunity for public participation in decisions that may affect the environment
Details of the public announcements and engagement already made are recorded in section 6 above and Appendix 6.
e) Ensure the consideration of environmental attributes in management and decision making which may have a significant effect on the environment
See section 11 below
f)
Identify and employ modes of environmental management best suited to ensuring that a particular activity is pursued in accordance with the
principles of environmental management as set out in Section 2 of NEMA.
See section 12 below.
9. DESCRIBE HOW THE PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AS SET OUT IN SECTION 2 OF NEMA HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
The principles that are of greatest relevance to this project have been shaded.
NEMA principle
2) Environmental management must place people and their needs at the
forefront of its concern and serve their physical, psychological,
developmental, cultural and social interests equitably
3) Development must be socially, environmentally and economically
sustainable.
4) a) Sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant
factors including;
(i) That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological
diversity are avoided, or where they cannot be altogether
avoided, are minimised and remedied
(ii) That pollution and degradation of the environment are avoided
or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised
and remedied
(iii) That the disturbance of landscapes and sites that constitute the
nation’s cultural heritage is avoided, or where is cannot be
altogether avoided, is minimised and remedied
How has it been taken into account?
The City of Cape Town has recognised the advantages and disadvantages
of the Atlantis site in terms of the effects its usage would have on people
(see section 11.2 of environmental assessment).
The social, environmental and economic impacts of the use of the Atlantis
site have been evaluated in the Environmental Assessment .
The impact of the Atlantis site on biodiversity has been shown to be of low
significance (see section 11.2).
Means to avoid or mitigate pollution have been described in the
Environmental Management Programme (EMP).
The cultural value/features of the site have been assessed (see Appendix
8).
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
28
(iv) That waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided,
minimised and reused or recycled where possible and
otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner
(v) That the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural
resources is responsible and equitable and takes into
account the consequences of the depletion of the resource
(vi) That the development, use and exploitation of renewable
resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not
exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised
(vii) That a risk averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes
into account the limits of current knowledge about the
consequences of decisions and actions; and
(viii)
That the negative impacts on the environment and on
people’s environmental rights be anticipated and prevented,
and where they cannot be altogether prevented, are
minimised and remedied.
b) Environmental management must be integrated, acknowledging that
all elements of the environment are linked and interrelated, and it
must take into account the effects of decisions on all aspects of the
environment and all people in the environment by pursuing the
selection of the best practicable environmental option.
c) Environmental justice must be pursued 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.
d) Equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services to
meet basic human needs and ensure human wellbeing must be
pursued and special measures may be taken to ensure access thereto
by categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
e) Responsibility for the environmental health and safety consequences
of a policy, programme, project, product, process, service or activity
exists throughout its life cycle.
f) The participation of all interested and affected parties in
Waste management measures have been suggested in the EMP.
Relocation of the Vissershok community will allow permitted expansion of
the landfill site to continue.
This principle is not of key relevance in this particular project.
Renewable resources are considered as part of the overall impact
assessment.
Areas where there are gaps in knowledge, as well as key assumptions have
been noted. The implications of these gaps or assumptions in terms of
decision making have been assessed.
The EMP sets out possible measures to prevent or minimise impacts.
This assessment acknowledges the need for integrated environmental
management and evaluates the potential consequences of use of this site
on people and the environment.
The affected parties for each impact have been identified and the equity of
the distribution of these impacts assessed.
The environmental assessment has evaluated the potential for the Atlantis
site to provide for basic human needs and wellbeing.
The short and long term health and safety consequences of the use of the
Atlantis site for resettlement are evaluated in the assessment.
Participation opportunities have been provided.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
29
environmental governance must be promoted, and all people must
have the opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and
capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation,
and participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons must be
ensured.
10.Decisions must take into account the interests, needs and values of all
interested and affected parties, and this includes recognising all forms
of knowledge, including traditional and ordinary knowledge.
11.Community wellbeing and empowerment must be promoted through
environmental education, the raising of environmental awareness,
the sharing of knowledge and experience and other appropriate
means.
12.The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities,
including disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed
and evaluated, and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such
consideration and assessment.
13.The right of workers to refuse work that is harmful to human health
or the environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected
and protected.
14.Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner and
access to information must be provided in accordance with the law.
15.There must be intergovernmental coordination and harmonisation of
policies, legislation and actions relating to the environment
16.Actual or potential conflicts of interest between organs of state
should be resolved through conflict resolution procedures.
17.Global and international responsibilities relating to the environment
must be discharged in the national interest.
18.The environment is held in public trust for the people, the beneficial
use of environmental resources must serve the public interest and
the environment must be protected as the people’s common
heritage.
19.The costs of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and
consequent adverse health effects and of preventing, controlling or
The interests, needs and values of interested and affected parties are
being determined through participation processes and reflected in the
assessment of the impacts.
The EMP makes suggestions for environmental awareness raising as it
affects the informal settlers.
The environmental assessment fulfills this role and should inform decision
making.
This priniciple is not of particular relevance in this project.
Decisions are to be taken by the relevant Ministers. The reasons for these
decisions are expected to be documented and accessible.
Intergovernmental coordination is being pursued through the parallel
LFTEA/NEMA process
Noted.
Noted. This project is of local and regional relevance.
The IEM process and environmental impact assessment for this project
recognise the need to protect people’s common heritage.
Noted. The EMP makes suggestions for prevention of pollution.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
30
minimising further pollution, environmental damage or adverse
health effects must be paid for by those responsible for harming the
environment.
20.The vital role of women and youth in environmental management Noted.
and development must be recognised and their full participation
therein must be promoted.
21.Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as Sensitive systems have been identified in the environmental assessment
coastal shores, estuaries, wetland and similar systems require specific and management measures proposed.
attention in management and planning procedures, especially where
they are subject to significant human resource usage and
development pressure.
10. IDENTIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVES
a) Property alternatives. Three applications have been submitted. Although only one site is needed immediately, a decision is being sought on each
site.
b) Activity alternatives: There are no activity alternatives. The informal settlers at Vissershok have to be moved to enable the expansion of the
landfill site.
c) Design or layout alternatives: There is some scope to modify layout of the informal settlement if there are factors which require this. This
assessment has assumed that the area shown on the aerial photographs (draft layout in Appendix 9b) and 9c)) will be completely altered by the
presence of the settlement (i.e. a footprint assessment approach has been taken). A generic layout has been provided which can be adapted to site
requirements. It is recommended that open space be created for children to play and that some of the erven be a little bigger to enable a mother
to care for pre-school children (i.e. incorporating a play area). Some of the erven could also be slightly bigger to allow for spaza shops. If the site
ultimately accommodates 500 families, the population is likely to go up to about 2000 – and according to CSIR developed standards, space for a
creche, 2 parks and a sports field would be needed.
d) The alternative of providing a slab and wet core (as opposed to a top structure) is not considered the most desirable option in terms of health and
safety due to the increased potential for devastating fires. The materials used by the city in the top structure are less flammable than those
typically acquired and used in informal settlements. It is however, likely that backyard structures would be constructed in a variety of materials.
e) Technology alternatives (not applicable)
f) Operational alternatives: Different methods to supply services to the site have been suggested and evaluated.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
31
i)
g) No Go option: There is no possibility of a no go option. The Vissershok residents are located in the direct pathway of the landfill site expansion and
are in increasing danger from construction activities. They have to be resettled on one of the 3 sites under investigation.
h) Other: none
Summary of alternatives assessed:
• There may be alternatives in terms of choice of whether a top structure or slab and wet core are provided. From an environmental point of view,
the top structure is preferred as it provides a consistent standard of shelter and better safety in terms of fire risk.
• There will be alternatives in terms of the layout of the top structures within the development area as well as routing of gravel roads, open space
etc. In the assessment, it has been assumed that the entire development area within the fence will be completely altered. The choice of layout
alternatives within the development area will be influenced largely by topography and vegetation. The impact mitigation requirements in sections
11 and 12 are to be used to influence layout choices.
• There are 3 alternatives for road access to Farm 32/5 Atlantis.
Option 1: Extension of Louwtjie Rothman Crescent:
Option 2: New Road from the existing Atlantis Sewerage Treatment Plant:
Option 3: Extension of Johan van Niekerk Road:
The advantages and disadvantages pertaining to each option are summarized in Table A and illustrated in Figure 1.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
32
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
33
TABLE A. Access alternatives for the Atlantis site
Access alternatives: Vissershoek Resettlement Site to Cape Farm 32/5, Wesfleur, Atlantis
Con’s
Access Proposals
Pro’s
Option 1: Extension of
Louwtie Rothman
Crescent
This proposal would
require 160 metres of
road having to be
constructed from the
existing Louwtjie
Rothman Crescent and
traversing the existing
Eskom power line
servitude
Only 160 metres of roadway needs to be constructed in order to
provide Farm 32/5 with access.
Option 2: New Road
from Atlantis Waste
Water Treatment
Plant
This would require a
road having to be
constructed on a
portion of Farm 32/7,
over a distance of 500
metres which is aligned
adjacent to the existing
Eskom power line
Servitude, and
connects with the
existing Altantis
Sewerage Treatment
This proposal will require a lesser amount of property affecting a
portion of Eskom power line servitude.
This option is likely to be the least costly.
The powerline servitude would not be affected.
The portion of road to be constructed is on Farm 32/7 which is council
owned land.
Dean Catamarans are not supportive of this option, as it will interfere
with times when the road has to be closed in order to remove large
boats from their property. Traffic disruptions would be exacerbated
because of the increased traffic operating along the Louwtjie Rothman
Road (public road).
Louwtjie Rothman Crescent is not a main feeder road for the Atlantis
Industrial Area. This will result in Niel Hare Road carrying additional
traffic between the Louwtjie Rothman Intersection and Johan van
Niekerk Intersection.
The Department: Transport is not comfortable with expanding a road
that is primarily serving the Atlantis Sewerage Treatment Plant and
limited to a number of municipal vehicles having to support additional
traffic generated by the proposed development.
Mission Express Way that provides access to the Atlantis Sewerage
Treatment Plant, currently has no sidewalk, and in order to
accommodate the considerable pedestrian movement and NMT likely
to be expected by the proposed development, a shared pedestrian and
cycle facility would be required on Mission Express Way over and above
the newly constructed access road to Farm 32/5
500 metres of roadway including street lighting as well as sidewalks will
need to be constructed.
Mission Express Way is not a main feeder road for the Atlantis Industrial
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
34
Plant road (Mission
Express Way).
Area. This will result in Niel Hare Road carrying additional traffic
between the Mission Express Way Intersection and Johan van Niekerk
Intersection.
This will require the remaining portion of Mission Express Way that
leads into the Atlantis Sewerage Treatment Plant having to be secured
by a gate/access control.
Option 3: Extension of
Johan van Niekerk
road
This proposal would
require 330 metres of
road having to be
constructed from the
existing Johan van
Niekerk Road and
traversing a portion of
Erf 1184/4 as well as a
portion of the existing
Eskom power line
servitude.
330 metre of road will need to be constructed to access Farm 32/5.
Johan van Niekerk Road is one of the main collector roads serving the
Atlantis Industrial Area which in turn links with Charel Uys Street and
Dassenberg Road, thereby enabling occupants a more direct route to
and from Farm 32/5.
Important note: The extension of Johan Van Niekerk as a significant
east-west connector is critical to the future spatial structure and growth
of Atlantis and should not be compromised as a result of the IDA.
Both mini-bus taxi’s and emergency vehicles will benefit by have a
more direct route to and from the proposed site.
Roads such as Niel Hare will not be subjected to having to carry
additional traffic.
The Neil Hare Road/Johan van Niekerk Road Intersection, which is in
close proximity to Farm 32/5, operates as a roundabout and will not
be affected by the proposed development.
Johan Van Niekerk road presents an opportunity for a higher order
east west connector, linking the industrial area to the R304. If Johan
Van Niekerk road is favoured as an access point for the IDA, the
establishment of the IDA should not compromise the ability to extend
the road in an easterly direction in the future. Sufficient road reserve
would also need to be established to ensure the scale of road can be
accommodated.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
35
Based on the information contained in Table A, Option 3 is considered the most suited in terms of future planning, provided the positioning of the IDA does
not compromise the future further extension of the road. Option 1 is however the least costly. Concerns of neighbouring industries would need to be
addressed if this option was selected.
11. INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OR IMPACTS OF THE ALTERNATIVES (AS MENTIONED IN 10 ABOVE IN ADDITION TO THE
PREFERED ALTERNATIVE) TO THE ACTIVITY (PREFERED ALTERNATIVE) ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE
(SIGNIFICANCE RATING) OF THOSE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACTS PRIOR TO AND AFTER MITIGATION. THE MITIGATION MEASURES MUST
BE INVESTIGATED TO ENSURE THAT ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OR IMPACTS ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
11.1 POTENTIAL
IMPACTS ON
GEOGRAPHICAL AND
PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Nature of Impact
CONSTRUCTION
OPERATION
11.1.1 Impacts associated with clearing and leveling of the site and subsequent occupation
The site is already fairly flat but some leveling may take
place and some provision may be made to direct runoff The area will become compacted due to human and vehicular traffic. Dust
into certain areas. There will be some dust generated levels should decrease except during windy dry periods. There may be
during site preparation. There will be soil compaction in surface pollution of soils from a variety of activities associated with
areas provided with gravel roads.
Construction informal settlements.
activities could result in soil pollution (litter, oil). Runoff
patterns may be altered – due to the construction
activities as well as deliberate modification to enable
stormwater control.
Extent and duration
Site area and connecting road (approximately 6 ha): Limited to site area and connecting road. Permanent duration.
Site preparation and construction will take between 614 months
Probability of Occurence High
High
Reversability
Dust can be prevented.
Reshaping or terrain Impacts can be prevented and/or mitigated.
modification is likely to be beneficial for the Vissershok
residents.
Degree to which the No irreplaceable loss of resources.
No irreplaceable loss of resources unless mitigation fails and the Atlantis
impact
may
cause
aquifer is polluted.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
36
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior No cumulative impact
to mitigation
Significance rating of Low
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Degree to which impacts Dust can be prevented but there is no-one in the
can be mitigated
immediate vicinity who would be affected so necessity
for dust control is questionable. Dust control may be
necessary to prevent damage to ESKOM powerlines.
Proposed mitigation
None. Dust levels should however be monitored and if
it appears that the industrial area, the Waste Water
Treatment Plant or the staff cottages near the Waste
Water Treatment Plant are being negatively affected,
controls should be introduced (e.g. wetting or use of
mulch/straw). ESKOM should be notified of the
clearance operations to determine if any mitigation
actions are necessary to protect the functioning of the
power lines.
Significance rating of Low
impact after mitigation
Nature of Impact
11.1.2 Potential impacts on the Witzand aquifer
Clearing of the site is unlikely to affect the aquifer
during the construction period.
Pollution from
contractors or their vehicles could however cause some
surface pollution. This is unlikely to affect the aquifer.
There may be some edge effects from the settlement – e.g. runoff from
the compacted areas may provide more water to the surroundings. May
encourage growth of more vegetation.
Pollution potential : High
Other impacts: Low
Dust impacts can be mitigated. Pollution can be prevented.
Monitoring of dust levels and control if necessary.
Pollution prevention mitigation actions are given in the following impact.
Low
The cleared site is likely to enable greater penetration of water in the 6 ha
area (i.e. increased recharge potential). The absence of water demanding
Acacias will also reduce water demand from groundwater on site.
However, the presence of people on the site will increase the potential for
pollution of the site and the aquifer. The Bulk Water Branch's main
concern would be the potential impact of the development on the Atlantis
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
37
Groundwater Scheme, and specifically on the recharge of the Witzands
Aquifer. Any pollution of the Aquifer must be prevented, as the Aquifer, as
part of the Atlantis Groundwater Scheme, supplies about half of Atlantis'
potable water requirements.
Extent and duration
No impact on aquifer anticipated.
Potential for permanent impact over the area of the site (max 6 ha)
Probability of Occurence Low
Possible
Reversability
No impact anticipated.
If there is pollution of the aquifer, it is difficult to reverse. Prevention of
pollution is possible. 3
Degree to which the Aquifer resource unlikely to be affected during If there was significant pollution of the aquifer, there would be major
impact
may
cause construction phase.
impacts for the water supply to Atlantis and potential loss of a significant
irreplaceable loss of
renewable resource.
resources
Cumulative impact prior No cumulative impact anticipated.
If the aquifer was affected, there would be cumulative impacts on the
to mitigation
Atlantis water supply – which would, in turn, affect the livelihoods of
people living and working in Atlantis.
Significance rating of Low - Medium
Benefits associated with greater recharge potential: Low
impact
prior
to
Negative impacts associated with pollution of the aquifer: High
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Degree to which impacts Impacts can be prevented
Impacts can be prevented through appropriate design and ongoing site
can be mitigated
management
Proposed mitigation
Adherence to the requirements of the EMP and • The stormwater design for the development must take cognisance of
measures as noted in the adjacent column for the
the potential for pollution of the aquifer.
operation period.
• The likelihood of backyard dwellers must be addressed - provision
must be made for wastewater to be disposed of into the sewer system,
and not the stormwater system which will result in surface and
groundwater pollution.
• The sewer and stormwater design of the development must take
cognisance of the design and operation of Atlantis' overall sewer and
3
Note: The City of Cape Town has detailed geohydrological information for the Atlantis area. The site is not located in a high risk area and provided that the proposed
mitigation actions are implemented, pollution of the aquifer is unlikely.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
38
Significance rating of As above
impact after mitigation
11.2 IMPACTS ON THE
BIOPHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
stormwater systems, which have been engineered to contribute to
recharging the Witzands Aquifer. Water and Sanitation will advise on
this during the detailed design phase of the project.
• There must be a high standard of solid waste management on site and
awareness raising of the residents of the potential for pollution of the
aquifer. Residents in the IDA will have to be prevented from carrying
out any informal activities (e.g. servicing of cars or other home
industries) that could result in pollution of the aquifer.
Low
Nature of Impact
The site is heavily infested with Alien vegetation(Acacia
saligna) and site clearance may be labour intensive and
time consuming. Heavy machinery may need to be
used if the site has to be cleared quickly. Any
indigenous fauna or flora remaining on the site are
likely to be destroyed or in the case of fauna - displaced
to adjacent properties. The site is not selected on the
Biodiversity Network, but it is likely that there is a seed
and bulb bank with Atlantis Sand Fynbos species
present in the soils. The seed bank could be destroyed
or buried during site clearance activities.
As for construction. The impact remains as long as the settlement is
present (i.e. permanent). There may also be some fringe effects
(unpredictable in extent).
Remaining mammal fauna (buck or small
mammals and birds) may be hunted for food or attacked by domestic dogs.
Risk of fire will increase – particularly if electricity is not supplied, and
frequent fires spreading onto adjacent properties are anticipated.
Although fynbos needs regular fire, if too frequent (<8 year cycles), there
will be negative impacts on remaining fauna and flora. Careful alien
clearance of a 50-m perimeter to the site, both to promote fynbos
recovery and reduce risk of high severity fire, is recommended. This should
include a 5m-wide fire belt immediately adjacent to the fence.
