PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT FOR THE RETURN …projects.gibb.co.za/Portals/3/projects/200903...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING PHASE

BANTAMSKLIP TRANSMISSION LINES AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE

ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/CONCERNS AND COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS RAISED BY

INTERESTED AND/OR AFFECTED PARTIES

March 2009

Stakeholders who contributed issues range across all sectors of society. A full record of every issue raised is available from the public participation offices. Many stakeholders raised the same issue. This list of issues does not focus solely on a specific route corridor or alternative. Instead, it lists all the issues raised by I&APs throughout the study area. In many instances, an issue raised about a particular alternative, is also applicable to other alternatives.

The issues have been arranged into groups of similar issues, and are listed in each group more or less in the order in which they were received. The name, affiliation and date of the commentator are also indicated. The affiliation, where indicated, of the person who raised the comment is indicated; as it was at the time the comment was raised. The issues raised by technical specialists and the project proponents are not included in the list below. Comments made during public meetings are however, included, as well as comments received in languages other than English.

In the event that additional documentation is refered to be a stakeholder in the table below, this documentation can be provided on request.

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INDEX TO ISSUES IN THIS TABLE

1. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.........................................................12. IMPACTS ON FAUNA AND FLORA.............................................................133. IMPACTS ON AVIFAUNA.........................................................................204. IMPACTS ON FRESHWATER / WETLANDS...................................................255. GENERAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS..........................................266. LAND AND PROPERTY VALUE IMPACTS.....................................................297. IMPACTS ON BUSINESSES & AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES..............................348. IMPACTS ON NEW OR PROPOSED PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS..........................629. LAND CAPABILITY AND AGRICULTURAL AREAS..........................................6410. IMPACTS ON TOURISM...........................................................................6611. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND HUMAN HEALTH.......................................8112. VISUAL IMPACTS..................................................................................8613. SENSE OF PLACE IMPACTS...................................................................10114. HISTORICAL SITES..............................................................................10615. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALAEONTOLOGICAL SITES.................................10816. IMPACTS ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURES..............................................10917. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SKILLS TRANSFER..............................11318. ESKOM’S PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY....................11419. LAND RIGHTS & COMPENSATION...........................................................11520. SAFETY, SECURITY & CRIME.................................................................12121. FIRE HAZARDS...................................................................................12322. EXISTING ESKOM POWER LINES............................................................12423. TECHNICAL QUERIES AND COMMENTS....................................................12724. CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS....................................................................13025. MAITENANCE IMPACTS AND SERVITUDE MANAGEMENT..............................13426. HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES........................................13727. PROPOSED ALIGNMENTS AND ALIGNMENT RECOMMENDATIONS..................13728. FUNDING, PLANNING, & GOVERNMENT POLICIES & REGULATIONS.................15029. EIA PROCESS....................................................................................15830. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS (PPP)..................................................16831. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)...........................................18232. SPECIALIST STUDIES...........................................................................18333. NUCLEAR 1 EIA COMMENTS AND ISSUES.................................................18534. GENERAL COMMENTS & ISSUES.........................................................................190

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Issue/Comment Raised By Response

1. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

SCOPING PHASE - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

Major impact upon threatened habitats for red data species. Potential loss of species. Loss of fynbos cover outside of transmission line reserve.

Rob Fryer, Manager, Overstrand Conservation Foundation (OCF), Hermanus, Fax 2008/8/13

Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for both faunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed faunal and floral studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

Reference: Chapter 10 and Chapter 12

One of the proposed routes passes through Hermanus. If it follows the existing Eskom lines, it will probably impinge on the Fernkloof Nature Reserve where there are two existing lines.

Lee Burman, Hermanus Botanical Society. Post 2008/8/28

The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked.


Loss/disturbance of habitats for birds, plants and animals. Disruption of wetlands. Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13;

AJ Scheuble, Elandskloof Boerdery, Napier, Fax 2008/9/28;

Jurgen Wohlfarter, Simoskloof, Mantagu, Fax 2008/10/2;

FB Prati, The Berrio Wines, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/3

Specialist input on Avifauna, Fauna and Flora has been included in the Scoping study and detailed investigations on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

The need for a wetland study was identified during the scoping phase and will be undertaken in detail during the EIA process.


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The plan shows the possible routes for the transmission lines radiating in all directions from what is a relatively remote and unspoilt part of the Overberg. Once away from the coast the hinterland is cut off by many layers of limestone and TMS hills and mountains supporting an impressive variety of fynbos species. Besides the coastal plain, these hills and valleys are part of the Cape Flora Kingdom and play a very important part in the local tourism industry.

Michael & Cecelia Ravenscroft, Hermanus, Email, 2008/8/18

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase including both faunal and floral aspects. Detailed faunal and floral studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

The need for an Environmental Resource Economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be undertaken in detail during the EIA process. This study will cover issues surrounding tourism potential in the area.


The mountain land, which forms the backdrop to Bot River, is part of the Groenlandberg Conservancy, the Green Mountain Eco Route (the first biodiversity and Wine Route in the world) and falls within the Kogelberg Biosphere.

Jane Beaumont, Crimson King Prop 111(Pty) Ltd, Bot River, Fax 2008/8/27

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase including both faunal, floral and agricultural aspects. Detailed faunal, floral and agricultural studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


Development should go ahead, but be environmentally sensitive and as visually sensitive as possible.

Stephen Dumont, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/27

This comment has been noted. It can be noted that a detailed visual impact assessment will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

Reference: Chapter 12

We are registered as Heidehof Provincial Nature Reserve, and it is forbidden to erect powerlines on this property. Please refer to attachment for a listing of flora and fauna and environmental factors of concern.

Mathia & Walter Schwegler, Heidehof Provincial Nature Reserve and Green Flag Hiking Trail, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/29



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It is going to impact very heavily on tourism and conservation in what is a beautiful, unspoilt area at the moment.

Howard Krut, African Horse Company, Stanford, Fax 2008/9/10

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

The need for an Environmental Resource Economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be undertaken in detail during the EIA process. This study will cover issues surrounding tourism potential in the area.


The power lines will impact nature. Pieter Fouche, Graham Beck Wines Robertson, Email 2008/9/16;

AJ Scheuble, Boerdery, Elandkloof Napier, Email 2008/9/29;

Koos Reyneke, Pearly Beach, Email 2008/10/8;

BHA Beukes, Caledon Noord Landbou Vereniging, Fax 2008/10/29



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As concerned farmers and landowners on the Bacchus Alt Route 3 our comments are specifically related to the area highlighted on the attached MAP with reference to the proposed Eskom transmission line route Bantamsklip – Bacchus Alt 3. In APPENDIX 1 we have listed the properties affected by the above route and the birds, mammals, reptiles and endangered flora that have been recorded on these properties, which should mostly be self explanatory, thus keeping the comments below to a minimum.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:The highlighted area on the map and far beyond is still mostly undisturbed thus retaining most of the indigenous natural features of the area in a pristine condition. The area is part of the fynbos biome, in which several red data species have been recorded (see Appendix 1). The area is a haven for birds, mammals and reptiles (see Appendix 1). Taking into consideration the above we feel that to erect this transmission line route would:

Disturb or destroy many vulnerable plant species. It is estimated there are some 2,500 in the area of the Overberg;

Create problems for the large birds of the area with the risk of flying into the lines.

Disturb or destroy home ranges or territories of various mammals.

Some of us will be impacted by the transmission lines crossing our properties and others by its visual impact. The area as a whole is of great scenic and environmental beauty and it will be a travesty to scar this vista with the transmission lines.

It is one of the few remaining areas in the Western Cape that has limited human impact and has been able to retain its rural aspect. This in part has been the result of the efforts of some landowners by:

voluntary conservancy agreements with Cape Nature, eco-tourism farms, and clearing of alien vegetation in an ongoing effort to preserve the fynbos.

Amanda Jepson & Charl Laubscher, Victor & Kim Breach, Mike & Jan Gafney, Oscar & Mariette Nicholson, Albert & Helena Swart, landowners, Tierfontein/Pearly Beach, Email 2008/10/3

Thank you for you submission of this information it will be forwarded to the relevant specialist team members for their consideration.

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for faunal, floral, avifaunal, visual, agricultural and social aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies focusing on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

It should be noted that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments.

In addition to the investigation of alternative corridors, the final alignment as authorised by DEAT would be subject to a walkdown of the exact pole positions by the avifauna, fauna, flora, heritage and visual specialists. This activity is commonly undertaken prior to the construction phase.

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 10 and Chapter 12

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Please make a note that some of these pylons are smack in a 45 000 hectare prime conservation area as well as in the NuweJaar Wetlands a 22 000 hectare irreplaceable wetlands system.

Anita Verwey, Black Oystercatcher Wines, Bredasdorp District, Email 2008/10/13

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for faunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase.

The need for a wetland study was further identified during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.

This information will be communicated to the faunal, floral and wetlands specialists.


The cross lines cross registered conservancies. Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16



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The farm 215 reserve is a rare sanctuary for hundreds of different plant species (including more than 40 red data species), an important local catchment area, an essential meeting place of different vegetation types and a habitat for numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects, several of which are categorized as red data species. (www.fynbos.sa.com, the website of farm 215 dedicated to the natural features of the reserve).

There are an estimated 1000 different plant species in the reserve of farm 215. The reserve is a mosaic of different soil types and habitats and as a consequence there are various extremely sensitive areas. The list of red data species occurring in the reserve has not been completed, but there are in any case over 40 red data species including “critically rare” and “endangered” species. The route also crosses the only known distribution area of the Aloe juddii, an aloe described in 2007 and restricted to the reserve of farm 215 and neighbouring properties. The reserve is an essential mountain catchment area and the production of fresh water from this catchment has been greatly enhanced as a result of the program to clear the reserve from alien vegetation. The reserve is a refuge and breeding grounds for numerous animals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and insects, including nesting sites of the Black harrier, Cape eagle owl, Blue crane, habitats of the Western leopard toad, Rose’s toad and Southern adder, Klipspringer and 5 other antelope species, overnight sites of healthy troops of baboons, etc, etc.

It can be argued that the footprint of pylons is restricted and that as a consequence any damage to the natural features and integrity of the land is mitigated. However in the case of farm 215, this argument cannot hold water for the following reasons: The route of the proposed power line follows a rough landscape, which is difficult

to access (deep and steep kloofs, wetlands, high contours). Access roads are not available and can only be created by doing extreme damage and expose the land to notable erosion (the same applies for access roads for maintenance).

The route of the power line goes over several very sensitive spots (pockets of red data species, marshes, kloofs with indigenous forests). This, in combination with the difficult nature of the land leads to the conclusion that it will be unavoidable to erect a number of pylons right on top of very sensitive spots.

Undisturbed and pristine nature is an essential ingredient of the tourism operations of farm 215. The pristine nature and natural integrity of the land will be highly impacted indirectly and it will be unavoidable that certain species (including red data species) will become locally extinct.

All the vegetation within the corridor is pristine. The argument that nature will benefit because alien vegetation will be cleared under the power line cannot be made. (Please refer to document for full detail.)

Maarten Groos, farm 215 – nature retreat & fynbos reserve, Gansbaai, Email 2008/10/28

Thank you for providing us with this information regarding your farm.

The website address and associated information has been forwarded to the relevant specialists.

Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for faunal, avifaunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed faunal, avifaunal and floral studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.


The need for an Environmental Resource Economic study was also identified during the scoping phase and will be undertaken in detail during the EIA process. This study will cover issues surrounding tourism potential in the area.

The EIA will investigate the impacts associated not only with the power lines and the tower structures but will also include associated infrastructure such as access roads and substation etc. This holistic assessment will guide the choice of final alignment.


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http://www.fynbos.sa.com/


Goedvertrouw Boerdery - Stanford Indigenous Forest

There are two kloofs at the back of the opstal, Huis se Kloof and Houtboskloof (marked as such on the attached map). We have commissioned a botanist to identify the indigenous tree species in these kloof’s as well as in other kloof’s in the vicinity. A list of the species identified is attached. Both the abovementioned kloofs are infested with alien poplar trees and we have started removing all the poplars but in the process not doing damage to indigenous trees. This has been a very costly exercise. We have also started replanting indigenous species but limited to those that has been identified having occurred there originally. The rehabilitation of Huis se kloof is almost complete while work in Houtboskloof only commenced recently. The objective is to restore these indigenous forests to its original glory.

The corridor of Alternative Route # 2 passes through these kloofs almost at a 90-degree angle (see the attached map).

Geology and Botany

The fynbos on Goedvertrouw is mainly Overberg Sandstone Fynbos with large patches of Elim Ferricrete and Agulhas Limestone Fynbos. Parts of Paardekloof where a shale band occurs have Western Coastal Shale Band vegetation. There is a number of limestone outcrops (koppies) on the farm (most of them fall within the route #2 corridor) were particularly interesting species of Erica occurs. We are busy identifying all the fynbos species on the farm together with a photographic documentation. Although we are amateur botanists we make use of the experts at Kirstenbosch and the Grootbos Nature Reserve on our doorstep. To date we have identified a number of species classified as “endangered” and “vulnerable” in the 2007 interim red data list. A summary of the species is attached as Attachment Two. A major wetland called Grootvlei in the Uilkraals River is also part of Goedvertrouw. The vegetation in the vlei consists mainly of Fluitjiesriet (Phragmites) but also include large patches of Palmiet (Prionium). Grootvlei floods every winter providing expansive green pastures through the summer months on the fringes and islands of the wetlands. To construct the power lines in the Alternative #2 corridor over Goedvertrouw will be an environmental disaster.

The wetland supports a large variety of bird species. A list of some of the most important bird species occurring on Goedvertrouw is attached as Attachment 3. The corridor of alternative route #2 of the Bantamsklip-Bacchus power line passes over the mouth of Grootvlei.

May de Villiers, Goedvertrouw Boerdery, Stanford, Email 8/10/31

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies focusing on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


In addition to the investigation of alternative corridors, the final preferred alignment will be subject to a walkdown of the exact pole positions by the avifauna, fauna, flora, heritage and visual specialists. This activity is commonly undertaken post – ROD and prior to the construction phase.




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Power lines influence on the Breede River ecology of area. Nick Scholtz, Lower Breede River Conservancy, Witsand, Fax 2008/11/7

Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for faunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. The need for a wetland study was further identified during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.


Unnecessary disruption of nature and animals. Gert de Wet, GVA Boerdery, Caledon, Fax 2008/11/11

This comment has been noted. The need and justification as well as the environmental impact of this project is part of this investigation.


We hereby wish to reiterate our concerns expressed to you in our email dated 13th

August 2008. As indicated, we are trying to establish a bird sanctuary for tourist purposes on the Uikraals Estuary, 5 kms of which passes directly through our property. The estuary is surrounded by extremely sensitive saltmarsh wetlands.

The area is home to over 100 species of birds including large migratory birds, such as Osprey, Greater Flamingo and Blue Cranes. As Eskom knows these larger birds are more than often fatal victims to their power lines.

Your Bacchus Alt 1 and Bacchus Alt 2 would lie directly north of our sanctuary, right in their flight path. We would therefore like to express our strong objection to these two routes.

Robin Willmont, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Hout Bay, Fax 2008/11/20

Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for avifaunal aspects during the scoping phase. A detailed avifauna study will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


This information will be communicated to the relevant specialists.


There is a perennial water fountain (pan) on the farm, one of very few in the area where over 200 Blue Cranes roost at night throughout the year. The pan is indicated on the map. Pylons and power lines will have a serious impact on these birds coming to roost.

SR Sauer, De Doorns Farm NR5, Buffeljagsrivier, Email 2008/12/5

Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for avifaunal aspects during the scoping phase. A detailed avifauna study will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


This information will be communicated to the relevant specialists.


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PRE SCOPING PHASE – MEETINGS

Please review Slingby’s Fynbos Road Map (www.themaps.co.za), which highlights some of the flora, including endangered and endemic, bird habitats, parks, conservancies, wetlands, etc. in the area. These treasured resources exist across the area on both private and public land.

Erye, Gillian and Maarten Groos, landowners, Gansbaai, Interview 2008/09/01

Thank you for this information. It will be communicated to the relevant specialist team members.

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.


Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 follows limestone outcroppings renowned for their endangered flora. It also crosses wetlands, nature reserve, and the Agulhas Plains Initiative (a biodiversity and nature conservation project).

Stanford Community Members, Interview, 2008/9/2

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for floral, faunal and avifauna aspects during the scoping phase.

The need for a wetland study was further identified during the scoping phase.

Detailed studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


The area is habitat for the endangered Black Eagle and for the River Hare. Also, some private reserves in the area have conducted wildlife studies, as has the University of Stellenbosch.

Councillor Januarie, Ward 1 Breede Valley Municipality, Touwsrivier, Meeting 2008/9/3




The Agulhas area is a biodiversity and environmental ‘hotspot’. This has been documented. Please contact Mr Carinus at the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative for further information.

Tertius Carinus of SANParks / Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI), Bredasdorp, Interview, 2008/9/4




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http://www.themaps.co.za/


On behalf of SANParks and the Special Management Areas, Ettiene Fourie does not support any line out of Bantamsklip except due north, which would be the most direct route and would not impact tourism as much.

Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15

This comment has been noted. A detailed analysis of the preferred transmission line corridors will be undertaken during the EIA phase utilising accepted impact assessment methodology and utilising combined specialist input.

Reference: Chapter 12 Section 12.5

Some landowners have experienced storms blowing off a power line, putting all animals and other living creatures in danger (electrocution) due to the potential of live power line touching wetlands/ marshlands. Will Eskom provide safety netting so that it does not happen? Electricity does not mix with water (area is flooded wetlands).


Eskom Response:Transmission power lines are built according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which reinforces mechanical and electrical designing of the structures. Therefore, the power lines are safe and will not have risk on agricultural practices.


The lines will provide birds with an unnatural advantage. Birds will sit on the lines and then will dive down on animals and impact their populations.


This comment has been noted. Detailed avifauna and fauna investigations will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


This project could interfere with the Robertson Trust Area (nature conservancy). Vinkrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Robertson, Meeting, 2008/10/16

This comment has been noted. The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


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For environmental conservation, it is an intricate process to get stewardship sites from landowners. The lines will make the whole process even more difficult, as they will take away from the intrinsic value of farms and the conservancy.

Deon Rossow, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

This comment has been noted.


Eskom Response:Eskom Transmission constructs and maintains their powerlines according to environmental management plans. These plans are draft from conditions arising from the EIA process as well as land owner requests.

Reference: Chapter 11 and 12

Mr Frank Turner and others have identified 14 red data listed plants in this area and this is the only indigenous habitat for the geometric tortoise (Suurpootjie). Also, experience has shown that it takes 4 days, with the use of helicopters, to stop unplanned fires. The power lines are a great risk of increased fire hazard with potential catastrophic results.

Mike Greggor, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for faunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.

Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programs where areas of high fire potential are identified and early warning maintenance is planned.


Please see documentation attached to minutes that lists fauna, flora and avifauna, including protected species, identified on the Vrolikheid Nature Reserve, which is a tourist drawing card for the area and is located just outside of McGregor. The Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 & 2 corridor crosses the nature reserve.

McGregors Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29

This information will be communicated to the faunal, avifaunal and floral specialists.

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for faunal, avifaunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.


There are many Blue Cranes and Fish Eagles breeding pairs as well as a nature reserve with a wide variety of game species in this area.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members, (Applesdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30

This comment has been noted. Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for faunal and avifaunal aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.


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This area is the pristine natural habitat for fauna and flora and is the natural breeding habitat of the Blue Crane.

Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30

This comment has been noted. Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for faunal, avifaunal and floral aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.


Once the protected natural environment is disturbed, it is lost forever and cannot be restored.

Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30

This comment has been noted. This EIA will be undertaken taking the NEMA principles for Sustainable Development into account which includes a precautionary approach to development.


The lines pose a fire risk that could damage fynbos irreparably. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30

Eskom Response: Transmission lines are earthed for lightening and will not be a fire hazard.

Reference: Not applicable in current phase

Nick Helme has done an assessment on red data species in this region, which should be referred to for the EIA.


This comment has been noted. Nick Helme is the appointed flora specialist for this EIA process and will be undertaking a detailed flora assessment in the EIA phase.

Reference: Table 12.8 in Chapter 12

There is no place in this area [Overberg / Agulhas Plain] to put up transmission lines that would not qualify as an environmental disaster.

ABI / OICG & Community Members Meeting 2008/11/07

This comment has been noted. The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase. The impacts associated with the alternatives (and the significance of such impacts) will be assessed during the EIA phase.


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Proposed lines traverse critically endangered areas that must be avoided at all costs. You can’t mitigate destroying a critically endangered area.

Regarding fire hazards to sensitive vegetation, climatic changes are inevitable and are currently occurring [that is, increasing ambient temperatures], [plus the increased hazard from the lines’ potential sparking], how is Eskom taking this into account?

No matter where the lines go, they will have a major ecological effect. There are no routes that would not cross over irreplaceable vegetation or conservation area of varying legal status. Hot spots would still be the Hagelskraal limestone, the Salmosdam area, the northern slopes of the Akadisberg and the transition soils in-between limestone's, conglomerates and sandstones along the way.


The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises for faunal and floral aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies and assessments of impacts will be carried out during the EIA phase.


Eskom Response:Transmission are earthed for lightening and will not be a fire hazard

Reference: Chapter 3, Chpater 5, Chapter 10 and Chapter 12

2. IMPACTS ON FAUNA AND FLORA

SCOPING PHASE - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCEThe Agulhas Plain contains irreplaceable vegetation habitats. Rory Allardice, OICG; ABIOC;

GRAA, Bredasdorp, Post 2008/9/11Sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for floral aspects. Detailed floral studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase. The choice of final route alignment will be informed by the results of the specialist studies.


The power lines would be a disaster for an area so rich in flora and fauna, especially as there are many people working very hard to conserve this area’s natural habitat, because the area is a little off the beaten track there is little development which has allowed the flora and fauna to florish.

Victor and Kim Breach, Farm 51, Tierfontein Voluntary Conservancy, Gansbaai, Email 2008/8/15

Sensitivity mapping exercises for faunal and floral aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.


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It would appear that one of your proposed routes cuts directly through our Platbos Indigenous Forest. This would clearly have a dramatic impact on this unique, ancient, relic forest. With less than 0.05% of the Western Cape land area being covered by indigenous forest, it is fair to say that this is a rare and highly valuable ecosystem-both environmentally and economically (tourism).

This forest is protected under the auspices of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and home to an ancient Milkwood Tree…As a protected forest, it is prohibited to cut, remove or damage any of the trees found within its canopy.

Transporting, erecting and maintaining these pylons will have a huge impact on surrounding vegetation-much of which is extremely rare and sensitive. Alien seeds brought in with the sand and cement mix cause further infestations of alien thickets in pristine areas.

Threat of fire from faulty/ loose electrical cables: This is a real danger as homeowners in the Stanford and Hermanus areas can attest to. A further threat to the celebrated fynbos biome and Africa’s southernmost forest, Platbos. (Please see document for maps and further detail.)

Melissa Krige, Platbos Forest, Gansbaai, Post 2008/08/28

Sensitivity mapping exercises for floral issues were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.

It should be noted that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be affected by the final transmission line alignments.

The measures required to minimize impacts relating to alien vegetation invasion will be addressed by the flora specialist as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase and will be made available for public comment.

Eskom Response:Transmission lines are earthed for lightening and will not be a fire hazard.


Fynbos will be destroyed by the construction and maintenance of the lines. Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29

Sensitivity mapping exercises for floral issues were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.


The measures required to minimize impacts relating to flora will be addressed by the flora specialist as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase.


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Mammals and reptiles will have their habitats destroyed by the power lines and their construction and maintenance.

Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29

Sensitivity mapping exercises for faunal issues were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.


The measures required to minimize impacts relating to fauna will be addressed by the fauna specialist as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled (and released for public comment) during the EIA phase.


Goedvertrouw Boerdery is home to a number of red data species, Elime ferricrete soils and a large number of geophytes and the farm is cleared of all alien tree species. The indigenous forests of Huis se Kloof and Hotboskloof have been professionally surveyed by Euston-Brown(e). (See document for detail.) What about large areas of veld having to be cleared underneath the power lines?


Thank you for this information, the contents of which will be provided to the faunal and floral specialists. Sensitivity mapping exercises for faunal and floral aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.

The measures required to minimize impacts relating to flora and fauna will be addressed by the specialists as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Eskom will comply with vegetation management as described in the EMP in all areas where vegetation must be protected.


Nieuwedam Farms is home to many plant, animal and amphibian species, some of which are rare and/or threatened. (See document for detail.)

Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16

This comment has been noted. This information will be communicated to the faunal and floral specialists who will be undertaking detailed studies during the EIA phase.


15


The indigenous natural features of the Oververg are largely intact. Large tracts are pristine and undisturbed by alien vegetation, development or agricultural use. (See document for details and Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative map.)

The routes of the proposed power line alternatives follow the “edaphic interface”, where different soils and vegetation types meet and are essential for conservation of indigenous nature.

The area is a hotspot of endemism and red data species with the Cape Floral Kingdom (a World Heritage Site).

The area has a general sense of high conservation value with several tracts of land under active conservation, either as CapeNature Reserves or as private reserves, many of the latter being Voluntary Conservation Sites under the Cape Stewardship Program of CapeNature or having Biodiversity or Conservation Agreements with Cape Nature (the last agreement being the end-target of all Voluntary Conservation Sites, effectively giving the properties the same status as a provincial nature reserve).

Substantial public and private funds have been allocated to the eradication of alien invasive trees.

Erection of power lines will cause disinvestments and decline in future investment in conservation.

Conclusion: The proposed Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2 will undo the results of conservation efforts which have gained momentum in the last few years, uniquely so in the area in question and to a greater extent than elsewhere in the Western Cape. Due to the pristine and special natural features in the area in general, the environmental impact will be unacceptably high.

(Please see document for full details.)

Maarten Groos, farm 215 – nature retreat & fynbos reserve and the Overberg Fynbos Ecotourism Forum, Gansbaai, Email 2008/9/24

Thank you for the information, which will be provided to the faunal and floral specialists. The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase. A detailed assessment of all potential impacts will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

The measures required to minimize impacts relating to flora and fauna (including alien invasion) will be addressed by the specialists as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase.

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Eskom will comply with vegetation management as described in the EMP in all areas where vegetation must be protected.


The properties have a variety of game (160 Fallow Deer, 100 Springbuck, 14 Zebra, 34 Eland, 15 Vaal Riebok, 4 Ostriches, and 9 Bushbuck), wildlife (Bat Eared Foxes, Otters, Tortoises, Lynx, Porcupines, Baboons, Rabbits, Mongooses, Spotted Genets as well as rare frog species and many variety of insects), and a variety of Fynbos. (See document for detail.)

Oscar and Mariette Nicholson, Zecic Properties Pty Ltd (Kouderiver Farm and Stompieskloof Farm) and Dormell Properies Pty Ltd (Doornbosch Farm), Stanford, Email 2008/9/23

Your comment has been noted. This information will be communicated to the relevant specialist team members.


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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 goes straight through the bottom of Platbos Forest (5/701). Obviously this is a problem as no trees may be damaged or cut in any way.

Melissa Krige, Platbos Africa’s Southernmost Forest, Gansbaai, Email 2008/10/02

The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be affected by the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked.


Destruction of fynbos. Duncan Churchman, Breaview Farm, Grabouw, Fax 2008/10/2

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for floral aspects during the scoping phase. A detailed flora impact assessment will be carried out during the EIA process.


We strongly oppose the proposed Eskom line (alt 1), which is positioned, on our farm (RE 419). This is a natural fynbos area. Risk to vegetation, birds, fire hazard.

Lucy Delport, Kempsrivier Plase, Caledon, Fax 2008/10/3

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for floral, faunal and avifaunal aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.



Destruction of natural fauna and flora. Stephan Badenhorst, Helderfontein, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/16

Sensitivity mapping exercises were undertaken for floral and faunal aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA process.


Impacts to vegetation are not known. Francois Myburgh, Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai, Email 2008/10/23

The potential impacts on vegetation have been identified through a initial flora study undertaken during the scoping phase. These potential impacts will be investigated in more detail during the EIA phase. Reference: Chapter 9 and Chapter 12

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Die Herwin Trust besit ‘n deel van die oorblywend 4% van bedreigeh reonsterveld in die Kaap. Daarom is ons in die proses on dit te omskep in ‘n privaat natuurresevaat on dut te bewaar, Due gewekduge uitsig sonder mensgemaaket strukture maak dit ‘n gesogte plek vir die ontwikkeling vir toerisme. Kraglyne sal die waarde vir toerism aansienlik nadelig beinvloed.

Pieter-Jan Delport, Herwin Trust, Caledon, Fax 2008/1/5

Thank you for providing this information. Detailed flora studies will form part of the EIA phase.

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out during the EIA phase. This study will take tourism considerations into account.


This natural fynbos and mountainous area is a breeding ground for owls and other predatory birds and small wildlife. In June 2004 the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), which spans the eastern and western Cape, was declared to be of universal significance to humanity and was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site. The Boland Mountain Complex forms part of the CFR.

N & A Breed, La Folie farm 322 and 336, M & M Sprake-Jones, Eden farm 132, M & H Stoeltzing, Nartia farm, Wellington, Email 2008/11/07

The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.

Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.



The lines might impact fynbos in the area. How will this be addressed? Koo Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Koo Valley 2008/10/14


Detailed flora studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.

The measures required to minimize impacts relating to flora will be addressed by the specialists during the EIA phase as well as in the EMP for the construction and operational phases of the power lines. The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase.


Plans for the re–introduction of animal species will be negatively affected. Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15

This comment has been noted and the information will be passed on to the relevant specialist for their consideration in the EIA phase.


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There are only 200 hectares of naturally occurring Elim Fynbos remaining on earth. This tiny form of vegetation is destroyed once it is driven over. The power lines will mean a total eradication of this irreplaceable species.


The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternative route alignments should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.



Brandvlei Correctional Services recognises the importance of medicinal plants in the area and suggests that CapeNature be consulted regarding medicinal and endangered plants within the route alignments.

Brandvlei Correctional Services Meeting 2008/10/17

Your comment has been noted. CapeNature has been included on the Interested and Affected Parties Database and are being consulted on an ongoing basis to provide comments regarding the project as a whole.

