GREEN LIGHT FOR THE DUBE TRADE PORT

Environmental Panorama
International
August of 2007

 

23 August 2007 - Media Statement - Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - THURSDAY, 23 AUGUST 2007: This was the firm declaration of the Director General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Pam Yako, when she signed the Record of Decision in Cape Town, today, Thursday, 23 August 2007, authorising the Airports Company of South Africa {ACSA} to develop a trade port at la Mercy, North of Durban.

“Given that the proposed activities will not have a detrimental impact on the environment and that this project will lead to socio economic development not only in KwaZulu Natal but in the whole country, the department has decided to grant permission for the construction of this Trade Port” she said.

In 2005 Dube Trade Port Company (DTP) on behalf of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu\ Natal and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) lodged an application with the department in terms of the EIA Regulations as promulgated under the Environment Conservation Act, No 73 of 1989 to develop a Trade Port at La Mercy, north of Durban.

The Dube Trade Port falls within the Ethekwini Municipality on Farm La Mercy No. 15124 in Durban; KwaZulu Natal, North Coast. The extent of the development is approximately 2 060 hectares and the development will comprise of the construction of the following four core elements: King Shaka International Airport, Trade Zone, Support zone and an Agricultural Zone.

Talking about the process of determining the record of decision, the Director General explained it as a thorough going and intricate exercise that required both acumen and strict attention to detail. “There’s a number of scientific studies and a myriad of divergent inputs from stakeholders and members of the public which need serious consideration to ensure inclusiveness and transparency” she said.

‘This is a public good and we must ensure that we satisfy both the scientific world and the need for sustainable economic development” she added.

She then outlined the various conditions attached to the granting of the permission to proceed with the development. “We have prescribed certain conditions and in this regard we insist on the appointment of an environmental control officer whose duty it is to ensure that periodic environmental performance audits are undertaken on the project implementation” she said.

Conditions attached include but are not limited to issues of access to the construction from the N2, a water management regime that complies with the prescripts of the water affairs department, strict precautions on the management of hazardous waste, management plans that will take care of fuel spillages and issues relating to noise and compliance with other legislation in this regard.

The Director General was also careful to consider the impact of the development on the fauna and flora prevalent in the area. ”The specialist study concluded that the barn swallows will not migrate to another area either during construction or operation of the proposed development” she said. “As long as the wetland habitat is not impacted upon, the birds will keep on utilising the wetland as a habitat’ said the Director General.

“The Record of Decision outlines in detail all conditions that must be met and as a rule allows concerned parties to appeal to the Minister should they not be satisfied with the decision of the department” she added.

The record of decision can be obtained from our website on www.deat.gov.za and all appeals on the decision can be directed to the specified address on the record of decision.

Mava Scott (Acting Chief Director: Communications)

 
 

Source: South African Environmental (http://www.environment.gov.za)
Press consultantship
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

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