MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At the monthly council meeting on Thursday, 30 November, council approved the recommendation for the implementation of the New Zoning Scheme which will forthwith be published in the Provincial Gazette.
Council noted that upon the Zoning Scheme By-Law coming into operation the following existing Zoning Scheme Regulations and any related amendments will lapse in terms of Section 33(4) of the Land Use Planning Act, 2014:
Scheme regulations in terms of Section 8 of the Land Use Planning Ordinance, 1988;
Mossel Bay Scheme Regulations, 1984;
Hartenbos Scheme Regulations, 1985; and
KwaNonqaba Scheme Regulations, 1992.
Council approved the recommendation that, in terms of Section 59 of the Municipal Systems Act, (Act 32 of 2000), the additional delegations for the implementation of the Mossel Bay Integrated Zoning Scheme By-Law, 2017, be approved and added to the delegations approved by council on 28 September 2017.
Contentious
One of the contentious issues for businesses in Mossdustria has for long been whether the area zoning allows for the fish meal factory to legally operate in the area.
The atmospheric emission license for the fish meal factory in Mossdustria expires on 28 February, and Southern Cape Fish Meal has recently applied to the Eden District Municipality for renewal of their Atmospheric Emissions Licence that pertains to animal matter by-products rendering taking place at their facility.
By-products rendering is regulated by Category 10 (Animal matter processing) of the list of activities which result in atmospheric emissions and the associated minimum emissions standards. The list and associated standards are published in Government Notice No. 893 of November 2013, in terms of the NEMAQA.
The renewed application is subject to a public participation process and the surrounding businesses and residences are given the opportunity to participate in the process.
The commenting period commence on 11 December and closes on 5 February 2018.
Since the fish meal factory in Mossdustria was established, Dana Bay residents have complained about foul smells, which they have attributed to the factory.
Mossdustria businesses also repeatedly recorded their concerns about zoning issues, which, in their view, did not allow an annoying industry in the area.
It appears that the area is not zoned for disturbing industries and the surrounding smaller industries in the area have repeatedly expressed their concern about the impact of the annoying smells on their businesses.
Since its inception, the fish meal factory has spent millions of rands on odour control systems to operate without creating a nuisance to surrounding businesses.
All persons who wish to register as an Interested and / or Affected Party (I&AP) and to provide comments or raise concerns on the application, may do so in writing, to: Colleen McCreadie of Sillito Environmental Consulting:PO Box 30134, Tokai, 7945Fax: 021 712 5061 or Email: colleen@environmentalconsultants.co.za
The application is available on the SEC website for review and download: www.environmentalconsultants.co.za.
Please see attached a Background Information Document for your reference. Please quote the SEC reference number, 017114, in all correspondence; and please provide full contact details, preferred method of contact and an indication of any direct business, financial, personal or any other interest you may have regarding the application.
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