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EOH Coastal & Environmental Services PSJ WWTW TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT i

PROPOSED PORT ST JOHNS WASTE WATER TREATMENT WORKS, OR TAMBO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

FINAL TOURISM ASSESSMENT REPORT

DRAFT

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October 2017

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EOH Coastal & Environmental Services PSJ WWTW TOURSIM ASSESSMENT

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Report Title: PSJ Wastewater Treatment Works; Final Tourism Assessment Report Report Version: Final Project Number: P40700128

Name Responsibility Date

Thina Mgweba Author October 2017

Dr. Greer Hawley Report Reviewer October 2017

Copyright This document contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of EOH

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd. (and the specialist consultants). The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of EOH Coastal & Environmental

Services. Although this document is prepared exclusively for submission to OR TAMBO DM, EOH Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd retains ownership of the intellectual property and proprietary information contained

herein, which is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services PSJ WWTW TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 2

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION ............................................................................. 2 1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS ................................................................................................ 4

2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 5 3. SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE ........................................................................................................ 6

3.1 POPULATION PROFILE OF PORT ST JOHNS ............................................................................... 6 4. TOURISM ................................................................................................................................. 7

4.1 TOURISM IN PORST ST JOHNS ..................................................................................................... 7 4.1.1 Port St Johns Tourism Profile ................................................................................................... 7 4.1.2 Tourism Facilities in Ports St Johns ........................................................................................... 7

4.2 Employment and Economic Contribution of the each cluster to the Tourism Sector in Port St Johns 8 4.3 DESCRIPTION OF TOURISM CLUSTERS IN AND AROUND PORT ST JOHNS .......................... 9

5. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................. 15 5.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS .................................... 15 5.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................ 16

6. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 24 6.1 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................. 24

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Locality map illustrating the 3 WWTW site alternatives…………………………………...………….…....………..2 Figure 1.2: Illustration of the typical extended aeration activated sludge process……………………………..……………...3 Figure 4.3.1: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 4B…………………………………………………………………………….……………….11 Figure 4.3.2: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 8…………………………………….………………………………………………………...12 Figure 4.3.3: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 3……………………………….…………………………………………………….…….…13 Figure 4.2.1: Figure showing the directly (red polygon) and indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters from Site 4B……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...13 Figure 4.2.2: Figure showing the directly (red polygon) and indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters from Site 8...14 Figure 4.2.3: Figure showing the directly (red polygon) impacted cluster from Site 3…………....………………………....14

LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1: Table indicating which cluster may be potentially negatively impacted by the WWTW and how many accommodation facilities exist within that cluster………………………………………………………………………………….9 Table 4.2: Lists the tourist establishments and the WWTW site options that may be affected by the WWTW site alternatives…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....13 Table 4.3: Various ways in which tourism facilities may be negatively impacted by the proposed WWTW……………...15 Table 5.1: Significance Rating Table………………………………………………………………………………………………16 Table 5.2: Impact Severity Rating………………………………………………………………………………………………….16 Table 5.3: Overall Significance Rating……………………………………………………………………………………………..17 Table 5.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts……………………………………………………………………………………..18 Table 5.5: Tourism Impact Assessment…………………………………………………………………………………………...19

FINAL TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services PSJ WWTW TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

OR Tambo District Municipality is proposing the development of a new Waste Water Treatment Works

(WWTW) with a capacity of 3.5 Ml/day to serve the town of Port St Johns (PSJ) in the Eastern Cape Province.

PSJ is currently serviced by a combination of septic tanks, conservancy tanks and pit latrines. Raw sewage is

currently entering the Mzimvubu Estuary and possibly other watercourses in PSJ. Conservancy tanks in town

are also overflowing into the streets. Sewage from conservancy tanks is collected by honeysuckers (tanker

trucks) and discharged into existing non-functioning oxidation ponds about 360 m upslope of the town‟s dam

and Water Treatment Works.

Various site options (up to 9 sites) have been identified and site visits have been undertaken with stakeholders

(DEDEAT, DWS, DAFF, etc.) and the PSJ Local Municipality (LM) over a number of years in order to identify

available sites.

The proposed sites that will be considered in this Tourism Assessment are indicated in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1.1: Locality map illustrating the 3 WWTW site alternatives.

The proposed technology option is an extended aeration activated sludge system. In the extended aeration

system, raw sewage is digested and treated in a sealed, aerated biodigestor. The efficiency of treatment of an

extended aeration system results in a higher quality effluent than a normal activated sludge processes.