Extent and duration
Probability of Occurence
Reversability
Degree to which the
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
Extent: The site area (6ha). Duration: Permanent
Definite
Not reversable
There will be permanent loss of remaining biota on the
site. The density and size of the Acacias has probably
prevented human access for many years, but such areas
As for construction.
Definite
Not reversable
As for construction
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
39
resources
Cumulative impact prior
to mitigation
Significance rating of
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Degree to which impact
can be mitigated
Proposed mitigation
Signficance rating
impact after mitigation
do not typically support diverse faunal populations.
No cumulative impacts are expected.
As for construction
Low - Medium
Low - Medium
Minimal
Minimal
Minimise extent to which topsoil is turned or buried • A voluntary biodiversity offset in the form of invasive alien plant
during site clearing operations to enable some
clearance in surrounding area and/or securing of an alternative site
supporting Atlantis Sand Fynbos for conservation.
potential for old seed banks to be retained to
provide some vegetation after completion of • Active control of the footprint / area of the new settlement.
construction. Careful alien clearance of a 50m-wide
perimeter around the site, including a 5m-wide firebelt.
of Low
Low
•
11.3
POTENTIAL
IMPACTS ON SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS
Nature of Impact
11.3.1 Impacts on quality of life, safety, security and livelihoods of people currently living on the boundaries of Atlantis site and
nearby environs
During the construction period, there is not likely to be Submissions by members of the local community have raised concerns
any threat to security, safety or livelihoods providing with regard to impacts on their security and livelihoods.
the recommended mitigation actions are implemented. The site is adjacent to a firebreak/servitude under ESKOM powerlines and
There may be a temporary decrease in quality of life for the Atlantis industrial area. The Southern corner of the site is close to 2
the residents of the staff cottages adjacent to WWTP City of Cape Town WWTP staff cottages. The access to the site has not yet
due to the noise and dust associated with the site been finalised but if it is from the Louwtjie Rothman crescent, concern has
clearance and construction activities. The site is at least been expressed by Dean Catamarans CC about the impact on their yacht
250 - 300 m away from the neighbouring industries. and catamaran building activities. The road has to be periodically closed
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
40
Noise is unlikely to be an issue.
The site is sandy and it is expected that most of the
sand will settle before being transported this distance
by wind.
for about an hour to enable large yachts or catamarans to be moved out of
the building. There is also a concern that the presence of the settlement
might discourage investment in the industrial area. Concerns have also
been expressed about the impact of the new population on the hospital,
schools and clinics. There are currently 10 Primary, 4 Secondary and 2
specialized schools in Atlantis or the immediate vicinity. There are 2
clinics, 1 Day Hospital and 1 Private Hospital. In 2008, the number of
people in the Vissershok settlement was approximately 850 people of
which there were about 340 children under the age of 16. If it is possible to
distribute the new population across the various schools in Atlantis, the
pressure on the schools should not be excessive. If additional families are
relocated to the proposed IDA (i.e. up to the maximum of 500 families,
potentially 1600 – 1800 people) – pressure on schools and clinics may
become significant. This number of residents does not however, justify the
construction of a new school (Summary Guidelines & Standards for the
planning of City or Cape Town social facilities and recreational spaces, CSIR
May 2010). The greatest concern of Atlantis residents is that the
introduction of a largely unemployed and vulnerable community to
Atlantis is going to exacerbate existing socio-economic problems and crime
levels. Although these concerns are valid, the actual magnitude and extent
of any increase in crime, or decrease in safety, quality of life or impact on
livelihoods directly attributable to the new residents is very difficult to
predict or quantify – particularly as there are significant existing problems
with crime, drugs and alcohol abuse.
Impacts will continue until the new community is fully integrated with the
Atlantis community, with sufficient job opportunities and supporting
services and infrastructure. As this is only likely to happen in the distant
future (unless there are targeted interventions), impact duration is likely to
be long term and affect the Atlantis community in general.
Possible
Extent and duration
Restricted to site area and immediate environs and
access road and temporary in duration (6 – 14 months)
Probability of Occurence
Probable - (depending exactly where on the site the
settlement is placed) and whether the whole site is
cleared.
Not reversible
Preventable to some extent. Not reversable.
Reversability
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
41
Degree to which the Minimal
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior The site clearance activities and increased sand and
to mitigation
dust levels might affect the adjacent powerlines. Input
will be required from ESKOM.
Significance rating of
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Minimal
If the Atlantis community feels or experiences a high level of threat to their
safety and livelihoods, and a significant decrease in quality of life, some of
them may choose to leave. Others may be forced into increasing their
security arrangements (particularly in the adjacent industrial area) at
significant cost. There may be cumulative effects, albeit it at an individual
local scale, on the economy of the area.
Quality of life, safety and security: Staff cottage Quality of life, safety and security: Staff cottage residents: Medium - High
residents: Medium - High
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Industries: Medium
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts:
Industries: Low - Medium
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Atlantis in general:
Medium – High (but difficult to predict magnitude or extent and therefore
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: significance).
Atlantis in general: Low
Impacts are likely to be experienced at both individual and community
levels.
Degree to which impact Safety and security impacts can be prevented.
can be mitigated
Proposed mitigation
•
•
Effectiveness and extent of proposed mitigation measures unknown –
dependant on finance and resources. The City of Cape Town and its
partner Wesgro are however, continuously striving to promote Cape Town
as an investor friendly destination in order to attract further investment to
Cape Town. Atlantis is one of the few remaining industrial zoned sites
(with a noxious area) that has sufficient vacant sites to attract greenfield
industrial development.
Site clearly demarcated and fenced off as soon as
• Palisade fencing of site
possible in the construction period
• Regular patrols by local police and containment of site to planned
All contractor staff to wear identification tags and
area
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
42
not be permitted outside the boundaries of the
• Maximisation of social support by Ngo’s and other community groups
demarcated construction areas
• Integration of relocated Vissershok community into local population
• No staff on site overnight other than security staff
as much as desirable
for equipment and materials
• Provision of work opportunities and a reasonable standard of
• No employment of casual labour at the site or
services
immediate environs. Other employment venues
• Control of numbers of dogs
should be utilized. Announcement of this in local
• Improvement of capacity of schools and clinics in Atlantis
newspapers.
