Honourable Speaker
Premier
Cabinet Colleagues
Members
Leaders of political parties
Honourable members of the national and provincial parliaments
Head of Department and Senior Managers
Members of the private sector and other entities from the economic sector
Colleagues and friends
Change is the only constant �" how well we adapt to changes in our environment will define our success and robust agility.
What are we doing now to ensure that our future generations enjoy the very same scenic beauty of this province and the serenity of a flowing river which we have been experiencing?
Speaker, our Constitution requires that we administer reasonable legislation and enforce measures that will prevent pollution and ecological ruin. We also need to promote conservation. This, must however be accomplished by securing ecological sustainable development while using the natural resources to promote justifiable economic and social development.
Mark Twain once said that “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do
Speaker, we are an Administration tasked by the citizens of the Western Cape to deliver on high expectations. If we do not commit to this task and realise the need to work together for the greater good of our people, we will be doing a serious injustice and in years to come, speak more of disappointment than of effective service delivery.
This Administration strives to provide opportunities by advocating responsibility and ensuring full equality for all. It is important that the Department works hand in hand with various key stakeholders to foster, nurture and maintain proper relationships between individuals, the state and society in the Western Cape.
This principle will give effect to extended National and International relationships which impact on the delivery of the mandate of Vote 9.
My stance, Speaker, communicated through my initial budget speech, that most major threats to our natural systems are from human activities, stands -and it has proven to be extremely challenging to manage a balance between the need to care and protect the environment versus the need for socio-economic development.
Effectively maintaining this balance becomes more challenging due to the rapid development of the Western Cape, as well as general water, energy, pollution and waste, transport and other resource-use inefficiencies evidently resulting in environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
Allow me, Speaker, to paint a picture for the House:
Eerstens sal ‘n toename in die herhaling en intensiteit van uiterste of ekstreme klimaatsgebeurtenisse �" met ‘n gepaardgaande impak op landbouproduksie en ander ekonomiese sektore �" ongetwyfeld ‘n negatiewe effek hê op die provinsiale ekonomie.
Soos ek reeds te kenne gegee het, is die provinsie tans besig om ‘n klimaatsverandering-scenario te ervaar. Dit voorspel droër toestande, saam met toenemende ekonomiese uitdagings en bevolkingsgroei.
Hoewel mediadekking en gesprekke gewoonlik gaan oor die toekomstige impak van klimaatsverandering, is dit egter reeds besig om te verander en ‘n verdere vlak van klimaatsverandering is onafwendbaar. Dit maak nie eers saak wat die wêreld se antwoord is op die vermindering van kweekhuisgasse nie.
Navorsing dui daarop dat die suidwestelike hoeke van die drie vastelande suid van die ewenaar, waarvan die Wes-Kaap een is, heel waarskynlik die meeste beïnvloed gaan word deur klimaatsverandering.
In die lig van my voorafgaande stellings is dit belangrik dat ons aanpas by hierdie veranderinge om sodoende ekonomiese stabiliteit te handhaaf en ‘n volgehoue mate van groei te ervaar.
Die Klimaatsveranderingstrategie en Aksieplan vir die Wes-Kaap dui daarop dat aanpassing egter nie genoeg is nie.
Hierdie benadering sal die provinsie uitdra deur middel van effektiewe risiko-bestuur in besluitneming, rentmeesterskap en bron bewaringsbesluitneming, asook implementeringsprosesse. Dit moet gekoppel word aan mitigasieprosesse wat daarop gemik is om die provinsie se koolstof-voetspoor te verminder.
Speaker, ons is almal volledig deel van die natuur. Ons moet ook besef dat ons lotsbestemming gekoppel is aan biodiversiteit. Dus moet ons op hierdie diversiteit staatmaak om ons te voorsien van voedsel, brandstof, medisyne en ander dergelike noodsaaklikhede. Binne dié tapiserié van uitdagings word ons ryk biodiversiteit ook bedreig en raak dit teen ’n groot en versnellende pas verlore as gevolg van menslike bedrywighede.