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Scope of works:

Construction of an inlet works (manual screening & de-grit channels); (effluent is screened for large solids at inlet works which are placed in skips, disposed of with dried sludge);

Installation of flow measuring equipment;

Construction of a biological reactor (extended aeration);

Construction of 2 x clarifiers (sedimentation for sludge or suspended solids removal);

Construction of mechanical sludge dryer with skips for disposal (this is to keep the site footprint as small as possible. Sludge drying beds require large areas, which mean a larger footprint for the site. Dried sludge to be disposed at the local landfill site, but can be used as fertiliser, should there be interest in using it);

Construction and lining of 2 x maturation ponds / reed beds; (this is for tertiary treatment of effluent);

Construction of a chlorination channel or Ultra Violet (UV) disinfection (which is an alternative disinfection method, although more expensive); and

Final effluent discharge (Effluent discharged to DWS – General Standards).

Figure 1.2: Illustration of the typical extended aeration activated sludge process.

1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Tourism Impact Assessment consist of the following main objectives: Determine the potential positive and negative impacts that the proposed WWTW may have on existing and possible future tourism facilities by assessing, as far as allowable, the tourism industry status quo, including:

Review and analysis of available tourism statistics for the local area and the region;

Identification of the types of tourist attractions and the activity providers in- and around Port St Johns;

Provide a high level assessment of which tourism facilities will be impacted by the WWTW and the relative significance in terms of the number of jobs that may be lost should the tourism industry in a specific area be compromised.



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1.3 LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS

The study was carried out with the limited information available at the time of executing the report. The sources consulted are not exhaustive and additional information which might strengthen arguments or contradict information in this report may exist, but was not made available in the timeframe.

The statistics that informed the report were primarily taken from the PSJ Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2017, the Census 2011, the PSJ Tourism Board (2009), information from owners/managers of various accommodation lodges in PSJ and the PSJ Nodal Development Strategy (NDS) (2009). Some of these information sources are outdated and were used for extrapolation with associated assumptions.

Only first tier/primary tourist facilities were considered in this study. Secondary and tertiary services, although providing meaningful support and services to the tourism industry, also provide these services to the town itself, making the relative contribution difficult to discern. Secondary tourist facilities in this report refer to services such as clothing shops, supermarkets (e.g. Spar), large franchise fast food facilities (e.g KFC) etc.

As a result of the above, there are some severe limitations to the assessment. Outdated information could only be used by extrapolation and an assessment has been carried out at a high level.



2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

The tourism assessment obtained information from the following sources:

The PSJ Municipality 2016/2017 Final Integrated Development Plan,

The PSJ Nodal Development Strategy (2009)

The PSJ Spatial Development Framework (2010)

Numerous online sources, environmental and tourism assessments and other relevant literature was reviewed.

A single completed survey (26th July) submitted by an establishment in PSJ. EOH also contacted the PSJ Tourism forum in efforts to obtain more up-to-date information however EOH was not able to secure this information at the date of this publication.



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3. SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE

3.1 POPULATION PROFILE OF PORT ST JOHNS The PSJ Municipal area is characterized by a predominantly scattered rural settlement pattern with approximately 130 communities/villages distributed over the municipal area of 1301 km2 at an average density of 126 persons/km2 (PSJ IDP, 2016/2017). The municipality constitutes of 20 wards which are supported by the small urban centre of Port St Johns, the town of Port St Johns is the only town in both the administration ad council of the Municipality. The undulating mountainous terrain of Port St Johns has created a fragmented urban area which is characterized by pockets of development including:

Mpantu Small Holdings

Tourist Accommodation Adjacent to the Umzimvubu River

The Port St Johns Central Business District

The Former Naval Base

The Former Military Base

The Agate Terrace Coastal residential area

The Ferry Point Resort Development

Mtumbane Residential Area

Second Beach Resort Area

The Silaka Nature Reserve The total population of the Port St Johns LM is estimated to be 156 136 with approximately 31 715 households. The average household size is approximately 4.9 persons with the majority of the population (99%) being black (StatsSA 2011). Females constitute the majority of the population at (52%) The majority of the PSJ LM have received some high school education (53%). Approximately 40% of the population has some primary school education (40.04%) while only 5.07% of the population received higher education. The unemployment rate of PSJ LM is estimated at approximately 50% (StatsSA, 2011), the youth account for 61% of this figure (PSJ IDP, 2014/20150. Most of the PSJ LM population is rural in nature as are their economic activities. Community services contribute to 66.6% of the GDP and offer 46.5% of employment opportunities. The active economic sectors of the PSJ LM are divided into the following:

Community Services

Trade

Manufacturing

Agriculture

Finances

Transport

Construction

Electricity

Energy

Mining (Traverntine, sand and stone)

Tourism



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4. TOURISM 4.1 TOURISM IN PORST ST JOHNS

