The property Portion 3 of Farm 191 (“3/191”) is situated within the scenic- and eco-tourism oriented rural Precinct of Kleinkrantz, within the iconic Garden Route region of the Western Cape Province, an internationally recognised tourism hotspot within the Western Cape Province, itself being one of South Africa’s most important international tourism destination. 

There are now numerous sand mines between Wilderness and Sedgefield. Heavy extra long trucks are blocking the traffic on the N2 every other 200meters when entering or exiting the sites. Traffic during the tourist season is already a nightmare and now new sand mining rights were granted on the Remainder of Portion 3 of Farm 191 - George in direct view of traffic travelling on the N2 from Wilderness to Sedgefield. Neighbouring properties will have to contend with constant bleeps of heavy machinery and wind driven dust, since the protective vegetation and top soil is removed.

The property 3/191 is ecologically, topographically, and visually highly sensitive, comprising a formally declared ecological Buffer Zone and substantive faunal corridor (including for bushbuck and other small antelopes etc.) situated directly adjacent to the primary scenic tourism route through the Garden Route Cultural Landscape, the N2 National Road, and between the Garden Route National Park (“GRNP”) and the Indian Ocean Coastline. The property 3/191 features steep slopes of highly erodible soils and is identified as falling within the Southern Cape Dune Fynbos ecosystem which has increased in Ecosystem Threat Status from Least Threatened (LT) to Vulnerable (VU) in the course of only two years between 2014 and 2016. The property 3/191 forms part of the Bontebok Extended Distribution Range and is furthermore situated within an area identified as being of ‘Extreme’ fire risk, thereby being a priority area for veldfire management interventions. 

The property 3/191 is identified as a Potential Expansion Area for the GRNP in terms of the National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy (“NPAES”), and forms part of the recently (2017) promulgated UNESCO Garden Route Biosphere Reserve. 

The tourism industry in the area is predominantly dependent upon the natural and cultural scenic resources of the area, which comprises a primary component of the current and future potential economic activity and livelihood resources of the Garden Route Region, as has been identified in terms of the desired state and sustainable development trajectory of the Region in the Garden Route Environmental Management Framework, 2010 (“GR EMF”).

APPEALS

We draw your attention to the fact that an appeal may be lodged against the decision in terms of the National Appeal Regulations, 2014.

Should you wish to appeal any aspect of the decision, you must submit the appeal to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment and a copy of such appeal to the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (Western Cape Regional Office), within 20 days from the date of notification, and such appeal must be lodged as prescribed by Chapter 2 of the National Appeal Regulation, 2014 by means of the methods as prescribed below:

Appeal to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment

Attention:           Directorate Appeals and Legal Review

E-mail :                 appeals@dffe.gov.za  

By post:                Private Bag X 447, PRETORIA, 0001

By hand:               Environmental House, Corner Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083

 

Copy of the lodged appeal to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

Attention:           Regional Manager: Western Cape Region

By facsimile:       (021) 427 1046

E-mail:                 Pieter.Swart@dmre.gov.za  

By post:                Private Bag X9, ROGGEBAAI, 8012

By hand:               15th Floor, Atterbury House, 9 Riebeek Street, Corner of Riebeek and Lower Burg Streets, Cape Town, 8001

 

Should you decide to appeal, you must comply with the National Appeal Regulations of 2014 in relation to the notification of all registered interested and affected parties. A copy of the official appeal form can be obtained from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment.