Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The appeal against the environmental authorisation issued for the proposed Afro Fishing Fish Meal plant on Quay Two at the harbour in Mossel Bay has been dismissed.
The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Minister Anton Bredell, has dismissed the appeal.
Mossel Bay Heritage lodged an appeal last year, stating clearly it was opposed to the development.
When contacted by the Mossel Bay Advertiser this week, Carina Wiggill of Mossel Bay Heritage, said: "From the outset Mossel Bay Heritage was not in support of the proposed fish meal and oil reduction facility. "Among the many concerns, remaining paramount were the possible negative impact on the preservation of Mossel Bay's sense of place and the image of a clean town and popular holiday resort."
The appeal process was the final stage for interested and affected parties to review the environmental authorisation granted initially.
The environmental assessment and resultant authorisation followed extensive public participation processes that included, among others, town hall meetings where residents could communicate directly with the experts who are internationally regarded as the foremost authorities in their field.
Further authorisations
Afro Fishing managing director Deon van Zyl has indicated that the financial viability of the fish meal plant now has to be thoroughly examined.
Should the development prove viable, the next step would be for Afro Fishing to submit the necessary land use application to the municipality. This application also follows prescribed public participation processes. Thereafter, the land use application is submitted to the Planning Tribunal for a decision.
Previous article: Green light for Fish Meal plant, but people can still appeal
Politicians cannot influence the process in any way. Following the tribunal decision, there is a formal appeal process, with the mayor as the appeal authority.
Thereafter, the final building plans will have to be submitted to the municipality for approval.
Only once these processes have been concluded may the project may finally get the green light and commence.
Minister Bredell has specified conditions of the environmental authority that must be complied with.
Conditions
Among others, the scope and validity of the authorization are valid for five years from the date of the appeal decision. Afro Fishing must commence with the listed activities within that timeframe, or the authorisation lapses unless a valid application for the amendment of the validity period is lodged before the expiry of the authorisation.
In his decision, the minister dealt at length with the issues raised in the appeal and his reasons for dismissing the concerns.
Some of the concerns centered on the impact of a noxious industry on the "sense of place" and the minister accepted that the air quality impact assessment had determined that the proposed development would not be noxious, nor a risk activity.
Odours
The risk of malodours linked to fishmeal processing have been scientifically proven to be undetectable in surrounding areas with the implementation of a Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) along with additional air scrubbers. These technologies have been included as conditions in both the environmental authorisation and the Provisional Air Emissions Licence.
The minister noted that the proposed fish meal factory would only operate for an average of 80 to 120 days per year and not over the peak holiday season of Easter or from 15 December to 16 January annually.
It was also pointed out that, while the Mossel Bay harbour had an aspect associated with tourism, the bulk of the facility was a working harbour, and Quay Two was specifically designated for the fishing industry.
The current and future use of the quay would never for tourism. The Afro Fishing facility is, therefore, in keeping with the primary use of Quay Two and its sense of place as a working harbour, the minister's letter stated.
Related article: Road ahead for Afro Fishing
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