The department's Director-General Pam Yako officially authorised the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) to develop a trade port when the Record of Decision was signed in Cape Town on Thursday.
"Having seriously considered the scientific studies and reports on the environmental impact of the proposed development and the input and concerns from the general public and concerned stakeholders, we are satisfied that the impact to the environment is at an acceptable level," said Yako.
She said her department's decision had considered the economic spin off the project would have for the country and it was clear the construction of the trade port would lead to socio-economic development not only in KwaZulu-Natal but in the whole country.
In 2005 Dube Trade Port Company on behalf of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal and ACSA lodged an application with the department to develop a Trade Port at La Mercy.
The development will be approximately 2,060 hectares and will consist of the King Shaka International Airport and the Trade Zone, Support Zone and an Agricultural Zone.
Talking about the process of determining the Record of Decision, Yako said the process included a thorough ongoing and intricate exercise that required both insight and strict attention to detail.
"There are scientific studies and divergent inputs from stakeholders and members of the public which need serious consideration to ensure inclusiveness and transparency.
"This is for public good and we must ensure that we satisfy both the scientific world and the need for sustainable economic development," she said.
However, she also outlined strict conditions attached to the granting of permission to proceed with the development.
"We have prescribed certain conditions and we insist on appointing an environmental control officer whose duty it is to ensure that periodic environmental performance audits are undertaken on the project implementation," she said.
Conditions attached include but are not limited to:
The department also considered the impact of the development on the fauna and flora prevalent in the area.
"The specialist study concluded that the barn swallows will not migrate to another area either during construction or operation of the proposed development.
"As long as the wetland habitat is not impacted upon, the birds will keep on utilising the wetland as a habitat," Yako stated.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
