DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE€¦ · ABRIDGED CV: Contact details as per letterhead. Surname : HELME...

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE In terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act of 1998

specialists involved in Impact Assessment processes must declare their

independence and include an abbreviated Curriculum Vitae.

I, N.A. Helme, do hereby declare that I am financially and otherwise independent of

the client and their consultants, and that all opinions expressed in this document are

substantially my own.

NA Helme ABRIDGED CV:

Contact details as per letterhead.

Surname : HELME

First names : NICHOLAS ALEXANDER

Date of birth : 29 January 1969

University of Cape Town, South Africa. BSc (Honours) – Botany (Ecology &

Systematics), 1990.

Since 1997 I have been based in Cape Town, and have been working as a specialist

botanical consultant, specialising in the diverse flora of the south-western Cape.

Since the end of 2001 I have been the Sole Proprietor of Nick Helme Botanical

Surveys, and have undertaken over 1300 site assessments in this period. A selection

of previous work undertaken in the region includes:

Ecological assessment of proposed Elandsberg guest lodges and new staff

village in the Tanqua National Park (SANParks 2014)

Botanical assessment of proposed Namakwa Sands expansion area, Brand

se Baai (SRK Consulting 2013)

Scoping and Impact Assessment of proposed Wind Energy Facility near

Gouda (Savannah Environmental 2010)

Botanical assessment of proposed cultivation on Soutpansklipheuwel farm,

Lutzville (Anel Blignaut Environmental Consultants 2010)

Basic Assessment of three proposed sites for a new landfill for Matsikamma

Municipality (Anel Blignaut Environmental Consultants 2010)

Botanical Assessment – Karoo Desert NBG

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Botanical assessment for five proposed limestone prospecting areas in the

Knersvlakte (Stellenryck Environmental Solutions 2010)

Botanical IA for proposed new Worcester N1 Ultra City (SEC 2009)

Basic Assessment of proposed new Eskom Gouda substation (Eskom 2009)

Scoping study of Proposed Wind Energy Facility near Vredendal (DJ

Environmental 2009)

Botanical assessment of proposed Perdekraal campsite, Tankwa National

Park (SANParks 2008)

Fine Scale Vegetation Map of the Upper Breede River Valley (CapeNature

2007)

Stewardship assessment of Rainbow Chicken Sites (CapeNature 2007)

Stewardship assessment of Brandvlei Prison grounds (CapeNature 2007)

Botanical scoping and impact assessment of Worcester Island (SRK 2007)

Botanical assessment of Portion of Farm 517 Tois Kloof, Rawsonville (PHS

Consulting 2007)

Botanical scoping and impact assessment of Worcester Hills (SRK 2005 &

2008)

Botanical survey of Slanghoek Valley (Dept. Agriculture & CapeNature 2006)

CONDITIONS RELATING TO THIS REPORT:

The methodology, findings, results, conclusions and recommendations in this report are based

on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge, and on referenced material and

available knowledge. Nick Helme Botanical Surveys and its staff reserve the right to modify

aspects of the report, including the recommendations and conclusions, if and when additional

relevant information becomes available.

This report may not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author, and

this also applies to electronic copies of this report, which are supplied for purposes of

inclusion in other reports, including in the report of EAPs. Any recommendations, statements

or conclusions drawn from or based on this report must cite this report, and should not be

taken out of context, and may not change, alter or distort the intended meaning of the original

in any way. If these extracts or summaries form part of a main report relating to this study or

investigation this report must be included in its entirety as an appendix or separate section to

the main report.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. TERMS OF REFERENCE 2

3. LIMITATIONS, ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODOLOGY 2

4. REGIONAL CONTEXT OF THE VEGETATION 3

5. THE VEGETATION ON SITE 4

6. BOTANICAL SENSITIVITY 6

7. IMPACT ASSESSMENT 7

8. MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS 9

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9

10. REFERENCES 10


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1. INTRODUCTION

This botanical assessment was commissioned in order to help inform the planning

and environmental authorisation process being followed for a proposed development

at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens (KDNBG), Worcester (see Figure 1).

The KDNBG is located about 1.2km north of the N1 highway, and the 1.2ha

undeveloped study area is immediately northwest of the current entrance off Roux

Road.

Figure 1: Map showing the study area (green outline).

Figure 2: Schematic map of the proposed development layout.


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2. TERMS OF REFERENCE

The terms of reference for this study were as follows:

- Undertake a site visit in order to assess the vegetation in the study area

(Figure 1). - Compile a report which identifies any plant Species of Conservation Concern,

and any threatened ecosystems present. - Map the extent and location of areas of botanical significance that should be

taken into account by the proposed development.

- Provide an overview of the botanical conservation significance of the

vegetation in the study area, making reference to the available conservation

planning products.

- Compile a report, including identification of key development constraints and

opportunities.

- Identify and assess the likely botanical impacts associated with the proposed

development.

- Make recommendations to avoid or minimise the likely botanical impacts.

3. LIMITATIONS, ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODOLOGY

The site was visited on 22 May 2014. This is early in the optimal winter - spring

flowering season in this primarily winter rainfall region, and I was thus not able to

identify or even record some of the annuals and bulbs likely to be present (based on

previous in-season surveys nearby). Some of these unrecorded species could be

Species of Conservation Concern (SCC), and the likelihood of there being viable

populations of undetected SCC in the study area is deemed to be moderate.

Particular attention was paid to the presence and abundance of SCC. I was able to

identify most perennial species on site, and the overall confidence level in the

accuracy of the botanical findings is high. The author has undertaken extensive work

within the region, which facilitates the making of local and regional comparisons and

inferences of habitat quality and conservation value.

The 1.2ha study area is assumed to be as indicated in Figure 1, and the proposed

development is assumed to be substantially like the one shown in Figure 2 . The

study area was walked, and plant species were noted in the field, and various

references noted in the text were consulted and referred to. Conclusions were drawn

based on this documentation and professional experience in the area.

The botanical conservation value of a site is a product of plant species diversity,

plant community composition, rarity of habitat, degree of habitat degradation, rarity of


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species, ecological viability and connectivity, vulnerability to impacts, and reversibility

of threats.

