Introduction
There is a concern that alternatives have not been adequately investigated. These alternatives include the no-go option, and alternative alignments. The Southern Greenfields - sector 1 alignment is in an extremely important environmental habitat of the Cape Flats. The proximity of the proposed Road to the important Nature Reserves with broader business plans, Wetlands and potential eco-tourist destinations will seriously jeopardize and impact on these core businesses.
Public participation and Social issues
The attendance figures of all previous public meetings suggest that the system and methods of advertising are not reaching the 'ordinary persons' of Cape Town. It is evident when speaking to the 'ordinary person' in the Cape Metropolitan area that they are unaware of this proposal.
On a political level - if the electorate have not been consulted or participated in this process and are opposed to the Toll Road, it could be embarrassing for the Regional and National Governments. The new dispensation requires that all decision-making be inclusive and participative.
Have the broader poorer communities had a fair chance to consider the importance of this proposal and voice their comments? They have to pay the same price for food and any other goods purchased, which are transported into the Cape Metropolitan area.
Loss of potential opportunities in False Bay Ecology Park (FBEP)
From a socio-economic perspective, the presence of a major road through the middle, of the FBEP- (Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei, Cape Flats Waste Water Works, Muizenberg Landfill site and the adjoining CAFDA property) will significantly negatively impact on the 'wilderness experience' the area affords and thereby impacts on its recreational, educational, physiological and psychological amenity value. The need for quiet, peaceful natural environments within an urban context, is great and all the more so in areas where access to quality open spaces is limited. The value of natural areas from a physical and psychological perspective must not be underrated.
The FBEP provides this opportunity for the many people in close proximity to have access to such an environment. The road will impact on this experience and reduce the opportunities it affords to the communities for economic and social upliftment. The road will be in close proximity to the eco-village and camping area, the viability thereof being affected, which in turn will impact significantly on the viability of the FBEP as a whole in its objective to become as financially self-sustaining as possible.
The Cape Waste Water Works is regarded as the 5th most important birding site in South Africa. It presently attracts many foreign tourists, as groups and individuals. The Tourist potential is untapped and is being presently marketed by a number of Companies. Eco-tourism activities and facilities will provide for much needed job opportunities, particularly for local communities.
The proposed road is likely to severely compromise the integrity of the FBEP. It will effectively bisect the Park, thereby severely impacting on biodiversity, the activities and infrastructure proposed in terms of the FBEP Development and Action Plan (December 2001).
Light pollution and noise pollution can be anticipated to be major impacts - both to humans and fauna, especially avifauna. Birds are particularly sensitive to environmental influences and changes, and being mobile, may elect to relocate from areas of disturbance. Many species are migratory. What impact would the road have on these birds, which arrive annually from the northern hemisphere? This proposal would affect some of the world migratory populations of birds. The quantitative impact of the proposed road on all the bird populations is of great concern, and it is urged that the precautionary principle be applied when dealing with this impact.
Many studies worldwide have pointed to the significant adverse impacts of new roads on bird and fauna populations.
Zandvlei Nature Reserve
The height profile (road surface above ground level) of the proposed road on the northern boundary of the Zandvlei Nature Reserve where it would have to cross the Keysers River and the railway line would be visible in Muizenberg, Lakeside and the Marina da Gama to the south, Retreat and Kirstenhof in the north and west. The visual, road light, noise and air pollution disturbance would have an enormous impact. The immediate residents in Norfolk Park, Coniston Park, Zerilda Park, Lavender Hill, Seawinds, Vrygrond and Marina da Gama would have diminished quality of lifestyle and property values. The noise would be accentuated being so close to the very large water bodies in the vicinity. The strong prevailing winds would also carry the sound and air pollution great distances.
This would probably spell the end of the terrestrial part of the Nature Reserve, established in 1977. The Environmental Education Centre would not be viable to the local schools (about 2000 children per annum and increasing) as they would have access problems and the noise and visual disturbance with the added pollution would detract from the present quiet undisturbed Nature experience. Many of these children need this experience to cope with the social situation they find themselves in. Also they are in walking distance to the Reserve. The Environmental Centre is less than 70 meters from the road alignment. The northern water pans in the Reserve are less than 80 meters from the proposed road alignment. The road would also isolate the very successful Langevlei Wetlands Development from the Nature Reserve and this Education facility would be lost.
The present Road reserve has nearly 20 plant types that don't occur in the Nature Reserve and this additional habitat would help to make the Nature Reserve more viable long term for the sustainable Education and recreation programmes presently undertaken.
The Greater Zandvlei Estuary Reserve proposal is in an advanced stage, this to manage the viable identified land and water components in and around the Zandvlei Estuary.
Conclusion
The Cape Bird Club remains opposed to the Southern Greenfields - sector 1. This due to the extreme environmental damage anticipated during the construction and operation of the proposed road, the environmental damage caused by the loss of unique habitat and the loss of future opportunities for the area. Also, as stated in all previous correspondence on this matter.
As this proposal is an unsolicited bid, a further suggestion that the Developers and SANRAL revise their agreement and go back to the National Minister of Transport and re-think the revenue collection process and system. The tax from the fuel levy already covers the construction and maintenance of all National Roads (or should do so). This form of taxation is also recognised as a most efficient form of tax collection.
This potential double form of taxation (fuel and toll tax) will only escalate the inflation rate in the Western Cape as all business and transportation costs will be added to the already unaffordable cost of living for the majority of our Cape Metropolitan population.
Yours sincerely,
Gavin Lawson
CBC Conservation Committee.