NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT 107 OF 1998, WATER USE LICENCE IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL WATER ACT 36 OF 1998, AND HERITAGE PERMIT IN TERMS OF NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ACT NO. 25 OF 1999 FOR THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A 2 KM LANDING STRIP AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON EZULU GAME RESERVE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE MAKHANA AND BLUE CRANE ROUTE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE.

PROJECT ROLE-PLAYERS

APPLICANT: eZulu Game Reserve (Pty) Ltd (“eZulu”).

COMPETENT AUTHORITIES: Department of Water and Sanitation (“DWS”) Eastern Cape Economic Development Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (“EAEDEAT”) and Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (“ECPHRA”).

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT: NCC Operations (Pty) Ltd (“NCC”)

Project Details

The applicant eZulu Game Reserve (Pty) Ltd is proposing to establish a 2 km landing strip and associated infrastructure on eZulu Game Reserve within the jurisdiction of the Makhana and Blue Crane Route Local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. eZulu is a Private Game Reserve located 50 km Northwest of the town of Makhana in the Eastern Cape Province off the R300 road. The proposed development entails the development of the following infrastructure:

Establishment of a dirt/gravel private landing strip (2000m x 35/40m) with a footprint of roughly 80 000m² (8ha) to accommodate small to medium aircraft. No permanent parking/ layover facilities. No permanent fuel storage located at runway. There is a possibility to convert to tar in the future.
The expansion of three (3) lodge precincts and associated infrastructures, the construction of one (1) lodge precinct, and the construction of one (1) serves auxiliary services precinct. The primary purpose of the reserve will be hunting, conservation, and other leisurely activities by the property owner, guests, and staff.The combined footprint is 12.52 ha (125 272 m²) which equates to 0,0052% of the entire game reserve area which is presently 24 000 ha. The remaining property will be managed to protect the natural environment. The areas will be broken down as such:

- Lodge 1: 362 persons (Lion Lodge) 46 781 m² (includes buildings, 3m buffer, pathways, and rehabilitation).
- Lodge 2: 198 persons (Salisbury Lodge) 48 263 m² (includes buildings, 3m buffers, pathways, and rehabilitation).
- Lodge 3: 70 persons (Modderlaagte) 5 671 m² (includes buildings, 3m buffers, pathways, and rehabilitation).
- Lodge 4: 50 persons (Zingela Lodge) 4 242m² with existing building footprints considering a 3m buffer for potential future development.
- Lodge 5: 182 persons Support Lodge 20 315m² with an additional 1.5 – 3m buffer being incorporated for rehabilitation post construction.

- Facilities associated with the lodges include the following:

- - Administration Offices
  - Bomas & Fire Pits
  - Canteens & Lounge Areas
  - Clinics
  - Curio Shop (not open to public)
  - Dining Areas
  - Gym & Spa
  - Kids Play Area.
  - Kitchens
  - Laundry Facilities
  - Outdoor & Indoor Swimming Pool
  - Reception Areas
  - Utilities, Maintenance and Storage Areas

Upgrading of two (2) existing farm buildings and the additional utilities separate from the five main areas.
Construction of two (2) river crossings within a watercourse necessary for vehicle access, likely to be culvert bridges.
Construction of one (1) river crossing within a watercourse necessary for pedestrian access, likely to be wooden.
Clearance of +/- 6 Ha for the establishment of an edible garden and a botanical garden of which 40% is previously disturbed), and 0.6 Ha for the botanical garden (built on an already disturbed area).
Clearing of vegetation necessary for the construction of lodge areas.
Services for the property will include the following, through either the development of or upgrading of existing:

- Establishment of an above ground package Sewerage Treatment Plant and associated distribution network. (“STP”).
- Development of a water reticulation system feeding off an existing rising main (300mm Ø). Pipe sizes between (50mm Ø to 90mm Ø) to transport water from the water treatment plant to the potable water reservoirs. Domestic reticulation pipes will be typically 110mm Ø, with 32mm Ø branches to units.
- Utilizing existing internal road network.
- Supplement existing electricity supplied through a combination of grid and independent off-grid sources. The grid source will comprise of a rooftop mounted photovoltaic panels, batteries, investors, and diesel generators. Properties are currently serviced by a 3,3 KW from Eskom.
- Increase with a capacity of 80 kL for the bulk fuel storage tanks.
  - 1* 30 kL above the ground Diesel tank
  - 1* 30 kL above the ground Jet fuel tank
  - 1* 20 kL underground Petrol tank
- Construction of 4 potable water reservoirs with a total capacity of 500 kL.
  - Lodge 1 – 150kL (Lion)
  - Lodge 2 – 250kL (Salisbury)
  - Lodge 3 – 50kL (Modderlaagte)
  - Lodge 4 – 50kL (Zingela)

Start date
26 October 2023

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

The proposed project will entail the Application for Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, Water Use Licence in terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, and Heritage Permit in terms of National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999.

An application for Environmental Authorisation (“EA”) will be lodged with the competent authority, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The listed activities applied for in respect of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2017 (as amended on 7 April 2017) include:

GN R.325: Activity 8 & 15
GN R.327: Activity 13,19, 25 & 28.
GN R.324: Activity 2, 12,14,17 &22

A Scoping and EIA (“S&EIR“) process will be followed which will require the investigation, assessment and communication of potential impacts as prescribed in regulations 19 and 20 of GN. R 326 (as amended). This entails Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting process inclusive of an Environmental Management Programme (“EMPr“) and relevant Specialist Studies in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (“NEMA”) and in accordance with EIA Regulations, 2017 (as amended).

Water Use Licence Application

An Integrated Water Use Licence Application (“IWULA”) will be conducted for water uses associated with Section 21 the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No.36 of 1998) (“NWA”).

Water Use Licence Authorisation in terms of the NWA

21 (a) Taking water from a water resource
21 (b) Storage of water
21 (c) Impeding Or Diverting the Flow of Water in a Watercourse
21 (i) Altering The Bed, Banks, Course or Characteristics of a Watercourse
21 (g) Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on water resource.

Heritage Permit

A Notice of Intent to Develop (“NID”) application will be submitted to the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (“ECPHRA”) under Section 34 and 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

A Public Participation (“PPP”) process will be undertaken to as part of the EIA process with an aim to allow everyone who is interested in, or likely to be affected by, the proposed development to provide input into the process. and raise any comments, issues or objections regarding the project.

Commenting timeframe
The process will have the legislated 30-day period.

Start date
02 November 2023

End date
03 December 2023

Members of the public are invited to register as an I&AP and submit comments within the commenting timeframe related to the project. If you would like to register as an I&AP, please complete the Registration and Comment Form and return to the contact person below:

Contact Person: Jennipher Sakaunda
NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd
26 Bell Close, Westlake Business Park, Westlake, Cape Town
Tel: 021 702 2884
Fax: 086 555 0693
Email: ppp@ncc-group.co.za
Website: https://ncc-group.co.za/public-participation-overview

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD