GEORGE NEWS - With the Southern Cape's growing population and associated increase in demand for services also comes the inevitable impact of physical infrastructure on people and the environment.
An example is the upgrading of the Eskom power line between Blanco and Knysna that is having an effect on some residents at close quarters. The power line is being upped from a 66kV line to a double-circuit 132kV line, says Jolene Henn, Eskom's regional communications manager.
She responded to queries of affected residents who are taken aback by the unexpected physical size of pylons, cables and substations that are being erected, even on private residential properties, some uncomfortably close to homes. There are people who now have a gigantic power tower in their garden - and with it, the accompanying high voltage cables overhead.
Henn says the 84km power line has been in existence for over 30 years, allowing Eskom certain rights.
And this is the sad part, says one resident. Even though Eskom had meticulously followed the required consultative and environmental impact processes, it was of no purpose for the people who are now intimately affected. In the same breath that they were informed of the project and asked to comment, the public were made to understand that there is nothing they can do about it because of the existence of the parastatal's servitude over these properties.
"It is a sad disaster," says Bill Turner, owner of the Strawberry Hill private nature reserve which now has high voltage cables right across a breathtaking mountain view from their home. He says it knocks at least 10% off of the value of his property.
"If I thought I had a chance to prevent this by objecting, I would have objected strongly, but with a servitude over my property, Eskom can do what they want."
This is the feeling of many others. Henn confirmed that Eskom had received no objections or appeals during the public participation process.
No sensitivity
Michael Leggatt, chairman of Waleaf (Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum), accused Eskom of "a total lack of sensitivity" in the project, judging from "the towers marching across the area".
"Government is the first line that should take the environment into consideration, from the outset and regardless of whether there had been comment from interested parties or not."
The old Saasveld pass, which is a certified heritage beacon in the area is also marred, he says. "Surely they could have used a different route further from where people live, perhaps up alongside the existing line in the mountain?"
Another Wilderness Heights resident, Bethan Philp, says when they bought their pro-perty a few years ago, they could never have guessed that they would be subject to an impact of this magnitude. "It is dreadful."
EMFs a concern
Another concern is electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by high voltage installations. A mother of two young sons is highly upset about a new substation erected about 180 metres from their home in Woodville East and high voltage power lines that run about 20 metres overhead from the family's bedrooms.
She fears for the health of her child-ren because of the increase in the electrical current. She quotes a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2005 which found an increased leukaemia risk in children living within 200 to 600 metres of overhead transmission lines.
Impacts to be rehabilitated
Henn says Eskom is working within the bounds of the environmental management plan authorised by the Department of Environmental Affairs. "All impacts caused during construction will be rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the Environmental Affairs Department."
Eskom constantly performs environmental audits on the project and it has been audited by the Green Scorpions, she says.
About 40% of the project has been completed; it is scheduled to be finished in December 2013.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
