Msunduzi Municipality Private Bag X321 333 Church Street Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg 3200 3200 (033) 392 3000 www.msunduzi.gov.za SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & CITY ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT Environmental Management Unit P O Box 321 Pietermaritzburg 3200 Enq: Mr M.N Hadebe Tel: 033 – 392 3241 Fax: 0867702211 Our Ref: Date: 12 July 2018 RE: PROPOSED CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS TO NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) FROM HAMMARSDALE TO PIETERMARITZBURG: CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N3 FROM NEW ENGLAND TO TWICKENHAM ROAD With reference to your background information document a site visit was conducted on the 09 th of July 2018, comments are submitted for your information and consideration. 1. The application site has been assessed in terms of the Msunduzi Environmental Management Framework (EMF), the Msunduzi Ecosystem Services Plan (ESP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF) and the Msunduzi Conservation Plan (C-Plan). 2. The SDF has identified the proposed site to have; • River 40m Buffer: The proposed development cuts through the 40m buffer and may require Water Use License. • Municipal Open Space System: The development cut through the municipal open space system. • Active Public Open Space: There are property boarders that are zoned as Active Public Open Space therefore development it must not be affected by the development. 3. The C-Plan and ESP has identified the proposed site to have; • Key Areas that are totally irreplaceable • Riparian Corridors 4. The Municipal Environmental Management Framework (EMF) has identified the proposed site to have; • High biodiversity Constraints: During a site visit indigenous vegetation has been identified on site including but not limited to Grassland vegetation and grass species Please provide offset for the loss of biodiversity • A Biodiversity Assessment may be required for the grassland areas due to the high biodiversity on these areas.