South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
Answer Q1:
No right are currently being violated by the SACCA, through the non-establishment of a Consultative Environment Committee, for the reason as set out below;
A Consultative Environment Committee can be established at the discretion of the Director of Civil Aviation, should she deem it necessary in line with the provisions of Part139.03.8(4) of the Civil Aviation Regulations. Such a need may rises because of changing conditions around an established facility, where approval by local Authority has been in existence for a significant length time. Ordinary the Director is not expected to establish a Consultative Environmental Committee with regards to newly established facilities as environmental assessment and scoping process is one of the reports to be considered by the Local Authority during the approval process, unless the Local Authority has stated the requirement of a Committee, or similar consultative structure, as a condition of approval of a facility. In the case of Ultimate Heli, the Land Management Authority (Johannesburg)did not impose any conditions that impacts that mandate of the SACCA.
Answer Q2
a) Ultimate Heli applied for a heliport licence. Their application was not granted as they are yet to meet all legal requirements. They were, however, issued with a helistop approval, which has less stringent requirements than a heliport licence approval. Ultimate Heli is still in the process of expanding their facility in order to comply with heliport licence requirements. In terms of the Civil Aviation Act 2009 (Act 13 of 2009 the Minister is not required to be informed of such an approval.
B) As highlighted with the answer to Question1, the non-establishment of a Consultative Environment Committee is not a violation of the Civil Aviation Regulations,2011, as the Director of Civil Aviation has a discretion to establish such a committee should it be necessary.
c) Although not a legal requirement as this stage, the SACCA is aware that Ultimate Heli is in discussions with Buccleuch residents, in order to provide for a forum where they will discuss issues of common interest.
Upon reviewing the matter, the Minister of Transport does not deem it necessary to initiate any form of recourse as there is no dereliction of duty or failure by the Department of Transport or the SA Civil Aviation Authority. The Minister of Transport herby advises that this matter referred to the Land Use Management Authority, by the complainants, being the City of Johannesburg.
Answer Q3
The requirement for public consultative meetings is contained in the process leading up to an environment approval under the applicable environmental legislation and is the function of the Local Authority, before granting its zoning approval. It is not a requirement to be fulfilled by the SACCA or the Department of Transport, in terms of the Aviation Legislation.
SACCA is, however, required to do public consultation in order to solicit public comments or the establishment of heliports. The latter was done through publication in Government Gazette, as prescribed in Part 139.03.11 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011.
The said application was published in Government Gazette Nr:918, published on 31 August 2018 for public comment, followed by a correction notice, Nr:944, on the 12 September 2018, due to error in the closing date stated in Nr:918. No comments were received in relation to the issues raised in this PQ, or any other concern relating to environment impact. Question3(a) and (b) therefore do not apply as the said public consultation was an initial requirement from the local Authority in approving the location, from an Environmental Impact Assessment perspective, and subsequent publication required by the Civil Aviation Regulations, was done by publication through Government Gazette, in compliance with the regulations, and not holding public hearing.