Reference: Appendix F

This area is the only natural home to the Suurpoot skilpadjie / geometric tortoise. Oliphants LBV Focus Group Meeting, Worcester, 2008/10/29

Your comment is noted. A detailed Faunal study will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


The lines pose a fire risk that could damage fynbos irreparably. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30




Scarce fauna live undisturbed in abundance in this area, such as small and medium sized amphibians, snakes, frogs, etc.


Your comment is noted. A detailed Faunal study will undertaken in the EIA phase.


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Eskom can’t destroy virgin fynbos, which should remain protected. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30



This is the only area in the world known for Renostervelt, which should be protected from damage due to the construction and maintenance of the power lines, as should all fynbos. How will these areas be accessed?

Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises for all specialist aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be carried out during the EIA phase.

Access is typically provided via the provision of access roads, along the length of the servitude. These roads are typically two track dirt roads. Areas that are not accessible by road are accessed via helicopters.


Reference: Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Chapter 10 and Chapter 12

Rory Allardice highlighted the chemical flammability of heated fynbos; temperature increases due to global warming; and the sparking and shorting potential of power lines in the region due to the accumulation of sea salt on their towers. He explained that the reproductive cycle of fynbos required burning at a very particular time in the plant’s lifecycle in order to ensure its survival. He asked how Eskom would ensure the correct management of fynbos within servitudes and how the effects of salt accumulation on the towers would be dealt with. Another member suggested a change to Eskom servitude management policy. He proposed an integrated approach between Eskom and an experienced and knowledgeable site leader, such as ABI, in order to ensure that sensitive vegetation is managed properly.


Itumeleng Moeng (Eskom) will address this issue with Eskom and provide feedback to the forum.

These issues will also be taken into consideration by the relevant specialists on the project team. Detailed investigations into issues will be undertaken during the EIA phase. Specialists have been informed that they are able to contact ABI / OICG & Community Members for additional information.

Eskom Response:Eskom will welcome vegetation management in its maintenance EMP to ensure that sensitivite vegetation is managed properly.

Reference:Chapter 12

3. IMPACTS ON AVIFAUNA


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We own a 305 hectare bird sanctuary / nature reserve, which has about five kilometres of estuary with in its borders. The farm (number 220/2 Bredasdorp) is situated at the mouth of the Uilkraals River north of the main road between Pearly Beach and Gansbaai. It is home to over 100 species of birds. Obviously we would not be in favour of the coastal route, which goes north east of Gansbaai…to have power lines anywhere near a bird sanctuary would be a catastrophe!

Rob Willmot, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Email 2008/8/13




Large birds, such as Blue Crane, Stanley Bustard, and White Stork, will be at great risk from flying into the lines. We have considerable populations of all these birds.

Victor and Kim Breach, Farm 51, Tierfontein Voluntary Conservancy, Gansbaai, Email, 2008/8/15

The avifauna specialist study has already identified this specific impact and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase. Mitigation and management measures will also be provided in this regard.


The proposed power lines in this specific area could have a negative impact on the bird life of the region especially bigger species, such as Blue Crane, Denhams Bustard, White Pelican and numerous water fowl such as geese and herons. Birds colliding with power lines as well as the possibility of electrocution, especially the Cape Vulture.

Brummer Olivier, Bird Life Overberg. Fax 2008/8/29

The avifauna specialist study has already identified this specific impact and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase. Mitigation and management measures will also be provided in this regard.


Close proximity of power lines to bird sanctuary on Bot Rivier Lagoon. Fisherhaven Ratepayers Association, Hermanus, Fax 2008/9/3



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Birds will be killed or maimed by the power lines and their construction and maintenance.

Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29; Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16; AJ Scheuble, Boerdery, Elandkloof Napier, Email 2008/9/29;

The avifauna specialist study has already identified this specific impact and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase. Mitigation and management measures for both the construction and operational phases will also be provided in this regard.


Dyer Island Nature Reserve lies 10 kilometres to the west of Bantamsklip. It is an important breeding island for several migrant birds. The transmission lines will have a major impact on the migration pattern of the birds and the structures themselves will pose a threat to them.

Penelope Michels, Email 2008/8/29 The detailed avifauna study will take this into consideration during the EIA phase.


Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 crosses the Uitkraal River valley, which is the flight path of a number of bird species. (See document for detail.) Requests to Eskom for bird flappers on existing lines have been unsuccessful.



Eskom Response:Eskom will install bird flappers where the avifauna specialist indicates.


Kouderiver, Stompieskloof and Doornbosch farm are habitat for Raptors, Storks, Secretary Birds, Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Martial Eagles, Fish Eagles, Spotted Eagle Owls, Barn Owls and a very large population of Stanleys and Corey Bustards plus lots more.




The lines will impact birds. Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16; Josais le Roux, Longhoogte Plase, Caledon, Fax 2008/10/29



The Stanford Glendower Bird Fair has existed for 5 years (www.stanfordbirding.co.za) and this area forms part of the Overberg Birding Routes and the globally recognised Overberg IBA (Important Birding Area).

Castle, Philippa, Stanford Glendower Bird Fair Committee email 2008/10/22



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Impact of construction power lines on area and birds especially Blue Crane and raptors. Nick Scholtz, Lower Breede River Conservancy, Witsand, Fax 2008/11/7



Daar is ook twee pare bloukransvoëls wat al vir jare in die area bly. Die konstruksie van die Eskom drade sal ‘n negatiewe invloed op die voëls he.

Danie en Ronelle Nel, Eenzaamheid, Buffeljagsrivier, Email 2008/12/1



Ek wil net graag n paar redes aanvoer hoekom ons die bou van hoë spanningslyn oor die plase Kinko, Disselsfontein, Rustwyk, Wardia, Disselsfontein en Bontebokskloof teenstaan. Ons area, veral saailande, is baie ‘n gewilde broeiplek vir bloukraanvoëls en hier broei maklik 150 voëls op my grond. Onder bestaande lyn verloor ons tans gemiddeld 5 voëls per maand van hierdie bedreigde spesie en dan is daar ook die verlies van wildeganse, makoue en seketarisvoëls.

Kysim Boerdery, Email 2008/12/5 The avifauna specialist study has already identified this specific impact and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase. Mitigation and management measures for both the construction and operational phases will also be provided in this regard.

The need and justification as well as the environmental impact of this project is part of this investigation.



Birds are a true reflection of the state of our environment, we need to care enough to preserve what is natural and beautiful for ourselves and all the guests from around the world who will be coming to admire our country, our fauna, our flora. A negative impact on many bird species including the endangered Blue Crane.

Philippa Castle, Standford Gelendower Bird Fair, Stanford, Email 2008/12/3




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Largest population of the endangered Blue Crane is in the Villiersdorp area. Clrs Vosloo Mazembe, Theewaterskloof Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/01

The avifauna specialist study has already identified the potential impact on Blue Cranes and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase. The Blue Crane distribution in the study area was included in the avifauna sensitivity maps compiled during the scoping phase.


The Black Harrier has only 500 nesting sites globally. Pure fynbos is the Black Harrion’s only habitat. The power lines will impact the fynbos, which will then impact the endangered Black Harrier. Also the power lines themselves might be a danger to the birds.


Sensitivity mapping exercises for avifaunal aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.


The Koo Valley is habitat for the White Cross Eagle. Koo Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Koo Valley 2008/10/14



The area’s wetlands are an important bird habitat. For some migrant bird species, including Odendalsvlei and Heuningbirdnest, this nesting area is important for the species’ survival. The nearby Potberg Vulture colony will also be impacted.


The avifauna specialist study has already identified the importance of wetlands as a key avifauna habitat and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase.


Bloureier and Fish Eagle breeding pairs live on the property. Brandvlei Correctional Services Meeting 2008/10/17



The existing lines impact bird life. Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29

The avifauna specialist is required to take the cumulative impact of both the proposed and existing power lines into account during his investigation.

Reference: Chpater 12

Birdlife will be adversely affected. Due to various interventions, a number of birds that have not been here for a while have returned to the area. The lines will harm these birds. For example, dead Fish Eagles are often found under the existing power lines.

McGregors Farmer Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29

The avifauna specialist study has already identified the potential impacts associated with powerlines and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase.


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This region is the home of numerous endangered birds, including the Black Harrier, the Blue Crane, storks, etc. and has the most southern Marshal Eagle breeding pair.




There are many birds in this area, including the Blue Crane. How will these populations be addressed?

Riviersonderend Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30; Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06: Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06

The avifauna specialist study has already identified the potential impacts associated with powerlines on bird populations and will be investigating it in detail during the EIA phase.

Mitigation and management measures for both the construction and operational phases will also be provided in this regard.


4. IMPACTS ON FRESHWATER / WETLANDS


Wetlands, rivers and watersheds will be significantly affected or destroyed by the power lines and their construction and maintenance.


The need for a wetland study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


There are wetlands on Niewedam Farms, which is in the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 3 corridor.




Power lines or any other man-made structure in a wetlands is a no no. Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16



Currently the Spruitriver is the only water source to the farms on its borders. It is clear unpolluted water, which is also used as the community’s drinking water.


An investigation into the impacts on water resources will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


SCOPING PHASE – MEETINGS

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Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 1 crosses over wetlands, including the largest in the Western Cape: Suttendahlvlei. Alternative 3 also crosses over wetlands.

Overstrand Municipality Clrs Scholtz and Walters, Hermanus, Meeting, 2008/9/2



For the existing power lines, Eskom’s road construction paid no heed to the water flow required for wetlands. Eskom’s record with its impacts on fauna, flora and water-flow has been rather negative.




The lines will plough right through fresh water and wetlands, including Kouderivier wetlands.




Wetlands are highly endangered and it is of great concern that Eskom is considering constructing power lines through these sensitive areas. No matter where the lines go out of Bantamsklip, they will have a major ecological effect.




5. GENERAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS


If farmers can no longer afford their farming operations due to less tourism income as a result of unsightly and unhealthy power lines, the result will be less farming and tourism, which means fewer jobs for the local community.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.

A detailed study investigating the impacts on agricultural potential and land use is also to be undertaken in the EIA phase.


PRE SCOPING PHASE - MEETINGS

26


There has been a great deal of foreign investment in the area to protect biodiversity and uplift the local communities, this will be impacted and future investment might be lost due to this project.



A detailed socio-economic study is also being conducted as part of the EIA.

These studies will take into account the issues raised.


If these lines are approved, international funding for the Special Management Areas (SMA) will be compromised. The Development Bank is a partner of the SMA, is there not a potential conflict of interest if they also fund an ESKOM development?


Eskom Response:Eskom will not compromise actions in special management areas. We will request management systems to include in the management of servitudes so that we can work together to balance the supply of electricy and the protection of the environment.


Elim to Soetendal is a new ward, a new wine production district, and the most southern wine region in South Africa. It is in its infancy and we are working very hard to establish the area as economically viable for wineries and for tourism, which is also based on the natural environment. Transmission lines in this area would endanger all of these efforts.



A detailed socio-economic study is also being conducted as part of the EIA.



Private, public and international institutions have made investments in the area’s environment based on a UNDP report, these will now be wasted and future investment is jeopardised.



Eskom Response:Eskom will liaise with land owners with present investments to ensure that these investments and the supply of electricity can take place concurrently.


27


The Bacchus Bantamsklip line is of great concern: it crosses Farm 215, which sells trout to the Elim area.




The jobs offered by Eskom for the construction of the power lines may draw farm workers away and push wages up to unaffordable levels for area businesses.


A detailed socio-economic study will be undertaken during the EIA process and will consider the issues raised.


Power lines in this area will grossly affected economy as a whole, as it is an intensive farming area with a high investment in tourism.

Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06


Detailed socio-economic and agricultural potential / land use studies are also being conducted as part of the EIA.



Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 (Map 17) travels along the huge Theewaterskloof Dam that supplies water to the region and is a major tourist and investment attraction, as evidenced by the Theewaterskloof Country Estate and its esteemed golf course. It includes 160 up-market houses and an application has been submitted for an additional 100 houses. The power lines will negatively impact the view and the general environment significantly and, by implication, the economy, land value and tourism in the area.



Detailed socio-economic and visual studies are also being conducted as part of the EIA.



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We foresee that tourism would be negatively affected by the environmental, visual and health impacts of these proposed lines. This in turn will lead to revenue losses, job losses and a decrease in the economic values of land and property.

Lucy and James Delport, Kemprivier Plase, Caledon, Email 2008/11/12





6. LAND AND PROPERTY VALUE IMPACTS


Land and property values will decrease. Stephen Dumont, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/27;

Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13;

Anthony and Gillian Eyre, landowners, Gansbaai, Email 2008/8/22;

Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16;

JH Jordaan, Jordaan Group, De Doorns, Fax 2008/9/26;

Janco Jacobs, Excelsior Vragle BK, Villiersdorp, Fax 2008/9/26;

Hugh Davidson, Cordale Farm, Waterfall Farm, Vrede Vineyards, Caledon, Fax 2008/9/29

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will assess potential impacts on property values.


29


Most of the preceding points explain why the value of our properties will be considerably reduced should the transmission lines pass within visual distance of our property, let alone over our rooftops. Who will want to buy a property that you cannot make a living off?


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will assess potential impacts on property values.


Property values will plummet due to the visual degradation of the landscape and the destruction of the eco-tourism based economy.

Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29;

Oscar and Mariette Nicholson, Zecic Properties Pty Ltd, Stanford, Email 2008/9/23;


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Detailed visual studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.


Most farm owners in the area have invested (and continue to do so through further development) their life savings in their farms. Huge power lines will negatively impact the market value of these properties.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. The potential impacts on property prices will be assessed during the EIA phase.



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The power lines will impact land and property values. Richard Krige and Riann Els, Caledon, Interview, 2008/9/1;

Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15;

Oliphants Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Meeting, Worcester, 2008/10/29;

Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30;




The power lines would have a drastic and negative impact on land and property values due to their visual and health impacts.

Koo Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Koo Valley 2008/10/14


Detailed visual and social studies will also be conducted as part of the EIA.


Property values decrease, as people do not want to live under or near power lines. Farms are only about 20 hectares; the impact of the towers will be huge.

Allan Harris, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. The potential impacts on property prices will be assessed.


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Land will be devalued as it is less productive and tourism is negatively impacted. Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Potential impacts on property values will be assessed as part of this study.

A detailed agricultural / land use study is also being conducted as part of the EIA.


Power lines dramatically devalue land. Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29



The visual impact of these huge power lines in areas immediately surrounding McGregor will negatively influence tourism activity in McGregor. Beyond tourism, the visual impact will also affect surrounding property values, will destroy B&B and wine tasting businesses in vineyards, and will destroy the view for residents who have purchased property in this scenic area and who do not want to look at Eskom’s huge power lines.

McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29





Tourism and land values will be negatively affected due to the visual, health and agricultural impacts of the lines.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members, (Applesdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30


Detailed visual, social and agricultural / land use studies are also being conducted as part of the EIA.


32


Land values have increased dramatically over the past couple of years due to the area’s natural beauty. Land value will be greatly affected.




Farming is already difficult in this area with very low profit margins. How will land and business owners be compensated for the decrease in land value beyond the compensation for servitude and footprint areas? Land should be valuated before the construction of the lines, then re-valuated after the lines are constructed, and the difference ought to be paid out.

Dipka LBV, Buffelsjagsrivier LBV, Ruggens LBVand Suurbraak LBV Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31


Eskom Response:Compensation is for the total servitude area, including the footprint area. This is determined by independent professional valuers. The valuation method is prescribed by the expropriation act, which covers the concerns raised.


As most farmers in attendance already have many lines on their farms, there is no doubt that the value of land will be substantially negatively influenced.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will be required to investigate the cumulative impacts of the proposed power lines together with existing power lines.


Mr Blumers owns a beautiful house just up the mountain from the current power lines. His house will be affected directly by another line in close proximity to the existing lines. Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 & 2 (Map 17).


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will be required to investigate the cumulative impacts of the proposed power lines together with existing power lines.


Direct and indirect impacts on land values need to be scrutinised. ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. The study will assess potential impacts on property values.


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Rivierplaas –Restant van gedeelte 13 van die Plaas Olivedale no 270, Gelee in die munisipaliteit en afeling Swellendam. Grootte: 10.7ha.

Dit is vanselfsprekend dat ons eiendom te klein is om ‘n kraglyn van hierdie format te akkommodeer en die waarde daarvan aansienlik sal verminder sou u voortgaan met hierdie beplanning.

Leon & Vicqui Theunissen, Plaas Olivedale, Email 2008/12/1



7. IMPACTS ON BUSINESSES & AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

SCOPING PHASE - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCEFurther transmission lines would impact negatively on the Bot River Valley and ultimately Compagnes Drift Farm home to Beaumont Wines and accommodation and Green Mountain Eco Route.


Your comment has been noted. Detailed Environmental Resource Economic and Socio-economic studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase. The cumulative impact of existing and proposed transmission lines will also be assessed.


Electromagnetic radiation from such high voltage power lines poses a health risk to livestock and crops.


Eskom Response:Eskom’s lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cuase any harmful EMF’s.


How will the transmission lines influence the farming community? Penelope Michels, Email 2008/8/29 Detailed agricultural potential / land use and social impact investigations will be undertaken during the EIA phase. These studies will identify and assess impacts on agriculture and the social environment as well as recommend mitigation and management measures that Eskom should implement.


Farming practices have been diversified to include tourist facilities on the property, such as B&Bs, tasting facilities, etc. The lines will impact tourism, which will then impact property owner’s incomes.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. A detailed social study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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Tourists are a major part of our farm income and future enterprise development. Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16; Oscar and Mariette Nicholson, Zecic Properties Pty Ltd, Stanford, Email 2008/9/23;



Stompeiskloof and Kouderiver farms are both being developed for tourism. They are surrounded by 36-kilometre game fencing, at a cost of R2 million. A game lodge is nearing completion on Kouderiver, which is costing around R8 million. On Doornbosch farm, we are finishing the first of several game lodges worth several million each, which are to be constructed. If Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 3 goes ahead it will run directly over these affecting the tourism aspect, which as you can see we have invested substantial capital in, as well as three years of time.(See document for map and listing of game and livestock.)




The power lines will impact on farming practices. AJ Scheuble, Boerdery, Elandkloof Napier, Email 2008/9/29; Willie Smal, Boer, Caledon, Fax 2008/9/16; Pieter-Jan Delport, Herwin Trust, Caledon, Fax 2008/10/5

A detailed agricultural potential / land use investigation will be undertaken during the EIA phase. This study will identify and assess impacts on agriculture as well as recommend mitigation and management measures that Eskom should implement.


The game and eco-tourism development on Farm 220 will be destroyed if the power lines are visible from the farm.

Lambertus van Zyl, Mystic Pearl 133 Pty Ltd, Tyger Valley, Email 2008/9/23; BHA Beukes, Caledon Noord Landbou Vereniging, Fax 2008/10/29

Your comment has been noted. Detailed Environmental Resource Economic and Socio-economic studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


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We strongly oppose the proposed Eskom line (alt 1), which is positioned, on our farm (RE 419). This is a natural fynbos area and we rely on tourism to supplement our farming income. The visual impact as well as environmental could greatly affect our livelihood.



Detailed Environmental Resource Economic, Visual and Social studies will be undertaken during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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The area and farms which would be affected by Bacchus alt 3 power lines all practice mixed farming in the form of the following: Food production in the form of cattle (milk and dairy) and/or sheep farming and sometimes game, combined with Fynbos flower picking, and Eco-tourism.

Because most of these farms are divided individually into areas of arable land, sometimes of small hectarage, and larger areas of protected virgin fynbos, mixed farming is the only viable and sustainable economic option. In order for these farms to be encouraged to protect and preserve the fynbos that exists in the non-arable areas of their land, they have to find ways to generate an income and the only way farmers can do this is through combining flower picking with eco-tourism. The arable areas are only suitable for cattle or sheep, as the soil cannot be used for anything else.

The power lines would negatively impact on this area’s food production as health concerns for the beef and sheep farming from electromagnetic radiation would be a cause of great concern. To say nothing of the human health and safety concerns.

Simultaneously the lines would destroy eco-tourism through visually destroying the pristine landscape, birdlife, mammals etc, as mentioned in the above paragraphs. The road and landscape that will be most visually impacted by the Bacchus alt 3 power lines is ironically the very route that has been earmarked to have a new tarred road precisely because of its scenic beauty and the need to attract more tourists to travel from Gansbaai, through Baardskeerdersbos and on to Elim and Bredasdorp or Napier (and vise versa). This is also the road that goes from Elim to Pearly Beach. The majority of the tourists the new road is targeted at, are German and overseas visitors who visit the Elim Moravian Mission Station (the second oldest Moravian Mission station in South Africa, Genadendal being the oldest) and also visit the very rare and endangered Elim asteracea fynbos, which is globally unique. Eco-tourism would further be affected by the health concerns of electro-magnetic radiation, as many of the tourists, including Germans (who are extremely health conscious) would be far less likely to visit this area because of it.

As said before many of us have invested in our properties as a result of this new tourism prospect and in effect the power lines would destroy much of the livelihood of those of us who live and work in this area, that is, animal farming and eco-tourism. (See document for map.)


[The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.

Detailed social, fauna, flora, avifauna, heritage and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.

Eskom Response:Eskom’s lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs.


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The pylons are smack on the farm residence, tasting facility and right through our vineyards.

Anita Verwey, Black Oystercatcher Wines, Bredasdorp District, Email 2008/10/10


In addition to the investigation of alternative corridors, the final alignment as authorised by DEAT would be subject to a walkdown of the exact pole positions by the avifauna, fauna, flora, heritage and visual specialists. This activity is commonly undertaken prior to the construction phase


Should not cross farms with habitation especially small ones where the construction would virtually cover the entire width.

Trevor Brodrick & Carl Carlin, Riverbend Farms, Worcester, Fax 2008/10/12

Your comment has been noted.


I am not in favour of the development. It will hamper potential future developments on my irrigation farm with its limited arable land. A few centre pivots are in the pipeline, but with your proposed infrastructure all over my land it won’t be possible. Aestetically it will be a disaster spoiling all natural scenary and definitely impacting my guesthouse income (will be running just past the front door!) My arable land is already so hard to work due to natural barriers that your proposed lines are just going to financially kill of economic growth as a whole!

Peiter du Toit, DS du Toit, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/13


A detailed social and agricultural potential study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.

It should also be noted that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments.



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Power lines and crop spraying don’t mix. MJ Delport, Ertjiesdam, Caledon, Post 2008/10/22

This comment has been noted. The EMP (to be compiled in the EIA phase) will recommend mitigation measures regarding aviation and related issues.

Eskom Response:Eskom accommodates crop spraying in many parts of the agricultural lands in South Africa and will ensure the safety thereof by attaching warning spheres where necessary.


How will the power lines impact on farming activities? Francois Myburgh, Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai, Email 2008/10/23

The following impacts were identified during the scoping phase:

loss of agricultural land, disturbance by heavy construction machinery/vehicles at pylon and anchor block construction sites and connecting the

conducting wires, and disruption of normal agricultural practices/activities by power

lines in lands and orchards/vineyards.

These impacts will be investigated in detail during the EIA phase.

Reference: Chapter 9 Section 9.2.1 and Chapter 12

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Insake: Bantamsklip-Kappa Alt 2. Hierdie lyn sal die bougrond van my plaas in sy totale lengte kan kruis. Asook direk oor my woonhuis en store kan gaan. Voorts merk ek op dat die lyn oor ‘n intensiewe boerdery-area gaan en wonder of dt nie oor ‘n meer ekstensiewe area geneem souk an word nie. Indien dit hierlangs sou gaan, sal ek baie bougrond verloor-met uiters negatiewe ekonomiese gevolge. Voorts verbou ek uitvoerprodukte en moet aan soveel vereistes voldoen dat dit vir my in die toekoms negatiewe gevolge mag inhou.

Charl Baard, Kleinbegin Boerdery, Robertson, Fax 2008/10/27


A detailed social and agricultural potential study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.

It should also be noted that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments.



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1) Farm 215 fynbos reserve is a 4 star rated country house located in a private nature reserve of 800 hectares. The reserve exists out of two bordering properties: Farm 215 portion 1 “Koudeberg” and Farm 215 remainder “Hartebeeskloof”. 2) Farm 215 is an acknowledged pioneer in “sustainable hospitality” in the Western Cape. The guesthouse infrastructure has been designed to be compatible with the surrounding nature and to serve the primary purpose of farm 215: the conservation of a unique piece of the Cape Floral Kingdom on the basis of a sustainable tourism operation. Farm 215 is the winner of the Western Cape Conservation Stewardship Association’s Cape Fox Award 2007 for best managed individual property. Farm 215 is in a conservation agreement with Cape Nature and has been certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa.

3) The marketing-base of the guesthouse rests on the pristine nature of the reserve and the surrounding area and the sense of peace, tranquility and space offered by a pristine landscape without any man-made infrastructure beyond what is compatible with the landscape. “Detached from the daily grid of life” is one of the slogans used by farm 215. (www.farm215.co.za ) 4) The reserve is a rare sanctuary for hundreds of different plant species (including more than 40 red data species), an important local catchment area, an essential meeting place of different vegetation types and a habitat for numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects, several of which are categorized as red data species. (www.fynbos.sa.com , the website of farm 215 dedicated to the natural features of the reserve)

5) Farm 215 is one of the stations of our partner, the African Horse Company (www.africanhorseco.com) . The African Horse Company is specialized in nature trails, offering its clients a true wilderness experience.

6) Part of the reserve is reserved for the erection of five “sustainable” residential houses. Respective approvals and permits have been obtained and the purchase of these plots has been funded by individual buyers.

7) The attached map (ATTACHMENT A) shows the 4km route of the proposed overhead power cables Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alt 2 through the reserve of farm 215. The proposed route follows the high contours in the reserve (300m plus) and the pylons and the cables would clearly be visible from practically every spot in the reserve and from far in the wider area. The route crosses the area as mentioned under 6 above. The entire route crosses pristine indigenous nature free from alien invasive trees or other non-natural disturbances.


Thank you for this information, it will be forwarded to the relevant specialists for their consideration.


Detailed floral, faunal, social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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http://www.africanhorseco.com/

http://www.fynbos.sa.com/

http://www.farm215.co.za/


Farm 215 deems the possible decision to erect the proposed powerline Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alt 2 to cause detrimental consequences to its business operations and its financial position and to that of the African Horse Company and other parties as discussed below. It furthermore deems such decision to cause detrimental effects from an environmental and botanical point of view.

(Please refer to document for full detail and visual representation of the proposed power line.)


Thank you for this information, it will be forwarded to the relevant specialists for their consideration.

A detailed assessment of the potential floral, faunal and socio-economic impacts will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


We have a significant investment in the Poultry Farm we have established here, where we have an Integrated Broiler Breeder operation comprising the rearing of Day Old Breeder Chickens to Point of Lay, a Breeder Laying unit, which produces hatching eggs, and a Chicken Hatchery, which produces Day Old Broiler Chicks.

The transmission of diseases poses a constant threat to the Poultry Industry so it is of critical importance that we enforce extremely strict Bio-Security Measures to protect the livestock. Access to the three divisions of the farm is restricted to staff and farm vehicles only.

Our concern, at this point, would primarily be around the Electromagnetic Field and its effect on the poultry and the access to the lines by the Line Service Crews.

Ray Davis, landowner, Wellington, Email 2008/10/29

The impacts associated with the Electromagnetic field will be discussed in the EIA.

The information provided regarding access to your farm has been communicated to Eskom for their consideration in the event that the final alignment traverses on or in close proximity to your farm.



We oppose the power lines on the basis that they detract from the natural beauty of the natural environment and impact on the ecotourism of the area, which is very active. Environmentally minded farms (includes us) have established conservancies to protect the indigenous habitats and beauty.

Lorraine Diederichs, Wortelgat Outreach Trust, Stanford, Fax 2008/10/29

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will investigate eco-tourism as one of its aspects.

Detailed social, fauna and flora studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


Besides the grapevine industry other big income to farmers as well as tourism will be the table grape and deciduous fruit areas. Small farms and highly productive units with long-term plantings, 15-30 years, are situated in this area. The cost to build a line through the previously mentioned areas, along with long-term crops, could be enormous. It may be cheaper to investigate other alternative for example, areas where land is not used so intensively and where the effect on the economy of long term investments of farms, tourism and industries will be less.

Tossie Louw, Manager Ernita Nursery, Wellington, Email 2008/10/29


A detailed social study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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Goedvertrouw is one of the oldest farms in the Strandveld originally 3000 morgen in size but subdivided since about 1940. The Goedvertrouw Trust currently owns its oldest farmstead, which is about 1500 hectare, of which 1300 hectare is undisturbed fynbos of various types.

Main farming activities: indigenous flower picking for export and the distilling of aromatic plants including a number of indigenous species to produce essential oils. We employ 5 people on a permanent basis and teams of between 10 and 30 on a part time basis during the flower picking and harvesting seasons. The property also includes a documented historic Overberg farm and opstal, the three existing historic buildings, dating back to between 1812 and 1840 have been properly restored.

There are two kloofs at the back of the opstal, (marked as such on the attached map). A list of the species identified is attached. Both the abovementioned kloofs are infested with alien poplar trees and we have started removing all the poplars but in the process not doing damage to indigenous trees. This has been a very costly exercise. We have also started replanting indigenous species but limited to those that has been identified having occurred there originally.

For the past five years we have been busy with an extensive programme to remove alien vegetation on the property. We have drawn up an action plan with the help of Cape Nature and have to date spent more than R150 000 executing the programme. Currently we have a team of ten workers who are permanently involved in alien eradication with financial assistance from Cape Nature and the Department of Environment and Tourism. Our ultimate aim is to clear the natural fynbos (in total about 1300 hectare) from aliens and to keep it clean. This is a long-term project and will probably keep us busy for a number of years.

Farming Activities- cultivation of and picking of natural occurring fynbos species for the export market on a sustainable basis following Cape Nature guidelines. During the season four households living on the farm are involved in the picking and processing of flowers as well as 8-10 seasonal labourers. The farm also produces essential oils in bulk for the export market. In addition a number of indigenous species of aromatic plants are also used for the production of and experimentation with niche essential oils.