• Targeted job creation initiatives
• Arrangements made for reduction of fire risk (see
• Retain weekly visits to site by mobile clinic if necessary
EMP) and proper waste management
• Upgrade security in the staff cottages if necessary
• Specified working hours
• Facilitate introduction of Vissershok children into Atlantis schools if
• Notification of neighbours of nature and timing of
they cannot attend their current schools any longer.
activities on site
• Use of mulch or site wetting to reduce dust levels
during the construction period.
• Planting of shrubs and trees around the site for
visual screening and reduction of wind blown sand
and dust.
Signficance rating of Quality of life, safety and security: Staff cottage Quality of life, safety and security: Staff cottage residents: Low - Medium
impact after mitigation
residents: Low - Medium
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Industries: Low Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Medium
Industries: Low
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Atlantis in general:
Quality of life, Safety, security and livelihood impacts: Medium (but difficult to predict magnitude or extent and therefore
Atlantis in general: Low
significance).
There is potential to reduce impacts through targeted socio-economic
interventions, but the extent to which this is possible is unknown at this
stage.
Nature of Impact
11.3.2 Impact on the Vissershok residents (health, safety, wellbeing and quality of life)
No impact during construction period
The Vissershok community will benefit from the move to another property in that
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
43
Extent and duration
Probability of Occurence
Reversability
Degree to which the
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior
to mitigation
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
they will be provided with shelter and basic services (prefabricated unit, electricity,
water and sanitation). The Atlantis site is somewhat disadvantageous in that the
relocated Vissershok residents would be much further away from current work
locations. A large proportion of the Skandaalkamp occupants appear to be
unemployed whereas many of the Rooidakkies occupants are either employed or
on pension or disability grants. Some of the people from both camps work in
Morningstar area and Van Schoorsdrift areas. Getting to existing work
opportunities may therefore be more of a challenge. There also appears to be a
proportion of people who work and sleep in Cape Town and just come back to the
camp for the weekends. Their travel distance would also increase. The Atlantis site
is however advantageous in that it is located adjacent to an urban area and within
relatively easy reach of schools, shops, and clinic. At present, Vissershok children
are picked up by bus and taken to either the Vaatjie, Philadelphia or DuNoon
schools. Children attending the Vaatjie school would not be further away from
school if living in Atlantis – but children attending DuNoon would have longer
travel distances. A mobile clinic visits the Vissershok site once per week. Other
clinics are located at Melkbos, Albow Gardens and Du Noon.
The Vissershok
residents’ overall conditions are however, likely to improve in that they will have a
house, toilet (one per house) and water (one tap per house) and electricity. There
will also be much less dust and no pollution from the landfill site and so their
health should improve. They may however, be periodically exposed to odour
from the Waste Water Treatment Works. This is a nuisance rather than health
issue. The site is permanent and the residents will ultimately gain tenure of their
properties (which encourages improvements).
Permanent, largely beneficial impact for the Vissershok residents
Highly probable
Not applicable
No irreplaceable loss of resources anticipated
There should be beneficial cumulative impacts on the Vissershok residents and
particularly their children in terms of health and living conditions. This is
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
44
Significance rating of Not applicable
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Degree to which impact
can be mitigated
Proposed mitigation
dependent on the people relocated into the IDA continuing to receive visits from a
mobile clinic and having access to the Atlantic clinic if necessary, as well as the
children continuing to be taken to school. The only negative cumulative effects
that might arise for individual families is if those people who are employed in the
Morningstar and Van Schoorsdrift areas are no longer able to get to their work.
There is no data on how many people might be affected in this way.
Impacts are largely beneficial, and of Medium - High significance for the Vissershok
residents.
Benefits to the Vissershok community can be maximized through the provision of
the desired services (house, water, toilets and electricity).
• Provision of services as indicated above
• Arrangements must be made to ensure the continuation of mobile clinic visits
and continued transportation of children to schools. If children cannot be
taken to their current schools, arrangements must be made to get them into
Atlantis schools.
• The recommended fire safety controls must be installed (i.e. 5m fire break
around outer perimeter of fence and further clearance of 50 m of alien
vegetation).
• External walls of the structures are to provide a minimum fire resistance rating
of 30 minutes or are to be cladded on the inside with an approved product
that will provide the integrity and stability requirement, as per a Type F wall, in
accordance with SABS 0177, Part 2.
• Individual structures are to be built at a minimum of 1 meter from any lateral
boundary of the site or 3 meters from any adjacent structure subject to
relative area of the elevation façade
• The access roads are to accommodate the minimum width (4m) and turning
circle for emergency vehicles. Turning facilities should be provided in any dead
end access road that is more than 20 m long.
• A siren must be erected in the area if there isn’t an existing one covering the
area (Koeberg emergency plan requirement).
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
45
The City of Cape Town Emergency Services Department must be consulted
with regard to any further Disaster and Fire safety requirements once the site
to be utilised is identified and authorised.
Medium – High benefit
•
Signficance rating of
impact after mitigation
Nature of Impact
11.3.3 Impact on economy and employment
The clearing and construction of the settlement will be
undertaken by a contractor – who will employ several
of his own staff. There may be some downstream
benefits derived by local suppliers.
There is a possibility that some benefit could be derived
by local people if the contractor appoints additional
casual staff.
Vissershok community: Most of the Rooidakkies occupants (approximately
23 individuals) are either employed or living on pensioner or disability
grants. Providing taxi services will travel from Atlantis to their work places
their situation is unlikely to change although distances, travel time and
costs will probably be greater.
The situation of the Skandaalkamp
occupants (approximately 800 people), most of which appear to be
unemployed is also unlikely to change. Information about this community
is however incomplete. Those that are employed in the Morningstar,
Vissershok and Van Schoorsdrift areas may still be able to get to their
work, as taxi services do operate from Atlantis to these areas. Transport
costs may however increase together with travel time. If suitable
arrangements cannot be made, there may be negative impacts on the
affected individuals and families.
Impact of Vissershok community on the local economy: It is difficult to
determine the impact of the Vissershok community on the local economy.
They will be a source of labour, but there is no need for more labour in the
area than already exists. There is a high unemployment level in Atlantis
(estimated to be > 40 %) and the increase in the number of unemployed
will exacerbate the existing situation. The increased population of the
Atlantis area will have some beneficial impacts for local supply stores, but
as the Vissershok community’s buying power is limited, the overall effect is
not likely to be statistically noticeable, although individual stores may
benefit.
Impact on City of Cape Town Finances, Planning and Resources: Use of
this site will require substantial financial input from the City of Cape Town
for road access.
Funding would have to be obtained from a Municipal
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
46
Infrastructure Grant. The site is however well positioned in terms of
gaining access to water and sanitation services. As the site is outside of
the urban edge, diversion of resources to this area is premature.