4. REGIONAL CONTEXT OF THE VEGETATION

The study area is located within the Northwest Fynbos bioregion (Mucina and Rutherford

2006) endemics) of what is now known as the Core Region of the Greater Cape Floristic

Region (GCFR; Manning & Goldblatt 2012). The GCFR is one of only six Floristic Regions in

the world, and is the only one largely confined to a single country (the Succulent Karoo

component extends into southern Namibia). It is also by far the smallest floristic region,

occupying only 0.2% of the world’s land surface, and supporting about 11500 plant species,

over half of all the plant species in South Africa (on 12% of the land area). At least 70% of all

the species in the Cape region do not occur elsewhere, and many have very small home

ranges (these are known as narrow endemics). Many of the lowland habitats are under

pressure from agriculture, urbanisation and alien plants, and thus many of the range restricted

species are also under severe threat of extinction, as habitat is reduced to extremely small

fragments. Data from the nationwide plant Red Listing project indicate that 67% of the

threatened plant species in the country occur only in the southwestern Cape, and these total

over 1800 species (Raimondo et al 2009)! It should thus be clear that the southwestern Cape

is a major national and global conservation priority, and is quite unlike anywhere else in the

country in terms of the number of threatened plant species.

The study area is part of the Succulent Karoo biome, and falls within the planning area of the

Upper Breede River Valley Fine Scale Conservation Plan (Pence 2008). This conservation

planning project indicates that the study area is not mapped as a Critical Biodiversity Area

(Figure 3), and that the main ecological corridor in this area passes east – west some 400m

north of the site. The Robertson Karoo vegetation around Worcester is known to be rich in

localised, endemic plant species, and many of these are threatened by increasing urban and

agricultural development (Helme 2007, Raimondo et al 2009).


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Figure 3: Extract of the Upper Breede River Valley Fine Scale Conservation Plan (Pence

2008) showing that the study area (red outline) is not mapped as a Critical Biodiversity Area

(CBA). CBAs are shaded dark green.

5. THE VEGETATION ON SITE

According to the SA Vegetation Map (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) the original natural

vegetation throughout the study area is Robertson Karoo. The local subtype of this

unit is mapped as Worcester Renosterveld Karoo by the Fine Scale Vegetation Map

for the Upper Breede River Valley (Helme 2007), and this latter classification is

indicative of the strong Renosterveld elements in this unit.

Robertson Karoo has been classified as a Least Threatened vegetation type on a

national basis (DEA 2011). This unit has lost about 16% of its total original extent, but

less than 1% of it total original extent is formally conserved, with a national

conservation target of 16% (Rouget et al 2004).

The vegetation in the study area is essentially in a pristine state (see Plates 1 & 2),

and constitutes a typical example of Robertson Karoo in this area. Vegetation cover

is about 75% (the rest being open soil), and the average plant height is <1m.

Crustose lichen is abundant, forming a biogenic crust in many areas, which is

indicative of a healthy and untrampled habitat (de Villiers et al 2005). No alien

invasive vegetation was recorded.


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Plate 1: View of the study area, looking south towards the existing Garden entrance.

The grey succulents in the foreground are Ruschia carolii.

Plate 2: View of the southern edge of the study area, adjacent to the current

entrance and parking area. The dark green shrubs in the foreground are Pteronia

pallens.

Heuweltjies (old termite nests) are present, and the vegetation on these differs fairly

markedly, with Pteronia incana (asbos), Tylecodon paniculatus (botterboom) and

Psilocaulon utile (asbos) often dominant.


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In the normal, off-heuweltjie areas Pteronia paniculata (Scholtzbos) and Ruschia

carolii are usually dominant. Additional species include Prenia pallens, Drimia

capensis (maerman), Haworthia herbacea var herbacea, H. pumila, Aloe microstigma

ssp microstigma, Galenia africana (kraalbos), Searsia glauca, Euphorbia mauritanica

(melkbos), E. burmanii (steenbokmelkbos), Oxalis pes-caprae, O. depressa, O.

imbricata, O. leptogramma, Ruschia multiflora, Asparagus rubicundus (katnaels),

Elytropappus rhinocerotis (renosterbos), Helichrysum sp., Drosanthemum sp.,

Moraea sp., Pentameris pallida, Acacia karoo, Gazania krebsiana, Lycium afrum,

Suaeda plumosa, Lepidium sp., Osteospermum acanthospermum, Albuca maxima,

Rhynchopsidium pumilum, Pelargonium abrotanifolium, P. karooicum, Aspalathus

sp., Crassula nudicaulis, C. tomentosa, Quaqua mammillaris, Senecio radicans,

Kedrostis capensis, Chaenostoma revolutum, Tetragonia spicata, Anginon

swellendamense and Felicia fruticosa.

No confirmed plant Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) were recorded in the

study area, but there is a fairly good chance that the non flowering Moraea recorded

on site is M. worcesterensis. This is a very localised species, known only from this

habitat, in the area west of Worcester, and is Red Listed as Critically Endangered

(Raimondo & Ebrahim 2007). The species flowers for two to three weeks in late

September, and is only then identifiable with any confidence. Fewer than ten

individuals of this Moraea were seen on site, and they tend to be rather widely

scattered, and very cryptic when not flowering.

No other plant SCC are expected to be undetected on site in viable or significant

populations.

6. BOTANICAL SENSITIVITY

The entire study area is deemed to be of Medium to High botanical sensitivity (and

hence no sensitivity map is provided). The reasoning behind this assessment is as

follows: the area is not mapped as a CBA, the area is bordered by existing

development on two sides (and a road on a third), the plant community is well

represented elsewhere in the KDNBG, the vegetation type is regarded as Least

Threatened on a national basis (but very poorly conserved), and the only likely (not

yet confirmed) SCC is Moraea worcesterensis (plants of which could be translocated

prior to development).


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7. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

7.1 Identification of Likely Impacts

All development will take place within an area of Medium to High botanical sensitivity.

Most negative botanical impacts are likely to occur only at the Construction Phase,

with no significant negative impacts at the Operational Phase. Some minor positive

impacts may occur at the operational phase, in the form of rehabilitation.

Construction Phase impacts are likely to be mainly the disturbance of the soil and

loss and damage to the currently natural vegetation in the proposed development

area. Impacts may include loss of up to ten plants of the Critically Endangered bulb

Moraea worcesterensis (prior to mitigation).

