Earlier this month, the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) granted Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the proposed Wesco Waste Management Facility. The decision was issued in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations of 2014. In a recent update, it was confirmed that the EA application, submitted by SLR Consulting on behalf of Wesco, had been approved subject to certain conditions set out by the department. These conditions will need to be met as part of the broader regulatory process.
The authorisation allows Wesco to proceed with specific activities outlined in Section B of the EA decision. However, despite this approval, the project is not yet cleared to move ahead. The development still requires three additional key approvals before any construction or operations can begin. These include a Waste Management Licence, a Water Use Licence, and the approval of a rezoning application.
The proposed facility has been closely followed by the public over the past two years, with ongoing debate and engagement around its potential impact. Meanwhile, opposition to the project is mounting. The Melkbosstrand Ratepayers Association (MRA), which represents 144 members and an estimated 3,817 residents, has formally instructed its legal team to appeal the decision.
The association’s legal representatives have indicated that they believe there are strong grounds to challenge both the approval itself and the conditions attached to it. Residents and interested parties who wish to review the documentation or participate in the process can access the relevant information online at: https://slrpublicdocs.datafree.co/public-documents/wescowmf/
The matter is expected to continue unfolding as the appeals process and outstanding approvals progress.
