PROPOSED SOLAR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) IN UPINGTON, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
DRAFT TOURISM ASSESSMENT REPORT
DRAFT
Prepared for:
Templar Building, 2nd Floor Cnr Bean & Clarence Street KIMBERLEY, 8301
Tel: +27 (0)53 833 1503
http://www.nceda.co.za
Prepared by:
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Tel: +27 (0)43 726 7809
Also in Cape Town, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Maputo
www.cesnet.co.za | www.eoh.co.za
JANUARY 2017
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services i NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
REVISIONS TRACKING TABLE
Report Title: NCEDA Solar SEZ; Draft Tourism Assessment Report Report Version: Draft Project Number: 077
Name Responsibility Signature Date Rosalie Evans Author
Alan Carter Report Reviewer
Copyright This document contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd. (and the specialist consultants). The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Coastal & Environmental Services. Although this document is prepared exclusively for submission to NCEDA, Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd retains ownership of the intellectual property and proprietary information contained herein, which is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services ii NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 2 1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 2 1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... 3 2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 4 2.1 DESKTOP ASSESSMENT & CASE STUDIES ...... 4 2.1.1 Desktop Assessment ...... 4 2.1.2 Case Studies ...... 4 2.2 SITE INVESTIGATION AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION ...... 4 2.2.1 Site Investigation ...... 4 2.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation ...... 6 3. TOURISM ...... 7 3.1 TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE ...... 7 3.1.1 Namakwa Region ...... 7 3.1.2 Kalahari Region ...... 7 3.1.3 Karoo Region ...... 8 3.1.4 Diamond Fields Region ...... 8 3.1.5 Green Kalahari Region ...... 8 3.2 TOURISM IN UPINGTON ...... 8 3.3 PROPOSED SEZ AND SOLAR PV FACILITY AND TOURISM ...... 9 3.4 TYPES OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ...... 10 4. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 13 4.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS ...... 13 4.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 15 5. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 21 5.1 CONCLUSION ...... 21 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 21 5.2.1 Sense of place (Construction Phase) ...... 21 5.2.2 Sense of place (Operational Phase) ...... 21
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Locality Map of the proposed Solar SEZ in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality...... 2 Figure 1.2: Map of the proposed layout of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington...... 3 Figure 2.1: Site investigation in Upington (1)...... 5 Figure 2.2: Site investigation in Upington (2)...... 6 Figure 3.1: Map of the regional attractions in the Northern Cape Province...... 7 Figure 3.2: Tourism map of Upington in the Green Kalahari...... 10 Figure 3.3: Map of Renewable Energy Power Plants in South Africa (Earthworks Magazine, 2015)...... 10
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Websites resources...... 4 Table 3.1: Types of Tourism Attractions in- and around Upington...... 10 Table 4.1: Significance Rating Table...... 13 Table 4.2: Impact Severity Rating...... 13 Table 4.3: Overall Significance Rating...... 14 Table 4.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts...... 15 Table 4.5: Tourism Impacts Significance Summary...... 15 Table 4.6: Tourism Impact Assessment...... 16
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services i NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND
EOH Coastal and Environmental Services (EOH) has been appointed by the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA) as the Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and required specialist studies for the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV) in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (previously the //Khara Hais Local Municipality) of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (previously the Siyanda District Municipality), Northern Cape Province. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA), including Tourism Assessment, is one of the required specialist studies. This Tourism Assessment is required to assess the impact that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV will have on the tourism facilities in- and around Upington.
Figure 1.1: Locality Map of the proposed Solar SEZ in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality.
1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The establishment of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington has been driven by the anticipated outlook for the renewable solar energy power demand in South Africa within the context of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010 - 2030 of the South African Government. The outlook based approach has been used by South Africa to ensure that the objectives are met for a sustainable future for the country. It is anticipated that the increased utilisation of renewable energy as a source of electricity generation will drive the establishment of new industries.
It is with this backdrop that the strategic objective of the SEZ and Solar PV is to become an industrial node that will attract solar related manufacturing, assembly and supporting services in support of South Africa’s renewable energy strategy.