Operational Phase impacts may include habitat fragmentation, loss of current

ecological connectivity, replanting of rescued material, and rehabilitation of disturbed

areas using this material.

7.2 Construction Phase Impacts

The extent of likely disturbance or loss of natural vegetation is likely to amount to less

than 0.6ha. All construction will take place in areas that support intact natural

vegetation of Medium to High sensitivity, and no CBAs will be impacted. It is likely

that a small but significant population of the Critically Endangered bulb Moraea

worcesterensis will be impacted by construction, but this can be mitigated by Search

and Rescue.

On balance the overall construction phase botanical impacts are thus likely to be

Medium negative before mitigation, and Low negative after mitigation.

Table 1: Construction Phase Impact table for the proposed project.

Alternative Extent of impact

Duration of impact

Intensity Probability of occurrence

Degree of confidence

Significance before mitigation

Significance after mitigation

Proposed development

Site Temporary to Permanent

Medium Definite High Medium negative

Low negative

No Go None None None NA High Neutral Neutral


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7.3 Operational Phase Impacts

Operational Phase impacts may include habitat fragmentation, loss of current

ecological connectivity, and some minor alien plant invasion.

The loss of up to 1.2ha (probably less than 0.6ha) of natural habitat in this particular

area should not result in a significant degree of habitat fragmentation, as the site is

currently bounded by development on two sides, and by a road on a third side. Loss

of ecological connectivity is likely to be relatively minor, for similar reasons, and the

site is not in a designated CBA corridor.

Soil disturbance is a well known facilitator of alien plant invasion, but this can be

effectively mitigated, which will reduce the impact to negligible.

The previously mentioned rehabilitation of disturbed areas and planting with suitable

locally indigenous species (rescued from the development footprint) is a form of

mitigation, but it could also be viewed as a positive operational phase impact.

On balance the overall operational phase botanical impacts are likely to be Low

negative before mitigation, and Neutral after mitigation.

Table 2: Operational Phase Impact table for the proposed project.

7.4 The No Go alternative

The No Go alternative is usually considered to be the continuation of the status quo.

There would thus not be any construction phase impacts, and there are no relevant

current impacts. Overall botanical impact of the No Go is thus deemed to be Neutral.

Alternative Extent of impact

Duration of impact

Intensity Probability of occurrence

Degree of confidence

Significance before mitigation

Significance after mitigation

Proposed Development

Site Mostly Medium term (1 -5yrs)

Low Moderate to High

Moderate - High

Low negative Neutral

No Go None None None NA High Neutral Neutral


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8. MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The following mitigation is considered to be feasible, reasonable and essential, and is

factored in to the assessment:

The site should be surveyed by an experienced botanist in late September,

prior to construction, with a view to identifying and marking any Species of

Conservation Concern on site, and particularly any specimens of the Critically

Endangered bulb Moraea worcesterensis. Depending on the timing of

construction, these should either be marked for later collection, or bagged

and moved to the KDNBG nursery, or immediately translocated to a suitable,

natural receiving area within the KDNBG that will remain undeveloped.

Search and Rescue of as many succulents and bulbs as possible should be

undertaken from within the development footprint prior to any site

development. This should be undertaken by KDNBG staff, and material

should be stored on site in the nursery for rehabilitation of disturbed areas

(and/or the proposed roof gardens) after construction is over. Succulents and

bulbs should be the main target species, and replanting should be undertaken

in early winter (May – June).

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The study area is of Medium to High botanical sensitivity, and as such is not

the ideal area for development. However, the site is well placed for

development in that habitat fragmentation will be minimised here (adjacent to

development on two sides), and the habitat to be lost is still well represented

elsewhere within the KDNBG. Search and Rescue of bulbs and succulents

could also significantly reduce the direct botanical impacts, particularly in the

case of the one potential SCC (Moraea worcesterensis).

The proposed project is not likely to have more than a Medium negative

botanical impact overall (before mitigation), and Low negative after mitigation,

and the site does not present any notable constraints to the proposed

development.


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10. REFERENCES

DEA. 2011. Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. Government

Gazette Vol. 1002: No. 34809. National Printer, Pretoria.

De Villiers, C., Driver, A., Brownlie, S., Day, E., Euston-Brown, D., Helme, N.,

Holmes, P., Job, N., and A. Rebelo. 2005. Fynbos Forum Ecosystem Guidelines for

Environmental Assessment in the Western Cape. Fynbos Forum, c/o Botanical

Society of South Africa, Conservation Unit, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town.

Manning, J. and P. Goldblatt. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1:

The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity Institute,

Pretoria.

Mucina, L. and M. Rutherford. Eds. 2006. Vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho,

and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C.,

Kamundi, D.A., and Manyama, P.A. (eds.) 2009. Red List of South African Plants

2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Raimondo, D. & Ebrahim, I. 2007. Moraea worcesterensis Goldblatt. National

Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on

2014/06/12

Rouget, M., Reyers, B., Jonas, Z., Desmet, P., Driver, A., Maze, K., Egoh, B. &

Cowling, R.M. 2004. South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004:

Technical Report. Volume 1: Terrestrial Component. Pretoria: South African National

Biodiversity Institute.

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HWC 002/02/ED (4 Jul 14)

N O T I F I C A T I O N O F

I N T E N T T O

D E V E L O P

Completion of this form is required by Heritage Western Cape for the initiation of all impact assessment processes under

Section 38(1) & (8) of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA).

Whilst it is not a requirement, it may expedite processes and in particular avoid calls for additional information if certain of the information required in this form is provided by a heritage specialist/s with the necessary qualifications, skills and experience.

A. APPLICABILITY OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (NEMA)

HWC Case Number: DEADP Reference Number:

NOTE: A DEADP (W Cape Dept. Environment Affairs & Development Planning) reference number must be included in all NHRA Section 38(8) processes where DEADP is the decision making authority under NEMA. The effect of this requirement is that the NEMA process must be initiated with DEADP prior to the NHRA process with HWC.

If a DEADP reference number is not entered above please check one of the following boxes:

This application is made in terms of Section 38(8) of the NHRA and an application under NEMA has been made to the following authority: National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)

This development will not require a NEMA application.