4.1.1 Port St Johns Tourism Profile

Port St Johns lies at the mouth of the Mzimvubu River which flows through an impressive gorge known as the “Gates of St John.” Both sides of the river are high sandstone mountain peaks named “Mount Thesinger and Mount Sullivan”, named after two British Military officers. PSJ‟s location on the Wild Coast, its beautiful scenery, natural landscape and vegetation as well as its pristine beaches makes it a tourist hotspot. The town has a strong tourism industry with various tourist attractions which include three beaches, hiking, fishing, canoe and horse trails. Tourism has historically been important for the PSJLM. The tourism sector‟s bednight supply in Port St Johns had increased steadily between 2005 and 2015. This has been a result of an increase in the number of tourism establishments (mainly accommodation) operating in the town. According to the PSJ IDP (2014/2015) growth in visitor numbers has begun to slow down in recent years and this has been partly attributed to the state of the infrastructure in the town, including poor quality roads, unreliable water and lack of sanitation systems. The impact of tourism and trade in the Port St Johns urban area is reflected in a distinct elevation in the living standards compared to the rest of the Municipal area, with proportionately lower levels of unemployment, illiteracy, informal housing and dependency on social grants. There are over fifty (50) accommodation facilities and restaurants in and around PSJ which largely depend on tourist visits as their main source of revenue. Other tourism-dependent services include shuttle services, travel agents, arts and crafts manufactures and curio shops. Port St Johns has various annual events that have a significant contribution to the tourism, and hence the economy, of the town such as the:

Film Festival

Career Exhibition on Sustainable Development

Dubi Motorbike Rally

Sardine Run

Classic Grunter Fishing Competition and Imana Wild Ride Mountain Bike Challenge

Wild Coast SDI Cultural Festival

Tourism Month/Heritage Festival

Wild Coast Rampage Mountain Bike Challenge

PSJ Crafts Fair

Silly Summer Festival Port St Johns also has various tourism adventures and activities such as:

Canoe Trails

River and Ocean Trips

Fishing Competitions

4.1.2 Tourism Facilities in Ports St Johns

The urban area of Port St Johns has approximately four (4) stand-alone restaurants and thirty-seven (37) accommodation facilities (many of which have in-house restaurants).



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The tourism facilities in PSJ are divided into the following clusters for the purposes of this report (please see Section 4.3 for further description of these clusters):

Mzimvubu-Mpantu Estuary cluster

PSJ town cluster

Agate Terrace cluster

Second Beach cluster With respect to this report the following propose site alternatives are envisaged to affect the tourism clusters in the following manner:

Site 3 may directly and indirectly impact on tourist facilities in the Second Beach cluster.

Site 4B may directly and indirectly impact on tourist facilities within the Mzimvubu-Mpantu Estuary cluster, whilst imposing indirect impacts on the facilities in the PSJ town and Agate Terrace cluster.

Site 8, under the current proposed discharge scenario, may indirectly impact on tourist facilities in the Second Beach cluster. However, the Estuary Impact Assessment has deemed effluent discharge into the Second Beach estuaries to be a HIGHLY significant impact, possibly requiring the consideration of alternative discharge option through town to be considered. In this instance, Site 8 may indirectly affect tourism facilities in the PSJ town and Agate Terrace cluster.

The tourism industry requires two main outcomes from the WWTW facility in order for business to continue uncompromised and grow: no foul odours and a high quality effluent which is preferably discharged away from tourism activities. The tourism clusters have been assessed in terms of these impacts relative to the site alternatives, which may have negative implications for a specific cluster and therefore compromise the industry in the area. 4.2 Employment and Economic Contribution of the each cluster to the Tourism Sector in Port St Johns According to the Port St Johns Tourism Information Management Report (PSJ Tourism Board, 2009), in 2009 the accommodation facilities in Port St Johns employed 514 people. In 2008 the number of beds available in Port St Johns was 1241 beds (PSJ IDP (2016/2017). A baseline economic contribution of tourism (specifically accommodation facilities) in the town of Port St Johns per year (extrapolated from the PSJ IDP 2016/2017) is calculated below. The following assumptions were made for the purposes of the calculation: Only accommodation facilities were considered in the calculation. Number of beds has increased to approximately 2000 since 2008. The 1.5 multiplier used in the PSJ 2016/2017 IDP is too conservative and has been increased to 2. The average bed occupancy rate per annum is 30%. The average rate per person per night for accommodation is R 470 The average salary per annum in the sector is R180 000 (R15 000 x 12 months) The baseline contribution of the tourism industry in Port St Johns, as calculated in the PSJ IDP (2016/2017) and recalculated below is as follows:

Number of beds available in Port St Johns = 2000 beds

2000 beds x 365 days = 730 000 bed nights

730 000 bed nights x 30% bed occupancy = 219 000 bed nights sold

219 000 bed nights x R 470 average bed night sold = R102.9 Million

R 102.9 million x 2 multiplier = R 205.8 million

R 205.8 million / R 180 000 = 1 144 jobs



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According to the above calculations the accommodation facilities alone in Port St Johns support approximately 1 144 jobs which contribute significantly to the economy of Port The implications are that a poorly sited WWTW can adversely affect not only the facilities, but the socio-economics of the surrounding (dependent) community and the town at large. It must be noted that this estimate does not include other tourist facilities such as restaurant, curio shops, tour guides and shuttle services etc. and is therefore likely to be much higher. 4.3 DESCRIPTION OF TOURISM CLUSTERS IN AND AROUND PORT ST JOHNS Below is a description of how the different clusters may be affected by the site alternatives. Table 4.1 below indicates approximately which clusters and the number of tourism facilities that may be directly or indirectly affected by each proposed site. Table 4.1: Table indicating which cluster may be potentially negatively impacted by the WWTW and how many accommodation facilities exist within that cluster.