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The NCEDA is proposing the following developments in Upington (Figure 1.2):
The development of four hundred and forty (440) hectares of land located north of Upington as a SEZ; Bulk and internal services; such as electricity, water, sewage and road/street infrastructure within the SEZ; and A new Solar PV Facility located on approximately seventy-two (72) hectares of the proposed SEZ footprint.
Figure 1.2: Map of the proposed layout of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington.
1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Tourism Assessment consist of the following main tasks:
1. Determine the potential positive and negative impacts that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV will have on existing tourism facilities; and 2. Determine the possible tourism opportunities that could arise as a result of the proposed SEZ and Solar PV.
This will include an assessment of the tourism industry status quo, including: The identification and description of relevant case studies and the impacts that these projects had on the surrounding tourism facilities; Review and analysis of available tourism statistics for the local area and the region; Identification of the types of tourist attractions and the activity providers in- and around Upington; and a Site investigation and assessment of the types of tourist attractions; e.g. distinguish whether the attractions are natural and/or man-made.
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DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
The tourism assessment is based on available information that was collected using the following methods: Desktop assessment; Case studies; Site investigation; and Stakeholder consultation.
2.1 DESKTOP ASSESSMENT & CASE STUDIES
2.1.1 Desktop Assessment
The desktop assessment involved the accumulation of tourism information; including tourism attractions, tourism organisations and contact details from numerous online sources. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Table 2.1: Websites resources. WEBSITE NAME ONLINE SOURCE Brand South Africa www.brandsouthafrica.com Dawid Kruiper Municipality dkm.gov.za Department: Tourism www.tourism.gov.za Experience the Northern Cape experiencenortherncape.com Green Kalahari www.greenkalahari.co.za Ground Up www.groundup.org.za Northern Cape Tourism Board www.northerncape.org.za SA-Venues www.sa-venues.com Southafrica-travel.net www.southafrica-travel.net South African Local Government Association (SALGA) led.co.za South African Tourism www.southafrica.net Statistics South Africa, 2011 Census www.statssa.gov.za Tripadvisor South Africa www.tripadvisor.co.za Upington Accommodation, Businesses & Tourism Portal www.upington.co.za Upington.com www.upington.com Upington Directory www.upington.biz Upington-information www.upington-information.co.za Upington Tourism www.upingtontourism.co.za ZF Mgcawu District Municipality zfm-dm.co.za
2.1.2 Case Studies
Previous environmental and social impact assessment studies and relevant journals articles were sourced to assist in determining the impact that similar developments have had on tourism facilities.
2.2 SITE INVESTIGATION AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
2.2.1 Site Investigation
A site investigation was undertaken from the 14th to the 18th November 2016. Accommodation arrangements were made at A Riviera Garden B&B and Le Must River Residence along the Orange River in Upington. Tourist attractions that were visited (Figure 2.1) included the Upington Tourism Information Centre, Upington 26 monument, Die Eiland Resort, Orange River Cellars, Army Base Upington, Sakkie se Arkie Orange River Cruise, Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate, Date Palm Avenue, Bi-Lo Bistro and Caffé Molinari.
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 4 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT
DATE PALM AVENUE TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE
ORANGE RIVER CELLARS UPINGTON 26 MONUMENT
SAKKIE SE ARKIE ORANGE RIVER CRUISE
BEZALEL WINE & BRANDY ESTATE Figure 2.1: Site investigation in Upington (1). EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 5 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
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8 SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTALION
TRAVEL ROUTES
A RIVIERA GARDEN B&B
LE MUST RIVER RESIDENCE
Figure 2.2: Site investigation in Upington (2).
2.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation
Stakeholder meetings were held with the affected and surrounding Ward Councillors, representatives from the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (ZFM), the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC), the Upington International Airport and the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Local Economic Development (LED) Committee.
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3. TOURISM
3.1 TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
The Northern Cape Province is divided into five (5) main regions; namely the Namakwa, Kalahari, Karoo, Diamond Fields and the Green Kalahari as indicated in Figure 3.1 below.
Figure 3.1: Map of the regional attractions in the Northern Cape Province.
3.1.1 Namakwa Region
The Namakwa Region is primarily known as a biodiversity hotspot and approximately four-thousand (4 000) species of flowers are found in this region and approximately one-thousand (1 000) of these species are unique to the region. There are also other tourist attractions in the Namakwa Region such as the Richtersveld National Park, Namaqua National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, Goegap Nature Reserve, Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve, Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden.
