BY THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST

Transcription

1 NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN OPERATIONS OF THE ALTRON GROUP, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GLOBAL REPORTING INIATIVE S INDICATORS PREPARED FOR ALTRON BY THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST Christy Bragg & Dr. Marie Parramon-Gurney February 2013

2 Contents Executive Summary Background Context Methodology a. Use existing spatial biodiversity data to inform the analysis b. Altron group operations in South Africa were assessed in relation to fine-scale local, regional and national biodiversity patterns (for direct biodiversity impacts) c. Regional and local maps of the above spatial data within proximity to Altron operations were developed d. Spatial database of Altron facilities e. Broad guidelines are provided for future more comprehensive biodiversity assessments and management for the Altron group f. Scope: Results of Assessment Western Cape Eastern Cape Northern Cape Free State North West Gauteng KwaZulu Natal Mpumulanga Limpopo Manufacturing Facilities Assessment Altech UEC Powertech Aberdare, Pietermaritzburg Powertech Transformers Powertech Aberdare, Port Elizabeth Powertec h Batteries (Korsten) Powertech Batteries (Neave) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 2

3 5.4.1 Powertech Transformers (Booysens) Crabtree Electrical Accessories SA (Wadeville) Powertech Calidus Potential environmental impacts of manufacturing facilities Manufacturing Site Recommendations Water recommendations Generic Recommendations Higher-level Altron recommendations Conclusions APPENDIX A Methodology and description of Critical Biodiversity Area maps and other biodiversity data layers used in this analysis Gauteng CPlan Version KwaZulu-Natal Land Cover City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network River and Wetlands National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy Eastern Cape Biodiversity Plan (2005) Terrestrial CBA for the NorthWest Province EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 3

4 Glossary 1 : Alien species - a species occurring in an area outside of its historically known natural range as a result of intentional or accidental dispersal by human activities. Biodiversity - the Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial (land), marine (sea), and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this incl udes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. In simpler terms, biodiversity is all the living creatures, plants and animals, on and in the earth, water and air in a particular place. Biodiversity also describes the interaction between these living creatures and the area (ecosystem) in which they live. Biodiversity feature - an element of biodiversity for which it is possible to set a quantitative conservation target, for example a vegetation type, a species or the spatial component of an ecological process. Biodiversity pattern the structure and composition of ecosystems Biodiversity planning - describes biodiversity conservation planning for regions defined using biological criteria. Biodiversity process ecological processes and functions that sustain biodiversity Biome - a broad ecological unit representing major life zones of large natural areas or the biological component of a large geographi c region. Biomes are usually characterised by characterized by its distinctive vegetation and maintained by local climatic conditions. Buffer zones - areas of land in which development is strictly controlled. Cape Floristic Region (CFR) - one of the world's six plant kingdoms. Covering less than km² or less than 0.04% of the terrestrial surface of Earth, the CFR is marked by particularly high levels of plant endemicity. It is a global priority for conservation action due to threats to its endemic taxa. About 68% of its approximately plant species are endemic as are 20% of the genera and five of the families. The area is home to 1406 Red Data Book species, the highest known concentration in the world. Climate Change - refers to the variation in the Earth's global climate or in regional climates over time. It describes changes in the variabil ity or average state of the atmosphere over time scales ranging from decades to millions of years. These changes can be caused by processes internal to the Earth, external forces (e.g. variations in sunlight intensity) or, more recently, human activities. Connectivity - connectivity refers to the ability of connective corridors to sustain ecosystem processes common to linked patches. Conservation - the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to current generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations: Thus conservation is positive, embracing preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilisation, restoration, and enhancement of the natural environment. Conservation action - includes but is not limited to the establishment or expansion of protected areas. Conservation action should include engaging with all major landowners and land-users across a range of socio-economic sectors, to increase awareness of priority areas for meeting conservation targets and to ensure that land management and land-uses in these priority areas support biodiversity conservation. Conservation assessment - the development of spatial data layers and the spatial analysis undertaken to identify options for meeting conservation targets. Conservation assessments should include the interpretation of this analysis for a wide range of stakeholders. Conservation planning - planning at a range of spatial scales that aims to identify areas for biodiversity conservation, taking into account patterns of biodiversity and the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain them. Conservation Planning involves conservation assessment plus the development of an implementation strategy and action plan. Conservation stewardship - refers to the wise use, management and protection of that which has been entrusted to you or is rightfully yours. Within the context of conservation, stewardship means protecting important ecosystems, effectively managing invasive alien species and fires, and grazing or harvesting without damaging the environment. 1 From EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 4

5 Conservation targets - quantitative targets that tells us how much of each biodiversity feature needs to be conserved in order to conserve a representative sample of biodiversity pattern and key ecological and evolutionary processes. Corridors - habitat, ecosystems or undeveloped areas that physically connect habitat patches. Smaller, intervening patches of surviving habitat that link fragmented ecosystems by ensuring that certain ecological processes are maintained within and between groups of habitat fragments. Degradation - The lowering of the quality of the environment through human activities, e.g. river degradation, soil degradation. Ecological processes - ecosystems work because they are kept alive by ecological processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling, disturbance (e.g. fire), migration of species or soil maintenance. Ecological processes typically only function well where natural vegetation remains, and in particular where the remaining vegetation is wellconnected with other nearby patches of natural vegetation. Loss and fragmentation of natural habitat severely threatens the i ntegrity of ecological processes. Ecosystem - the totality of factors of all kinds, living and non-living, which make up a particular environment; the complex of a biotic community and its abiotic, physical environment, functioning as an ecological unit in nature. Ecosystems provide direct and indirect be nefits to humans, e.g. flood amelioration by naturally functioning wetlands, the oceans' regulation of the chemical composition of the atmosphere, and providing habitat for commercially exploited species. Ecosystem status - ecosystem status of terrestrial ecosystems is based on the degree of habitat loss that has occurred in each ecosystem, relative to two thresholds: one for maintaining healthy ecosystem functioning, and one for conserving the majority of species associat ed with the ecosystem. As natural habitat is lost in an ecosystem, its functioning is increasingly compromised, leading eventually to the collapse of the ecosystem and to loss of species associated with that ecosystem. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - the process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating information about the likely impacts of a proposed policy, plan or activity on the environment. Fynbos - fire-adapted and drought-resistant shrubland largely confined to nutrient-poor soils in the winter rainfall areas of the south-western Cape. Fynbos is the dominant vegetation group of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK), one of the world's six floral kingdoms. Habitat - the home of a plant or animal species. Generally those features of an area inhabited by animal or plant which are essential t o its survival. Habitat fragmentation - ecosystems and the species therein, need a certain amount of inter-connectivity for processes to continue. If a specific natural area is broken up into smaller pieces, eventually species disappear and certain functions are lost. Protected area - a legally established land or water area under either public or private ownership that is regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives. Red Data Book - contains data on the threat to and rarity of plant and animals species. For each species, data is provided on rarity status, (i.e. endangered, vulnerable, rare, out-of-danger, and indeterminate), geographical distribution, population size, habitat, breeding rate and any conservation measures taken to protect the species. Restoration - the return of an ecosystem or habitat to its original community structure, natural complement of species, and natural functions. Sustainable development - development that meets the needs of both present and future development, equitably. In terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, sustainable development is the integration of social, economic and environmental fa ctors into planning, implementation and decision-making so as to ensure that development serves present and future generations. Systematic conservation plan - an approach to conservation that prioritises actions by setting quantitative targets for biodiversity features such as broad habitat units or vegetation types. It is premised on conserving a representative sample of biodiversity pattern, including species and habitats (the principle of representation), as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that maintain biodiversity over time (the principle of persistence). EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 5

6 Transformation - refers to the adverse changes to biodiversity, typically habitats or ecosystems, through processes such as cultivation, forestry, drainage of wetlands, urban development or invasion by alien plants or animals. Transformation results in habitat fragmentati on (i.e. the breaking up of a continuous habitat, ecosystem, or land-use type into smaller fragments). Wetlands - a collective term used to describe lands that are sometimes or always covered by shallow water or have saturated soils. Collectively, wetlands and their associated vegetation are highly diverse and productive ecosystems and despite their invaluable social and environmental roles, wetlands have been identified as being among southern Africa's most threatened and neglected habitats. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 6