NOTE: Making an incorrect statement or providing incorrect information in this part of the form may result in all or part of the application having to be reconsidered by HWC in the future, or submission of a new application.

B. BASIC DETAILS

PROPERTY DETAILS:

Name of property: Karoo National Botanical Garden

Street address or location (eg: off R44): Off Roux Road, Worcester

Erf or farm number/s: erf 3605 Coordinates: 33° 36' 52"S 19° 27' 00”E (A logical centre point. Format based on WGS84.)

Town or District: Worcester Responsible Municipality: Breede River

Extent of property: 139 045 sq m Current use: Botanical Garden

Predominant land use/s of surrounding properties: residential and botanical garden

REGISTERED OWNER OF PROPERTY:

Name South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) - please see attached letter.

Address

Telephone Cell E‐mail

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By the submission of this form and all material submitted in support of this notification (ie: ‘the material’), all applicant parties acknowledge that they are aware that the material and/or parts thereof will be put to the following uses and consent to such use being made: filing as a public record; presentations to committees, etc; inclusion in databases; inclusion on and downloading from websites; distribution to committee members and other stakeholders and any other use required in terms of powers, functions, duties and responsibilities allocated to Heritage Western Cape under the terms of the National Heritage Resources Act. Should restrictions on such use apply or if it is not possible to copy or lift information from any part of the digital version of the material, the material will be returned unprocessed.

I confirm that I enclose with this form four hardcopies of all material submitted together with a CD ROM containing digital versions of all of the same.

Signature of owner or authorised agent (Agents must attach copy of power of attorney to this form.)

Date / / 20

DEVELOPMENT DETAILS:

Please indicate below which of the following Sections of the National Heritage Resources Act, or other legislation has triggered the need for notification of intent to develop.

S38(1)(a) Construction of a road, wall, powerline, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier over 300m in length.

S38(1)(c) Any development or activity that will change the character of a site ‐

S38(1)(b) Construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50m in length.

(i) exceeding 5 000m2 in extent;

S38(1)(d) Rezoning of a site exceeding 10 000m2 in extent.

(ii) involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof;

Other triggers, eg: in terms of other legislation, (ie: National Environment Management Act, etc.) Please set out details: NEMA requires a Basic Assessment application in terms of the listed activities in: - GN R.544, Listing Notice 1: Activity 23 - GN R. 546, Listing Notice 3: Activity 13

(iii) involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been consolidated within the past five years.

If you have checked any of the three boxes above, describe how the proposed development will change the character of the site: A new structure will be built on the property and others will be extended resulting in an increased density of structures.

If an impact assessment process has also been / will be initiated in terms of other legislation please provide the following information:

Authority / government department (ie: consenting authority) to which information has been /will be submitted for final decision: National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)

Present phase at which the process with that authority stands: Appplication for submitted to and accepted by DEA (ref number: 14/12/16/3/3/1/1267).

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Provide a full description of the nature and extent of the proposed development or activity including its potential impacts (eg: changes in land use, envisaged timeframes, provision of additional bulk services, excavations,

landscaping, total floor area, height of development, etc. etc.): The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is located off Roux Road, Panorama, Worcester. In total the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden encompasses 154 hectares of land which stretches from the foot of the Hex River Mountain Range down to Roux Road. 143 hectares are comprised of undisturbed natural vegetation whilst the remaining 11 hectares has been cultivated as a garden to display the desert and semi-desert plants unique to the region . A small portion of the cultivated garden, situated on Erf 3065, forms a developed area including administration and tourism-related buildings and infrastructure and staff buildings and infrastructure Towards the northern portion of Erf 3605, existing buildings and infrastructure comprise several small staff dwellings, a small staff lounge, dining and kitchen area, ablutions and a storeroom. For the purposes of this application, this area is known as “Area 1”. South of ‘Area 1’, located immediately north-west off the current garden entrance off Roux Road is a small parking area and a vacant, undeveloped piece of land approximately 1.2 hectares in size. For the purposes of this application, this area is known as ‘Area 2’, and is earmarked as the site for the main proposed infrastructure development. Proposed infrastructure developments for the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden: SANBI has been allocated funds by the DEA for the period 2013/14- 2015/16 for refurbishment, upgrading, repair and maintenance of existing immovable infrastructure, vehicles and equipment as well as the construction of new infrastructure. The DEA funded developments will address the needs of SANBI from an administrative research and educational and tourism perspective. The proposed infrastructure upgrades for the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden will entail the following: Area 1: Alterations, refurbishments and upgrades of the existing staff facilities (lounge, dining area, store room, kitchen, and ablution facilities) located on the northern portion of Erf 3605, Area 1. It is also proposed to alter the existing staff dwellings and add a dining area, small kitchen, a stoep and several bedrooms on to each. Note that this work will occur in two phases with upgrades and additions to three small staff dwellings being all that is scheduled here for the first phase. The total development area (both phases) in ‘Area 1’ will be 232m2, which entails a combined expansion of approximately 100m2. Area 2: The developments in Area 2 on Erf 3605 are two-fold. It is proposed to expand the existing small parking area to accommodate 34 cars as well as two bus embayments. The parking area will thus be expanded from approximately 500m2 to a size of approximately 900m2. In the vacant, undeveloped piece of land adjacent to the current parking area it is proposed to build a multipurpose education centre with the capacity for 80 learners at any given time. The education centre will consist of the following: • Amphitheatre (including walkway) (300 m2) • Multipurpose space (217m2) • Library/Resource Centre (36 m2) • Librarian Office (11 m2)

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• Records Room (2 m2) • Pre-Assembly Space (135 m2) • Reception Area (14 m2) • Director’s Office and Seminar (28m2) • Staff Office (15 m2) • Ablutions (including facilities for the disabled) (35 m2) • Storeroom (7 m2) • Kitchen (25 m2) • Scullery (9 m2) • Refuse Room/Recycle Facility (4 m2) The total development footprint of the multipurpose education centre is 607m2. In total the developments in Area 1 (construction of additional parking space and the multipurpose education centre) will entail the clearance of approximately 1.2ha of untransformed area.

C. HERITAGE RESOURCES AND IMPACTS THEREUPON

Section 3 of the National Heritage Resources Act sets out the following categories of heritage resource as forming part of the national estate. Please indicate the known presence of any of these by checking the box alongside and then providing a description of each occurrence, including nature, location, size, type

Failure to provide sufficient detail or to anticipate the likely presence of heritage resources on the site may lead to a request for more detailed specialist information.