Proposed Alternative Site

DIRECTLY AFFECTED (Cluster and number of accommodation facilities in the cluster)

INDIRECTLY AFFECTED (Cluster and number of accommodation facilities in the cluster)

TOTAL

Site 4B Mpantu-Mzimvubu Cluster - 10 CBD Cluster - 17 Agate Terrace - 6

33

Site 8 Second Beach Cluster - 8 CBD Cluster - 17 Agate Terrace Cluster - 6

31

Site 3 Second Beach Cluster - 8 - 8

Site 4B and Site 8 may impact a higher number of accommodation facilities at approximately 33 and 31 respectively while Site 3 may impact approximately 8 facilities. Looking only at clusters that may be directly impacted, Site 4B may directly impact a higher number of accommodation facilities (10) (Mpantu-Mzimvubu Cluster) while Site 3 and Site 8 may both directly impact the Second Beach Cluster which has approximately 8 accommodation facilities. Site 4B Site 4B may directly affect the accommodation facilities in the Mpantu-Mzimvubu Cluster (approximately 10 accommodation facilities) as a result of foul odours which may potentially carry down to the facilities as well as poorly treated effluent discharge into the Mzimvubu Estuary. The Mzimvubu Estuary may also be impacted in the event of a leakage of malfunction of the pipe crossing over the Mzimbuvu Bridge. This may have significant negative impact on the tourism facilities (accommodation facilities) in the Mpantu-Mzimvubu Cluster and also indirectly affect the CBD (approximately 17 accommodation facilities) and Agate Terrace (approximately 6 accommodation facilities) due the pollution of the Mzimbuvu Estuary.



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Figure 4.3.1: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 4B.

Economic activities around site 4B are predominantly accommodation facilities. There are a limited number of curio shops as well as vendors who sell arts and crafts such as wooden fish in this area. Numerous vendors sell nuts, fruits and vegetables on the side of the road especially near the bridge at the Umzimvubu River. There is also a fuel garage operating opposite the Spotted Grunter Resort. Tourist activities in this vicinity include mainly fishing in the Mzimvubu River as well as river cruises. Agate Terrace is situated near long Beach on the northern bank of the Umzimvubu Mouth. Visiting Long Beach and hiking along Ferry Point, Long Beach and Agate Terrace are some of the popular tourist attractions in this area. Other tourist activities include fishing rock fishing. SITE 8 Site 8 may directly affect the accommodation facilities in the Second Beach Cluster (approximately 8 accommodation facilities). These facilities may be potentially affected by the discharge of poorly treated effluent in the Mthumbane Estuary that may ultimately land up at Second Beach. The CBD Cluster and Agate Terrace Cluster may be indirectly affected by Site 8 in the event that there is a malfunction leading to leakages or when the treated effluent are discharged in the stormwater pipes through town.



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Figure 4.3.2: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 8.

The town of Ports St Johns is the main economic and administrative base to the surrounding rural areas. There are numerous economic activities occurring within the town of PSJ predominantly consisting of clothing shops and food stores. There are a number of national franchises such as Spar and KFC in town as well. There are numerous coffee shops, restaurants as well as accommodation facilities in town. The Port St Johns Golf Course and Cape Hermes Lighthouse are popular tourist attractions in this area. Other tourist attractions include The Ferry Point, Long Beach and Agate Terrace Hike, visiting First Beach and the Eagles Nest Hike. SITE 3 Site 3 may potentially directly affect the Second Beach Cluster through the discharge of poorly treated effluent into the Bulolo River which may ultimately land up in Second Beach. As a result of its position it is unlikely that Site 3 will have any indirect impacts on any other cluster.



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Figure 4.3.3: Map indicating the tourism establishments which may be directly (red polygon) and/or indirectly (Green polygon) impacted clusters by Site 3.

Economic activities around site 3 include mainly accommodation facilities and restaurants. There is also a bottle store and Bar/Pub close to Second Beach. There are two campsites in the area namely the Bulolo Holiday Camp and the Mangrove Camp Site. Tourist attractions in this area include the Bulolo Falls and Dolphin and whale watching while visiting Second Beach. It must be noted that the PSJ LM is proposing to upgrade the infrastructure at Second Beach which includes the construction of a tidal pool, restaurants, lifeguard buildings, ablution facilities etc. This upgrade is expected to be a catalyst for investment in the area which will ultimately result in growth in the tourism industry of the town. The Silaka Nature Reserve situated south of Second Beach boasts tourist attractions such as camping, bird watching and hiking. It is important to note that tourism is an integrated and interwoven industry in Port St Johns. There is no one particular area in PSJ which functions as an island. A tourist may sleep in a facility along the Mzimvubu River, eat at a restaurant in town and visit the Bulolo Falls and Second Beach attractions. This makes it difficult to quantify the contribution of the three different clusters besides using bed numbers in each cluster. Table 4.2: Lists the tourist establishments and the WWTW site options that may be affected by the WWTW site alternatives.