7 Executive Summary According to the Global Reporting Initiative, corporates are required to report on sustainability, and in relation to biodiversity impacts, the following two indicators apply: EN11 - Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. EN12 - Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. Altron has asked the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to undertake a biodiversity assessment (desktop study approach) to enable Altron to report on the above GRI Indicators in their 2013 IAR. South Africa s globally renowned wealth of biodiversity and ecosystem services underpins and supports our social and economic development. South Africa s Constitution and laws reflect the importance of sustainable development and the need to conserve our biodiversity heritage. This report gives key information regarding the proximity of Altron s selected infrastructure to high biodiversity areas, including areas with important ecological services and processes, and protected areas. This report also provides a desktop based preliminary and high level assessment of the potential impacts that current Altron group operations might be having on biodiversity in the vicinity of the selected infrastructure. The report also strives to provide Altron with preliminary recommendations to address some of these potential impacts. The study is limited in scope to spatial patterns of biodiversity and does not take into account specific processes that are affected by Altron operational activities and does not delve into the production processes that could have negative impacts on the environment. This would require field visits to each operation which was not within the scope of this study. The study was limited to the main operation facilities and subsidiaries of Altron. All manufacturing facilities were analysed separately. The scope of the fine-scale, regional and national biodiversity assessment was limited to the South African facilities and operations of the Altron group. Furthermore the assessment was limited to direct biodiversity impact risks. While management and conservation of biodiversity is often associated with formal reserves or protected areas, which are a key component of biodiversity management, the majority of important remaining biodiversity is found outside protected areas, on private or communal land in production landscapes and seascapes. Based on the principles of systematic biodiversity planning, this information has been used to identify biodiversity priority areas (or critical biodiversity areas), which are features in the landscape that are important for conserving a representative sample of ecosystems and species, for maintaining ecological processes, or for the provision of ecosystem services. The Biodiversity Assessments identify Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) which represent biodiversity priority areas which should be maintained in a natural to near natural state. The CBA maps indicate the most efficient selection and classification of land portions requiring safeguarding in order to meet national biodiversity EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 7

8 objectives. Once gazetted, and incorporated into municipal Spatial Development Frameworks and bioregional plans, such fine-scale plans are recognized under the National Environment Management Act (NEMA). Biodiversity data that were considered (where relevant or available): Species; vegetation types; ecosystems, including threatened ecosystems; wetlands and freshwater areas; Critical biodiversity areas and ecological support areas, which play an important function in supporting biodiversity; Important Bird Areas, land cover; current Protected Areas, including Marine Protected Areas and proposed expansion of Protected Areas. A broad sensitivity rating was assigned to each site with respect to two factors of impact. The impact rating is based on an expert analysis of the likelihood of impacts relevant to the type of biodiversity in the vicinity of each facility, examined on a case by case basis. By necessity this must be done by a subjective analysis, due to the limited scope which excludes field visits. Impact related to proximity to high biodiversity areas: HIGH = The facility has high risk as is located within a kilometre of a high biodiversity area or an area associated with important ecological services needed to maintain biodiversity MEDIUM =The facility has medium risk as is located within several kilometres, or of ecologically relevant distance, of high biodiversity priority areas, and has medium risk of impacting that particular type of biodiversity. LOW= The facility is of low risk as is not located near any areas of high biodiversity value or ecologically important zones If the first impact factor was relatively high (i.e., High or Medium), then a sensitivity ranking was given related to the effect of the Altron facility and associated activities on the biodiversity within close proximity: HIGH =There are potentially high impacts associated with the presence or operations of a particular Altron facility on the biodiversity within close proximity MEDIUM =There are potentially significant risks of impacts associated with the presence or operations of a particular Altron facility on the biodiversity within close proximity LOW = There is a low probability that the facility imposes risk on biodiversity A description of potential biodiversity impact risks of Altron operations are given in relation to species, vegetation, ecosystems, wetlands, catchments, protected areas and critical support areas. Google Earth satellite images are used to graphically depict the context for each map and act as a very rough surrogate for a field visit from a spatial perspective. The GPS locations for the Altron group facilities were first obtained from a combination of using Google Earth search engine and verification on company and business websites. Twenty maps in total were generated to graphically represent the biodiversity in close EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 8

9 proximity to 151 South African Altron group operations, some of which are located at the same facility. Each was rated and this rating, along with the name, address, and the GPS position has been captured in an EXCEL database. The direct impact risk of the Altron operations in South Africa on biodiversity, using fine-scale local, provincial and national spatial biodiversity assessment tools, were found to be generally of low impact, in terms of their spatial proximity to areas of high biodiversity or areas supporting services that maintain biodiversity, to protected areas, high priority wetlands and rivers, as well as having low operational impacts overall. Overall, none of the facilities have a very high impact, as most of them are based in existing transformed landscapes, where biodiversity has already been substantially reduced due to ongoing pressures of urbanization and unsustainable resource use. Twenty-eight facilities scored a Medium(Low) rating, two scored a Low(Medium) rating and three scored Medium(Medium). These last three were the Arrow Altech site in Durban, Bytes Document Solutions (Pinetown) and Altech Nupay in Johannesburg and it would be recommended that these sites need a detailed field assessment of the extent and nature of impacts of the facility on biodiversity. The most common recommendation for existing sites was to ensure the protection and conservation of specific critical biodiversity areas and areas supporting biodiversity in close proximity of facilities. In an urban environment, these areas are even more critical to conserve as these fragments act as refuges for wildlife and sources of ecological services. Although the Altron group currently have strict policies adhering to environmental legislation, reducing waste, water and energy use, and educating employees around environmental concerns, further biodiversity-orientated procedures could be put in place, if not already done so. Recommendations are given for each site, as well as generic recommendations for reducing risk on biodiversity. The Altron group needs to ensure maximum efficiency of water use and intensive management of the water cycle within facilities to ensure minimum waste, not only to prevent immediate impacts on biodiversity but also long-term impacts, given the scarce water resources of the country and in light of the predicted negative impacts of climate change on water resources. The Altron group should work more closely with other stakeholders, such as corporates in the area, civil society and authorities, to ensure cooperative governance of natural resources, particularly water resources, in terms of managing biodiversity surrounding its premises. It is recommended that the statistics arising from the Altron group s reporting on the GR Indicators related to water withdrawal and water sources (e.g., EN8: Total water withdrawal by source; EN9: Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water; EN21: Total water discharge by quality and destination; EN25: Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the reporting organization s discharges of water and runoff) could be integrated with the results of this study. This would allow a comprehensive analysis of high-risk facilities, as data from this report (facilities with high biodiversity impact associated with water sources, like rivers and ecological support areas around rivers) could be correlated with facilities which have high process impact in terms of the water-reporting indicators (e.g., high wastewater volumes, high pollution emissions, etc., in particular water sources). EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 9

10 The Altron group could also budget for costs to help reduce impacts of biodiversity and ecosystem impacts, and a component of CSI could be directed at biodiversity conservation concerns in the immediate Altron facility landscapes. Several generic recommendations are given for actions, based on what type of biodiversity is at risk, such as what to do depending on whether a facility is located close to: CBAs, IBAs, freshwater resources, ecological support areas, etc. Finally, high-level recommendations are given on the strategic approach to mitigating risk on biodiversity and it suggested that Altron conduct a preliminary exercise to assess the potential risks and opportunities linked to biodiversity. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 10

11 1. Background According to the Global Reporting Initiative, corporates are required to report on sustainability, and in relation to biodiversity impacts, the following two indicators apply: EN11 - Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. EN12 - Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas. Altron has asked the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to undertake a biodiversity assessment (desktop study approach) to enable Altron to report on the above GRI Indicators. 2. Context South Africa s globally renowned wealth of biodiversity and ecosystem services underpins and support our social and economic development. However, the role and importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services is unfortunately undervalued in formal economic transactions and decision making. South Africa s Constitution and laws reflect the importance of sustainable development and the need to conserve our biodiversity heritage. Biodiversity refers to the variability full range of living organisms in terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are apart. It is the genes, species (plants and animals), ecosystems, land or seascapes, as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that allow these elements of biodiversity to persist. This rich biodiversity underpins the diverse ecosystems that deliver ecosystem services that are of benefit to people, including the provision of basic services and goods such as clean air, water, food, medicine and fibre, as well as more complex services that regulate and mitigate our climate, protect us from natural disaster and provide us with a rich heritage of nature based cultural traditions. 2 Protecting natural habitats in priority areas is essential to halt the loss of biodiversity. Safeguarding sites important for biodiversity conservation provides substantial benefits to human well-being (Larsen et al. 2012). 2.1 Legal and policy context The following section provides a non exhaustive outline of the key biodiversity focused general legal provisions, which should guide biodiversity management and duty of care for Altron. Section 52 of the Biodiversity Act provides for the listing of Threatened or Protected Ecosystems. Threatened Ecosystems can be listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. In addition to listed ecosystems, there are several other ecosystems that warrant special conservation attention. These include: 2 See Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines policy document (2012) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 11

