The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa published under section 18(1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) the declaration of the Waterberg Area as a National Priority Area in Gazette No. 35435 of 15 June 2012.
A priority area in terms of the Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) is an area in which ambient air quality standards are being exceeded, or may be exceeded or any other situation exists which is causing, or may cause a significant negative impact on air quality in the area. This may be the result of emissions from specific sources that may expose individuals to elevated risks of adverse health effects and contribute to the cumulative health risks of emissions from other sources in the area.
The area therefore requires specific air quality management actions to rectify or avoid the deterioration of the air quality, thus ensuring that the Constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to health and wellbeing is upheld. This National Priority Area covers the Bojanala District in North West and the Waterberg District in Limpopo and includes the following local municipalities: Thabazimbi, Modimolle, Mogalakwena, Bela-bela, Mookgopong and Lephalale in Limpopo, and Moses Kotane, Rustenburg and Madibeng in the North West Province.
In addition to covering rapidly developing areas in 2 provinces, the Waterberg Priority Area is also a proactive approach to potential trans-boundary air quality impact that may arise between South Africa and Botswana.
This proactive approach is therefore in support of future sustainable development in the area, provides regulatory certainty, and ensures that air quality levels remain within the national ambient air quality standards.
To access the gazette notice, click on the link below:
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) the declaration of the Waterberg Area as a National Priority Area
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Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs declares the Waterberg area as a National Priority Area, in terms of the Air Quality Act
