NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 226
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 FEBRUARY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 2)
226. Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs:
Whether approval will be granted for (a) licencing the erection of a
dam wall in the Malgas River in George and (b) increasing the height
of the Garden Route Dam wall in George: if not, why not: if so, (i)
when will approval be given and (ii) what are the relevant details?
NW240E
---00O00---
REPLY:
(a) My Department has not received an application to erect a dam
wall in the Malgas River near George. However, a licence
application to abstract water from the Malgas River was
submitted by the George Municipality. In order to make a
decision on the issuing of a license, the following aspects must
still be considered:
⢠The water that is needed to sustain the environment as well
as basic human needs in the river catchment (the reserve).
⢠The needs of existing water users in the river catchment.
(b) My Department has received a licence application to raise the
Garden Route Dam from George Municipality. The reserve
determination must still be completed and the same aspects as in
(a) above must be considered.
(b)(i) As soon as the reserve determinations for both
applications are officially completed, it will be possible to
determine the availability of water for other users. Provision
will be made for the needs of existing users and the issuing of
a licence can be considered if surplus water is available. The
reserve determinations are due for conclusion by the end of May
2010 and thereafter a consideration of the licence approval will
be made.
(b)(ii) Falls away.
---00O00---