APPENDIX 3.6 MINUTES OF STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

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1 APPENDIX 3.6 MINUTES OF STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

2 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 12 January 2018 IRVIN AND JOHNSON LTD NOTES OF FOCUS GROUP MEETING Date 12 January 2018 Venue: Project: Environmental Consultants: I&J Abalone Farm, Danger Point EIA for the proposed expansion of existing abalone farm and Basic Assessment for a proposed abalone processing facility at Danger Point near Gansbaai SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd and EnviroAfrica (Overberg) CC Project Number: and Attendance: An attendance register is presented in Attachment 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Jeremy Blood (JB) welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the focus group meeting. All attendees introduced themselves. 1.2 JB stated that the main purpose of the meeting was to inform stakeholders about the two proposed projects and associated Environmental Authorisation processes, as well as to provide an opportunity to raises any initial issues / concerns and highlight any known environmental sensitivities on site. 2. KEY STAKEHOLDER CONCERNS 2.1 Stakeholders were given an opportunity to highlight their main concerns before the meeting continued. The following issues were highlighted: Tom van Wyk (TvW): > Traffic on Marine Drive the existing road cannot accommodate the heavy vehicles. > Noise from operational activities Arthur Swanepoel (AS): > Noise, including current construction activities. > Odour from processing plant, including chemicals and treatment of waste. - Francois du Toit (FdT) explained that the processing plant would process live animals (which do not smell) and that all waste (excluding the shells which are sold) would be frozen prior to further treatment, which would minimise the risk of odour. > Traffic The proposed new road along should be a prerequisite for the proposed projects. - JB explained that the two alternative access routes would be being considered during the process, namely: (1) along the existing coastal access road (Marine Drive); and / or (2) via Van Blommenstein Road. 1

3 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 12 January Gabriel da Silva (GdS): 3. PRESENTATION > Project status Has approval had already been obtained for the proposed projects, as construction activities are currently being undertaken on site? - RL explained that I&J is currently completing the construction for the current authorised production capacity of 500 tons per annum (t/a). RL noted that although approval for the 500 t/a was received in 2011, expansion occurs over a number of years. > Incremental development the expansion project could set a precedent for further expansion projects, resulting in the development of the entire site. - Steyn Miller (SM) noted that the remainder of the site would be problematic to use for abalone production due to the topography (slope) and the costs associated with pumping seawater to the higher elevations on the remainder of the site. - Bruce Volkwyn (BV) explained that abalone facilities do not generally get much larger than that proposed. He indicated that should the current plant expand to the full proposed production capacity of t/a, it would one of the largest, if not the largest, operation in the world. > Traffic The proposed expansion project would add to the existing heavy traffic volumes on Marine Drive. A copy of the presentation is included in Attachment I&J: Project Overview Robert Landman (RL) presented an overview of the proposed projects covering the following: Project background and the existing operation. Proposed expansion project, including phasing, access, electricity, bulk water supply and sewage / wastewater treatment. Proposed abalone processing plant project and associated infrastructure. 3.2 SLR: Environmental Authorisation Process Overview JB provided an overview of: the Environmental Authorisation processes: > Scoping / EIA for the expansion project. > Basic Assessment for the processing plant project. the key issues identified to date; and specialist studies that would be undertaken. 4. DISCUSSION 4.1 Rezoning: GdS: Will a rezoning application be required for the proposed processing plant? The proposed processing plant will change the character / nature of the area from agriculture to industry Charel Bruwer (CB): A consent use application would be required for the proposed processing plant footprint. The remainder of the site would remain Agriculture FdT: The proposed abalone processing plant would operate on a much smaller scale compared to the existing facility in Hermanus. For example, the proposed plant would produce annually what the existing facility in Hermanus produces on a daily basis. 2

