NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROCESSES FOR THE TANGANANI BULK INFRUSTRUCTURE PROJECT IN , PROVINCE.

GDARD Reference Numbers: GAUT 002/17-18/E2009 and GAUT 002/17-18/E2019

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) intends to construct a 1km long bulk water pipeline and reservoir water tower to supply water to the approved Tanganani Extension 7 Residential Development, east of Diepsloot in the City of Johannesburg. The water tower will be located adjacent to the existing Diepsloot water reservoir1 on Portion 984 of the Farm Knopjeslaagte 385-JR (refer to Figure 1-1).

As part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), all housing within the Tanganani Extension 7 Residential Development must have adequate sanitary facilities, storm-water drainage, and convenient access to clean water. It is understood that water will be pumped from the approved service reservoir to the proposed water tower, after which, water will gravitate downwards into the bulk supply water pipeline. This pressurised municipal water will feed into the water supply network of the Tanganani Extension 7 Residential Development

Aim of this background information document

This Background Information Document (BID) aims to provide you, as an Interested and/or Affected Party (I&AP), with:

❖ An overview of the proposed project; ❖ An overview of the Basic Assessment (BA) processes and studies being undertaken to assess the potential impacts, both positive and negative, associated with the proposed project; and ❖ Details of how you can become involved in the process, receive information, comment and/or raise issues, which may concern and/or interest you.

Overview of the Project

Tanganani Extension 7 is an approved high density residential development site to be built by GDHS. Extension 7 is located near the intersection of the highway and the (William Nicol Drive) in Diepsloot of the City of

1 Environmental Authorisation for the Diepsloot Reservoir was granted to Johannesburg Water (Pty) Ltd by the GDARD via a Record of Decision (RoD) dated 4 July 2012 (Ref: Gaut 002/11-12/E0183). The reservoir is currently under construction.

Page | 1 Johannesburg Municipality, and is bordered by the N14, R511 and intersected by the R562 (Summit Road). Environmental Authorisation has been granted for Tanganani Extension 72.

The Scope of Work (SoW) is described as the methodology required to meet the Objective. The SoW for the Tanganani Bulk Infrastructure Project (“the Proposed Project”) will entail the following objectives:

The Objectives: 1. A Basic Assessment process for the proposed construction of the new Diepsloot Reservoir Water Tower as contemplated in the EIA 2014 Regulations. 2. A Basic Assessment process for the proposed construction of the Tanganani Extension 7 Bulk Water Supply Pipeline as contemplated in the EIA 2014 Regulations. 3. A General Authorisation per Notice 509 of 2016, for water uses contemplated in Section 21 (c) and Section 21 (i) of Section 39 of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998).

The pipeline and water tower will be constructed, owned and operated by the GDHS. The bulk water supply pipeline to be installed will run from the approved Diepsloot Reservoir to the approved residential developments of Tanganani Extension 7. The proposed pipeline is greater than 0.30m diameter and longer approximately 1,000m in length and is to be buried below the current ground level. It is expected that the pipeline will intersect a wetland area near Tanganani Extension 14, and as such a wetland impact assessment has been undertaken.

As per the findings of the wetland specialist report, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) confirmed that a General Authorisation, as per Notice 509 of 2016, will be issued in terms of Section 39 the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). It is assumed that the public participation process to be undertaken for the Basic Assessment will also address the requirement for a Water-Use General Authorisation (GA) and will meet the requirements of DWS.

In addition to the pipeline, a new Water Tower will need to be built at the approved Diepsloot Reservoir to ensure sufficient water pressure along the proposed pipeline. The Diepsloot Reservoir is currently being built, and has Environmental Authorisation as per footnote 1 above.

2 Environmental Authorisation for Tanganani Extension 7 was granted to the Gauteng Province: Department of Human Settlements by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) via a Record of Decision (RoD) dated 24 February 2016 (Ref: Gaut 002/14-15/0264).

Page | 2 Basic Assessment Process

In terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended in 2017) published in terms of Section 24(5) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA, Act No. 107 of 1998), the GDHS requires authorisation from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) for the undertaking of the Proposed Project. In terms of Sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998), as read with the EIA Regulations of GN R982, GN R983 and R985, two Basic Assessment processes will be undertaken for the proposed project (as seen in the SoW above). In terms of the National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998), a General Authorisation for the bulk water supply pipeline will be required for Section 21 (c) and Section 21 (i) water uses.

The GDHS has appointed Kongiwe Environmental (Pty) Ltd, as the independent environmental consultant, to undertake the required Basic Assessment and Water Use General Authorisation (GA) processes. The Basic Assessment will identify and assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Project, and recommend appropriate mitigation and management measures in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The Public Participation Process, which forms part of the overall Basic Assessment (BA) and GA process, will also be undertaken by Kongiwe Environmental.

Page | 3 Figure 0-1: Locality of the Tanganani Bulk Infrastructure Project indicating the existing water reservoir, the proposed water tower and the proposed 1km water pipeline.

Page | 4 What are the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project?