Detailed social, heritage, fauna and flora studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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The farms in our area are small – between 3 ha and 30 ha. The impact of a power line on these small pieces of land will be dramatic and could result in a complete demise of farm productivity.



A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


We have densely cultivated area and agriculture will be threatened. It must not happen! CLN Fick, YS Brandskop, Caledon, Fax 2008/11/8

A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will be conducted during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.


Breede River Valley from Elandia downstream to Robertsons and then onwards to Bonnievale are all intensively cultivated and very valuable farms. Most are export wine estates and others export table grape and olives. By contrast, the farms that would be affected if the transmission lines were to traverse the land from Bantamsklip toward Swellendam, through the Tredeau Pass, past Barrydale and on the the national grid near Touwsrivier, are far bigger and less valuable farms and would be less affected by the lines traversing them.

Peter Unite, landowner, Elandia, Email 2008/11/11


A detailed social study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised as well as the significance of the impacts associated with the alternative route alignments.


Ek will graag die invloed van beoogde kragontwikkeling bepaal. Tons groente en vleis Boerdery met vooruitsigte om “chalets” tussen fynbos te vetig Genoemde grond is bedom vir pesioen en aftree doeleindes.

Tinus (MJ) Langenhaven, NVT, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/11/14

Thank you for your comment, it has been noted.


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The Swellendam Flying Club (Pty) Ltd is the owner of the Swellendam Airfield, which is situated 3km South-East of Swellendam in the Bontebok National Park. It is a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) registered airfield and is the only registered Airfield between Mosselbay and Robertson. The airfield includes a general flying area utilized for training and general flying as shown below (see document) and is also utilized for tourism activities. Due to to location of the airfield the investment value of the airfield is estimated at R15m.

Power lines are one of the biggest dangers to aircraft. Erection of power lines in the General Flying Area, or close to the airfield would seriously compromise safety and increase risks for pilots and trainee pilots flying in the area. It will be a question of time before an aircraft ends up in the power lines. CAA by law prohibits erection of any structures close to CAA registered airfields (Part 139: Aerodromes and Heliports:Licensing and Operation). No compensation will be given to the club as in the case of farmers.

We kindly request that the power lines be routed outside our General Flying Area.

Lourens Enslin, Manager, Swellengrebel Flying Club, Swellendam, Email 2008/11/4




Our farm is situated along the Babilonstoring Mountain about 8 km's from Shaw's pass. 600 hectares of our land comprises of natural indigenous fynbos and we are in the process of setting up a conservancy with neighbouring farmers along the mountain range.

Along with ours, there are a number of farms in this area who rely on small tourism businesses to complement farming. These are in the form of guesthouses, B&B's and self-catering accommodation, which provide a reliable income and employment in the face of an unpredictable agricultural economy. Many of these properties are situated in the mountains, and visitors are attracted to the area by the natural fynbos, birdlife and scenic views. Tourists engage in activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and bird watching. The proposed maps suggest that transmission lines would run through these mountains and very close to these properties, if not directly over these properties.

The environmental impact would include depletion of flora and fauna, with particular impact on the birdlife, which is a huge draw card to the area. In particular the Black Harrier which is common specifically to this area and the Blue Crane which is protected.




Detailed social, fauna and flora studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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The proposed powerline will have a negative influence on my guesthouse, which is based on ecotourism. It will also have a negative effect on the wildflower part of my farming operation. Access roads will cause erosion on my water resources.

Dr CP de la Harpe, Philip de la Harpe Boerdery, Caledon, Fax 2008/11/12


Detailed social and agricultural potential / land use studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.

Access roads are included in the scope of work and mitigation measures regarding erosion will be included in the EMP to be compiled during the EIA phase.


Our farm is Somerset Vale – portion 5 (Somerset Gift) of the farm Somerset Vale number 149. The farm is primarily a tourist destination (5 self-catering cottages) and is also currently breeding Nguni cowe. We are situated alongside “Somerset Gift Farm” which is owned by Mr Dion Wright – he also has self-catering cottages and between us we provide lots of labout etc. from our respective flourishing business.

Brian Kilpin, Somerset Vale, Swellendam, Email 2008/12/01

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will investigate the potential impacts on tourism as one of its aspects.


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Ons boer met melkbeese op ons plaas en ons kudde is besig om te groei. Oor die groter kudde het ons meer kos op die plaas nodig. As dit sou nodig word vir die ekstra kos vir ons beeste sal ons ‘n ekstra spilpunt moet opsit vir hierdie kos. Op hierdie stadium oorweeg ons die verbouing van mielies vir kuilvoer.

Die area waar daar beplan word om die Eskom torings op te sit, is waar ons die spilpunt sal opsit. Die voetstukke van die drade sal maak dat ons nie die spilpunt kan opsit nie. Wat sou beteken dat ons nie die area sal kan ontwikkel nie.

Die grote van so spilpunt is 30 ha . Die hoeveelheid kuilvoer wat ons kan produseer van die area is 1,200 ton met ‘n waarde van R1,200/ton met ‘n totale waarde van R1,440,000 per jaar. Daar sal dan ‘n ekstra 100 beeste op die plaas gemelk kan word, wat verdere waarde sal toevoeg tot die plaas.

In die hoek van ons plaas is daar ‘n area met natuurlike fynbos. Baie geld is al spandeer om die area so natuurlik as moontlik te hou. Oor die afgelope 5 jaar is daar 360 uur jaarliks deur arbeiders op die area spandeer om gif te spuit, onkruid uit te trek, klippe op hope te sit en om heinings te span om te verseker dat die area so natuurlik as moontlik kan bly. Slegs die arbeids onkoste oor hierdie 5 jaar beloop reeds R20,000. Die onkoste aan die gif beloop R6,800. Daar is vir 104 ure met ‘n 55kW trekker met sleepwae teen R130/uur gewerk in die tyd, daarom R13,520. Die totaal beloop R40,320.

Hierdie is gedoen vir ons persoonlike gebruik en die opsie om 3 gastehuise te kan opsit in hierdie mooi gebied. Die bruto inkomste van die 3 huisies per maand sal omtrent R40,000 per maand wees as vergelyk word met die populariteit en pryse van die area.

Dit sal ook sorg vir werkskepping.

Die mooi ligging van hierdie gastehuise sal die trekkrag wees. Hierdie ontwikkeling sal nie moontlik wees as die groot Eskom konstuksies in die pad van die uitsig gaan wees nie.

Daar is ook twee pare bloukransvoëls wat al vir jare in die area bly. Die konstruksie van die Eskom drade sal ‘n negatiewe invloed op die voëls . hê Die mooi ligging van hierdie gastehuise sal die trekkrag wees. Hierdie ontwikkeling sal nie moontlik wees as die groot Eskom konstuksies in die pad van die uitsig gaan wees nie.

Danie en Ronelle Nel, Eenzaamheid, Buffeljagsrivier, Email 2008/12/1


Detailed social, fauna, flora, avifauna and agricultural potential / land use studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


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Omdat diefstal en ongediertes groot probleme is in ons gebied hou ons Anatolliesehonde aan wat elke trop skape oppas, die honde is baie aggresief slegs ek self en sekere werkers kan in n mate die honde beheer die honde is nie mak nie en kan nie sommer gevang word om vasgemaak te word nie. Die honde is ook baie groot en sterk (lyk soos Sint Bernand ) honde kan nie geskuif word nie, want hulle is gebiedsgebonde en bly by hulle troppe. Anatolliesehonde

Ek maak gebruik van GPS seine om my spuit, plant,oes en kunsmisstrooi presies te doen, my akuraatheid mag nie meer as 10 cm varieer nie sodat Auto steer op trekkers en boom seksiebeheer op spuit en oesdata monitering op my stroper doeltreffend en koste- effektief kan plaasvind. Ek sukkel alreeds met akuraatheid as ek onder of naby ’n Mosgashoogspanningslyn werk.

Ons boer ook met 4000 stoetskape en troppe mag nie deurmekaar raak nie omdat rekords van wie die pa en ma is baie belangrik is. Met die bou van die vorige lyn was dit ‘n groot probleem, hekke is nie altyd toegemaak nie en het ons so groot skade en rekords verloor.

Omdat tye verander het maak ons gebruik van groter +- 30 meter saai-, spuitgereedskap wat dit moeilik maak om tussen kragtorings en lyndrade te kom en so raak baie gedeeltes grond verlore vir lanboudoeleindes.

Ons boer ook met volstruise en verloor baie voëls as hulle inspeksies van lyne doen of skoonmaak met helikopters uitvoer, volstruise skrik maklik veral vir vlieënde voorwepe en hardloop hulle dan dood teen lyndrade.

Kysim Boerdery, Email 2008/12/5 These comments have been noted. A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.

Eskom Response:Eskom will with the owner and with our Electrical Engineer, design the power line to not interfere with precision farming.

Notice of work to be negotiated with landowners before work starts.



The members wanted to know what type of tower would be used so that they could better understand how its footprint and guy lines would impact their agricultural practices. It was expected that the towers would interfere with agricultural practices beyond the actual tower footprint due to the space required to navigate farm machinery around the towers. This in turn would impact on agricultural production and thereby farm income.

Koo Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Koo Valley 2008/10/14;

Wellington Landbou Vereniging LBV Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28;

Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;

Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30;

A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line (see Chapter 5 Section 5.2). The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved. It is commonly thought that towers without guy lines are better suited for use in agricultural (crop) areas.

A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be conducted during the EIA phase.

Reference: Chapter 5 Section 5.2 and Chapter 12

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There is a very real possibility that European marketing institutions will assess fruit and wine produced near high power electricity negatively and will not source products from such areas. This might even apply to local buyers and would have a huge impact on farmers. What guarantees are there that European and local markets will definitely not reject wines or fruit grown under high voltage power lines?


Vinkrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Robertson, Meeting, 2008/10/16

The potential impact of the project on the marketability and sale of agricultural produce is one of the potential impacts that needs to be investigated during the EIA phase (eg. in the social / Environemntal Resource Economic studies). The significance/relevance of the concern will need to be viewed against the backdrop of the results of the specialist studies into this impact.

Eskom Response:Eskom has not had this problem in other wine producing areas. We request that the international contact details be forwarded so that Eskom can consult further.


What are the impacts of the electrical fields of the lines on crops underneath them? Bonnievale Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16

The potential impact of EMFs is one of the potential impacts that needs to be investigated during the EIA phase.


Special arrangements will be made with farmers that use trellaces for grape farming. Any potential impacts are thought to be mitigatalble.


Please provide information about the impacts of high voltage power lines on cattle, as they are believed to have a negative impact on factors such as reproduction rates.


Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;

Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30;

The potential impact of EMFs is one of the potential impacts that needs to be investigated during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Studies have shown that no impacts on animals are found from the power lines.


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It is difficult to assess how the exactly the proposed lines will impact farmers without knowing where exactly the towers will be placed in their vineyards.

Kwaggaskloof Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Brandvlei, 2008/10/15

Tower positions typically only become apparent after an Environmental Authorisation has been granted. The EIA typically identifies a preferred corridor within which the line can be designed.

Impacts on farms and farmers will be investigated through a number of specialist studies undertaken by specialist consultants with relevant expertise. Impacts are assessed for an entire corridor instead of on a specific alignment.

Reference: Chapter 12.

Earthing wires have had to be placed under the existing lines to prevent workers from being shocked due to the metal trellises and foliage on crops under the wires is sometimes burned. Also, as the lines age and sag, sparks can be seen emanating from them; again earthing wires need to be installed. These issues will likely be exacerbated with 765 kV lines.


Eskom Response:Special arrangements will be made with farmers that use trellaces for grape farming. Any potential impacts are thought to be mitigatalble


JPJ Le Roux already has power lines on his smallholding; new lines would destroy existing crops and would have too great an impact on the productivity of his farm.


This EIA is required to assess the cumulative impacts of the proposed power lines together with existing power lines.


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There is a great concern that the lines will impact farming practices, such as crop spraying and the risk of damaging implements when they become hooked on the towers / guy lines. The towers and lines will be a great obstacle for farmers and this will have a financial impact. Animal theft during the construction of the lines is also a concern.



A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved. The impacts on farming operations will be investigated during the EIA phase.

Safety and security is one of the impacts to be investigated during the social impact assessment. Mitigation and management measures will also be provided in the EMP in this regard.

Eskom Response:Aviation warning spheres are attached where necessary. Tower ancors can be well marked to ensure collisions are not made. Self Standing towers, which have less collision risk, can be used in cultivated lands.


The power lines will negatively affect both tourism and agricultural practices. Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15


A detailed agricultural potential / land use (including tourism) study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.


Due to extensive wetlands, there is little arable land and it is intensively farmed, towers will take away from this. Further, the cost of traditional farming in this area currently equals its revenue; it is therefore no longer cost effective. Farmers need to diversify in order to stay on the land; tourism is part of this and includes environmental aspects. If tourism declines then the farms will not be sustainable.



A detailed agricultural potential / land use (including tourism) study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.


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Genetics and breeding capabilities of livestock will be adversely affected by the power lines electromagnetic fields. This will greatly impact the area’s dairy farms and Merino breeders, of which, the best in the country reside in this area.


The effects of the electromagnetic field will be investigated during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:No effect on animals as per existing studies.


At least 40% of the farmers in this area currently survive by diversifying their businesses. Many of the landowners/farmers have built or are planning to build guesthouses, wine tasting facilities, and other tourist attractions on their property in order to supplement their incomes. Some have invested heavily in these facilities and some property owners already receive a substantial portion of their income from such facilities. The power lines would reduce, if not eliminate, such activities, both for the landowner and also in the area.





The lines cannot be near farming areas because during humid days, the mist reinforces electromagnetic, which shocks workers. This would be exacerbated with a higher voltage line.

Wellington Landbou Vereniging LBV Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

The effects of the electromagnetic field will be investigated during the EIA phase.


The power lines and their towers will interfere with crop spraying. Wellington Landbou Vereniging LBV Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28; Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;




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Most of the area’s properties are smallholdings, with bed and breakfasts, wine tasting facilities, and wineries; therefore the impact of the footprint of towers and the line will be significant.




A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved.


Labourers do not want to work under lines due their past experiences of being shocked. There are definitely impacts on health and safety due to the static electricity from the lines.


A detailed social impact assessment will be undertaken during the EIA phase of the project.

Eskom Response:Maintenance agreements must be made to mitigate the types of impacts e.g. trees need to be limited in height. Transmission power lines are built according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which reinforces mechanical and electrical designing of the structures. Therefore, the power lines are safe and will not have risk on agricultural practices.


Wind created by helicopters, used for the construction and maintenance of the power lines, damage fruit crops (blow off the flowers) and trees.

The most sensitive time for these crops is from the end of November to April. Within servitudes, trees planted as windbreaks are damaged or destroyed by Eskom, creating a wind tunnel that damages crops. Contrastively, farmers are expected to trim the top of the trees within the servitudes at their own cost and labour.

Finally, Eskom holds farmers responsible for power cuts resulting from the breaking of their trees. Electromagnetic fields burn crops and the leaves of fruit trees within close proximity to the power lines.

Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29


Eskom Response:Maintenance agreements must be made to mitigate the types of impacts e.g. trees need to be limited in height. Transmission power lines are built according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which reinforces mechanical and electrical designing of the structures. Therefore, the power lines are safe and will not have risk on agricultural practices.


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The power lines have marked electromagnetic fields and workers get shocked as they working underneath near them. The shock increases when it is misty in the mountains.





Arable land is intensively used primarily for grape and citrus farming. The towers would cause the grape farmers to lose four crop rows and they would have to shorten rows significantly. Additionally, mechanical harvesting equipment requires space to turn. The towers would cause a much bigger loss of crop than simply their footprints.

Oliphants Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Meeting, Worcester, 2008/10/29

Your comment has been noted. A detailed agricultural potential / land use study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.



The permanent vines and trees of this intensively farmed area generally have a 20 – 30 year lifespan and would be greatly impacted if parts of the orchards / vineyards are used for towers and access roads.


Your comment has been noted. A detailed agricultural potential / land use study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.


Access roads are also included in the scope of this EIA and the impacts thereof will be investigated in the EIA phase.


People refuse to work under lines because if working on trellises, they get shocked and generally because they are afraid that their health is being adversely affected.





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Neither side of the existing power line is feasible for additional lines, as the town of McGregor is on one side and intensive farming, homes, and tourist lodges are on the other side. The centre of the Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 & 2 corridor crosses lodges, the Vrolikheid Nature Reserve, and ten homes as well as a new golf estate development. This area consists of intensive farming crops, such as grapes, apricots, peaches, olives and soft fruits and includes wine tasting facilities and B&Bs on properties.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. The socio-economic impacts will be assessed during the EIA.

A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be conducted during the EIA phase. This study will take into account the issues raised.


The power lines will result in a loss of tourism and a loss of agricultural production, in turn, this will result in a loss of employment for the area.



Detailed social and agricultural potential / land use (including tourism) studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase. These studies will take into account the issues raised.


Alchemy is a horse-breeding farm with 300 horses. The proposed line cuts across this relatively small farm with potentially devastating affects. Its owner has experienced the negative effect that power lines have on horses: the animals are harmed, especially during misty weather, and growth rates are stunted.

Also, workers working on the vines under the power lines get shocked.

Some of the vineyards in the area are 20 years old and under irrigation that will be destroyed with significant economic implications.

Centre pivot irrigation systems will be un-operational.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging Members, (Appelsdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30


A number of tower structure alternative exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved.


Eskom Response: Special arrangements will be made with farmers that use trellaces for grape farming. Any potential impacts are thought to be mitigatalble. Existing studies show that no impacts on animals is evident as a result of power lines.

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12

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This is primarily an intensive farming area; therefore, the loss of even a relatively small portion of land can have a large impact, especially given the space needed to navigate some farm machines around towers and guy lines and when the existing arrangement of the vineyard rows are taken into consideration.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members (Appelsdrift, near Robertson), Focus group meeting 2008/10/30

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase

A detailed agricultural potential / land use study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.



Businesses such as the Lifestyle Farm, which conducts art retreats, will be completely destroyed by the visual impact of the power lines as well as by their perceived health impacts. Patrons come to such facilities to develop themselves and their ability to express life in the area’s nurturing natural environment.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase

A detailed visual impact study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.


Many farmers irrigate using pivot points that can potentially cover 600 metres per irrigation system; large dams are being built for this reason at Vierfontein. However, this irrigation system will not be viable due to the obstacles that the towers will create.

Deon de Kock – Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30



Kouderivier is a 4500 hectare game farm development consisting of 3 farms: Doornbosch, Koudarivier and Stompieskloof. Millions of Rand have been invested in these properties with housing alone costing over R8 million. Power lines crossing this development will have a very detrimental impact on its future.

Amanda Jepson - Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on land use will be assessed in this study.


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Farms in the Napier area tend to be relatively small, about 20 hectares on average, and used intensively (for example, proposed line’s servitude would impact 1/3 of Louis Wesses’ farm).

Therefore, servitudes and towers would occupy a significant amount of land and could put the country’s food security at risk. Proposed lines anywhere in the corridor would impact neighbours just as badly.

Many farmers crop spray, the high lines and towers would make a pilot’s job practically impossible.

All these factors are detrimental to the community, and to the country, from a food production point of view.






Certain farming practices require annual prescriptive burning, would this practice be allowed with the power lines?


Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programmes which can include annual prescriptive burning if this is necessary.


In some instances the main road divides a property; now the proposed power lines will divide the farms even more, creating additional loss of arable land.


This comment has been noted. Impacts on agricultural operations and land use will be assessed during the EIA phase.


This region is one of only two areas in the country where barley is being produced (main ingredient for beer) and it is also the country’s highest wool production area. Please consider that the power lines will disrupt these activities.




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Most farms are about 25 hectares and are made up of ‘camps’, which are about 800 meters wide. If the servitude of the lines is 320 meters, then almost half of the farm is under high voltage lines. 320 metres for servitude and towers is too much land being dedicated to the power lines as every hectare is used for farming. If the line is moved either way within the corridor, then the line just becomes your neighbour’s problem. Farms will no longer be financial viable due to the space lost to towers, as these are relatively small holdings.

Riviersonderend Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30





Due to the financial constraints of farming, some farmers have invested in and built guest houses on their properties to supplement their incomes. The power lines would destroy these businesses and the farmer’s investment of time, effort, money and future income would be lost. How would this be compensated?


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed in detail during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Compensation to be calculated by a professional registered valuer according to the expropriation act.


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Centre pivot irrigation systems are permanent structures, their placement is planned for the highest possible efficiency. Adapting these to accommodate the towers, if at all possible, would be very expensive. Who would cover such costs?


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed in detail during the EIA phase.


Eskom Response:Tower/Transmission Line structures will be designed/placed according to the limiting factors of centre pivots


Crops are sprayed 3 to 4 times per year using a GPS based system. The electromagnetic fields of the lines would confuse the GPS readings and navigation tools might not be able to function. Also the lines and towers would cause problems (and cost) for crop spraying. The loss of such technologies would impact agricultural production and thereby, incomes.


This comment has been noted. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed in detail during the EIA phase.


Livestock farming is very intensive in this area, up to 10 head per hectare (compared to the Karoo which has about 1 sheep per 10 hectares). What are the impacts of the electromagnetic fields on livestock grazing below? Do they not impact on fertility rates, which will have a long term financial impact?


Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed in detail during the EIA phase. In addition, impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will be assessed during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Eskoms lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs.


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What impact do the electromagnetic fields have on dairy production? Farmers cannot afford to research these issues themselves and therefore request the EIA team to conduct or provide this research and to publish the findings for the I&AP’s to review.

Barrydale Landbou Vereniging Members Focus group meeting 2008/10/31

Impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will be assessed during the EIA phase.



Some are convinced that the effects of electromagnetic field on agricultural activities and humans are severe and therefore suggest that it will be easier to set up the lines where there are no human activities.


This comment has been noted. Impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will be assessed during the EIA phase.



The towers impact irrigation infrastructure. Goudini Landbou Vereniging Meeting, Rawsonville, 2008/10/31

A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved


Farmers are likely to be more cooperative if they have input on where exactly the towers will be placed so that they can minimise their impacts on agricultural activities.

Goudini Landbou Vereniging Meeting, Rawsonville, 2008/10/31


Impacts on farms and farmers will be investigated through a number of specialist studies undertaken by specialist consultants with relevant expertise. Impacts are assessed for an entire corridor instead of on a specific alignment.



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The farming activities in this area consist mainly of fruit farming and wineries – the footprint of the towers will impact these intensive farming activities negatively.


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA phase.



There is a small ostrich farm, on Section 3 of farm 456 Napkysmond at the corner of Middeldrif, which will be directly affected by the proposed lines. The loss of even a small portion of this small farm will have very detrimental affects on its owners and business.


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA phase.


What are the effects of electromagnetic fields on the breeding of ostrich? The farmers have experienced a serious decline in the conception of pigs under similar circumstances.


Impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will be assessed during the EIA phase.


Reference: Chapter 12The proposed routes cut across tourism-based properties Summerset Gift Getaway, which includes chalets and ecological properties, and the chalets of Frog Mountain Getaway.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of this study.


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Most farms are intensive fruit farms with 7 - 25 year orchard cycle that will be disturbed by the construction and maintenance of the lines and by the space taken for the towers. Orchard windbreaks are disturbed as Eskom often redefines where wind breaks can be planted, leaving orchards to be heavily impacted by wind. Also, Eskom sometimes removes some wind breaks and takes more farming space, making it very difficult for the farmer to plan ahead with changing rules.

Andrew McDonald - Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06

Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA phase. A number of tower structure alternative exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved.

Eskom Response:These issues can be dealt with when the valuation for compensation is done, taking all factors into account.


Farmers have supplemented their incomes by developing tourist areas on their properties. The proposed corridors will directly and adversely affect a minimum of four farmers, whose primary incomes are derived from tourism.

James Delport - Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06


Eskom Response:Powerlines are required to support tourism activites. These two acitivites can be compatable through negotiation. Alignment of the route can be modified to the best extent and the valuation for compensation can take these factors into account


8. IMPACTS ON NEW OR PROPOSED PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS


The lines might cross over or near areas where private developments have been planned.

Johan Montgomery, on behalf of Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Souther Right & Ashbourne, Hermanus, Email 2008/9/23

This comment has been noted. An environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. A detailed socio-economic study is also being conducted as part of the EIA.


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We bought this farm with the idea of developing it for eco-tourism. It is a nature lovers paradise with Blue Cranes, Springbuck and Vaal Buck in abundance with mountains and panoramic views of the Langeberg Mountian range. We plan to build 6 luxury chalets as indicated on the attached map at a cost of R220, 000 each. We also plan to game fence the farm and breed disease free Cape Buffalo. We cannot even think of continuing with our plan if Eskom is going to erect pylons and power lines on or even near our farm spoiling the view and killing bird life.

SR Sauer, De Doorns Farm NR5, Buffeljagsrivier, Email 2008/12/5

Impacts on tourism and avifauna will be assessed as part of this study. An environmental resource economic study will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Similarly, potential visual impacts will be assessed with reference to specialist studies during the course of EIA.




Tourism is being developing in the area for economic reasons, with plans already underway for areas near the N1 (about 10 km from the N1) and in Touwsrivier. A retirement village, worth R240 million is being built in Ward 1. (Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 3 & 4).

Councillor Januarie, Ward 1 Breede Valley Municipality, Touwsrivier,Meeting 2008/9/3

This comment has been noted. The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of this study.


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Mr Van der Merwe has planned to build bungalows for tourism accommodation and would like to know where exactly the lines are going so that he could choose a site on the dam that would not directly view the lines. Bacchus Muldersvlei Alternative 2 will also affect his chicken farms.

Albertus Van der Merwe - Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29

Impacts on tourism and avifauna will be assessed as part of this study. Impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will be assessed during the EIA phase.




9. LAND CAPABILITY AND AGRICULTURAL AREAS


The proposed Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alternative 2 practically exactly overlaps a fault line which runs through the reserve of farm 215 for about 2 km.



Eskom Response:Geotechnical studies will be done for tower positions.



Some farmers here already have two or three lines running through their intensively used, smallholdings. Additional lines are unacceptable, as they will have too great an impact. Please consider another area, it is not fair that the same farmer has to bear the additional inconvenience and difficulties of another line or upgrade the existing lines instead. Breerivier Valley is only about 5km wide, so it does not matter where in the corridor the line is placed, as it will inevitably impact farmer.


This EIA is required to assess the cumulative impacts of the proposed power lines together with existing power lines.


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Arable land surrounding McGregor is intensively farmed and homes are close together. Why not build the lines across open veldt instead of through valued vineyards? (Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 and 2, Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 4, Map 19 for both.)


The impacts on agricultural practices and land use study will be investigated during the EIA phase. In addition, the impacts on open veldt areas will also be taken into account through the completion of specialist studies such as fauna and flora. The identification of the final alignment will be achieved utilizing the combined input of all specialist studies.


A flood in 2005 created a major landslide. This area is very sensitive to erosion, the roads required for building and maintaining the towers will cause further problems with erosion. Please contact H2ON Bloemfontein – Gys Hoon – for information regarding a dam impact analysis done in this region.


This comment has been noted. The information in question has been provided to the specialists.


Should the proposed lines be constructed here, they will highly detrimental to some of the most highly valued agricultural lands in SA.





The phased development of the 270,000 hectare Agulhas Plain will be affected. The 2nd phase planning includes the development of alternative power generation for a large area, in part, as a demonstration to other areas. This plan would have to be abandoned. The long term aim was for the whole area to be grid independent.


Thank you for your comment. This infomraiton will be passed onto Eskom for their attention.

Please note that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked.


The Villiers Valley is a narrow range between two mountains. Water channel servitudes already consume precious farm land. However, the dam and channels have also positively impacted the development of farming and the area is now much more developed and is very different from what it was 20 years ago when the existing lines were built.




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10. IMPACTS ON TOURISM


Potentially a disaster due to major impact on aesthetics of the landscape upon which the tourist industry relies.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Visual impacts as well as impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of this study.

Eskom Response:Powerlines are required to support tourism activites. These two acitivites can be compatable through negotiation.


Eco-tourism and tourism is the only long-term, sustainable, economic activity for the Overstrand area. As traditional agriculture is not viable. Tourists come to the Overstrand /Agulhas Plain for: its unique, unspoilt, rural landscape; fynbos, pristine beaches and coastline; abundant bird life; and other rural leisure activities.

Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29; Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16;




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The physical, visual socio-economic and socio-cultural impacts of the proposal through what is the Gateway to the Overberg and the Garden Route would have a hugely negative influence on one of the most visually stunning historic mountain passes (Houw Hoek) and the N2 highway which remains a traditional and beautiful route for local and international travellers in pursuit of recreational activities in the South Western Cape and beyond. The impact of the proposal on agricultural, small pockets of residential and pristine mountain would be huge. The mountain land, which forms the backdrop to Bot River, is part of the Groenlandberg Conservancy, the Green Mountian Eco Route (the first biodiversity and Wine Route in the world) and falls within the Kogelberg Biosphere.

The community of Bot River village and surrounds and the agricultural community rely heavily on tourism to support the hospitality industry, which is fast growing in the area being only one hour’s drive from Cape Town.

The Bot River Valley and the broader community would be seriously compromised in the quest to realise the full potential as sought after ‘getaway’ destination and a fast growing source of income for all its inhabitants.

Further transmission lines would impact negatively on the Bot River Valley and ultimately Compagnes Drift Farm home to Beaumont Wines and accommodation and Green Mountain Eco Route.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. A detailed assessment of impacts on tourism and heritage will be undertaken during the EIA. Visual impacts will be assessed as part of this process.

The EIA will be required to investigate the cumulative impacts of the proposed power lines together with existing power lines.



Tourism is the economic future of this whole region. Transmission lines criss-crossing the landscape are an eyesore and will scupper the tourism industry before it has even left the habour. Even if the transmission lines do not pass through, on, or near our property, their presence in the area will make this an unattractive destination to tourists who are currently drawn to the area for its space, nature, beauty. This will impact on our livelihood and that of our staff.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Visual impacts as well as impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of this study.



Goedvertrouw Boerdery has over 1000 hectares of fynbos and is part of the Fynbos Scenic Route (based on Slingsby Fynbos map).


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on flora will be assessed as part of the EIA.


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It is going to impact very heavily on tourism and conservation in what is a beautiful, unspoilt area at the moment.