4 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 12 January RL: The proposed processing facility would have a footprint of approximately m 2, half of which would be buildings (including processing areas, offices, stores and loading areas); the remainder would be parking and access road. 4.2 Odour: GdS: How can we be sure that the abalone facility will not process fish in future? SM: Biosecurity is an extremely important aspect of an abalone farm. I&J would not allow other animal products onto site, as this could compromise its biosecurity JB: It is unlikely that I&J would process fish on site as this would mean that I&J would need to transport the product (fish) further than at present, which would increase costs. Part of the rationale for relocating the processing plant to Danger Point is to reduce the distance between the farm and the processing facility RL: The proposed abalone processing facility would not process fish and would thus not result in similar odours to that of a fish processing facility. The odour associated with a fish processing facility is related to the Omega 3 oils present in the fish. Although odour is not expected to be an issue, as specialist study will be undertaken to address this issue GdS: Can we visit the existing facility in Hermanus to determine for ourselves that odour is not an issue? FdT and SM: Stakeholders (a small group for biosecurity reasons) are welcome to visit the existing abalone farm (Dangers Point) and abalone processing facility (Hermanus). GdS to contact FdT and SM to arrange a site visit. 4.3 Noise: GdS: Would the processing facility operate 24-hrs per day? BV: The abalone processing facility would only be required to process in the order of 30 tons per month and thus would not be required to operate 24-hrs per day or over weekends. It should be noted that grading at the abalone farm currently occurs until 12 am in the morning JB: Noise has been raised by a number of people in the written submissions received to date and will 4.4 Traffic: thus be addressed in the process BV: I&J currently truck abalone to Hermanus for processing. Thus, if the processing facility were to be located on site, it may actually reduce the number of delivery trucks travelling between Danger Point and Hermanus GdS: How many people will be employed at full production (i.e t/a) and how would they get to site? SM: It is estimated that approximately people would be employed at full production. In order to reduce the number of vehicles and the associated traffic impact, staff would be bussed to site GdS: Where would the product stored prior to delivery to market? RL: The product would be stored in a cold room at the processing facility AS: The three-way stop on Marine Drive is extremely dangerous as trucks traveling down the hill cannot see vehicles approaching from the left. 3

5 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 12 January CB: A simple solution would be to request the municipality to install rubble strips at the three-way stop. 4.5 Infrastructure: RL: I&J has made a positive contribution to the existing infrastructure in the area, specifically the electricity supply and the newly approved bulk water supply RL: I&J is proposing to supplement its electricity needs, and reduce its carbon footprint, with the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) power plant on site. 4.6 Visual: RL: The entire site has been surveyed and the proposed processing facility has been strategically located behind 4.7 Waste: a dune in order to ensure the plant is not visible to nearby residents GdS: What happens with the abalone shells after processing? RL: The abalone shells are sold as a by-product to the jewellery and fertiliser market AS: A wastewater volume of 100 kl (as indicated in the presentation) would require numerous municipal sewage trucks for offsite disposal, as these trucks can only accommodate 6 kl JB: The 100 kl includes both sewage and process wastewater. It was recommended that these two volumes be presented separately RL: I&J is investigating the possibility of establishing a package plant on site, which would eliminate the need for municipal trucks to collect sewage from site, and thereby also mitigate the traffic impact. 4.8 Security: GdS: Security is also an important consideration. The production of tons of abalone on site per year may attract additional criminals into the area. The location of the site on a peninsula, however, provides an ideal opportunity to have a single controlled access (from Romansbaai to Kleinbaai), which would provide additional security for I&J and the surrounding community. If the number of vehicles entering the area were to be reduced, it would reduce crime levels and abalone poaching on the peninsula AS: Improved security would be beneficial to both I&J and the community CB: Any proposals to improve the security of the area (e.g. a single controlled access) should rather be facilitated through the local ward councillor, rather than I&J RL: I&J, as part of the Danger Point community, would support (subject to board approval) proposals to the local ward councillor to improve the security on the peninsula. 4.9 Pre-application Public Participation GdS: When does the Background Information Document (BID) comment period close, as many residents were away over the December holiday period and did not get an opportunity to comment? AS: It was difficult for the Birkenhead Owners Association to make all homeowners aware of the proposed projects. 4

6 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 12 January JB: The BID comment has been extended from 12 January 2018 to 26 January CB: The rationale for extending the BID comment period over the December holiday period (15 November 2017 to 12 January 2018) was to accommodate non-permanent residents. Although the comment period extended over this period, the period from 15 December to 5 January was excluded from the days of reckoning, as required by the EIA Regulations Meeting closed at 12h46. 5

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8 ATTACHMENT 1 ATTENDANCE REGISTER

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12 ATTACHMENT 2 PRESENTATION

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14 2018/01/15 PROPOSED EXPANSION OF EXISTING ABALONE FARM AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ABALONE PROCESSING FACILITY AT DANGER POINT NEAR GANSBAAI Focus Group Meeting January 2018 Agenda Introductions and Objectives of the Meeting Presentations Project Overview Environmental Authorisation Process Overview Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Basic Assessment Question and Answer Session Way Forward and Closure 1 2 Ground rules Points of clarity only during presentations Please identify yourself and which organisation you represent (if applicable) Please stick to issue under discussion Please sign the Attendance Register Notes being taken Please turn off cell phones or silent mode Purpose of meeting Inform you about: Proposed project components: Expansion of existing abalone farm Development of an abalone processing facility Environmental Authorisation processes: Scoping and EIA process (expansion project) Basic Assessment process (processing facility) How you can participate in the process Obtain input from you on: Issues and concerns Input on environmental sensitivities and impacts 3 4 Background IRVIN AND JOHNSON LTD PROJECT OVERVIEW Danger Point aquaculture facility has been operational since Located on Remainder of Farm Klipfontein 711. Remainder of Farm Klipfontein711 Current authorised production capacity is 500 t/a. Existing footprint is ~ 10 ha. Abalone is currently packaged as finished product or transported to and processed at an existing processing plant in Hermanus. 6 1

