Bigai River: approval of MMP still being awaited
The management of the Bigai River crossing at the confluence of Howard and Wilson streets has been a pressing concern for authorities, with flooding causing inconvenience and safety hazards for the community.
On Monday and Tuesday, 8 and 9 April, heavy rain was again an example of how this crossing gets completely flooded and is not safe for motorists to drive through.
At a recent committee meeting, Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola provided an update on the efforts made to alleviate the flooding and maintain the storm water infrastructure. However, challenges in obtaining necessary approvals and responses from service providers have hindered progress.
The submission of a Maintenance Management Plan (MMP) for the maintenance of storm water infrastructure to the Department of Environmental Affairs in July 2023 was a significant step towards resolving the flooding issues.
The MMP identifies the specific roads and infrastructure that require clearance of accumulated vegetation, silt, and debris to facilitate the smooth flow of water through the system.
However, the approval for the MMP is still pending, causing delays in implementing the necessary measures.
In response to the immediate flooding concerns, an application for an emergency Nema Section 30A directive was approved. This directive allowed for the removal of silt and reeds from the culverts on Howard and Wilson streets after a storm in September. While infrastructure services made some progress in clearing the accumulated silt and vegetation, the alleviation of flooding was limited.
Efforts to selectively remove reeds in the reed bed between Wilson and Howard streets faced challenges. A Request for Quotation (RFQ) was advertised for service providers, but no bidders responded. Despite a second advertisement and outreach to potential candidates, the response remained insufficient. Consequently, the Nema S30A directive lapsed, further prolonging the resolution of the issue.
To address the problem comprehensively, a long-term solution is necessary, which involves obtaining full environmental authorisation.
The proposed activities for opening the congested area, including altering a watercourse and wetland, fall within the estuarine functional zone. As a result, obtaining environmental authorisation requires approval from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
Sebola highlighted the challenges faced in securing approval for the proposed maintenance of infrastructure from the department concerned concerned.
The process of obtaining environmental authorisation is complex and timeconsuming, with an estimated cost of approximately R300 000. Given the delays experienced with the MMP approval, it is anticipated that acquiring the necessary environmental authorisation may take up to 18 months.
While the delays and challenges have extended the timeline for addressing the flooding issue at the Bigai River crossing, the commitment to finding a solution remains steadfast.
Authorities will continue their efforts to obtain environmental authorisation and implement the necessary maintenance measures outlined in the MMP.