Extent and duration
Short term (construction period – 6 – 14 months)
Permanent impact, affecting the Atlantis area
Probability of Occurence Benefit to contractor and his staff: Definite
Impacts on Economy: Probable (limited local benefit)
Impacts on unemployment levels: Definite
Impacts on Vissershok residents currently employed in the Morningstar,
Vissershok and Van Schoorsdrift areas: Uncertain.
Reversability
No need to reverse impacts.
All construction Limited positive effects on economy (local supply stores) (– no need to
employment beneficial.
reverse). Negative effects on employment in Atlantis not reversable
unless there are targeted interventions.
Degree to which the Not applicable
Not applicable
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior No cumulative impact.
There is unlikely to be any cumulative impact on the regional economy.
to mitigation
There may be a limited beneficial cumulative effect for local supply stores.
It is likely that spaza shops will be set up in the new development area.
The source of their supplies is likely to be Atlantis, but supplies are also
likely to come from Cape Town. Development of this site at this time may
have the undesired affect of pushing development out of the urban edge
before property within the edge is sufficiently developed. This is
inefficient in terms of resource use.
Significance rating of Medium benefits
Impacts on local economy and overall economy of the region: Low
impact
prior
to
significance
mitigation
(Low,
Impacts on employment: Exacerbation of current unemployment levels:
Medium, Medium-High,
Medium - High significance
High or Very High)
Degree to which impact No need for impact mitigation. Benefits could be Mitigation possible but uncertain and dependent on political will and City
can be mitigated
maximised by employing additional people from the of Cape Town finances, partnerships and initiatives.
Atlantis area if this is necessary.
Proposed mitigation
• If the contractor wishes to employ additional Targeted interventions in the Atlantis area to provide work opportunities –
‘casual’ staff (e.g. for site clearance) – the people particularly for unskilled and semi-skilled people.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
47
Signficance rating
impact after mitigation
employed should come from Atlantis.
• Casual appointments should not be made on site.
of Medium
Nature of Impact
Extent and duration
Probability of Occurence
Reversability
Degree to which the
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior
to mitigation
Significance rating of
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Medium, Medium-High,
High or Very High)
Degree to which impact
can be mitigated
Proposed mitigation
Signficance rating of
impact after mitigation
11.3.4 Potential impacts on Cultural-historical aspects
No impacts are expected.
Overall impacts on local economy: Low
Impacts on employment: Medium (but extent and effectiveness of
mitigation unpredictable)
The site has no archaeological or cultural significance and so no impacts
are expected. A previous application for development was approved by
Heritage Western Cape but was never implemented. See Appendix 8.
No impacts
No impacts
Not applicable
No irreplaceable loss of resources
No impacts
No impacts
Not applicable
No irreplaceable loss of resources
No cumulative impacts
No cumulative impacts
No impacts
No impacts
Not applicable
Not applicable
None
Not applicable
None
Not applicable
11.3.5 Potential noise and visual impacts
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
48
Nature of Impact
There will be noise from site clearance and general
construction (e.g. grading of roads, erection of the
houses). Other than some dust in the immediate area
and the presence of construction vehicles and
equipment – there should be no visual impact during
construction. The two staff cottages near the WWTP
will be most affected by noise. If a vegetated buffer is
kept between the IDA site and the WWTP cottages,
there should be no visual impact.
It is proposed that there be a 10 – 20m buffer between the IDA and the
Wesfleur Water Treatment Plant and the two staff cottages as well as
along the North Western boundary of the site (parallel to the powerline
servitude). It is recommended that the buffer between the site and the
WWTP and staff cottages is vegetated with trees and shrubs (or the
existing vegetation can be left there). If this is done there will be minimal if
any visual impact. It is however likely that staff in these cottages will
experience much higher noise level than at present as there will be a
change from an undeveloped to developed site.
The buffer between the IDA and the Eskom servitude should be kept clear
of any vegetation – to facilitate fire prevention and control and provide an
escape route if there is a major fire in the area. The site will therefore be
visible from the adjacent industrial area – but visual impact will be
mitigated by distance factors (the site is nearly 300 m away from the
eastern walls of the adjacent industries) as well as vegetation that is
currently present between the industrial area and the ESKOM servitude.
Extent and duration
Probability of Occurence
Reversability
Degree to which the
impact
may
cause
irreplaceable loss of
resources
Cumulative impact prior
to mitigation
Significance rating of
impact
prior
to
mitigation
(Low,
Construction period (6 – 14 months)
High
Impact cannot be reversed
No irreplaceable loss of resources.
The treatment of the north eastern boundary of the site can be discussed
with the neighbouring property owner and may include a vegetated buffer
zone.
Noise impact: permanent
High
Impact cannot be reversed
No irreplaceable loss of resources.
No cumulative impact
There will be a permanent change in the character of the area from
undeveloped to developed but no cumulative impacts are expected.
Noise impacts for staff cottage occupants: Medium – Noise impacts for staff cottage occupants: Medium –High
High
Visual impacts for staff cottage occupants: Low - Medium
Visual impacts for staff cottage occupants: Low - Noise impacts for adjacent industries: Low
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
49
Medium, Medium-High, Medium
High or Very High)
Noise impacts for adjacent industries: Low - medium
Visual impacts for adjacent industries: Low - medium
Degree to which impact Noise: not possible to mitigate
can be mitigated
Visual: can be mitigated
Proposed mitigation
Visual impacts for adjacent industries: Low
Visual impact: can be mitigated through planting of trees and shrubs or
retention of some of the existing alien vegetation.
Noise impact: unlikely to be able to mitigate the general noise that comes
from a settlement of people
Visual impacts:
Visual impacts:
• 10 – 20 mbuffer zone between IDA and ESKOM • Buffer zones as proposed for construction period.
servitude
• Correct waste management (see EMP)
• 10 – 20m buffer zone between the IDA/TRA • Planting of additional trees and shrubs around the site where
southern boundary and the WWTP staff cottages
necessary
• 10 - 20m buffer zone between the northern Noise impacts: No mitigation possible
boundary of the property and the adjacent
property.
• Correct waste management practices (see EMP)
• Construction camp located out of sight of adjacent
roads
• Complete clearing up of site following construction
period
Noise impacts:
• Construction hours limited to daylight hours agreed
with immediate neighbours
• Notification of neighbours of any deviations from
agreed hours timeously
• No hooting
• All equipment to be in good working order and
working within noise specifications.
