Sewer line assessment released for comment
MIDRAND - The closing date for comments on the Draft Basic Assessment for the Crowthorne Bulk Outfall Sewer is creeping up,
6 January 2014, 2.30pm:
The assessment is available for review and comment until 22 January 2014 at Kyalami Country Club and on the following links: Draft Basic Assessment 1 or Draft Basic Assessment2.
Leap Environmental consultants marked the assessment, which is a standard report required by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as being sufficient for a formal decision to be made.
In April 2013, interested and affected parties were invited to review the proposed sewer line that would be built underground and serve the Crowthorne and R55 corridor, along with suburbs Barbeque Downs, Halfway House, Kyalami Estate, Kyalami Park, Vorna Valley and Carlswald.
The sewerage line is a prerequisite before a new shopping centre on the corner of the R55 and Main Road is approved.
The Draft Basic Assessment said the line should be around 4 380m in length. Holdings in Glenferness, the Macinnes Road Reserve, Zinnia Road, Rena Road Reserve, Maple Road Reserve, Kyalami Golf Course and portions of Beaulieu will be affected, with some buildings, paved roads and groundcover dominated by alien plant species in the sewer’s path. It states that the landscape is undulating.
A golf course, river and wetland, educational facility and small holdings are in the surrounding area of the line.
The assessment noted there are some sensitive species and a specialist was consulted. The area is also sensitive to erosion.
Details: Fax, 086 606 6130 or e-mail jitske@telkomsa.net or gwen.theron@telkomsa.net
25 November 2013, 4pm:
Leap Environmental consultants marked the assessment, which is a standard report required by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as being sufficient for a formal decision to be made.
In April, interested and affected parties were invited to review the proposed sewer line that would be built underground and serve the Crowthorne and R55 corridor, along with suburbs Barbeque Downs, Halfway House, Kyalami Estate, Kyalami Park, Vorna Valley and Carlswald.
The sewerage line is a prerequisite before a new shopping centre on the corner of the R55 and Main Road is approved.
The Draft Basic Assessment said the line should be around 4 380m in length. Holdings in Glenferness, the Macinnes Road Reserve, Zinnia Road, Rena Road Reserve, Maple Road Reserve, Kyalami Golf Course and portions of Beaulieu will be affected, with some buildings, paved roads and groundcover dominated by alien plant species in the sewer’s path. It states that the landscape is undulating. A golf course, river and wetland, educational facility and small holdings are in the surrounding area of the line.
The assessment noted there are some sensitive species and a specialist was consulted. The area is also sensitive to erosion.
At the initial public participation meeting the community raised concerns about pollution, the impact on wetlands, and the rehabilitation of disturbed areas. The community was also concerned that the initial meeting was too informal and did not allow residents to voice their opinions in a forum.
The assessment addressed these concerns and proposed mitigation tactics, for example to use recycled building material to minimise the impact on the flora, fauna and erosion. Building materials would be removed to rehabilitate the area from pollution.
There was a mixed response to the sewerage line; while some wanted it, others believed it would encourage more development in the Greater Kyalami Conservancy.
Furthermore, in 2012, residents in the conservancy filled out a survey which suggested they were content with the septic tank systems and did not want municipal services or development.
However, Wetlands in Crisis Gauteng chairperson Paul Fairall said there was a need for the sewerage line as there was a high level of pathogens and E.coli in the ground water that would affect the wetlands.
Interested parties are asked to submit their comments in writing to Leap Environmental Consultants before 22 January.
Details: Fax, 086 606 6130 or e-mail jitske@telkomsa.net or gwen.theron@telkomsa.net