The Namakwa Region also contains small historic towns, such as Alexander Bay, Kamieskroon, Aggeneys, Brandvlei, Calvinia, Eksteensfontein, Concordia, Hondeklip Bay, Fraserburg, Vioolsdrift, Williston, Kleinzee, Komaggas, Loeriesfontein, Nababeep, Pofadder, Port Nolloth, Springbok, Soebatsfontein, Garies, Steinkopf, Sutherland and Nieuwoudtville which attract tourists throughout the year, especially in spring when the flowers bloom. Copper and diamond mining have also contributed to the tourism in the small towns.
3.1.2 Kalahari Region
The Kalahari Region in the Northern Cape Province is known for its arid to semi-arid landscape which consists of undulating red sand dunes that are rich in iron, manganese and other precious ores. The Kalahari has a diverse variety of wildlife and faunal species that survive on the grasses, shrubs and trees. EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 7 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
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The small towns that occur within the Kalahari region include Kathu, Dideng, Black Rock, Hotazel, Van Zylsrus and Kuruman.
3.1.3 Karoo Region
The Karoo Region is primarily known for its sheep farming, windmills, small towns with unique Karoo architecture and the succulent Karoo Biome. Tourist attractions in this region include Khoisan rock art on the dolerite and black boulder fields, stargazing tours, hiking trails, old churches, museums and Anglo-Boer War memorials. The nature reserves in this region include the Aloe Nature Reserve, Tortoise Reserve, Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Die Bos Nature Reserve, Rolfontein Nature Reserve and Victoria West Nature Reserve.
Towns in the Karoo Region include Britstown, Canarvon, Campbell, De Aar, Colesberg, Hanover, Griquatown, Douglas, Marydale, Hopetown, Noupoort, Loxton, Hutchinson, Loxton, Prieska, Richmond, Philipstown, Orania, Petrusville, Strydenburg, Vanderkloof, Van Wyksvlei, Vosburg and Victoria West.
3.1.4 Diamond Fields Region
The Diamond Fields Regions is best known for diamond mining at the Big Hole and a mine museum in Kimberley. The Big Hole is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, it is two-hundred and fifteen (215) meters deep with a surface area of seventeen hectares (17ha) and a perimeter of one point six kilometres (1.6km). The city of Kimberley and the towns of Hartswater and Barkley West are rich in archaeological sites and historical buildings dating back to 1871 when diamond deposits were discovered. Other towns in the Diamond Fields Region include Delportshoop, Jan Kempdorp, Jan Kempdorp, Windsorton, Modder River and Warrenton.
3.1.5 Green Kalahari Region
The Green Kalahari region is one of the Northern Cape’s most diverse landscapes with arid to semi-arid areas adjacent to the green agricultural lands along the Orange River. The Orange River has been used to irrigate land alongside the river since 1884.
The Green Kalahari regions has numerous tourist attractions which include the Augrabies Falls National park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Witsand Nature Reserve and Spitskop Nature Reserve.
Towns in the Green Kalahari Region include Augrabies, Daniëlskuil, Kakamas, Groblershoop, Kenhardt, Keimoes, Kanoneiland, Mier, Olifantshoek, Riemvaasmaak and Upington.
3.2 TOURISM IN UPINGTON
The town of Upington was founded in 1884 and it was named after the first Attorney General of the Cape, Sir Thomas Upington. Upington originated as a mission station which was established in 1875 and the mission station has been renovated into the Kalahari Orange Museum which includes the well-known donkey statue.
Upington is located along the Namakwari route between the Kalahari, Namaqua and Namibia. Upington is the educational, commercial, agricultural and social centre of the Green Kalahari Region.
The wine industry is the highest contributor to the economy of the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (previously the //Khara Hais Local Municipality), predominantly in Upington. The majority of Upington’s wine is produced by the Orange River Wine Cellars which have six depots in the area. The depots are situated along the banks of the Orange River in Upington, Kononeiland, Grootdrink, Keimoes, Groblershoop and Kakamas. Most of the wine produced by the Orange River Wine Cellars is exported, primarily to the EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 8 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
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United States of America and Europe. The main office of the Orange River Wine Cellars is in Upington and it is the largest wine cooperative in the Southern Hemisphere as well as one of the largest in the world. The Orange River Cellars offer wine-tasting and tours of the facility and their products include table grapes, grape juice, wine and raisins. The Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality region accounts for approximately forty percent (40%) of South Africa’s grape exports. Tourism also contributes to the economy through accommodation, restaurants and activities along the banks of the Orange River.