15 2018/01/15 Project overview Two separate development projects: Project 1: Expansion of the current abalone operation from 500 t/a to t/a. Project 2: Development of an abalone processing facility. Projects are not dependant on each other taking place. Site Expansion Project Processing Facility Project Project overview Expansion Project Expand abalone facility from 500 t/a to t/a. Expansion would occur in 2 phases. Phase 1: Additional 600 t/a. Phase 1 Seawater intake, pump house and delivery pipelines. Delivery pipelines to an elevated header tank (2 000 m 3 ). A 6 ha grow out platform. An effluent channel for coast discharge. Associated buildings. Development footprint: 15 ha. Development period: 5-8 yrs. Anticipated commencement: Project overview Expansion Project Project overview Expansion Project Phase 2 & 3: Additional 600 t/a Phase 2 & 3 Phase 3 Phase 2 Seawater intake, pump house and delivery pipelines. Delivery pipelines to an elevated header tank (2 000 m 3 ). A 12 ha grow-out platform. 2x 300 m effluent discharge pipelines. Associated buildings. Development footprint: 19 ha. Development period: 9 yrs. Anticipated commencement: Access: Along the existing coastal access road (Marine Drive); and / or Via Van Blommenstein Road (which would also be surfaced) and a proposed new 2.5 km surfaced road. Access Project overview Expansion Project Electricity: Current supply would need to be increased for expansion. Overstrand Municipality can supply up to 4.5 MVA, but this would be subject to network upgrades and Eskom capacity increases. Possible development of a 1 MVA solar power plant. Solar power plant Project overview Expansion Project Bulk water supply: I&J has recently received environmental authorisation to upgrade the existing bulk water supply. There is no requirement for further upgrade to the bulk water supply infrastructure. A maximum of kl per month would be required per month. Sewage: Conservancy tanks would be used to treat sewage and wastewater. A maximum of 100 kl of sewage and wastewater would be generated per day. 2

16 2018/01/15 Project overview Processing Facility The proposed abalone processing facility would be designed to process 350 t/a of abalone (sales weight). Development footprint: 0.4 ha. Project overview Processing Facility The proposed plant would consist of: Processing areas, offices, stores and loading areas. A diesel fired boiler, which would provide steam for canning. A possible anaerobic digester for the treatment of the solid waste stream (up to 1 ton per day). Effluent package plant for the treatment of sewage and plant effluent for an estimated daily volume of 32 m 3. Staff and visitor parking for 25 cars. Access road off either the existing coastal road or proposed new road. The main abalone products: live frozen whole frozen shucked dried canned shucked abalone Dried Canned Fresh / Live Key legislative requirements SLR CONSULTING (SOUTH AFRICA) (PTY) LTD & ENVIROAFRICA (OVERBERG) CC ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS OVERVIEW NEMA provides for the control of certain listed activities, which are prohibited until Environmental Authorisation is obtained. Both proposed projects trigger listed activities and require Environmental Authorisation. Environmental Authorisation Processes: Expansion project: Scoping and EIA process Processing facility: Basic Assessment process The process and timeframes are defined in the EIA Regulations SLR and EnviroAfrica have been appointed as the independent Environmental Consultants. TIME Scope Issues Impact Assessment SCOPING & EIA PROCESS EXPANSION PROJECT 17 Appeal Process Combined Pre-application Public Participation (not legislated) Submit Application for EA (day 0) Submit Scoping Report (by day 44) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority accept/refuse Scoping (by day 87) Submit EIA Report, incl. specialist studies (by day 193) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority decision on EA (by day 300) Notify I&APs BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS PROCESSING FACILITY PROJECT Submit Application for EA (day 0) Submit Basic Assessment Report incl. specialist studies (by day 90) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority decision on EA (by day 197) Notify I&APs Appeal Process Current stage Aspect Impact ExpansionProject Processing Facility Vegetation Loss of vegetation within development footprint (~ 40 ha in total) 18 Key issues and specialist studies Heritage Possible disturbance of cultural heritage material, e.g. shell middens Marine ecology Sediment disturbance due to the placement of infrastructure on the seafloor Entrainment of biota at the intake Physiological effects due to discharge of seawater at outlet (including elevated nutrients and temperature). Unlikely discharge of pathogens Traffic Increase in traffic volumes (30 cars, 6 busses and 3 delivery trucks per day) reduced Reduced level of service and nuisance to surrounding residents Air quality Unlikely localised reduction in air quality (odour) 3

