Draft Environmental Scoping Report for the Proposed ...rhdhv.co.za/media/Sep-2012/Cornubia Retail Park Draft Scoping Repo… · This EIA Application Process is for the Retail Park

DM/0034/2012 KZN/EIA/0000802/2012

Draft Environmental Scoping Report

for the Proposed Cornubia Retail

Park, eThekwini Municipality, KZN

5 September 2012 A Project for Tongaat Hulett Developments

Tel: +27 (0) 31 719 5533

Email: [email protected]

6 Payne street, Pinetown,3606

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION

Client:

Tongaat Hulett Developments

Project Name:

Draft Environmental Scoping Report for the Proposed Cornubia Retail Park, eThekwini Municipality, KZN

Royal HaskoningDHV Reference Number:

E02.DUR.000484

Authority Reference:

DM/0034/2012

KZN/EIA/0000802/2012

Compiled by:

Humayrah Bassa

Date:

5 September 2012

Location:

Durban

Reviewers: Kushela Naidoo

_____________________________

Signature

Approval: Kushela Naidoo

______________________________

Signature

© Royal HaskoningDHV

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written

permission from Royal HaskoningDHV.

PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

This Scoping Report is available for comment for a period of 60 days from Wednesday 5 September 2012 until Monday 5 November 2012. Copies of the Scoping Report are available at strategic public places in the project area (see below) and upon request from Royal HaskoningDHV. Mount Edgecombe Country Club;

Tongaat Hulett Developments: 305 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, La Lucia; and

Royal HaskoningDHV Website: www.rhdhv.com

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

The following methods of public review of the Scoping Report are available:

Completing the comment sheet enclosed with the Background Information Document (BID);

Written submissions by e-mail or fax

Telephonic submissions

DUE DATE FOR COMMENT ON DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2012

SUBMIT COMMENTS AND QUERIES TO

Ms. Humayrah Bassa Royal HaskoningDHV

6 Payne Street, Pinetown, 3606 Tel: (031) 719 5500 Fax: (031) 719 5505

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.rhdhv.com/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Background and Introduction

Tongaat Hulett Developments propose to develop approximately 38 hectares of land at Mount Edgecombe into a

Retail Park. The proposed site is currently a greenfields site under sugar cane. The proposed site falls within the

overall, municipality approved Cornubia Development Framework. The project will consist of large scale retail and

commercial buildings developed on earth-worked platforms to cater to the surrounding region. The project

includes the construction of new roads and upgrading to existing road networks as well as the installation of new

services including gravity sewer lines, water pipelines, electrical cabling and stormwater attenuation.

In addition, it is proposed that the existing waste transfer site will be relocated. The new location has not been

determined as yet and the EIA process will be used to assess the suitability of several alternatives. A waste

management license will be applied for the relocation of the waste transfer facility.

The above is based upon a broad Development Framework Plan (Figure 1-3) for the entire Cornubia Project

which was approved and adopted by eThekwini Municipality for the whole of Cornubia in 2011. Due to the extent

of the development, it will be developed on a phased basis. This EIA Application Process is for the Retail Park

Component only which is separate to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 EIAs.

The Framework should not be seen as the definitive layout or final, approved plan for the development but should

only be used to enable an understanding of the conceptual framework for the ultimate development of Cornubia

and to enable assessment of the following issues and impacts at a macro level:-

Primary road network and interchanges;

Primary open space system and impacts on wetlands and river;

Broad uses and densities/intensities; and

Bulk infrastructural requirements.

Regulatory Environmental Requirements

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (KZN DAEA), is the lead authority and

any EIA process in KwaZulu-Natal needs to be authorised by this Department in accordance with the National

Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (as amended).

The EIA Regulations (2010) under the NEMA consist of three categories of activities namely: Listing Notice 1

Activities (GNR. 544 of 2010) which require a Basic Assessment Process, Listing Notice 2 Activities (GNR. 545 of

2010) which require both a Scoping and an EIA Report for authorisation and Listing Notice 3 Activities (GNR 546

of 2010) which requires a Basic Assessment process to be undertaken in specific geographical areas.

The activities associated with the proposed project amongst others triggered activities contained in GNR 545 and

as such a Scoping and EIA process will be undertaken for the development.

Public Participation Process

Royal HaskoningDHV (previously known as SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants) are conducting the

Public Participation Process (PPP) for this project. In recent years Tongaat Hulett Developments has actively

promoted a participatory approach to their property development projects, with the understanding that the socio-

political and economic context as well as Environmental legislation requires this public approach. Interested and

affected Parties are invited to “inform and be informed” about developments in order to achieve the most

participation as possible. It is also noted that engaging stakeholders even before developments are built can be

seen as best environmental practice. It is for this reason that the PPP which forms part of the EIA becomes the

basis of a long-term stakeholder engagement process.

Scoping Report and Purpose of the Report

In line with the requirements of the NEMA EIA Regulations, this Scoping Report provides a brief description of the

predevelopment environment, specifically in terms of the biophysical and socio-economic environment of the

study area. Furthermore, the report provides a description of the activities undertaken for the Scoping Phase and

Public Participation Process (PPP), as well as the way forward in the form of a Plan of Study for EIA.

The first phase of the EIA process is the Scoping Phase (see diagram below illustrating the phases of the EIA

process) in which the environmental issues are scoped and issues and concerns with respect to the project are

identified so that technical specialists can evaluate them during the subsequent Environmental Impact

Assessment Phase. The Draft Scoping Report is now available to the public for review and comment for a period

of 60 days. Following the public comment period, the Scoping Report will be updated and a Final Scoping Report

submitted to the KZN Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs for consideration. After the acceptance

of the Scoping Report, the impact assessment phase will commence.

Bohlweki-SSI Environmental

DEA / NC DTEC

Public Involvement

Submit application• Notice of Intent Landowner’s consent

Acknowledge receipt & provide guidance

Scoping (Phase I) •Specialist Studies•Compile Scoping Report•Compile Plan of Study (POS) for EIA

Amend

Submit Scoping Report & POS for EIA

(for Authority Review)

Public Participation(incl. Organs of State)

Authority Review& Response

AcceptReject

Notify EAP to proceed

with EIA Phase

Notify Applicant

Notify I&APs (of decision)

Appealdecision

EIA (Phase II) •Specialist Studies (detailed)•Compile EIR (incl. EMP)

Amend AcceptReject

Submit EIR & EMP(for Authority Review)

Public ParticipationPublic review of draft EIR & EMP

Public ParticipationPublic review of draft SR

Stakeholder/Public Meeting

FLOW DIAGRAM – LEGISLATED SCOPING / EIA PROCESS

Key Findings of the Scoping Process

The scoping process identified the impacts that are anticipated for the development of the Retail Park thereby

identifying areas for further investigation. Some of the anticipated impacts that will be addressed in the EIA phase

and/ or in the EMPr are:

Alteration of the topography of the project area (EMPr);

Erosion of soil due to construction activities (EMPr);

Disturbance and destruction of some of the wetland areas (EIA & EMPr);

WE ARE AT THIS STAGE

You are invited to provide

comments on this phase and

you will be invited in

subsequent phases as well

RoyaI HaskoningDHV

DAEA

Public Involvement

Loss of Agricultural land (EIA);

Traffic impacts (EIA);

Access to existing businesses in close proximity to the site (EIA);

Social Impacts of the development with regard to job opportunities (EIA);

Relocation of waste transfer facility (EIA);

Generation, handling and disposal of waste generated by project activities (EMPr);

Vegetation and fauna (EIA); and

Services and Infrastructure (EMPr).

