Airstrip for fire control being built

Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A landing strip for light aircraft under construction at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, North East of Denneoord, has near-by residents concerned about the impact that this new development will have on their surroundings.

Although the airstrip will facilitate fire control, residents of Denneoord, Bergsig, Genevafontein and Eden are concerned about the noise of airplanes and helicopters in their suburbs.

George Municipality's communications chief, Chantel Edwards-Klose, confirmed that the landing strip will be used for emergency fire fighting only, as part of fire management in the Eden district.

"This will in no way be an airport. In total, two helicopters, a Cessna (spotter plane) and one fixed-wing bomber will make use of this airstrip," she said.

Concern over the noise of airplanes during take-off and landing seems to be unfounded. According to Edwards-Klose, a study has shown that emergency air support caused only five hours of noise over a period of one year (June 2015 to July 2016).

"After considering all the factors, the Western Cape department of environmental affairs and development planning granted permission for the building of the landing strip. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was undertaken in 2016 and was accompanied by a public participation process, which addressed all safety and noise related issues."

The EIA was approved and Council gave the go-ahead for the establishment of the landing strip which will be completed and in use by the end of October. "The airstrip will only be used to fight fires threatening the residential and other urban areas in and around George," said Edwards-Klose.

Ward councillor for ward 18, Gert Niehaus, confirmed the importance of the landing strip.

"People were very worried about the matter. We unanimously decided in a ward committee meeting that the landing strip will be used for emergency fire fighting only. It is important that we are able to accommodate aircraft in situations where fires have to be controlled."

George fire chief Neels Barnard said the landing strip will be highly advantageous in situations where speed is needed in fighting fires.

"People should keep in mind that the first hour of fighting a fire is free. The faster a fire is put out, the less it costs."

Watch a video below.