Developments at Mata-Mata

[Bushveld Jock]

I've read that SANParks is busy building new units at Mata-Mata. These units were part of the original BAR report that was rejected in 2012. SANParks submitted all the outstanding requirements with an addendum to the original BAR report in March 2014. Still confuse if it was now approved or not. See link below to latest documents added.

http://www.sahra.org.za/cases/tourism-d ... ntier-park

[Lisbeth]

Status:
Studies Pending

I cannot open the document from April, but if nothing has changed they do not seem to have the papers in order to start building

[Bushveld Jock]

Hi Lisbeth,

I've got the report in PDF format but not sure how to link here.

Hi Mel,

Have you heard anything about the approval of the proposed developments. The required documents were submitted in March and maybe SANparks already received the green light. I heard that they started at Mata-Mata building new chalets.

[Mel]

No, BJ, I haven't got anything anymore since March 2014. And Mata-Mata wasn't even in the EIA.
Must have been an earlier one on which basis they also built the riverfront chalets?

The EIA I registered with was about Nossob (expanding the restcamp, re-aligning the access road, moving the airstrip), new luxury campsites at Gharagab
and the same for Craig Lockhardt.

[Bushveld Jock]

Thanks Mel. Let us know when you hear anything. We off to the park in April, but will only visit Mata-Mata and Twee-rivieren.

[Toko]

The BAR was never about additional units in Mata Mata.

The Mata Mata development was mentioned in the Strategic Plan for the Fiscal 2013/14 – 2017/18

and is again mentioned int the Strategic Plan 2014-2015 to 2018-2019: Link

Here the KTP developments:

Infrastructure Development Programme – Phase 2 Start: 2011/03/01 Finish: 2014/03/31

Re-design Nossob Rest Camp:
- 10 x 2-bed units
- Road
- Bulk services


Infrastructure Development Programme – Phase 3 Start: 2013/04/01 Finish: 2015/03/31

Nossob
- 10 x luxury camps sites

Mata Mata
- 2 x chalets
- Camp site ablutions

Twee Rivieren
- Replace 2 x junior staff houses (asbestos)
- Expand sewer system

Urikaruus & Kieliekrankie
- Additional units

Note the "Start" dates

I wonder if the Mata Mata units even require EIA, if they are within the footprint of the existing camp

[H. erectus]

I wonder if the Mata Mata units even require EIA

,
a good question,....
seems a lot of deliberation goes un-noticed in this very clause!!!

[Bushveld Jock]

Toko,

Agree Mata-Mata upgrades and new chalets are different issues and might not include further EIA or BAR assesments. The re-design of Nossob was under the BAR report of 2012 and the additional documents handed in March 2014. The budget must have been drawn up before 2011, therefore starting date 2011. This however does not mean they can continue with the work at Nossob without the BAR being approved. Looks like that information is not out yet or no-one wants to communicate it for the fear of booking cancellations during the construction phase.

I get the feeling it will be approve and next time I am visiting Nossob things will look very differently, including camp, road and hide. More Botswana visits coming up.

[Toko]

Tender (CI-MM-0009) for Construction of two new family units, new campsite ablution & new shop Mata Mata Rest Camp, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park published long ago, deadline Jul 26, 2013.

Link

[nan]

new shop... of course everybody go to Botswana side