Upington is often visited by tourists as a convenient stop-over en route to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, the Namaqualand Flowers, the Fish River Canyon and the Richtersveld. It is situated eight-hundred and twenty kilometres (820km) north of Cape Town, eight-hundred and seventy- five kilometres (875km) west of Johannesburg and approximately four-hundred kilometres (400km) from Kimberley. Tourists that visit Upington as a stop-over usually only spend short periods of time in the town.
On the other hand, Upington offers tourism attractions which require longer stays such as hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, wine tasting and cellar tours.
The Northern Cape Province Economic Potential and Investment Profile highlights possible agricultural opportunities for the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, of which the following are relevant to tourism in Upington: Agricultural tourism opportunities such as wine tours and hunting; and the Expansion of the table grape industry.
3.3 PROPOSED SEZ AND SOLAR PV FACILITY AND TOURISM
The closest boundary of the proposed SEZ and Solar PV facility is situated approximately one and a half kilometres (1.5km) from the boundary of the high tourism area in Upington. The SEZ and Solar PV facility will not be visible from the high tourism area (Figure 3.2) but they could have an impact on the landscape and the “sense of place” that tourists experience when travelling to Upington.
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Figure 3.2: Tourism map of Upington in the Green Kalahari.
Project planners, engineers and other individuals that are attracted to Upington, from other areas, during the various phases of the development will make use of tourism facilities, such as accommodation and restaurants, in Upington during their visit. Individuals that are permanently employed at the SEZ and the Solar PV Facility will also seek accommodation in Upington and possibly relocate to Upington.
The SEZ and Solar PV facility are being proposed on land that is not currently being used for agriculture, indicated in green in Figure 3.2, and should therefore not have a direct impact on agricultural tourism opportunities unless future agricultural tourism plans fall within this site.
The climate in the Northern Cape is suitable for solar energy and Upington and its surrounds contain numerous solar energy facilities, indicated in orange and green in Figure 3.3, which includes Africa’s first Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) thermal power plant. This CSP thermal power plant is known as Khi Solar One.
Figure 3.3: Map of Renewable Energy Power Plants in South Africa (Earthworks Magazine, 2015).
3.4 TYPES OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Table 3.1 lists the tourism categories that have been identified in- and around Upington, provides the names of the tourism attractions/facilities and classifies them into either man-made, natural or both man- made and natural attractions.
Table 3.1: Types of Tourism Attractions in- and around Upington. TOURISM CATEGORY NAME TYPE OF ATTRACTION Accommodation 28° North West Man-made attraction Accommodation A Chateau de Lux Man-made attraction Accommodation à La Fugue Man-made attraction EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 10 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
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Accommodation Aan't Kanaal Man-made attraction Accommodation Aardwolf Backpackers Man-made attraction Accommodation Abbiamo Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation Affinity Guest House Man-made attraction Accommodation & Agriculture African Vineyard Guest House Man-made attraction Accommodation Afrique Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation AG Bain's House Man-made attraction Accommodation Alimento Man-made attraction Accommodation & Spa Allianto Boutique Hotel Man-made attraction Accommodation Aloe Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation Andalize Guest House Man-made attraction Accommodation Aqua Viva Man-made attraction Accommodation Arita's Rest Man-made attraction Accommodation Aroma Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation At Home Man-made attraction National Park Augrabies Falls National Park Natural attraction River Rafting & Canoeing Augrabies Falls Rafting & Canoe Trails Natural attraction Accommodation Avond Rust Man-made attraction Accommodation BeMyGuest Man-made attraction Accommodation Bet-EL Man-made attraction Accommodation Belle Rio Lifestyle Estate Man-made attraction Accommodation Belurana River Manor Man-made attraction Tours & Agriculture Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate Man-made