IRR Davel Yard Final EIR 03.06.2014.Docx 2 June 2014 Revision 1 Page I
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Environmental Impact Assessment: 2 June 2014 The Proposed Upgrade and new Prepared for: Transnet Construction related to the SOC Ltd Development of the Swaziland Rail Revision: 1 Link Project, for the Davel Rail Yard in Reference: 109578 Mpumalanga (DEA Reference 14/12/16/3/3/2/551 Issues and Response Report Contents 1 Comments received during the Public Meetings and Focus Group Meetings 1 1.1 Public meeting Davel Primary School 1 2 Comments received during Initial Notification Period 4 3 Comments received on Draft Scoping Report 5 4 Comments received after submission of Final Scoping Report 12 5 Comments received after the submission of Final Amended Scoping Report 17 6 Comments received during Public Meetings and Focus Group Meetings 18 6.1 Public Meeting: Davel Primary School 18 7 Comments received on the Draft Environmental Impact Report 22 8 Comments received on the submission of the Final Environmental Impact Report 22 Project 109578 File IRR_ Davel Yard Final EIR_03.06.2014.docx 2 June 2014 Revision 1 Page i 1 Comments received during the Public Meetings and Focus Group Meetings 1.1 Public meeting Davel Primary School STAKEHOLDER VENUE TIME TOTAL PEOPLE ATTENDED FEEDBACK RECEIVED MEETING 1 August 2013 Davel Primary 17:00 -19:00 113 (Refer to Annexure L of Appendix C ) Yes School 1.1.1 ISSUES RAISED AND RESPONSE NOTE commentators did not introduce themselves prior to asking their questions. Therefore no commentator details are included below. ISSUE RESPONSE Is the 200 meter buffer referred to by the social specialist on both sides of the railway The 200 meter buffer applies only to the [area assessed through the] Social Impact line? Assessment. It is 100 metres on either side of the railway line. The 200 meter is not the rail reserve owned by Transnet that is required for the operation, maintenance and construction o f the railway line. What was the rationale for the proposed route options currently being investigated? A very detailed concept study that was done by Transnet included the screening of four highly conceptual routes. Two of these, were discarded as non-feasible at an early stage. The remaining 2 routes were recommended for further study; with the indication that proposed route as presented in the Scoping report (the Davel – Lothair – Sidvokodvo link) is technically feasible and presents a sound option. As the railway line is commencing in Davel and will cater for coal transportation, is Transnet is a freight and transport logistic company and therefore, the new rail line will there a possibility that the railway line could result in the establishment of mines in the provide for coal transportation plus other identified commodities. [The purpose of Davel area. proposed railway line is to provide logistical support for the transport of general freight and not the establishment of new mines. The likelihood of coal being transported on this line is very low]. Many young people attending the meeting are unemployed and have attended the Of importance for Transnet is to create benefits for society where possible. In total this meeting because they are seeking jobs. Clarity is required on how the hiring of project is estimated to create 6100 jobs, for all construction work required from Davel employees will take place. For instance will Transnet consider employment of through Swaziland up to Nsezi. In South Africa an estimated 3400 jobs will be created individuals with disabilities, do they require only people with qualifications. and in Swaziland approximately 2700 jobs. Transnet’s policy for the use of local labour will make provision for the use of labourers from the local communities. When contractors have been appointed it will be required that the labourers for those contractors are employed from the local community. This project will involve both skilled and unskilled Project 109578 File IRR_ Davel Yard Final EIR_03.06.2014.docx 2 June 2014 Revision 1 Page 1 ISSUE RESPONSE labour, where practical and opportunity allows people with disabilities will be co nsidered for employment. It is labour intensive as it is railway infrastructure and it is therefore anticipated that the local community will benefit. [Every procurement event as of October 2013, is reviewed by the Supplier Development (SD) Department within Transnet. The SD department investigates the opportunities for Job creation, small business promotion and rural integration, amongst other for the particular tender. The tender is provided to the open market with a SD pre-qualification, where the tenderers are required to provide Transnet with a plan on how to they will contribute to the SD objectives. The SD plan is made a contractual obligation and is monitored on a monthly basis. As per the Transnet Supply Chain policy Transnet shall ensure that procurement of construction related works, goods or services for expansion of its ports, rail and pipelines infrastructure happens in a manner that creates