FACILITY SITE 4B SITE 8 SITE 3

The Jetty river Lodge X

Bamba Lodge X

Purple Indigo X

Cremorne Estate X

Claudes Rest X

The Spotted Grunter X

N‟taba River Lodge X

Port St Johns River Lodge

X

Mountain View Inn X

The Creek X

The Ferry Point X X



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Linga Futi Accommodation

X X

Agate Terrace Cottage X X

Sea Castle Guest Lodge

X X

Geckos Place X X

King Fisher Cottages X X

Delicious Monster Retreat and Resturant

X X

Silaka Nature Reserve X X

The Lodge on the Beach

X X

Mangrove Camp X X

Amampondo Backpackers

X X

Lily Lodge X X

Bulolo Holiday Camp X X

Wood n Spoon Restaurant

X X

Fish Eagle Restaurant X X

Coastal Needles Hotel X X

Outspan Inn X X

Khukhumala Guest House

X X

Gecko Moon Guest Lodge

X X

Jungle Monkey Backpackers

X X

Carlton Guest House X X

The Pont Holiday Resort

X X

Faranani Guest House X X

Umzimvubu Retreat X X

Namkelekile Accommodation

X X

Glass House Guest House

X X

Ocean Terrace X X

Sunlof Bed and Breakfast

X X

Madhatters Backpackers

X X

Steves Pub n Grub X X

Jesters Coffee Shop x X

Site 3: There are approximately 8 tourism facilities which may potentially be impacted by Alternative Site 3. These include facilities in and around Second Beach (Figure 4.2.3). Site 4B: There are approximately 33 tourism facilities which may potentially be impacted by Alternative Site 4B. These include all facilities on the east and west banks of the Mzimvubu River as well as the facilities on Agate Terrace near Long Beach and the CBD which may be indirectly affected by the WWTW (Figure 4.2.1).



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Site 8: There are approximately 31 tourism facilities which may potentially be impacted (directly or indirectly) by Alternative Site 8 (Figure 4.2.2). These include Second Beach which may be directly impacted and the CBD and Agate Terrace which may potentially be indirectly impacted. It is important to note that the proper siting, construction, operation and maintenance of a WWTW in PSJ will definitely have positive indirect impacts on all the clusters due to new development and investment into the town leading to more tourists visiting PSJ. Table 4.3: Table indicating the various ways in which tourism facilities may be negatively impacted by the proposed WWTW.

Proposed site Foul Odours Pollution risk to a watercourse

Risk to tourism activities in the cluster

Site 4B Risk of foul odours detracting tourists from visiting tourist facilities in close proximity to the site.

Mzimvubu Estuary Risk of tourists not partaking in various activities such as fishing and canoeing in the Mzimvubu River due to pollution

Site 8 Not considered a high risk Mthumbane Estuary and Second Beach

Risk of tourists not visiting Second Beach due to pollution (this is of high significance considering the proposed infrastructure upgrade at Second beach in efforts to boost tourism.

Site 3 Not considered a high risk Bulolo River and Estuary (Bulolo Falls)

Risk of tourists‟ not visiting Bulolo falls and other tourist attractions in the area due to pollution.

It must be noted that the majority of the tourism industry in Port St Johns, particularly along the Mzimvubu River expressed strong disapproval for the WWTW at alternative site 4B, the main reasons for this included the following:

The firm belief that the WWTW will not be maintained (due to previous experience of lack of maintenance of numerous facilities and services in town).

The lack of proper maintenance of the WWTW will lead to tourists being detracted from their establishments due to pollution in the rivers and foul odours.



5. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS

The following standard rating scales have been defined for assessing and quantifying the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have a number of parameters that need to be assessed. The identified impacts have been assessed against the following criteria:

Temporal scale;

Spatial scale;

Risk or likelihood;

Degree of confidence or certainty;

Severity or benefits; and the

Significance. The relationship of the issue to the temporal scale, spatial scale and the severity are combined to describe the overall importance rating, namely the significance of the assessed impact. Table 5.1: Significance Rating Table. TEMPORAL SCALE (THE DURATION OF THE IMPACT)

Short term Less than 5 years (Many construction phase impacts are of a short duration).

Medium term Between 5 and 20 years.

Long term Between 20 and 40 years (From a human perspective almost permanent).

Permanent Over 40 years or resulting in a permanent and lasting change that will always be there.