attraction Accommodation Burger Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation Browns Manor Man-made attraction Accommodation Classic Court Man-made attraction Accommodation Country Lodge Man-made attraction Accommodation & Tours Daberas Natural & man-made attraction Accommodation De Nachtuilen Guest House Man-made attraction History Donkey Memorial Man-made attraction Accommodation Belihante Lodge Man-made attraction Accommodation, Venue & Casino Desert Palace Hotel & Casino Resort Man-made attraction History Desert Patrol Statue Man-made attraction Accommodation Die Kalaharihuis Man-made attraction Accommodation Evergreen Man-made attraction Safari FM Safaris Natural attraction Accommodation Gemütlich B&B Man-made attraction Accommodation Habitat Guest Village Man-made attraction Accommodation Idemvelle Guesthouse & Flats Man-made attraction Accommodation Islandview House Man-made attraction Accommodation Jubilee Man-made attraction Accommodation Just B Guest House Man-made attraction Transfontier Park Kalagadi Transfrontier Park Natural attraction Accommodation Kalahari Lion's Rest Man-made attraction Museum Kalahari-Oranje Museum Man-made attraction Accommodation Kalahari Monate Lodge Man-made attraction Tours Kalahari Tours & Travel Natural attraction Tours Kalahari Safaris - Desert Explorers Natural attraction Solar Facility Khi Solar One Man-made attraction Accommodation Kleinbegin Guest Accommodation Man-made attraction Tours Kokerboom Food and Wine Route Natural & man-made attraction Accommodation & Venue Le Bonheur Manor Man-made attraction Accommodation Le Must River Collection Man-made attraction Accommodation Libby's Lodge Man-made attraction Accommodation Mafanie B&B Man-made attraction Tours Magic of Desert 4x4 Adventures Natural attraction Accommodation Mazurka Waters B&B Man-made attraction EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 11 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON
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Accommodation & Venue Moonriver Guesthouse Man-made attraction Accommodation MultiPro Manor Man-made attraction Accommodation & Venue Naba Lodge Man-made attraction Accommodation Naree's Cottage Man-made attraction Craft &Farmers Market Old Mission Market Man-made attraction Accommodation Orange Apple Guest Lodge Man-made attraction Tours & Agriculture Orange River Wine Cellars Man-made attraction Tours & Agriculture Orange River Wine Route Man-made attraction Accommodation Oranjerus Resort Man-made attraction Accommodation Protea Hotel- Marriott Upington Oasis Man-made attraction Tours Red Dune Route Natural attraction Accommodation River Bank Lapa Man-made attraction Accommodation River City Inn Man-made attraction Accommodation River Place Manor Man-made attraction Accommodation & Venue River Ridge Resort Man-made attraction Accommodation Riviera Garden B&B Man-made attraction Cruise Sakkie se Arkie Orange River Cruise Natural attraction Accommodation & Venue Schröderhuis Guesthouse Man-made attraction Tours South Africa Photography Tours Natural attraction Nature Reserve Spitskop Nature Reserve Natural attraction Accommodation Strelitzia Guest House Man-made attraction Accommodation Sun River Kalahari Lodge Man-made attraction River Rafting & Canoeing Swift River Adventures Natural attraction Tours Tata Ma Tata Tours Natural attraction Accommodation The Cape Lodge Man-made attraction Accommodation & Venue Three Gables Guesthouse Man-made attraction Game Reserve & Hunting Lodge Thuru Lodge Natural attraction Accommodation & Venue Tshahitsi Lodge Man-made attraction Golf Course Upington Golf Course & Club Natural & man-made attraction Accommodation Versamelnes Guest Accommodation Man-made attraction Accommodation Villa Borghesi Man-made attraction Accommodation & Venue Waterfront Guestfarm Man-made attraction Nature Reserve Witsand Nature Reserve Natural attraction Fishing Xstream Fishing Safaris Natural attraction
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DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT 4. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT
4.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS
The following standard rating scales have been defined for assessing and quantifying the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have a number of parameters that need to be assessed. The identified impacts have been assessed against the following criteria:
Temporal scale; Spatial scale; Risk or likelihood; Degree of confidence or certainty; Severity or benefits; and the Significance.
The relationship of the issue to the temporal scale, spatial scale and the severity are combined to describe the overall importance rating, namely the significance of the assessed impact.
