By Michael Hamlyn
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has dismissed a series of appeals against the decision to allow the King Shaka International Airport to go ahead at La Mercy farm outside Durban.
"I support the conclusions of the department … that the need for the project has been adequately demonstrated and that it will result in socioeconomic benefits, not only to the Durban KwaZulu-Natal area, but to the country as a whole," the minister said on Wednesday, "and that the principles of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) can be upheld."
He added, however, that he believes that there will be negative impacts on the environment which cannot be avoided, but can be adequately mitigated.
Various submissions were made to him about the likely impact of noise on surrounding communities, saying that high decibel noise levels caused by heavy aircraft cannot be mitigated against, and that the environmental impact assessment makes reference to average noise levels and that not enough consideration is given to maximum noise levels.
"Unfortunately, aircraft noise at and near an airport is unavoidable," Van Schalkwyk said in his decision, adding: "I disagree with the allegation that the noise impact cannot be mitigated.
The mitigation measures recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) must, inter alia, be implemented."
He added a condition to his decision, saying that the airports company must, before the airport is operational, install noise-monitoring stations in the existing residential communities.
"The number and location of these monitoring systems must approved by the department," he said.
"If the results from these stations indicate that the 55dbA noise levels are exceeded and cannot be further mitigated by improving operational measures, ACSA (the Airports Company of South Africa) must take responsibility for the acoustic treatment of those houses or possible relocation of the affected residents."
There were a number of concerns raised by the cane-growing industry which merited further consideration, he said.
"I was not satisfied that the rights of the farmers had been adequately addressed and requested ACSA to initiate negotiations with the affected farmers with a view to concluding an agreement with them in order to allow them to continue to engage in crop spraying and
cane burning, albeit under controlled circumstances.
"I have subsequently been informed that procedures in this regard have been agreed upon with the farmers and they have withdrawn their appeal."
Nevertheless the minister has insisted on a copy of the procedures agreed upon with the affected farmers in order for them to continue with their farming activities to be attached to the record of decision.
Van Schalkwyk dismissed the complaint that the size of the project was so huge, and the limited supply of fossil fuels, made the whole thing untenable.
"I have considered these submissions," he said, "but have balanced them against other considerations such as the need for the new facility. In my opinion, this ground of appeal stands to be dismissed."
Source: I-Net Bridge
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