The key question is two fold:
What does this mean for the Western Cape citizen
And
what do we plan to do as an Administration to address the effects which will impact on the lives of future citizens and communities?
Agricultural practice is dependent on the utilisation of the three major natural phenomena, namely land, water, and climate. If any of these three phenomena are threatened, the negative impact reverberates throughout the province causing food insecurity, in-migration to towns, increased unemployment and reduced foreign earnings.
While consumption is linked to economic growth, waste generated is growing at an alarming rate estimated at 7% per annum as a result of population growth between 3-4%.
Hierdie situasie word versterk deur sake soos onvanpaste ruimtelike beplanning, asook ‘n gebrek aan beskikbare grond, tydrowende aansoeke om permitte, sowel as verhoogde afvalvervoer-koste.
Onvanpaste bestuur van afval binne die industrie en munisipaliteite, swak afvalwater-werke, en die toename in die aantal noodgebeurlikhede het almal bygedra tot onaanvaarbare vlakke van lug-, grond �"en waterbesoedeling in die Wes-Kaap.
Speaker, ek het ‘n scenario voorgehou wat nie net ‘n administrasie vereis met ‘n helder visie en ‘n begrip van die dinamiese sosioekonomiese omgewing in die Wes-Kaap nie, maar ek het verwys na die feit dat die paar uitdagings wat ek uitgelig het, sterk leierskap vereis, sowel as ‘n span wat maatpas is, ook strategiese verhoudings tussen belangegroepe in al die sfere van regering en in die makro-omgewing, en uiteindelik ’n gebalanseerde begroting wat vir ’n mandaat aangewend kan word.
The next few years are about translating strategic planning and driving a vision of ‘An environment conducive to sustainable life’.
Translating this mandate means that we come face to face with fragmentation of environmental management and land-use control functions and legislation,
unclear areas of jurisdiction,
limited integration of functions between levels of government,
limited funding and some perverse incentives and systems that are not conducive to achieving solutions to strategic challenges.
Die begrotingstoewysing vir die Wes-Kaap, begrotingspos 9, is R304,949 miljoen.
Dié bedrag is verdeel tussen CapeNature met R160,857 miljoen en
R144,092 miljoen vir die Departement van Omgewingsake en Ontwikkelingsbeplanning.
Hierdie toewysings verteenwoordig onderskeidelik 52.75% en 47.25%.
Die groter gedeelte van die fondse is toegken aan:
Program 5: Biodiversiteit, wat deur CapeNature bedryf word. Befondsing as deel van hierdie begroting is geoormerk vir finansiële verbetering, personeelsake, infrastruktuur opgradering, vuur-bestuur en die uitwissing van uitheemse plantegroei.
Program 4: Omgewings-gehaltebestuur wat bedrywighede insluit wat verband hou met Impakbestuur, Lug-kwaliteit, Klimaatsverandering en Besoedeling en Afvalbestuur, het ‘n bedrag van R69,332 miljoen ontvang.
Dit gee aanleiding tot sleutelwetgewing soos die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuurswet.
Program 1: Administrasie het R38,105 miljoen ontvang,
Program 2: Beleidskoördinering en Omgewingsbeplanning het R23,836
en
Program 3: Wetstoepassing en Nakoming R8,525 miljoen ontvang.
Air quality
As much as the Western Cape has been characterised as having good air quality, certain areas exhibit high levels of atmospheric pollutants. We need to respond to the potential risks that our citizens face as a result of poor air quality by realising that air pollution and global climate change are not mutually exclusive.
Honourable Speaker, the Department has in response, developed a Provincial Air Quality Management Plan which aims to ‘ensure the effective and consistent implementation of sustainable air quality management practices, by all spheres of government, relevant stakeholders and civil society to progressively achieve and efficiently maintain clean and healthy air in the Western Cape. This plan was developed through an extensive public participation process and will guide the development of air quality initiatives in the province.