Table 4.1: Significance Rating Table. TEMPORAL SCALE (THE DURATION OF THE IMPACT) Short term Less than 5 years (Many construction phase impacts are of a short duration). Medium term Between 5 and 20 years. Long term Between 20 and 40 years (From a human perspective almost permanent). Permanent Over 40 years or resulting in a permanent and lasting change that will always be there. SPATIAL SCALE (THE AREA IN WHICH ANY IMPACT WILL HAVE AN AFFECT) Localised Impacts affect a small area of a few hectares in extent. Often only a portion of the project area. Study area The proposed site and its immediate surroundings. Municipal Impacts affect Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, or any towns within the municipality. Regional Impacts affect the wider district municipality or the Northern Cape Province as a whole. National Impacts affect the entire country. International/Global Impacts affect other countries or have a global influence. LIKELIHOOD (THE CONFIDENCE WITH WHICH ONE HAS PREDICTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN IMPACT) Definite More than 90% sure of a particular fact. Should have substantial supportive data. Probable Over 70% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of that impact occurring. Possible Only over 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring. Unsure/Unlikely Less than 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.
Table 4.2: Impact Severity Rating. Impact severity (The severity of negative impacts, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system or affected party) Very severe Very beneficial An irreversible and permanent change to the affected A permanent and very substantial benefit to the system(s) or party(ies) which cannot be mitigated. For affected system(s) or party(ies), with no real alternative example the permanent loss of land. to achieving this benefit. For example the vast improvement of sewage effluent quality. Severe Beneficial Long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies) A long term impact and substantial benefit to the that could be mitigated. However, this mitigation would be affected system(s) or party(ies). Alternative ways of difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some achieving this benefit would be difficult, expensive or combination of these. For example, the clearing of forest time consuming, or some combination of these. For vegetation. example an increase in the local economy. Moderately severe Moderately beneficial Medium to long term impacts on the affected system(s) or A medium to long term impact of real benefit to the party (ies), which could be mitigated. For example affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 13 NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT constructing a sewage treatment facility where there was optimising the beneficial effects are equally difficult, vegetation with a low conservation value. expensive and time consuming (or some combination of these), as achieving them in this way. For example a ‘slight’ improvement in sewage effluent quality. Slight Slightly beneficial Medium or short term impacts on the affected system(s) or A short to medium term impact and negligible benefit party(ies). Mitigation is very easy, cheap, less time to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of consuming or not necessary. For example a temporary optimising the beneficial effects are easier, cheaper and fluctuation in the water table due to water abstraction. quicker, or some combination of these. No effect Don’t know/Can’t know The system(s) or party(ies) is not affected by the proposed In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the development. severity of an impact.
Table 4.3: Overall Significance Rating. OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE (THE COMBINATION OF ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA AS AN OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE) VERY HIGH NEGATIVE VERY BENEFICIAL These impacts would be considered by society as constituting a major and usually permanent change to the (natural and/or social) environment, and usually result in severe or very severe effects, or beneficial or very beneficial effects. Example: The loss of a species would be viewed by informed society as being of VERY HIGH significance. Example: The establishment of a large amount of infrastructure in a rural area, which previously had very few services, would be regarded by the affected parties as resulting in benefits with VERY HIGH significance. HIGH NEGATIVE BENEFICIAL These impacts will usually result in long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as HIGH will need to be considered by society as constituting an important and usually long term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. Society would probably view these impacts in a serious light. Example: The loss of a diverse vegetation type, which is fairly common elsewhere, would have a significance rating of HIGH over the long term, as the area could be rehabilitated. Example: The change to soil conditions will impact the natural system, and the impact on affected parties (such as people growing crops in the soil) would be HIGH. MODERATE NEGATIVE SOME BENEFITS These impacts will usually result in medium to long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as MODERATE will need to be considered by society as constituting a fairly important and usually medium term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are real but not substantial. Example: The loss of a sparse, open vegetation type of low diversity may be regarded as MODERATELY significant. LOW NEGATIVE FEW BENEFITS These impacts will usually result in medium to short term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as LOW will need to be considered by the public and/or the specialist as constituting a fairly unimportant and usually short term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are not substantial and are likely to have little real effect. Example: The temporary changes in the water table of a wetland habitat, as these systems are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Example: The increased earning potential of people employed as a result of a development would only result in benefits of LOW significance to people who live some distance away. NO SIGNIFICANCE There are no primary or secondary effects at all that are important to scientists or the public. Example: A change to the geology of a particular formation may be regarded as severe from a geological perspective, but is of NO significance in the overall context. DON’T KNOW In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact. For example, the primary or secondary impacts on the social or natural environment given the available information. Example: The effect of a particular development on people’s psychological perspective of the environment.
