Heritage Cases

Transnet National Ports Authority propose to relocate the existing Richards Bay lighthouse within Ward 1 of the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal Province. The site is located in the north eastern undeveloped coastal area of the Meerensee neighbourhood, Richards Bay at the following point location, 28°46'15.21"S 32° 7'49.59"E. The site is located on Erf 5333 Richards Bay however the proposed site is in the process of being subdivided as the property is owned by the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. This portion measures a total of 1529m2. The site is located in the north eastern undeveloped coastal area of the Meerensee neighbourhood, Richards Bay. The current zoning as per the City of Umhlathuze Zoning Scheme is Municipal Health and Government 2. This zone is intended for buildings erected and used for National, Provincial and Municipal administration and services. Current access to the site is off a dirt road connected to Anglers Road located on its north eastern boundary. The old Richards Bay lighthouse, 500m south west of the proposed development (28°46'31.82"S 32° 7'40.55"E), was commissioned on 22 May 1979 to provide Aid to Navigation (Aton) to maritime travellers/shipping operations in around and around the KZN North Coast. It was a 11-meter square concrete tower with cylindrical top section, painted white, with white lantern house. This lighthouse was subject to large scale land-slip due to coastal erosion whereby there was a real danger that the structure would fall down the embankment onto the beach with further erosion. Due to this eminent danger of collapse the old lighthouse was demolished. As a short-term solution Transnet National Ports Authority has erected a temporary lattice lighthouse at the most landward side of the old site. However, in order to provide a long-term permanent structure to serve as an Aton was proposed. Please note the project to construct a new lighthouse was previously authorised (14/12/16/3/3/1/662) in August 2013 however the project was deferred by Transnet National Ports Authority due to cost reductions and this resulted in the EA lapsing. The current EIA serves to re-authorise the construction of the lighthouse at the new site. The specifications of the proposed lighthouse are as follows: - The site will comprise of a 30m x 50m enclosed area measuring a total of 1529m2. - The lighthouse be a 27,99m high monopole. - The monopole will be supported by strip concrete foundation as per the geotechnical report attached within Appendix B. - The long-range beacon attached to the lighthouse will be powered by solar with municipal supply as back-up. These beacons will be mounted high up on a landing. - There will a source of fresh water - There will be no other facilities on site such as ablutions and meeting facilities. - The project will also include the upgrading of existing 200m gravel road to a 4m wide road.. This road will intersect the Anglers Road running near the site. - All stormwater from the site will be directed into the stormwater channels along the new upgraded portion of road. Stormwater channels will connect into the exiting stormwater system of Anglers Road. The land use surrounding the project area include horse stables, sports fields and a dirt road heading towards the beach. The entire site has been classified as a critically endangered ecosystem type listed in terms of section 52 of the NEMBA, namely Kwambonambi Dune Forest. The entire site will be cleared to allow for the construction of the lighthouse and such a total area of 1529m2 will be cleared within this ecosystem type. Therefore, an environmental authorisation is required prior to construction commencing on site. Please note as forest will be impacted on the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has been contacted whereby it will be determined by official from this Department if a permit is required to remove forest vegetation. As per Section 78 of the National Ports Act (Act 12 of 2005), The Authority (Transnet National Ports Authority) must operate and maintain lighthouses and other navigational aids under its control in terms of standards determined by the South African Maritime Safety Authority in order to assist the navigation of vessels within port limits and along the coast of the Republic. Therefore, Transnet National Ports Authority is responsible for the provision, operation and maintenance of a lighthouse to service the Richards Bay port. Therefore, the construction of the new lighthouse will have a positive impact on local maritime navigation which is a legislated requirement.