Signficance rating of Noise impacts for staff cottages: Low - Medium
impact after mitigation
Visual impacts for staff cottages: Low
Noise impacts for adjacent industries: Low
Noise impacts for staff cottage occupants: Medium
Visual impacts for staff cottage occupants: Low
Noise impacts for adjacent industries: Low
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
50
Visual impacts for adjacent industries: Low
Visual impacts for adjacent industries: Low
12.
INVESTIGATION AND FORMULATION OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF CONSEQUENCES OF IMPACTS ON THE
ENVIRONMENT, AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH ARRANGEMENTS AFTER THEIR IMPLEMENTATION. PROVIDE OTHER MANAGEMENT,
MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES AND A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME.
Impacts to be
managed/monitored
Responsibility for mitgation implementation
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH SITE
CLEARING, LEVELLING AND THEN
OCCUPATION
Construction
Expected effectiveness in
mitigating impacts
Responsibility for monitoring
Operation
Construction
Operation
Noise control (limited hours, Contractor
notification of neighbours, staff
management,
equipment
upkeep, buffer zone around
site)
Dust control (use of mulch or Contractor
water for dust control)
Complaints will be responded to Construction: Effective
by local police
Operation: Unpredictable
Contractor
No monitoring
anticipated
IDA residents
Construction: Effective
Operation: Unpredictable
Contractor
No monitoring
anticipated
Drainage/runoff control
Maintenance: City of Cape Town
Roads & Stormwater Department
City of Cape Town Solid Waste
Department and City of Cape
Town Water & Sanitation
Department
Construction: Effective
Operation:Effective
Construction: Effective
Operation:Effective
Contractor
Solid Waste management and Contractor
Sanitation
IMPACTS
ON
ENVIRONMENT
THE
BIOLOGICAL
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
Contractor
Roads &
Stormwater
City of Cape
Town
Solid
Waste
Department and
Water
&
Sanitation Dept.
51
•
•
•
•
Contractor
Minimise extent to which
topsoil is turned or buried
during
site
clearing
operations to enable some
potential for old seed banks
to be retained.
A voluntary biodiversity
offset in the form of
invasive
alien
plant
clearance in surrounding
area
Active control of the
footprint / area of the new
settlement
Prevention of hunting / Contractor
snaring of remaining game
or animals
No mitigation anticipated.
Construction:
Effectiveness Contractor
uncertain due to the size and
density
of
the
alien
vegetation. Heavy machinery
will probably have to be used.
No monitoring
anticipated.
Operation: Unpredictable
No mitigation anticipated.
Construction: Effective
Contractor
No monitoring
anticipated.
Not applicable
Operation: Uncertain
IMPACTS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT
Above actions +
Containment of construction
staff in defined work area for
specified working hours only.
Construction staff to wear
identification
tags
or
uniform/overall.
No employment of casual
labour at site (only to be done
off site at specified formal
venue)
Not applicabe
Construction: Effective
Contractor
Contractor and Not applicable
City of Cape
Town
Construction: Effective
City of Cape
Town Housing
Department
Contractor
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
52
Provision of Security on site
during construction
Construction of palisade fence
around site and maintenance
thereof
Provision of taxi rank/drop
off/pick up place on the site but
away from the road.
Maximisation of social support
networks and services
Contractor
Not applicable
Construction: Effective
Contractor
Not applicable
Contractor
Housing Department
Construction: Effective
Operation: Effective
Contractor
Housing
Department
Housing Dept Housing Department
and Contractor
Construction: Effective
Operation: Effective
Contractor
No monitoring
anticipated
Not applicable
Operation: Uncertain
Not applicable
Departments
Housing
and
Environmental
Health
CCT
Housing
Department
Proper maintenance of services Not applicable
provided
Reduction of fire risk
Control number of dogs
CCT Environmental Health
CCT Roads & Stormwater and Operation: Effective
Solid Waste Deparments
Contractor and CCT Housing Department and Fire Construction: Effective
City of Cape and Safety Departments
Operation: Effective
Town
Not applicable
CCT Housing Dept in conjunction Operation: Uncertain
with the SPCA
Maximisation of social support Not applicable
by NGO’s and other community
groups as well as provision of
work opportunities whenever
possible
Containment and management Not applicable
This settlement is not likely to Operation: Unpredictable
receive any more attention than
other informal settlements or
IDAs/TRAs from NGO’s or social
support groups.
City of Cape Town Housing Dept. Operation: Effective
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
Not applicable
Contractor
CCT
Housing
Department
Not applicable
CCT Housing
Dept in
conjunction
with the SPCA
No monitoring
anticipated.
Not applicable
City
of
Cape
53
of site area and occupants
Town
Dept.
Housing
IMPACTS ON THE CULTURAL AND
HERITAGE ENVIRONMENT
No mitigation necessary
NOISE AND VISUAL IMPACTS
(these are addressed in the various
mitigation
actions
recommended
above)
13. INVESTIGATION, ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF ANY PROPOSED LISTED ACTIVITY OR SPECIFIED ACTIVITY ON ANY NATIONAL
ESTATE REFERED TO IN SECTION 3 (2) OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCE ACT, 1999.
The impacts on heritage and culture have been noted above. A heritage report is attached as Appendix 8. A Notice of Intent to Develop was submitted to
Heritage Western Cape on Wednesday 2 March 2011.
14.SPECIALIST INPUTS/STUDIES, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The specialist input to this report may be considered to have come from the City of Cape Town botanical specialist and the heritage specialist for District B.
Their inputs are reflected in the impact statements and evaluations. All other input has come from consultation with staff in the various City Departments
as well as input from the public via the public involvement process.
15.IMPACT SUMMARY:
IMPACT SUMMARY TABLE: ATLANTIS OPERATION PHASE.
Impact
Significance before mitigation
Significance after mitigation
Affected Parties
Impact on the Geographical and
Physical Environment
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
Likelihood of
effective mitigation
Other relevant
information
54
Compaction, levelling, alteration
of runoff patterns, dust, soil
pollution
Potential impact on the Witzand
aquifer
Impacts on the Biophysical
Environment
Loss of potential to restore site to
indigenous vegetation (Atlantis
Sand Fynbos) + loss or
displacement of remaining fauna
Impacts on the Socio-Economic
Environment
Impacts on quality of life, safety,
security and livelihoods of people
currently living on the boundaries
of the Atlantis site and nearby
environs: Impacts on personal
safety, quality of life impacts due
to change in character of area,
perceived threats to personal
property.
Impacts on the Vissershok
The Vissershok residents
will benefit from a
prepared, livable site.