(The assistance of relevant heritage professionals is particularly relevant in completing this section.)

Provide a short history of the site and its environs (Include sources where available): The Garden was first established in 1921 east of Matjiesfontein as the Logan Memorial Garden but because of a lack of water and the rerouting of the National Road the garden was moved to its present location in 1945 under the name Karoo National Botanical Garden. In 2001 name was officially changed to Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden (source http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/karoo-desert/karoo-desert-nbg-history). The property as surveyed in 1945 was Portion 1 of the farm Brewels Kloof. It was subsequently allocated the erf number 3605.Please indicate which heritage resources exist on the site and in its environs, describe them and indicate the nature of any impact upon them:

Places, buildings, structures and equipment of cultural significance

Description of resource: The 1949 aerial photograph shows what seems to be just two structures in the main complex. The majority of structures are thus less that 65 years old. The first buildings on the site are presumed to date to around 1945 when the garden was opened at its present location. According to SANBI, the original structures on the site were prefabricated structures and these were replaced by brick and mortar buildings in c. 1960. This supports a maximum age for any of the structures in the Garden as approximatey 54 yars old.

Description of impact on heritage resource: None of the buildings on site are deemed to be of any heritage significance and, in any case, appear to be less than 60 years of age. There will thus not be any impacts to protected heritage resources.

Places to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage

Description of resource: n/a

Description of impact on heritage resource: n/a

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Historical settlements and townscapes



Landscapes and natural features of cultural significance

Description of resource: The Botanical Garden can be seen as having cultural significance as an educational facility preserving the natural heritage of our country.

Description of impact on heritage resource: No significant impact will occur. in fact, positive impacts are likely because of the enhanced education capacity of the Botanical Garden.

Geological resources of scientific or cultural importance



Archaeological resources (Including archaeological sites and material, rock art, battlefields & wrecks):

Description of resource: Despite archaeological resources (mostly Early Stone Age) being known to occur in the Breede Valley, a field inspection of the site showed no archaeological material to be present.


Palaeontological resources (ie: fossils):

Description of resource: SAHRIS Palaeomap shows the site to be in an area of low sensitivity in which no further studies are required.


Graves and burial grounds (eg: ancestral graves, graves of victims of conflict, historical graves & cemeteries):

Description of Resource: n/a

Description of Impact on Heritage Resource: n/a

Other human remains:



Sites of significance relating to the history of slavery in South Africa:



Other heritage resources:



Describe elements in the environs of the site that could be deemed to be heritage resources: as above

Description of impacts on heritage resources in the environs of the site: as above

Summary of anticipated impacts on heritage resources: No significant impacts to heritage resources are anticipated. ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL (This form will not be processed unless the following are included):

Attach to this form a minimum A4 sized locality plan showing the boundaries of the area affected by the proposed development, its environs, property boundaries and a scale. The plan must be of a scale and size that is appropriate to creating a clear understanding of the development.

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Attach also other relevant graphic material such as maps, site plans, satellite photographs and photographs of the site and the heritage resources on it and in its environs. These are essential to the processing of this notification.

Please provide all graphic material on paper of appropriate size and on CD ROM in JPEG format. It is essential that graphic material be annotated via titles on the photographs, map names and numbers, names of files and/or provision of a numbered list describing what is visible in each image.

D. RECOMMENDATION

In your opinion do you believe that a heritage impact assessment is required? Yes No

Recommendation made by:

Name Dr Jayson Orton

Capacity Archaeologist and heritage consultant

PLEASE NOTE: No Heritage Impact Assessment should be submitted with this form or conducted until Heritage Western Cape has expressed its opinion on the need for such and the nature thereof.

E. INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED AND STUDIES TO BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA)

If it is recommended that an HIA is required please complete this section of the form.

DETAILS OF HERITAGE PRACTITIONERS AND SPECIALISTS INTENDING TO CONDUCT THE HIA:

1.

Name of individual: Name of Practice: Area of specialisation:

Qualifications:

Experience:

Standing in heritage resource management:

E‐mail Address: Telephone: Cell:

2.


Qualifications:

Experience:



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3.


Qualifications:

Experience:



4.


Qualifications:

Experience:



5.


Qualifications:

Experience:



If this submission is made in terms of Section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act indicate below the particulars of the principle environmental consultant on the project.

Name of individual: Kirsty Robinson Name of Practice: Sillito Environmental Consultants Area of specialisation: Environmental Impact Assessment E‐mail Address: [email protected] Telephone: 021 712 5060 Cell: 076 609 9953 Postal Address: Suite 105, Block B2, Tokai Village Centre, Vans Road, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966 DETAILS OF STUDIES TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE INTENDED HIA

In addition to the requirements set out in Section 38(3) of the NHRA, indicate envisaged studies:

Heritage resource‐related guidelines and policies.

Local authority planning and other laws and policies.

Details of parties, communities, etc. to be consulted.

Specialist studies, eg: archaeology, palaeontology, architecture, townscape, visual impact, etc. Provide details:

Other. Provide details:

PLEASE NOTE: Any further studies which Heritage Western Cape may resolve should be submitted must be in the form of a single, consolidated report with a single set of recommendations. Specialist studies must be incorporated in full, either as chapters of the report, or as annexures thereto.

NID Supporting documentation – Karoo National Botanical Garden erf 3605 Worcester.

Map 3319CB showing the location of the Karoo desert National Botanical Garden (green polygon on base

map) and erf 3605 (red polygon).

Aerial view of the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden showing the location of erf 3605 (red polygon).

1949 (left) and modern (right) aerial views showing the developed part of the Karoo Desert National

Botanical Garden. Very few structures were present in 1949. At Area 1 in the north, the first phase of work

will occur in the small yellow block and the second phase in the larger polygon.

Extract from the SAHRIS Palaeomap showing the location of the site in an area of low sensitivity (blue

shading).

AREA 1

AREA 2

Views of the labourers’ cottages to be altered during the first phase of the project.

View facing southeast of Area 2 where the new facility will be built. Roux Road lies to the right

View towards the south over Worcester and the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden showing the

positions of Area 1 (yellow polygon to the left) and Area 2 (yellow polygon to the right).

