Local and district municipalities were evaluated on six different themes: waste management, energy efficiency and conservation, biodiversity management, coastal management and beautification, water management and conservation, air quality management and leadership, compliance, institutional arrangements and public participation.
Eden DM, under Morton Hubbe, has implemented an Environmental Impact assessment process and a Public, Private Partnership process to establish a regional landfill facility. It has also started with a feasibility process to implement alternative integrated waste management technologies in die Eden District.
In corporation with the B-municipalities, Eden has implemented an oil recycling and e-waste service with the partnership of private companies. Education programmes were also rolled out.
The Eden Air quality unit, under Johan Schoeman, is playing a coordinating role pertaining to air quality in the district. In 2012/2013, the unit was instrumental in developing air quality management plans for the seven B-authorities in the Eden district, ensuring compliance with the National Environmental: Air Quality Act. It also embarked on an Eden Clean Fires Campaign where informal residencies are educated on air pollution.
Eden also chairs the Eden Air Quality working group, whereby the industry meets with the authorities on a quarterly basis ensuring compliance, coordination and distribution of important air quality information.
Eden district municipality is managing the air quality function for the Hessequa Municipality in terms of an Air Quality Service level agreement (SLA). The Hessequa Municipality won the price for the best improvement in air quality for the province in the recent Greenest Town competition.
Under Vernon Gibbs-Halls, who manages Biodiversity, climate change and coastal management, in 2013 Eden started implementing environmental planning tools. These included providing municipalities with training on the systematic fine scale biodiversity, the compilation, public participation and adoption of the Eden District Coastal Management Programme, the engagement process leading to the soon to be released Draft Eden Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the completion of the Draft Coastal bylaws and the completion of additional Estuary Management Plans and their associated forums.
Eden District Municipality (DM) was voted the winner in the District Municipality category of the annual Greenest Municipality Competition. Photo: Supplied
