Heritage Cases

INTRODUCTION Newcastle Local Municipality has appointed UDIDI Environmental, Planning and Development Consultants to undertake the Basic Environmental Assessment for the proposed extension of the Muslim Cemetery in Newcastle. The site is bounded on the north by a railway line, on the east by Ni-Da Transport, on the west by an existing cemetery site and on the south by Falkirk Street. Extending the Muslim Cemetery will ensure that there is capacity to address the demand for additional burial space at least for the very near future. PROJECT BACKGROUND The motivation for the development is in response to the apparent demand for burial ground, as the existing cemetery has almost reached its capacity. This new proposed site is approximately 1,136 hectares in extent. It is important to respect and recognise every possible cultural and religious requirements regarding burial, as it is within the Muslim religion that the deceased be buried as quickly as possible, this making it urgent to speed the process of the extension of this burial site. This site is currently undeveloped and the major portion of the site is currently covered by concrete slabs, bricks, soil material and other refuse as a result of illegal dumping in the area. Therefore; there are currently no significant biodiversity features present and the proposed activity will not cause any further degradation to the site. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The development include the following components:  Surfaced access road  Ablution facilities  Water supply  Electricity supply  Fencing around the site  Security gate The site will need to be cleared of construction rubble and debris, it will then be levelled and landscaped in preparation for the development including associated infrastructure. A Municipal cemetery operator or manager will be appointed to manage the cemetery staff; check/service the excavator; inspect work undertaken on site; and maintain a true register of all burials in the cemetery. The following informants were considered upon formulation of the development proposal: hydrological and geotechnical opportunities and constraints (slope); existing infrastructure; adjacent development; economic feasibility and legislative requirements.