Howard Krut, African Horse Company, Stanford, Fax 2008/9/10




Power lines in Tulbagh Valley would devastate tourism and cause the loss of tourism related jobs.

Jan Theron, farmer and Tulbagh Agricultural Society Chairman, Tulbagh, Email 2008/9/11




The impacts on tourism will be devasting. Rory Allardice, OICG; ABIOC; GRAA, Bredasdorp, Post 2008/9/11




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The entire Agulhas Plain is unique and a world-class tourist attraction, so please think carefully before erecting these monstrosities in our area.





The Overberg area is earmarked by the Western Cape government as a highly promising tourism area and has undertaken to tar the gravel road from Gansbaai to Baardskeerderbos (R43), Elim, Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas in order to open up the area to tourism.

SAN Parks stimulates area tourism on the basis of conservation and local development. The Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI), an offshoot of the Agulhas National Park, has launched the Agulhas Plains Tourism Forum to stimulate nature-based tourism in the area in conjunction with skills development and empowerment.

Gansbaai and Stanford are now established national and international tourism hotspots are a few years of rapid growth having seen accommodation, services and activity providers growing exponentially in accordance with demand.

Tourist activity in areas between Gansbaai and Pearly Beach, Stanford Valley and Baardskeerderbos Valley has also grown dramatically and is based on the areas pristine scenery and unique bio diverse coastal and mountain fynbos. The power lines would not visually impact the pristine landscape, but they will also traverse vast areas of pristine fynbos where botanical walking tours and horse trails are currently conducted.

The area is mainly attractive because of nature based attractions and activities.

The region between Stanford and Cape Agulhas is the newest wine region in South Africa. The “Agulhas Wine Region” is already well known, especially as a result of its award winning Sauvignon Blanc wines. (See document for details.)

Agulhas National Park will be a new and strong tourism drawing card for the area when it opens. It is one of the largest remaining tracts of lowland fynbos and home to numerous animals. It is already hailed as the “Serengeti of the Western Cape”.



The information supplied has been provided to the specialists.



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SANParks aims to connect the national park via corridors to numerous other (private) nature reserves in the area, allowing for free movement of both plants and animals.

The Gansbaai to Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas via Baardskeerderbos and Pearly Beach will be the most essential access routes to the Agulhas National Park. They feature purely rural and natural features with minimal man-made infrastructure, and are low impact. This adds significantly to the attraction of this new national park and the other tourism attractions in the area.

The area can cater for a worldwide growing demand for nature destinations. The area has not been scarred by large infrastructural developments and has clearly benefited from its previous isolation and precarious position. (See document for details.)

The area is perfectly positioned to benefit for the global increase in sustainable tourism products. It is even a pioneer in sustainable tourism: various tourism providers have won awards and prizes for sustainable tourism efforts and successes. Some providers have implemented revolutionary techniques in sustainable management and operations and could lose their unique selling proposition as low impact, small footprint, and negligible emission destinations if a major new power line traversed them.

The Overstrand Municipality has the highest density of fair trade certified tourism providers and, in conjunction with the Overstrand Conservation Foundation, the municipality has initiate a plan to make the municipality the first “Sustainable Town” on the African continent. Clearly, representing the traditional ways of energy production, the proposed power line alternatives will have a negative impact on the attraction and growth potential of the Overstrand Municipality as a sustainable destination. (See document for details.)


An environmental resource economic study will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase and the potential impacts on tourism will be considered during the EIA phase.



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Tourism and the wine industry boost employment in this historically impoverished area and contribute to skills development projects, and improved housing. Please refer to the Stanford Sustainable Development Initiative. (See document for details.)

Traditional agriculture diversifies into tourismOn face value the impact by the proposed power line alternatives on traditional agricultural enterprises is low. However a growing number of these enterprises are looking at rural tourism possibilities to diversify their business and to safeguard a healthy financial future. An assessment as to the possibilities in this regard has recently been done by the University of Stellenbosch. The results have not yet been published, but will no doubt be available during the assessment phase. Several farmers have already established successful farm tourism (directly affected by one of the proposed power line alternatives) and others are launching in rural tourism (e.g. by having obtained permits to erect a camping site).

Rural farm-based tourism is aimed at city dwellers who are looking for destinations which are not scarred by large man-made infrastructure.

Indigenous cutflower industryA substantial part of the agricultural income in the area is derived from harvesting wild or plantation-grown indigenous flowers, mostly for export, either as the single income or –mostly- as incremental income on top of other agricultural activities. Farmers obtain extra income by guiding visitors around through the flower fields.

ConclusionAgricultural enterprises need rural tourism and diversification as a fall back and supplementary income position. Erecting one of the proposed power line alternatives will make this fall back position a less marketable and less sustainable option. The growing wine industry will suffer most of the same consequences as tourism providers as a result of the erection of power lines in the area.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. The potential impacts on tourism will also be considered during the EIA phase.




It will have an adverse impact on tourism in the area. Stanley Carpenter, Whalesong Lodge, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/9/25; Trevor Brodrick & Carl Carlin, Riverbend Farms, Worcester, Fax 2008/10/12; Pieter-Jan Delport, Herwin Trust, Caledon, Fax 2008/1/5

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of the EIA.



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The Overberg area as a whole has seen an increase in tourism. Those people that have already embarked on tourist based projects have done it either using existing buildings to maintain the integrity of the area or created tourist ventures taking into account the sensitive nature of the area, thus creating sustainable operations that have the least impact on the environment. Many are using solar power, source their own water and try to keep to a minimum the impact of any such ventures.

Money has been invested in the area with the proposed tarring of the road between Bredasdorp and Gansbaai. The section between Bredasdorp and Elim has been completed making it easier for visitors to access the rural aspects of the Overberg.

The transmission lines will immediately take away the beauty of the area and seriously compromise many tourism based operations. No one will want to enjoy a guided nature walk or come to this area with his or her views constantly interrupted by the transmission lines.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism and visual impacts will be assessed as part of the EIA.



Nagative impact on tourism. Stephan Badenhorst, Helderfontein, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/16




We oppose the power lines on the basis that they detract from the natural beauty of the natural environment and impact on the ecotourism of the area, which is very active.

Lorraine Diederichs, Wortelgat Outreach Trust, Stanford, Fax 2008/10/29

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism and visual impacts will be assessed as part of the EIA.



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These routes (Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2) would be a severe visual impact to what is becoming a major tourist route, especially on completion of the proposed Agulhas Road.

Robin Willmont, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Hout Bay, Fax 2008/11/20


A detailed visual impact study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.


Avitourism is the fastest growing form of tourism out of which many people earn a living. Birds are a true reflection of the state of our environment, we need to care enough to preserve what is natural and beautiful for ourselves and all the guests from around the world who will be coming to admire our country, our fauna, our flora.

Philippa Castle, Standford Gelendower Bird Fair, Stanford, Email 2008/12/3


A detailed avifauna impact study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase.




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There are many individuals, businesses and organisations in the area that are very committed to environmentally sustainable practices, protecting the area’s precious biodiversity, and eco-tourism to allow such efforts to remain economically viable. Many of these efforts are also intended to uplift the community, such as the Flower Valley Conservation Trust. There has also been a great deal of private and government, national and international investment in the area to the same ends. The area’s strength is its pristine, natural environment. It is ironic that building a power plant and its associated infrastructure would even be considered in such an area.

How will the project impact the environment? How will it impact eco-tourism in the area?

The power lines will be perceived as a health risk and will be a visual abomination that will overpower the area.


In the scoping phase specialists undertook a preliminary investigation of the potential impacts associated with the proposed power lines. They identified potential impacts and made recommendations regarding what detailed studies they will undertake during the next phase of the EIA. In addition to this preliminary investigation the specialists made use of sensitivity mapping which has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was then utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will investigate the issue of potential impacts on eco-tourism.

A detailed visual impact study is to be undertaken during the EIA phase. Impacts associated with the electromagnetic fields will also be assessed during the EIA phase.


Impacting tourism in the area will have dire economic and social consequences. Erye, Gillian and Maarten Groos, landowners, Gansbaai, Interview 2008/09/01


A detailed social study will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


There are many small commercial farm holdings (e.g. wild flower harvesting, a honey farm) in the area that supplement their incomes with tourism related activities. Also, the local economy is very much based on tourism, which is founded on the area’s pristine natural environment. The power lines would have a very detrimental impact on the area.





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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 3 crosses nature conservancies, goes around the around the mountain range, which is a very ecologically sensitive area, and through a very narrow gorge, which will visually overpower the whole area and will destroy tourism, which is based on the area’s very natural landscape.



A detailed visual study will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


Cape Agulhas National Park, in conjunction with private landowner, is seeking to create a conservancy corridor across the area. Cape Agulhas National Park is expanding, the EIA project needs to recognise the new borders of the Park and to take into consideration the impact that the project will have on national conservation efforts, as well as the financial impact that the power lines will have on tourism in the area.



The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. As such, impacts on tourism will be assessed during the EIA phase.

The information regarding the Cape Agulhas National Park will be forwarded to the specialists undertaking the EIA.


A new-tarred road has been constructed across the wetlands near Elim. This was a joint effort between government and environmental specialists. It will not impact the functioning of the wetlands and has cost a great deal of money. The road was constructed to make the Elim area more accessible to tourists, thereby strengthening the economy of the area and future environmental efforts (as tourism is primarily based on the natural environment). Eskom is not likely to take the same care when constructing and maintaining the power lines. Hence, not only will the environment be damaged, but so will the economy (tourism).

The power lines will not only be a visual impact from the roads, guesthouses etc., they will also have an impact on activities such as camping, canoeing, etc. Again, this will be detrimental to the area’s economy and its future growth.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This will incorporate a detailed assessment of the potential impacts on tourism.




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On behalf of SANParks and the Special Management Areas, EF does not support any line out of Bantamsklip except due north, which would be the most direct route and would not impact tourism as much.




Both tourism and agricultural will be negatively affected by the power lines. Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15




Please refer to the Agulhas Tourism Development Framework based on a study conducted by Tourism Cape Agulhas for an understanding of the development plans for this area that the transmission lines may impact.


This comment has been noted. This information will be forwarded to the Environmental Resource Economic Specialist.


There is a great risk that the power lines will destroy the area’s drawing card for tourism. Please note that the historic community of Elim, established in 1824, is located here.





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Elim to Soetendal is a new ward, a new wine production district, and the most southern wine region in South Africa. It is in its infancy and we are working very hard to establish the area as economically viable for wineries and for tourism, which is also based on the natural environment. Transmission lines in this area would endanger all of these efforts.



The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA phase.



From the Special Management Area’s perspective, the impact on tourism will not be limited to areas directly under the power lines; there will also be a knock on affect, whereby the all tourism related activities will be impacted, for example canoe trails.




The aesthetic degrading of the area, which is largely dependent on tourism income, will detraction from the area’s healthy economy.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase Impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of the EIA.


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A huge investment has been made in the construction of a tar road through the wetlands that does no environmental damage to the functioning of the wetlands. This was done in order to assist with the area’s development and to increase accessibility for tourists. This effort, planning, and cost, and the area’s hopes for the future, will be nullified by the building of these power lines.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism and the environment will be assessed as part of the EIA, this will include a detailed assessment of visual impacts.




The Western Cape Winelands are an A+++ tourist attraction for the country, the proposed lines will detract from its appeal.

Why not add increase the power of the existing lines or build lines in other areas?

Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

Impacts on tourism will be assessed as part of the EIA.



The unsightly existing towers and lines in the area already adversely affect tourism. Views of nature will be spoilt: ruining the landscape disrupts peace of mind and tourism.


In the scoping phase specialists made use of sensitivity mapping which has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was then utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will investigate the issue of eco-tourism.


Reference: Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

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The town of McGregor has approximately 400 B&Bs. This is over and above other tourist facilities on farms in the surrounding area. The power lines would very negatively impact these investments and this needed economic activity.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will look at the impact on tourism in the study area.


Tourism in this area is expected to be negatively impacted, which will have a ripple effect on the area’s economic system. By implication, the value of land will decrease.


An environmental resource economic study will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will look at the impact on tourism and property values in the study area.


Traditional farming is not feasible in this area (the soil is poor in nutrients). Farmers have diversified farming activities (animals, limited crops, fynbos, dairy, cattle, sheep and game) and pursue sustainable activities such as fynbos harvesting and tourism so that their farms can remain economically viable. Some farms have invested in and built B&Bs, others are intending to so that their farms will remain economically viable. Other properties are completely based on tourism and the area's pristine natural environment. Further, a significant amount of funds and energy have been spent over time to remove alien plants from private lands in order to conserve the indigenous environment and to stimulate tourist activity with some land owners having initiated processes to make their properties conservancies. The power lines would damage the good work done, destroy the pristine natural environment that is the very reason that many landowners and other community members moved to this area, and would seriously harm tourist interest in the area. Should they stop further investments until the EIA’s have been decided in order to avoid greater investment losses? Tourism is the only realistic long term option available.


An environmental resource economic study will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will look at the impact on tourism in the study area.. A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


This area is the second most popular Cape tourism route and the Western Cape Management emphasises tourism as the driving force of this economy. This project runs in complete opposition to these facts.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will look at the impact on tourism in the study area. Environmental impacts will be assessed during the EIA phase.


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The Baardskeerdersbos Art Route attracts up to 150 people per weekend and brings significant revenue into the area. Artists derive inspiration from environment, which will be destroyed by the power lines.




The value of tourism of this region will be quantified within two months or so. Various studies to this end are in progress and should be included in the EIA evaluation. The various studies should work together to create synergy and avoid duplication.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will look at the impact on tourism in the study area. In the interim please provide us with copies of any studies being undertaken in order to allow us to forward such information to the specialists.


Many jobs have been created due to the development of tourism (restaurants, guesthouses, etc.). The power lines will affect tourism as result in job loss and the stifling of potential economic growth.




The development of a protected corridor around the Agulhas National Park, for the benefit of local residents, tourists, and future generations, is in progress. The character of the area and tourism income will be forfeited if the lines are built. This is one of the few remaining areas untouched by such obvious manmade structures. There is expected to be a significant impact on the visual aspects, the fynbos route, birds, flowers and the general tranquillity of the area.



Detailed fauna, flora, avifauna, heritage, social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


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Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 3 / 4 (Map 5) goes through the prestigious Sanbona Nature Reserve and will impact tourism. Tourists and residents are attracted to Barrydale because of its beautiful, natural surrounds and peaceful, homely lifestyle. The proposed power lines would have a negative impact on this environment. If the corridor were moved about 5 km to the west, it would be less visible from key areas in the valley and would go through a less densely populated area.






Villiersdorp is being developed as tourism destination. Already, many farm owners have B&Bs on their properties. This is feasible as Franschoek is overcrowded and Villiersdorp is a quieter and more peaceful nearby destination. The visual impact of the power lines will negatively impact the community’s tourism plans and potential.



Detailed social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


Nature conservation is important, but it is not the overriding factor. Tourism is also very important. The Department of Tourism has completed an in depth study of the area, the specialists should refer to this document.

Standford Community Members, Focus Group Meeting, 2008/11/6



11. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND HUMAN HEALTH

SCOPING PHASE – GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

Health – noise pollution (crackling/buzzing) of lines, safety in case of malfunction. Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13

Eskom Response:The design of the power lines will lessen this risk.


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There are extensive and reliable studies that show a direct correlation to living within the energy field of electrical pylons and an increase in serious illnesses such as leukaemia-particularly for young children. (Please refer to document for futher detail.)


Eskom Response:Eskom’s lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs


Electromagnetic radiation from such high voltage power lines poses a health risk to humans.

Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29;

May de Villiers, Goedvertrouw Boerdery, Stanford, Email 8/10/31:

Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16;

Hugh Davidson, Cordale Farm, Waterfall Farm, Vrede Vineyards, Caledon, Fax 2008/9/29;

Amanda Jepson & Charl Laubscher, Victor & Kim Breach, Mike & Jan Gafney, Oscar & Mariette Nicholson, Albert & Helena Swart, landowners, Tierfontein/Pearly Beach, Email 2008/10/3;

Cornelis Uys, Afgetree Raadgewande Ingeniers, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/11/4



The power lines will have a negative impact on the health of farm workers. Pieter Fouche, Graham Beck Wines Robertson, Email 2008/9/16

Your comment has been noted



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Our workforce is living close to these power lines. PA Grobler, Agrisouth Orchards, Caledon, Fax 2008/10/28

Your comment is noted. A detailed social study will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


The Historic Opstal is situated almost in the middle of the Alternative Route #2 corridor of the Bantamsklip-Bacchus power line. The corridor also passes over four farm labourers’ houses, which, from a health point of view alone, is unacceptable.







Detailed social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


My interest in geopathic stressors has led me to read various studies as to the detrimental effects of high voltage power lines on the environment and people (various nature reserves and rural communities).

Jomien Rabie, Gansbaai, Email 2008/11/19



Many of the farms in the area strive for organic farming and the health impact on this no doubt is a huge issue among the farmers.





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The potential impacts of high voltage power lines on human health are a great concern. Additional information is requested from the EIA team on the matter.

Richard Krige and Riann Els, Caledon, Interview, 2008/9/1;

Touwsrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16;


McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;




Health issues: power lines charge ions in the air and cause cancer, they should be run underground and/or away from populations.

John Veschini, Tulbagh Resident, Interview, 2008/9/3



Houses will be within 100 meters of the power lines and this will have a serious health impact on people, animals and vegetation.

Allan Harris, Wellington Landbou Vereniging LBV Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28



The electromagnetic fields have a negative effect on the health of people and livestock. Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29



People refuse to work under lines because if working on trellises, they get shocked and because they are generally afraid that their health is being adversely affected.




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What are the guidelines for the allowable distance between the lines and buildings? What are the health impacts of such high powered lines?


Eskom Response:Eskom’s lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs. Buildings can be 40m from the 765 kV power lines centre line. The allowable distance between a transmission line and buildings is specified in the Act.


Businesses such as the Lifestyle Farm, which conducts art retreats, will be completely destroyed by the visual impact of the power lines as well as by their perceived health impacts. Patrons come to such facilities to develop themselves and their ability to express life in the area’s nurturing natural environment.





There are severe electromagnetic radiation implications for animals and humans. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30



Some are convinced that the effect of electromagnetic field on agricultural activities and humans is severe and it is therefore suggested that it will be easier to set up the lines where there are no human activities.


This comment has been noted



What research is taken in account about the health impacts? Overseas studies have proven that power lines impact human health.

Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15:




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The health effects of living close to power lines are a concern. Considerable amounts of literature have been written on this pertaining to both sides of the argument. Given that no conclusive evidence is available, the provision of a literature list for both sides of the argument is requested.

ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07

Ashlea Strong (Arcus GIBB) agreed to request and to provide a literature list. ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07.



12. VISUAL IMPACTS


Potentially a disaster due to major impact on aesthetics of the landscape upon which the tourist industry relies.


The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed social and visual studies will be undertaken in the EIA phase. An Environmental Resource Economic study has also been recommended for inclusion in the EIA phase in order to investigate the impacts associated with the power lines, such as the impact of tourism.


Lines will cross Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve between Robertson and McGregor. They will impact the reserve and will be visual pollution to the reserve’s visitors.

Piet van Zyl, CapeNature Conservation Manager, Robertson, Fax 2008/10/28

A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process.


Visual disturbance for locals and tourists. Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13; Piet van Zyl, CapeNature Conservation Manager, Robertson, Fax 2008/10/28



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The pylons and towers envisaged are going to have a huge visual impact on and an intrusive presence in the southern Overberg that will not allow one to fully appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the natural scene. Pylons and cable in a busy crowded urban setting melt into the surroundings, but out in the country they become the focus and must be avoided at all costs.

Michael & Cecelia Ravenscroft, Hermanus, email, 2008/8/18



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The visual impacts of the project must be considered. Patrick Eyre, landowner, Gansbaai, email, 2008/8/22;

Anthony and Gillian Eyre, landowners, Gansbaai, email, 2008/8/22;

Lee Burman, Hermanus Botanical Society. Post 2008/8/28;

Stephan Castle, Stanford Valley Farm, Post 2008/8/28;

Pieter Fouche, Graham Beck Wines Robertson, Email 2008/9/16;

Johan Montgomery, on behalf of Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Southern Right & Ashbourne, Hermanus, Email 2008/9/23;

Hugh Davidson, Cordale Farm, Waterfall Farm, Vrede Vineyards, Caledon, Fax 2008/9/29;

Jurgen Wohlfarter, Simoskloof, Mantagu, Fax 2008/10/2;

Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16; Francois Myburgh, Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai, Email 2008/10/23;

Josais le Roux, Longhoogte Plase, Caledon, Fax 2008/10/29;




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The EIA company must do a through assessment on the ecosystem, but still, the power lines will have an affect on the physical beauty of the area.

Sanele Khawula, Station Manager DEAT, Fax 2008/8/25

In the scoping phase specialists undertook a preliminary investigation of the potential impacts associated with the proposed power lines. They identified potential impacts and made recommendations regarding what detailed studies they will undertake during the next phase of the EIA. In additional to this preliminary investigation the specialists made use of sensitivity mapping which has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was then utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.

Detailed fauna, flora, avifauna, heritage, social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


Asthetics- visual impact, negative to the extreme. Marise Bishop, Greyton Aesthetics Advisory Committee, Fax 2008/8/27



Development should go ahead, but be envioronmentally sensitive and as visually sensitive as possible.


The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed fauna, flora, avifauna, heritage, social and visual studies will be conducted during the EIA phase.. Reference: Chapter 9 and Chapter 12

The physical, visual socio-economic and socio-cultural impacts of the proposal through what is the Gateway to the Overberg and the Garden Route would have a hugely negative influence on one of the most visually stunning historic mountain passes (Houw Hoek) and the N2 highway which remains a traditional and beautiful route for local and international travellers in pursuit of recreational activities in the South Western Cape and beyond.


The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed social, visual and heritage studies will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


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Visual impact; the negation of the one economic future for this area, tourism. The tourism drawcard to this area is its unspoilt nature. Take that away and you will have effectively killed the economy of the area.




Visual impact of the power lines will have a devastating effect on tourism, eco-tourism and land values and cannot be underestimated. Lines must be kept away from all roads, including farm roads, between mountains, and unobtrusive towers should be used.


The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed social and visual studies will be undertaken in the EIA phase. An Environmental Resource Economic study has also been recommended for inclusion in the EIA phase in order to investigate the impacts associated with the power lines, such as the impact of tourism and property values.



We have views all the way to Hermanus, which would be impacted. Stuart Findlay, landowner, Stanford email 2008/09/06

The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore a detailed visual study will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


Visual ugliness. Howard Krut, African Horse Company, Stanford, Fax 2008/9/10



The game and eco-tourism development on Farm 220 will be destroyed if the power lines are visible from the farm.

Lambertus van Zyl, Mystic Pearl 133 Pty Ltd, Tyger Valley, Email 2008/9/23



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The power lines will be a major visual intrusion. Mike and Jan Gafney, Nieuwedam Farms, Stanford, Email 2008/9/16;

Oscar and Mariette Nicholson, Zecic Properties Pty Ltd, Stanford, Email 2008/9/23;




The Overberg area has only low-impact/small-scale infrastructure. The area is 100% rural and natural and there is currently only low-impact infrastructure (only of small-scale rural or tourism related nature). The skyline is undisturbed and due to the features of the landscape (endless plains and rolling hills) the views are beautiful (“sweeping views” and “panoramic vistas” are the slogans used by the local tourism operators).

The specific course of the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2 increases visual impact, following high contours for long distances, crossing visually very sensitive areas, etc. The visual impact of these lines in general along the whole course of the route is of such a nature, that re-routing these lines around specific tracts within the route would not be an acceptable solution. The greatest and most profound visual impacts have been marked on the map (Attachment A).

Erecting any of the two proposed power line alternatives will have very high visual impact, dramatically and negatively affecting one of the core attractions of the area for both residents and visitors, resulting in lower local income and declining real-estate values. (Please refer to document for detail.)




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We strongly oppose the proposed Eskom line (alt 1), which is positioned, on our farm (RE 419). This is a natural fynbos area and we rely on tourism to supplement our farming income. The visual impact as well as environmental could greatly affect our livelihood. Visual impact-eyesore.





Will destroy the beauty of the riverine area. Trevor Brodrick & Carl Carlin, Riverbend Farms, Worcester, Fax 2008/10/12



The lines would destroy eco-tourism through visually destroying the pristine landscape, birdlife, mammals etc, as mentioned in the above paragraphs. The road and landscape that will be most visually impacted by the Bacchus alt 3 power lines is ironically the very route that has been earmarked to have a new tarred road precisely because of its scenic beauty and the need to attract more tourists to travel from Gansbaai, through Baardskeerdersbos and on to Elim and Bredasdorp or Napier (and vise versa). This is also the road that goes from Elim to Pearly Beach.





Transmission lines are particularly unsightly, but are also an inevitable part of progress. Ignatios du Plessis, Vinkrivier Boerdery, Robertson, Email 2008/10/10

Thank you for your comment, it has been noted.



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Aestetically it will be a disaster spoiling all natural scenary and definitely impacting my guesthouse income (will be running just past the front door!).

Peiter du Toit, DS du Toit, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/13




The visual impact around and near town will be critical. Johan Viljoen, Environmental Managers, Theewaterskloof Municipality, Email 2008/10/23



Visual impact on tourism related income. R Andre, Elsenburg, Post 2008/10/23




Visual pollution. R Hrabar, Malagas Residents Association, Camps Bay, Fax 2008/11/4



Please refer to map attached to documentation for a map of points of high visual impact for the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2 in the Baardskeerdersbos area.

Hennie Vermeulen, Baardskeerdersbos Home Owner’s Association, Fax 2008/11/8 & Email 2008/11/5



This scenic area with views onto the Boland Mountains, Paarl and the quaint town of Wellington will be severely impacted and tourists will no longer be able to marvel at the unspoilt scenic beauty of the area.




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Decrease in ecotourism due to unsightly power lines. Dr CP de la Harpe, Philip de la Harpe Boerdery, Caledon, Fax 2008/11/12

A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Impacts on tourism will also be assessed as part of the EIA process.

Reference Chapter 12



The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism and property values will also be assessed as part of this process.



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As can be seen on attached map (ATTACHMENT A), [please refer to document] the proposed powerline follows the high contours for 4 km through the reserve of farm 215. As a result the visual impact is dramatically high. Reference is made to ATTACHMENTS B1 to B6 which give a very clear impression of the high visual impact of the proposed powerline. The yellow dots drawn into these pictures show the route of the proposed powerline. The reserve of farm 215 is located in a mountainous area, which more or less forms an island in the surrounding landscape. The proposed powerline follows the high contours of this “island” and as a consequence will create a visual impact which is so dramatic that one can only wonder whether any reasonable attention was given to this aspect when establishing the route of this proposed powerline. The fact that the proposed powerline is a razor-straight line from Bantamsklip to well en route to Bacchus cannot be interpreted in any other manner than that this proposed powerline was most certainly not established on the basis of any logical or reasonable considerations as required by law, guidelines and common sense. The proposed powerline will have a high impact all over the greater area: from the R43 all the way between Gansbaai and Pearly Beach, from the ocean and the main operation areas of the whale watching and shark diving boats, from the Uilkraalsvalley, from the Baardskeerdersbosvalley and from most of the spots on the scenic road from the R43 at Uilkraalsmond to Baardskeerdersbos (earmarked by the Western Cape Province as a future touristic route).

Please note that Enviro Africa has undertaken scoping and an environmental assessment for the erection of a telecommunication base station on Perdekop in Farm 215. We recognized the importance of this station and voluntarily agreed to the erection of this station subject to certain conditions. The respective reports clearly deal with the expected visual impacts of overhead power lines to this station (note: normal low impact lines for the transport of normal household power). Due to the high visual impact of these low-impact lines, it was decided that these lines would need to be trenched from the supply point all the way up to Perdekop. It is obvious that if the visual impact of such a low impact line is considered unacceptably high, the visual impact of overhead priority cables running for a much longer stretch over more visually sensitive area will most definitely be unacceptably high.

Regarding the above, it is our opinion that it can only be concluded that the proposed Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alt 2 should never have been contemplated to follow the proposed route as far as the land of farm 215 and surrounding area (actually the whole “mountain island” as discussed above) is concerned.

A basic and preliminary study of the area would at face value have revealed that such route would constitute a visual impact to such a high degree which can never be allowed if proper procedures and guidelines would have been followed.





Eskom Response:Powerlines are necessary and visual impacts can be limited through proper mitigaiton

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

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Disastrous visual pollution across the “Riviera of South Africa”. Philippa Castle, Standford Gelendower Bird Fair, Stanford, Email 2008/12/3




Heidelhof Farms (near Witbaken) currently has no electrical wires in view at all. The proposed infrastructure will change this.




The power lines will be perceived as a health risk and will be a visual abomination that will overpower the area.



Eskom Response:Eskom’s lines are designed to meet internaiton EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs


People are becoming more conscious of visual impact. Clr Buckle and Thomas, Drakenstein Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/02



Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 runs along the main road, in plain sight of travellers and tourists.

Overstrand Municipality Clrs Scholtz and Walters, Meeting, 2008/9/2



Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 3 crosses nature conservancies, goes around the around the mountain range, which is a very ecologically sensitive area, and through a very narrow gorge, which will visually overpower the whole area and will destroy tourism, which is based on the area’s very natural landscape.



The project team recognises the sensitivities of the study area. Detailed visual, social, faunal, floral and heritage studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase.


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Power lines will spoil the natural beauty of the area.

The power lines would have a drastic and negative impact on land and property values due to their visual and health impacts.

The members were concerned about the visual impact of so many power lines and large towers.





The corridor of Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 and 2 (Map 20) in the Koo Valley crosses over about forty homes as well as orchards and dams. The members noted that if the line was moved approximately 300 metres to the south of the centre of the corridor, it would not impact so many homes and orchards and would be over a hill so that the lines would be less in view. The members were very concerned about the visual impact of so many power lines and large towers.





The aesthetic degrading of the area, which is largely dependent on tourism income, will detraction from the area’s healthy economy.




The proposed lines and the existing lines are right on the horizon in the “bosbou” areas, which dramatically increases their visual impact.




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A visual representation of the power line and its towers in this area is requested so that I&APs can assess its visual impact.