12 Ecosystems listed as Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs or Ecological Support Areas in bioregional or biodiversity sector plans. Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) represent biodiversity priority areas which should be maintained in a natural to near natural state. The CBA maps indicate the most efficient selection and classification of land portions requiring safeguarding in order to meet national biodiversity objectives. When incorporated into municipal Spatial Development Frameworks and bioregional plans, such fine-scale plans are recognized under the National Environment Management Act (NEMA) and various activities listed under the Act pertain. Ecosystems listed as Freshwater Ecosystem Priority areas in the National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas Project (NFEPAP). Ecosystems listed as high water yield areas or groundwater recharge areas, as listed by NFEPA (see above) Ecosystems that play an important role in the provision of ecosystem services Ecosystems that are important in playing a role in ecosystem based adaptation A summary of some of the relevant section of the Acts which govern the activities and potential impacts to biodiversity associated with development or economic activities are listed below: National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No 107, 1998): NEMA requires that measures are taken that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development. In addition: That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied: That a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions; and Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure 3. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) (Act 10 of 2004): The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) provides for listing threatened or protected ecosystems, in one of four categories: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) or Protected. The Draft National List of Threatened Ecosystems (Notice 1477 of 3 Authors emphasis, as this phrase is of particular reference to this study EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 12

13 2009, Government Gazette No 32689, 6 November 2009) has been gazetted for public comment. The list of threatened terrestrial ecosystems supersedes the information regarding terrestrial ecosystem status in the NSBA NEMBA also deals with endangered, threatened and otherwise controlled species, under the TOPS Regulations (Threatened or Protected Species Regulations). The Act provides for listing of species as threatened or protected, under one of the following categories: Critically Endangered: any indigenous species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Endangered: any indigenous species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, although it is not a critically endangered species. Vulnerable: any indigenous species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future; although it is not a critically endangered species or an endangered species. Protected species: any species which is of such high conservation value or national importance that it requires national protection. Species listed in this category include, among others, species listed in terms of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A TOPS permit is required for any activities involving any TOPS listed species. National Forests Act (No. 84 of 1998): The National Forests Act provides for the protection of forests as well as specific tree species, quoting directly from the Act: no person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any protected tree or possess, collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any protected tree or any forest product derived from a protected tree, except under a licence or exemption granted by the Minister to an applicant and subject to such period and conditions as may be stipulated. Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983): The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act provides for the regulation of control over the utilisation of the natural agricultural resources in order to promote the conservation of soil, water and vegetation and provides for combating weeds and invader plant species. The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act defines different categories of alien plants and those listed under Category 1 are prohibited and must be controlled while those listed under Category 2 must be grown within a demarcated area under permit. Category 3 plants includes ornamental plants that may no longer be planted but existing plants may remain provided that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent the spreading thereof, except within the floodline of water courses and wetlands. There are various other policy documents and acts (at a national, provincial and municipal level) which are relevant in terms of biodiversity management, which should be considered by Altron. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 13

14 2.2 Aim of this report This report gives key information regarding the proximity of Altron s selected infrastructures to high biodiversity areas, including areas with important ecological services and processes, and protected areas. This report also provides a desktop based preliminary and high level assessment of the potential impacts that current group operations might be having on biodiversity in the vicinity of the selected infrastructures. The report also strives to provide Altron with preliminary recommendations to address some of these potential impacts. This report recognizes that certain impacts are unavoidable but provides feedback as to where there are potential biodiversity risks. Limitations and assumptions: The study is limited in scope to spatial patterns of biodiversity and does not take into account specific processes that are affected by Altron operational activities and does not delve into the production processes that could have negative impacts on the environment. This would require field visits to each operation which was not within the scope of this study. This study is desktop based and therefore has intrinsic limitation regarding the level of the assessment. The study was limited to the main operation facilities and subsidiaries of Altron. All manufacturing facilities were analysed separately in detail due to the higher risks associated with manufacturing and production. The scope of the fine-scale, regional and national biodiversity assessment was limited to the South African facilities and operations of Altron. Furthermore the assessment was limited to direct biodiversity impact risk assessment, and were governed by the availability and accuracy of spatial data, for example, some provinces do not yet have Critical Biodiversity Area maps, and others have not been adequately ground-truthed. 3. Methodology 3.1 Tools - the measurement of biodiversity patterns South Africa has pioneered some of the best biodiversity science in the world and is at the forefront of developing spatial and non spatial information and tools for the management and conservation of biodiversity. These biodiversity information and tools assist in identifying and addressing impacts on biodiversity at the level of ecosystems and habitats. While management and conservation of biodiversity is often associated with formal reserves or protected areas, which are a key component of biodiversity management, the majority of important remaining biodiversity is found outside protected areas, on private or communal land in production landscapes and seascapes. In order to assess the impact of Altron operations on biodiversity, one needs to understand the various ways that commercial activities could impact biodiversity. Impacts on biodiversity and ecological services occur in the following broad categories: EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 14

15 Direct impacts directly linked to the development/activity (e.g. clearing of land, extraction of water, contamination of water bodies, sedimentation, etc.). Indirect impacts resulting from the development/activity, may occur beyond or downstream of the boundaries of the development site and/or after activity has ceased (e.g. migration of pollutants from waste sites, reduced flow in downstream rivers,). Induced impacts not directly attributable to the development/activity, but are anticipated to occur because of the presence of the development (e.g. impacts of associated industries, establishment of residential settlements with increased pressure on biodiversity). Cumulative impacts impacts from the development/activity combined with the impacts from past, existing and reasonably foreseeable future developments/activities that would affect the same biodiversity or natural resources (e.g. several factories in the same catchment collectively affected water quality or flow). Impacts may endure in the short term (e.g. during construction only), or may last for far longer, even decades or centuries, and may effectively be irreversible. This study was limited to the assessment of direct impacts. 3.2 Approach used in this study a. Use existing spatial biodiversity data to inform the analysis. South Africa has sophisticated information available on the biodiversity of the country and the associated services on which lives and livelihoods depend (e.g. healthy water resources). Based on the principles of systematic biodiversity planning, this information has been used to identify biodiversity priority areas (or critical biodiversity areas), which are features in the landscape or seascape that are important for conserving a representative sample of ecosystems and species, for maintaining ecological processes, or for the provision of ecosystem services. These district-wide biodiversity assessments are commissioned to inform Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs), Biodiversity Sector plans, Environmental Management Frameworks (EMFs), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The Biodiversity Assessments identify Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) which represent biodiversity priority areas which should be maintained in a natural to near natural state. The CBA maps indicate the most efficient selection and classification of land portions requiring safeguarding in order to meet national biodiversity objectives. Once gazetted, and incorporated into municipal SDFs and bioregional plans, such fine-scale plans are recognized under NEMA and the various activities listed under the act as described in Section 2.1 come into effect. The loss or degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in these biodiversity priority areas would be difficult or in some cases impossible to compensate or offset; there are no cost effective substitutes for many of the services they deliver. The degradation or loss of these services could have significant implications for people and economic activities downstream of these ecosystem service flows. Biodiversity priority areas should therefore inform and influence spatial land use policies and plans, including policies and plans for sustainable development. This data was obtained from the BGIS website, EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 15

16 a repository of biodiversity and ecosystem data on the South African National Biodiversity Institute website: The SANBI database collates the most up-to-date biodiversity data available, and is restricted to the borders of South Africa. b. Altron group operations in South Africa were assessed in relation to fine-scale local, regional and national biodiversity patterns (for direct biodiversity impacts). Biodiversity data that were considered (where relevant or available): Species - fauna and flora species, and species of special concern Vegetation types Ecosystems, including threatened ecosystems Wetlands and freshwater areas Critical biodiversity areas and ecological support areas, which play an important function in supporting biodiversity Current Protected Areas, including Marine Protected Areas and proposed expansion of Protected Areas c. Regional and local maps of the above spatial data within proximity to Altron operations were developed. Biodiversity mapping has been used as the primary method to identify the areas of most risk/impact from Altron s facilities. o o This data analysis was represented graphically in a Geographical Information System (GIS) database and outputted as maps at a regional and local scale. A desktop study was conducted to assess the presence and distribution of ecologically sensitive, species and habitats within close proximity of each Altron facility or office site. The sensitivity and distribution of the different operations present in each province was evaluated to produce a sensitivity map for all the Altron facilities. A broad sensitivity rating was assigned to each site with respect to two factors of impact. The impact rating is based on an expert analysis of the likelihood of impacts relevant to the type of biodiversity in the vicinity of each facility, examined on a case by case basis. By necessity this must be done by a subjective analysis, due to the limited scope which excludes field visits. Impact related to proximity to high biodiversity areas: HIGH = The facility has high risk as is located within a kilometre of a high biodiversity area or an area associated with important ecological services needed to maintain biodiversity EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 16

