February 7, 2006
By Lucille Davie
GAUTRAIN workshops and meetings will be held over the next two weeks to discuss the environmental impacts of the train.
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the plan that takes into account the entire rail system, is the focus of the meetings. The EMP translates the recommendations relating to the management and mitigation of impacts contained in the minor amendment report, comparative assessment reports on the variant alignments and the original Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), into clearly defined actions that must take place during the implementation of the project.
The discussions will form an important part of the compilation of the EMP.
The 80km Gautrain, with a parliamentary-approved budget of R20-billion, will run between Johannesburg, Tshwane and Johannesburg International Airport. Criticisms have been raised concerning the cost, originally set at R7-billion, and the need for the train to cater for commuters travelling in the broader Johannesburg area, badly in need of improved Metrorail services.
About 1 056 properties along the railway line's route will either be fully or partially affected by the construction of Gautrain.
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa stated in December that the first sod would be turned in January, once financial details had been finalised. However, the process is ongoing.
Workshops will take the form of an "open house" from 2pm to 6pm. There will be three in Joburg, one in Ekurhuleni and two in Tshwane. Members of the public will be able to view information about the route through their area and related construction activities.
Technical team members will be on hand to answer questions, and detailed maps, a model of the train and artists' impressions of elements of the rail system will be available.
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm formal presentations specific to the area in which the meeting is being held, will take place, followed by question and answer sessions.
All suggestions and criticisms raised will be incorporated into the final draft EMP and submitted to the Gauteng department of agriculture, conservation and environment for approval.
The final EMP will be available for comment to the public for 30 days.
Details of the minor amendment report and draft assessment reports on the route variants are available on the Gautrain website.
The draft Comparative Assessment Reports were available for comment in January, and are now lodged with the provincial department.
The first meeting, in Parkmore, was held on Monday. The other meetings will be held at the following venues:
Tuesday, 7 February:
Kingsmead College
Tottenham Avenue (Off Baker Street)
Melrose
Wednesday, 8 February:
Kempton Park Laerskool
Kitty Hawk Street
Rhodesfield
Thursday, 9 February:
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Main Auditorium
1258 Lever Road
Midrand
Monday, 13 February:
Voortrekker Hall
264 Glover Avenue
Lyttelton
Tuesday, 14 February:
Tshwane City Hall
Pretorius Hall (Second Floor)
Cnr Visagie and Paul Kruger streets
Tshwane
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