Proposed Construction of two Stormwater Channels and a Water Supply Pipeline for the Establishment of a Fruit Packaging Shed and Associated Infrastructure in Citrusdal

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF TWO STORMWATER CHANNELS AND A WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FRUIT PACKAGING SHED AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN CITRUSDAL (PORTION 2 of FARM GROOT VALLEY NO. 451, CLANWILLIAM): DEFINITION/ ADOPTION OF A DEVELOPMENT SETBACK LINE IN TERMS OF THE NEMA EIA REGULATIONS, 2010 

(DEA&DP Ref No:16/3/1/6/2/F2/3/3066/13)

Mgro Properties (Pty) Ltd. propose to construct a fruit packing shed and associated infrastructure on Portion 2 of Farm Groot Valley No. 451, Clanwilliam. The packing shed will have an approximate floor area of 18 000 m² and will be accommodated on a site of 3.2 ha. The new facility will be used for packing citrus produced from existing orchards owned by Mgro Properties and operated under Mouton Citrus, as well as fruit produced from planned future expanded operations.

The proposed packaging facility itself will not trigger the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2010. However, the proposed construction of the two storm water channels and the water supply pipeline associated with the packaging shed will, and are outlined below:

Water supply pipeline: The proposed water supply pipeline will need to cross the small unnamed stream/furrow on the northern boundary of the site, where the stream intersects a gravel access road. The water pipe connection to the project would cross the water course alongside the existing gravel road.  At the point of the crossing, the water course runs in a culvert beneath the road, so no dredging or excavation exceeding 5 cubic meters will be required in order to implement the pipe crossing. The diameter of the pipeline will range between 160mm and 200mm and the development footprint that falls within 32m of the water course will range between 10.24m² and 12.8m².

Proposed two storm water channels: The storm water generated by the roofs of the packing shed buildings will be channelled, via two custom-made open earth storm water channels, to a point where it connects with the existing drainage channel to the west of the site. The stormwater channels respectively will be approximately 140m and 75m long, 1m deep and 1.5m wide. The total development footprint of the storm water channels will therefore be approximately 330m², of which approximately 96m² falls within 32m of the watercourse and within the watercourse.

In terms of Activities 11 and 18 of GN. No. R.544 (NEMA EIA Regulations,2010) that are triggered by the proposed development, Mgro Properties (Pty) Ltd have submitted a request to DEA&DP for the adoption/ definition of an ad-hoc setback line for the two watercourses on the proposed development site, i.e. the unnamed stream and a man-made drainage ditch (channel). In this regard, DEA&DP’s “Checklist for the request for the adoption/definition of an ad-hoc setback line” was completed for the proposed project and submitted to DEA&DP for consideration on 3 April 2013. Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants has been appointed by Mgro Properties (Pty) Ltd), to submit the request for the adoption/ definition of an ad-hoc setback line for the project, and to undertake the requisite public participation process.

The Checklist for the request for the adoption/definition of an ad-hoc setback line for the project has been made available to the public for a 21 day comment period, and is downloadable via the links below. Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project, please provide your comments in writing via post, e-mail or fax to Ms Nicole Holland of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants (Fax: 086 762 6126, email: nicole@hollandandassociates.net or post: PO Box 31108, Tokai, 7966) on or before 28 May 2013.