17 MEDIUM =The facility has medium risk as is located within several kilometres, or of ecologically relevant distance, of high biodiversity priority areas, and has medium risk of impacting that particular type of biodiversity. LOW= The facility is of low risk as is not located near any areas of high biodiversity value or ecologically important zones If the first impact factor was relatively high (i.e., High or Medium), then a sensitivity ranking was given related to the effect of the Altron facility and associated activities on the biodiversity within close proximity: HIGH =There are potentially high impacts associated with the presence or operations of a particular Altron facility on the biodiversity within close proximity MEDIUM =There are potentially significant risks of impacts associated with the presence or operations of a particular Altron facility on the biodiversity within close proximity LOW = There is a low probability that the facility imposes risk on biodiversity As no site visits were conducted within this study, the second category of impact ratings were by necessity based on deductions based on biodiversity science and on data gleaned from communications with Altron and an internet search around the activities of operations of particularly sensitive facilities. o o A description of potential biodiversity impact risk of Altron operations are given in relation to species, vegetation, ecosystems, wetlands, catchments, protected areas and critical support areas. Google Earth satellite images are used to graphically depict the context for each map and act as a very rough surrogate for a field visit from a spatial perspective (but not from a process perspective, it must be noted). Recommendations are given in regard to biodiversity impacts mitigation measures where relevant. d. Spatial database of Altron facilities Additionally, a database was developed of the spatial data of the Altron South African facilities, with GPS locations for easy use in future biodiversity and other spatial assessments. e. Broad guidelines are provided for future more comprehensive biodiversity assessments and management for the Altron group. General guidelines are given for managing biodiversity risk in business. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 17

18 f. Scope: The scope of the fine-scale, regional and national biodiversity assessments was limited to the South African facilities and operations of Altron, and limited to the branches as designated in the Altron group 2012 Operations and Services manual (accessed from in January 2013), in addition to the Altron entities excel sheet provided by Pieter van der Walt, Group Alliances Manager of Altron. 4. Results of Assessment The GPS locations for the Altron group facilities were first obtained from a combination of using Google Earth search engine and verification on company and business websites. Twenty maps in total were generated to graphically represent the biodiversity in close proximity to 153 South African Altron group operations, some of which are located at the same facility. Each was rated and this rating, along with the name, address, and the GPS position, has been captured in an EXCEL database. The accuracy of the locations is not within 5m, as no field visits were conducted and all locations were obtained from Google Earth searches and using company website GPS positions or maps. However, these were double-checked very carefully to ensure at least 10-50m accuracy. Where there were concerns, these were noted in the Excel database but the errors in accuracy are not at a scale where they could influence the results. 4.1 Sensitivity maps for Altron South Africa: National level EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 18

19 Figure1. National landscape biodiversity assessment of all Altron group facilities

20 As can be seen from the national scale, the Altron facilities are in general not within very close proximity to formally Protected Areas or within close proximity to potential new Protected Areas (National Protected Area Expansion Strategy data). It is also relevant to note that the Cape Town facilities all fall within the Cape Floristic region, which is considered a Biodiversity Hotspot because of the high fynbos plant species richness. Even within Cape Town, there is high species richness, as the Table Mountain chain alone has more plant species than Great Britain. Some operations are within Important Bird Areas, thus any facilities in these areas which have potential bird mortality risk need to be carefully managed for mitigation. These facilities are examined in more detail in the next Section 4.2. Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Vegetation Ecosystem Protection Level Altron Group's Facilities Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities Vegetation Ecosystem Protection Level: Hardly protected Moderately protected N/A Not protected Poorly protected Well protected Marine Protected Areas (2011): Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 2. National assessment of Altron group facilities according to Vegetation Ecosystem Protection status As can be deduced from the above map of the protection level status of South African vegetation ecosystems, many of the Altron facilities are located in ecosystems that are hardly or poorly protected. It is worth noting again that much of our biodiversity lies outside protected areas and it thus rests on society to manage and protect our biodiversity. South Africa has particularly high levels of biodiversity in a global context and there is therefore an added onus on civil society to protect our resources. Altron facilities within close proximity to high biodiversity outside protected areas will be examined at a higher resolution in Section 4.2.

21 4.2 Sensitivity maps of Altron South Africa: Provincial and local level Western Cape Several of the Altron group operations occur in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The main Altron group facilities near sensitive areas have each been examined individually due to the highly sensitive nature of the Cape flora, especially the Fynbos fragments. Fynbos is a highly threatened vegetation type, and the Fynbos Biome is considered one of Conservation International s Biodiversity Hotspots globally. Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron group facilities located in Cape Town Altech Isis TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Crabtree Montague Gardens BHS CT BDS Milnerton Lasercom CT Arrow Altech Milnerton BHS Century City BUS Century City ACS CT Altech Netstar Century City BUS CT Altech Matomo CT BMS CT BDS CT BDS Maitland BPS CT BSI CT RONDEBOSCH COMMON Willard CT Powertech Transformers Altron group's Manufacturing Facilities Altron group's Facilities NFEPA Rivers NFEPA Wetlands Biodiversity Network of the City of Cape Town: CBA 1A CBA 1B CBA 1C CBA 1D CBA 1E CBA 2 OTHER NATURAL VEGETATION PROTECTED N 0 8 Kilometers Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 3. The Cape Town Altron group facilities biodiversity assessment Operation: Altech Isis: Location: 1 Thibault Square LG Building 23rd Floor cnr. Long & Hans Strydom Street Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape Sensitivity: Medium (Low). EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 21

22 Figure 4. Satellite image of the Altron group facility: Altech Isis The Altech Isis Office is based in Cape Town, on the 23/24 th floor of a high-rise building in an urban landscape but Cape Town is a unique city, with a renowned nature reserve within its boundaries. Altech Isis is only 1.44km from Table Mountain National Park, a nationally protected area, and 3.2 km from a Marine Protected Area. However the overall impact is low as the Altech Isis is an office, and thus has low overall impacts on its surroundings. Altech Isis is however fairly close to an estuarine area of Liesbeek, which, although it is a transformed urban river, should be carefully managed by all stakeholders to ensure, at the very least, maintenance of ecosystem function. Altech Isis is located only 830m from a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA1D = Irreplaceable Consolidation Sites), according to the City of Cape Town s bioregional plan, but this is unlikely to be impacted by the computer programming activities at the facility. Recommendations: The Liesbeek is an urban transformed river within the Cape Town metropole and as the Altech Isis office falls so close to the old estuarine floodplains (of a fairly high priority rank 2 (NFEPA)), it is recommended that Altech joins existing stakeholder efforts to maintain the ecosystem health of the river; a good partnership already exists between Friends of the Liesbeek and the City of Cape Town. Altron could also decide to ensure the protection of the CBA in close proximity to its office. In order to so, it is suggested for Altron to approach the City of Cape Town to determine how best it could support the protection and conservation of the CBA and the TMNP. It is also important to ensure that Altron infrastructure development and impacts from the supply chain and use of products do not affect the abovementioned areas. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 22

23 Operation: Bytes Universal Solutions and Altech Netstar (Century City branch) Location: The Gatehouse, Units 104 and 105 Century Way, Century City, Cape Town, Western Cape Sensitivity: Medium (Low). Figure 5. Satellite image of the Altron group facility: Bytes Universal Systems The Bytes Universal Solutions (BUS) office is located near several areas of high biodiversity, including being 300m from a Critical Biodiversity Area level (CBA 1A = Irreplaceable core flora site), ca 920m from CBA 1B and 1D (Irreplaceable consolidation sites and Irreplaceable high and medium sites) and 1.5km from a CBA 2 (Restorable irreplaceable site), according to the City of Cape Town s bioregional plan. However as the BUS is an office-based facility and therefore limited production activities occur at the office which could impact the biodiversity in the area, it has a fairly low risk for biodiversity. As can be seen from Figure 5 it is located within an existing urban landscape. Altech Netstar is even closer to areas of high biodiversity, within 100m of CBA1A,Blouvlei, which is an Irreplaceable Core Flora Site, and within 500m of CBA 1B and CBA 1D (see above). Recommendations: BUS and Altech Netstar need to be aware of the potential for their operations to impact on high biodiversity areas in close proximity to their offices and manage the office environment accordingly. It is important for Altron to ensure that it does not impact negatively on the CBAs in proximity of its operations. Altron could also decide to ensure the protection of the CBA in close proximity to its office. In order to so, it is suggested for Altron to approach to City of Cape Town to determine how best it could support the protection and conservation of the CBAs. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 23

