The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has proposed the development of a new office block, immediately adjacent to their existing Environmental Education Centre, within the Pretoria National Botanical Garden (NBG), situated within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The development is aimed at addressing the needs of SANBI in terms of expanded administrative, research, educational and tourism activities and will be known as the Collections Facility Hub.

The proposed development of the Collections Facility Hub (CFH), associated structures and supporting service infrastructure, requires that an Environmental Authorisation (EA) be applied for in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended). CES have been appointed by SANBI to undertake the Basic Assessment (BA) process required in terms of NEMA and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended in 2017), for the proposed development.

Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 4(2)(a) published in Government Notice No. R. (GN R) 326 under Chapter 2 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (as amended in 2017) that the Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the above-mentioned project was issued on the 20^th of June 2019 (and received by the EAP on the 25^th of June 2019) - approving this project. The reasons for the decision are detailed in Annexure 1 of the EA.

Notice of Appeal process:

In accordance with sub-regulation 4(2) of the EIA Regulations, GN R 326 dated April 2017, as well as Section 44 of the NEMA Appeal Regulations, GN R 993 dated December 2014 (attached), read together with Section 43 of NEMA as amended, all I&APs are hereby notified of the decision by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to authorise this EA and your attention is hereby drawn to the fact that an appeal may be lodged against the decision in terms of Regulation 4(1) of the NEMA Appeal Regulations (attached).

A notice of intention to appeal must be lodged with The Director of Appeals and Legal Review (DEA), within twenty (20) days of the date of notification of this decision  (i.e. on or before the 19^th of July 2019). A notice of intention to appeal must be submitted to the appeal administrator and copied to the Environmental Consultant  representative (Mr Roberto Almanza – r.almanza@cesnet.co.za).

The original appeal must be couriered or hand delivered to the following address:

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Consultant:

Mr Roberto Almanza,
Tel: 041 393 0700
Email: r.almanza@cesnet.co.za

Comments can be submitted in writing by post, fax or email to Mr Roberto Almanza: 36 Pickering Street, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth, 6045; Tel: 041-393 0700; Email: roberto.almanza@eoh.co.za.

Period of publication: 28 June 2019 to 20 July 2019.

The SANBI External Review of the Biodiversity Science and Policy Advice Branch was undertaken in June to July 2017 at the request of the SANBI Board.

An External Review Panel of Experts was convened to review the following areas:

• The quality, relevance and impact of SANBI’s Biodiversity Science and Policy Advice programmes, including SANBI’s contribution towards national government priorities;
• SANBI’s response to the changing socio-economic environment and to the challenges and opportunities created by such changes;
• SANBI’s role in developing, retaining and transforming its internal human capital;
• Assessment as to whether SANBI is equipped in terms of resources, competencies and capabilities to effectively deliver on its mandate;
• Recommendations regarding the strategic future direction and operational execution of its mandate;
• Effectiveness of SANBI’s operation at the science policy interface and whether it meets the Department of Environmental Affairs’ expectations in terms of provision of science evidence and policy evidence.

This External Review Report has been prepared by independent reviewers and does not necessarily reflect SANBI’s views.