APPROVED IDP DOC 2011-16.BA PHALABORWA.pdf

B2.5 Environmental Considerations
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), Ba-Phalaborwa
Municipality has to provide for co-operative environmental governance by establishing principles for
decision-making on matters affecting the environment and to provide for matters connected
therewith. This act works hand in hand with Environmental Conservation Act, 1989. Both Acts
stipulate the provision of environmental impact assessments and exemption, noise control areas etc.
and for the effective protection and controlled utilization of the environment and for matters
incidental thereto.
The purpose of environmental analysis is to ensure that municipal development strategies and
projects take existing environmental problems and threats into consideration. It also aims at creating
awareness about environmental assets that require protection or management. The Municipality,
through the IDP, has to ensure sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the
present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(definition by the World Commission on the Environment and Development). According to the
National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), sustainable development should be
perceived as the integration of social, economic and environmental factors into planning,
implementation and decision making so as to ensure that development serves present and future
generations.
A number of wild animals roam freely within the area. Given the position of the area next to the
National Park and private reserves, this is not an unnatural phenomenon and adds to the ambiance
and attractiveness of the town. The provincial department responsible handles problem animals in
conjunction with council and other role players. However, the area in general is under severe
pressure from alien and invader plant species. The removal and control of such plants is the
responsibility of government structure, the council and private landowners. Current legislation
dictates us to control such plants according to their grading in the schedule to the act. Ba-
Phalaborwa is regarded as an ecologically sensitive zone given its water sources and proximity to the
Kruger National Park.
Air pollution:
The municipality does not have reliable information on the severity of air pollution in the area,
taking into consideration the mining activities. At present, the Municipality does not have the
capacity to perform air quality management.
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