In contrast to the potential negative impacts mentioned above the following positive impacts are anticipated as a

result of the project:

Creation of employment (during and after construction);

Establishment of infrastructure such as sewage and water pipelines, telecommunications, electricity etc.;

Provision of retail outlets for new housing areas; and

Alleviation of traffic congestion and providing public transportation.

Way Forward

A Plan of Study for EIA has been included as part of this Scoping Report and indicates the purpose of the EIA

phase and an indication of the environmental processes planned. It outlines the proposed scope of work for the

specialists during the EIA phase, and how potential environmental impacts will be rated. The Plan of Study for EIA

further explains the overall deliverables of the EIA phase and what the proposed timeframes associated with

these are. It also provides an indication of the way forward for the project, in terms of future reports to be

distributed and the associated review timeframes.

During the EIA Phase the following Specialist Studies will be conducted (depending on the outcomes of the

departmental Scoping Report review) in order to further investigate potential adverse impacts on the environment

as a result of the proposed project:

Traffic Impact Assessment;

Planning and Design;

Infrastructural Assessment;

Geotechnical Study;

Heritage Assessment;

Ecological Assessment; and

Wetland Assessment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 BACKGROUND 1

1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE 5

1.3 APPROACH TO THE EIA STUDIES 8

1.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING STUDY 8

1.3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY 8

1.4 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT 10

1.5 DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER 10

1.6 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT 11

2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND REQUIREMENTS 12

2.1 THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA 12

2.2 NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS 12

2.2.1 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (NO 107 OF 1998) 12

2.2.2 EIA REGULATIONS (2010) 13

2.2.3 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT (NO 59 OF 2008) 13

2.2.4 NATIONAL WATER ACT (NO 36 OF 1998) 14

2.2.5 CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACT (ACT NO.43 OF 1983) 14

2.2.6 THE WHITE PAPER ON INTEGRATED POLLUTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR SOUTH AFRICA 15

2.2.7 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BIODIVERSITY ACT (ACT NO. 10 OF 2004) 16

2.2.8 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: PROTECTED AREAS ACT (ACT NO. 57 OF 2003) 16

2.2.9 NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ACT (NO 25 OF 1999) 16

2.2.10 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AIR QUALITY ACT (NO 39 OF 2004) 17

2.2.11 NATIONAL VELD AND FOREST ACT (ACT 101 OF 1998) 18

2.2.12 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE ACT (NO 15 OF 1973) AND REGULATIONS 18

2.2.13 NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS AND BUILDING STANDARDS ACT (ACT NO. 103 OF 1997) 18

2.2.14 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT (NO 85 OF 1993) 18

2.2.15 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 18

3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 20

3.1 THE OVERALL CORNUBIA DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 20

3.2 THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK 20

3.3 SITE CONTEXT AND ZONING 23

3.4 PROJECT MOTIVATION 25

3.4.1 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND LOCAL AREA PLAN 26

4 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 28

4.1 SITE ALTERNATIVES 28

4.2 LAND USE ALTERNATIVES 31

4.3 OPERATIONAL ALTERNATIVES 31

4.4 NO-GO ALTERNATIVE 31

5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 32

5.1 CLIMATE 32

5.2 GEOLOGY, SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY 33

5.2.1 TOP SOILS AND COLLUVIAM 33

5.2.2 DOLERITE 33

5.2.3 VRYHEID FORMATION 33

5.2.4 SLOPE STABILITY 33

5.3 AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL 34

5.3.1 CLIMATE 34

5.3.2 CURRENT SITUATION 34

5.4 VEGETATION AND FAUNA 34

5.5 WATER RESOURCES 37

5.5.1 REGIONAL 37

5.5.2 LOCAL AND SURFACE WATER 37

5.5.3 WETLANDS 37

5.6 VISUAL AND NOISE CONSIDERATIONS 39

5.7 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT 39

5.8 ENGINEERING SERVICES 39

5.8.1 WATER 40

5.8.2 SEWER 40

5.8.3 STORMWATER 40

5.8.4 ROADS 40

5.8.5 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 40

5.8.6 ELECTRICAL 41

6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS 42

6.1 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION 43

6.2 CONSULTATION WITH OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS 44

6.3 SITE NOTIFICATION 45

6.4 ADVERTISING 45

6.5 IDENTIFICATION OF INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES 45

6.6 BRIEFING PAPER 45

6.7 ISSUES TRAIL 45

6.8 PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT 46

6.9 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT 46

6.10 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND PPP 46

7 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT 48

7.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE 48

7.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE 51

7.3 DECOMMISSIONING PHASE 52

7.4 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 54

8 PLAN OF STUDY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 55

8.1 PURPOSE OF THE EIA 55

8.2 APPROACH TO UNDERTAKING THE EIA PHASE OF THE PROJECT 55

8.2.1 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION 56

8.2.2 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION 56

8.2.3 DETAILED STUDIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE EIA PHASE – SPECIALIST STUDIES 56

8.2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 57

8.2.5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 58

8.2.6 EIA REPORT 61

8.2.7 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (EMPR) 61

8.2.8 WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENSE 62

8.2.9 WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION 62

8.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS 62

8.3.1 ADVERTISING 62

8.3.2 IDENTIFICATION OF AND CONSULTATION WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS 62

8.3.3 I&AP DATABASE 63

8.3.4 CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 63

8.3.5 ISSUES TRAIL 63

8.3.6 PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT 63

8.3.7 AUTHORITY REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT 63

8.4 OTHER AUTHORISATION / LICENSING REQUIREMENTS 63

8.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION 63

9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 64

Table of Figures

FIGURE 1-1: LOCALITY OF THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK SITE 1

FIGURE 1-2: LOCALITY MAP OF CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK DEVELOPMENT 3

FIGURE 1-3: BROAD APPROVED DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE ENTIRE CORNUBIA PROJECT 4

FIGURE 1-4: THE PHASING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESSES 5

FIGURE 1-5: APPROACH TO THE SCOPING/ EIA STUDIES 9

FIGURE 3-1: CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK BOUNDARY 21

FIGURE 3-2: CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK – THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT 21

FIGURE 3-3: THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK PRECINCT 22

FIGURE 3-4: SITE LOCALITY AND CONTEXT 23

FIGURE 3-5: THE SITE CURRENTLY UNDER SUGAR CANE FARMING 24

FIGURE 3-6: THE PRIME LOCATION OF CORNUBIA 25

FIGURE 4-1: ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT OF THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK 29

FIGURE 4-2: PREFERRED LAYOUT OF THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK 30

FIGURE 5-1: TREES WITHIN THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK 35

FIGURE 5-2: CORNUBIA FRAMEWORK WITH WETLANDS ON THE SITE 38

FIGURE 6-1: RESPONSABILITIES OF I&APS IN THE DIFFERENT PPP STAGES 42

List of Tables

TABLE 1-1: LISTED ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO LISTING NOTICES 1 AND 2 OF THE EIA REGULATIONS (2010) 6