VISUAL STATEMENT

Draft Report v1.1

SANBI New Buildings at the Karroo National Botanical Gardens

Worcester

30 September 2014

Prepared for: Sillito Environmental Consulting

Suite 105, Block B2, Tokai Village Centre, Vans Road, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966

Prepared by: Megan Anderson Landscape Architect

Stone Cottage ⋅ Palmiet Farm ⋅ Elgin 021 859 4510 ⋅ 083 651 6419

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Background and Approach to the study 1.2 Terms of Reference 1.3 Methodology 1.4 Assumptions and Limitations

2. Proposed Development .......................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Site location 2.2 Development Description

2.2.1 Area 1 – Staff facility improvements 2.2.2 Area 2: The proposed Education facility

3. Visual Assessment of the Site and Proposed Development ................................................ 11 3.1 Description of the affected area and scenic resources 3.2 Visibility of the Proposed Development

3.2.1 View Catchment 3.2.2 Zone of Visual Influence 3.2.3 Receptors

4. Potential Visual Impacts ......................................................................................................... 16 4.1 Educational Facility

4.1.1 Change in the character of the site 4.1.2 Visibility from adjacent homeowners 4.1.3 Additional night lighting

4.2 Staff housing improvements

5. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 18

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SANBI propose to develop an Educational Facility and upgrade existing staff facilities, at the Karroo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester in the Western Cape. The proposed development and upgrades are within visually enclosed valleys on the rolling shale foothills of the Hexriver Mountains. The Zone of Visual Impact is restricted to the local area immediately adjacent to the sites of development. Receptors include highly sensitive adjacent residents, tourist to the NBG and nature reserves while moderately sensitive receptors will be workers in the NBG. Potential Visual Impacts for the Education Facility include:

• change of character of the entrance area, from fynbos covered land to a more built area; • visibility of the building by neighbouring residents; and • night light pollution

The visual impact of the upgrades to the staff housing precinct will be positive.

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background and Approach to the study

SANBI propose infrastructure developments on Erf 3605, Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens (NBG) at Worcester in the Western Cape. These improvements will be to the existing staff housing and a new Education Centre. Sillito Environmental Consulting have been appointed to obtain the required authorization in terms of the NEMA regulations and has commenced the process. Megan Anderson Landscape Architects (MALA) has been appointed to undertake the Visual Statement with respect to the possible visual impacts that the proposed development may have.

1.2 Terms of Reference

The following terms of reference have been proposed

• Identify issues raised in scoping phase, and site visit; • Describe the receiving environment and the proposed project; • Establish the view catchment area and receptors; • Briefly indicate potential visual impacts, and possible mitigation measures

1.3 Methodology

A site visit and a photographic survey of the site and surrounds were undertaken. Receptors and the Viewshed were identified during the site visit. A desktop mapping study was undertaken to map the viewshed and receptors The findings of the above have been captured in this report and potential visual impacts identified with mitigation proposals.

1.4 Assumptions and Limitations

It is assumed that the information provided to MALA is correct.

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2. Proposed Development

2.1 Site location

The proposed development is located within the Karroo National Botanical Gardens, which is on the northern borders of the town of Worcester in the Western Cape.

Figure 1and 2 Location of the Karroo NBG on the northern boundary of the town of Worcester (left) with the proposed site of development adjacent to the parking area at the entrance gat to the NBG

The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is located off Roux Road, Panorama, Worcester. The proposed site of development within the Karoo NBG is adjacent to the existing parking area just after the entrance gate.

SEC CLIENT: SANBI

PROJECT: 014036 Karoo

TITLE: Topographic Map

DRAWING NUMBER:

014036/3

North

Site

Site

North

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Figure 3 Location of the two development sites in the Karoo NBG The proposed upgrade to staff housing will occur to existing units situated within the ‘developed’ area of the NBG. The proposed new education facility is on the southwestern boundary of the NBG adjacent to an existing parking area and near the entrance gate.

BACKGROUND

INTRODUCED IN 2013 ANDCOMPRISED OF 2 PHASES

PHASE 1 – SKETCH DESIGNWITH DETAILED ESTIMATE OFSTAFF FACILITIES

PHASE 2 – SKETCH DESIGN OFEDUCATIONAL CENTRE ANDPARKING FACILITY

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2.2 Development Description

The proposed infrastructure upgrades for the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden will entail the following.

2.2.1 Area 1 – Staff facility improvements Towards the northern portion of Erf 3605, existing buildings and infrastructure comprise several small staff dwellings, a small staff lounge, dining and kitchen area, ablutions and a storeroom.

Alterations, refurbishments and upgrades are proposed for the existing staff facilities (lounge, dining area, store room, kitchen, and ablution facilities).

It is also proposed to alter the existing staff dwellings and add a dining area, small kitchen, a stoep and several bedrooms on to each.

The total development area in ‘Area 1’ will be 232m2, which entails a combined expansion of

approximately 100m2.

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Figure 4 Proposed upgrades to the staff housing at the Karoo Desert NBG

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2.2.2 Area 2: The proposed Education facility The developments in Area 2 on Erf 3605 are two-fold. It is proposed to expand the existing small parking area to accommodate 34 cars as well as two bus embayments. The parking area will thus

be expanded from approximately 500m2 to a size of approximately 900m

2.

In the vacant, undeveloped piece of land adjacent to the current parking area it is proposed to build a multipurpose education center with the capacity for 80 learners at any given time. The education center will consist of the following:

• Amphitheatre (including walkway) (300 m2)

• Multipurpose space (217m2)

• Library/Resource Centre (36 m2)

• Librarian Office (11 m2)

• Records Room (2 m2)

• Pre-Assembly Space (135 m2)

• Reception Area (14 m2)

• Director’s Office and Seminar (28m2)

• Staff Office (15 m2)

• Ablutions (including facilities for the disabled) (35 m2)

• Storeroom (7 m2)

• Kitchen (25 m2)

• Scullery (9 m2)

• Refuse Room/Recycle Facility (4 m2)

The total development footprint of the multipurpose education center is 607m2.

In total the developments in Area 2 (construction of additional parking space and the multipurpose education center) will entail the clearance of approximately 1.2ha of untransformed area.