SPATIAL SCALE (THE AREA IN WHICH ANY IMPACT WILL HAVE AN AFFECT)

Localised Impacts affect a small area of a few hectares in extent. Often only a portion of the project area.

Study area The proposed site and its immediate surroundings.

Municipal Impacts affect Port St Johns Local Municipality, or any towns within the municipality.

Regional Impacts affect the wider district municipality or the Eastern Cape Province as a whole.

National Impacts affect the entire country.

International/Global Impacts affect other countries or have a global influence.

LIKELIHOOD (THE CONFIDENCE WITH WHICH ONE HAS PREDICTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN IMPACT)

Definite More than 90% sure of a particular fact. Should have substantial supportive data.

Probable Over 70% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of that impact occurring.

Possible Only over 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.

Unsure/Unlikely Less than 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.

Table 5.2: Impact Severity Rating. Impact severity (The severity of negative impacts, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system or affected party)

Very severe Very beneficial

An irreversible and permanent change to the affected system(s) or party(ies) which cannot be mitigated. For example the permanent loss of land.

A permanent and very substantial benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies), with no real alternative to achieving this benefit. For example the vast improvement of sewage effluent quality.

Severe Beneficial

Long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies) that could be mitigated. However, this mitigation would be difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some combination of these. For example, the clearing of forest vegetation.

A long term impact and substantial benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Alternative ways of achieving this benefit would be difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some combination of these. For example an increase in the local economy.

Moderately severe Moderately beneficial

Medium to long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party (ies), which could be mitigated. For example constructing a sewage treatment facility where there was vegetation with a low conservation value.

A medium to long term impact of real benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of optimising the beneficial effects are equally difficult, expensive and time consuming (or some combination of these), as achieving them in this way.



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For example a „slight‟ improvement in sewage effluent quality.

Slight Slightly beneficial

Medium or short term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies). Mitigation is very easy, cheap, less time consuming or not necessary. For example a temporary fluctuation in the water table due to water abstraction.

A short to medium term impact and negligible benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of optimising the beneficial effects are easier, cheaper and quicker, or some combination of these.

No effect Don‟t know/Can‟t know

The system(s) or party(ies) is not affected by the proposed development.

In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the severity of an impact.

Table 5.3: Overall Significance Rating. OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE (THE COMBINATION OF ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA AS AN OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE)

VERY HIGH NEGATIVE VERY BENEFICIAL

These impacts would be considered by society as constituting a major and usually permanent change to the (natural and/or social) environment, and usually result in severe or very severe effects, or beneficial or very beneficial effects. Example: The loss of a species would be viewed by informed society as being of VERY HIGH significance. Example: The establishment of a large amount of infrastructure in a rural area, which previously had very few services, would be regarded by the affected parties as resulting in benefits with VERY HIGH significance.

HIGH NEGATIVE BENEFICIAL

These impacts will usually result in long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as HIGH will need to be considered by society as constituting an important and usually long term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. Society would probably view these impacts in a serious light. Example: The loss of a diverse vegetation type, which is fairly common elsewhere, would have a significance rating of HIGH over the long term, as the area could be rehabilitated. Example: The change to soil conditions will impact the natural system, and the impact on affected parties (such as people growing crops in the soil) would be HIGH.

MODERATE NEGATIVE SOME BENEFITS

These impacts will usually result in medium to long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as MODERATE will need to be considered by society as constituting a fairly important and usually medium term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are real but not substantial. Example: The loss of a sparse, open vegetation type of low diversity may be regarded as MODERATELY significant.

LOW NEGATIVE FEW BENEFITS

These impacts will usually result in medium to short term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as LOW will need to be considered by the public and/or the specialist as constituting a fairly unimportant and usually short term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are not substantial and are likely to have little real effect. Example: The temporary changes in the water table of a wetland habitat, as these systems are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Example: The increased earning potential of people employed as a result of a development would only result in benefits of LOW significance to people who live some distance away.

NO SIGNIFICANCE

There are no primary or secondary effects at all that are important to scientists or the public. Example: A change to the geology of a particular formation may be regarded as severe from a geological perspective, but is of NO significance in the overall context.

DON’T KNOW

In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact. For example, the primary or secondary impacts on the social or natural environment given the available information. Example: The effect of a particular development on people‟s psychological perspective of the environment.

All feasible alternatives and the “no-go option” will be equally assessed in order to evaluate the significance of the “as predicted” impacts (prior to mitigation) and the “residual” impacts (that remain after mitigation measures are taken into account). Reason for the judgement will be provided when necessary.

5.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Table 5.4 lists the categories of tourism impacts that have been assessed and Table 5.5 provides a detailed assessment of the significance of each category.



17

Table 5.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts.