Honourable Speaker and members of the House, the effective implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan is dependent on citizens, and advocates a participatory approach to air quality governance in the Western Cape. There are specific roles and responsbilities for each sector, government, industry and society which will be called to task.
Waste management
Speaker, I earlier highlighted the clear link between in-migration and waste management in the province.
Firstly we must understand that people have either moved to the Province for employment and will now reside here permanently or have perhaps migrated for purposes of possible employment. The additional consideration is the over-consumption by the affluent; this as well as the increase in both formal and informal settlements have a direct impact on the fast decline in landfill airspace in the province as waste volumes increase.
Given that it is now statutory for municipalities and provinces to develop integrated waste management plans to improve the planning of waste services in their respective jurisdictions, in-migration makes it extremely difficult to plan well. The aim is that we have to explore and discover immediate solutions to address the possible outcomes if waste management in the Province reaches a turning point.
This year the Department hosted a Waste Minimisation Summit which drew together an estimated 300 delegates from across the globe, nationally and provincially.
One of the primary objectives of the summit was to create a platform for the stakeholders to address pertinent issues on waste minimization and recycling. It was also deemed important to identify challenges regarding all aspects of recycling and explore possible ways of mitigating these.
Speaker, the media have raised interest and concern on many issues regarding waste management in the Province, and needless to say that the provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has been at the forefront of criticism.
It is unfortunate, although a reality that the topic of landfill sites in this province has been the source of unfavourable media coverage.
I refer to the Atlantis landfill site. Let it be confirmed that the matter is sub judice. This is a matter which will be addressed through the necessary legal procedures.
What is important now is that we focus on building a structured and productive recycling industry which relies on improvement in the efficiencies of current end markets and additional new markets in order to increase jobs for waste sorters, collectors, converters and processors, and improve business for manufacturers using recycled raw materials.
Renewable energy
Speaker and members of the House, this Department is serious about action. We have entered a period during which time we can no longer consume electricity at the rate we have in the past. We face continuous electricity supply constraints and the threat of energy insecurity affects us all.
The Western Cape, through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning is the first province to have a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan from which flowed the Sustainable Energy Strategy and Action Plan.
The Provincial Department has also developed a White Paper for Sustainable Energy, due to be gazetted.
The preceding White Paper together with a draft Sustainable Energy Bill for the Province are all aligned with National policy.
The motivation for the Sustainable Energy Strategy and draft White Paper is to create an enabling environment in the Western Cape for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector.
It is our aim to: fight climate change by reducing our carbon footprint; fight poverty through access to energy and the creating of green jobs and ultimately have energy security.
Immediate impact and positive well being on communities of the Western Cape has been delivered through the installation of 1 300 solar water geysers which have been rolled out in various low income communities as part of a pilot scheme to stimulate the solar geyser industry in the Western Cape.
Solar hot water geysers were installed in Riversdale, Elsies River, Nyanga, Atlantis, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert and Darling.
Allow me Speaker, to expand on the topic of renewable energy. Renewable energy provides clean energy from sustainable resources such as the sun and the wind.
The Western Cape has an abundance of both these resources. We are still the only province with wind farms that is, the Darling Wind Farm and the Klipheuwel Wind Turbine Testing facility.
During the latter part of 2009 the Department hosted a Wind Energy Conference together with the GTZ (German Technical Corporation) and Eskom. It was an excellent platform for the sharing of information and for networking between developers and investors.
Fundamental to promoting wind energy in the Western Cape is the roll out of a regional Strategic Environmental Assessment which will guide developers on suitable locations for placing wind farms.
The regional Strategic Environmental Assessment will be completed during 2010 to assist the national Department of Environmental Affairs, which is the competent authority, in streamlining Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals for wind farms.
Reliable, clean and safe energy to deliver social, and economic and environmental benefits for the province can be a reality. This is dependent on strategic relationships between the provincial Department and the National Competent Authority.
Speaker, it is the intention of the Department to facilitate and promote processes which will contribute to a target of 15% of the electricity used in the province being generated from renewable energy sources by 2014.
