CLAIRWOOD Logistics Park (CLP) developers, Fortress Income Fund (FIF) said all concerns raised by the community have been addressed and they intend to be responsible neighbours.
Economic development, tourism and environmental affairs MEC, Michael Mabuyakhulu recently dismissed all eight points of contention in the appeal by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and other groups against the environmental impact report for the land.
FIF development manager, Nico Prinsloo said during his assessment of the process and a report on the reasons for his decisions, Mabuyakhulu noted that all grounds for appeal were addressed and that these had been considered by his department prior to and at the time of the initial decision to issue an environmental authorisation.
Mabuyakhulu said the MEC found the public participation process followed in the EIA process was compliant with EIA regulations, despite SDCEA and others claims to the contrary.
FIF said the report-back from the MEC ensured the appropriate integration of economic, social and environmental concerns and struck a balance between all.
SDCEA also raised concerns about the flow of traffic and the increase in trucks in the area, posing a risk to the lives of street users, specifically school children who walk through the area.
“During the development of the CLP, we will address this through upgrading roads at our own expense in order to improve traffic flow,” said Prinsloo.
These improvements, according to Prinsloo would include redesigned intersections; better pedestrian crossings and safer waiting areas for school children who presently wait in perilous zones for transport. Some R110-million will be spent on the road upgrades and related infrastructure.
“The traffic impact assessment report on which the department based its decision was reviewed by the eThekwini Transport Authority and all issues raised were addressed and recommendations suggested were incorporated into our planning.”
Another area of concern was that the former Clairwood Racecourse site was identified as an emergency holding area. These concerns, said Prinsloo are no longer applicable as the South Durban emergency plan, reviewed about two years ago changed the areas for people to gather to local community centres instead.
“Concern that development of the CLP could lead to forced removals was also addressed by the MEC. In terms of the official authorisation, the development is limited to a specified portion of the site as specified in the EIA and will in no way displace members of the neighbouring residential communities.”
Benefits the local community can expect to reap according to FIF are an investment upwards of R3.5-billion in the logistics facility, to allow logistics companies to park trucks off road; the creation of sustainable jobs; school upgrades and a rehabilitated wetland area to serve as an educational resource.