All feasible alternatives and the “no-go option” will be equally assessed in order to evaluate the significance of the “as predicted” impacts (prior to mitigation) and the “residual” impacts (that remain after mitigation measures are taken into account). Reason for the judgement will be provided when necessary.
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4.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The impacts that the Proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have on tourists and the tourism industry are difficult to quantify because the impacts will largely be based on individuals’ opinions of how they perceive the proposed development. Table 4.4 lists the categories of tourism impacts that have been assessed and Table 4.6 provides a detailed assessment of the significance of each category.
Table 4.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts. PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT NO-GO THEME CATEGORIES PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONAL OPTION DESIGN PHASE PHASE PHASE
Accommodation & Restaurants X X X
Sense of place X X
Dust Generation X
Noise pollution X
Traffic delays X
Loss of employment X opportunities Loss of potential economic X TOURISM ISSUES AND ISSUES TOURISM BENEFITS opportunities and growth Loss of an opportunity to X create a tourism attraction
Table 4.5 summarises the significance of the tourism impacts before and after mitigation measures have been implemented. As indicated below, it is not anticipated that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have any impacts of very high significance on the tourism of Upington and no negative impacts of high significance have been identified.
Table 4.5: Tourism Impacts Significance Summary. SIGNIFICANCE WITHOUT MITIGATION SIGNIFICANCE WITH MITIGATION VERY VERY PHASE LOW MODERATE HIGH LOW MODERATE HIGH HIGH HIGH - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + Planning & Design 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Construction 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Operational 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 TOTAL 3 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 2 0 0
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DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT Table 4.6: Tourism Impact Assessment. PLANNING & DESIGN PHASE
WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION
Nature of Issue/Benefit Impact Description Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance Impact
The proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will attract project planners and engineers, some being from outside of Accommodation Moderately SOME SOME Upington, who will make use Indirect Short term Municipal Definite No mitigation. & Restaurants beneficial BENEFITS BENEFITS of accommodation and restaurants in Upington during the Planning and Design Phase.
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION
Nature of Issue/Benefit Impact Description Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance Impact
The footprint of the The SEZ and Solar PV Facility SEZ and Solar PV could detract from the Facility must be clearly tourists’ experience and sense Moderately MODERATE LOW Sense of place Direct Short term Municipal Probable demarcated and of place due to the changes in severe NEGATIVE NEGATIVE construction activities the landscape during the must be restricted to Construction Phase. this area.
Accommodation Moderately SOME SOME The proposed SEZ and Solar Indirect Short term Municipal Definite No mitigation. & Restaurants PV Facility will attract beneficial BENEFITS BENEFITS
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construction workers and engineers, some being from outside of Upington, who will make use of accommodation and restaurants in Upington during the Construction Phase.
No mitigation. The high tourism area in The construction of the SEZ Upington is situated and Solar PV Facility will more than 1.5km from LOW LOW Dust Generation generate dust which could Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight the study area and NEGATIVE NEGATIVE detract from tourism should not be attractions and facilities. impacted by dust generation during the Construction Phase.
No mitigation. The high tourism area in The construction of the SEZ Upington is situated and Solar PV Facility could more than 1.5km from produce noise that could LOW LOW Noise pollution Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight the study area and become a nuisance to tourist NEGATIVE NEGATIVE should not be attractions and facilities in impacted by noise proximity to the site. pollution during the Construction Phase.
The increase in the use of roads by heavy vehicles could Moderately LOW LOW Traffic delays lead to delays in the travel of Direct Short term Study area Possible No mitigation. tourists near the site; severe NEGATIVE NEGATIVE including National Route N10 between the Upington
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International Airport and Upington.