Speaker, this is an almost unrealistic target, but how else can we strive for success if we do not exploit our ability to believe.
Spatial planning
The fundamental principle of land use planning and development in the Western Cape today is to move off twentieth century reliance on lateral growth which at the moment still is largely the only private-sector driven growth that is experienced.
It is therefore absolutely essential that there must be an urgent paradigm shift away from continued lateral growth, toward three-dimensional growth.
Add to this the need to plan for and develop towards being ready for the planning and developmental effects of climate change, the energy revolution, infrastructural priorities and service delivery needs, and it becomes patently clear what central role Provincial Government has to play in socio-economic development.
In this regard I have already approved the Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF) as a first step towards drafting a Provincial Spatial Plan (PSP). The latter will unpack and cascade the PSDF towards planning and providing for regional and local land development and socio-economic development.
This is essential so that the Province's unique rural resources �" agriculture, biodiversity, mountains, coasts, other scenic areas, heritage-resource areas and game park land �" can be protected, preserved and enhanced as an urgently-needed priority. Dependence on private-sector driven growth will not achieve this, at least not in the short to medium term.
Over time it is possible that the private sector may see the light and turn its prime focus towards inward urban growth, but in the interim
that switch will only be achieved through authority-driven planning and development, and herein Provincial Government must play a central role through its constitutional functions of provincial planning, regional planning and development, and urban and rural development.
This means that the development needs of the present generation should be met without the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, being compromised. It is of crucial importance for the long-term survival of humankind that all development complies with this principle.
LUPA
The Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) sub-project was launched with the purpose of combining land use planning and management legislation into one provincial act.
The most important laws being so integrated for the purpose of our Province are the Land Use Planning Ordinance, the Removal of Restrictions Act and the Less Formal Township Establishment Act.
The latter two, although National acts, have been devolved to the Provinces and are therefore not subject to the same constraints in terms of their provincial integration as are applicable to National Environmental and Heritage-resource Legislation.
The centre-most principle of the LUPA process is to pursue and attain the planning and management of land usage with the goal of developing land in societal interest and compliant with the principle of sustainability.
Western Cape land use planning law must be aimed at attaining and maintaining wise use of land. Wise use of land, in turn, can be defined as land usage for which there is a need and which is desirable.
The LUPA process, inclusive of extensive municipal and public participation first at departmental level and then also at legislative level, will proceed as a high priority through this year and in 2011.
It is the intention of the Department to facilitate the development of 12 Spatial Development Frameworks for identified municipalities by 2012. The guiding principle to developing these Frameworks is to ensure that there is an increased responsiveness of land development to resource-use efficiency and sustainability.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning through the Provincial Spatial Development Framework specifically supports municipalities in achieving the long term goal of sustainable settlements which are in ecological and social harmony as well as ensuring sufficient economic efficiency to promote viable business growth.
In this regard two aspects are of importance namely Public Transport and Water resource management.
This Department in a collaborative effort with the Department of Water Affairs will develop and implement a Provincial Integrated Water Resource Management Plan to improve agricultural, industrial, commercial and household water use efficiency or 5-10% by 2014.
While the Environmental and Planning processes are there to ensure the delivery of both shared and sustainable development, too often unnecessary delays in service delivery and municipal infrastructure development are caused due to unaligned planning, a lack of knowledge of the regulatory requirements, and poor project management.
To better support Municipalities and the State departments of the Western Cape as our partners in creating an open, opportunity society and enabling environment for shared and integrated sustainable development, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning's Development Facilitation Unit (DFU) is being expanded.
During the coming year the DFU will be working with the other components within the Department as well as other key partners to provide even better support to the municipalities and state departments of the Western Cape in terms of capacity building and support, project management and advice with regard to environmental and planning matters.
The Western Cape, Honourable Speaker, has been blessed with a very unique and wonderful natural environment and it is vital that we ensure that it is conserved for future generations.
The conservation of the Province’s globally significant biodiversity resources is under threat due to the rapid rate of urban and agricultural development. Continued ruin of ecosystems and ecosystem services in the Province will have a devastating effect on agricultural and other sectors. Climate change, as an additional challenge, places provincial biodiversity at an extreme risk.
Cape Nature
Speaker, mag ek elkeen van u ‘n pragtige fynbos-ruikertjie aanbied?
Die Wes-Kaap is geseën met ‘n baie unieke en wonderlike natuurskoon en omgewing en dit is noodsaaklik dat ons verseker dat dit bewaar bly vir toekomstige geslagte.
Die bewaring van die provinsie se wêreldbelangrike biodiversiteit word bedreig as gevolg van die vinnige uitbreiding van verstedeliking en landbou ontwikkeling.
Volgehoue vernietiging van die ekosisteme en dienste sal ‘n vernietigende uitwerking hê op landbou en ander sektore. Klimaatsverandering, as ‘n bykomende uitdaging, plaas ons provinsiale biodiversiteit onder geweldige druk.
Eco-tourism can play a critical role in generating income for biodiversity management and helping to raise awareness about the value of our biological resources.
This year CapeNature will receive dedicated earmarked funding of R20 million for the implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Action Plan that involves the development of new eco-tourism products and the refurbishment of selected tourism product offerings.
CapeNature is gearing itself to ensure that it delivers a quality visitor experience and is able to compete effectively with other businesses within the eco-tourism sector.
Speaker, I also deem it important to report that to date, 66 wild fires have spread on protected land managed by CapeNature. There is a concern that a large area of the sensitive Boland Mountain Catchment area has been burnt, in what appears to be a relatively young veld.
The entire Groenlandberg section has been burnt in a series of three separate fires understood to be the work of an arsonist. It is evident that this fire season has again put enormous pressure on the CapeNature budget with respect to rations, transport, overtime and aerial fire-fighting costs.
Despite this difficult operational environment, Speaker, as the custodian of one of only six Floral Kingdoms in the world, and responsible for the management/co-management of three of the world’s biggest conservation hot spots, CapeNature succeeds in realising many of its diverse and testing key objectives, especially in the pursuance of growing the Conservation Economy in the Western Cape.
CapeNature is the custodian of the water catchment areas in the Western Cape, ensuring that the integrity of its ecosystem services is restored and conserved sustainably. This key responsibility contributes significantly to water security in the Western Cape and provides a solid platform for mitigation against the severe potential impacts of climate change on our people’s livelihoods as well as biodiversity. Without the judicious management of the catchments, the Western Cape will be at great risk due to the expected increase in devastating wild fires.
CapeNature’s significant role in the Working on Fire Programme during 2010/11 is confirmation of its huge contribution in this regard. Its prominent role as an implementing agent for Working for Water and Working on Wetlands also deserves recognition in this regard.
The entity hopes to clear 40 000 hectares of alien vegetation with a follow up of 98 000 hectares during the 2010/2011 financial year.
Considering the capacity challenges mentioned earlier, CapeNature is playing a significant role in socio-economic development, especially in the rural landscape. Regarding job opportunities and person days work created, the entity is planning to create a total of 262 500 person days work for 2010/11 and 2 625 job opportunities through the implementation of a range of projects.
These projects do not only provide livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries, but also ensure some valuable capacity building for emerging contractors.
CapeNature’s dedication and commitment towards youth development is clearly accentuated by the fact that it has been elevated to the level of Strategic Objective in the organisation’s strategic plan, although biodiversity is its recognised core function and mandate.
In conclusion, may I add that CapeNature will continue to place priority on its institution building strategy to effect improved service delivery across all levels of the institution.
Many gains have already been registered over the last year or so which will be consolidated in this financial year and beyond.
I am very pleased to announce that the CapeNature Board is fully functional and is placing a high priority on improving corporate governance at the entity.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning will also intensify its monitoring and evaluation activities over all the biodiversity functions being executed by CapeNature, further ensuring improved levels of service delivery.
I thank you.