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Figure 5 – Proposed Education Facility Development and parking area

Figure 6 – Proposed Education Facility Development –internal arrangement

SITE PLAN

KEY:

1. EXISTING PARKING2. NEW BUS EMBAYMENT3. NEW PARKING4. NEW EDUCATIONAL CENTRE

OVERALL PLANNING:

• PARKING RECONFIGURED AND 2 BUS EMBAYMENTS PROVIDED

• NEW BUILDING PLACEDTO NORTH OF PARKING

FLOOR PLAN

KEY:

1. STRONG ROOM2. DIRECTOR OFFICE/ SEMINAR3. RECEPTION4. MALE AND FEMALE

ABLUTIONS5. DISABLED ABLUTION6. STAFF ROOM7. STORE ROOM8. OFFICES9. LIBRARY/ RESOUCE CENTRE10. AMPHITHEATRE11. MULTI PURPOSE SPACE12. KITCHEN13. SCULLERY14. REFUSE/ RECYCLE FACILITY15. PRE-ASSEMBLY SPACE

(MAIN CIRCULATION SPINE)16. EXTERIOR CIRCULATION

DESIGN INTENT

• BUILDING PLANNED ON JUXTAPOSED LINEAR ROUTES THAT CULMINATE ON OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY SPACE.

• MULTIPURPOSE SPACE HOUSES THE DOMINANT FUNCTION AND IS LARGER IN SCALE

• SLIDING DOORS USED BETWEENPREASSEMBLY SPACE AND MULTIPURPOSESPACE TO OBTAIN MAXIMIUM FLEXIBILITY

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Figure 7 – Proposed cross sections through Educational Facility Development

Figure 8 – Proposed elevations of the Educational Facility Development

SECTIONS

• LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH THE MAIN CIRCULATION

• PITCHED ROOFS DISPOSE OF WATER ONTO THE CIRCULATION SPACE’S FLATROOF ABOVE. IT IS THEN COLLECTED IN LARGE CONTAINERS AT EITHER SIDE OFTHE BUILDING.

SECTION THROUGH MULTIPURPOSE SPACE AND PRE-ASSEMBLY SPACE

ELEVATIONS

EAST ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION

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3. Visual Assessment of the Site and Proposed Development

3.1 Description of the affected area and scenic resources

The Worcester and the Karoo Desert NBG are located within the Cape Winelands, described by Oberholzer and Winter as follows:

“The Cape Winelands is an area of fertile valleys nestled between the Cape Fold Mountains with their rugged sandstone peaks. It is an area high in scenic and heritage significance, its famous vineyards earmarked for declaration as a World Heritage Site.

At the base of the sandstone massifs, the steep scree slopes grade into gently rolling foothills of weathered Cape granites and Malmesbury shale’s, which have been incised by rivers to form wide alluvial valleys in places, such as those of the Berg and Breede Rivers. Interestingly the pattern of vineyards has a strong correlation with the occurrence of the granites, the unique combination of soil and climate having made this the center of viticulture and fruit farming.

Towns, villages and farmsteads are strung along the valleys in response to the topography, sources of water and productive agricultural soils, Stellenbosch and Paarl being two of the oldest colonial settlements. Other towns in the District with ‘Heritage Areas’ include Franschhoek, Wellington, Montagu, Worcester, McGregor and Tulbagh.

The combination of mountain scenery, rural landscapes, colonial architecture and wine routes make this area a prime tourism destination of critical importance to the economy of the region. The area is however also under great threat of fragmentation through creeping urbanization.

The rugged terrain and tapestry of rural landscapes have given rise a network of scenic routes and mountain passes, many of which began as wagon routes to the interior. Passes such as Bainskloof Pass (a Provincial Heritage Site), Franschhoek Pass, Mitchell‟s Pass and Cogmanskloof, to name a few, are a legacy from the 1700s and 1800s by road- builders such as Andrew Bain.”

Figure 9 – Section through Cape Winelands (source Oberholzer and Winter)) As can be seen in the above figure, Worcester (and the Karroo NBG) is nestled at the toe of the Hex River Mountains, within the rounded shale foothills.

Heritage and Scenic Resources: Inventory and Policy Framework for the Western Cape, May 2013, Version 4 12

Kanonkop Riebeek-Kasteel Dassen

Island

Kasteelberg

Darling Berg River Valley

Darling Hills

Yzerfontein Malmesbury

MSL Quartzitic sandstone Alluvium Granite Malmesbury shale

Hottentots Holland Mts.

Helderberg Table Mountain

Cape Flats

Lourens River Valley

Sir Lowry’s Pass

Quartzitic sandstone



Alluvium Granite Granite

MSL

Somerset West

Dutoitskloof Mts.

Pniel Worcester

Simonsberg

Hex River Mts.

Goudini Stellenbosch

Breede River Valley Berg River Valley

Dutoits- kloof Pass

Quartzitic sandstone Quartzitic

sandstone Quartzitic sandstone

Alluvium Alluvium Granite Granite M. shale

Eerste River Valley

Winelands District

Cape Metro

West Coast District

Figure 4a: Typical Sections through Districts NTS vertical exaggerated

The sections illustrate the pronounced topography of the quartzitic sandstones (blue), as well as the location of settlements on the footslopes with access to water and productive soils of the granites, shales and alluvial valleys. River valleys often tend to follow fault lines.

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Photo Plate 1 – The Breede River Valley and surrounding massive sandstone mountains. The Karoo Desert NBG is 154 hectares of land, stretching from the foot of the sandstone Hex River Mountains, on the Malmesbury shale’s, to Roux Road on the northern edge of Worcester. 143 hectares are comprised of undisturbed natural vegetation whilst the remaining 11 hectares has been cultivated as a garden to display the desert and semi-desert plants unique to the region. A small portion of the cultivated garden, situated on Erf 3065, forms a developed area including administration and tourism-related buildings and infrastructure and staff buildings and infrastructure

Photo Plate 2 – Within the southern section of the Karoo Desert NBG looking north across the shale foothills to the hex River mountains

Photo Plate 3 – Views south from the Karoo Desert NBG towards Worcester and the Breede River valley plain. The scenic resources of the greater valley area can be described as rural (valley) and wilderness (mountains). The local area surrounding the proposed Karoo Desert NBG development can be described as residential in the south grading to wilderness north.