OPERATIONAL PHASE
WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION
Nature of Issue/Benefit Impact Description Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance Impact
The Solar PV Facility must be maintained as to prevent the growth The SEZ and Solar PV Facility of alien vegetation and could detract from the to ensure that litter tourists’ experience and sense Moderately MODERATE LOW Direct Long term Municipal Probable does not accumulate of place due to the changes in severe NEGATIVE NEGATIVE near the facility. the landscape during the Indigenous vegetation Operational Phase. should be used to Sense of place revegetate the site where possible.
Educational tours of The SEZ and Solar PV Facility the Solar PV Facility could attract tourists and should be considered Moderately SOME improve their experience and Direct Long term Municipal Probable to attract tourists and BENEFICIAL beneficial BENEFITS sense of place during the educate scholars and Operational Phase. other interested individuals.
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DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The SEZ and Solar PV Facility will attract individuals, from Accommodation outside of Upington, who will Medium Indirect Municipal Definite Beneficial BENEFICIAL No mitigation. BENEFICIAL & Restaurants make use of accommodation term and restaurants in Upington during the Operational Phase.
NO-GO ALTERNATIVE
WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION
Nature of Issue Impact Description Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance Impact No mitigation proposed: If the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility Loss of The no-go option entails no development do not employment development and would not Moderately MODERATE proceed then none of MODERATE Direct Short term Municipal Definite opportunities create any employment severe NEGATIVE the negative impacts NEGATIVE opportunities. identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place. No mitigation proposed: If the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility Loss of potential The no-go option entails no development do not economic development and would not Moderately MODERATE proceed then none of MODERATE Direct Long term Municipal Definite opportunities result in any economic or severe NEGATIVE the negative impacts NEGATIVE and growth growth opportunities. identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place. Loss of an The no-go option entails no Direct Medium Municipal Possible Slight LOW No mitigation LOW
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DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT opportunity to development and would Indirect term NEGATIVE proposed: If the NEGATIVE create a tourism result in the loss of an proposed SEZ and Solar attraction. opportunity to potentially PV Facility create a tourism attraction. development do not proceed then none of the negative impacts identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place.
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5. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 CONCLUSION
The impacts that the Proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have on tourists and the tourism industry are difficult to quantify because the impacts will largely be based on individuals’ opinions of how they perceive the proposed development. It is not anticipated that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have any impacts of very high significance on the tourism of Upington and no negative impacts of high significance have been identified.
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the following mitigation measures are implemented and included in the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) to reduce the significance of the negative impacts and enhance the benefits on tourists and tourism facilities:
5.2.1 Sense of place (Construction Phase) The footprint of the SEZ and Solar PV Facility must be clearly demarcated and construction activities must be restricted to this area.
5.2.2 Sense of place (Operational Phase) The Solar PV Facility must be maintained as to prevent the growth of alien vegetation and to ensure that litter does not accumulate near the facility. Indigenous vegetation should be used to revegetate the site where possible; and Educational tours of the Solar PV Facility should be considered to attract tourists and educate scholars and other interested individuals.
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Brand South Africa: www.brandsouthafrica.com
Barbour, T. & Rogatschnig, D. (2011) ‘Social Impact Assessment: Proposed Kakamas Photovoltaic Solar Energy Facility, Northern Cape Province’, Available at: Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd.
Dawid Kruiper Municipality: dkm.gov.za
Department: Tourism: www.tourism.gov.za
Experience the Northern Cape: experiencenortherncape.com
Green Kalahari: www.greenkalahari.co.za
Ground Up: www.groundup.org.za
Northern Cape Tourism Board: www.northerncape.org.za
Prinsloo, F.C. (2013) ‘The impact of renewable energy structures on tourism’, Technical Report 2013/7. Stellenbosch University. P 1-12.
SA-Venues: www.sa-venues.com
Southafrica-travel.net: www.southafrica-travel.net
South African Local Government Association (SALGA):bled.co.za
South African Tourism: www.southafrica.net
Statistics South Africa, 2011 Census: www.statssa.gov.za
Tripadvisor South Africa: www.tripadvisor.co.za
Upington Accommodation, Businesses & Tourism Portal: www.upington.co.za
Upington.com: www.upington.com
Upington Directory: www.upington.biz
Upington-information: www.upington-information.co.za
Upington Tourism: www.upingtontourism.co.za
ZF Mgcawu District Municipality: zfm-dm.co.za
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