17 2018/01/15 Way Forward QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION Initial comment period has been extended to facilitate request by I&APs. Comment period closes on 26 January It is requested that comments are submitted separately for each project. Comments Forms are available. Comments received will be included in the: draft Scoping Report (expansion project). draft Basic Assessment Report (processing facility project). I&APs will be notified of the next round of public participation (Feb March 2018). Please ensure you have signed the attendance register. THANK YOU 21 4

18 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 26 February 2018 IRVIN AND JOHNSON LTD FOCUS GROUP MEETING SUMMARY Date 26 February 2018 Venue: Project: Environmental Consultants: I&J Abalone Farm, Danger Point EIA for the proposed expansion of existing abalone farm and Basic Assessment for a proposed abalone processing facility at Danger Point near Gansbaai SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd and EnviroAfrica (Overberg) CC Project Number: and Attendance: An attendance register is presented in Attachment 1 Presentation: A copy is presented in Attachment 2 Summary of concerns and comments raised at meeting: 1. Road access a. Concerns were raised relating to traffic (current and proposed, especially frequency of heavy vehicles) and associated danger / safety issues. b. Noise of heavy vehicles was also of concern. c. Tranquillity of area is being impacted by the creation of an industrial zone. d. There was a formal request to close the coastal road (Marine Drive). e. The alternative access road must be constructed before construction on the expansion project can commence. 2. Security a. There was a request to relocate the I&J entrance gate to the entrance to plot 1. b. Request for gated access control on road. c. Reference was made to security recommendations in the Danger Point Precinct Plan. 3. Processing Plant Key concerns relating to the proposed abalone processing plant: a. Smell / odour; b. Noise; c. Traffic; and d. Effluent (specifically discharge into the ocean). 4. Nosie a. Noise from equipment, sirens and alarms is a concern. b. The competency of the noise specialist was questioned. 5. General a. Additional detail of proposed project / plans is required. b. Clarity on water usage and effluent volumes (sewerage and grey water) is required. c. Additional I&AP engagement was requested. d. Concerns regarding previous processes: Comments have not been taken into consideration. I&J has not complied with its conditions. 1

19 I&J Focus Group Meeting: 26 February 2018 No information has been provided on what conservation or rehabilitation has been undertaken on site. Information was not provided to all I&APs (e.g. H. van Heerden). A previous letter to the I&J CEO, complaining about I&J s engagement with Community, was provided to Mr Robert Landman. 2

20 ATTACHMENT 1 ATTENDANCE REGISTER

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24 ATTACHMENT 2 PRESENTATION

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26 2018/04/18 PROPOSED EXPANSION OF EXISTING ABALONE FARM AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ABALONE PROCESSING FACILITY AT DANGER POINT NEAR GANSBAAI Focus Group Meeting February 2018 Agenda Introductions and Objectives of the Meeting Presentations Project Overview Environmental Authorisation Process Overview Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Basic Assessment Question and Answer Session Way Forward and Closure 1 2 Ground rules Points of clarity only during presentations Please identify yourself and which organisation you represent (if applicable) Please stick to issue under discussion Please sign the Attendance Register Notes being taken Please turn off cell phones or silent mode Purpose of meeting Inform you about: Proposed project components: Expansion of existing abalone farm Development of an abalone processing facility Environmental Authorisation processes: Scoping and EIA process (expansion project) Basic Assessment process (processing facility) How you can participate in the process Obtain input from you on: Issues and concerns Input on environmental sensitivities and impacts 3 4 Background IRVIN AND JOHNSON LTD PROJECT OVERVIEW Danger Point aquaculture facility has been operational since Located on Remainder of Farm Klipfontein 711. Remainder of Farm Klipfontein711 Current authorised production capacity is 500 t/a. Existing footprint is ~ 10 ha. Abalone is currently packaged as finished product or transported to and processed at an existing processing plant in Hermanus. 6 1