TABLE 1-2: LIKELY LISTIED ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO NEM:WA 7

TABLE 1-3: PROJECT APPLICANT CONTACT DETAILS 10

TABLE 1-4: DETAILS OF THE EAP 11

TABLE 1-5: REPORT STRUCTURE 11

TABLE 3-1: LIST OF PROPERTIES 24

TABLE 5-1: CLIMATE DATA FROM SASA EXPERIMENT STATION, MOUNT EDGECOMBE 32

TABLE 6-1: KEY STAKEHOLDERS CONTACTED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS 44

TABLE 6-2: SUMMARY OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS 46

TABLE 7-1: POTENTIAL CONSUTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS 48

TABLE 7-2: POTENTIAL OPERATION PHASE IMPACTS 51

TABLE 7-3: POTENTIAL DECOMMISSIONING PHASE IMPACTS 52

TABLE 8-1: CRITERIA TO BE USED FOR THE RATING OF IMPACTS 59

TABLE 8-2: SIGNIFICANCE RATING OF CLASSIFIED IMPACTS 60

Appendices

APPENDIX A: APPROVAL OF APPLICATION

APPENDIX B: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT

Acronyms

TH THD RHDHV IDP SDF SASA SASRI TIA CBD KSIA NGO PPP LAP NUDC DAFF DAEA

TONGAAT HULETT TONGAAT HULETT DEVELOPMENTS ROYAL HASKONINGDHV INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR ASSOCIATION SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS LOCAL AREA PLAN NORTHERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR PLAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & FORESTRY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Glossary

Activity (Development) - an action either planned or existing that may result in environmental impacts through pollution or resource use. For the purpose of this report, the terms ‘activity’ and ‘development’ are freely interchanged.

Alternative – a possible course of action, in place of another, of achieving the same desired goal of the proposed project. Alternatives can refer to any of the following but are not limited to: site alternatives, site layout alternatives, design or technology alternatives, process alternatives or a no-go alternative. All reasonable alternatives must be rigorously explored and objectively evaluated.

Applicant – the project proponent or developer responsible for submitting an environmental application to the relevant environmental authority for environmental authorisation.

Biodiversity – the diversity of animals, plants and other organisms found within and between ecosystems, habitats, and the ecological complexes.

Construction - means the building, erection or establishment of a facility, structure or infrastructure that is necessary for the undertaking of a listed or specified activity but excludes any modification, alteration or expansion of such a facility, structure or infrastructure and excluding the reconstruction of the same facility in the same location, with the same capacity and footprint.

Cumulative Impacts - impacts that result from the incremental impact of the proposed activity on a common resource when added to the impacts of other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future activities to produce a greater impact or different impacts.

Direct impacts - impacts that are caused directly by the activity and generally occur at the same time and at the same place of the activity. These impacts are usually associated with the construction, operation or maintenance of an activity and are generally quantifiable.

Ecological Reserve - the water that is necessary to protect the water ecosystems of the water resource. It must be safeguarded and not used for other purposes. The Ecological Reserve specifies both the quantity and quality of water that must be left in the national water resource. The Ecological Reserve is determined for all major water resources in the different water management areas to ensure sustainable development.

Ecosystem – a dynamic system of plant, animal (including humans) and micro-organism communities and their non-living physical environment interacting as a functional unit. The basic structural unit of the biosphere, ecosystems are characterised by interdependent interaction between the component species and their physical surroundings. Each ecosystem occupies a space in which macro-scale conditions and interactions are relatively homogenous.

Environment - In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No 107 of 1998)(as amended), “Environment” means the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of:

a) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth;

b) micro-organisms, plants and animal life;

c) any part or combination of (i) of (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and

d) the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health and wellbeing.

Environmental Assessment (EA) – the generic term for all forms of environmental assessment for projects, plans, programmes or policies and includes methodologies or tools such as environmental impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments and risk assessments.

Environmental Authorisation – an authorisation issued by the competent authority in respect of a listed activity, or an activity which takes place within a sensitive environment.

Environmental Assessment Practitioner - the individual responsible for planning, management and coordination of environmental impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments, environmental management programmes or any other appropriate environmental instrument introduced through the EIA Regulations.

Environmental Impact – a change to the environment (biophysical, social and/ or economic), whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially, resulting from an organisation’s activities, products or services.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

Environmental Issue – a concern raised by a stakeholder, interested or affected parties about an existing or perceived environmental impact of an activity.

Environmental Management - ensuring that environmental concerns are included in all stages of development, so that development is sustainable and does not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment.

Environmental Management Programme - A detailed plan of action prepared to ensure that recommendations for enhancing or ensuring positive impacts and limiting or preventing negative environmental impacts are implemented during the life cycle of a project. This EMPr focuses on the construction phase, operation (maintenance) phase and decommissioning phase of the proposed project.

Expansion - means the modification, extension, alteration or upgrading of a facility, structure or infrastructure at which an activity takes place in such a manner that the capacity of the facility or the footprint of the activity is increased.

Fatal Flaw – issue or conflict (real or perceived) that could result in developments being rejected or stopped.

General Waste – household water, construction rubble, garden waste and certain dry industrial and commercial waste which does not pose an immediate threat to man or the environment.

Hazardous Waste – waste that may cause ill health or increase mortality in humans, flora and fauna.

Indirect impacts - indirect or induced changes that may occur as a result of the activity. These types if impacts include all of the potential impacts that do not manifest immediately when the activity is undertaken or which occur at a different place as a result of the activity.

Integrated Environmental Management - a philosophy that prescribes a code of practice for ensuring that environmental considerations are fully integrated into all stages of the development and decision-making process. The IEM philosophy (and principles) is interpreted as applying to the planning, assessment, implementation and management of any proposal (project, plan, programme or policy) or activity - at local, national and international level - that has a potentially significant effect on the environment. Implementation of this philosophy relies on the selection and application of appropriate tools for a particular proposal or activity. These may include environmental assessment tools (such as strategic environmental assessment and risk assessment), environmental management tools (such as monitoring, auditing and reporting) and decision-making tools (such as multi-criteria decision support systems or advisory councils).

Interested and Affected Party - for the purposes of Chapter 5 of the NEMA and in relation to the assessment of the environmental impact of a listed activity or related activity, means an interested and affected party contemplated in Section 24(4)(a)(v), and which includes - (a) any person, group of persons or organisation interested in or affected by such operation or activity; and (b) any organ of state that may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the operation or activity.

Mitigate - the implementation of practical measures designed to avoid, reduce or remedy adverse impacts or enhance beneficial impacts of an action.

No-Go Option – in this instance the proposed activity would not take place, and the resulting environmental effects from taking no action are compared with the effects of permitting the proposed activity to go forward.

Rehabilitation – a measure aimed at reinstating an ecosystem to its original function and state (or as close as possible to its original function and state) following activities that have disrupted those functions.

Scoping - the process of determining the spatial and temporal boundaries (i.e. extent) and key issues to be addresses in an environmental assessment. The main purpose of scoping is to focus the environmental assessment on a manageable number of important questions. Scoping should also ensure that only significant issues and reasonable alternatives are examined.

Sensitive environment – any environment identified as being sensitive to the impacts of the development.

