DRAFT SCOPING REPORT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KLARINET INTEGRATED HOUSING PROJECT PHASE 2 AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE, EMALAHLENI Report prepared for: Absa Development Company Holding (Pty) Ltd. Report dated: April 2015 (draft) Report number: EIA 2014/02 DARDLEA Ref. No. 17/2/3 N-397 Prepared by: Clean Stream Environmental Services P.O. Box 647 Witbank 1035 Tel: 013 – 697 5021 Fax: 013 – 697 5021 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cleanstreamsa.co.za Author: A. Erasmus PROJECT INFORMATION SUMMARY The development of the Klarinet Integrated PROJECT TITLE Housing Project Phase 2 and associated infrastructure, eMalahleni CLIENT Absa Development Company Holding (Pty) Ltd. CONTACT DETAILS P.O. Box 1132 Johannesburg 2000 Tel: 011-895 6817 CONSULTANT Clean Stream Environmental Services CONTACT DETAILS P.O. Box 647 Witbank 1035 013-697 5021 DEDET REFERENCE NO. 17/2/3 N-397 CSES REFERENCE NO. EIA 2014/02 REPORT VERSION Draft Scoping Report – Version 1 DATE 17 April 2015 REPORT VERSION DATE COMPILED BY: Adie Erasmus Pr. Sci. Nat. Managing Member Scoping Report: The development of the Klarinet Integrated Housing Project Phase 2 and associated infrastructure, eMalahleni (DARDLEA ref. no. 17/2/3 N-397) TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES iv LIST OF FIGURES iv LIST OF APPENDICES iv 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY 4 2.1 Details of the project applicant and environmental consultant............................... 4 2.2 Nature of the activity/development…………………………………………………………………. …………. 4 2.3 Reason for project…………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………. 6 2.4 Detailed description of the development and all relevant components……………………… 7 2.5 Services required……………………………………………………………………...…………………………………. 11 2.5.1 Electricity…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 2.5.2 Water…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 2.5.3 Sewage……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 2.5.4 Waste Disposal……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 2.5.5 Access road…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 2.5.6 Storm water control measures..………………………………………………………………………… 15 2.5.7 Fire fighting........................................................................................... 16 2.6 Applicable legislation, policies and/or guidelines………………………………………………………… 16 2.7 Phases of the development…………………………………………………………………………………………..18 2.7.1 Estimated start and completion dates of construction.................................. 18 2.7.2 Construction phase………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 2.7.3 Operational phase……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18 2.7.4 Decommissioning phase………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 3. BIOPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED SITE 19 3.1 Location of the site......................................................................................... 19 3.2 Climate……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20 3.3 Geology........................................................................................................ 20 3.4 Topography................................................................................................... 23 3.5 Soils/land capability/agricultural potential.......................................................... 24 3.6 Land use………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28 3.6.1 Zoning of the site................................................................................... 28 3.6.2 Land ownership…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 3.6.3 Servitudes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 3.6.4 Major existing infrastructure………………………………………………………………………………. 30 3.6.5 Surrounding land uses ……………………………………………………………………………………... 32 3.7 Natural vegetation……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33 3.8 Animal life……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 35 3.9 Surface water……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 36 3.10 Groundwater………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 38 3.11 Air quality…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 40 3.12 Noise…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41 3.13 Sites of archaeological and cultural interest…………………………………………………………….. 41 3.14 Sensitive landscapes…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 43 3.15 Visual aspects……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..43 3.16 Traffic......................................................................................................... 43 3.17 Sense of place……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 43 Clean Stream Environmental Services Page i Scoping Report: The development of the Klarinet Integrated Housing Project Phase 2 and associated infrastructure, eMalahleni (DARDLEA ref. no. 17/2/3 N-397) 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS 46 4.1 Advertising of the project………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46 4.1.1 Press advertising…………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 4.1.2 On–site advertising……………………………………………………………………………………….. 46 4.1.3 Informing I&APs via the internet………………………………………………………………….. 46 4.1.4 Feedback from advertising process ……………………………………………………………… 47 4.1.5 Public meeting................................................................................... 48 4.2 Relevant authorities and stakeholders............................................................ 39 4.2.1 Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs.............................................................................................. 48 4.2.2 Department of Water and Sanitation.................................................... 49 4.2.3 Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration - Directorate: Land Use and Soil Management......................................... 49 4.2.4 Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries……………………………………… 49 4.2.5 Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs............... 49 4.2.6 Department of Mineral Resources………………………………………………………………… 50 4.2.7 Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport................................. 50 4.2.8 Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation……………………………………………. 50 4.2.9 Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.............................. 50 4.2.10 South African Heritage Resources Agency............................................. 50 4.2.11 Department of Education..................................................................... 50 4.2.12 Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency............................................... 50 4.2.13 South African National Roads Agency Limited........................................ 51 4.2.14 Trans African Concession (Pty) Ltd....................................................... 51 4.2.15 Eskom............................................................................................. 51 4.2.16 Telkom............................................................................................. 51 4.2.17 Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.................................... 51 4.2.18 Transvaal Landbou Unie..................................................................... 51 4.2.19 Mpumalanga Agriculture..................................................................... 52 4.2.20 Nkangala District Municipality.............................................................. 52 4.2.21 Mpumalanga Wetland Forum............................................................... 52 4.2.22 Sasol Gas......................................................................................... 52 4.3 Directly affected and surrounding land owners/users........................................ 52 4.3.1 Directly affected land owners/users...................................................... 54 4.3.1.1 Residential development area................................................... 54 4.3.1.2 Bulk services areas................................................................. 59 4.3.2 Surrounding landowners/users............................................................ 64 4.4 Summary of comments received.................................................................... 73 4.4.1 Authorities and stakeholders............................................................... 73 4.4.2 Directly affected landowners/users i.t.o. residential development area...... 73 4.4.3 Directly affected landowners/users i.t.o. bulk services............................. 73 4.4.4 Surrounding landowners/users............................................................. 74 5. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED 76 5.1 Development site......................................................................................... 76 5.2 Site layouts................................................................................................ 77 5.3 Level of services.......................................................................................... 79 5.4 Water......................................................................................................... 80 5.5 Sewage....................................................................................................... 81 5.5.1 Bulk sewer options............................................................................... 82 5.5.2 Proposed link services........................................................................... 83 5.6 Access roads.............................................................................................. 84 5.7 Storm water control measures...................................................................... 84 5.8 OR Tambo extension..................................................................................