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TRANSCRIPT
Basic Assessment Process: Durban Central Beachfront Upgrade (Phase II)
Background & Introduction
The eThekwini Municipality proposes to commence Phase II of the Durban Central Beachfront
upgrade. The first phase was completed prior to the 2010 FIFA Football World CupTM .
Phase II of the upgrade seeks to extend the recently upgraded Central Beachfront Promenade from
Country Club I Beach to Blue Lagoon Beach, including the upgrade / redevelopment of facilities at
Country Club I Beach, Country Club II Beach, Thekwini Beach, Laguna Pools, Jet Ski Beach and Blue
Lagoon Beach.
You're invited to get involvedWe invite you to be part of the process. You can become involved in the following ways:
• Submit a Comment.
• Review the Draft Basic Assessment Report once this is completed and comment thereon.
• Attend the Public Meeting to be held at 17h00 on Monday 24th January 2011 at the Blue Waters Hotel.
Please contact us to be added to our database of stakeholders. We will keep all of our stakeholders informed of the project and the
process.
Contact: Luke Moore
P O Box 55, Pinetown, 3610
Tel: (031) 7195500 Fax (031) 7155505
E‐mail: [email protected]
Prior to the Municipality proceeding with their plans, authorisation is required from the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental
Affairs and Rural Development (DAE&RD). The application for authorisation requires that a Basic Assessment be undertaken in terms of
the National Environmental Management Act (1998).
The eThekwini Municipality have appointed SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants as independent environmental practitioners
to carry out the Basic Assessment.
Aim of this documentThis document will provide you with information on:
• The Proposed Upgrade;
• The Impact of Construction;
• The Basic Assessment Process; and
• The Public Participation Process.
The Proposed Upgrade
The Durban Central Beachfront is one of Durban’s most important tourism assets and the eThekwini Municipality proposes to extend
the highly successful upgrade, recently completed prior to the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup ™, as a lasting legacy for the city well
beyond 2010.
The ProposalsThe long‐term vision is to create one continuous promenade from the Point Area to Blue Lagoon. Only Phase I of this could be achieved
in time for the 2010 Event and the eThekwini Municipality now proposes to upgrade the remaining portions of the promenade from
Country Club Beach I to Blue Lagoon Beach. This plan will result in an uninterrupted promenade of about 7 km along the Beachfront,
provide Central Beachfront hotels and residents with direct access to the beaches, Moses Mabhida Stadium and the broader Kings Park
Sport & Recreation Precinct.
This proposal to extend the promenade includes:* Extension of the promenade from Country Club Beach I to Blue Lagoon Beach/Ellis Brown Bridge with associated road works and
parking;
* Redevelopment of Blue Lagoon Beach including a new parking area, ablutions, retail, a series of small kiosks and restaurant facilities;
* Establishment of a picnic site, ablution facilities and a possible jet ski base at Jet Ski Beach;
* Upgrading, replacement or remodelling of facilities at Country Club Beach I, Country Club Beach II, Thekwini Beach and Laguna Pools;
* Scour defence of existing facilities from Country Club Beach I to Laguna Pools;
* The rehabilitation and extension of the vegetated dune abutting the proposed promenade.
* The replacement of street furniture and lighting from Country Club Beach I through to Blue Lagoon in a way that creates a common
standard for the whole Beachfront; and
* Improved maintenance of the Central Beachfront from Country Club Beach I through to Blue Lagoon, including public ablutions.
Principles Informing the Proposals: The following principles have guided the Municipality’s proposal:
* Enhancing the importance of the beachfront as one of the city's key economic assets.
* Recognising the social importance of the area for people living in, working in and visiting the city.
* Providing public spaces and facilities for people to use in many different ways.
* Prioritising and encouraging a range of recreational activities.
* Considering key environmental issues, such as coastal management and safety, through environmental design.
* Providing upgraded facilities.