Significance - significance can be differentiated into impact magnitude and impact significance. Impact magnitude is the measurable change (i.e. magnitude, intensity, duration and likelihood). Impact significance is the value placed on the change by different affected parties (i.e. level of significance and acceptability). It is an anthropocentric concept, which makes use of value judgements and science-based criteria (i.e. biophysical, social and economic).

Stakeholder engagement - the process of engagement between stakeholders (the proponent, authorities and I&APs) during the planning, assessment, implementation and/or management of proposals or activities.

Sustainable Development – development which meets the needs of current generations without hindering future generations from meeting their own needs.

Watercourse – means:

a) a river or spring;

b) a natural channel or depression in which water flows regularly or intermittently;

c) a wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which, water flows; and

d) any collection of water which the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare to be a watercourse as defined in the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) and a reference to a watercourse includes, where relevant, its bed and banks.

Wetland - means land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water, and which land in normal circumstances supports or would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK

E02.DUR.000484 Page 1 Royal HaskoningDHV

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Tongaat Hulett Developments (THD) proposes to undertake the Cornubia Retail Park Development. The size of

the proposed development is approximately 38 hectares in extent and is located in Mount Edgecombe, adjacent

to Flanders Drive and the M41 (Figure 1-1 and 1-2). Cornubia is located within eThekwini Municipality and is

situated north of Durban. The intention of the proposed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process is to

obtain environmental authorisation for the proposed Cornubia Retail Park Development.

FIGURE 1-1: LOCALITY OF THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK SITE

The proposed site is currently a greenfields site under sugar cane with a small portion of dense vegetation

dominated by exotic species and two small, separate portions of degraded wetlands. The proposed site falls

within the overall, municipality approved Cornubia Development Framework (Figure 1-3). The project will consist

of large scale retail and commercial buildings developed on earth-worked platforms to cater to the surrounding

region. The scale of the development from a height perspective will be limited. As a result of the nature of the

development and the requirement for extensive platforming, the vegetation and portions of degraded wetland are

required to be infilled.



The project includes the construction of new roads and limited upgrading to existing road networks, the

installation of new (and/or upgraded) services including gravity sewer lines (linking to the north into the existing

Ohlanga/Phoenix bulk infrastructure), water pipelines (linking to the surrounding reticulation), electrical cabling

(from the Gateway substation) and stormwater attenuation. In addition, it is proposed that the existing waste

transfer site will be relocated. The new location has not been determined as yet and the EIA process will be used

to assess the suitability of several alternatives in close proximity to the existing site.

The above is based upon a broad Development Framework Plan (refer to Figure 1-3) for the entire Cornubia

Project which was approved and adopted by eThekwini Municipality for the whole of Cornubia in 2011.



FIGURE 1-2: LOCALITY MAP OF CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK DEVELOPMENT



FIGURE 1-3: BROAD APPROVED DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE ENTIRE CORNUBIA PROJECT



Due to the extent of the development, it will be developed on a phased basis. The Environmental Authorisation for

Phase 1 (DM/Amend/0189/08) has been issued and construction has commenced leading way for the

commencement of the environmental authorisation process for Phase 2 (in process) (DM/0030/2012) and the

Cornubia Retail Park (for which this EIA is) (Figure 1-4).

FIGURE 1-4: THE PHASING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESSES

1.2 Terms of Reference

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (KZN DAEA), is the lead authority for

this EIA process and the development needs to be authorised by this Department in accordance with the National

Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (as amended).

The EIA Regulations under the NEMA consist of three (3) categories of activities namely: Listing Notice 1

Activities (GNR. 544 of 2010) which require a Basic Assessment Process, Listing Notice 2 Activities (GNR. 545 of

2010) which require both a Scoping and an EIA Report for authorisation and Listing Notice 3 Activit ies (GNR 546

of 2010) which requires a Basic Assessment process for specific activities in identified sensitive geographical

areas. The activities associated with this development, for which environmental authorisation is required are as

follows:

This EIA



TABLE 1-1: LISTED ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO LISTING NOTICES 1 AND 2 OF THE EIA REGULATIONS (2010)

LISTED ACTIVITIES

LISTING NOTICE 1 (GN R.544)

Activity 9 The construction of facilities or infrastructure exceeding 1000 metres in length for the bulk transportation of water, sewage or stormwater –

i. with an internal diameter of 0,36 metres or more; or ii. with a peak throughput of 129 litres per second or more,

excluding where: a. such facilities or infrastructure are for bulk transportation of water, sewage, or

stormwater drainage inside a road reserve; or b. where such construction will occur within urban areas but further than 32 metres

from a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse.

The proposed project includes the construction of water pipelines (linking to the surrounding reticulation) and stormwater attenuation. The actual routing of these pipelines have not been determined as yet, however, it is anticipated that the pipelines will exceed 1 000 metres in length and may be within 32 m of a watercourse.

Activity 10 The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the transmission and distribution of electricity –

i. outside urban areas or industrial complexes with a capacity of more than 33 but less than 275 kilovolts; or

ii. inside urban areas or industrial complexes with a capacity of 275 kilovolts or more.

The proposed project includes the construction of electrical cabling from the Gateway substation for the transmission and distribution of electricity to the Retail Park.

Activity 13 The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the storage, or for the storage and handling, of a dangerous good, where such storage occurs in containers with a combined capacity of 80 but not exceeding 500 cubic metres.

The retail park may involve the storage of dangerous goods above these thresholds during the construction and operational phase.

Activity 22 The construction of a road, outside urban areas,

i. with a reserve wide than 13.5 m or; ii. where no reserve exists where the road is wider than 8 metres; or iii. for which an environmental authorisation was obtained for the route

determination in terms of activity 18 in Notice 545 of 2010.

The proposed project includes the construction of new roads in regions where there is no road reserve.

Activity 47 The widening of a road by more than 6 metres, or the lengthening of a road by more than 1 kilometre –

i. where the existing reserve is wider than 13,5 metres; or ii. where no reserve exists, where the existing road is wider than 8 metres -

Excluding widening or lengthening occurring inside urban areas.

The proposed project includes upgrading to existing road networks.



LISTED ACTIVITIES

LISTING NOTICE 2 (GN R.545)

Activity 15 Physical alteration of undeveloped, vacant or derelict land for residential, retail, commercial, recreational, industrial or institutional use where the total area to be transformed is 20 hectares or more; except where such physical alteration takes place for:

i. linear development activities; or ii. agriculture or afforestation where activity 16 in this Schedule will apply.

The client proposes to develop approximately 38 hectares of land at Mount Edgecombe into a Retail Park of approximately 100 000 square metres of bulk floor area. The proposed site is currently a greenfields site under sugar cane. The project will consist of large scale retail and commercial buildings developed on earth-worked platforms to cater to the surrounding region.

Activity 18 The route determination of roads and design of associated physical infrastructure, including roads that have not yet been built for which routes have been determined before o3 July 2006 and which have not been authorised by a competent authority in terms of Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2006 or 2009, made under section 24(5) of the Act and published in Government Notice No. R. 385 of 2006-

i. it is a national road as defined in section 40 of the South African Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act, 1998 (Act No. 7 of 1998);

ii. it is a road administrated by a provincial authority; iii. the road reserve is wider than 30 metres; or iv. the road will cater for more than one lane of traffic in both directions.

