Ikhephu Feedlot, Erf 1 Elliot, Sakhisizwe Local Municipality, CHDM, Eastern Cape

The Ikhephu Feedlot, Erf 1 Elliot development is situated at general development coordinate S31°’17’15.9”; E27°49’04,7”, on the property Erf 1 Elliot, Sakhisizwe Local Municipality (SLM), with the study site comprising an approximate 38.5ha area of which some 20ha will be directly impacted by development (and with consideration to a development site alternative on said property, situated at general site coordinate S31°17’05.9”; E27°49’28.9” and comprising an approximate 33.5ha area). The development has an existing footprint; the current Ikhephu Feedlot comprises, infrastructurally, of a fully fenced property, a three (3) camp feedlot meant to house 450 animals, a steel storage structure, some water related infrastructure and incomplete offices. Optimal utilisation of the facility is hampered, by among other, a gravel access road and the need to upgrade the feedlot facilities. Proposed development at the study site will include: 1) A feedlot to house 1,500 head of cattle in camps not exceeding 150 head of cattle (15m²/animal) with feeding troughs and water reticulation; 2) A load, and off-load facility; 3) A vehicle weigh bridge; 4) An animal handling facility; 5) A receiving pen; 6) An isolation pen; 7) Water supply infrastructure; 8) Upgrade of the existing feed storage shed; 9) Grain storage silos (2 x 30 ton) and hammer mill, 10) Upgrade to the existing (and / or new) office facilities; and 11) The design will make provision for the control of run-off water, waste lagoons, disposal of solid waste, facilities for staff and labour, including ablution facilities, and construction / upgrades to internal roads. The Ikhephu Feedlot, Erf 1 Elliot development proposal will make provision for future expansion to 2,000 head of cattle in camps not exceeding 200 head of cattle (20m²/animal). The proposed development’s Environmental Authorisation (EA) application does not include subdivision and rezoning applications.