Several potential environmental impacts, both positive and negative, are associated with the Proposed Project have been identified. These include the following:

Biophysical Impacts ❖ Impacts on the existing wetland: The proposed potable water pipeline will cross the extreme upper edge of a large hillslope seepage wetland. As the pipeline will be buried, the excavation of a trench across the upper reach of the wetland is required. Although the impacts of the project are considered to be Low/Moderate risk, the affected wetland is considered to be largely modified (Present Ecological State (PES) Category D), thus it is highly unlikely that the proposed activity will increase the level of disturbance within the wetland and no change in PES category is expected.

Social Impacts ❖ Impacts on heritage sites: Since the site is already disturbed by current and previous developments, and several Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA’s) have been undertaken for the relevant Residential Developments in the area, a Heritage screener will be undertaken in line with requirements of the National Heritage Resources (Act 25 of 1999). ❖ Impacts on the social environment: the construction and operation of the pipeline and water tower may result in some local job opportunities, thus increasing job creation potential.

The Heritage Screener Study and Wetland Impact Assessment were undertaken to identify and assess these potential impacts. The potential environmental impacts associated with not undertaking the proposed project will be explored through the BA process. Specialist studies have been guided by existing information, field observations and input from the public participation process. As an I&AP, your input is considered an important part of this process, and we invite you to become involved.

Public Involvement Process

Public and Stakeholder participation is a fundamental component of the EIA Process. The inclusion of the views of I&AP’s aids in ensuring that the EIA Process is open and transparent, as well as that the decision-making process is equitable and legally sound. The outcome of a successful Public Participation Process (PPP) will result in informed choices and better environmental outcomes. PPP further presents a valuable source of information on key impacts, potential mitigation measures and the identification and selection of feasible alternatives.

The public involvement process aims to ensure that: ❖ To inform all I&APs and key stakeholders of the proposed project; ❖ To identify issues and concerns of key stakeholders and I&APs with regards to the proposed project (i.e. focus on important issues); ❖ To promote transparency and an understanding of the proposed project and its potential environmental (social and biophysical) impacts;

Page | 5 ❖ To provide information used for decision-making; ❖ To provide a structure for liaison and communication with I&APs and key stakeholders; ❖ To ensure inclusivity (the needs, interests and values of I&APs must be considered in the decision-making process); ❖ To focus on issues relevant to the project and issues considered important by I&APs and key stakeholders; ❖ To provide responses to I&AP queries, and ❖ To encourage co-regulation, shared responsibility and a sense of ownership.

Your responsibilities as an I&AP

In terms of the 2014 EIA Regulations (as amended in April 2017), your attention is drawn to your responsibilities as an I&AP:

❖ To participate in this BA process, you must register yourself on the projects database. ❖ You must ensure that any comments regarding the proposed project are submitted within the stipulated timeframes. ❖ You are required to disclose any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which that you may have in the approval or refusal of the application for the proposed facility.

How to Become Involved

1. By responding (by phone, fax or e-mail) to our invitation for your involvement which has been advertised in the local newspaper and on site. 2. By returning the attached Reply Form to the relevant contact person. 3. By reviewing and commenting on the draft BA Report within the stipulated 30-day public review period.

If you consider yourself an I&AP for this proposed project, we urge you to make use of the opportunities created by the public involvement process to provide comment, or raise those issues and concerns which affect and/or interest you, and about which you would like more information. Your input into the process forms a key element of the BA process.

Comments and Queries

By completing and submitting the accompanying reply form, you automatically register yourself as an I&AP for this project, and are ensured that your comments, concerns or queries raised regarding the project will be noted. Any person affected by or who may be interested in the proposed project is asked to register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) by sending an email to [email protected], or you can call Ashleigh Blackwell at +27 (10) 140 6508.

Page | 6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS FOR THE TANGANANI BULK INFRUSTRUCTURE PROJECT IN DIEPSLOOT, GAUTENG PROVINCE.

STAKEHOLDER REGISTRATION AND REPLY FORM

Return completed reply form to: Ashleigh Blackwell of Kongiwe Environmental (Pty) Ltd Phone: 010 140 6508 or Fax: +27 (86) 476 6438 E-mail: [email protected] Postal Address: PostNet Suite no 163, Private Bag X21, Bryanston, 2021

Please provide your complete contact details: Name & Surname: Organisation & Portfolio: Physical or Postal Address:

Telephone: Cellphone: Fax: E-mail:

Are you an interested and affected party (I&AP) that would you like to register to receive correspondence? YES NO

Please state your interest in the project (feel free to add additional pages if necessary):

Please list your questions, views or concerns regarding the project (feel free to add additional pages if necessary):

Please provide contact details of other persons who you regard as a potential interested or affected party: Name & Surname: Organisation & Designation: Postal Address: Telephone: Cellphone: Fax: E-mail:

Pease indicate your language of choice for further correspondence about the EIA and GA Process: English Afrikaans Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kongiwe Environmental (Pty) Ltd. Reg No 2016 / 135562 / 07 Directors: BJ Thornton. PE Sodi. Tel: +27 (10) 140 6508 | Email: [email protected] 223 Cube Workspace, 1 Wedgewood Link, Bryanston, Sandton, 2191, South Africa. PostNet Suite no 163, Private Bag X21, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. www.kongiwe.co.za