The project includes the construction of new roads and limited upgrading to existing road networks.

Activities will also be applied for in terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEM:WA). At this stage, a comprehensive list of

activities cannot be confirmed, however, it is anticipated that the following activities will be triggered:

TABLE 1-2: LIKELY LISTIED ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO NEM:WA

LISTED ACTIVITIES

GNR 718 CATEGORY A ACTIVITIES

Activity 1

The storage, including the temporary storage, of general waste at a facility that has the capacity to store in excess of 100m

3 of

general waste at any one time, excluding the storage of waste in lagoons.

Activity 4

The storage of waste tyres in a storage area exceeding 500m2.

Activity 18

The construction of facilities for activities listed in Category A of this Schedule (not in isolation to associated activity).

Activity 20

The decommissioning of activities listed in this Schedule.



Category A activities of NEM:WA require a Basic Assessment process, however an EIA is triggered according to

EIA Regulations (2010) and therefore, the Waste Management License will be conducted in conjunction with this

EIA Process and a 60 day review period will therefore be provided.

1.3 Approach to the EIA Studies

The environmental impacts associated with the proposed project require investigation in compliance with the

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2010) published in Government Notice No. R. 543 to No. R. 545

and read with Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act - NEMA (Act No 107 of 1998) (as

amended).

The required environmental studies include the undertaking of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

process. This process is being undertaken in two phases:

Phase 1 – Compilation of an Environmental Scoping Study (ESS) including Plan of Study (PoS) for EIA; and

Phase 2 – Compilation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Waste Management License and

Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).

These reports must be submitted to the KZN DAEA and other relevant authorities for review, comment and

authorisation (Figure 1-5).

1.3.1 Environmental Scoping Study

Scoping is the process of determining the spatial and temporal boundaries (i.e. extent) and key issues to be

addressed in an environmental assessment. The main purpose of scoping is to focus the environmental

assessment on a manageable number of important questions. Scoping should also ensure that only significant

issues and reasonable alternatives are examined. The ESS provides a description of the receiving environment

and how the environment may be affected by the development of the proposed project. Desktop studies making

use of existing information will be used to highlight and assist in the identification of potential significant impacts

(both social and biophysical) associated with the proposed project.

Additional issues for consideration will be extracted from feedback from the public participation process, which

commenced at the beginning of the Scoping phase, and will continue throughout the duration of the project. All

issues identified during this phase of the study will be documented within this Environmental Scoping Report.

Thus, this Environmental Scoping Report will provide a record of all issues identified as well as any fatal flaws, in

order to make recommendations regarding the project and further studies required to be undertaken within the

EIA phase of the proposed project.

1.3.2 Environmental Impact Study

The Environmental Impact Assessment phase will aim to achieve the following:

to provide an overall assessment of the social and biophysical environments of the affected area by the

proposed project;



to undertake a detailed assessment of the preferred site/alternatives in terms of environmental criteria

including the rating of significant impacts;

to identify and recommend appropriate mitigation measures (to be included in an EMPr) for potentially

significant environmental impacts; and

to undertake a fully inclusive public participation process to ensure that I&AP issues and concerns are

recorded and commented on and addressed in the EIA process.

FIGURE 1-5: APPROACH TO THE SCOPING/ EIA STUDIES

Authority Review

& Response

Scoping

Study

Project Inception

Inception Client meeting

Authority consultation

Application for authorisation

Site inspection

Information gathering

Report Compilation

Scoping Report compilation

Incorporation of specialist findings & recommendations

Public Participation (a)

Public review of draft Scoping Report

Public consultation (i.e. public & focus group meetings / stakeholder workshops)

Authority review of final BA Report

Authority recommendation /decision

PH

AS

E 1

– S

CO

PIN

G P

HA

SE

Authority acceptance of

Scoping Report

Public Participation (a)

Notification to I&APs & Stakeholders

Authority Review

& Decision

Environmental

Impact

Assessment

Detailed Specialist Studies:

Appoint specialists required as determined in the scoping phase

Obtain specialist reports

Report Compilation

EIR Report compilation

Incorporation of specialist findings & recommendations

Public Participation (b)

Public review of draft Environmental Impact Report & draft EMP

Public consultation (i.e. public meeting / stakeholder workshop)

Authority review of final EIR Report

Authority recommendation /decision

PH

AS

E 2

– E

NV

IRO

NM

EN

TA

L

IMP

AC

T A

SS

ES

SM

EN

T

Environmental

Authorisation

WE ARE

AT THIS

STAGE



1.4 Details of the Project Proponent

The project applicant is Tongaat Hulett Developments. The details of the project applicants are as follows:

TABLE 1-3: PROJECT APPLICANT CONTACT DETAILS

APPLICANT TONGAAT HULETT DEVELOPMENTS

Representative Bheki Shongwe

Physical Address 305 Umhlanga Rocks Drive

La Lucia

4015

Postal Address PO Box 22319

Glenashley

4022

Telephone +27 31 5601900

Facsimile +27 86 679 9243

E-mail [email protected]

1.5 Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner

Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) by Tongaat Hulett

Developments and eThekwini Municipality, to undertake the appropriate environmental studies for this proposed

project. The professional team of Royal HaskoningDHV has considerable experience in the environmental

management and EIA fields.

Royal HaskoningDHV has been involved in and/or managed several of the largest Environmental Impact

Assessments undertaken in South Africa to date. A specialist area of focus is on assessment of multi-faceted

projects, including the establishment of linear developments (national and provincial roads, and power lines), bulk

infrastructure and supply (e.g. wastewater treatment works, pipelines, landfills), electricity generation and

transmission, the mining industry, urban, rural and township developments, environmental aspects of Local

Integrated Development Plans (LIDPs), as well as general environmental planning, development and

management.

It must be noted that as of 21 August 2012, SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd has adopted

a new brand, changing its trading name from SSI to Royal HaskoningDHV.

mailto:[email protected]



TABLE 1-4: DETAILS OF THE EAP

CONSULTANT RHDHV RHDHV

Contact Persons Kushela Naidoo Humayrah Bassa

Postal Address PO Box 55

Pinetown

3610

PO Box 55

Pinetown

3610

Telephone 031 719 5500 031 719 5500

Facsimile 031 719 5505 031 719 5505

E-mail [email protected] [email protected]

Qualification MA Environmental Management MSc Environmental Science

Experience 7 years 1 year

1.6 Structure of the Report

The report has been structured to comply with the format required by the NEMA. The contents are as follows:

TABLE 1-5: REPORT STRUCTURE

CHAPTER CONTENT

Chapter 1

Introduction

Introduction to project and approach to the Environmental Scoping Study

Chapter 2

Legal Framework & Requirements

Brief scoping of applicable national legislation and guidelines

Chapter 3

Project Description

Includes the project justification and a description of the proposed

activities

Chapter 4

Project Alternatives

Consideration of alternatives (design/layout, site and do-nothing) for the

project

Chapter 5

General Description of the Study

A description of the biophysical and social environment

Chapter 6

Public Participation Process

Overview of the public participation process conducted to date

Chapter 7

Potential Environmental Impacts

A description of the environmental impacts on the biophysical and social

environment

Chapter 8

Plan of Study for EIA

Plan of Study for the EIA study including specialist studies required for

the EIA study

Chapter 9

Conclusions and

Recommendations

Conclusions and recommendations of the Environmental Scoping Study





2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND REQUIREMENTS

In order to protect the environment and ensure that the development is undertaken in an environmentally

responsible manner, there are a number of significant pieces of environmental legislation that need to be taken

into account during this study. These include:

2.1 The Constitution of South Africa

Section 24 of the Constitution of South Africa (No. 108 of 1996) states that “…everyone has the right - … (a) to an

environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and … (b) to have the environment protected, for the

benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that …(c) secure

ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and

social development.” This protection encompasses preventing pollution and promoting conservation and

environmentally sustainable development. These principles are embraced in the National Environmental

Management Act (No 107 of 1998) and given further expression.