24 Operation: Bytes Systems Integration (Cape Town) Sensitivity: Medium (Low) Biodiversity Assessment Study This facility is within 200m of a CBA rank 2, which indicates a fragment of vegetation of Irreplaceable Restorable Condition. It is also within 300m of the Black river, but this river is in a very poor condition (Class E:F, NFEPA). Recommendation: Contact the City of Cape Town authorities to cooperate in the management and restoration of the CBA. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Connect (Bytes CT) and Bytes People Solutions (BPS CT)(at same location) Sensitivity: Low(Low) These operations are within the same building, which is located on an old floodplain and thus has high potential impacts on the riverine system. However, since this is the Liesbeek, a river of highly modified rank (Class E:F, NFEPA), and since these facilities are offices, they do not have a high impact. The estuarine wetland is of fairly high rank (2), according to NFEPA. Recommendation: The Liesbeek is an urban transformed river within the Cape Town metropole and as the facility falls so close to the old estuarine floodplain, it is recommended that the facility joins existing stakeholder efforts to maintain the ecosystem health of the river; a good partnership already exists between Friends of the Liesbeek and the City of Cape Town. This facility must be managed to ensure no harmful impacts on the wetland. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Document Solutions (BDS CT and BDS Maitland branches) Sensitivity: Low(Low) These facilities are not near a critical biodiversity area (over 2.7km) or wetland (over 1.3km). Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10. Operation: Cape Town: Willard (Willard CT) Sensitivity: Low(Low) This facility is not near a critical biodiversity area or wetland. Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS CT) and Altech Matomo and Radio (Altech Matomo CT) Sensitivity: Low(Low) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 24

25 These facilities are not near a critical biodiversity area or wetland. BMS is within 200m, and Altech Matomo is within 700m, of the Elsieskraal, a river of highly modified rank (Class E:F, NFEPA). Since these facilities are offices, they do not have a high impact Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10, in particular the water-related recommendations. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Healthcare Solutions (BHS CT) Sensitivity: Low(Low) This facility is 1.3km from a critical biodiversity area (CBA2), a highly transformed wetland (over 600m) and the highly modified Elsieskraal river. Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Universal Solutions (BUS CT) Sensitivity: Low(Low) This facility is not near a critical biodiversity area, but is within 250m of an artificial wetland of low rank (rank=6, NFEPA). Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10, in particular the water-related recommendations. Operation: Cape Town: Bytes Document Solutions in Milnerton (BDS Milnerton); Arrow Altech Distributions (Arrow Altech Milnerton); Lasercom Sensitivity: Low(Low) These facilities are not near a critical biodiversity area, river or wetland. Since these facilities are offices, they do not have a high impact Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10. Operation: Cape Town: Altech Card Solutions (ACS) and Altech Nupay (at same location); Bytes Healthcare Solutions (BHS at Century City) Sensitivity: Low(Low) These facilities are within 1km of a critical biodiversity area (CBA 1A, a core irreplaceable flora site). Recommendations: Please refer to the generic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10. It is suggested for Altron to approach to City of Cape Town to determine how best it could support the protection and conservation of CBAs. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 25

26 Operation: Cape Town: At same location - Tridonic; Powertech Aberdare (CT); Crabtree (Montague Gardens) Sensitivity: Medium(Low) These operations at one facility are 1.3km from a critical biodiversity area (CBA1D), an irreplaceable consolidation site. Recommendations: This facility needs to be aware of the potential for their operations to impact on high biodiversity areas in close proximity to their offices and manage the office environment accordingly. It is important for Altron to ensure that it does not impact negatively on the CBAs in proximity of its operations. Altron could also decide to ensure the protection of the CBA in close proximity to this office. In order to so, it is suggested for Altron to approach to City of Cape Town to determine how best it could support the protection and conservation of the CBA. Operation: Cape Town: Powertech Calidus Sensitivity: Medium(Low) This operation is within 650m of a CBA 2, critical biodiversity area, a restorable irreplaceable site, and within 1km of another CBA1D (Irreplaceable consolidation site). It is also within 1.2km of the Diep river (Class C: Moderately modified, NFEPA) and its associated estuarine wetlands of fairly high rank (2, NFEPA). Recommendations: This facility needs to be aware of the potential for their operations to impact on high biodiversity areas in close proximity to their offices and manage the office environment accordingly. It is important for Altron to ensure that it does not impact negatively on the CBAs in proximity of its operations. Altron could also decide to ensure the protection of the CBAs in close proximity to this office. In order to so, it is suggested for Altron to approach to City of Cape Town to determine how best it could support the protection and conservation of the CBA. Operation: Altech Swisstech Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: Low (Low) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 26

27 Biodiversity Assessment Study Altron Biodiversity Assessment Stellenbosch Region, Western Cape Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Biodiversity Network of the City of Cape Town: CBA 1A CBA 1B CBA 1C CBA 1D CBA 1E CBA 2 OTHER NATURAL VEGETATION PROTECTED Vegetation Ecosystem Protection Level: Hardly protected Moderately protected N/A Not protected Poorly protected Well protected te Eers Blouk lip Altech Swisttech 1 0 N 1 Kilometers Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 6. Biodiversity assessment of the Stellenbosch site: Altech Swisstech Altron Biodiversity Assessment Stellenbosch region te Eers Blouk lip Altech Swisttech Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Wetlands Biodiversity Network of the City of Cape Town: CBA 1A CBA 1B CBA 1C CBA 1D CBA 1E CBA 2 OTHER NATURAL VEGETATION PROTECTED NFEPA Rivers Vegetation Ecosystem Protection Level: Hardly protected Moderately protected N/A Not protected Poorly protected Well protected N Kilometers Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 7. Biodiversity assessment of the Altron group facility: Altech Swisstech in terms of Ecosystem Protection Level EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 27

28 Figure 8. Satellite image of the Altron group facility: Altech Swisstech There is currently no bioregional map of biodiversity priority areas within the Stellenbosch area but Swisstech is fairly close to the Cape Town bioregional plan and in particular is 8.3km from a Critical Biodiversity Area rank 1C (Minimum set high and medium condition sites). As there is no regional plan for the Stellenbosch area, the site was compared to the following layers: Ecosystem status and Protected Areas, as well as the NFEPA layer. Swisstech is 1.6km from the Jonkershoek river and is located in an ecosystem listed as Critically Endangered and at the boundary of an ecosystem listed as Endangered (see Figure 7). Recommendations: As the office is not a production unit, its associated activities are not of direct impact to the immediate environment. Swisstech is also within 8.9km of a proposed Protected Expansion Area, but this would only constitute a risk if the office was located nearby or within this zone. Please see the strategic recommendations at the end of the report for generic guidelines for management of office facilities in a biodiversity context. Operations: BMS George (Bytes Managed Solutions); Altech Netstar George; Crabtree George Locations: George, Western Cape. See Excel database for GPS and address details Sensitivity: See below EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 28

29 Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities George BMS George Altech Netstar George Crabtree George Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Garden Route Critical Biodiversity Area Plan: Critical Biodiversity Areas Ecological Support Areas Protected Areas National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Important Bird Areas 0 10 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 9. Biodiversity assessment of the George Altron group facilities BMS George and Altech Netstar George are both considered Low (Low). Both facilities are fairly distant (within 2km) from a large Important Bird Area, around the Outeniqua mountains and far from other local biodiversity 4.5km from the Garden Route National Park - but only 1.5km away from an Ecological Support Area (Garden Route Critical Biodiversity map) and protected area corridor extending out from the Garden Route National Park. Recommendations (BMs George; Altech Netstar George): The CBA plan specifically refers this corridor as being important for stakeholders to protect remaining natural vegetation and rehabilitate degraded vegetation. Employees should be aware of the value of the area in supporting a diversity of important bird species. Crabtree George is considered a Low (Low) risk on biodiversity as it is 3km from the abovementioned IBA and 5km+ from the Protected Area. It is situated within an urban area. It is worth noting though that it is 400m from an Ecological Support Area, of which the CBA management recommendations are to maintain ecosystem services (Garden Route Critical Biodiversity map). Recommendations (Crabtree George): This facility s staff needs to be aware of this area s sensitivity and not allow waste or water cycles to impact services associated with this area, such as runoff, water quality, vegetation cover, air quality, dispersal corridors for urban wildlife, etc. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 29

30 4.2.2 Eastern Cape Operations: Powertech Abderdare (PE branch); Crabtree (PE branch); BMS PE (Bytes Managed Solutions in PE); BMS Newtnpark (Bytes Managed Solutions in Newton Park, PE area); Bytes Connect (PE branch); BDS (Bytes Document Solutions in PE); Altech Netstar (PE Branch); Altech Matomo (PE); BHS (Bytes Healthcare Solutions in PE) Locations: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. See Excel database for GPS and address details Sensitivity: See below Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Port Elizabeth Bakens Swartkops Estuary, Redhouse & Chatty Salt Powertech Aberdare PE Papkuilsrivier Crabtree PE Altech Matomo PE BMS PE BDS PE BMS NewtnPark Bytes Connect PE Altech Netstar PE BHS PE Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Important Bird Areas Eastern Cape Terrestrial CBA Map CBA 1 CBA 2 CBA Kilo me ters N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 10. Biodiversity assessment of the Port Elizabeth Altron group facilities Powertech Aberdare PE branch is considered Medium(Low) risk as it is within 700m of a major estuary, of high ranking (2, NFEPA) and associated with threatened bird habitat and is classified as an Important Bird Area (the Swartkops estuary, RedHouse and Chatty Salt IBA). It is also listed as NFEPA Wetland 1, as one of the highest priority wetlands to conserve in the country. Recommendation (Powertech Aberdare PE): It is therefore critical to manage this facility to have a very low impact on immediate surrounds, especially in terms of water discharges, chemical spills, polluted runoff or anything else that may impact the wetland. It is also recommended that this facility engage in the estuarine conservation management and participate in stakeholder meetings around its use. It would be worthwhile to play a role in monitoring any endangered bird species in the vicinity. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 30