A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. This will be communicated to the visual specialist.


The whole scenery is affected by power lines and they change the area’s sense of place and thereby, its way of life.




The visual impact of the line as it goes over the mountain needs to be seriously considered, as the line may be seen both from nearby and from as far away as Paarl.

Uwe Pey, Wellington Landbou Vereniging LBV Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28



The unsightly existing towers and lines in the area already adversely affect tourism. Views of nature will be spoilt: ruining the landscape disrupts peace of mind and tourism.


A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. The specialist study is required to consider the cumulative impacts of the proposed power line together with existing lines.


The visual impact of these huge power lines in areas immediately surrounding McGregor will negatively influence tourism activity in McGregor. Beyond tourism, the visual impact will also affect surrounding property values, will destroy B&B and wine tasting businesses in vineyards, and will destroy the view for residents who purchased property in this scenic area and who do not want to look at Eskom’s huge power lines.




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Tourism and land values will be negatively affected due to the visual, health and agricultural impacts of the lines.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members (Appelsdrift, near Robertson), Focus group meeting 2008/10/30

The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed social, visual and agricultural potential / land use studies will be undertaken in the EIA phase. An Environmental Resource Economic study has also been recommended for inclusion in the EIA phase in order to investigate the impacts associated with the power lines, such as the impact of tourism and property values.



The towers and lines are hideous, unsightly and will run across the top of the mountains where they would be visible for many kilometres. Could they not be moved to an area where they would not be so “in your face” and visible?




Land values have increased dramatically over the past couple of years due to the area’s natural beauty. Land value will be greatly affected.




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The project team recognises the sensitivity of the area. Therefore detailed visual, faunal, floral and avifaunal studies will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


Can the visual impact of towers be reduced in any ways similar to communication towers, that is, hide what you can?


A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. The visual study will recommend various mitigation and management measures that may assist to reduce the impact of the power lines on the surrounding areas. The measures will be included in the EMP, which is to be compiled during the EIA phase. In terms of “hiding” towers one would typically recommend the strategic placement of towers in relation to the surrounding topography and the use of less visually intrusive tower structures where possible.


The lines will detract from the beauty of Villiers Valley and will negatively impact on the community’s unique ‘small-holding’ lifestyle.


Detailed visual and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process.


A visual representation of what the towers will look like in this area is requested, as their visual impact is important.


A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved. These structures are discussed in the scoping report.


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13. SENSE OF PLACE IMPACTS


Noise pollution. Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13

This comment has been noted. Mitigation and management measures regarding noise during the construction and maintenance phases will be included in the EMP to be compiled during the EIA phase.


The area will lose its unspoilt natural character. Why damage what is left of this undeveloped part of the Western Cape coastline?

Michael & Susanne Fuchs, Klein Paradys Country House, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/13

Your comment has been noted.


The marketing-base of farm 215 guesthouse rests on the pristine nature of the reserve and the surrounding area and the sense of peace, tranquillity and space offered by a pristine landscape without any man-made infrastructure beyond what is compatible with the landscape. “Detached from the daily grid of life” is one of the slogans used by farm 215. (www.farm215.co.za) (Please refer to document for detail and visual representation of the proposed power line.)




Impact on our communities- these transmission lines will break-up our community-most property owners agree that if the lines pass through their property, they will sell up and leave. Many of us have searched long and hard to find our land; others have lived here for generations. Most dreamed of growing old here. Platbos is a one of a kind forest-there is only one. The irony is that we live “off the grid” –a conscious choice.


Detailed visual and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process.


Vacant and undeveloped land gives this area its unique rural appeal, which attracts tourists. We are concerned about the rezoning and consequent destruction of agricultural or conservation/fynbos land to mixed retail/residential area. This development could have negative consequences for the heritage of the area as well.


Detailed heritage, visual and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


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http://www.farm215.co.za/


Baardskeerdersbos is an unspoilt, undeveloped, quaint, hamlet. Residents wish to retain its village feel. Its charm has led to the development of the Baardskeerdersbos Art Route, which stimulates the local economy.




McGregor Historical Society aims to promote conservation awareness and to continue the development of the surrounding nature reserve. Important attractions of the area include its important 19th century architecture and surrounding nature reserve.

Binos, Anne – McGregor Farmers Union, Email 2008 /11/06



I am concerned about the future link between Bacchus and Muldersvlei because there is a lot of beautiful wild mountainous area between the tow and the most direct line would spoil a very special place.

Nigel Mudge, Chiltern Farms Pty Ltd, Vyeboom, Email 2008/9/24

A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


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Baardskeerdersbos village consists of some 126 residential plots and smallholdings within a rural agricultural environment. The fertile Baardskeerdersbos valley and village in the heart of the Overberg is one of the most undisturbed and natural settings in the Cape.

The proposed completion of the tar road from Gansbaai to Bredasdorp will inevitably result in the establishment of tourist-related businesses in the main road of Baardskeerdersbos as will the building of more dwellings on vacant plots. The Baardskeerdersbos Home Owners’ Association will however endeavour to manage and regulate development in order to retain the rural village character and heritage assets of Baardskeerdersbos.

The Baardskeerdersbos Home Owners’ Association membership is restricted to landowners in Baardskeerdersbos village. Currently we have 87 members, which represent 75% of all landowners in Baardskeerdersbos. The main objective of our association is to further and protect the interests of its members.

The Baardskeerdersbos Home Owners’ Association is of the opinion that the proposed Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alternative 3 and the proposed Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alternative 2 power lines routes will have a severe negative impact on several interests in the area. Specifically the proposed Bantamsklip-Bacchus Alternative 2, with its furthest outside route line cutting the outskirts border of Baardskeerdersbos village, will be of the most concern to our residents and which we deem will have a detrimental effect on our interests as set out below.

THE PROTECTION OF UNIQUE RURAL CHARACTER OF BAARDSKEERDERSBOS VILLAGE Baardskeerdersbos is a unique and unspoilt rural village and as such a gem in the Western Cape. It retains a Cape heritage with small Overberg cottages, orchards, meadows, green pastures, furrows, ponies, sheep and cattle set against a backdrop of sweeping views of mountains and fynbos. This is a heritage, which must not be destroyed by the visual impact of huge power lines in or at the outskirts areas of the village. The beauty of the area will be spoilt forever for future generations.Continued.

Hennie Vermeulen, Baardskeerdersbos Home Owner’s Association, Fax 2008/11/8 & Email 2008/11/5



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IMPACT ON TOURIST-RELATED ACTIVITIESBaardskeerdersbos is unique also as a village set in nature surrounded by fynbos which makes it valuable as part of the Algulhas Plain and for its eco tourism potential. The gravel road connecting Gansbaai (via the R43) to Baardskeerdersbos, Elim, Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas is in the process of being tarred (the tarring of the section between Bredasdorp and Elim has been completed). The Western Cape Province has taken the decision to tar this road mainly on the strength of opening up the area for tourism and thus providing employment. The properties alongside the main road through Baardskeerdersbos are earmarked in the Overtstrand Spatial Development Framework for tourist-related businesses.

CONSERVATION OF SENSITIVE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT This aspect has been covered by other concerned and affected groups and should also be considered in your assessment.

FARMING ACTIVITIESThe impact on farming activities has also been addressed by other interested parties.

CONCLUSION It will be appreciated if you would take the above aspects into consideration during the assessment to identify the most viable transmission line.

Hennie Vermeulen, Baardskeerdersbos Home Owner’s Association, Email 2008/11/5 (continued)

Detailed heritage, visual, faunal, floral, agricultural potential / land use and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.

An Environmental Resource Economic study has also been recommended for inclusion in the EIA phase in order to investigate the impacts associated with the power lines, such as the impact of tourism and property values. Impacts on agricultural operations will also be assessed during the EIA.


The farms along Olyvenbosch Road are pristine and used not only by the farming community, but also by the general public for walking, cycling trails, horse riding, etc.


Detailed visual, faunal, floral, agricultural potential / land use and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described

Reference:: Chapter 12


A foreign workforce will influence and irreparably damage this area’s unique culture and safe and peaceful environment.


A detailed social assessment will be conducted during the EIA process.

Eskom Response:Workforce accommodation is planned and negotiated with the local authority and landowner to ensure compliance to applicable laws. In certain cases casual labour could be used from local areas.


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The power station and the power lines are two issues that cannot be separated. One cannot happen without the other and both will have a negative impact on the social environment. It is deceptive of Eskom to try to separate the two issues.


Eskom Response:Eskom is conducting separate EIAs for these projects, although theya re related to each other due to the fact that each have different outputs and are different in project type i.e. one linear and one site specific.


The influx of outsiders to build the power station and the transmission lines will overwhelm locals by their sheer numbers.




This is a highly populated, intensively farmed area with many tourist atractions. The power lines will seriously impact the area negatively and will spoilt it.




The whole scenery is affected by power lines and they change the area’s sense of place and thereby, its way of life.


A detailed visual assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Tourists and the local community love this scenic, historic, little valley and come here for peace and quiet in this tranquil setting and to enjoy nature. This will be spoilt with power lines.

McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/29

Detailed visual and heritage assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


This area has managed to limit the impact of HIV and TB, an influx of migrant workers will change the demographics for the worse.




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People with similar values have come together and invested to create this unique community in this very special natural environment. The power station and lines will destroy this and change the character of environment.


Your comment has been noted. Environmental and social impacts will be assessed during the detailed studies to be undertaken during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Barrydale is a quaint town with a specific atmosphere that would be disturbed by the proposed power lines.

Barrydale Landbou Vereniging Memebers Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31

A detailed social assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


The lines will detract from the beauty of Villiers Valley and will negatively impact on the community’s unique ‘small-holding’ lifestyle.


Detailed visual and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


14. HISTORICAL SITES


Dennehof Farm 69, Villiersdo. This farm is situated on the eastern side of the Theewaterskloof Dam, it already has massive transmission lines on its eastern boundary passing over a small farmhouse which has been there for almost a hundred years.

Rob Willmot, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Email, 2008/8/13

A detailed heritage assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist study mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise impacts on heritage resources.


Please refer to attachment for a history of the Heidehof Farm. Mathia & Walter Schwegler, Heidehof Provincial Nature Reserve and Green Flag Hiking Trail, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/29

This comment has been noted. The information will be communicated to the heritage specialist.


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Compagnes Drift Farm, home to Beaumont Wines, is of great heritage value dating back to the early 1700s/ Situated on the Bot River it was one of the oldest outposts for the Dutch East India Company and was an important stop over for early travellers and pioneers. The surrounding areas were traditional grazing lands for the Khoi San.




McGregor Historical Society aims to promote conservation awareness and to continue the development of the surrounding nature reserve. Important attractions of the area include its important 19th century architecture, and surrounding nature reserve.

Binos, Anne, McGregor Farmers Union: Secretary email 2008/11/06



The opstal on Goedvertrouw predates 1840 according to the late Dr Mary Cook. Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 passes almost overhead of this historical site.




The “Perdeskoen” road is an historical road in the area, with the farm diagrams dated back to the 1700’s.




Goedvertrouw is one of the oldest farms in the Strandveld originally 3000 morgen in size but subdivided since about 1940. The De Villiers family has owned it since the beginning of the 20th century and all the subdivision of the original farm is still in the hands of de Villiers’s although they are not all related to each other. The Goedvertrouw Trust currently owns its oldest farmstead, which is about 1500 hectare, of which 1300 hectare is undisturbed fynbos of various types.

We have done extensive research into the history of the farm and the data collected will be published very shortly. The farm, originally called Uilenkraal, was given on loan to Pieter Swart in 1726. All the subsequent owners have been researched and the three existing historic buildings, dating back to between 1812 and 1840 have been properly restored. THE MAIN HOUSE (dating back to before 1840) THE OU HUIS (Dating back to before 1812) DIE WINKELTJIE (Most likely before 1812)

The Historic Opstal is situated almost in the middle of the Alternative Route #2 corridor of the Bantamsklip-Bacchus power line.




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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 is very close to Stanford, which prides itself on its Victorian quaintness and has building guidelines based on its historical appeal. The lines should not be within sight of this “untarnished” town.


A detailed heritage assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist study mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise impacts on heritage resources. There will be significant liaison between the heritage and social specialists regarding the visual impacts associated with power lines and heritage sites.


There is a great risk that the power lines will destroy the area’s drawing card for tourism. Please note that the historic community of Elim, established in 1824, is located here.


This comment has been noted. The information will be communicated to the heritage specialist. Impacts on tourism will be assessed during the EIA phase.


There is a risk that the small, historic community of Elim will be destroyed by foreign workers are brought in to build and maintain the lines.


Detailed heritage and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


McGregor is recognised as an historic town with many sites to preserve. McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29



The Overstrand Municipality (District 3) has commissioned Dr Harriet Deacon to survey and document historical sites. Her report should be finalised by June 2009. For further information, please contact Amanda Jephson and Charl Laubcher via NMA.




15. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALAEONTOLOGICAL SITES


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There are several burial sites on Gillian Eyre’s property (next to Farm 215 www.farm215.co.za).

Erye, Gillian, landowner, Gansbaai, Interview 2008/09/01



A power line currently runs through Fairview Farm. However, since the building of the existing power line, fish fossils have been discovered on the farm and it is now registered Fossil Hills Nature Reserve. Ten homes for tourist accommodation are being built on the property in accordance with CapeNature and Eskom regulations and taking into account the natural environment and the existing power lines. The current power lines are an eyesore; additional lines will completely destroy the reserve’s tourism concept and its natural environment.


Detailed heritage (including archaeological), environmental resource economic and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described. A visual impact assessment will be undertaken and the cumulative impact of existing and potential transmission lines will also be assessed during the EIA.


16. IMPACTS ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURES

SCOPING PHASE – GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

Close proximity of power lines to unspoilt, rural residential area of Fisherhaven. Fisherhaven Ratepayers Association, Hermanus, Fax 2008/9/3



Construction vehicles will overwhelm local roads. Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16


Eskom response:This is for a temporary time period. Reference: Not applicable in current phase

Major increase in heavy traffic which must be diverted so that it does not pass through Hermanus which already has severe traffic flow problems with congestion.

Frank Tennick, Greater Hermanus Environmental Action Group, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/28


Eskom response:This is for a temporary time period.


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The roads in the area are small and used only by local traffic and self drive tourists (no trucks and buses).



Eskom response:This is for a temporary time period.



Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2 goes too near to Villiersdorp. Theewaterskloof Municipality Councillors and Representatives, Meeting, 2008/9/1



The infrastructure of the Agulhas area cannot handle additional populations (workers to build the power station and the power lines); this will cause social problems and will damage the environment.




Stanford to Mossel Bay is a proclaimed flight area used, in part, by the SA Air Force and international air forces for low flying training. The towers and lines will definitely pose a problem.



Eskom Response:Eskom will ensure safety of lines by attaching warning spheres where necessary.


Bredasdorp has a population of 15,000; the building of the power station and its associated infrastructure will bring over 5,000 people to the area. The municipality does not have the capacity to service an additional third of its current population. Who will be responsible for addressing the increased service demands, which will include areas such as schools, police services, health services, water and sewerage, etc., and who will be responsible for their decommissioning thereafter?



Eskom Response:Any new influx of persons will be planned with the local authority.


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The proposed lines go right through developed areas in Wellington, Newtown, Mbokweni, and Paarl. It does not make sense to build new lines here just because they would run along existing lines as the area has been greatly developed since the existing lines were built.


This comment has been noted. In the scoping phase specialists undertook a preliminary investigation of the potential impacts associated with the proposed power lines. They identified potential impacts and made recommendations regarding what detailed studies they will undertake during the next phase of the EIA. In addition to this preliminary investigation the specialists made use of sensitivity mapping which has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was then utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase.


This region does not have a high unemployment rate so most of the new jobs will have to be drawn from external sources. There is a great concern that this would disrupt community balance, particularly once construction was completed and the contract workers’ jobs were finished.




The Agulhas National Park includes a low flying area and a military base. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30




This is the Airforce’s low flying test area. Their navigation systems might be impacted by the electromagnetic fields and the lines might not allow low flight testing to continue.





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The lines will interfere with Denell’s (Krygkor) flight signal beacon used for radio frequencies and for auto steering mechanisms.





An active registered flight club is operating in this area. The lines will contravene the flight club rules. Certain nearby areas are dedicated for flying and in particular dedicated to the operation of gliders. The lines will put gliders at risk especially those in training.





Air traffic Navigation systems: there is a Boeing navigation beacon tower near Greyton around Swartberg. The power lines will affect its functionality. Pieter Jan





Housing is being densified everywhere in the Caledon region and many will be impacted by the proposed power lines.




Who is responsible for additional municipality costs associated with the increased capacity that will be required for workers?


Eskom Response:Any new influx of persons will be planned with the local authority


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17. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SKILLS TRANSFER


The social impact of migrant workers will be devasting. Rory Allardice, OICG; ABIOC; GRAA, Bredasdorp, Post 2008/9/11



Unemployment rates are very high in the Touwsrivier area; the project needs to bring employment for local (mostly unskilled) labourers. If lines can assist with economic growth, the town will encourage the project.

Councillor Januarie, Ward 1 Breede Valley Municpality, Meeting 2008/9/3

Detailed social and environmental resource economic assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


How will people in this area benefit from job creation via this project?

How long will the jobs last?



Eskom response:On the whole existing Eksom personnel will be utilised. Causal labour will be used only in certain circumstances.


The jobs created as a result of the building and maintenance of these power lines will not benefit the area’s current population.




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How many people will be sourced to build the lines and from where will they come? Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15


Eskom Response:Specialised persons will be used for the construction of the power lines. They will come from outside the area. Causual labour will only be utilised in certain circumstances.


There is a risk that the small, historic community of Elim will be destroyed by foreign workers are brought in to build and maintain the lines.


Detailed heritage and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.

Reference: Chaper 12

The jobs offered by Eskom for the construction of the power lines may draw farm workers away and push wages up to unaffordable levels for area businesses.



Eskom Response:Specialised persons will be used for the construction of the power lines. They will come from outside the area. Causual labour will only be utilised in certain circumstances and wages will be based on the casual wages of the area.


18. ESKOM’S PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY


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The lines should not impact the big farmers too much, but they will be worse for the small farm holdings. The councillor suggests that Eskom buy some of the small farms if necessary, use the land for the power lines and then donate the land to the municipality for community development, as part of Eskom’s social contribution.


Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. A detailed social assessment will also be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.

Eskom Response:Compensation is based on the valuation of an independent professional valuer. Eskom does not want to purchase property unless no other alternative is viable. Donation of land wiil also add to the increase in electricity cost which will affect all consumers


Unemployment rates are very high in the Touwsrivier area; the project needs to bring employment for local (mostly unskilled) labourers. If lines can assist with economic growth, the town will encourage the project.


This comment is noted. A detailed social assessment will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Government policy states that every development must include a section on how historically disadvantaged areas will benefit from a proposed development. The benefits of this project to the Overberg community must be brainstormed.

Clr Stevens - ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07


Eskom Response:Specialised persons will be used for the construction of the power lines. They will come from outside the area. Causual labour will only be utilised in certain circumstances and wages will be based on the casual wages of the area


19. LAND RIGHTS & COMPENSATION


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Please fully explain how compensation is calculated and any regulations or stipulations involved.

Penelope Michels, Email 2008/8/29 Eskom Response:Compensation is based on the valuation of an independent professional valuer. Eskom does not want to purchase property unless no other alternative is viable. Donation of land wiil also add to the increase in electricity cost which will affect all consumers



Farm 215 is completely off the grid and self-sustaining. It is a 5 star guesthouse and has been designed so that it fits in with the natural environment. It is a retreat from the modern world. On its property there are many endangered plant species, wetlands, amphibians, fauna, and birds. Farm 215 has won several prestigious awards and has Fairtrade Tourism certification. It works in partnership with other eco-tourism companies. Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 crosses the property and will completely destroy the view, will devalue the property and will destroy its future.




Please explain how the landowner is compensated and Eskom policy regarding access to property, clearance of vegetation within the servitude, how access is controlled during construction and maintenance, and how impacts/damage to natural or planted vegetation.

Richard Krige and Riann Els, Caledon, Interview, 2008/9/1;

Touwsrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16;

This comment has been noted. The EMP (to be compiled in the EIA phase) will recommend mitigation measures regarding access, maintenance, damage to flora and crops and related issues.



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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 goes through small farms and will destroy the farms’ and the farmer’s livelihoods. In the case of Mr Whitelaw’s property, the route crosses over/near the main residential and farm buildings and would impact viable farming activities, effectively cut the farm in two, seriously damage a very sensitive ecological environment, and largely destroy the property’s aesthetic value and potential tourism opportunities. This would apply to many properties in the area and Eskom should therefore consider expropriation of whole farms as opposed to simply taking a servitude


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA.

The need for an environmental resource economic and a wetland study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


Farming is economically difficult. Many landowners have built facilities for tourists and visitors on their properties, including guesthouses and wine tasting facilities. These provide much needed income, most of which will be lost if there are big power lines on the property and/or if tourism in the area declines. How will Eskom address this? How can lost potential revenue from tourism be calculated?

Elandia Area Landowners, near Robertson, Meeting, 2008/9/2

Detailed social and environmental resource economic assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.



How does compensation work? The lines will disturb vineyard rows, plus extra space will be needed to navigate machinery around the towers. Is this taken into consideration? What are the regulations within servitudes? What access rights does Eskom have?


Eskom Response:Towers can be placed to minimise impacts on farming. Only stratures, material stacking and planting of trees are forbidden. Eskom requires access for construction and maintenance of the towers. Access roads are negotiated with landowners.


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There is a great concern that the lines will impact farming practices, such as crop spraying, and might damage implements when they become hooked on the towers / guy lines. The towers and lines will be a great obstacle for farmers and this will have a financial impact.


Detailed social, agricultural potential / land use and environmental resource economic assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


How much is the compensation being offered? Kwaggaskloof Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Brandvlei, 2008/10/15


Reference

How is compensation calculated? Exactly what restrictions apply to activity within the servitudes and near the towers?

Vinkrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Robertson, Meeting, 2008/10/16;

Hettie van Berg, Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30;


Reference

The proposed route seems to be very near to Lupeninvale house and the workers’ houses on Farm 1295.


Your comment has been noted. The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. It should also be noted that certain of the alternative alignments have been excluded from the study based on the scoping studies, therefore proximity to the alignments identified for further study should be checked.

Reference Chapter 12

Eskom’s compensation is not worth the loss of land and the added difficulties of having their power lines on your property.




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Will Eskom guarantee that the land will be restored to its original pre-construction state? For example, will all damaged vines be replaced?

Oliphants LBV Focus Group Meeting, Worcester, 2008/10/29

Eskom Response:Yes. All damage will be repaired.


The existing lines make it difficult to create other needed power lines because the crossing of sub-lines and power lines is prohibited and there are minimum specifications for sub-lines that need to be adhered to. Eskom charges for every meter of sub-lines with the effect that the proposed additional power lines will force farmers to re-route lines and will increase the farmer’s expenses in getting power to where it is needed.


Eskom Response:This is incorrect. The crossing of lines will not be a problem, as engineers always design for this circumstance


If a landowner were unable to continue farming due to the power lines, what would happen to the remainder of the farm?


Eskom Response:In such a case it would be the norm that eskom would purchase the farm in question.


If farming can be continued under the lines and near the towers, what are the specific regulations? Are flammable materials, etc., allowed? Is some machinery prohibited?


Eskom Response:The only restriction on the land owner is that no structures, material stacks or trees are allowed in the servitude (the servitude is 40 m from the centre line on a 765 kV power line). In addition, no flammable products are allowed in this area.


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What is the legal process if a landowner refuses to have the power lines on his / her property? Will Eskom expropriate the land?


Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;


Hettie van Berg, Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30;


Eskom Response:Eskom may expropriate the land if the rights cannot be obtained by reasonable terms.


How is compensation calculated? McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29; Dipka LBV, Buffelsjagsrivier LBV, Ruggens LBVand Suurbraak LBV Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31

Eskom Response:Compensation is based on the valuation of an independent professional valuer. Eskom does not want to purchase property unless no other alternative is viable. Donation of land wiil also add to the increase in electricity cost which will affect all consumersReference: Not applicable in current phase

Tourism in this area is expected to be negatively impacted, which will have a ripple effect on the area’s economic system. By implication, the value of land will decrease. Please fully explain the basis for establishing land value and how compensation is calculated and negotiated.




During the construction process, farmers fear loss of control over certain farming activities, resulting in financial losses. Damage to crops is expected when the lines are faulty and Eskom has to as drive under lines for inspection and maintenance.


Your comment has been noted. Eskom has various policies and contractual arrangements that deal with these issues.


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Farming is already difficult in this area with very low profit margins. How will land and business owners be compensated for the decrease in land value beyond the compensation for servitude and footprint areas? They suggest valuating the land prior to constructing the lines, then re-valuating it after constructing the lines and that the difference ought to be paid out.





Eskom has not pay for the servitude on their lands where the current lines are running. Can they be guaranteed that a market related value would be offered for the proposed lines and their servitudes?

Landowners want to be properly informed about compensation and about the exact restrictions that will be imposed. Is there room for negotiation to compensate farmers with reduction of electricity bill?




How will compensation be calculated? What if a tower is right in the middle of an orchard? Are access roads compensated?




20. SAFETY, SECURITY & CRIME


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Die invloed wat die projek gedurende die konstruksie en daarna op veiligheid van omgewing gaan he.

Jaco Rossouw, ORBT, Caledon, Email 2008/10/28


Eskom Response:Powerlines are designed to comply with the Occupational health and Safety Act and international standards. Therefore there is no risk of harm.

Reference: Chapter 12 It will be disastrous. We will have no safety on our farms. We pay thousands each month for our safety. Thousands of people will have access to our farms.

CLN Fick, YS Brandskop, Caledon, Fax 2008/11/8


Eskom Response:Access is only required during construction as well as limited access for maintenance. This access will be control to ensure safety.



Regarding employment for the project: this area is statistically one of the safest in South Africa, specifically due to the area’s established and properly managed security project. Farmers in this area have paid millions of Rand to ensure the effectiveness of this safety and security project. The specialists are urged to study the potential impacts the area’s security. Further, how will the security of the community be managed and addressed, irrespective of where the final electricity lines are built? This should be planned phase by phase as it is expected that many people from other regions will come with their family’s to the area and that security will be compromised.

Jaco Rossow and Serfaas Lotter - Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06


Eskom Response:Access is only required during construction as well as limited access for maintenance. This access will be control to ensure safety.


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There will be an increase in crime and animal theft where lines are built due to the increased accessibility they will bring to areas.




21. FIRE HAZARDS


Threat of fire from faulty/ loose electrical cables: This is a real danger as homeowners in the Stanford and Hermanus areas can attest to. A further threat to the celebrated fynbos biome and Africa’s southernmost forest, Platbos.


Eskom Response :Eskom has fire management programmes which can be tailored to address these issues.



Fire fighting teams cannot be placed under the power lines due to carbon in the air, which can create a short. This hinders fire-fighting efforts and would have major detrimental effects. Additionally, fire-fighting costs are tremendous, the previous incident in this area cost R750, 000.




Who is responsible for maintaining under the lines for fire prevention? Eskom should maintain the land under the lines to reduce fire hazards and should maintain the lines so that they don’t short out. Attendees have witnessed the lines shorting out and catching on fire. Who is responsible for paying for fire brigade should they need to be called out? Eskom should take responsibility as they are creating the risk, not the landowners. The fire brigade has stated that they are under instructions from Eskom to send helicopters should a fire start, yet who is responsible for paying the bill and covering the fire brigade’s costs is not clear. Landowners should not be responsible for fire brigade and helicopters needed to safeguard the Eskom lines.

LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29



The power lines might create sparks that will cause grain fields to catch alight. This situation will be worsened if landowners aren’t allowed to prepare firebreaks under lines due to the affects of carbon on the transmission lines.




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The lines create a serious fire hazard and safety issues beneath them. Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06



Rory Allardice highlighted the chemical flammability of heated fynbos; ambient temperature increases due to global warming; and the sparking and shorting potential of power lines in the region due to the accumulation of sea salt on their towers. He explained that the reproductive cycle of fynbos required burning at a very particular time in the plant’s lifecycle in order to ensure its survival. He asked how Eskom would ensure the correct management of fynbos within servitudes and how the effects of salt accumulation on the towers would be dealt with. Another member suggested a change to Eskom servitude management policy. He proposed an integrated approach between Eskom and an experienced and knowledgeable site leader, such as ABI, in order to ensure that sensitive vegetation is managed properly.


Itumeleng Moeng (Eskom) will address this issue with Eskom and provide feedback to the forum.

These issues will also be taken into consideration by the relevant specialists on the project team. Detailed investigations into issues will be undertaken during the EIA phase. Specialists have been informed that they are able to contact ABI / OICG & Community Members for additional information.

Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programmes which can be tailored to address these issues.


22. EXISTING ESKOM POWER LINES


Earth lines have been placed under the existing power lines to prevent workers from being shocked while they are working on the vines, which are on metal trellises. Also, clearly visible is the fact that sometimes the electromagnetic fields can burn the crop foliage. As lines age and begin to sag, induction sparks can be seen in the air, again, earth wires are required. It is expected that these impacts would be worsened with 765 kv lines.


Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.



The existing lines are so corroded in some places that they cannot even handle 350 kV. The existing footprint should be used more effectively and upgraded to the new requirements.


Eskom ResponsePower lines are designed to compliy with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and international standards. There is therefore no risk of harm.


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Electromagnetic fields burn crops and the leaves of fruit trees within close proximity to the power lines.





Power lines dramatically devalue land. Breerivier LBV & Wolsely LBV Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will be required to assess cumulative impacts. Impacts on property values will also be assessed.


Some farmers here already have two or three lines running through their intensively used, smallholdings. Additional lines are unacceptable, as they will have too great an impact. Please consider another area, it is not fair that the same farmer has to bear the additional inconvenience and difficulties of another line or upgrade the existing lines instead. Breerivier Valley is only about 5km wide, so it does not matter where in the corridor the line is placed, as it will inevitably impact farmer.


The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This study will be required to assess cumulative impacts.


The current lines run down in the valley. It is requested that they be moved closer to the mountain to reduce their impact on the intensively farmed fruit orchards and that any additional lines are also built at the foot of the mountain and not in agricultural land.