2.2 National Legislation and Regulations

2.2.1 National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998)

The National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) or otherwise known as NEMA is South Africa’s

overreaching environmental legislation and has, as its primary objective to provide for co-operative, environmental

governance by establishing principles for decision–making on matters affecting the environment, institutions that

will promote co-operative governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions exercised by

organs of state, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

The principles of the Act are following:

Environmental Management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern;

Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable;

Environmental Management must be integrated, acknowledging that all elements of the environment are

linked and interrelated;

Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such

a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person;

Equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services to meet basic human needs and ensure

human well-being must be pursued;

Responsibility for the environmental health and safety consequences of a policy, programme, project or

activity exists throughout its life cycle.

The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted;

Decisions must take into account the interests needs and values of all interested and affected parties, and

this includes recognizing all forms of knowledge including traditional and ordinary knowledge;



Community well-being and empowerment must be promoted through environmental education, the raising of

environmental awareness;

The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities including disadvantages and benefits, must be

considered, assessed and evaluated and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and

assessment;

The right of workers to refuse work that is harmful to human health or the environment;

Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner, and access to information must be provided in

accordance with the low;

There must be intergovernmental co-ordination and harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions relating

to the environment;

The environment is held in public trust for the people , the beneficial use of the environment resources must

serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people’s common heritage;

The cost of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and consequent adverse health effects and of

preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution, environmental damage or adverse health effects must

be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment; and

The vital role of women and youth in environmental management and development must be recognised and

their full participation therein must be promoted.

2.2.2 EIA Regulations (2010)

The nature of the proposed project includes activities listed in the following Listing Notices – GN R.544 (Listing

Notice 1) and GN R.545 (Listing Notice 2) of the EIA Regulations (2010) – refer to Table 1-2.

2.2.3 National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No 59 of 2008)

The National Environmental Management Waste Act (No 59 of 2008) – the ‘Waste Act’ reforms the law regulating

waste management in order to protect health and the environment by providing reasonable measures for the

prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development; to

provide for institutional arrangements and planning matters; to provide for national norms and standards for

regulating the management of waste by all spheres of government; to provide for specific waste management

measures; to provide for the licensing and control of waste management activities; to provide for the remediation

of contaminated land; to provide for the national waste information system; to provide for compliance and

enforcement; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

The objectives of this Act are:

a) to protect health, well-being and the environment by providing reasonable measures for –

i. minimising the consumption of natural resources;

ii. avoiding and minimising the generation of waste;

iii. reducing, re-using, recycling and recovering waste;

iv. treating and safely disposing of waste as a last resort;

v. preventing pollution and ecological degradation;



vi. securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social

development;

vii. promoting and ensuring the effective delivery of waste services;

viii. remediating land where contamination presents, or may present, a significant risk of harm to health or

the environment; and

ix. achieving integrated waste management reporting and planning;

b) to ensure that people are aware of the impact of waste on their health, well-being and the environment;

c) to provide for compliance with the measures set out in paragraph (a); and

d) generally to give effect to section 24 of the Constitution in order to secure an environment that is not harmful

to health and well-being.

2.2.4 National Water Act (No 36 of 1998)

The National Water Act (NWA) provides for fundamental reformation of legislation relating to water resources and

use. The purpose of the Act is stated, in Section as, inter alia:

Promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest;

Facilitating social and economic development;

Protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their biological diversity;

Reducing and preventing pollution and degradation of water resources; and

Meeting international obligations.

The Act presents strategies to facilitate sound management of water resources provides for the protection of

water resources, and regulate use of water catchments management agencies water user associations advisory

committees and international water management.

Section 19 of the Act makes provision for the prevention of pollution. A landowner or occupier is responsible for

the prevention, control and clean up of water pollution occurring because of activities on his land. If the

responsible person fails undertake remediation (prevention, containment, clean-up), the catchments management

agency may take the measures it considers necessary, and recover the costs from the responsible person.

2.2.5 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No.43 of 1983)

The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act aims to provide for control over the utilisation of natural

agricultural resources in order to promote the conservation of the soil, water resources and vegetation and to

combat weeds and invader plants. Section 6 of the Act makes provision for control measures to be applied in

order to achieve the objectives of the Act, these measures relate to inter alia:

Cultivation of virgin soil;

Utilization/protection of wetlands, marshes, water sponges, water course/sources;

The regulating of the flow pattern of run-off water;

The utilization and protection of the vegetation;

The grazing capacity of veld and the number and type of animals;



The control of weeds and invader plants; and

The restoration or reclamation of eroded land or land which is disturbed or denuded.

All these provisions have implications for any development and these aspects are implemented via Regulations to

the Act.

2.2.6 The White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management for South Africa

Integrated of pollution and waste management is a holistic and integrated system and process of management

aimed at pollution prevention and minimisation of source, managing the impact of pollution and waste of the

receiving the environment and remediation damaged environments.

The White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste management for South Africa represent a paradigm shift from

dealing with waste only after it is generated (i.e.” end of pipe towards):

Pollution prevention

Waste minimisation

Cross media integration

Institution integrated both horizontal and vertical, of department and spheres of government; and

Involvement of all sectors of society in pollution and waste management.

The government believes that pollution prevention is one of the most effective means of protecting South Africa

people and environment. Pollution prevention eliminates costly and unnecessary waste and promotes sustainable

development. It aims to reduce risks to human health and environment by trying to eliminate the causes rather

than treating the symptoms of pollution.

This Integrated Pollution and Waste Management for South Africa apply to all government institutions, society at

large and to all activities that impact on pollution and waste management. One of the fundamental approaches of

this policy is to prevent pollution, minimise waste and to control and remediate impacts. The management of

waste will be implemented in a holistic and integrated manner, and will extend over the entire waste cycle, from

“cradle to grave” including the generation, storage, collection, transportation, treatment and final disposal of

waste.

The government aims to:

Encourage the prevention and minimisation of waste generation and thus pollution at source;

Encourage the management and minimization of the impact of unavoidable waste from its generation to its

final disposal;

Ensure the integrity and sustained “fitness for use” of all environmental media , i.e. air, water and land;

Ensure that any pollution of the environment is remediated by holding the responsible parties accountable;

Ensure environmental justice by integrating environmental considerations with the social, political and

development needs and rights of all sectors, communities and individuals; and



Prosecute non-compliance with authorizations and legislation.