31 Figure 11. Satellite image of the Altron group facility: Powertech Aberdare PE The other Altron group PE branch facilities are all Low(Low) risk and are not close to critical biodiversity areas. Crabtree PE; BDS PE; Bytes Connect PE, Altech Netstar PE, BHS PE, BMS PE, BMS NewtnPrk and Altech Matomo PE are all within 1km of Bakens river and within 900m of a Vulnerable vegetation type, according to the Eastern Cape Terrestrial CBA map (level CBA3), but as existing land use was not integrated into the analysis of this particular biodiversity map, it is unlikely that there is significant stretches of natural vegetation left in this zone. The satellite images show this to be true. Recommendations (PE: Crabtree; Bytes Document Solutions; Bytes Connect; Altech Netstar; Bytes Healthcare Solutions: Bytes Managed Solutions (PE & Newton Park branches); Altech Matomo): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Operations: BMS EL (Bytes Managed Solutions in EL); Crabtree (EL) Location: East London, Eastern Cape. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 31

32 Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities East London EAST LONDON S BMS EL Crabtree EL Buffalo Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers S Major Town Eastern Cape Terrestrial CBA Map CBA 1 CBA 2 CBA 3 Marine Protected Areas (2011): 0 2 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 12. Biodiversity assessment of the East London Altron group facilities On the Eastern Cape CBA map the Altron group branches in East London (EL) are within 4km of the Amathole Marine Protected Area and 1km from a CBA2 (critically endangered vegetation type and an important expert-identified corridor for biodiversity in the urban landscape, which is situated around the Buffalo river). The facilities are located within a CBA1 region, designated as such because it acts as a biodiversity corridor, but is within an urban transformed part of the area (the land use cover was not integrated with this particular bioregional plan so its results must be interpreted in line with the existing land use). The Crabtree EL facility is rated as Low(Low) and is 700m from river. Recommendations (Crabtree EL): As the facility is not within close proximity to critical biodiversity, please refer to the Water and Generic Recommendations (Sections 8 and 9). BMS EL is rated as Medium (Low), as although the GIS data shows no close critical biodiversity, it is located within 200m of an unnamed river and the satellite images show it to be within very close proximity of dense natural vegetation, which probably provides critical ecosystem services and a corridor for biodiversity (see Figure 14 below). Recommendations (BMS EL): As it is not known what the nature and status of this natural vegetation is, the Strategic Recommendations for facilities located near water sources at the end of this report apply. It is also recommended that Crabtree EL become more involved as a key stakeholder in the conservation and management of this corridor. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 32

33 Figure 13. Satellite image of the Altron group facilities in East London: BMS and Crabtree Northern Cape Operations: Altech Netstar (Kimberley); Bytes Document Solutions (Kimberley branch) Location: Kimberley, Northern Cape. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below No CBA map has yet been produced for the area around Kimberley. Altech Netstar Kimberley and BDS KMB are rated as Low(Low) as they are far from known key biodiversity areas, - within 6 and 9km of two Important Bird Areas (Benfontein Wetland and Kamfers dam respectively, both listed as Priority 1 wetlands) and 30km from a Protected Area, (Mokala National Park). Recommendations (Kimberley: Altech Netstar and Bytes Document Solutions): Although these facilities are distant from the nearest critical biodiversity, the Kimberley region is poorly protected and its biodiversity is under threat from climate change. Arid ecosystems are particularly sensitive and take decades to recover, therefore it would be recommended that Altron group takes a leadership role in the conservation of critical freshwater systems in arid areas and engage with the Kamfers Dam conservation strategy by contacting the provincial nature authorities in this regard. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 33

34 4.2.4 Free State Operations: Altech Netstar (Bloemfontein); Bytes Document Solutions (Bloemfontein branch); Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS Bloem); Crabtree Bloemfontein (Powertech Aberdare Bloem at same location); Powertech Willard (Bloemfontein); Bytes Document Solutions (University of Free State branch, located in Bloemfontein) Location: Bloemfontein, Free State. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Bloemfontein Bloemspruit BDS Bloem Altech Netstar Bloem BDS UFS S BLOEMFONTEIN Crabtree Bloem Willard Bloem BMS Bloem Altron Group's Facilities S Major Town NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Threatened Ecosystems Conservation Status (2011): Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable 0 5 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 14. Biodiversity assessment of the Bloemfontein Altron group facilities There is currently no CBA plan for the Free State although one is currently in development and it is recommended that the Altron group branches in the Free State access this bioregional plan once it has been developed to ensure there are no critical biodiversity risks. BDS (Bloemfontein), BDS (UFS branch), Altech Netstar (Bloemfontein) facilities are all rated Low(Low), the only critical area being that the latter facility is within 400m of a wetland associated with the low rank, the Bloemspruit River. The Powertech Willard Bloemfontein facility is also within 500m of a river but in view of the urban context and transformed nature of the river, it is rated only as Low(Low). Crabtree Bloemfontein is rated as Low(Low) as, although it s within 100m of a river, this is a small river and this facility is not likely to have high impacts on this river. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 34

35 Recommendations (Bloemfontein: Bytes Document Solutions (Bloemfontein and University of Free State branches); Altech Netstar; Powertech Willard; Crabtree (Powertech Aberdare)): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. All the facilities are within 2km of a Vulnerable Ecosystem type Bloemfontein Dry Grassland therefore any supplier impacts on this unique vegetation type should be assessed and mitigated. BMS (Bloemfontein) is very close to a water resource with associated vegetation and important services according to the NFEPA map and the satellite image. As it is within 100m of a river and 20m of a wetland, although of low rank (NFEPA 6), it is given a rank of Medium(Low). Recommendation (BMS in Bloemfontein): As the proper control of any impacts associated with this facility on the river system is essential to maintain long-term ecological services in this urban landscape. As this is an office facility, its activities are unlikely to have process impacts on the water resources, but employee awareness around river management should be undertaken to keep human impacts, such as littering, roadkill, at a low level, and the facility should participate in cooperative management of urban stakeholders around maintaining these ecological resources. As the facility is within 2km of a Vulnerable Ecosystem type Bloemfontein Dry Grassland any supplier impacts on this unique vegetation type should be assessed and mitigated. Figure 15. Satellite image of the Bloemfontein facilities: Crabtree and BMS EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 35

36 Operations: Altech Netstar (Welkom); Powertech Aberdare (Welkom) Location: Welkom, Free State. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below Altech Netstar Welkom and Powertech Aberdare Welkom are both rated as Low(Low). However, the Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland is an Endangered Ecosystem type very close in location to the Powertech Aberdare Welkom branch (100m) and 400m from Altech Netstar (Welkom). There is also a fairly large but low (6)-ranked wetland (NFEPA) within 1km of Powertech Aberdare. As can be seen from the satellite image below, although the facilities are not close to any Protected Area, Powertech Aberdare is right on the edge of the town; it is not clear who owns the land alongside, if it s a mining zone, but Powertech Aberdare should ensure no activities negatively impact the ecological services associated with this natural vegetation. Recommendations (Welkom: Altech Netstar and Powertech Aberdare): Powertech Aberdare should ensure no activities negatively impact the ecological services associated with the natural vegetation on the edge of town and there should be no dumping of waste in this area. Any supplier impacts on the Vaal- Vet Sandy Grassland vegetation type should be assessed and mitigated. Figure 16. Satellite image of Welkom Altron group facility: Powertech Aberdare EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 36

