NOW is your chance to make your voice heard on your vision for the municipality over the next 50 years. What type of development should take place and where should it be?
“We want to hear from the citizens of Drakenstein. How should the municipality look like over the next 50 years? Are there special areas that should be conserved?” says Mary Jane Morris of Morris Environmental and Groundwater Alliances (MEGA).
A team of specialists led by MEGA, was appointed by the Provincial Government Western Cape - Department Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, to develop an environmental management framework (EMF) for Drakenstein Municipality.
Essentially, the EMF is a tool that aims to direct appropriate development to appropriate locations.
Issues that will be considered by the team include the nature of the environmental resources within an area, including their sensitivity and specific attributes.
Also considered is the economic activity and development (including social infrastructure development) priorities, needs and pressures.
Other issues are the environmental management priorities for the area as well as the identification of areas of compatibility between development types and environmental resources and areas of tension between environment and development.
The development of criteria whereby areas may be determined to be suitable or not for particular types of development, is another issue.
Input will be sought from the public and organizations in the area, as well as relevant authorities. It is very important that the general public participate in this exercise.
Says Jimmy Knaggs from the Drakenstein Municipality: “It is critical for us to have participation from a wide range of stakeholders across different socio-economic backgrounds.”
To be involved in this process, register as an Interested and Affected Party with Sadia Chandof Chand Environmental Consultants at PO Box 238, Plumstead, 7801, fax 021-762-3240, tel 021-762-3050 or sadia@chand.co.za or katy@chand.co.za.
A background information document and questionnaire will be circulated to registered interested and affected parties.