The scenic and visual resources are rated as high.

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3.2 Visibility of the Proposed Development

3.2.1 View Catchment The geographical area from which the project will theoretically be visible, or view catchment area, is dictated primarily by topography. Situated in the Breede River valley, the greater view catchment of the site is defined by the

surrounding mountains which form the Viewshed of the site.

These include the DuToitskloof mountains to the south, and Hex River Mountain Range to the north

Figure 10 – Viewshed of the proposed Karoo Desert NBG.

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3.2.2 Zone of Visual Influence Local features such as trees, landforms and buildings determine the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI)

of the site, i.e. the more relevant areas from which the proposed development will be seen.

Situated within the shale foothills, visibility of the proposed developments are visually screened by

hill ridges. The staff housing upgrades are within an enclosed valley between hills, furthermore

under trees. These are only seen once within the staff housing precinct and from above, on the

crests and peaks of the surrounding hills.

The proposed Education facility is in another small valley enclosed by hills along with some

housing in the Worcester suburb of Panorama.

The visibility of the proposed developments are therefore restricted to the site and local areas.

Figure 11 – Zone of Visual Influence

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3.2.3 Receptors

As indicated the table above, the ‘type’ of receptors adds to the visual sensitivity of the site. High sensitivity receptors will be:

• Panorama residents adjacent to the proposed Education facility site; • Tourists visiting the NBG; and • Adjacent nature reserves.

Photo Plate 4 – Receptors, which render the visual sensitivity of the site high –Panorama development borders the NBG and proposed site of the Education facility Moderate sensitivity receptors will be:

• workers in the NBG There are no low sensitivity receptors.

The level of visual impact considered acceptable is dependent on the type of receptors.

• High sensitivity – e.g. residential areas, nature reserves and scenic routes or trails;

• Moderate sensitivity – e.g. sporting or recreational areas, or places of work;

• Low sensitivity – e.g. industrial, or degraded areas.

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4. Potential Visual Impacts

The following visual impacts can be expected:

4.1 Educational Facility

4.1.1 Change in the character of the site

The current site of the proposed Educational Facility is an undeveloped fynbos area, adjacent to an existing parking facility, gatehouse and restaurant. The proposed development will result in the ‘built’ footprint being extended into the open fynbos veld. This proposed visual impact would be:

• Extent - the spatial/geographical area of influence of the visual impact will be local, i.e. limited to the immediate surroundings;

• Duration - the predicted lifespan of the visual impact will be long term, i.e. the lifespan of the project;

• Intensity - the magnitude of the impact on visual, scenic and cultural resources will be low - medium, i.e. for the greater area these resources will not be affected but for the immediate area these resources will be affected to a limited extent;

• Probability - the degree of possibilty of the visual impact occurring to the immediate area will be highly probable;

• Significance - the significance of the impact occurring to the immediate area will be medium - the impact will result in moderate alteration of the environment and can be reduced by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures, and will only have an influence on the decision-making if not mitigated

• Status - the status of the visual impact will be negative to neutral

Mitigation measures should include appropriate landscaping of the proposed development, in particular the buffer areas to the south, west and north such that the new built area is screened, providing a scene that is still treed. 4.1.2 Visibility from adjacent homeowners Existing residential units to the south, immediately adjacent to the site, currently view and open expanse of fynbos. The proposed development will result in these existing units losing some of their fynbos views and seeing the proposed development. The visual impact experienced by the existing residents will depend on the treatment of the building and area between the boundary and the proposed new building. This proposed visual impact would be:

• Extent – the spatial/geographical area of influence of the visual impact will be local, i.e. limited to the immediate surroundings;


• Intensity - the magnitude of the impact on views will be medium to high, i.e. notable alteration to significantly affected views;

• Probability - the degree of possibilty of the visual impact occurring will be probable to highly probable, where it is most likely that the impact will occur;

• Significance - the significance of the impact occurring will be medium - the impact will result in a moderate alteration of the environment and can be reduced by implementing

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the appropriate mitigation measures, and will only have an influence on the decision-making if not mitigated;

• Status - the status of the visual impact will be negative. Mitigation should include:

• Minimising loss of fynbos area and retaining fynbos between the boundary and building; • Planting trees immediately adjacent to the proposed building to reduce scale and

screen/soften the building; • Consulting a Landscape Architect or Landscape Technologist to provide the above plan

and plan of action. 4.3 Additional night lighting Currently this section of the site is unlit and with the proposed development this may change with evening functions, providing more light in the area. This proposed visual impact would be:

• Extent – the spatial/geographical area of influence of the visual impact will be local, i.e. limited to the immediate surroundings;


• Intensity - the magnitude of the visual impact will be medium to high, i.e. notable alteration to significantly affected views;

• Probability - the degree of possibilty of the visual impact occurring will be probable, where it is most likely that the impact will occur;

• Significance - the significance of the impact occurring will be medium - the impact will result in a moderate alteration of the environment and can be reduced by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures, and will only have an influence on the decision-making if not mitigated;

• Status - the status of the intensity (severity) thereof will be Medium, i.e. notable alteration of the scenic resources,

Mitigation should include:

• limited street/parking lighting; • keeping street/parking lighting to low level lighting; and • limiting external lighting on the buildings.

4.2 Staff housing improvements

The visual impact of the proposed improvements to the staff housing and associated buildings will be a positive visual impact, improving the character of the existing buildings and the surrounding environs.

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5. Conclusions

The proposed Karoo Desert Infrastructural Development includes upgrading of staff housing and associated buildings as well as the development of a new educational facility. The proposed staff housing upgrades are minimal and will only seen from the surrounding hill ridges. A positive visual impact will occur in the staff housing precinct. The proposed educational facility will result in a change of character of the entrance area, this becoming changing from fynbos covered land to a more built area. Views of the open space by neighbouring residents will change from open fynbos veld to a building. While the developments will result in a change in the visual landscape from an unbuilt, to a built area, the scenic resources of the greater valley will be minimally affected, but at the local scale will be moderately affected. If mitigation measures are implemented, the visual impact will be low. Other visual impacts will be additional night lighting and the visibility thereof to neighbouring residential units. These too can be mitigated to reduce the visual impacts.

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