37 4.2.5 North West Operations: Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS Klerksdorp); Powertech Willard (Klerksdorp) Location: Klerksdorp, North West. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Klerksdorp Skoonspruit S KLERKSDORP BMS Klerksdorp Willard Klerksdorp Altron Group's Facilities S Major Town NFEPA Rivers NFEPA Wetlands National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Important Bird Areas North West Terrestrial Critical Biodiversity Areas CBA1 CBA2 Middle Vaal River 0 2 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 17. Biodiversity assessment of the Klerksdorp Altron group facilities The Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS) Klerksdorp facility is situated within 50m of the Skoonspruit, a tributary of the Palmietspruit, which is classified as highly modified (NFEPA), and therefore of low biodiversity value. Both the Powertech Willard Klerksdorp facility (400m from the Palmietspruit) and the BMS facility are within 1-1.5km of a CBA, which is classified by the North West Terrestrial CBA map as a biodiversity corridor, consisting of hills and ridges and contain a Vulnerable vegetation type (Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland). Both sites are also within 8km of a proposed protected area expansion area. However the surrounding areas are very transformed by agriculture and as the facilities are within the urban zone, it is unlikely they are of high risk to close biodiversity; as such they are rated Low(Low). Recommendations (Klerksdorp: Bytes Managed Solutions and Powertech Willard): The facilities are located within an urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Any supplier impacts on the Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland vegetation type should be assessed and mitigated. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 37

38 Operations: Powertech Willard (Rustenburg); Bytes Document Solution (BDS Mempark in Rustenburg); Bytes Document Solutions (BDS in Rustenburg); Altech Netstar Rustenburg Location: Rustenburg, North West. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below All the Altron group facilities listed above are rated as Low(Low), as the facilities are situated very deep within the urban landscape and far from local biodiversity. However Rustenburg itself is situated within a CBA and over 1.5km from CBA1 (Protected Area Development Zone or Biodiversity Corridor, which consists of Hills and Ridges with biodiversity features identified by experts) and the facilities are all over 2km from the Hex river. It is also located within the broader Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg Important Bird Area and is thus a hotspot for bird diversity and/or breed Recommendations (Rustenburg: Powertech Willard; Bytes Document Solutions (Rustenburg, including Memorial Park); Altech Netstar): Although the Altron group facilities are not in very close proximity to local biodiversity, it is clear that cognizance should be taken that the surrounding landscape is vulnerable and should be protected from unsustainable development. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Any supplier impacts on the Important Bird Area in terms of habitat degradation should be assessed and mitigated Gauteng The Gauteng Altron facilities are of varying sensitivities, as discerned from their varying proximity to the areas of high biodiversity value within the Gauteng Critical Biodiversity map (Gauteng C-Plan) and from data layers of important wetlands and rivers, and places which are prioritized for the protected areas expansion strategy. Operations: Powertech IST (Pretoria); Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS in Pretoria); Bytes Document Solutions (BDS in Pretoria); Bytes Managed Solutions Hennops (BMS in the Hennops area); Altech Fleetcall in Centurion; Bytes People Solutions (Pretoria); Bytes Healthcare Solutions (Pretoria) Location: Pretoria, Gauteng. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: See below EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 38

39 Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Gauteng Hennops PRETOR IAS Voortrekker Monument Apies BDS Pretoria BMS Pretoria Faerie Glen PT IST BPS Pretoria BHS Pretoria Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Rivers NFEPA Wetlands S Major Town Gauteng Critical Biodiversity Areas: Ecological Support Area Important Area Irreplaceable Area Protected Area AF Centurion BMS Hennops Rietvlei Dam 0 6 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 18. Biodiversity assessment of the Altron group facilities in Gauteng: map 1 BDS Pretoria is rated as Low(Low); it is 1km away from a Class C River, Hartebeespruit river, which is moderately modified (NFEPA). Powertech IST (PT IST) and BPS Pretoria are both rated as Low(Low), although within 100 to 400m of a small Ecological Support Area and an Important Area for primary vegetation (Gauteng C-plan). Their impacts as office facilities are not high on these areas. BMS Hennops and BHS Pretoria are rated as Low(Low) as they do not pose any risk to local biodiversity. Recommendations (Pretoria: Bytes Document Solutions; Bytes Managed Solutions (Hennops region); Powertech IST, Bytes People Solutions; Bytes Healthcare Solutions): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. BMS Pretoria is rated as Medium(Low). It is located 1km from a Class C river, the Moretele River, which is moderately modified (NFEPA). The facility is within 400m of a CBA classified as an Important Area, because of Red-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation, and a small CBA classified as an Ecological Support Area. It is also within 1 km of the Faerie Glen Protected Area. Altech Fleetcall (Centurion) is rated as Medium(Low)as it is situated within m of an Irreplaceable Area in terms of Red Listed (endangered) bird and Red Listed mammal species habitat; it is also close to EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 39

40 the Ecological Support Area, around the Hennops river, which feeds the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, a protected area 3.5km away. Recommendations (Bytes Managed Solutions (Pretoria) and Altech Fleetcall in Centurion): These facilities should therefore contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of the Moretele and Hennops river and their support areas, and be involved in monitoring Red-Listed species. It is critical to ensure that Altron does not directly or indirectly impact these areas. Considering the proximity to these critical biodiversity areas, the Altron group needs to support protection of the Irreplaceable fragments. Figure 19. Satellite image of Altron group facilities in Gauteng Operations: Strike (Midrand); Altech Netstar FS (Fleet Solutions); Altech Office; Bytes People Solutions JHB (BPS in Johannesburg); Bytes Healthcare Solutions (BHS Midrand); Altech Autopage (Midrand); Bytes People Solutions Midrand (BPS in Midrand); Altech Matomo (Johannesburg); Bytes Head Office; Powertech Offices; Bytes Government Solutions (BGS in Rivonia); Bytes Universal Solutions (BUS in Rivonia); Altech Card Solutions (Johannesburg) Alcon Marepha was excluded from the analysis as it is not under Altron management. Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: See below EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 40

41 Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Gauteng Strike Midrand Sandspruit Altech Netstar FS BPS JHB BHS Midrand Bytes Connect Midrand Altech Autopage Midrand BPS Midrand Strike JHB Powertech Offices Altech Matomo JHB Bytes Head Office Altech Office BGS Rivonia BUS Rivonia ACS JHB Alcon Marepha Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Rivers NFEPA Wetlands Gauteng Critical Biodiversity Areas: Ecological Support Area Important Area Irreplaceable Area Protected Area 0 3 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 20. Biodiversity assessment of the Gauteng Altron group facilities: map 2

42 Figure 21. Satellite image of Altron group facilities in Gauteng Operations: Powertech House (inclusive of Powertech Switchgear and Powertech Insulation); Altech Alcom Radio Distributors (inclusive of Altech Alcom Matomo); Bytes Head Office; Bytes Government Solutions (Rivonia); Bytes Universal Solutions (Rivonia) Sensitivities: Low(Low) The Powertech facilities are within 500m of an Important Area (Orange-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation). The Altech Alcom Radio Distributors (inclusive of Altech Alcom Matomo (AAM)), Bytes Head Office, Bytes Universal Solutions, and Bytes Government Solutions are of fairly low impact as regards their proximity to biodiversity in the landscape, but they are situated between two streams, the Sandspruit and Braamfonteinspruit. Both of these rivers are Class D: Largely Modified but are associated with a narrow strip of an Important Area CBA valuable from a biodiversity perspective because of the presence of Orange-Listed plant habitat, Red-Listed mammal habitat and primary vegetation. There is also an Ecological Support Area associated with this strip, which provides ecological services in the area. Recommendations (Johannesburg: Powertech Switchgear and Insulation; Altech Alcom Radio Distributors; Altech Alcom Matomo; Bytes Head Office; Bytes Government Solutions (Rivonia); Bytes Universal Solutions (Rivonia)): As the sites are offices and not production plants, it is unlikely they are having a high impact on these services. Manage the facilities operational activities to ensure minimal impact on surrounding natural environment; avoid any type of water pollution and ensure no degradation of the Important Areas.

