Report back on MSR Scoping Report focus group meeting held on 3 August 2012.
The meeting was held in the SANParks boardroom and was reasonably well attended by interested and affected parties.
V&L were present, even one of the directors attended, which was much appreciated.
The AIKONA GROUP, AFRICA WILD, WESSA, as well as the LUKIMBI Lodge consultant, the legal representatives of the Pestano Lodge in Malelane attended as observers, Mr. Pete Wright the developer also attended, this was also much appreciated. The AARDWOLF TV-programme crew was present and recorded the proceedings.
What was disappointing was that no one from the press was in attendance.
What was most disappointing was that although SANParks were invited they declined saying that they had nothing to add.
SANParks may not have had anything to add about the Scoping Report. As they do not miss an opportunity to attack and belittle those in opposition to the hotels and commercialization of our Parks, e.g. at the KUDU Awards function at end November 2011 and now again during the passing out parade of the new rangers and in the press – noted all in our absence. One would have expected of SANParks to address us face to face, this went of pretty poorly.
Many questions were asked and of them were answered; unfortunately the SANParks related issues still remain unanswered, it is very unfortunate that SANParks are not prepared to face and address our concerns, it was very evident during the meeting that this is causing more frustration. Just maybe SANParks are running out of arguments or have very little in defence and not enough courage to face the IAP’s. SANParks may come up with some technical reason for their non attendance however this does no go down well.
It was very clear that the invitees present are not in favour of the SANParks commercialization plans. It was also mentioned that V&L have not yet been officially notified that the PDZ concept had been approved by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and that until this happens the zoning will remain a major issue.
The Scoping Report is a very comprehensive document which was well prepared and Dereck Milburn and his team were complimented and thanked by me. Others shared my view.
It is again stressed that the consultants for the project are appointed and paid for by the developer of the project. The duty of the consultants are to be objective and do an assessment starting of with the Scoping Report which is then followed by the Environmental Impact Assessment. It is not their function to promote or shoot down the project. Obviously they can also only perform within their mandate.
The EIA is expected to be completed by end of the year and will again be made available for public scrutiny.
Minutes of the meeting were taken and once finalized, will be made available.
Like this you can expect all sorts from Sanparks!!iNdlovu wrote:Could we expect any more from SanParks management
I don't think even those people at Groenkloof would be that stupid to blatantly break the law,Richprins wrote:...so either SanParks will go it alone without proper EIA...
Like I have always said.Peter Betts wrote:It sounds an absolute shambles...bottom line are they starting to build next year at Malelane???