sustainable jobs for South Africans. Procurement operation and maintenance services of the infrastructure shall be done in a manner that supports sustainable job creation particularly among the previously disadvantaged members of the South African society. This issue was also identified in the Social Impact Assessment (refer Annexure E of Appendix C ) and the mitigation measures proposed have been included in Section 8 of the final EIR]. A major issue for the local community is that in the past promises have been made for Transnet has established a specialist unit charged with administering and executing its the provision of jobs on such projects as this railway link, and then once construction social investment strategy, the Transnet Foundation. The Transnet team will engage with commenced labourers from elsewhere were appointed and the local community did the Foundation on the issues raised for their consideration. [Transnet have indicated that not benefit. It is therefore requested that the promises made at this meeting this has been done]. materialise. Transnet is requested to consider the beneficiation of elders and the local crèches a s part of the project. The community requires the transfer of skills during the implementation of this project The project will provide opportunities for skilled and unskilled labour . [It is recommended in order to benefit in the long term. to Transnet that the transfer of skills be made a requirement of the contract between Transnet and the contractor. This issue was also identified in the Social Impact Assessment (refer Annexure E of Appendix C ) and the mitigation measures proposed have been included in Section 8 of the final EIR]. Are there any employment opportunities available currently as part of the EIA Process. There are no opportunities available as part of the EIA Process with the exception of possibly 1 or 2 temporary jobs created during the Social Impact Assessment survey, where the Social Scientist will make use of 1 or 2 individuals from the local community to assist with completion of the questionnaires by the local community members. This opportunity is temporary and the completion of the questionnaires usually takes no longer than 1 week. [Aurecon subsequently appointed two people for one week to assist with Project 109578 File IRR_ Davel Yard Final EIR_03.06.2014.docx 2 June 2014 Revision 1 Page 2 ISSUE RESPONSE completion of the questionnaires by the local community members in Davel]. What does the 2 bi llion Rand labour value make provision for as was stipulated in the This includes money being ploughed into the community as well as for example supplies presentation relating to the socio economic benefits of the project sourced from the community. For instance if you require to set up a construction camp you will require materials such as fences, toilet facilities, accommodation facilities and these can possibly be sourced from the local community. It is estimated that 1.7 billion Rand of the total contribution will be in the form of salaries. Where possible materials for the actual construction of the railway line, such as sleepers, ballast and concrete can be sourced from local suppliers. Furthermore as the railway line will be diesel operated and an estimated 65 million litres of fuel will be required per annum to run the trains, some of that fuel can be sourced from local companies. Potential for sourcing materials from local suppliers must be investigated to determine whether viable. What is the date for commencement of construction There are two processes that need to be considered in terms of timeframes. Firstly the EIA Process which is currently underway. Transnet cannot commence with construction until the EIA Process is finalised and an Environmental Authorisation has been issued by the Competent Authority. This process is anticipated to be finalised by March 2014. Therefore Transnet anticipates that should the project be approved that construction can only commence mid next year (2014), this date is also still dependent on the detailed designs to be given by the engineers. The new Swazi link will need to be constructed first. [The Final EIR was submitted to the Competent Authority in March 2014. Construction is therefore anticipated to commence October 2014]. The request is made that once hiring of labourers commences, that the persons Noted. This requirement will be considered further and recommendations will be included responsible for the hiring should not be from the local community but rather that in the Environmental Management Programme. [Transnet’s policy for the use of local Transnet and Aurecon be responsible for the hiring of labourers. labour will make provision for the use of labourers from the local communities. When contractors have been appointed it will be required that [a portion of] the labourers for those contractors are employed from the local community]. Aurecon has been appointed to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment only and will not be responsible for any employment appointments.