Draft Basic Assessment Report the proposed Mboyti and Mkambati beach development project within the Ingquza Hill local municipality, Eastern Cape province.

Ingquza Hill Local Municipality’s (IHLM) tourism potential is primarily attributed to its location along the Wild Coast, as well as the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, which provide scenic and historically rich coastlines, beaches and wildlife reserves. Tourism will contribute to economic development
through job creation, skills development and providing entrepreneurial opportunities, while promoting conservation and cultural awareness in IHLM.
IHLM’s coastline is, however, largely inaccessible due to a lack of infrastructure and services. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has identified the Mbotyi and Mkhambathi areas within IHLM which are earmarked for tourism development.An application for an Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (GN R982 of 2014), as amended, is hereby undertaken in support of the Mbotyi and Mkhambathi Development project.

1.1. MBOTYI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Mbotyi Development Project is located on the eastern coastline of South Africa in IHLM and OR Tambo district Municipality in the Eastern Cape, at site coordinates 31° 27' 42" S and 29° 44' 19" E. The following development activities are proposed at the Mbotyi site:

Upgrading:
1. Upgrading and surfacing of existing gravel roads (approximately 152 m in length); and
2. Upgrading stormwater drainage at the roads.
Development:
3. Development of a new formal designated parking bays (minimum of 20 parking bays).
4. Development of stormwater drainage at the parking bays.
5. Providing ablution facilities with water supply and sanitation services.
1.2. MKHAMBATHI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Mbotyi is located on the eastern coastline of South Africa in IHLM and OR Tambo district Municipality in the Eastern Cape, at site coordinates 31° 19’ 04" S and 29° 58’ 22" E. The project site lies approximately 27 km north-east of Mbotyi along the eastern coastline.

The following development activities are proposed for the Mkhambathi site:
Upgrading:
1. Upgrading and surfacing of existing gravel roads (approximately 260 m in length);
2. Upgrading stormwater drainage at the roads.
Development:
3. Development of a formal designated parking bays (minimum of 20 parking bays);
4. Development of stormwater drainage at the parking bays.
5. Installing a viewing deck;
6. Installing braai areas; and
7. Providing ablution facilities with water supply and sanitation services.
1.3. BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The Mbotyi and Mkhambathi Development Project triggers activities in Listing Notice 1 (GN R.983 of 2014), and Listing Notice 3 (GN R.985 of 2014), as amended.