New EIA Malelane Lodge

[H. erectus]

From last weeks meet, Saturday, Groenkloof,....listing 546, gazetted,
was a contentious issue and hence prompted further consultation. It would
seem that a triggering process was averted influencing the norms and conduct
regarding a BAR or full EIA process to be followed.

It was agreed that a representative from DEA office be present to address
this issue all IAP's welcome,.till further notice Saturdays meet will be subject
too such discussion.

[H. erectus]

The following letter basically sums it all up, though there is still the open day
to be held tomorrow.




Good day all,

Herewith a brief summary of the discussions and issues raised at the 18 October Open Day at SANParks in Pretoria:

No minutes will be taken by NuLeaf; a summary of proceedings will be circulated;
SANParks' strategic decisions cannot be addressed by environmental consultants;
previous concerns have been forwarded to SANParks;

NuLeaf offer to arrange a meeting with DEA when provided with possible dates by AIKONA;

this MSL project does not require a full EIA:
regulations re. waste water limits requiring a full EIA were raised to 15 000cbm per day (!) as gazetted on 29/11/2013;
Mandy vd Westhuizen from NuLeaf: "Basic assessments are for non-complex projects"

this project aims at the large volume / lower cost market (R2200 per person & night);
Mr. Wright, representing the developers, also advises government wrt. tourism developments in other parks (note conflict of interest);
the Danish Residor Group and a Danish energy fund are investors, as are SA's IDC and the PIC;
once the hotel is established and in operation, shares will be handed over to the local communities;
there is a KNP Forum that meets regularly with local leaders in the Malelane area;

NuLeaf to take note that adverts should also be placed in national Afrikaans newspapers;
the draft BAR should be available by end of November;
no activities to take place between 16-Dec-2014 and 15-Jan-20.
Members of our group were present from just after 10h00 to after 12h00. We only saw one other party arriving.


Regards,
Friedemann Essrich
Potchefstroom
C082 488 7142


Not a pretty scenario at all.

[Bushcraft]

this project aims at the large volume / lower cost market (R2200 per person & night);

I didn't realise that there's a "large volume" who play in this price range Not "low cost" in my book

[PennyinSA]

Eish you can stay in the Sands for a little more than this - I know because my bookings are already done for next year!

[Toko]

this project aims at the large volume / lower cost market (R2200 per person & night);

I didn't realise that there's a "large volume" who play in this price range Not "low cost" in my book

High cost for a 200 bed hotel, rather book a small lodge for R1000 ppn meals and game drives included in another big five area and enjoy some wilderness feeling

[Richprins]

Mr. Wright, representing the developers, also advises government wrt. tourism developments in other parks (note conflict of interest);
the Danish Residor Group and a Danish energy fund are investors, as are SA's IDC and the PIC

I fail to see how the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) can be regarded as an investor? They provide cheap government loans for mostly Black Empowerment schemes...but you have to pay back the loan...

Same with PIC...Public Investment Corporation...also loans?

I also can't understand how Residor can be both an investor and the managing agent of the hotel, which has been their role up until now pending completion?

Weird!

[H. erectus]

You may take note that Mr. Wright no longer represents as "a developer"
rather more so as a consultant,..

I seem to believe here that credibility is shifting!!, Mr Wright becoming a
pawn, to be utilized by Sanparks, in the greater game of manipulation!!!

[Richprins]

I think Mr Wright knows what he is doing...none of our business to play the man and not the ball!

Also, I suppose it is irrelevant who the funders/developers may be...just indicative that the project has had to seek public loans! Or Public funding, however it may pan out...

[H. erectus]

this MSL project does not require a full EIA:
regulations re. waste water limits requiring a full EIA were raised to 15 000cbm per day (!) as gazetted on 29/11/2013;
"Basic assessments are for non-complex projects"


"as gazetted",.... was this rule/listing altered to suit???
Whom feeds who critical info regarding contentious issues!!

Believe me, Dear Edna Molewa can only rely on her subordinates for true
and factual info she so desperately needs in critical decision making??

[Toko]

Mr. Wright, representing the developers, also advises government wrt. tourism developments in other parks (note conflict of interest);
the Danish Residor Group and a Danish energy fund are investors, as are SA's IDC and the PIC

I fail to see how the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) can be regarded as an investor? They provide cheap government loans for mostly Black Empowerment schemes...but you have to pay back the loan...

Same with PIC...Public Investment Corporation...also loans?

I also can't understand how Residor can be both an investor and the managing agent of the hotel, which has been their role up until now pending completion?

Weird!

once the hotel is established and in operation, shares will be handed over to the local communities

IDC often is an "investor" in these projects, providing the shareholding money which may be loaned by the Industrial Development Corporation.