Opposition to rezoning application for sand mine

GEORGE HERALD - Various organisations have strongly objected to a proposed sand mining operation on the Remainder of Portion 3 of Farm 191 near Wilderness, for which a rezoning and departure application has been submitted to George Municipality.

The applicant, PVVK Management Services CC from Moorreesburg, has already received environmental approval from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The property is located opposite Heritage Bakery and Nursery, about 9km east of Wilderness.

Impact on residents

On the neighbouring property (Portion 2 of Farm 191), Winelands Resort Development (Pty) Ltd has invested in residential and retirement development. Speaking on behalf of the company, Helmut Ernst said they are concerned that they would be directly affected by dust pollution, noise from heavy machinery, and declining property values.

There would also be environmental impacts, such as limiting the free movement of wildlife and detracting from the area's natural beauty, which attracts tourists.

Heavy vehicle traffic on the N2 would also increase. In its comments in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, Winelands Resort Development said the municipality has previously indicated that no additional sand mining operations should be approved in this area, on top of the existing three that have an estimated lifespan of at least 15 years.

Approval of the application would raise concerns about consistency and accountability in decision-making.

Biodiversity corridor

Paradise Ridge Conservancy (PRC) pointed out that the site forms part of a protected environment and an important biodiversity corridor. "The Garden Route National Park Management Plan (GRNP MP) 2019-2029 has not been referred to or included in the [EIA] report. The GRNP MP shows Portion 3 of Farm 191 within its buffer zone as a priority natural area and within the expansion footprint."

The final EIA report has omitted a full socio-economic report and a fauna study, according to the PRC. "One of the primary biodiversity functions of this property is as a north-south wildlife corridor, connecting the rural properties south of the N2 to the national park on its northern boundary."

Furthermore, the Wilderness, Lakes and Hoekwil Local Spatial Development Framework allows for a sand mine on an agricultural property only "in support of its primary function" as a farm, and not as a primary activity.

Undermining conservation

CapeNature also warned that the property is part of a protected buffer zone for the national park and that mining could undermine conservation targets. Furthermore, the applicant's intention to clear invasive plants is not a mitigation measure but a legal obligation.

Strict permitting and legal compliance should be enforced with regard to the removal of protected plant species, and a detailed rehabilitation plan would be mandatory. Fire regimes should be properly managed, "not suppressed", according to CapeNature.

An entrance to the property for which the proposed rezoning is being requested. Photo supplied

Impact 'confined to the site'

PVVK Management Services commented that the proposed mining would mostly be on transformed land.

Alien vegetation would be removed and the site progressively rehabilitated to natural vegetation.

A 60m tree buffer along the N2 would make the quarry invisible from the road, and noise and dust would be confined to the site.

Mining activities would create local employment and an income stream that would support the ongoing maintenance "and environmental stewardship of the broader property".