Heritage Registration

You may recall that at the AGM in April, it was decided that the Conservancy should begin the process of applying for Heritage Status for Vermaaklikheid. Some progress has now been made. After an initial delay, the Heritage Authorities have now made contact with the Conservancy regarding our application for registration as a Heritage body and have asked for some additional documentation.

A very important court decision that may force Advasol to comply with Environmental laws

According to Advocate Coetzee, “This judgment confirms what environmental authorities and municipalities have been arguing for years. Importantly, the judgement also makes it clear that even though different regulatory requirements must therefore be met, over and above the MPRDA, this does not mean that the different “spheres of control cannot co-exist even if they overlap”. While the requirements in terms of the MPRDA will therefore ensure that a proposed mining operation will be optimal, the requirements in terms of NEMA will ensure that the mining will be done in an environmentally sustainable manner, with the requirements in terms of LUPO ensuring that the mining operations is desirable considering the planning considerations for the applicable municipal area.” Have a look a the judgment which is attached at this link. Maccsand_Court_Case_Judgement_20Aug2010

Update on Case no: EG18/2/3/2/2-D5/12/L261/10 Erf 499, Farm Vermaaklikheid, Riversdale: Job No: L261

I received this note today from Western Cape DEADP:

“The case is in progress. A s24G application was finally submitted to the Dept
on 04/08/2010 by the appointed EAP “Calidris Development Management” on
behalf of Farm Vermaaklikheid,Erf 499/65, Riversdale, following numerous
correspondences (Telephonically and written notices) from the Dept to the Farm
Owners.”

Road Construction Issues

Received this comment from Louise, “I reguarly use the road between Malgas and Vermaaklikheid en route to Stillbay. I am interested to know how the road contractors working on the road on the Malgas side just before the Duiwenhoks drift got it right to push the gravel further into the river so they could get their trucks closer to the pipe syphoning water out the river. A land owner can not put a pole in the water without a public participation process but these contractors have got it right to push gravel into the river.”

What do others think?

Stillbaai civil society mobilises to monitor Advasol

The Hessequa Coastal Alliance (HCA) has been established after a summit held in Stilbaai on 4 August 2010. Representatives of a number of organisations were brought together by this Alliance. The aim of the HCA will be to facilitate the coordinated response to development proposals such as the Advasol application, as well as the monitoring of ensuing operations if developers obtain approval. The HCA will therefore aim to watch over all phases of developments in the coastal region of Hessequa in order to ensure compliance with their environmental management plans. Organizations include the Still Bay Conservation Trust, the Inwoners Vereeniging Stilbaai Oos, the Hessequa Society for Archaeology, the Stilbaai Belange Forum, Jongensfontein Inwoners Vereeniging, Gouritz Forum, Gouritz Bewarings Trust, Stilbaai Sakekamer, Hessequa Waaksaamheid Vereeniging and the Goukou River Property Owners Association.

Gas and Oil latest- Letter from Golder requesting details

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: PROPOSED EXPLORATION FOR NATURAL GAS IN VARIOUS AREAS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

Thank you to the many stakeholders that attended the Open Houses regarding the proposed Gas Exploration in the Western Cape Province. We would like to ensure that our records of stakeholder consultation throughout the project are up to date and request you to kindly supply us with the following information if applicable:

Name:
Registered business name:
Farm or property name:
Registered farm or property name as per the title deed:
Portion:
Farm number:

EXAMPLE:

Name: Marietjie van Zyl
Registered business: VanZylsrust Boerderye Bpk
Farm or property name: Van Zyls se Uitspanplek
Registered farm or property name as per the title deed: Melkhoutsvlei
Portion: 3
Farm number: 495

We would appreciate a swift reply to ensure that our stakeholder database is kept up to date.

Kind regards,

Erika du Plessis

Erika Du Plessis (Associate) | Senior Public Participation Practitioner | Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd
Ditsela Place, 1204 Park Street, cnr Duncan and Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
T: +27 (0)12 366 0100 | D: +27 (0)12 366 0113 | M: +27 (0)82 802 1309 | E: EDuplessis@golder.co.za | www.golder.com