Eskom Response:Eskom will accommodate suggestions for powerline routes


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During colder periods and in the mornings, workers get shocked by the existing power lines. During harvesting, some of the equipment shocks also the workers due to the electromagnetic fields of the existing power lines.


Eskom Response:Special arrangements can be made in cases where trellaces are utilised in order to mitigate potential impacts on farm workers.


Some farmers already have two power lines dividing their property and causing difficulties, adding another group of lines would be unbearable.


This comment has been noted. The cumulative impacts of existing and potential transmission lines will be assessed during the EIA.


As it is difficult to visualise the impact of the proposed lines, members would like to know what the distance is between the towers of the existing lines as compared to the distance between the towers of the proposed lines.

The cumulative impacts of existing and potential transmission lines will be assessed during the EIA. A detailed visual impact assessment will also be undertaken.

Eskom Response:Proposed towers will be approximately 500m apart.


Workers working on the vines under the existing lines get shocked. Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members, (Appelsdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30



The existing lines shock farmers when they are setting up infrastructure requiring wires or metal. They create a serious fire hazard and safety issues.




The Villiers Valley is a narrow range between two mountains. Water channel servitudes already consume precious farm land. However, the dam and channels have also positively impacted the development of farming and the area is now much more developed and is very different from what it was 20 years ago when the existing lines were built.




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23. TECHNICAL QUERIES AND COMMENTS


Why has Eskom not considered putting transmission lines in the sea? Amanda Jepson and Charl Laybscher, farm owners: Assegaai Bosch and Klein Tierfontein, Tierfontein, Email 2008/8/29

Eskom Response:South Africa needs electricity. Generation could be at Bantamsklip and Eskom Transmission will be responsible for the evacuation of power from this site to the national grid.

Current transmission technology makes this option unfeasible.


Daar word genoem dat dit 4X400kV lyne is. Is al die lyne(kabels) aan een kragmas (pylon) vas of is daar byvoorbeeld twee maste wat elk twee kabels dra? Hoe breed is die strook onder die lyne wat skoongemaak moet word?

Danie and May de Villiers, Goedvertrouw Boerdery, Stanford, Email 2008/9/8

The project scope includes the following lines:

Application 1 – 4 x 765 kV lines between Bantamsklip and the Kappa SubstationApplication 2 – 4 x 400 kV lines between Bantamsklip and the Bacchus Substation as well as 1 x 400 kV line between the Bacchus and Muldersvlei substations.

In the case of 4 X 400kV lines this would refer to 4 sets of lines each with the capacity to carry 400 kV of electricity.

The typical width of a transmission line servitude is 80 m (40 m either side of the centre line). In the event that 4 x 400 kV lines would run parallel this servitude width would be approximately 320 m.



Why will the servitudes for the four lines be about 320 metres?


The typical width of a transmission line servitude is 80 m (40 m either side of the centre line). In the event that 4 x 400 kV lines would run parallel this servitude width would be approximately 320 m.


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Can Eskom not use the highest possible power lines to limit the number of lines needed?

Cornie Swart, Interview 2008/09/04 Eskom Response:The height of the powerlines will not reduce the total number required.

Reference: not aplicable

The members were concerned about the power lines interfering with cellular phone reception and other frequencies.


Eskom Response:Engineers are able to reduce interference with all other frequencies through mitigation measures. Reference: Not applicable in current phase

Earthing wires have had to be placed under the existing lines to prevent workers from being shocked due to the metal trellises and foliage on crops under the wires is sometimes burned. Also, as the lines age and sag, sparks can be seen emanating from them; again earthing wires need to be installed. These issues will likely be exacerbated with 765 Kv lines.



Eskom Response:Special arrangements can be made in cases where trellaces are utilised in order to mitigate potential impacts on farm workers


How would the proposed lines dovetail with the existing lines? Will they run parallel or can they cross each other?


Eskom Response:Powerlines can cross and run parallel.


Can’t the existing lines be upgraded instead of building new lines?

Why not upgrade lines and not the towers, that is, add another line onto the same tower or increase the power of the existing lines, as there are already two 400kv lines here.


Eskom Response:The new lines will be 765 and 400 kV . The existing lines are utilised solely for local supply of electricity and can therefore not be upgraded..


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The proposed lines near the Skurwekop / Zandberg gorges will likely be greatly affected by the gorge's wind.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging members, (Appelsdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30



Will power lines interfere with precision farming equipment?

Is there any documentation to this end?

The equipment is very expensive and not being to use it would impact farmers greatly. All of it is reliant on GPS readings, which wouldn’t recognise the towers.



Eskom Response:Engineers are able to reduce interference with all other frequencies through mitigation measures


Irrigation infrastructure will be negatively affected and possibly neutralised, as irrigation taps are radio-controlled control. How will the power lines influence the radio signal?



Eskom Response:Engineers are able to reduce interference with all other frequencies through mitigation measures


24. CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS


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Extensive construction phase damage beyond boundary of transmission line. Rob Fryer, Manager, Overstrand Conservation Foundation (OCF), Hermanus, Fax 2008/8/13

Mitigation and Management measures will be proposed both generally and by the specialist team with regards to both the construction and operational phase. These recommendations will be included in the Environmental Management Plan to be compiled during the EIA phase. This document is a legally binding document and compliance with the measures contained within it are mandatory. Auditing and monitoring requirements will also be included.


Stock theft will increase due to the increased number of people in the area for the power line’s construction.


A detailed social study will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Access to servitudes will be control to ensure safety.


Access roads will impact on farm management when gates are left open and construction will generally be very disruptive to farming activities, especially for livestock enterprises.


Eskom has various policy documents in place to manage these issues.

Eskom Response:EMP conditions will ensure compliance.

Reference:

Crime and incidence of Aids will increase due to an influx of construction workers to build the lines.




Construction will damage vegetation. Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16

A detailed flora study will be undertaken during the EIA phase. Mitigation and Management measures will be proposed both generally and by the specialist team with regards to both the construction and operational phase. These recommendations will be included in the Environmental Management Plan to be compiled during the EIA phase. This document is a legally binding document and compliance with the measures contained within it are mandatory. Auditing and monitoring requirements will also be included.


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Vineyards will be damaged during the construction phase of the power lines Kwaggaskloof Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Brandvlei, 2008/10/15

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.



Animal theft during the construction of the lines is also a concern. Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15

Eskom has various policy documents in place to manage these issues.

Eskom Response:Access will be negotiated with Landowners


Construction of the lines will result in damage to the area’s small, intensively farmed, long-term crop holdings. This will have a significant effect on income.



A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be undertaken during the EIA phase. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


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Tower construction and line installation will be detrimental to farming activities and to the land.




Reducing the impact of construction would be difficult; for grape farmers, construction from May to August would be better, but this is not so for citrus farmers.


Thank you for your comment. This has been communicated to the relevant Eskom personnel. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Experience shows that Eskom’s construction on private property causes a great deal of disruption and that gates protocol is not adhered to, which results resulting in live stock losses.


Eskom Response:Access will be negotiated with landowners


During the construction process, farmers will loose control over certain farming activities, resulting in financial losses.





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This region has winter rains; the soil will be too wet for winter construction. Therefore Eskom can only do work in the summer period, that is from December to March. However, construction of the lines during the summer will increase the risk of creating unplanned fires, which will have a devastating effect on farming as well as natural environment.

Thuys Delport and Danile Gilomeer - Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06

Thank you for your comment. This has been communicated to the relevant Eskom personnel. In addition, mitigation and management measures will be proposed both generally and by the specialist team with regards to both the construction and operational phase. These recommendations will be included in the Environmental Management Plan to be compiled during the EIA phase. This document is a legally binding document and compliance with the measures contained within it are mandatory. Auditing and monitoring requirements will also be included.

Eskom Response:The EMP will advise with regards to the required mitigation measures and specifications.

Reference:: Chapter 12

This is the only area in the world known for Renostervelt, which should be protected from damage due to the construction and maintenance of the power lines, as should all fynbos. How will these areas be accessed?



Eskom Response:The EMP will advise with regards to the required mitigation measures and specifications.


Eskom has a reputation of damaging property and not repairing it. Clr Schalk van Eeden Breede River Winelands Municipality, Meeting 2008/9/1


Eskom Response:Eskom will repair damage as prescribed in the EMP.

Reference: Not applicable in current phase.

25. MAITENANCE IMPACTS AND SERVITUDE MANAGEMENT


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Access roads will impact on farm management when gates are left open especially for livestock enterprises.


Eskom Response:Access will be negotiated with Landowners.


Sal hierdie stroke gereeld deur ESKOM gesny word om die plantegroei kort te hou of sal die natuurlike plantegroei weer toegelaat word om te groei?

Moet daar toegangspaaie na die roete beskikbaar wees vir instandhoudingsdoeleindes en as daar nie tans sulke paaie is nie gaan hulle gemaak en instand gehou word deur ESKOM?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/9/10: Eskom has a full vegetation management strategy. Generally plant growth continues as normal but there are various restrictions relating to the height of vegetation that is allowed under different lines. More detail will be provided during the course of the EIA process.

The EIA will be investigating the impact of access roads along the transmission line routes. Generally access roads are required along the servitudes for maintenance purposes – however, there are cases where roads cannot be built in which case these sections are maintained via helicopter access. The access roads are generally dirt tracks and are maintained by Eskom. More detail regarding the access roads will be available during the course of the EIA process.


PRE SCOPING PHASE - MEETINGSS

Landowners with power lines on their property have found that Eskom personnel abuse the land and do not stay on the designated roads. Eskom does not respect property as agreed up front.


Eskom Response:Access will be negotiated with landowners.Reference:Not applicable in current phase

Who is responsible for maintaining under the lines for fire prevention? Eskom should maintain the land under the lines to reduce fire hazards and should maintain the lines so that they don’t short out. Attendees have witnessed the lines shorting out and catching on fire. Who is responsible for paying for fire brigade should they need to be called out? Eskom should take responsibility as they are creating the risk, not the landowners. The fire brigade has stated that they are under instructions from Eskom to send helicopters should a fire start, yet who is responsible for paying the bill and covering the fire brigade’s costs is not clear. Landowners should not be responsible for fire brigade and helicopters needed to safeguard the Eskom lines.


Eskom has various policy documents that deal with the management and mitigation of fire.

Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programmes which will include measures to address these issues.


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Vineyards are damaged when Eskom does maintenance on the existing lines. It is best to do maintenance during winter.


This comment has been noted. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Does every tower require an access road? Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30



Game on private reserves are terrified by Eskom's helicopters and are thereby sometimes injured.

Also, a member had experienced Eskom maintenance personnel shooting game on his reserve. Eskom told him that, as the maintenance personnel were contractors, there was nothing that could be done told him about their actions.

Agterkliphoogte Landbou Vereniging Members, (Appelsdrift, near Robertson) Focus group meeting 2008/10/30

Eskom Response:This can be control through negotiation.


Damage to crops is expected when the lines are faulty and Eskom has to drive under lines for inspection and maintenance.


Access roads and servitude management are included in the scope of work for this project, and mitigation measures regarding issues including maintenance and repairs will be included in the EMP to be compiled during the EIA phase.

ReferenceChapter 3 and Chapter 12

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What will happen if a tower is right in the middle of an orchard and how will it be accessed by road? What access will be required for maintenance?

Jan Viljoen - Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined using a walk down of the corridor, so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid inconvenience to the current land users as far as possible.

Eskom Response:Access will be negotiated with landowners


Fire management of servitudes needs to be addressed. Will Eskom allow natural veldt to be burned under the lines or will they assist in providing a firebreak? There are issues surrounding the conditions under which fynbos thrives (prescriptive and natural burning) and electromagnetic radiation that might start a fire. Therefore, management of these areas is of great concern a management system needs to be work shopped.


Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programmes which can include mechanisms to address these issues.


26. HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES


Government policy states that every development must include a section on how historically disadvantaged areas will benefit from a proposed development. The benefits of this project to the Overberg community must be brainstormed.




27. PROPOSED ALIGNMENTS AND ALIGNMENT RECOMMENDATIONS


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Op grond waarvan word gesê dat die 4 alternatiewe roetes se “corridors” van 5 kilometers elk die enigste moontlike roetes is? Of is die inligting foutief?

Indien daar ander roetes is wat buite hierdie “corridors” geleë is wat na die mening van geaffekteerde partye beter opsies is kan hulle ook in die “scoping study” verslag ingesluit word?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/9/10: The routes that will be investigated in the scoping study are considered technically feasible by Eskom. However, through the course of the study it might be that various alternative deviations are also identified. This is acceptable if the routes are considered to be technically and economically viable.

It must be noted that the project team is considering an alternative proposed by the ABI / OCIG.


Impacts of the power lines can be minimized. Erect less power lines by branching off the 400 kV lines from the 765 kV line at a central point, e.g. at Worcester/Brandvlei dam and/or Caledon.

Dirk H van Eeden, Franskraal Caravan Park, Gansbaai, Post 2008/9/9

Eskom Response:All planning has been done for the optimal solution.


Why do some of the lines 014 not run along the existing lines to Hermanus and then to Botrivier?

Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16

Eskom Response:EIAs are completed to ensure the least impacting routes are found.


To construct the power lines in the Alternative #2 corridor over Goedvertrouw (see attached document) will be an environmental disaster. There are other alternative routes that have not been identified by Eskom and that should form part of any draft scoping report. For that reason we as well as our neighbours and many other landowners are insisting that discussions in this regard should take place as soon as possible.


Environmental impacts will be assessed during the EIA phase. The alternative routes that will be investigated in the scoping study are considered technically feasible by Eskom. However, through the course of the EIA study it might be that various alternative deviations are also identified.

The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase

It must be noted that the project team is considering an alternative proposed by the ABI / OCIG.



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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2 goes too near to Villiersdorp. Clrs Vosloo Mazembe, Theewaterskloof Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/01



How were the proposed routes decided? How will the final route decisions be made? Elandia Area Landowners, near Robertson, Meeting, 2008/9/2

The choice of route alternatives has to date been a fairly complex process. A full description of how alternative routes were identified is included in the scoping report and made available for your review and comment.


The proposed lines will be problematic with for fruit farmers and as there are already two large power lines, people probably won’t approve of more lines. Lines should run along the foot of the mountains where there are no intensive farming activities.

Clrs Buckle and Thomas, Drakenstein Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/02

The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined using a walk down of the corridor, so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid inconvenience to the current land users as far as possible. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described. Cumulative impacts will also be assessed during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:EIAs are completed to find the least impacting route.


Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 1 crosses over wetlands, including the largest in the Western Cape: Suttendahlvlei. Alternative 3 also crosses over wetlands. Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 crosses intense farming area (winearies) and Grootbos Dam. It’s also very close to Stanford, which prides itself on its Victorian quaintness and has building guidelines based on its historical appeal. The lines should not be within sight of “untarnished”. It also runs along the main road, in plain sight of travellers and tourists. Alternative 2 has no major towns on its route, which will allow for greater public acceptance, however, if it goes through Genadendal, there will be a big reaction. Alternative 4 is also very near Genadendal. Ward reactions will depend greatly on which route is chosen and issues will focus on nature and tourism.

Clrs Scholz and Walters, Overstrand Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/02

Thank you for this information. The use of sensitivity mapping in the scoping phase has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase. Impacts on tourism will be assessed and a detailed visual assessment undertaken during the EIA.


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Why build four power lines in an intensively used farming area? Why not build the lines in an uncultivated area? Elandia’s valley is narrow and is for the most part intensively used, however, if absolutely necessary, the line could be moved to the foot of the mountain where it would have the least impact on farming activities [Bacchus Kappa Alternative 2].


The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined using a walk down of the corridor, so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid inconvenience to the current land users as far as possible.

Eskom Response:EIAs are completed to find the least impacting route


Does Gamma Alpha also meet at Kappa? John Veschini, Tulbagh Resident, Interview, 2008/9/3

Eskom Response:There is no Gamma Alpha line – clarity is requested on this comment.

Reference: not application

It would be better if the proposed lines ran to the south of the current lines, but definitely not north of them.





Impact of the lines would be lessened if their placement were properly planned, such as running them along existing roads and between properties instead of across properties.





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Why not follow a direct route from Bantamsklip to the potential transmission line at Montagu? Why cross the Haasvlakte area [Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 4 and the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 4]? These are the longest routes and must be much more expensive to construct?





What criteria were used in deciding on the current proposed alternatives? It is necessary to understand this in order to inform I&AP’s decision-making and feedback.

What criteria and processes will be used for deciding the routes of the power lines?

Ettiene Fourier - Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15


In the EIA phase of the project, detailed specialist investigations will provide information for decision making. The specialist team will be required to utilise the same impact rating methodology. This methodology is described in the Plan of Study for Environmental Impact Assessment included in the Scoping Study. The results of the impact rating will be integrated utilising a matrix in order to identify the most preferred corridor.


Adam Albertyn already has 2 power lines segmenting his orchards. Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15

This comment has been noted. Cumulative impacts will be assessed during the EIA phase.


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This area has very little fertile land and rainfall and many smallholdings. Due to the lack of rainfall an intricate irrigation system of water culverts has been constructed. If the towers are placed on unfertile land, which there is a goodly amount of, the impact won’t be as great. However, if the towers are placed on fertile and / or interrupt the water system; they will be very problematic. Also, as holdings are small, (some are about thirty hectares), the placing of four towers on fertile land could mean the loss of about 2 hectares of intensely cultivated land. A great deal will also depend on the compensation that landowners will receive.

The attendees have located a valley that is in the middle of the Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 2 corridor (Map 14) whereby they feel the power lines would have lessened impact visually and on farming activities.

Bonnievale Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16


Eskom Response:Powerlines are required to support tourist activities. These two activities can be compatible through negotiation.


Farms are typically quite spread out in the area, however, the Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 3 / 4 corridor would be near a few homes. If the corridor were moved either to the left or the right, it would avoid most homes. Please refer to map attached to minutes.

Touwsrivier Landbou Vereniging, Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16




Differentiation between “intensive” farming and “extensive” (wide open areas) farming needs to be noted. Vineyards are intensive farming and the lines would impact these much more. This is primarily an intensive farming area that would be much impacted by the power lines than would extensive farming areas.


A detailed agricultural potential / land use study will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.


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In the Rooiberg area, about 30 – 40 % of all of the wine producers are under the proposed line. It would be sensible to move Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 about 5 km towards the existing quarry and open areas instead of its current position over orchards. Please refer map attached to minutes. There are many intensive farming properties and workers’ homes that would be impacted by Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 2 (Map 19) in this valley. The other alternatives seem to impact less people.






The area’s orchard farms are intensely used and are therefore unable to host the proposed lines. Also, there is a Renosterveld conservancy in the area and a 2,000 hectare reserve from Bienskoolf to Voelvlei that started 5 years ago where millions of Rand have been spent on successfully clearing alien vegetations. There is only 4% of Renosterveld left in the world and this area has the largest amount of it. The reserve already has two power lines; it would be most unreasonable for it to have to bear another power line. It would be more sensible to build the lines through the grain lands or through northern areas, such as Porterville and Swartberg that are less densely populated. The Duynefontein alternative seems more reasonable, especially as it already has the necessary infrastructure.

Frank Turner, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28





There are already two power lines here and potentially the Gamma Omega lines. It does not seem reasonable to even suggest additional lines. Both of the Bacchus Muldersvlei alternatives will impact the Wellington area.


This comment has been noted. Cumulative impacts will be assessed during the EIA phase.


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The attendees of this meeting reject both of the Bacchus Muldersvlei alternatives and request that the line be built in an area where the population is less dense, the land less intensively used, and where tourism is not such a growing industry.




Detailed environmental resource economic, agricultural potential / land use studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.



The Western Cape Winelands are an A+++ tourist attraction for the country, the proposed lines will detract from its appeal. Why not add increase the power of the existing lines or build lines in other areas?




Eskom Response:Powerlines are required to support tourist activities. These two activities can be compatible through negotiation.


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As there are power lines in the area, this area should not be required to have additional power lines, this land cannot be simply written off like that. The new lines should be constructed to the north of the proposed corridor.






Farmers need to be consulted directly about the exact placement of the towers so that farming infrastructure (irrigation, etc.) can be properly taken into consideration.




Eskom Response:Negotiations will take place with landowners.


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The existing power lines were constructed on mainly uncultivated, open land, but now all arable areas are all being cultivated, as agriculture in the region has developed at an alarming rate.



Detailed environmental resource economic, agricultural potential / land use studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase. Impacts on farming practices and agricultural operations will be assessed during the EIA. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.



As it is difficult to visualise the impact of the proposed lines, members would like to know what the distance is between the existing lines as compared to the distance between the proposed lines.



Further information regarding the exact placement of towers will become available during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Towers will be approximately 500 m apart.


It would be better to build the lines between two farms as opposed to dividing a single property.




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This is a high-intensity agricultural area, where land is expensive and will be acutely impacted be the power lines. The lines should be built on uncultivated land.



Detailed environmental resource economic, agricultural potential / land use studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.Eskom Response:EIAs are completed to find the least impacting route


The new route should be moved to a less intensively farmed area. The whole valley where it is currently proposed, from mountain to mountain, is now cultivated. The best way to avoid the intensively farmed areas would be to run the lines through the Hawequa Game Reserve between the mountains.

Oliphants LBV Focus Group Meeting, Worcester, 2008/10/29



Arable land surrounding McGregor is intensively farmed and homes are close together. Why not build the lines across open veldt instead of through valued vineyards? (Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 and 2, Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 4, Map 19 for both.)




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Neither side of the existing power line is feasible for additional lines, as the town of McGregor is on one side and intensive farming, homes, and tourist lodges are on the other side. The centre of the Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 & 2 corridor crosses lodges, the Vrolikheid Nature Reserve, and ten homes as well as a new golf estate development. This area consists of intensive farming crops, such as grapes, apricots, peaches, olives and soft fruits and includes wine tasting facilities and B&Bs on properties.






The line cuts across Appelsdrift, which is an area with many homes within the 5 km corridor.





Why the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 4, Bantamsklip Kappa Alternatives 1 and 2 corridors turn to the west north of Riviersonderend, when it seems more feasible to go north?




The natural fire cycle in the Napier region occurs about every four years. Should a fire go slightly out of control, it will damage the planned power line infrastructure.


Thank you for this information. It has been communicated to the relevant team members.


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Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternative 1 runs through the community of Klipdale, whereas Alternative 2 runs through Proteum, which only has grain silos.




The towers and lines are hideous, unsightly and will run across the top of the mountains where they would be visible for many kilometres. Could they not be moved to an area where they would not be so “in your face” and visible?


The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined using a walk down of the corridor, so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid inconvenience to the current land users as far as possible. A detailed visual impact assessment will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


The Bantamsklip Kappa Alternative 3 / 4 corridor crosses intensive farming areas, wine cellars, dairies and homes, and Buffeljags community and would be easily visible in the valley. Its impact could be reduced if it were moved about 5 km to the west, where there are less houses and it would not be so visible.


The choice of route alternatives has to date been a fairly complex process. A full description of how alternative routes were identified is included in the scoping report. The preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments. The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined using a walk down of the corridor, so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid inconvenience to the current land users as far as possible.



What criteria were used in selecting the proposed routes? Dipka LBV, Buffelsjagsrivier LBV, Ruggens LBVand Suurbraak LBV Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31



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The proposed routes cut across tourism-based properties Summerset Gift Getaway, which includes chalets and ecological properties, and the chalets of Frog Mountain Getaway.


This comment has been noted. Detailed environmental resource economic, agricultural potential / land use studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.


It would be much better if the proposed lines ran to the north of the existing lines as there are now vineyards alongside south side of the existing power lines.


This comment has been noted. Detailed environmental resource economic, agricultural potential / land use studies will also be undertaken during the EIA phase.


When existing power lines were constructed the land was not being used as intensively and/or was in some cases uncultivated; however, now the whole are is being used for agriculture.




The following was suggested: with reference to the Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 & 2, Maps 16 & 17, placing the lines further to the south of the existing lines (i.e. Caledon’s side of the mountain) or at least further up the mountain (if technically feasible) not towards the valley to avoid impacting residential areas and developments and farming areas and orchards. Alternative 3 is strongly recommended it would miss the most intensively used areas. Villiers Valley is a narrow range between two mountains so there little room for movement within the valley.



Reference: Chapter 9, Chapter, Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

Due to environmental and aviation concerns, all of the power lines must go out of Bantamsklip as soon as possible by going directly north, except where they would cross small towns such as Greyton, the lines should be routed around the towns. If the lines were routed straight out of Bantamsklip, no major flight paths would be crossed. Colonel Kotze said this alignment would be most suitable for the Air Force.




28. FUNDING, PLANNING, & GOVERNMENT POLICIES & REGULATIONS


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Please refer to attachment. We are registered as Heidehof Provincial Nature Reserve, and it is forbidden to erect powerlines on this property.

Mathia & Walter Schwegler, Heidehof Provincial Nature Reserve and Green Flag Hiking Trail, Gansbaai, Fax 2008/8/29



If proposed transmission line crosses a national road, an application to obtain statutory approval must be made to SANRAL. There is a 60-metre building restriction line adjacent to all national roads and high voltage lines must be erected further than 60 metres from a national road.

Colene Runkel, SANRAL, email, 2008/8/26; Colene Runkel, SANRAL, email, 2008/10/20

Thank you for providing this information; it has been communicated to the relevant team members. Please note that the preliminary transmission line corridors are 5km wide and include a large amount of land that will not ultimately be included as part of the final transmission line alignments.


Environmental, cultural, historical and socil policy concerns. Please refer to attached list.

Francois Kotza, Overberg District Municipality, Breadasdorp, Fax 2008/9/1

Detailed flora, fauna, avifauna, heritage, visual agricultural potential / land use and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Tourism and the wine industry boost employment in this historically impoverished area and contribute to skills development projects, and improved housing. Please refer to the Stanford Spatial Development Framework and Sustainable Development Initiative. (See document for details.)


Thank you for providing this information; it has been communicated to the relevant team members. In addition to the social study, an environmental resource economic study has also been recommended for inclusion in the EIA phase in order to investigate the impacts associated with the power lines, such as the impact on tourism and employment.


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SANParks would like to provide some provisional comment on the scoping report for the EIA process for proposed ESKOM Bantamsklip transmission lines and associated infrastructure. We would also like to register as an I&AP. This comment is provisional and should be considered in conjunction with other SANParks inputs both at a park and a corporate level. A number of the proposed powerline alternative routes associated with the potential Bantamsklip nuclear powerplant potentially have very large impacts on the Agulhas National Park. The attached map overlays the current park boundaries and the identified Park Interface Zones (areas where the park is potentially sensitive to inappropriate development) with the proposed powerline routes. The map indicates that certain of the proposed powerline routings cross current and future (expansion) areas of the park.

SANParks would like to point out that:a.) It appears that planners/consultants are not aware of the Waterford section of the Agulhas National Park which is immediately north-east of the Bantamsklip site, as otherwise this property would surely been avoided. A number of the powerline routes either cross this property or run along its eastern boundary (i.e. directly impacting on the continued consolidation of this park). It is SANPark’s view that an overhead powerline cutting through the park would have a dramatic negative effect on the ecotourism and wilderness resources of the park (as well as a more limited but still important biodiversity impact). As a national park, the area in contention is a national conservation asset and overhead powerlines through National Parks and their associated visual impacts of therefore clearly inappropriate and should be seen as a fatal flaw for these routes. It is however important to point out that the impact is not merely limited to an aesthetic or visual one. These impacts have direct consequences for local economic development associated with tourism enterprises. As the national park is a key driving agent of the local ecotourism economy, it is likely that the lines would dramatically limit potential ecotourism development in the area with negative consequences for the local economy and local job creation. ESKOM should expect the strongest level of objection from SANParks and its parent national government depart (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) should it persist with any option which crosses this property. SANParks also opposes the granting of new servitudes across the national conservation assets which it is protecting. [Continued below]

Dr S Holness, Strategic Conservation Planner Park Planning and Development Services, South African National Parks, Email 2008/10/20

Thank you for providing this information; it has been communicated to the relevant team members. You have been registered as an I&AP.

The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive in a variety of aspects. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies focusing on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


In addition to the investigation of alternative corridors, the final preferred alignment will be subject to a walkdown of the exact pole positions by the avifauna, fauna, flora, heritage and visual specialists. This activity is commonly undertaken post – ROD and prior to the construction phase. The final alignment for the transmission line will be determined so that the most appropriate site is chosen for the alignment, to avoid difficulties for the current land users as far as possible.

Detailed flora, fauna, avifauna, heritage, visual, agricultural potential / land use and social assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 10, Chpater 11 and Chapter 12

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b.) A number of the powerline routes cut between the Waterford and the main section of the Agulhas National Park through an identified Priority Natural Area. These are areas which are identified within the park’s management plan (based on systematic conservation planning) as being key areas on which the long term survival of the park depends. These include areas within which the park is currently expanding. These are areas important to both biodiversity pattern (especially reasonably intact high priority natural habitats) and processes (ecological linkages, catchments, intact hydrological systems, etc.). Very importantly, the powerline routes which cut between Waterford and the main section of the park compromise the consolidation of the park, and directly impact on areas identified for incorporation within the park. Importantly, a number of the powerline routes to the east also cut through the Nuwejaarsriver Special Management Area, which is soon to become a National Protected Environment associated with the Agulhas National Park. SANParks is therefore strongly opposed to the routes heading east and northeast from Bantamsklip which cut between Waterford and the main section of the park. Although the powerline routes heading to the west and north-west do cross portions of the priority natural area zone, the area impacted is significantly smaller than if the powerlines are routed in other directions.

c.) Large portions of the area are within the identified Viewshed Protection Zone around Agulhas National Park. A powerline would have a major impact on the aesthetic quality of a visitors experience in the park, and will have long term impacts on the potential for ecotourism within the park. The routes should be carefully screened to ensure that they do not impact excessively on the aesthetics of the park. Although the powerline routes heading to the west do cross the visual interface zone, the impacts of the routes to the west are likely to be far lower than those heading east and northeast from bantamsklip.

