GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The long-awaited regional waste management facility, earmarked to be developed on property belonging to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) near Petro SA (Farm 419), will be finalised by the end of this year.
According to GRDM municipal manager Monde Stratu, a private partner was selected by the municipality and a public-private partnership agreement will soon be entered. The construction and operating of the facility will be the responsibility of the appointed company for a period of ten years.
The facility will remain the property of the municipality and will occupy about 70% (approximately 143,5ha) of the 205-hectare property.
Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay municipalities will make use of the facility which will deal with domestic and hazardous waste disposal. Mobile chipping and crushing facilities will be included to assist the four local municipalities with green waste management.
In addition to the regional landfill facility, two proposals were received and are subject to all applicable legislation, application requirements and approvals. One proposal was received from Ikusasa Processing Engineering Consultants (PTY) Ltd and the other from Moumakoe-Geza Joint Venture. Sufficient land (± 30% of the 205ha) is available on Farm 419 for these developments.
Chemical plant underway
The Garden Route Investment Conference, which was held in March 2018, stimulated the interest of two multinational companies to invest in the Garden Route. One of the two, Ikusasa Processing Engineering Consultants (PTY) Ltd, approached GRDM with a proposal stating their intent to erect a chemical plant that will support the wide variety of sectors in the region.
The size of the plant will be determined once the necessary plans have been finalised, presented to the Garden Route District Municipality and approved by Mossel Bay Municipality. Necessary studies, such as environmental impact assessments, will also have to be undertaken for this proposed development.
Oil blending plant to come
Moumakoe-Geza Joint Venture has recently requested to lease 10ha of GRDM land, which forms part of Erf 419 adjacent to PetroSA, the product they intend manufacturing for the construction of lubricant oil blending plant. The plant will have the capacity of producing 20 800 000 litres of blended products per year.
"Studies have revealed that South Africa has a lubricant demand of two million barrels per year. This project is therefore a win-win solution for the Garden Route in terms of social and economic development," says Stratu.
Necessary studies, such as environmental impact assessments, will also have to be undertaken for this proposed development.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route news'
