Residents concerned about development
Valencia residents only had about two weeks to become part of a discussion process and object to a proposed development on their doorstep.
MBOMBELA – Residents in Valencia are concerned about not getting a fair opportunity to object to a proposed Buscor depot, because although they had until the end of December to do so, the company to which they could object, had already closed office on December 15.
Property owners in the region of Clivia Road only learned about the intentions on November 28 when a notice was put up in the area, inviting them to register as interested or affected parties (I&APs) to participate in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public participation process (PPP) for this project.
Wandima Consulting, an independent environmental assessment practitioner, was appointed by Songizwe Properties to provide environmental services for the development.
The proposed depot will comprise an administrative block and related infrastructure, three 83 000-litre under-ground diesel storage tanks and an filling station, bus parking and wash bays.
According to the background information document (BID) made available by Wandima Consulting, the prominent land uses in the study area already includes manufacturing and commercial or business activities.
Residents claim that it would entail development in a wetland area, but Wandima says a preliminary site investigation to assess the environment and ecological status of the affected environment was already conducted in 2015, and wet areas present in the central section is as result of water leaking from the irrigation canal on the southern boundary and cannot be classified as wetlands as it has an artificial origin.
A storm-water discharge point is located on the eastern boundary and has created a donga diagonally to the northern section. An investigation of the surrounding area supported this, as no other natural wetlands are present in the nearby area in the same topographic setting. The study also showed that indigenous vegetation has been removed and the surface has been levelled with invasive alien vegetation dominating the site.
Indigenous vegetation is intact in the extreme north-eastern corner where the topography forms a steep ravine towards the Crocodile River. It suggests that this area should not be considered for development as it can be classified as a sensitive ecological zone.
Residents further claimed that they were not consulted before rezoning the land and that the forms with which to register as I&APs were only distributed among a few. They are worried about a filling station with underground diesel tanks being established in a residential area, the impact of diesel fumes on the community, the noise of the buses and a higher crime risk.
Next to the proposed development is a church with a crèche on the premises and it is feared that the children’s health may be compromised.
The BID states that anyone has a right to participate in this process by registering as an I&AP. Registered I&APs may request further information, inform the consultant of any concerns, provide input on the proposed development, or lodge formal objections regarding the proposed activity.
The PPP also allows for an opportunity to appeal any decision made during the EIA process and subsequent decision by the competent authority, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs.
