Basic Assessment Report for Decommissioning of the Outeniqua Pale (Pty) Ltd Timber Treatment Facility at Great Brak River
Outeniqua Pale (Pty) Ltd operating a sawmill and pole treatment plant at Great Brak River since 2003. The site is west of Great Brak River and is adjacent to and south of the N2 freeway to Mossel Bay. The sawmill has been closed for several years. More recently Outeniqua Pale (Pty) Ltd has closed the site for wood treatment as well, in order to move all operations away from Great Brak River. This will allow the property to be developed as a light industrial and commercial park, in line with the current zoning. However, over the years wood preservation treatment has been taking place on the site with a variety of chemicals including Creosote and CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate). It was determined during an earlier study (WSP Walmsley - January 2007) that contamination of the soil has taken occurred. This requires rehabilitation before redevelopment of the site can be initiated.
The contamination of soil associated with timber processing operations means that a Basic Assessment Report must be compiled in terms of GN No. R385 of 21 April 2006 before the site can be decommissioned.
Current Project Phase
The Basic Assessment Report has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning for consideration and issuing of a decision. The document is available on this website and at the offices of the Great Brak River Municipality and the Great Brak Library. Aurecon is currently in the process of finalising a Waste Licence Application.