Conclusion:SANParks would therefore like to put on record that it would strongly oppose any powerline route that either cuts through or runs adjacent to the Agulhas National Park. Further, the routes that run between the Waterford and the main section or the Agulhas National park (and which cut through the identified Priority Natural Areas and Viewshed Protection Zones of the Park) will also be opposed as they compromise the consolidation of the park, the visual quality of the landscape which it is protecting and the ecotourism industry which is dependent on the aesthetic quality of the landscape. SANParks is also concerned about the potential impacts on the Nuwerjaarsriver Special Management Area north of the park. The routes heading east and northeast from Bantamsklip would have disastrous consequences for the park, and will be opposed by SANParks. Although the routes heading north-west from Bantamsklip need to be carefully planned in order to avoid major impacts on the park, SANParks strongly favours these routes.

Dr S Holness, Strategic Conservation Planner Park Planning and Development Services, South African National Parks, Email 2008/10/20

Detailed flora, fauna and avifauna studies are planned for the EIA phase.

A detailed visual study is planned for the EIA phase. Cumulative impacts of proposed and existing transmission lines will also be assessed.

Thank you; your comments are noted.


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The Swellendam Flying Club (Pty) Ltd is the owner of the Swellendam Airfield, which is situated 3km South-East of Swellendam in the Bontebok National Park. It is a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) registered airfield and is the only registered Airfield between Mosselbay and Robertson. The airfield includes a general flying area utilized for training and general flying as shown below (see document) and is also utilized for tourism activities. Due to to location of the airfield the investment value of the airfield is estimated at R15m.

Power lines are one of the biggest dangers to aircraft. Erection of power lines in the General Flying Area, or close to the airfield would seriously compromise safety and increase risks for pilots and trainee pilots flying in the area. It will be a question of time before an aircraft ends up in the power lines. CAA by law prohibits erection of any structures close to CAA registered airfields (Part 139: Aerodromes and Heliports: Licensing and Operation). No compensation will be given to the club as in the case of farmers.

We kindly request that the power lines be routed outside our General Flying Area.

Lourens Enslin, Manager, Swellengrebel Flying Club, Swellendam, Email 2008/11/4


Eskom Response:Eskom will ensure the safety of aircraft by attaching warning spheres where necessary.


Geostratics is currently in the process of evaluating the development of tourism accommodation and facilities on farm 222 and farm 223, Pearly Beach. Our client has requested that we comment on his behalf. Alternative 1 Bantamsklip Bacchus traverse the one boundary of Farm 223. In our assessment, a detail geohydrological report, vegetation survey and wetland report was undertaken. All these reports indicated the sensitivity of this section of the farm and for this reason it was decided not to proceed with the development of tourism accommodation in this section of the farm. It is therefore not appropriate either to consider the construction of the intended power lines through this section. Also keep in mind that a landing strip is located along the main road, thus continuing with the power lines along the road is also not an option. Attached the map indicating the areas of concern.

Sarien Lategan on behalf of Danie Pretorius, Farm 222 and 223, Pearly Beach, Email 2008/11/12

Thank you for providing this information; it has been communicated to the relevant team members. The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive in a variety of aspects. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies focusing on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


In addition to the investigation of alternative corridors, the final preferred alignment will be subject to a walkdown of the exact pole positions by the avifauna, fauna, flora, heritage and visual specialists. This activity is commonly undertaken post – ROD and prior to the construction phase.

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 10, and Chapter 12

PRE - SCOPING PHASE – MEETINGS

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There are multiple organisations that have a great deal of knowledge about the area and are involved in development plans that the project will heavily impact. These include Tertius Carinus of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI), SANParks, Overstrand Conservation (Rob Fryer) and the Eco-Fynbos Forum. The specialists need to liaise with these groups. The Agluhas Plains Initiative is in the process of making the whole corridor from Cape Agulhas National Park to Hermanus a conservancy area.



Specialist team members are expected to liaise with existing organisations that are relevant to their specialist study.


There is a very strong conservation drive in the area under the Agulhas Plains Initiative. Stanford Community Members, Interview, 2008/9/2

This comment has been noted. Focus Group discussions have been held with ABI during the Scoping Phase of the project.


Cape Agulhas National Park, in conjunction with private landowner, is seeking to create a conservancy corridor across the area. Cape Agulhas National Park is expanding, the EIA project needs to recognise the new borders of the Park and to take into consideration the impact that the project will have on national conservation efforts, as well as the financial impact that the power lines will have on tourism in the area.


Thank you for providing this information. The EIA project team will take into account the strategic context of the study area when undertaking the EIA, including National Parks and tourism activities.



Please refer to the Agulhas Tourism Development Framework based on a study conducted by Tourism Cape Agulhas for an understanding of the development plans for this area that the transmission lines may impact.


This comment is noted and the information forwarded to the appropriate specialist team member.


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If these lines are approved, international funding for the Special Management Areas (SMA) will be compromised. The Development Bank is a partner of the SMA, is there not a potential conflict of interest if they also fund an ESKOM development?


Eskom Response:Eskom will not compromise actions in special management areas. We will request management systems to include management of servitudes so that Eksom can work together to balance the supply of electiricty with the environment.


How much interaction and communication is there between Eskom and other state institutions? The suggested transmission lines appear to be in conflict with other state departments.


Eskom Response:Eskom will negotiate will all relevant landowners. More clarity will be sort in order to provide a more detailed response.


A great deal of time, effort, and money has been invested in developing this area and bringing it international status. This includes municipal development frameworks, etc. This proposed development is in total contrast to that which has been done and planned.


Your comment is noted.

Reference: Not applicable

This project goes directly against the approach and philosophy of the District Social Development Framework.


A detailed social impact study will be carried out during the EIA phase, which will investigate issues like that described.


CapeNature is strongly involved in the development and conservation of this area and a CapeNature Action Plan exists for people here. A detailed study is available for review and ought to be considered in this process. The area is a demarcated nature conservation and a Special Management Area (SMA), as it is a global biodiversity haven. Nuwejaars SMA and conservation area of 93 000 hectares will be adversely affected.


The project team recognises that the study area is sensitive in a variety of aspects. Therefore, sensitivity mapping exercises have been undertaken for all specialist aspects during the scoping phase. Detailed studies focusing on these aspects will be undertaken during the EIA phase.


There is a Denell ammunition factory under the proposed lines; this is against South African regulations.


This comment has been noted and communicated to the relevant team members for inclusions in their assessments.


Reference: Chpater 5 and Chapter 11

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In June 2006, the Cape was established as World Heritage Site from Boland Mount complex to Betties Bay in the south to Groot Windhoek in the north and the whole Drakenstein is also an established biosphere.




This area is in the process of being registered under Unesco as World Heritage Site; the application has already been completed. There will be a meeting at Groot Constanita about the wine lands becoming a World Heritage Site shortly. Power lines cannot be built on World Heritage Sites.

Van Niekerk, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28




DEAT seems to be involved in conflicting projects as it has been involved in nature conservation projects in the area and now is involved in approving a power station and power lines that run contradictory to all of the good work done. Agulhas Park has spent millions of Rand in conserving nature as have foreign investors and private investors.


The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) is the independent authority that will be providing an environmental authorisation (positive or negative decision) regarding the proposed project. DEAT will do so after reviewing all the information provided to the Department by this EIA.

Reference: Chapter 2 and Chpater 7

Agulhas National Park just bought about 4000 hectares of land directly affected by the proposed lines. Their aim is to create a conservancy so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful natural environment and to protect it.


Thank you for providing this information. The EIA project team will take into account the strategic context of the study area when undertaking the EIA, including conservancy and tourism activities.


This area is the second most popular Cape tourism route and the Western Cape Management emphasises tourism as the driving force of this economy. This project runs in complete opposition to these facts.


The EIA project team will take into account the strategic context of the study area when undertaking the EIA, including conservancy and tourism activities.



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Detailed fauna, flora, avifauna, heritage, social and visual studies will also be conducted during the EIA phase


On a macro level, Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) is developing this area for conservation and to integrate tourism with agriculture.


This comment has been noted. Focus Group discussions have been held with ABI during the Scoping Phase of the project.

In addition, the need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


Two specialist groupings are of particular importance: eco tourism and land value. Specialists must ensure that land value is taken into account, as it would be greatly impacted. Future growth in the area is in tourism and the environment is key to economic development. Tourism is a green economy and the Spatial Development Framework should be consulted when considering the power lines.


The EIA project team will take into account the strategic context of the study area when undertaking the EIA, including conservancy and tourism activities.

The need for an environmental resource economic study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This will consider the impact of the power lines on issues such as land value.


29. EIA PROCESS


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The EIA company must do a thorough assessment on the ecosystem, but still, the power lines will have an affect on the physical beauty of the area.

Sanele Khawula, Station Manager DEAT, Fax 2008/8/25

In the scoping phase specialists undertook a preliminary investigation of the potential impacts associated with the proposed power lines. They identified potential impacts and made recommendations regarding what detailed studies they will undertake during the next phase of the EIA. In additional to this preliminary investigation the specialists made use of sensitivity mapping which has assisted with the identification of high, medium and low sensitivity areas along the alignments for all specialist aspects. This mapping was then utilised to provide an indication of which alternatives should be recommended for further investigation in the EIA phase. Detailed flora, fauna, avifauna, heritage and visual assessments will be conducted during the EIA process. Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.


Volgens die Agtergrondinligtingsdokument is die CV’s van die voorgestelde spesialiste vir die spesialisstudies op die ESKOM webblad beskikbaar. Ek kan dit glad nie daar opspoor nie. Kan u dalk help?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/9/10: This information is in the process of being compiled and will be available on the website in due course.

Reference: Appendix R and www.gibb.co.za

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Dit wil vir my voorkom asof die oorgrote meerderheid van die grondeienaars oor wie se grond die kraglyne moontlik sal gaan nog glad nie ingelig is oor die saak nie. Ek verstaan dat hulle skriftelike kennis daaroor moet ontvang sodat hulle kan besluit of hulle wil registreer as geaffekteerde partye. Wat is die situasie?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/9/10:At this stage the alternative routes for the transmission lines are simply corridors on a map indicating routes to be investigated during the EIA to determine whether they are technically and environmentally feasible. These corridors are 5 km wide. The eventual corridor for the power lines will be 80m wide per transmission line (i.e. if there are 4 transmission lines on a particular route the corridor will be 320m wide). There are four routes to be investigated, Bantamsklip to Bacchus, Bantamsklip to Kappa, Bacchus to Kappa, and Bacchus to Muldersvlei. Various alternatives are being investigated for each of these routes, and only one alternative per route will actually be selected based on the findings of the EIA.

At this stage, at the start of the scoping study, we are therefore identifying those people and organisations that will potentially be affected by the alternative routes for the transmission lines and informing them about the project through the Background Information Document (BID). This process has included establishing an initial database of organisations in the study area that were sent the BID and advertising the project in the newspapers.

This process is ongoing and also includes identifying all the agricultural unions covering the areas traversed by these alternative routes. In this way we are covering the majority of landowners who will be impacted by the project who are the farmers over whose land the routes pass. When the EIA narrows the routes down by eliminating those, which are not feasible, and also gives a more specific alignment for the transmission lines, as opposed to a 5 km wide corridor, it will be possible to identify each individual landowner who will be affected by the proposed transmission lines. They will then be contacted in writing and discussions held with them through workshops and other means. Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 11 Chapter 12

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Daar word gesê dat daar slegs tyd tot einde Augustus was of tot einde September is om sodanig te registreer. Aangesien die oorgrote meerderheid van die grondeienaars nog nie kennis gekry het nie kan daar tog sekerlik nie nou al ‘n tydsbeperking vir registrasie wees nie. En nog minder kan daar ‘n tydsbeperking wees op die inligting wat verskaf moet om die konsep “scoping” studie verslag op te stel. Is dit korrek?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/9/10:There is no deadline for the registration of I&APs. I&APs can register at any time throughout the EIA study. Likewise there is no deadline for the submission of information on the project. The various specialists who have been appointed to investigate the different alternative routes will prepare specialist scoping reports and these reports, together with information submitted by I&APs, will be integrated and synthesised into a Draft Scoping Report (DSR). The issues and concerns to be addressed in the Impact Assessment phase of the EIA will be comprehensively described in the DSR. These will relate to potential biophysical, social and economic impacts which could result from the construction and operational phases of the proposed project. These potential impacts will form the basis for the specialist studies to be undertaken during the Impact Assessment phase of the EIA. The DSR will be put out for public review and public meetings will be held throughout the study area to facilitate understanding of and input on the DSR. In this way it is hoped that everyone who is potentially impacted by the project will have the opportunity to have input on the scoping of issues. Similarly, the Draft Environmental Impact Report will also be put out for public comment. Reference: Chapter 7, Chapter 9 and Chapter 12

Volgens wat ek verstaan van die regulasies moet ESKOM aan u (of Arcus Gibb) toegang gee tot al die inligting oor die aansoek of sodanige inligting positief of negatief is uit hulle oogpunt gesien. Is hierdie inligting tot my beskikking en hoe kan ek my hande daarop lê?


All information relevant to this EIA must be made available by Eskom to ARCUS GIBB and NMA. As such, this information should also be available to the public. This information will be shared with the public through the various reports that will be compiled during the EIA process such as the Draft Scoping Report and the Draft Environmental Impact Report.


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In response to the replies to Danie and May de Villiers’ 2008/9/8 email:I have difficulty in accepting this. I would have thought that everybody in the corridor must be notified in writing before the process starts. It they are not involved in the beginning what chance have they got to influence the process when Eskom have decided what is economically and technically feasible? I believe we all should be advised before any work on a draft scoping report commences. It is easy to go to the Deeds Office and determine who the landowners are and to advise them before you go any further. I also think that is what the regulations require you to do.

People who attended a meeting with NMA a few weeks ago said that they were told the registering deadline was 1 September but that there was ‘flexibility’ after that date. The so-called integration and synthesisation of the specialist reports with the input of the I&APs is all very well. But this is the whole point, you will not have the inputs of the I&APs to synthesise if you have not notified them properly so that they can give their inputs before the draft scoping commences.


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/10/29: The whole purpose of Scoping is to assess a number of alternatives at a broad level to identify any fatal flaws and eliminate those which are clearly less feasible before undertaking a detailed assessment of those alternatives that are the most feasible in the Impact Assessment phase of the EIA. In order to do this it is not necessary to identify and notify every single landowner in a 5km wide corridor on a number of alternative routes. We have however, taken heed of your comments and have arranged a number of focus group meetings with Agricultural Associations along all of the alternative routes under consideration that are currently underway. These meetings are two fold in purpose – 1 – to identify as many of the landowners and key stakeholders in the study area as possible and 2 – to capture I&AP comments upfront in the process. All issues and concerns captured during this process will be forwarded to the specialist team for their consideration in the compilation of their scoping phase studies.

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 7 Chapter 10 and Chapter 12

In response to the reply to Mr de Villiers email dated 2008/9/8: I understand that the information in the course of the process will be shared. But what I want to know is how Eskom chose the four alternative routes (Bantamsklip-Bacchus) on the maps they distributed to us. For instance, did they fly over the area; if they did, what did they take into account? Only the topography or did they take into account current road infrastructure, whether land is agricultural or pristine, whether there is alien specie infestation or not etc.? You and or Eskom should supply me with a proper answer otherwise I assume it was purely a random choice of routes, which is certainly not acceptable.


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/10/29: The choice of route alternatives has to date been a fairly complex process. A full description of how alternative routes were identified will be included in the scoping report that will be made available for your review and comment.


In response to the reply to Mr de Villiers email dated 2008/9/8: Another landowner received an e-mail from your company stating that you cannot foreword a map to him since the routes may change. What is the situation?


Theo Hansford (NMA) replied on 2008/10/29: At the time of this specific consultation, this was indeed the case. There is now a more detailed set of maps available that are being utilized by the specialists for their studies. The routes did indeed change from the original routes that were proposed, and may change during the course of the process as routes are eliminated or new alternatives are proposed or identified.

Reference: Chpater 5 and Appendix D

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The information received by this Department did not give any details regarding water pollution management, storm water management, sewerage disposal or sensitive environments. Please provide this information to the Department in order for the Department to provide comments on the report.

Bheki Cele, Chief Director Western Cape, Department of Water & Forestry, Post 2008/10/08

Naledi Curran (NMA) replied by email on 2008/11/13: We are expecting the Draft Scoping Report to be released in January 2009 and envisage that the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Management Report will be released in July 2009.

The information requested by the department will be included in the next phase of the project within the Environemtnal Impact Report and Environemntal Management Plan.

We have registered you as an Interested and Affected Party and will be sure to inform you of the release of these reports.


We are concerned that this application for 13 high voltage transmission lines, although directly linked to the proposed new nuclear power station at Pearly Beach, is being assessed separately, making it difficult to compare alternatives and hampering understanding of the cumulative impacts of the entire project. There needs to be a close liaison between the various consultants, their findings collated and used to inform a single decision about the desirability of the project seen in its entirety.

Samantha Ralston, CapeNature, Email, 2008/10/20

The separation of the project applications is that the lines are a linear activity with different types of impacts and challenges as well as the fact that Eskom Transmission will be the Applicant and not Eskom Generation. The cumulative impacts of the proposed project will be assessed in detail in both the EIA processes.


CapeNature’s involvement in the EIA will relate specifically to the biodiversity and ecological aspects of the proposed development. CapeNature expects that a precautionary and risk-averse approach would be adopted.

See document for detail on the following:

All reports must firmly demonstrate how the proponent intends complying with NEMA principles.

Western Cape DEAT has produced a series of guideline documents that provide clear guidance on the EIA process.

Additional factors must be taken into account during the project planning and assessment.

A biodiversity assessment should be undertaken if any of the above-mentioned circumstances prevail or if there is any doubt about the biodiversity value of the site. The opportunities and constraints of the receiving environment must be used to inform the layout of any development proposal so as to ensure that developments do not compromise the biodiversity value of the area.


The NEMA principles will be taken into consideration for this project. All specialists will be required to ensure that their studies are also aligned with these principles.

The Western Cape Guideline document series has been identified as a key set of guidelines that need to be taken into consideration. Specialist reports will be reviewed according to their compliance with these guidelines.

A biodiversity assessment is being undertaken. Detailed fauna, flora and avifauna studies are being undertaken for the project.


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To construct the power lines in the Alternative #2 corridor over Goedvertrouw (see attached document) will be an environmental disaster. There are other alternative routes that have not been identified by Eskom and that should form part of any draft scoping report. For that reason we as well as our neighbours and many other landowners are insisting that discussions in this regard should take place as soon as possible.


The whole purpose of Scoping is to assess a number of alternatives at a broad level to identify any fatal flaws and eliminate those which are clearly less feasible. Additional alternative routes will also be assessed if found to be more feasible.


According to the specialists report done for the proposed Eskom Nuclear Power Station and associate infrastructure, the botanical report (Low and Desmet, August 2007) identifies the area as a nature reserve with a diversity of vegetation. Therefore, the proposed route must take into consideration the biodiversity significance of the affected areas. The Department recommends that botanical and faunal assessments are undertaken to inform the proposed routes. And in addition, the route should avoid sensitive areas as far as possible. Your attention is drawn to Regulation 58(2) of GN. 385 of 21 April 2006 which states that “Before the EAP managing an application for environmental authorisation submits a report compiled in terms of these Regulations to the competent authority, the EAP must give registered interested and affected parties access to, and an opportunity to comment on the report in writing.” The Department therefore requests that you submit a copy of the Final Scoping and Final Environmental Impact Assessment Reports to the Department for consideration. An electronic copy of the Draft Scoping Report will be much appreciated for record keeping purposes.Please note that detailed comments on the proposed transmission lines will be provided directly to the DEAT upon receipt of the above-mentioned documents.

Head of Department, Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmnet Planning, Fax 2008/11/4 and Post 2008/11/4

The project team has taken cognisance of the sensitivity of the study area as a whole.

Fauna and flora assessments are being undertaken by specialistsin connection with this project and their comments and recommendations are being taken into account.

Sensitivity mapping exercises for the faunal and floral aspects were undertaken during the scoping phase in order to identify high, medium and low areas of sensitivity along the identified alternative corridors. Together with the sensitivity mapping undertaken by all other specialist studies, this information has been utilised to identify the alternatives that require more detailed study in the following phase.

A comprehensive Public Participation Process is being undertaken for this project and all I&APs will be given the opportunity to comment on all documentation as required in the regulations.

Your requests for documentation have been noted.


.


The members wanted to know what type of tower would be used so that they could better understand how its footprint and guy lines would impact their agricultural practices. It was expected that the towers would interfere with agricultural practices beyond the actual tower footprint due to the space required to navigate farm machinery around the towers. This in turn would impact on agricultural production.


A number of tower structure alternatives exist for this size power line. The use of a particular structure is determined by the characteristic of the land and land use as well as recommendations from the specialists involved. These structures are discussed in the scoping report.


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It is difficult to assess how exactly the proposed lines will impact farmers without knowing where exactly the towers will be placed in their vineyards.





A sense of underlying mistrust about the decision-making processes for both the power station and its associated infrastructure was noted. South Africa has experienced incidents of corruption and bribery with funds intended for similar projects of nearly R3.5 trillion. What safeguards are in place to guard this process? What has the power station EIA been separated from the transmission lines EIA? This seems like deceptive behaviour from Eskom.


The separation of the project applications is that the lines are a linear activity with different types of impacts and challenges as well as the fact that Eskom Transmission will be the Applicant and not Eskom Generation.

The cumulative impacts identified in connection with the project as a whole will be assessed in detail during the EIA phase.

Eskom Response:Eskom Generation and Eskom Transmission operate in different fields and therefore Eskom spliet the EIAs accordingly.


How can I&AP’s be certain that the EIA process is independent, especially in view of the fact that Eskom is paying for the service?


The Environmental Assessment Practitioner meets the requirements under the National Environmental Management Act. The independence and integrity of the EAP will be maintained throughout the process. I&APs will be provided an opportunity to comment on all deliverables produced as a result of the EIA process.

Eskom Response:NEMA describes in detail the way the EIA process must be completed.


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What criteria was and will be used in the decision making process? What is the weighting of the criteria? Do all factors carry the same weight in the decision making process?

Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28; Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30



The main problem is with the footprint of the towers and their guy lines: harvesting machines require an additional 10 metres to navigate around the power line towers and guy lines, so not only is the footprint no longer useful land, but a 10 metre radius around it is as well.




Impacts on agricultural operations and farming practices will be assessed during the EIA phase. It is also worthwhile noting that there is nothing precluding the harvesting of the 10 metre radius with manual labour.


The independence of the people involved in the EIA is questioned. Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06

The Environmental Assessment Practitioner and specialists meet the requirements under the National Environmental Management Act. The independence and integrity of the EAP will be maintained throughout the process.

The basis upon which the independence of the consultants and specialist involved in the EIA process is questioned by the I&AP is not substantiated. Please provide the EAP with detailed information as to the basis upon which it is felt that the independence of the consultants and specialists is lacking.


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The EIA process seems quite advanced (having started over two years ago) and there is concern about who will have the last say. To what extent will the community’s input be considered and will it be taken to heart?


The EIA for the Bantamsklip Transmission lines only started in July / August 2008 when the project was announced via printed media such as national, regional and local newspapers. A list of the newspapers and relevant dates in included in the scoping report.

A comprehensive Public Participation Process has begun and all comments are taken into consideration and responded to. Pertinent concerns have been forwarded to the specialists for their consideration.

The EAP is obliged to provide a summary of the issues raised by I&APs to the relevant decision-makers. The relevant decision-maker (in this instance the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) is obliged to take into account all relevant considerations including the comments raised by I&APs during the public participation process. Accordingly, issues raised by members of the public during the public participation process forms an integral component of the EIA process.


Outcome can be manipulated according to the weight placed on the criteria influencing the decision. What are the criteria of the decision as to where to place the power lines and what is the weight placed on each criterion? Who is the final decision maker as to where the power lines are placed?



The final decision regarding the Environmental Authorisation of the project lies with the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.


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Some believe that Eskom has already decided on the location of its proposed nuclear power station and that the transmission lines EIA is just a case of “going through the motions”. It was noted that once the power station location was decided, it then seems to be a rather ‘convenient’ decision as to which of the proposed power lines are to be used.


Nomi Muthialu (NMA Effective Social Strategists) assured attendees that both NMA and Arcus GIBB would not want to be part of a pre-determined process and that they had their integrity as independent consultants to maintain. She explained the EIA was a clearly defined legislative process and that the consultants would maintain their independence and integrity.

Eskom Response:Eskom Generation and Eskom Transmission operate in different fields and therefore Eskom spliet the EIAs accordingly.


30. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS (PPP)


The supplied maps are not clear and their legends are illegible. Rob Willmot, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Email, 2008/8/13;

Willie Smal, Boer, Caledon, Fax 2008/9/16;

Dreyer van Niekerk, Caledon Jongensklip Boerevereniging, Caledon, Email 2008/9/23;

AJ Scheuble, Boerdery, Elandkloof Napier, Email 2008/9/29;

This comment has been noted. The maps produced in the scoping phase are deemed more legible and are of a better resolution and quality.

Reference: Chapter 5 and Appendix D

I have become a bit cynical about the things Eskom gets away with and sometimes wonder if the whole participation process is not just a show carried out to fulfil the Nema regulations…with little or no effect on what they want to do?

Rob Willmot, Uilenvlei Private Nature Reserve, Email, 2008/8/13

This comment has been noted. A comprehensive Public Participation Process has begun and all comments are taken into consideration and responded to. Pertinent concerns have been forwarded to the specialists for their consideration

Eskom Response:NEMA describes in detail the way the EIA process must be completed.


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Please provide a clearer map. Francois Kotza, Overberg District Municipality, Breadasdorp, Fax 2008/9/1



Impossible to assess potential impacts from the small scale inadequate map- hard to even discern the position of Greyton and relevant transmission lines.

Pamela Duff, Greyton Historical Society, Fax 2008/9/2

These are preliminary maps indicating the various transmission corridors. The maps produced in the scoping phase are deemed more legible and are of a better resolution and quality.


It is difficult to see if the power lines cross my property in Touwsriver. Could you give a clearer picture file in Arc view or Er viewer file extention.

JH Jordaan, Jordaan Group, De Doorns, Fax 2008/9/26

These are preliminary maps indicating the various transmission corridors. The maps produced in the scoping phase are deemed more legible and are of a better resolution and quality.

Reference: Chpater 5 and Appendix D

As the representative of the owners of Farm Number: 1398, I attended last nights meeting with a serious interest in this proposed Eskom transmission line project. Unfortunately we had received no formal invitation or documentation about the project and were consequently unable to make comment or add any meaningful contribution at the meeting.

Ray Davis, landowner, Wellington, Email 2008/10/29

Your attendance at the meeting has ensured your registration on the project database which will ensure that you are kept up to date with the project progress and are informed when documentation is available for review as well as future meeting dates.

Reference: Chapter 7 and Appendix F

Alternative Muldersvlei power lines may impact my farm. Current map not clear enough to identify.

J van Jaarsveld, Klein Drakenstein & Farm Dekkersvlei, Huguenot, Fax 2008/9/30

These are preliminary maps indicating the various transmission corridors. The maps produced in the scoping phase are deemed more legible and are of a better resolution and quality. The maps regarding the Bacchus – Muldersvlei alternatives are now more detailed and we trust that the relevant information can now be obtained.


Volgens Environmental Potential Atlas for SA. 1. Population =4.8 million, Western Cape. 2. Dominant language = Afrikaans.


This comment has been noted. All documentation is required to be compiled in English. Documentation such as Briefing Papers, Adverts and Executive Summaries will be translated into Afrikaans. Every effort will be made to accommodate people of different language groups at the public and focus group meetings.


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Alternative 1 Bantamsklip Bacchus traverse the one boundary of Farm 223. Please note that the owner of the land has not received any notices in terms of the EIA regulations of the intention or Scoping report.

Sarien Lategan on behalf of Danie Pretorius, Farm 222 and 223, Pearly Beach, Email 2008/11/12

Through the NEMA Regulations the EAP has a responsibility to create an awareness of the project within the study area, as well as to identify interested and affected parties. However, in the case of a linear development, especially where a large study area is applicable, the EAP may need to rely on I&APs coming forward themselves to be registered on the project

It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually.

It should also be noted that the PP Process is an ongoing process that started in July 2008 and will continue until after the Environmental Authorisation is received.


It is requested that report copies are provided to the land owners/farmers in the area for comment, prior to submission of the EIR and EMP to the DEAT.


All draft and final documentation will be made available for public review. This documentation is made available in hard copy at suitable public places, on the Eskom and Arcus GIBB websites as well as on CD on request. The dates of all public review periods will be advertised in regional and local newspapers and all registered I&APs will be notified by letter.

A list of venues and addresses as well as a list of dates and newspapers utilized is included within the scoping report.



Mid-October to December is harvest season and is not a good time to request public participation, mid-January to the end for February is a much better time for area farmers.

Richard Krige and Riann Els, Caledon, Interview, 2008/9/1

This comment has been noted. It should also be noted that the PP Process is an ongoing process that started in July 2008 and will continue until after the Environmental Authorisation is received.


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There are lots of highly skilled and educated people in the Stanford area who would assist with the project if they were included in it and their recommendations truly heard.


Thank you for your comment. All pertinent comments are forwarded on to the relevant specialists for their consideration.


Geoffrey Whitelaw finds it unacceptable that notice for this meeting was only received the day before at 17h00 and feels that such management prevents landowners from having a meaningful opportunity to participate. He feels that this project management issue extends to the seemingly adhoc possible alterations to the proposed alignments that again prevents meaningful landowner participation.


Naledi Curran (NMA) notes that the meeting was a networking meeting, not a public meeting,and that I&Aps will be given advance notice of all public meetings.





NMA’s list of newspapers and publications was inclusive, however, advertisements need to be run for more than one day or else the public is not really being informed.


It is important to note that the PP Process does not solely rely on advertising to inform the public. Other methods including, letters, emails, posters, flyers and telephone calls are also utilised.


Meetings need to be held in each area to inform all potentially impacted and/or affected people about the issues at stake. It should not be a matter of simply paying lip service to the EIA and PPP processes.


As the EIA process continues more detailed meetings will be held in the various impacted areas. The scoping report contains a full list of all the upfront meetings that were held during the pre-scoping phase of the project as well as the public and focus group meeting dates and venues that are to be held during the scoping report review period.


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The proposed lines were mentioned at a council meeting, but no heed was taken as none of the maps included the councillor’s area, as the Bacchus Muldersvlei route had not been defined.

