Rectification Of The Unlawful Clearance And Cultivation Of Agricultural Land On Farms Re/28/118 Palmiet Rivier And Re/1/118 Palmiet Rivier, Mossel Bay, Western Cape: Nema Section 24g Rectification Process

RECTIFICATION OF THE UNLAWFUL CLEARANCE AND CULTIVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ON FARMS RE/28/118 PALMIET RIVIER AND RE/1/118 PALMIET RIVIER, MOSSEL BAY, WESTERN CAPE: NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 24G OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (NEMA) (ACT NO. 107 OF 1998) AND NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PRE-APPLICATION SECTION 24G DOCUMENTATION FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT

DEA&DP Ref No.: 14/2/4/1/D6/6/0013/23

Between November 2017 and April 2018, Ruiterbosch Agri (Pty) Ltd (hereafter referred to as ‘the Applicant’) completed the clearance of vegetation adjacent to existing agricultural areas. Six areas totaling 11.31 ha were cleared for cultivation of avocado and citrus farming on land that had not been cultivated in the last ten years. These areas were used for agricultural activities prior to this. The afore-mentioned activities commenced without obtaining an Environmental Authorisation.

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants has been appointed by Ruiterbosch Agri (Pty) Ltd to compile the NEMA S24G Application for the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment process for the project in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998), as amended, EIA Regulations (2014) for the proposed rectification of unlawful activities, including the unlawful clearance of indigenous vegetation on the Remainder of Portion 1 and 28 of Farm Palmiet River No. 118, Brandwacht. The properties are located within the Mossel Bay Local Municipality, approximately 12 km northwest of Brandwacht.

The Pre-Application S24G Application Form is available to the public for review for a 30-day comment period from 11 April 2025 to 15 May 2025. Potential Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) have 30 days, i.e. until 15 May 2025 to register and raise any initial issues or concerns related to the project and the aforementioned documents. Comments received from I&APs will be incorporated into a Comments and Responses Report 1 (CRR1), included and responded to in an updated S24G Application Form, which will be made available for further public comment. A comprehensive Executive Summary (within the letter of notification to I&APs) is also provided as a separate link for download below.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the S24G Application Form, please provide your comments in writing to Ms. Shannon Hyslop of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email or post (email: ruiterbosch.ppp@hollandandassociates.net or post: PostNet Suite #108, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966), on or before 15 May 2025.

An electronic copy of the Pre-Application S24G Application Form as well as its appendices can be downloaded via the Dropbox link and/or OneDrive link below: