From: Doretha Kotze Sent: Monday, 12 April 2021 12:40 PM To: Hlengile Cc: WCDM Correspondence Subject: West Coast District Municipality Comments: Part 2 Amendment Application Soventix SEF Ref: 13/2/12/3/1 Sir I refer to your email of 9 March 2021 and the Part 2 Amendment Application to the Environmental Authorisations for the Soventix Solar Energy Facility on Farms 183 and 190, Division Malmesbury, Saldanha Bay Municipality. 1. Even though Environmental Authorisation has been obtained for the Soventix SEF, the West Coast District Municipality has serious concerns about the development. See extract (in green) of the WCDM’s comment on the Draft Scoping Report (letter dated 10 November 2011) for the initial proposal encompassing Farms 183, 190, 194 and portions of Farm 195. 2. 1. The Saldanha Bay area, particularly the area around the harbour, has been earmarked for industrial purposes. Renewable energy projects will provide important supporting infrastructure to supply much needed electricity to current and future industries. The West Coast District Municipality (WCDM) supports renewable energy developments, provided it is appropriately located, not only in terms of renewable resources, biodiversity and compatibility with surrounding land uses, but also in terms of the impact on tourism resources in an area. 2. The West Coast District Municipality does not support the proposed facility in this specific location. The proposed development will be situated at the ‘main entrance’ (R27) to Langebaan, considered an important tourist destination on the West Coast. The highly visible structures of a photovoltaic facility will have a negative impact on the character, sense of place and consequently, the tourism potential of Langebaan and the West Coast National Park. The WCDM is of the opinion that these facilities should be located closer to the proposed industrial area which, to some extent, already has an industrial character. 3. According to Cape Nature’s Critical Biodiversity Map for the area, portions of the proposed site are considered CBA’s. Although this is refuted by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner, care should be taken to conserve biodiversity. The following comments are provided on the Part 2 Amendment Application: All legislative and regulatory requirements must be met, including- a. The requisite Air Emissions License and b. Approval from the Saldanha Bay Municipality in terms of the Saldanha Bay Municipal Bylaw on Land Use Planning. Regards D o r e t h a K o t z e Stads- en Streekbeplanner/Town and Regional Planner Weskus Distriksmunisipaliteit Langstraat 58 Long Street Posbus 242 PO Box MOORREESBURG 7310 Tel: 022 433 8523 West Coast District Municipality From: Hlengile [mailto:hlengile@ecoleges.co.za] Sent: 09 March 2021 03:23 PM To: travesh.ramkhelawan@arcelormittal.com; terrence.wilson@arcelomittal.com; heinrich.mettler@sbm.gov.za; benice.rossouw@sbm.gov.za; elza.smith@sbm.gov.za; Townplanning@sbm.gov.za; Gary.Tomlinson@sbm.gov.za; Nazeema.Duarte@sbm.gov.za; Gavin.Williams@sbm.gov.za; Junius.Minnaar@sbm.gov.za; Quintin.Williams@sbm.gov.za; dries.venter@sbm.gov.za; Eventhia.vaughan@sbm.gov.za; wimpie.america@sbm.gov.za; David Joubert; WCDM Correspondence; Doretha Kotze; Charles J Malherbe; Adri.Lameyer@westerncape.gov.za; danielsd@dws.gov.za; mwheeler@capenature.co.za; iadams@capenature.co.za; melanese.schippers@pgwc.gov.za; brandonl@elsenburg.com; Jandre.Bakker@wc.gov.za; thandoNd@daff.gov.za; CMusemburi@environment.gov.za; AEssop@environment.gov.za; MRabothata@environment.gov.za; tsekonko@environment.gov.za; amaifo@environment.gov.za; jacokotzelangebaan@gmail.com; Ceoheritage@westerncape.gov.za; Colette.Scheermeyer@westerncape.gov.za; Waseefa.Dhansay@westerncape.gov.za; ThabetheT@caa.co.za; info@birdlife.org.za; info@capebiosphere.co.za; aubrey.fourie@pamgolding.co.za; keithhbharrison@lando.co.za; pjh@fossilpark.org.za; deon@vula.biz; pa@vula.biz; PierreN@sanparks.org; wyngaajo@eskom.co.za; russell@gvj.co.za; hr@gvj.co.za; lance@tiedt.me; nicolaas@enviro-eap.co.za; dmouton@knightpiesold.com; naturaviva@universe.co.za; htheron@eceng.co.za; nicwiltshire@gmail.com; info@leapsd.co.za; arcon@megaserve.net; acrm@wcaccess.co.za Cc: 'Jean-Paul de Villiers - Soventix SA PTY Ltd.'; 'Justin Bowers' Subject: Submission of the Part 2 Amendment Application Motivation Reports - 12/12/20/2126/AM6 and 12/12/20/2126/1/AM6 Importance: High Good afternoon Registered I&AP, SUBMISSION OF PART 2 AMENDMENT APPLICATION MOTIVATION REPORTS PART 2 AMENDMENT APPLICATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 100MW COMMERCIAL SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, ON FARM WASCHKLIP 183, (SOVENTIX SA SALDANHA 1(SS1)) AND FARM EVERTS HOPE 190, (SOVENTIX SA SALDANHA 2 (SS2)), NEAR LANGEBAAN, WITHIN THE SALDANHA BAY DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE. Ecoleges, on behalf of Soventix South Africa (Pty) Ltd, hereby submits the Motivational Reports (in the below Login Details) for your review and comment in terms of Regulation 32 of the EIA Regulations, 2014. In terms of Regulation 32 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 and the approved Public Participation Plan, the EAP must give registered I&APs access to, and an opportunity to comment on the report in writing. Should you have any comments please submit them directly to Ecoleges, represented by Justin Bowers (justin@ecoleges.co.za – 082 451 5608) and/or Hlengile Mtsweni (hlengile@ecoleges.co.za – 083 644 7179). Please note that the 30day Public Participation Process (PPP) period officially starts today and you have until 12 April 2021 to comment. Please be advised that the reports and appendices are available for your review (in a folder named “SS1 and SS2 Part 2 EA Amendment Motivational Reports”) from the Ecoleges website (www.ecoleges.co.za) by clicking on the “I&AP Area” icon and using the details below. Login Details Username: SS1 and SS2 Part 2 EA Amendment Motivational Reports Password: 0!3n&ov5x@hkRb&vD97VL9gq Do not hesitate to contact me should you have queries and/or concerns. Kind Regards, Hlengile Mtsweni (N Dip, Env. Sci.) Environmental Consultant “Empowering South Africans to make environmentally responsible decisions” Follow us on: Ecoleges Environmental Consultants Address: No. 2 Generaal Street, Machadodorp (eNtokozweni), 1170 Postal: PO Box 516, Machadodorp, 1170 PO Box 9005, Nelspruit, 1200 Mobile: +27 (0)83 644 7179 Fax: 086 697 9316 Email: hlengile@ecoleges.co.za Website: www.ecoleges.co.za Disclaimer: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. Warning: Although Ecoleges Environmental Consultants has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, Ecoleges Environmental Consultants cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email or attachments. Disclaimer The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more Click Here.