John Veschini, Interview 2008/9/3 These are preliminary maps indicating the various transmission corridors. The maps produced in the scoping phase are deemed more legible and are of a better resolution and quality. The maps regarding the Bacchus – Muldersvlei alternatives are now more detailed and we trust that the relevant information can now be obtained.

Reference Chapter 5 and Appendix D

Caledon is too far from Greyton (45 km one way) to combine public meetings Please also conduct a public meeting at Greyton Church Hall. Also, mid-October to December is harvest season and is not a good time to request public participation, mid-January to the end for February is a much better time for farmers in this area.

Richard Krige, Interview 2008/9/4 This comment has been noted.

The scoping report contains a full list of all the upfront meetings that were held during the pre-scoping phase of the project as well as the public and focus group meeting dates and venues that are to be held during the scoping report review period.


The councillor advises holding a preliminary stakeholder meeting to bring the ward committee and area NGOs on board, as they are sectorial representatives of other organisations. If these groups understand the project, they will also spread information and then less time at public meetings will be spent on simple questions.



The scoping report contains a full list of all the upfront meetings that were held during the pre-scoping phase of the project as well as the public and focus group meeting dates and venues that are to be held during the scoping report review period.


When the existing lines were constructed in the late 1980s, Eskom only contacted landowners after all of the decisions had been made and construction was about to begin. The current PPP process is much more acceptable and is appreciated.


Thank you for your comment.


171


What criteria were used in deciding on the current proposed alternatives? It is necessary to understand this in order to inform I&AP’s decision-making and feedback. What criteria and processes will be used for deciding the routes of the power lines?

Ettiene Fourier - Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15




Who can be contacted directly at Eskom regarding issues with this project and tourist attractions and/or environment concerns?


All comments in this regard must be received and recorded by the EAP through the Public Participation Process. NMA Effective Social Strategists are the consultants appointed to manage this process by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner.


Why aren’t Google earth maps that allow landowners to identify their properties and area features quickly available for I&APs to review?

Bonnievale Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16

These are preliminary maps indicating the various transmission corridors. The maps produced in the scoping phase are topographical maps and are available at a 1:100 000 scale. This will enable land owners to identify their land parcels with a fair amount of ease.

It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually

Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 11 and Appendix D

An artist’s impression of the tower to be used for a 765 kV line is needed. Eskom needs to supply such information and not to expect the cost and effort to be undertaken by I&APs.

Mike Greggor, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

The alternative tower structures under consideration have been included in the scoping report together with both technical drawings and photographs.


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The presentation was not open enough; it seems that information is being kept hidden. Additional information is required for a meaningful discussion, such as a holistic view of all the other lines and their potential impacts, and is highly relevant to the discussion. Too little information about the potential impacts was provided. As most people are not trained in this field and have no idea what the impacts could be, such information is highly relevant so that informed decisions can be made. Similarly, the exact route of the lines is very important to know. For example, the power lines in the Strand are hideous and are killing tourism. Tourism is a growing industry in this area, it may not seem that big right now but all landowners are becoming involved in it and tourism at the nature conservancy is doing very well. It is important to consider tourism’s growth rate and potential.

Stephen Mitchell, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28

Due to the fact that the initial meetings were undertaken prior to the finalization of the specialist reports and the release of the scoping report, much of the detailed information was not yet available.

It should be noted that the whole purpose of Scoping is to assess a number of alternatives at a broad level to identify any fatal flaws and eliminate those which are clearly less feasible. Other alternative routes will also be assessed if found to be more feasible. The interaction with I&APs in the initial phases of the project assisted the specialists in their studies. The potential impacts identified in the scoping phase will be investigated in details during the EIA phase of the project. The detailed terms of reference for specialist studies in the EIA phase are included in the Plan of study for EIA included within this report.

It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually


Bernard Hess asked how the PPP could be improved. Others felt that the time frame for public participation was way too short for proper involvement and that the currently available information was way too vague, and that when more information was made available, a mere 30 days for review and comment was not enough time for proper participation. They noted that when additional information was available, they should be given more time for evaluation. Attendees felt that they were left chasing a ghost, as information was not clear and could change at any time.


It should be noted that the PP Process is an ongoing process that started in July 2008 and will continue until after the Environmental Authorisation is received.

The EIA Regulations state that a minimum time of 30 days is required for review period. However, due to the complex nature of this project it is likely that the review period will be 60 days in length.


173


Pierre Gerber from Scopa and an ANC representative with offices in Parliament, covering Ceres, Worcester, etc., said that the project’s information dissemination was insufficient, as he had not received information about the project prior to this meeting, and that additional consultation was required.



It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners and stakeholders directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually.


Your attendance at the meeting has ensured your registration on the project database which will ensure that you are kept up to date with the project progress and are informed when documentation is available for review as well as future meeting dates.


An Eskom representative should be present at all meetings to provide full information for questions asked, it can be frustrating to have a middle company, that does not have all of the requested information at hand, sent to consult with I&APs.


Eskom representatives will be in attendance at all scoping and EIA phase meetings. The initial meetings were held to identify I&APs and to collect issues for consideration in the official documentation and reports to follow.


The 30-day comment period is not enough time for review and feedback. Also, a 30-day comment period in January or February will fall directly into harvest time when people will not have the time to give the report the attention it deserves.



The EIA regulations state that a minimum time of 30 days is required for review period. However, due to the complex nature of this project it is likely that the review period will be 60 days in length.


174


Mr Willie Small strongly objected to the presentation not being given in Afrikaans, as the subject matter is of utmost importance to the community and has a much bigger impact than can be imagined, therefore, people should be informed about in a way that they can best understand the information.


This comment has been noted. All documentation is required to be compiled in English. Documentation such as Briefing Papers, Adverts and Executive Summaries will be translated into Afrikaans. Every effort will be made to accommodate people of different language groups at the public and focus group meetings.


A visual representation of what the towers will look like in this area is requested. Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06

The alternative tower structures under consideration have been included in the scoping report together with both technical drawings and photographs.


An attendee said that he is registered as an I&AP, but was not invited to this meeting. It is requested that communication and information sharing arrangements are properly coordinated and that all farmers are included not only LBV members. Reni Ludic

Reni Ludic, Caledon Landbou Vereniging and Caledon North Landbou Vereniging Meeting, 2008/11/06

The initial meetings held where held on a focus group level and were not held as public meetings. The meetings were arranged with the relevant agricultural unions who were given the opportunity to forward the invitation onto their members as required.

The formal public meetings to be undertaken in the scoping and EIA phases will be announced to the public through advertisements as well as via letters to all registered I&APs on the project database.


Can maps be made available online so that I&AP’s can download them for review and consideration?

Dipka LBV, Buffelsjagsrivier LBV, Ruggens LBVand Suurbraak LBV Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31: Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06

Maps will be provided together with the scoping report for public review and comment.

Reference: Appendix D

The concerns were expressed that the community’s input may not be taken into consideration or have any impact on the final decision, as was their experience with a toll road EIA.

Carin Malan - Elgin Grabouw Vyeboom Villiersdorp (EGVV) LBV, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/06

All comments from the public will be recorded and taken into account during the EIA process. Pertinent issues are forwarded onto the specialist team for the consideration.

It should be noted that DEAT will provide the final decision on the project.


175


The community members are organising a representative group for the area. This involves obtaining title deed information, which they believe should have been done by the EIA process. The representative body would organise professionals to examine specific issues, such as flora, fauna, tourism, route choice, etc. These processes require additional time that the EIA process is not allowing.


It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually. A title deed search will be undertaken at this point in the process.

You are welcome to comment on the reports released as you see fit.

The EIA regulations state that a minimum time of 30 days is required for review period. However, due to the complex nature of this project it is likely that the review period will be 60 days in length.


It is imperative that the EIA follow a proper process; it needs to be conducted professionally with maximum input from Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs). I&APs must have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the process as envisaged by legislation; and all I&APs must be given an opportunity to participate and must be contacted about the project in writing.

The lack of clarity with regard to deliverables and by when such deliverables are due (that is, what, by who and by when) makes it difficult for I&APs to participate. Referring to NMA’s preparation for the specialist’s meeting on 19 November 2008, it appears that certain deadlines are internal NMA deadlines as opposed to statutory deadlines. In some instances, meetings are called with less than 3 hours notice.


The Environmental Assessment Practitioner will endeavour to ensure that all information is communicated to I&APs in a timely and professional manner to ensure maximum involvement.

The relevant dates and venues for scoping phase meetings are included with the scoping report for your information.


176


The EIA process appears flawed for the following reasons: Lack of notification about the project to all land owners along the proposed

corridors, which is required by law; and Lack of time for landowners to adequately prepare submissions, both jointly and

separately; and Failure of Eskom to provide information as to the criteria used to select the

proposed alternative routes, making it difficult for I&APs to understand why the corridors were chosen and to contribute meaningfully to the EIA process; and

Inadequate responses to questions put to NMA and other consultants acting on behalf of Eskom; and

Lack of availability of information, such as the specialist’s resumes and the BID, despite being told certain information was readily available via amongst other things Eskom’s website; and

Adhoc changing of the proposed transmission routes.

The community members are in the process of: Contacting possible I&APs south of the Kleinrvierskloof mountains; and Attempting to form a representative committee of specialists to interact on a

meaningful basis with Eskom’s appointed consultants; and Compiling meaningful information to be presented to Eskom’s appointed

consultants. Information will continue to be sought from Eskom and it’s appointed consultants in line with Eskom’s obligations to provide such information; and

The process adopted by the concerned land owners should in no way remove or change Eskom’s obligations with regard to the process (particularly of notification); but

Mid-November to the end of January is a particularly difficult time to arrange meetings due to people being away on leave. As such the process would take some time to implement.


It should be noted that initially the transmission corridors under consideration are 5km wide and include a lot of land that ultimately won’t be affected. Once these corridors have been narrowed down to specific routes the relevant land owners directly affected by the preferred routes will be identified and notified individually. A title deed search will be undertaken at this point in the process in order to ensure that all relevant land owners are identified.


The criteria for the identification of alternative corridors has been included in the scoping report.

In the event that the information was not available at the time of query, the comment has still been recorded and will be responded to either in this report or once detailed investigations have been undertaken in the EIA phase.

All relevant documentation will be provided on relevant websites as requested. The specialist cv’s will be included in the scoping report.


Reference: Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 and Appendix R

Eskom’s not providing information on the basis on which they selected the alternative routes made any meaningful response difficult if not impossible.


This information has been provided in the Scoping Report.


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The attendees were concerned that there was a two-year gap between DEAT approval for the project and notification of I&APs.


There seems to be a misunderstanding. The application forms were submitted to DEAT in June of 2008, whereafter the EIA reference numbers where forwarded to the EIA consultants. The EIA process adverts where public in numerous newspapers and publications during July and August of 2008. This information is included in the scoping report.


The attendees believe that all landowners and parties along the proposed corridors should be consulted in writing about the project and they are concerned that meetings such as this one will be presented as the PPP having consulted the community, when in fact only four people were consulted at the meeting. The attendees questioned the integrity of the process.




The formal public meetings to be undertaken in the scoping and EIA phases will be announced to the public through advertisements as well as via letters to all registered I&APs on the project database.


The maps that I&APs have received are not detailed or legible enough. Standford Community Members, Focus Group Meeting, 2008/11/6



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The attendees would like to interact directly with the specialist and they would like to contribute to the DSR in an informed manner, that is, to consult with Eskom and the EIA's specialists and to employ their own specialists.


Formal public meetings will be undertaken in the scoping and EIA phases. They will be announced to the public through advertisements as well as via letters to all registered I&APs on the project database. Eskom will attend these meetings.

I&APs are welcome to comment on the scoping and specialist reports and send through written comments. All comments related to specialist studies will be forwarded onto the specialists for their consideration and response. It is imperative that all comments are forwarded to the PPP Consultants (NMA Effective Social Strategists) to ensure that all comments and concerns are received and recorded accurately. This will also ensure that the correct comments are forwarded to the correct specialists.


The PPP should have consulted with local people and the municipalities before Eskom decided on various routes. A more thorough notification should have been conducted, like letter drops and newspaper advertisements. Eskom should go door to door and ask community members what they feel.




The formal public meetings to be undertaken in the scoping and EIA phases will be announced to the public through advertisements as well as via letters to all registered I&APs on the project database. Eskom will attend these meetings.


How have the historically disadvantaged been incorporated into the PPP? Clr Stevens - ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07

Ashlea Strong (Arcus GIBB) explained that the process was inclusive, including the choice of accessible public meeting venues to all and multiple forms of communicating with I&APs, such as email, post, fax, site notices, newspaper advertisements.

This detail is provided in the Scoping Report.


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31. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)


How will ecologically sensitive areas be dealt with? Richard Krige and Riann Els, Caledon, Interview, 2008/9/1


Through the specialist studies mitigation and management measures will be recommended in order to minimise the impacts described.

Reference: Chapter 9, Chpater 10 and Chapter 12

For the existing power lines, Eskom’s road construction paid no heed to the water flow required for wetlands. Eskom’s record with its impacts on fauna, flora and water-flow has been rather negative.


A detailed wetland study will be undertaken in the EIA phase. This study will provide recommendations with regards to mitigation and management measures to deal with issues such as these.


EMPs must conform to norms and standards and must be enforced. Communication between all parties concerned is key and communication corridors must be kept open.


The EMP will be compiled in compliance with the relevant regulations. The EMP will ultimately be approved by DEAT. The EMP will include recommendations regarding the Environmental control on site including the need for internal and external compliance auditing as well as the need for an Environmental complaints register.

The EMP will be compiled during the EIA phase of this project.


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There are issues surrounding the conditions under which fynbos thrives (prescriptive and natural burning) and that a fire may accidentally start under a power line due to electromagnetic radiation, therefore, management of these areas is of great concern and management system needs to be work shopped.


Eskom has various policy documents that deal with the management and mitigation of these issues.

Eskom Response:Eskom has fire management programmes that can address this issue.

Reference:Not applicable in current phase

32. SPECIALIST STUDIES

SCOPING PHASE - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCEThere are a number of freshwater systems in the area of the proposed lines. Should any impacts on these systems be anticipated, we urge that a freshwater specialist be consulted.


A detailed wetland study will be undertaken in the EIA phase.


SCOPING PHASE - MEETINGS

There are multiple organisations that have a great deal of knowledge about the area and are involved in development plans that the project will heavily impact. These include Tertius Carinus of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI), SANParks, Overstrand Conservation (Rob Fryer) and the Eco-Fynbos Forum. The specialists need to liaise with these groups. The Agluhas Plains Initiative is in the process of making the whole corridor from Cape Agulhas National Park to Hermanus a conservancy area.


This comment has been noted. These groups will be registered as stakeholders on the I&AP database and will be provided with the opportunity to comment on all documentation throughout the EIA.


The specialists should refer to a study being done by Professor Harriet Deacon of UCT for the Overstrand Municipality. Vicky Hudson at CapeNature should be contacted regarding protecting Blue Cranes from electrical wires.


This comment has been noted. This will be forwarded on to the relevant specialists.


I do not agree with this development. However, if it is unavoidable, the expertise to reduce, mitigate, and offset is within the groups I represent. Please contact me.

Rory Allardice, OICG; ABIOC; GRAA, Bredasdorp, Post 2008/9/11

This comment has been noted. You have been registered as stakeholders on the I&AP database and will be provided with the opportunity to comment on all documentation throughout the EIA.


A member noted that CapeNature was active in the area and could provide additional information to the specialists about the area.



Reference: Not Applicable

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A CapeNature Action Plan exists for people here. A detailed study is available for review and ought to be considered in this process. The area is demarcated nature conservation / Special Management Area (SMA), as it is a global biodiversity haven. Nuwejaars SMA and conservation area of 93 000 ha will be adversely affected.




A flood in 2005 created a major landslide. This area is very sensitive to erosion, the roads required for building and maintaining the towers will cause further problems with erosion. Please contact H2ON Bloemfontein – Gys Hoon – for information regarding a dam impact analysis done in this region.




Nick Helme has done an assessment on red data species in this region, which should be referred to for the EIA.


Nick Helme has been appointed to undertake the Flora assessment for this EIA.

Reference: Chapter 12 – Table 12.8

A specific specialist needs to research the impact that the power lines will have on ecotourism in this area.


The need for an environmental resource economics study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


The value of tourism of this region will be quantified within two months or so. Various studies to this end are in progress and should be included in the EIA evaluation. The various studies should work together to create synergy and avoid duplication.


The need for an environmental resource economics study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase. This information will be forwarded to the relevant specialist.


Please consult Schalk van der Merwe’s social impact study for this region. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30

Schalk van der Merwe is assisting Tony Barbour with the Social Impact Assessment for this project.

Reference: Chapter 12 – Table 12.8

It is requested that the EIA investigates health impacts and reports back to the I&AP’s. Dipka LBV, Buffelsjagsrivier LBV, Ruggens LBVand Suurbraak LBV Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/31

Eskom Response: Eskom’s lines are designed to meet international EMF standards and will therefore not cause any harmful EMFs.

Reference: Not applicable in this phase

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The EIA needs to incorporate the studies of a natural resource specialist to fully explore the impacts on agriculture; eco-tourism; and small, tourism-reliant villages, for example. Experts within the group [ABI/OICG] would like to provide major input for this expert.

Rory Allardice: ABI / OCIG & Community Members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/11/07

The need for an environmental resource economics study was identified during the scoping phase and will be carried out in detail during the EIA phase.


The proposed lines will affect avifauna, particularly Blue Cranes and Cape Vultures; a good balance must be struck between (external and internal) specialist suggestions and the proposed lines.


A detailed avifauna study will be conducted during the EIA phase.

External specialists are welcome to comment on the reports presented for public review. All comment received will be forwarded on to the relevant specialist for their due consideration.


33. NUCLEAR 1 EIA COMMENTS AND ISSUES

SCOPING PHASE – GENERAL CORRESPONDANCE

I am not in favour of Bantamsklip power station. Duncan Churchman, Breaview Farm, Grabouw, Fax 2008/10/2

This comment has been noted. This comment has been forwarded on to the Nuclear 1 EIA Project Team for their comment and response. The current EIA process deals with the proposed power lines and not with the proposed nuclear power plant.


Ek verstaan nie die noodsaak om ‘n “konversionele” kernkragstasi to bou, terwyl daar uitvoerige beplanning vir ‘n korrelbed kragstasie aan die gang is nie. Laasgenoemde se impak is veronderstel om veel minder to wees, en die noodsaak vir groot hoeveelhede afkoelingswater is ook nie ‘n factor nie.

Koos Reyneke, Pearly Beach, Email 2008/10/8

Eskom is exploring various methods of supplying electricity to the country. No one method has as yet been singled out as either feasible or unfeasible.

Eskom Response: Eskom is exploring various methods of supplying electricity to the country. No one method has as yet been singled out as either feasible or unfeasible.


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Not convinced that Bantamsklip is the best choice when compared with the other alternative potential sites described at the open meeting held at Pearly Beach earlier this year.

Frank Tennick, Greater Hermanus Environmental Action Group, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/28

This comment has been noted. This comment has been forwarded on to the Nuclear 1 EIA Project Team for their comment and response. The current EIA process deals with the proposed power lines and not with the proposed nuclear power plant.




Community members have heard from a reliable source that Bantamsklip has already been chosen as the power station site and that the project is definitely going ahead.




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When will the location of the power station/Nuclear 1 EIA be decided? Elandia Area Landowners, near Robertson, Meeting, 2008/9/2;

Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15;

Kwaggaskloof Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Brandvlei, 2008/10/15;

Bonnievale Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/16;

Breerivier & Wolsely Landbou Vereniging members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29;




This comment has been forwarded on to the Nuclear 1 EIA Project Team for their comment and response. The current EIA process deals with the proposed power lines and not with the proposed nuclear power plant. These are two separate projects which are the subject of separate EIA processes.


Why not simply further develop Koeberg? Haasvlakte Agricultural Union & Community Members Focus Group, Elim, 2008/10/15

This comment has been forwarded on to the Nuclear 1 EIA Project Team for their comment and response. The current EIA process deals with the proposed power lines and not with the proposed nuclear power plant.


Is the Nuclear 1 EIA not perhaps a smoke screen and is Eskom not planning to build all three power stations?




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Rather have the installation close to Koeberg where there is already a nuclear power station. This helps with having all the specialists nearby to monitor both plants. The City of Cape Town has a disaster management plan. Batamsklip is a pristine area and should be maintained this way.

Giorgio Lombardi, Vogelgat Nature Reserve, Hermanus, Email 2008/10/16



Where is the most power required in the country and in the region? Why not build a power station and lines closer to where the main electricity demand is? How does this power plant fit into the national grid, does the the Western Cape have to service Gauteng and beyond?




Will the French be contracted to build the power station? Breerivier LBV & Wolsely Landbou Vereniging members, Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/29



Is it not better to build the power station closer to the Cape Town where power is needed? It is recommended that the power station should be built at Duynefontein.




Why not build the power plant in the north west of the country where there are few inhabitants and no farming is happening?




Is Koeberg not a better option as it is more central and the necessary skills and technology are already there?




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Will the Bantamsklip site be used at a later stage even if it is not chosen for the Nuclear 1 power station?




Strandveld community is right at Pearly Beach and will be strongly affected by Nuclear 1 and its associated infrastructure if Bantamsklip is chosen as the power station site. As Bantamsklip was declared a green-field site by the pebble bed modulator nuclear power station EIA, why is the same site being looked at for a larger nuclear reactor?




How will required equipment be transported to Bantamsklip? As there is currently no harbour or road infrastructure able to handle such usage.




An application for a small cluster development in Pearly Beach was denied as there are insufficient water resources. Therefore, there will not be sufficient resources for the additional infrastructure involved with Nuclear 1.




The expected 8000 migrant workers in the set-up phase of the nuclear power station and the 2500 that will remain behind might have a positive influence on market demand which will positively affect farmers with an increased demand for milk, vegetables etc.




Many people will migrate to this region hoping to obtain one of the 2500 jobs. The unsuccessful will stay around and crime will undoubtedly increase. The current social infrastructure is not geared for handling the population increase.




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The members strongly oppose the building of a nuclear power station at Bantamsklip and suggest building the power station at Koeberg, as Cape St Francis is as beautiful as the Bantamsklip area and also needs to be protected.




It was categorically stated that the attendees of the meeting don’t want the transmission lines in the area and are totally against the building of the power station at Bantamsklip. The group noted that the community as a whole strongly opposes nuclear power stations, especially in view of international safety perspectives. They said that it is believed that Eskom would not be able to manage the power station in 20 years time as history shows that Eskom cannot even manage coal power stations properly. They asked how the power station could be safely decommissioned. They added that mining uranium is an environment catastrophe that ought to be considered when contemplating building a nuclear power station and they asked that ‘green’ power alternatives such as wind power be considered.




Bredasdorp has a population of 15,000; the building of the power station and its associated infrastructure will bring over 5,000 people to the area. The municipality does not have the capacity to service an additional third of its current population. Who will be responsible for addressing the increased service demands, which will include areas such as schools, police services, health services, water and sewerage, etc., and who will be responsible for their decommissioning thereafter?




Why choose such a high-density area for the power station? What are the criteria of choosing a site for the power station?




34. GENERAL COMMENTS & ISSUES


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Development should go ahead, but be envioronmentally sensitive and as visually sensitive as possible.


Thank you for your comment. Sensitivity mapping exercises for ecological and visual issues were conducted during the scoping phase. Detailed studies will be conducted during the EIA process.

Reference: Chpater 10 and Chapter 12

To bring the change to the community the people that have dream must speak out what they can do to make things better with their lives and others. I learn that people must stand to make their place right. They can’s sit and wait somebody bring.

Thembela Sihoyo, Villiersdorp, Fax 2008/8/27



Routes selected on costs primarily regardless of damage to prime tourism area. Doubt that Eskom are competent to make the right judgements-how much more power is needed and what for? Which areas need improved distribution? How much and why? Have all means of reducing usage and controlling peak usage been assessed? If so, where is the report?

Brian McMahon, Ward 2 Forum, Greyton, Post 2008/9/3

Eskom Repsone:Electricity supply is required to support tourist activites. These two activities can be co-ordinated through negotiation.


I am against it because of the social, safety and environmental impact that it will have. FB Prati, The Berrio Wines, Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/9/3

This comment has been noted. Detailed studies on all aspects of the environment will be undertaken during the EIA phase.

Eskom Repsone:EIAs are completely to identify the least impacting route.


I strongly object to this proposal, have Eskom not done enough to screw up this beautiful country already, for all our sakes get people in charge who know what they are doing.

Allen Burton, Tulbagh, Email 2008/9/16



Taxpayers will have to pay more for extra infrastructure costs associated with the power station and the implementation of the power lines.



Reference: Not applicalbe

Construction of powerlines in our area needs very careful consideration. It will have an impact on just about everything, from historical sites, fauna, and flora down to job creation, etc.

Johan van Niekerk, Bot Rivier Rate Payers Association, Bot Rivier, Post 2008/9/29

Detailed studies focusing on heritage, ecology and social impacts will be conducted during the EIA phase.


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Has any research been done to interconnect costal power plants via under water lines? Ignatios du Plessis, Vinkrivier Boerdery, Robertson, Email 2008/10/10

Eskom Repsone:Eskom is continually undertaking research and benchmarking internationally, therefore if any new design are found the will be feasible they will be considered for implementation.

Reference:Support SMA principles, against proposed lines (Bacchus Alt 4). Stephan Badenhorst, Helderfontein,

Bredasdorp, Fax 2008/10/16This comment has been noted.


I do feel that alternatives to nuclear power have not been explored fully by Eskom, that Eskom can give no guarantees as to the possible effects on people of levels of radiation, that the environment will be negatively impacted.

Jomien Rabie, Gansbaai, Email 2008/11/19

Eskom considers electricity generation technologies that are commercially proven for inclusion in its generation mix, and will consider technologies that have not been commercially proven for its generation mix only after they have been acceptably demonstrated. In order to facilitate their utilisation Eskom undertakes research, development and demonstration (RD&D) of non-commercially proven technologies to evaluate their viability in the South African energy demand and supply context. Examples of such RD&D projects are the Klipheuwel Demonstration Wind Energy Facility commissioned in 2003, the Underground Coal Gasification project first constructed in 2005 near Amersfoort, and a proposed concentrating solar power plant in Upington.



What is the wattage of the existing Tulbagh lines? Clr Buckle and Thomas, Drakenstein Municipality, Meeting 2008/09/02

Eskom Repsone:It is presumed that the lines refered to are 400kV lines, however, Eskom seeks clarity in order to provide a more detailed response


People will only be interested in the project to the extent that it touches them; the main focus will be: how many jobs will it bring? They will not be interested in machines doing the work, but will want area labourers to do it.


A detailed social study will be conducted during the EIA phase.

Eskom Repsone:Specialised persons will largely be required for the construction of the power line and they will come from outside the area. Casual labour will only be used in certain circumstances.


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Existing power lines (from the tunnel) need to be moved about 20 to 20 metres because the municipality wants to build RDP houses on the land, which is the only available land near Rawsonville. The municipal manager is following up on this with Eskom. Eskom needs to pay for the moving of the existing lines and they should use local labour. The proposed lines do not follow this route, but the councillor’s wants the lines moved before he becomes involved in the proposed lines.

Councillor Goedman, Ward 19 Breede Valley Municpality, Meeting 2008/9/3

Eskom Repsone:The lines in question are operated by the western region with the head office in Cape Town Reference: Not Applicable

Touwsrivier has growing small to medium sized industries, new industries will include: commuter rail engineering company with a turnover of R100-R200 million/year; zoned R12 million condom factory; and a brick factory. The town is welcoming industry to the area to complement existing manufactures and small enterprises. However, this also means that Touwsrivier needs a power source for these incoming industries.


Eskom Repsone:The lines in question are operated by the western region with the head office in Cape Town


The power station and the power lines are two issues that cannot be separated. One cannot happen without the other and both will have a negative impact on the social environment. It is deceptive of Eskom to try to separate the two issues.




The influx of outsiders to build the power station and the transmission lines will overwhelm locals by their sheer numbers.


A detailed social study will be undertaken in the EIA phase and will address issues such as the influx of workers to the area.


This is a highly populated, intensively farmed area with many tourist atractions. The power lines will seriously impact the area negatively and will spoilt it.




Bacchus Muldersvlei Alternative 2 (map 18) and Bantamsklip Bacchus Alternatives 1 and 2 (maps 17 and 18) run through the Brandvlei Correctional Services’ (BCS) property, but they shouldn’t be problematic, particularly if Eskom will clear the servitude areas so that the BCS can use the area for agricultural practices.

Brandvlei Correctional Services 2008/10/17


Eskom Repsone:These conditions can be negotiated

Reference:

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Eskom should consider taking a greener and softer approach, such as solar electricity or wind power, and should scale down on this vast proposed network and while considering a long-term sustainable approach.

Freddy Stateler, Wellington Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, Wellington, 2008/10/28



This is a particularly and consistently windy area – wind power generators should be considered for this area by Eskom.




Why not put the power lines underground? McGregor Farmers Union Focus Group 2008/10/29

Eskom Repsone:Eskom is continually undertaking research and benchmarking internationally, if any new designs are found they will be considered for implementation.


Will the Klipdale substation be extended? Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30

This project’s scope of work does not include the extension of the Klipdate Substation.


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How will Eskom be able to maintain more power lines if they can’t even manage the existing lines properly?


Eskom Response:Eskom will construct and maintain power lines as per the speciafications in the EMP


This area is a pristine, natural area and should remain so. To eliminate the need for power lines on coast, why not build a water pipeline inland and build a power station closer to the high demand areas and where transmissions lines already exists?

Zoon Jacobs – Napier Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting 2008/10/30



Eskom is urged to consider and to implement alternative power sources. Strandveld Landbou Vereniging Focus Group Meeting, 2008/10/30



Most of the landowners in this region are looking at alternative power generation. It is ironic that an area taking these and other steps to conserving the environment will be damaged by the very same thing that they are trying to avoid.




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This region doesn’t even have mobile phone connectivity infrastructure, let alone power lines.




The group asked that Eskom consider the following: using underground lines, upgrading the current power lines instead of adding additional lines, increasing ‘green;’ energy alternatives such as wind power, solar power etc.





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