Durban Central Beachfront Upgrade Proposals
COUNTRY CLUB BEACH I
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Country Club beach. This will include: - The reconfiguration of Snell Parade to include bus lay bys as well as on street parking; - increasing the capacity of the parking node adjacent to the promenade; - a review and upgrade of existing ablution / change room facilities and lifeguard amenities; and - the development of an open braai / picnic zone immediately adjacent to the parking area & promenade
COUNTRY CLUB BEACH II
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Country Club II beach. This will include: - The reconfiguration of Snell Parade with the addition of on street parking; - a review and upgrade of the existing ablution / change room and kite boarding facilities; and - the widening of the promenade
LAGUNA POOLS
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Laguna Pools. This will include: - The existing pools to be relocated to Blue Lagoon Beach to provide for the development of the Promenade; - A review of existing facilities with the view to their reuse; - The realignment of Snell Parade closer to the M4 / Ruth First Highway; - The development of additional on street parking.
JET SKI BEACH
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Jet Ski Beach. This will include: - The reconfiguration of Snell Parade closer to the M4 / Ruth First Highway with additional on street parking; - the possible development of a new structure accommodating consolidated jet ski picnic facilities; and - the development of an open braai / picnic zone immediately adjacent to the parking area & promenade
THEKWINI BEACH
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Thekweni beach. This will include: - The reconfiguration of Snell Parade with the addition of on street parking; - a review of and possible consolidation of existing ablution / change room and lifeguard facilities; and - the widening of the promenade.
GENERAL
Regenerated dunes between beach and promenade as a natural barrier / protection against wind, sand and sea. - Timber boardwalks at each beach access between promenade and beach; - additional planting of palm trees as part of the continuation of the central beachfront upgrade; - inclusion of traffic calming measures in the form of traffic circles, nibs and textured paving zones; and - installation of area, street and feature lighting.
BLUE LAGOON BEACH
There will be a redevelopment of facilities at Blue Lagoon Beach. This will include: - The development of new paddling pools and associated facilities; - The reconfiguration of Snell Parade closer to the M4 / Ruth First Highway with additional on street parking; - the development of an additional parking node immediately adjacent to road and associated with new nodal development; - the development of a new structure accommodating restaurant / ablution / change room facilities; and - the establishment of a pedestrianised pier with retail kiosks.
The Basic Assessment Process
The Basic Assessment Process is a way to identity the environmental and social impacts of a proposed activity and to highlight ways in
which to manage and minimise these impacts. Decision makers use it as a guide in taking a decision on whether an activity should be
allowed to go ahead or not. It also helps authorities’ identity what mitigation measures need to be introduced to reduce any negative
impacts.
The flow diagram illustrates the Basic Assessment Process:
The Basic Assessment Process has begun with the submission of an application to the KwaZulu Natal Department of Agriculture,
Environmental Affairs and Rural Development (DAEA&RD). This registers the project with the provincial authority.
This application is followed by the initiation of the public participation process (described below). This public process will inform the
compilation of the Basic Assessment Report (BAR). This Basic Assessment Report will set out the potential positive and negative impacts
of Phase II of the Durban Central Beachfront upgrade and will outline ways in which any negative impacts can be mitigated.
When finalised, the Basic Assessment Report will be submitted to DAEA&RD for their authorisation. All stakeholders on our database
will be notified of DAEA&RD’s decision.
The Public Participation Process
SSI will run a process that will give stakeholders an opportunity to express their views and raise any concerns. The main purpose of the
public participation process is to:
• Provide stakeholders with information about the proposed project and the anticipated impacts;
• inform and guide the planners in the development of their final designs; and
• capture and include the comments raised by stakeholders into the Basic Assessment Report in order to ensure that these comments
are considered by the decision making authorities
Please note that there are two comment periods. The first provides you with an opportunity to comment on the proposals set out in
this Background Information Document. You can make a comment either telephonically or via email. You have until 17 January 2011 to
send us these comments. The second opportunity to comment will follow the presentation of the draft Basic Assessment Report at the
public meeting on 24 January 2011.