2.2.7 National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004)

The Biodiversity Act regulates South Africa’s laws relating to biodiversity. The overall purpose of the act is:

The management and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity and it’s components;

The protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection ;

The sustainable use of indigenous biological resources;

The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting including indigenous biological

resources; and

The establishment of a South African National Biodiversity Institute.

2.2.8 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003)

This Act aims to provide for a national system of protected areas in South Africa as a part of a strategy to manage

and conserve its biodiversity. The Protected Areas Act tries to ensure protection of the entire range of biodiversity,

referring to natural landscapes and seascapes. The Act makes express reference to the need to move towards

Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) as its objectives include promoting the participation

of local communities in the management of protected areas. The purpose of the Act is:

To protect ecologically viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural

landscapes and seascapes and their ecological integrity;

To conserve biodiversity in those areas;

To protect South Africa’s rare species

To protect vulnerable or ecologically sensitive areas;

To assist in ensuring the sustained supply of environmental goods and services;

To provide for the sustainable use of natural and biological resources;

To create or augment destinations for nature-based tourism;

To manage the interrelationship between natural environmental biodiversity, human settlement and economic

development;

To contribute to human, social, cultural, spiritual and economic development

To rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of endangered and vulnerable

species

This Act further stipulates various criteria which must be met before an area can be declared as a special nature

reserve, national park, nature reserve and protected environment. It also prescribes a range of procedures,

including consultation and public participation procedures, which must be followed before any of the kinds of

protected areas are declared.

2.2.9 National Heritage Resources Act (No 25 of 1999)

In terms of section 38 (subject to the provisions of subsections (7), (8) and (9) of the Act), any person who intends

to undertake a development categorised as:



The construction of a road, wall, power line, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or

barrier exceeding 300 m in length;

The construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50 m in length;

Any development or other activity which will change the character of a site:

Exceeding 5 000 m² in extent;

Involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or

Involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been consolidated within the past five

years; or

The costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage

resources authority;

The re-zoning of a site exceeding 10 000 m2 in extent; or

Any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources

authority, must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage

resources authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed

development.

2.2.10 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No 39 of 2004)

The NEMA Air Quality Management Act states the following as it primary objective: “To reform the law regulating

air quality in order to protect the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution

and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable

economic and social development; to provide for national norms and standards regulating air quality monitoring,

management and control by all spheres of government, for specific air quality measures, and for matters

incidental thereto.

Whereas the quality of ambient air in many areas of the Republic is not conducive to a healthy environment for

the people living in those areas let alone promoting their social and economic advancement and whereas the

burden of health impacts associated with polluted ambient air falls most heavily on the poor, And whereas air

pollution carries a high social, economic and environmental cost that is seldom borne by the polluter, And

whereas atmospheric emissions of ozone-depleting substances, greenhouse gases and other substances have

deleterious effects on the environment both locally and globally, and whereas everyone has the constitutional

right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being, and whereas everyone has the

constitutional right to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through

reasonable legislative and other measures that:

Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;

Promote conservation; and

Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.

And whereas minimisation of pollution through vigorous control, cleaner technologies and cleaner production

practices is key to ensuring that air quality is improved, and whereas additional legislation is necessary to



strengthen the Government’s strategies for the protection of the environment and, more specifically, the

enhancement of the quality of ambient air, in order to secure an environment that is not harmful to the health or

well-being of people.”

2.2.11 National Veld and Forest Act (Act 101 of 1998)

The National Veld and Forest Fire Act’s purpose is to prevent and combat veld, forest mountain fires throughout

the Republic. The act also places emphasis on the fire protection associations and preventing fires and veld fries

through firebreaks.

2.2.12 Hazardous Substance Act (No 15 of 1973) and Regulations

The object of the Act is inter alia to ‘provide for the control of substances which may cause injury or ill health to or

death of human beings by reason of their toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitising or flammable nature or the

generation of pressure thereby in certain circumstances; for the control of electronic products; for the division of

such substances or products into groups in relation to the degree of danger; for the prohibition and control of such

substances’.

In terms of the Act, substances are divided into schedules, based on their relative degree of toxicity, and the Act

provides for the control of importation, manufacture, sale, use, operation, application, modification, disposal and

dumping of substances in each schedule.

Pollution control in South Africa is affected through numerous national statutes, provincial ordinances and local

authority by-laws. Only the more significant legislation pertaining to the regulation of water, air, noise and waste

pollution is dealt with in this section.

2.2.13 National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act No. 103 of 1997)

“To promote for the promotion of uniformity in the law relating to the erection of buildings in the areas of

jurisdiction of local authorities fro the prescribing of building standards and for the matters connected therewith”

2.2.14 Occupational Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993)

The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health

and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery; the protection of persons other than

persons at work, against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons

at work.

2.2.15 Sustainable Development

The principle of Sustainable Development has been established in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

(Act No. 108 of 1996) and given effect by NEMA. Section 1(29) of NEMA states that sustainable development

means the integration of social, economic and environmental factors into the planning, implementation and

decision-making process so as to ensure that development serves present and future generations.



Therefore, Sustainable Development requires that:

The disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be

altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied;

That pollution and degradation of the environment are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided,

are minimised and remedied;

The disturbance of landscapes and sites that constitute the nation’s cultural heritage is avoided, or where it

cannot be altogether avoided, is minimised and remedied;

Waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, minimised and re-used or recycled where

possible and otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner;

A risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge

about the consequences of decisions and actions; and

Negative impacts on the environment and on people’s environmental rights be anticipated; and, prevented

and where they cannot altogether be prevented, are minimised and remedied.



3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 The Overall Cornubia Development Framework

A broad development framework plan has been produced for the development which was approved in 2011

(Figure 1-3). The Spatial Development Framework was developed taking into account current social and

economic conditions which both Tongaat Hulett and the eThekwini Municipality seek to influence positively,

informed by the need to ensure that the development contributes to the integration and effectiveness of the City’s

urban structure, form and functioning, particularly in respect of the northern region.

The Development Framework of Cornubia responds powerfully to the key challenges and policy thrusts

articulated by National Government. It provides for a higher density, mixed-use and mixed income development

that significantly responds to housing demand across a broad spectrum of market segments.

This conceptual framework provides a basic indication of the developers land use intention on the site. The

framework plan should not be seen as the definitive layout or final approved plan for the development, but should

only be used to create an understanding of the conceptual framework for the ultimate development of Cornubia

and the Retail Park specifically. This EIA process will confirm if there are any fundamental issues to preclude the

proposed development from proceeding along the broad, conceptual basis as outlined in the Framework and will

also deal with the assessment of the detailed, specific issues and impacts on a micro level.

3.2 The Cornubia Retail Park

The development being assessed for approval is a 38 hectare site situated adjacent to Flanders Drive in Mount

Edgecombe (Figures 3-1 and 3-2).



FIGURE 3-1: CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK BOUNDARY

FIGURE 3-2: CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK – THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT



The Cornubia Retail Park is a proposed new commercial development of approximately 100 000 bulk sq metres

of value destination retail and will be the first commercial development within Cornubia following the Cornubia

Industrial and Business Estate. The proposed development aims to establish a high quality environment for retail

and office uses. This will be achieved through the creation of a high quality retail precinct defined by boulevards,

landscaping and buildings that define the edges (Figure 3-3).