Correct site preparation
will facilitate maintenance
for CCT staff.
Good: impacts can be
prevented or
mitigated
Low
City of Cape Town and the
residents of Atlantis
Good: Impacts can
be prevented
Low
S A (particularly Western
Cape) citizens and natural
environment
The mitigation would
be effective if
implemented.
Likelhood of
implementation is
uncertain.
The proposed
mitigation (alien
vegetation
clearance) could
provide job
opportunities
Staff cottage residents,
Adjacent industries and
the Atlantis community in
general
Uncertain:
Likelihood and
effectiveness of
targeted
interventions
uncertain
There are relatively
few directly
affected parties due
to the location of
the site on the
boundaries of an
industrial area.
Vissershok residents
Benefits could be
Low
Low
(If there is significant soil
pollution that affects the
aquifer, significance would be
High – see below)
High
Low - Medium
Staff
cottage
Medium - High
residents:
Staff cottage residents:
Medium
Low -
Industries: Medium
Industries: Low - Medium
Atlantis in general: Medium –
High (but difficult to predict
magnitude or extent and
therefore significance).
Atlantis in general: Medium
(but difficult to predict
magnitude or extent and
therefore significance).
Impacts are likely to be
experienced at both individual
and community levels.
There is potential to reduce
impacts
through
targeted
socio-economic interventions,
but the extent to which this is
possible is unknown at this
stage.
Medium to High Benefit
Medium Benefit
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
55
residents: health, wellbeing and
quality of life:
Improved living environment and
services.
Impacts on the economy and
employment:
Impacts on Cultural and
Historical Environment
Noise and Visual Impacts
Economy: Low
Employment: Medium – High
benefit
Noise impacts for staff
cottage occupants: Medium
General noise associated with a
–High
settlement of 800 or more
Visual impacts for staff
people.
cottage occupants: Low Medium
Changed visual environment from
Noise impacts for adjacent
alien vegetation to a developed
industries: Low
site.
Visual impacts for adjacent
industries: Low
Economy: Low
Employment: (Exacerbation of
unemployment problem)
Medium (but uncertain)
Atlantis population in
general:
maximised through
proper service
delivery and social
support networks
Uncertain: no
predictability of
likelihood of targeted
interventions or their
effectiveness
No impacts
Noise impacts for staff
cottage occupants: Medium
Visual impacts for staff
cottage occupants: Low
Noise impacts for adjacent
industries: Low
Visual impacts for adjacent
industries: Low
Residents of Staff
cottages.
Likely to be effective
Adjacent industries.
Overall evaluation in terms of Efficiency, Equity and Sustainability criteria
Definitions
Efficiency: The options and strategies chosen to make the most efficient use of resources and reduce material and energy demands on physical, social and
ecological systems.
Equity: The distribution of the effects of impacts (positive and negative) across different members of society, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable,
now and in future generations
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
56
Sustainability: The choice of options and strategies that are most likely to preserve or enhance the ability of future generations to live sustainably.
The following factors about the Atlantis site are favourable in terms of the above criteria:
•
•
•
The site is close to an urban area (albeit outside the urban edge) and thus provision of services is relatively easy and reasonably efficient, particularly in
terms of water and sanitation (efficiency criterion). Although the up front site preparation costs may be higher, long term maintenance costs are likely
to be lower.
The site’s proximity to the facilities and services in Atlantis enables the Vissershok residents to have relatively easy access to schools, clinics and the day
hospital as well as shops (equity and efficiency criteria). Although there is no public transport to the site at present, the taxi industry is likely to provide
the required service into Atlantis and the surrounds.
The site is permanent and the residents will ultimately gain tenure of the properties, thus encouraging self improvement.
The following factors about the Atlantis site are not favourable in terms of the above criteria:
•
•
•
An access road will have to be constructed to the site. The site will also take longer to prepare due to the massive quantities of alien vegetation to be
removed, and the need for detailed planning and installation of a water and sanitation system that will ensure there is no pollution of the Witzand
aquifer. Additional time and resources will be necessary if this site is used (efficiency).
The site is located outside the medium term urban edge and whilst the long term growth direction of Atlantis will take place in a south-east direction,
this is still a long way off based on the extent of vacant land that is still available within the interim urban edge of Atlantis. The site will thus remain
isolated for the foreseeable future. Investment of infrastructure into this area is thus premature (efficiency, equity and sustainability criteria).
The relative isolation of the site in relation to the main urban areas of Atlantis has both positive and negative consequences. From the perspective of
Atlantis residents, the Vissershok community is perceived as a threat in terms of safety and security. However, the isolation of the new IDA reduces
chances of socio-economic integration into the Atlantis community and economy. The high unemployment rate in Atlantis (estimated to be between
37 – 40 %) is a major factor being raised by Atlantis residents for not locating the Vissershok residents anywhere near the town. This factor, together
with the isolation of the IDA on the outskirts of Atlantis is likely to contribute to continuation of the various social ills associated with vulnerable
communities with a high unemployment rate. The social and economic sustainability of this community is thus not likely to improve for a considerably
long time, unless there are significant targeted interventions.
16. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES AND CRITERIA, GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE, UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment
57
Assessment methodology: The assessment was undertaken using the assessment criteria and methodology as indicated in the requirements for a Basic
Assessment report, using the criteria as indicated in the assessment tables given in section 11.
Knowledge gaps:
•
There is very little information on the socio-economic status (e.g. employment, sources of income) of the Skandaalkamp residents in particular. They
have been reluctant to provide information in previous surveys. The survey information that has been obtained is 2 years old, but according to the
District’s informal settlements manager, there has been no noticeable growth in the number of residents.
•
Assessment of possible impacts on the socio-economic environment has been based largely on inputs received from interested and affected parties as
well as personal observation. No socio-economic surveys have been undertaken.
Underlying assumptions and uncertainties
•
•
•
•
The Acacia thicket on the site makes it difficult to determine ground levels or slope. If this site is selected, then a site survey may be required once the
vegetation has been cleared. This would be necessary to avoid settlement in areas which may be waterlogged in winter.
It has been assumed that the site will be permanently occupied and therefore there would be no ‘decommissioning phase’ impacts.
There is currently insufficient information about the employment status of the Vissershok residents to enable a quantitative assessment of the effects
of relocation to Atlantis in terms of access to current employers.
It is not yet known when additional families would need to be settled on the site. The application and assessment have provided for 500 families.
Draft Environmental Assessement Atlantis Wesfleur: March 2011: For Public Comment