27 2018/04/18 Project overview Two separate development projects: Project 1: Expansion of the current abalone operation from 500 t/a to t/a. Project 2: Development of an abalone processing facility. Projects are not dependant on each other taking place. Site Expansion Project Processing Facility Project Project overview Expansion Project Expand abalone facility from 500 t/a to t/a. Expansion would occur in 2 phases. Phase 1: Additional 600 t/a. Phase 1 Seawater intake, pump house and delivery pipelines. Delivery pipelines to an elevated header tank (2 000 m 3 ). A 6 ha grow out platform. An effluent channel for coast discharge. Associated buildings. Development footprint: 15 ha. Development period: 5-8 yrs. Anticipated commencement: Project overview Expansion Project Project overview Expansion Project Phase 2 & 3: Additional 600 t/a Phase 2 & 3 Phase 3 Phase 2 Seawater intake, pump house and delivery pipelines. Delivery pipelines to an elevated header tank (2 000 m 3 ). A 12 ha grow-out platform. 2x 300 m effluent discharge pipelines. Associated buildings. Development footprint: 19 ha. Development period: 9 yrs. Anticipated commencement: Access: Along the existing coastal access road (Marine Drive); and / or Via Van Blommenstein Road (which would also be surfaced) and a proposed new 2.5 km surfaced road. Access Project overview Expansion Project Electricity: Current supply would need to be increased for expansion. Overstrand Municipality can supply up to 4.5 MVA, but this would be subject to network upgrades and Eskom capacity increases. Possible development of a 1 MVA solar power plant. Solar power plant Project overview Expansion Project Bulk water supply: I&J has recently received environmental authorisation to upgrade the existing bulk water supply. There is no requirement for further upgrade to the bulk water supply infrastructure. A maximum of kl per month would be required per month. Sewage: Conservancy tanks would be used to treat sewage and wastewater. A maximum of 100 kl of sewage and wastewater would be generated per day. 2

28 2018/04/18 Project overview Processing Facility The proposed abalone processing facility would be designed to process 350 t/a of abalone (sales weight). Development footprint: 0.4 ha. Project overview Processing Facility The proposed plant would consist of: Processing areas, offices, stores and loading areas. A diesel fired boiler, which would provide steam for canning. A possible anaerobic digester for the treatment of the solid waste stream (up to 1 ton per day). Effluent package plant for the treatment of sewage and plant effluent for an estimated daily volume of 32 m 3. Staff and visitor parking for 25 cars. Access road off either the existing coastal road or proposed new road. The main abalone products: live frozen whole frozen shucked dried canned shucked abalone Dried Canned Fresh / Live Key legislative requirements SLR CONSULTING (SOUTH AFRICA) (PTY) LTD & ENVIROAFRICA (OVERBERG) CC ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS OVERVIEW NEMA provides for the control of certain listed activities, which are prohibited until Environmental Authorisation is obtained. Both proposed projects trigger listed activities and require Environmental Authorisation. Environmental Authorisation Processes: Expansion project: Scoping and EIA process Processing facility: Basic Assessment process The process and timeframes are defined in the EIA Regulations SLR and EnviroAfrica have been appointed as the independent Environmental Consultants. TIME Scope Issues Impact Assessment SCOPING & EIA PROCESS EXPANSION PROJECT 17 Appeal Process Combined Pre-application Public Participation (not legislated) Submit Application for EA (day 0) Submit Scoping Report (by day 44) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority accept/refuse Scoping (by day 87) Submit EIA Report, incl. specialist studies (by day 193) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority decision on EA (by day 300) Notify I&APs BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS PROCESSING FACILITY PROJECT Submit Application for EA (day 0) Submit Basic Assessment Report incl. specialist studies (by day 90) Incl. 30-day public review period Authority decision on EA (by day 197) Notify I&APs Appeal Process Current stage Aspect Impact ExpansionProject Processing Facility Vegetation Loss of vegetation within development footprint (~ 40 ha in total) 18 Key issues and specialist studies Heritage Possible disturbance of cultural heritage material, e.g. shell middens Marine ecology Sediment disturbance due to the placement of infrastructure on the seafloor Entrainment of biota at the intake Physiological effects due to discharge of seawater at outlet (including elevated nutrients and temperature). Unlikely discharge of pathogens Traffic Increase in traffic volumes (30 cars, 6 busses and 3 delivery trucks per day) reduced Reduced level of service and nuisance to surrounding residents Air quality Unlikely localised reduction in air quality (odour) 3

29 2018/04/18 Way Forward QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION Initial comment period has been extended to facilitate request by I&APs. Comment period closes on 26 January It is requested that comments are submitted separately for each project. Comments Forms are available. Comments received will be included in the: draft Scoping Report (expansion project). draft Basic Assessment Report (processing facility project). I&APs will be notified of the next round of public participation (Feb March 2018). Please ensure you have signed the attendance register. THANK YOU 21 4