DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
DEPARTEMENT VAN OMGEWINGSAKE EN TOERISME
Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 1142 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr J Schmidt (DA) to the above-mentioned question is
enclosed for your consideration.
Ms. Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MINISTER
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 1142
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 September 2009
Mr J Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether an environmental impact study was done before
approximately 120 RDP (Reconstruction and Development programme)
houses that were built next to Rietriver near Edenburg, Free State on
the Butani Missionary; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(2) whether she has been informed that there are no provision for sewage
or rubbish disposal; if so, what plans are in place to address these
problems?
NW1475E
MR J SCHMIDT (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
1142. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) Yes, an environmental impact assessment application was
submitted to the then Free State Department of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism (Reference Number - EM1/2(c)/00/98) in terms of
Regulations R 1182 and R 1183 of the Environmental Conservation Act,
Act 73 of 1989, as the competent authority to consider the
application. The application entailed the construction of 200 houses.
It was authorised and a record of decision (ROD) issued by the MEC on
26 February 2001 to the Bethany Communal Property Association. Special
conditions of approval outline provision of basic services which refer
to water, electricity, telecommunications and sewerage.
(2) No, as indicated above, the ROD was issued by the Free State
Provincial MEC for Environmental Affairs and Tourism. All specific
issues regarding the ROD should be addressed to the MEC. The
Departments of Water and Environmental Affairs will only be involved
once the applicant applies for a sewerage treatment works. The ROD
makes it clear that should an on-site landfill be preferred, proper
application procedures should be followed. The Free Stale Province
will be the competent authority to consider such an application.