THEME CATEGORIES

PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT NO-GO OPTION PLANNING &

DESIGN PHASE CONSTRUCTION

PHASE OPERATIONAL

PHASE

TO

UR

ISM

ISS

UE

S A

ND

BE

NE

FIT

S

Accommodation & Restaurants X X X

Dust Generation X

Noise pollution X

Traffic delays X

Foul odours due to poor facility operation

X

Loss of employment opportunities X X X

Poor water quality will result in reduced water-related tourism which in turn will result in loss of potential economic opportunities and growth of the tourism sector

X X

Loss of an opportunity to grow the tourism sector and future development of PSJ.

X

Increased Tourism Potential X

Poor Operation and Maintenance of the WWTW

X



Table 5.5: Tourism Impact Assessment.

PLANNING & DESIGN PHASE

WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION

Issue/Benefit Impact Description Nature of

Impact Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance

Accommodation &

Restaurants

The proposed WWTW will require

project planners and engineers etc.

some being from outside of PSJ, who

will make use of accommodation and

restaurants in PSJ during the

Planning and Design Phase.

Indirect Short term Municipal Definite Moderately

beneficial

SOME

BENEFITS No mitigation. SOME BENEFITS

CONSTRUCTION PHASE


Issue/Benefit Impact Description Nature of

Impact Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance

Accommodation &

Restaurants

The proposed WWTW will attract

construction workers and engineers,

some being from outside of PSJ, who

will make use of accommodation and

restaurants in PSJ during the

Construction Phase.

Indirect Short term Municipal Definite Moderately

beneficial

SOME

BENEFITS No mitigation. SOME BENEFITS

Dust Generation

The construction of the WWTW will

generate dust which could detract

from tourists from tourism attractions

and facilities around the construction

area

Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight MODERATE

NEGATIVE

During the construction

phase damping down of un-

surfaced and un-vegetated

areas during dusty periods

may be required.

Retention of vegetation

where possible will reduce

LOW NEGATIVE



19

dust travel.

Excavations and other

clearing activities must only

be done during agreed

working times and permitting

weather conditions to avoid

drifting of sand and dust into

neighbouring areas.

A speed limit of 30 km/hr

must not be exceeded

within the construction

areas. This includes local

public gravel roads used to

access the site. Any

complaints or claims

emanating from the lack of

dust control must be

attended to immediately by

the Contractor.

Noise pollution

The construction of the WWTW could

produce noise that could become a

nuisance to tourists in proximity to the

site.

Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight MODERATE

NEGATIVE


phase construction activity

should be limited to normal

daylight working hours (7am-

5pm).

Construction site yards,

workshops and other noisy

fixed facilities should be

located well away from noise

sensitive areas (houses,

tourism facilities, etc.)

Heavy vehicle traffic should

be routed away from noise

sensitive areas, wherever

possible.

LOW NEGATIVE



20

Blasting operations (if

required) are to be strictly

controlled with regard to the

size of explosive charge in

order to minimise noise. The

number of blasts per day

should be limited, blasting

should be undertaken at the

same times each day and no

blasting may be allowed at

night.

The contractor must take

measures to discourage

labourers from loitering in

the surrounding area and

causing noise disturbance.

Any noise complaints must

be attended to immediately

by the contractor.

Traffic delays

The increase in the use of roads by

heavy vehicles could lead to delays in

the travel of tourists near the site.

Direct Short term Study area Possible Moderately

severe

LOW

NEGATIVE


phase local residents and

tourists should be made

aware of the presence of

construction vehicles by

making use of high-visibility

signage.

Whenever possible

construction vehicles should

be limited to low-volume

periods.

LOW NEGATIVE



21

OPERATIONAL PHASE


Issue/Benefit Impact Description Nature of Impact Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance

Operation and

Maintenance of

the WWTW

leading to foul

odours

During the operational phase,

failure to maintain of the WWTW

will lead to the facility not

functioning as intended resulting in

system failures leading to foul

odours. This will detract tourists

from frequenting the tourism

facilities affected.

Site

4B

Direct

Indirect Long Term Study area Probable Severe

HIGH

NEGATIVE

The WWTW must be

properly maintained at all

times, so as to reduce

negative impacts such as

foul odours and system

failures.

MODERATE

NEGATIVE

Site 8

Direct

Indirect Long Term Study Area Unlikely Severe

MODERATE

NEGATIVE

The WWTW must be





failures.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Site 3

Direct

Indirect Long Term Study Area Unlikely

Moderately

Severe MODERATE

NEGATIVE

The WWTW must be





failures.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Loss of revenue

and employment

The lack of maintenance and poor

operation of the WWTW will lead

to poor quality effluent discharge

that will pollution receiving aquatic

environments, including estuaries,

streams and the sea. This will

expose tourists to possible

disease and result in the decline of

many of PSJs tourism events and

Site

4B

Indirect Long Term Municipal Probable Severe HIGH

NEGATIVE

Emphasis must be placed

in the proper

maintenance of the

WWTW so as to mitigate

this impact. Mitigation

measures in the BAR and

EMPr for the operation

and maintenance must be

considered.

