The draft by-laws is an outcome of thorough internal consultations with other relevant departments, as well as the process of the greening of by-laws in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).
The need was identified by the City to have its own by-laws to address matters related to the high levels of air pollution in the City emanating from industries, vehicles emissions, dust emissions, open burning, agricultural activities, pesticide spraying and spray-painting emissions.
The draft by-laws are also addressing issues related to noise pollution and complaints.
The CoE was declared a priority area by the national minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in terms of Section 18 of the National Environment Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act 39 of 2004) and therefore forms part of the highveld priority area, which covers Ekurhuleni and extends to the Mpumalanga province.
The area was declared a priority area due to high levels of air pollution in the area caused mainly by pollution as a result of many industries in the City.
The City is known as the highest industrialised in South Africa and the African continent. Another reason is the wind direction, which results in pollution from industries in Mpumalanga landing in Ekurhuleni.
This by-law, therefore, aims to mitigate against the high levels of pollution and minimise pollutions to acceptable levels for human health as well as the environment.
In speeding up the promulgation of the by-laws, the City intends to arrange virtual meetings with interested and affected parties, communities and community organisations as well as other structures of the community that may be affected by the by-laws.
To this effect, the City is making a call to all to contact the office of the City’s air quality officer, Dr Jerry Chaka, on 011 999 2970 or at Nomvula.sirenqe@ekurhuleni.gov.za to register names and emails of interested and affected parties and/or organisations to be invited for virtual meetings. Dates and times will be shared with parties once the registration process is finalised.
An electronic copy of the draft by-laws can also be sourced from the above numbers and/or email address.
The City is encouraging all community members, interested and affected parties and organisations to register from August 10 to September 10. The consultation process will run from September 20.
