Proposed Construction of 10 New Sirens in the Newly Developed Sunningdale, Sandown, Parklands and Rivergate Areas, Western Cape
DEA Ref No.: 12/12/20/1794
Property developers Aska Property Group (Pty) Ltd, Milnerton Estates (Pty) Ltd and Garden Cities Inc are in the process of rezoning and developing new properties in the Sunningdale, Sandown, Parklands and Rivergate area (road reserve of Parklands Main Rd, Cape Farm 224, Erf 5245, 36181, 5819, Portion 15 of Cape Farm 220 and Portion 1 of Cape Farm 152) between Bloubergstrand and Table View, Western Cape (see attached location map). This area falls within the 16 kilometre Urgent Protective Zone of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (Koeberg). As a result, Eskom (Pty) Ltd (Eskom) is required in terms of the National Nuclear Regulator Act (Act No 47 of 1999) to install communication structures, i.e. sirens, as a warning mechanism in case of an emergency at Koeberg.
In order for Eskom to provide appropriate coverage of current and future developments, ten (10) sites have been identified for communication/ P/A Systems (sirens). These sites were selected based on the minimum effective range of the P/A sirens (500m) as well as their accessibility for maintenance purposes. The proposed siren masts entail the erection of a 13 metre high galvanised pole with a 3.7 metre high siren plate. Power will be sourced from Eskom via existing power lines that may be supplemented with energy from solar panels attached to the masts. Each mast will also be equipped with an antenna that would enable Eskom to communicate with the siren. The masts will have a foundation of 4.41 square metres with an above ground stub column of 0.36 square metres.
Aurecon has been appointed by Eskom to undertake the requisite environmental authorisation processes for the proposed project, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) as amended and the EIA Regulations, 2006.
Current Project Phase
The Draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) has been finalised and was submitted to the decision-making authorities, viz the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 4 June 2010 for their consideration and decision. The Draft BAR was updated to include consideration of the City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network, new zoning information, the revised location of Siren A and the Public Participation Process held for the Draft BAR. Comments received and a Comments and Responses Report (CRR), noting the project team's responses thereto, have also been included. The Final BAR has been made available to the public for a 21 day comment period and can be viewed at the Bloubergstrand and Koeberg Public Libraries and on our website. Should you have any comments on the Final BAR please submit them by fax, post or email, by no later than 28 June 2010. At the end of the comment period we will collate and submit any comments to the DEA case officer, Mr Takalani Maswime: Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001 or fax (021) 322 2682, or email: TMaswime@deat.gov.za.