FIGURE 3-3: THE CORNUBIA RETAIL PARK PRECINCT

Figure 3-3 indicates that the proposed development will consist of large scale retail and commercial buildings

developed on earth-worked platforms to cater to the surrounding region. The development provides for larger

scale “big box” outlets in keeping with some of the current trends along the spine.

The project includes the construction of new roads and upgrading to existing road networks, the installation of

new (and/or upgraded) services including gravity sewer lines (linking to the north into the existing

Ohlanga/Phoenix bulk infrastructure), water pipelines (linking to the surrounding reticulation), electrical cabling

(from the Gateway substation) and stormwater attenuation.

In addition, it is proposed that the existing waste transfer site will be relocated. The new location has not been

determined as yet and the specialist studies during the EIA Phase will be used to assess the suitability of several

alternatives.



As a result of the nature of the development and the requirement for extensive platforming, the vegetation and

portions of degraded wetland are required to be infilled for which a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries &

Forestry (DAFF) permit and Water Use License Application respectively will be submitted for.

Key elements of the development include:

Retail Park development of approximately 100 000 square bulk floor area;

Destruction/ Use of portions of wetlands and buffers;

Loss of vegetation; and

The installation of general engineering services and infrastructure which include:

Water supply;

Sewage;

Electricity supply;

Stormwater management;

Roads and access; and

Telecommunications.

3.3 Site Context and Zoning

The Cornubia Retail Park is situated in Mount Edgecombe, adjacent to Flanders Drive. It lies approximately 25km

from the Durban CBD and is bordered by the Cornubia Phase 2 site. The site is strategically located along the

M41 and is easily accessible. The site is currently under sugarcane farming (Figure 3-4).

FIGURE 3-4: SITE LOCALITY AND CONTEXT

Cornubia Retail Park Site



FIGURE 3-5: THE SITE CURRENTLY UNDER SUGAR CANE FARMING

The Cornubia Retail Park Development is located within the eThekwini Magisterial District, KwaZulu-Natal and of

numerous subdivisions or land parcels. Below is a list of properties located within the Retail Park site:

TABLE 3-1: LIST OF PROPERTIES

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION SG 21 DIGIT CODE

RETAIL PARK PROPERTIES

Remainder of Erf 15 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000001500000

Ptn 1 of Lot 21 No. 1529 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000152900001

Remainder of Portion 4 of Lot 31 No. 1560 N0FU02170000156000004

Erf 27 Cornubia N0FU02170000002700000

Rem of 50 of 8 of Lot 31 No. 1560 N0FU02170000015600008

GENERAL AREA FOR RELOCATION OF WASTE TRANSFER FACILITY

Ptn 1 of Lot 21 No. 1529 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000152900001

Rem of 13 of Lot 31 No. 1560 N0FU02170000156000013




Rem of 50 of 8 of Lot 31 No. 1560 N0FU02170000015600050

POTENTIAL ROAD IMPACT AREA

Erf 23 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000002300000




PROPERTY DESCRIPTION SG 21 DIGIT CODE

Rem of Ptn 3 of Erf 10 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000001000003

Ptn 9 of Erf 142 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000014200009



Ptn 4 of Erf 37 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000004700000

Rem of Erf 38 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000003700004

Rem of Erf 143 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000003800000

Ptn 1 of Rem of Erf 15 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000014300000

Remainder of Erf 15 Mt Edgecombe N0FU02170000001500001

3.4 Project Motivation

The proposed Retail Park is a new investment of R1.24 billion. It has the potential to provide more than 2 000

construction related employment opportunities and more than 1 500 permanent employment opportunities. In

addition, it is expected that R20 million in new rates per annum will be received from the development and over

R300 million in annual taxes and VAT.

The proposed Retail Park responds to the prime accessibility and visibility of the emerging corridor creating a

positive interface for Cornubia. The prime location of the Cornubia Retail Park site with Durban together with the

diverse mix of uses creates an ideal opportunity for the people within Cornubia and those that surround this area

to access a full set of urban and economic opportunities. There is substantial interest shown for retail and

commercial offerings in the region. There are no other opportunities for the development of such a destination

retail development in the surrounding area as a result of the development undertaken to date. The development

will therefore complement the existing retail and commercial development on the Umhlanga Ridge and serve to

create a broader economic node for the region.

FIGURE 3-6: THE PRIME LOCATION OF CORNUBIA



Similarly to the Cornubia Industrial and Business Estate in regard to the significance of the confidence shown in

Cornubia from a private sector and investment perspective, the Cornubia Retail Park provides a major additional

impetus and further confirmation of the confidence and expectation in the potential of Cornubia as an Integrated

Human Settlement. The benefit of this major investment, in this location is substantial and will only serve to

position Cornubia as an aspirational and exciting development to be part of.

The location of the Cornubia Retail Park Project is ideally positioned to ensure that the following key objectives

can be achieved:

Make a key contribution to building, consolidating and integrating the social and economic base of the

northern portion of eThekwini;

Ensure a sustainable mixed use, inclusionary mixed income development that maximises economic

opportunities for future residents and investment;

Create value by maximising the potential of the land through public-private partnerships so that the

development of the land delivers a positive and a balanced economic, environmental and social return that is

both financially sustainable and contributes to redressing inequalities; and

To use the opportunity for creating substantial black economic empowerment opportunities in property

development ownership and urban management.

3.4.1 Integrated Development Plan and Spatial Development Framework and Local Area Plan

Durban’s Spatial Development Framework (SDF), as established through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)

process, firmly seeks to reinforce the development intensification and improved functioning of the existing “T”

shaped development areas. The SDF depicts the thrust of the IDP indicating the eTM investment intentions and

development management approach.

It is suggested that the SDF will respond to key spatial drivers that will determine investment within Durban.

Umhlanga is considered as an urban investment opportunity and is located strategically along the existing “T”

axes. The SDF acknowledges a northward investment thrust to accommodate the Dube Trade Port as a key

spatial driver in the Northern Region. The SDF identifies Cornubia as an investment opportunity area and is

located within the defined Urban Development Corridor.

In terms of eThekwini’s IDP, the Cornubia site it is situated within the urban edge/boundary of the City, in one of

the three “zones of planning”, the “urban core”, which is intended to be characterised by well-resourced

development, with high density urban form and high value infrastructural investment. The project will be grounded

in the principles of the City’s IDP, and will specifically articulate the following programmes identified in the plan:

Community empowerment and development;

Job creation;

Enterprise development;

Good governance; and

Environmental management.



The eThekwini Municipality has also, in the past year, adopted the Northern Urban Development Corridor Plan

(NUDC) for the region between Phoenix in the south and Tongaat in the north. The NUDC itself is split into a

number of Local Areas of which Cornubia falls within the Verulam/Cornubia Local Area Plan (LAP).

The LAP indicates the key primary role for Cornubia as follows –

“A New Town to accommodate local mixed use, mixed density and mixed income urban living areas”.

The proposed Cornubia Retail Park therefore aligns with this role for Cornubia and is aligned with the adopted

Development Framework Plan.

Documents

Draft Environmental Scoping Report for the Proposed ...rhdhv.co.za/media/Sep-2012/Cornubia Retail Park Draft Scoping Repo… · This EIA Application Process is for the Retail Park