Public meeting on R1 billion project
2007-07-26
COMPREHENSIVE environmental impact report for the proposed Levendal project along the R45 in Simondium south of Paarl will be presented to the public on Monday during a public meeting at the Berg River Resort from 17:30 to 19:00.
This follows after a final scoping report regarding the proposed development was made available to the public in September last year.
The project of more than R1 billion, which involves about 300 hectares, is being proposed by Levendal Developments, a development company which consists of Power Developments, The Lord Trust and SAMFU, a black empowerment company.
In essence the development involves the rezoning and redevelopment of sections of 14 farms and a public resort for an integrated and diversified developmental project for housing, agricultural development and commercial usage.
A total of 22 farms along the Berg River have been earmarked to be part of the process.
According to the developers there are currently five different developmental alternatives for the region under review.
The alternatives will be considered by the Department of Environmental Affairs according to the environmental impact study report, after which a decision regarding the development will be taken.
The reason for the proposal is that the study area is in the process of deteriorating. It is characterised by unemployment, a decline in agricultural activities as a result of the decrease in economic scale benefits and a quarry which has come to the end of its lifespan.
The aim, through making use of empowerment, is now at improving the quality of life for all the people in the area and to create employment opportunities.
The overall idea is to create prosperity and for everyone to then share in it.
According to the developers there are five important elements of this development which involve the upliftment of the local community, especially with regards to creating a community life for the farm workers of the area; the development of the agricultural potential of the area; rehabilitation of the environment; development of infrastructure and promoting tourism in the area.
Approximately 80% of the ground will be utilised for agriculture, while development will take place mainly on previously disturbed areas of agricultural land with a low agricultural potential.
The developers have already been in discussion with the relevant local authorities for the past three years, as their contributions to the development of the Levendal concept is deemed of the utmost importance.
It is emphasised that the developers wish to make this process as transparent as possible by accommodating feedback from the public.
The report is available at Paarl Library and Drakenstein Library.
Any comments must be submitted by 17 August to Claire Matern at SRK Consulting, Postnet Suite #206, Private Bag X18, Rondebosch, 7701, e-mail cmatern@srk.co.za.
For more information phone 021- 659-3060 or email bgebhardt@srk.co.za.
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