Question no: 1142
Mr J Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether an environmental impact study was done before approximately 120 Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) 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 provisions for sewage or rubbish disposal; if so, what plans are in place to address these problems?
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 State Province will be the competent authority to consider such an application.
Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
11 September 2009