Impacts of Construction
It is anticipated that construction of the extension to the promenade will commence in April 2010 and be largely complete by December
2012. The eThekwini Municipality has undertaken to take careful consideration of events and existing users of the Beachfront when
finalising the construction schedule during the detailed design phase to follow. The aim is to ensure that the impacts of construction are
minimised.
Where necessary and practical the promenade will be constructed in stages to ensure continued access to existing users of the beach.
The Public Participation Process Cont:/During the public participation process we will do the following: • Formally notify adjacent landowners of the proposed upgrade activities; • distribute this Background Information Document to any interested or affected parties; • invite comment from stakeholders; • invite comment from the public through advertising in the Mercury, the Ilanga, the Daily News and the Isolezwe; • erect site notices along the beachfront; • provide information through the City’s website: www.durban.gov.za; • hold a public meeting at 17h00 on Monday, 24 January 2011 at the Blue Waters Hotel; • invite comment on the Basic Assessment Report; and • notify stakeholders of DAEA’s decision.
Legal RequirementsA Basic Assessment must be undertaken in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998, as amended) and
the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2010). The following activities in listing Notices 1 and 3 apply:
LN 1 2010 14 The construction of structures in coastal public property where the development footprint is bigger than 50 m2.
LN1 2010 16 The construction of buildings of 50 m2 or more or infrastructure covering 50 m2 or more within 100m of the High Water Mark.
LN1 2010 17The planting of vegetation on dunes and exposed sand surfaces within the littoral active zone for the purposes ofpreventing the free movement of sand, erosion or accretion.
LN1 2010 18 The depositing of any material of more than 5 m3 within 100m from the High Water Mark.
LN3 2010 12The clearance of an area of 300m2 or more of vegetation where 75% or more of the vegetative cover constitutes indigenous vegetation within 100m from the High Water Mark.
LN3 2010 19 The widening of a road by more than 4 m or the lengthening of a road by more than 1 km.
Other legislation that requires consideration includes:
1. The National Water Act (1998) and various regulations associated with this Act;
2. The NEM Biodiversity Act (2006);
3. The National Forest Act (1998);
4. The National Coastal Management Act (2008);
5. The National Waste Management Act (2010);
6. The Seashore Act (1935);
7. The National Cultural Heritage Act (1999); and
8. Municipal and National Building Regulation.
Get InvolvedIf you have any comments or concerns, please contact SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants. Luke Moore P O Box 55, Pinetown, 3610 Tel: (031) 7195500 Fax (031) 7155505 E‐mail: [email protected]
Basic Assessment Process: Durban Central Beachfront Upgrade (Phase II)
RESPONSE FORM
Background & Introduction
Prior to the Municipality proceeding with their plans, authorisation is required from the KZN
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development (DAE&RD). The
application for authorisation requires that a Basic Assessment be undertaken in terms of the
National Environmental Management Act (1998). The eThekwini Municipality have appointed
SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants as independent environmental practitioners to
carry out the Basic Assessment. For more information about the proposals, please read the
background information document or go to the City's website www.durban.gov.za.
Make a comment
We invite you to be part of the process. Make your comment by filling out this response form
and returning it to us. This form is also available electronically at www.durban.gov.za. You can
also have your say by phoning, faxing or emailing Luke Moore of SSI Engineers and
Environmental Consultants before 17th January 2011.
Luke Moore
P O Box 55, Pinetown, 3610
Tel: (031) 7195500 Fax (031) 7155505 E‐mail: [email protected]
Name Postal Address
Telephone Number Fax Number Email Address What is your interest in the beachfront area?
How do you feel about these proposals? Do you have any ideas to add? Do you have any issues and, if so, how do you think these issues should be resolved?
Do you know any other people or organisation that should be included in the process? Please indicate their names and contact details
Additional Comments
Thank you for your participation!
If you have any comments or concerns, or would like to attend the public meeting scheduled for the 24th January 2011, please contact Luke Moore of SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants: P O Box 55, Pinetown, 3610 Tel: (031) 7195500 Fax (031) 7155505 E‐mail: [email protected]