LOW

NEGATIVE



22

activities. A decline in tourism in

any cluster will result in the

closure of tourism facilities, which

will be most felt by those

employed by the tourism sector.

Site 3

Indirect Long Term Municipal Probable Moderately

Severe

MODERATE

NEGATIVE


in the proper

maintenance of the






considered.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Site 8


Severe

MODERATE

NEGATIVE


in the proper

maintenance of the






considered.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Increased

tourism

opportunities as

a result of

WWTW

The construction of a WWTW in

PSJ could lead to an increase in

tourism opportunities as a result of

growth in investment in the town.

All

Sites


Beneficial Beneficial No Mitigation Beneficial

NO-GO ALTERNATIVE


Issue Impact Description Nature of Impact Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance

Loss of employment opportunities

The no-go option entails no development and would not create any temporary employment opportunities.

All Sites

Direct Short term Municipal Definite Moderately

severe MODERATE NEGATIVE

No mitigation proposed: MODERATE NEGATIVE

Loss of potential The no-go option entails no All Direct Long term Municipal Definite Moderately MODERATE No mitigation proposed: MODERATE



23

economic opportunities and growth

development and would not result in any economic or growth opportunities for the town of Port St Johns.

sites severe NEGATIVE NEGATIVE

Loss of an opportunity to attract more tourists.

The no-go option entails no development and would result in the loss of an opportunity to potentially attract development resulting in larger tourist numbers in Port St Johns.

All Sites

Direct Indirect

Medium term

Municipal Possible Slight LOW

NEGATIVE No mitigation proposed:

LOW NEGATIVE



6. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The negative impacts of the proposed tourism facilities on all three alternative sites are largely dependent on the successful and continued operation and maintenance of the proposed WWTW. In the event that the PSJ Wastewater Treatment Works does not function properly, the tourism facilities around the site of the WWTW may be significantly negatively impacted. This may have implications on the tourism facilities not being frequented by tourists leading to the loss of revenue by the facilities which will ultimately lead to job losses. Due to the high unemployment levels in the Port St Johns Municipality, even minimal job losses (associated with less sensitive WWTW site alternatives) are of high importance. Site 4B has the highest number (approximately 10) facilities that may potentially be directly impacted by the WWTW. The number of facilities that may potentially be directly impacted by Site 3 and Site 8 is the same approximately (8). However, Site 8 has a higher number of facilities that could be indirectly affected, depending on effluent discharge mitigation, than site 3. Due to tourism being such a large contributor to the economy of Port St Johns and also taking into account the potential for future tourism development in the town (especially around Mpantu and along Second Beach), the assessment of all three sites from a tourism point of view is considered to be significant. However, from the current position it appears as though Site 4B will impose the highest impact in terms of the number and type of tourism facilities that it will affect. Site 3 will result in the least risk in terms of the number of tourism facilities, with Site 8 imposing similar impact on tourism to site 3, but with additional indirect impacts to tourism facilities in the PSJ town. It must be noted that there are also positive impacts associated with the construction of the WWTW. These include temporary job creation for the contractors and laborers during construction which have positive spin-offs to the accommodation and restaurant facilities. The construction and operation of a formal WWTW will also in turn encourage growth and development as it has been a limiting factor thus far.. The development of tourism infrastructure on Second Beach and the proposed N2 toll road hold significant tourism potential for the town of Port St Johns however this may not be realized to its full potential due the poor WWTW infrastructure in the town. The proposed WWTW of Port St Johns has the potential to either boost tourism in the town (increased development etc.) or potentially stifle it (if not sited, operated and maintained properly). It is recommended that proper maintenance of the facility be thoroughly planned and executed irrespective of the site it is situated on. Failure to do this will result in dire consequences to the tourism of the town.



REFERENCE LIST

Local Government: http://www.modernoverland.com/south-africa/eastern-cape/port-st-johns/port-st-johns-

tourism-information-office/

Modern Overland: http://www.modernoverland.com/south-africa/eastern-cape/port-st-johns/port-st-johns-

tourism-information-office/

Port St Johns Annual Report (2013/2014)

Port St Johns Municipality: https://www.psjmunicipality.gov.za/

Port St Johns Municipality Final Integrated Development Plan (2016/2017)

Port St Johns Municipality Final Integrated Development Plan (2014/2015)

Port St Johns Nodal Development Strategy (2009)

Port St Johns Spatial Development Framework (2010)

Safari Now: https://www.safarinow.com/

Trip Adviser: https://www.tripadvisor.co.za

http://www.modernoverland.com/south-africa/eastern-cape/port-st-johns/port-st-johns-tourism-information-office/




https://www.psjmunicipality.gov.za/

https://www.safarinow.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/

environmental and social advisory services - proposed port … wwtw ba caitlin... · 2017-10-13 ·...

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