43 Operation: Altech Offices Sensitivity: Medium(Low) The Altech offices are located within 850m of an Irreplaceable Area, which is therefore considered of high value in the landscape from a biodiversity aspect. This fragment is considered irreplaceable due to the presence of Red-Listed Plant habitat, Orange-listed plant species, Red-listed mammal species and Red- Listed bird habitat, Orange-Listed plant habitat, and primary vegetation associated with this fragment. The Jukskei River runs through this highly important habitat and the Irreplaceable Area is surrounded by Important Areas and Ecological Support Areas. Although the value of biodiversity so close to the Altech offices means it has a relatively high impact (medium) the influence of the Offices on the area are likely to be low. Recommendation: Manage the facility s operational activities to ensure minimal footprint on the Irreplaceable Area. The Altron office facility needs to conserve the Irreplaceable CBA area; it is recommended that Altron works with the relevant authorities and takes on corporate responsibility to protect this urban environment. Operations: Altech Autopage Cellular; Bytes Healthcare Solutions; Bytes People Solutions (inclusive of Bytes Conference Centre, Bytes Connect, TSPI Group, Bytes Systems Integration); Altech Netstar Midrand (including Altech Netstar Fleet Solutions, Altech Netstar International; Altech Netstar Traffic); Bytes People Solutions (Midrand) Sensitivities: Low(Low) Altech Autopage Cellular (Midrand), Bytes Healthcare Solutions (Midrand) and Bytes Conference Centre (including at the same location: Bytes Connect, TSPI Group, Bytes People Solutions (JHB) and Bytes Systems Integration) and Altech Netstar (including Altech Netstar Fleet Solutions, Altech Netstar International, Altech Netstar Traffic) are all evaluated to have Low impacts, due to the low proximity to areas of high biodiversity value. Bytes Healthcare Solutions is within 150m of an artificial wetland and associated ecological support areas but these are highly modified and unlikely to have high biodiversity value. Bytes Conference Centre (and the associated facilities, see above) is within 1km of an Important Area in terms of Orange-Listed and Red-Listed Plant habitat (Gauteng C-Plan) but its impact, given the distance and urban context and nature of the business, is low. Bytes People Solutions (Midrand) and Bytes Connect (Midrand) are of low proximity to critical biodiversity. Recommendations (Johannesburg: Altech Autopage Cellular (Midrand), Bytes Healthcare Solutions (Midrand); Bytes Conference Centre (including at the same location: Bytes Connect, TSPI Group, Bytes People Solutions (JHB) and Bytes Systems Integration); Altech Netstar (including Altech Netstar Fleet Solutions, Altech Netstar International, Altech Netstar Traffic)): Manage these facilities operational activities to ensure minimal impact on surrounding natural environment. Ensure the Conference Centre has a low environmental footprint, and that its operations do not impact the Important Area. The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 43

44 Recommendations (Johannesburg, Midrand: Bytes People Solutions and Bytes Connect): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Operations: Altech Card Solutions: Sensitivity: Medium(Low) Altech Card Solutions (ACS) is rated Medium(Low) as it is fairly close (250m) to an Ecological Support Area associated with the Modderfontein river and associated wetlands, and within 400m of an Important Area (because of Orange-Listed plant habitat and Red-Listed mammal habitat) associated with the Jukskei River. Recommendations: Although the risks for biodiversity are not likely to be of high impact to biodiversity or services due to the nature of the office environment, it is recommended that ACS support the protection and conservation efforts of these areas, in particular the conservation of the Modderfontein area and the Jukskei River. Operation: Strike Technologies (inclusive of Technology Integrated Solutions) Sensitivity: Medium (Low) Figure 22. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Strike Technologies EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 44

45 Strike Technologies (inclusive of Technology Integrated Solutions) is within 300m of an Irreplaceable Area, which is deemed of high biodiversity concern because of its primary vegetation, Red-Listed plant habitat and Red-Listed invertebrate habitat (Gauteng C-Plan) and is 200m from the associated Ecological Support Area. This is a facility with light industrial activities. It is also within 500m and 1km of several sizeable Important Areas, thus placing it in a mosaic of important areas with biodiversity concern. Recommendations: Activities of this site should be closely monitored to determine potential impact on these important biodiversity elements. The facility s operational activities need to be more closely evaluated in order to ascertain and, if necessary, isolate any impacts on the surrounding natural environment. The Strike Technology facility needs to conserve the Irreplaceable CBA area; it is recommended that the management works with the relevant authorities and takes on corporate responsibility to protect this urban environment. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 45

46 BMS Krugersdorp BDS 1333 JHB Altech GDL Randbrg Bytes Lasercom Rndbrg Klein-Jukskei BMS JHB Willard JHB Bytes Connect 42 Melrose Sandspruit BPS Midrand Strike JHB Bytes Connect Aeroport BDS JHB Powertech Aberdare Elndsfntn BMS Boksburg Battech Enerys PT Altron House Arrow Altech Distr Bytes Connect Boksburg Bytes Lasercom JHB BDS Denver Jukskei Powertech Aberdare JHB Modderfontein Natalspruit Altech Nupay JHB Elsburgspruit Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Altron Group facilities Gauteng Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA Rivers NFEPA Wetlands Gauteng Critical Biodiversity Areas: Ecological Support Area Important Area Irreplaceable Area Protected Area 0 3 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 23. Biodiversity assessment of the Altron group facilities in Gauteng: map 3

47 Operation: Bytes Managed Solutions (Krugersdorp) Sensitivity: Low(Low) This facility is within 1km of an Irreplaceable Area (Orange-Listed Plant Habitat, Red-Listed Bird and Mammal Habitat and primary vegetation). Recommendation: It is recommended that Bytes Managed Solutions management ensure there is no impact on this Irreplaceable Area through operations or activities of the staff. Operation: Altech Global Decoder Logistics (GDL)(Randburg) and Bytes Lasercom (Randburg) Sensitivity: Low (Low) Altech GDL is located 500m from Klein Juksei, an important ecological support area. As it is not a factory, but does practice light industrial activities, its impacts are likely to be of low significance as there is a low possibility of impact on the river and its associated biodiversity due to the nature of the intervening landscape, and its context within an urban environment. The river within the vicinity of GDL and Bytes Lasercom has low biodiversity (Class D Largely Modified) (NFEPA). Recommendation: The facility is located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Operations: LaserCom (NorPaper): Sensitivity: Low (Low) Lasercom (and NorPaper) are within 200m of an artificial wetland and an Ecological Support Area, but as this is an artificial wetland of a very low rank (6), this does not constitute a significant biodiversity impact. Recommendation: The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply, particularly in regards to the water-related recommendations. Operation: Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS JHB): Sensitivity: Low (Low) Bytes Managed Solutions is within 400m from an Ecological Support Area, but otherwise has low sensitivity or proximity to high value biodiversity. Recommendation: The facility is located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Operation: Bytes Document Solutions (Denver) Sensitivity: Low(Low)

48 BDS is 800m from the Natalspruit river tributary, Class E:F, which is highly degraded, and 500m from some small Ecological Support areas. Recommendation: The facility is located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Operations: Powertech Willard (JHB); Powertech Aberdare (JHB) Sensitivity: Low(Low) These facilities are within 500m of small Ecological Support Areas and 650m of a small Important Area CBA in terms of primary vegetation, and are thus of low risk. Further recommendations for Lasercom/NorPaper, Altech GDL, Willard JHB, Powertech Aberdare JHB, Bytes Connect 37 and 42 Glenhove, BMS, BDS Denver: The recommendation is to manage these facilities in an environmentally-friendly approach and prevent any operational activities from impacting riverine or wetland systems in the area. Altron could also decide to invest in the rehabilitation and conservation of small urban environmental areas, and the related riverine and wetland systems with the objective of promoting urban conservation, which is essential to ensure the maintenance of key habitats for species in an urban environment. Operation Bytes Document Solutions 1333 and 1335 Spyker, Roodepoort: Sensitivity: Medium (Low) These two facilities are in very close proximity (150m) to a fairly large artificial wetland of rank 5 (NFEPA), a fairly large ecological Support Area and within 100m of an Important Area (because of Orange-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation). The facilities are in fact surrounded by Ecological Support Areas, thus placing them at high risk of impacting these ecological services. Recommendations: BDS should support the conservation and environmental management of the wetland and the Important Area, and contribute to any alien plant invasive clearing or relevant environmental management activities. Operation: Altech NuPay Sensitivity: Medium (Medium) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 48

49 Figure 24. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Altech NuPay Altech Nupay is in a fairly diverse area, close to several CBAs, including within 600m of an Irreplaceable Area and 800m from an Important Area (C-Plan). Altech Nupay is also situated within m of three Ecological Support Areas, thus positioning it within an ecologically sensitive area, where it might impact ecological processes. Its sensitivity is thus Medium (Medium), with potential impacts on biodiversity as it is situated in a disturbed urban context. Recommendation: As the facility is a software development office, it is not impacting on the environment in terms of processes, but the facility should take active action to support the protection of the Irreplaceable area and Important Area and support government efforts in this regard. It is critical for the facility to avoid any pollution which could reach such areas, spillage and run off need to be avoided or contained effectively. Operations: Bytes Connect (Boksburg); Arrow Altech Distribution (inclusive of Tridonic); Powertech Battery Automotive (inclusive of Rentech and Battech Enersys Powertech); Powertech Aberdare Elandsfontein Sensitivities: Low (Low) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 49

50 Figure 25. Satellite image of Altron group facilities in Gauteng Powertech Aberdare (Elandsfontein), Battery Automotive (inclusive of Rentech and Battech Enersys Powertech) and Arrow Altech Distribution (inclusive of Tridonic) are situated within 1.5 km, 1.2km and 200m respectively of a natural wetland in a depression with associated Important Areas (Orange-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation, CBAS C-Plan). Bytes Connect (Boksburg) is within 1km of the same wetland. Recommendations (Boksburg: Powertech Abersare Elandsfontein; Battery Automotive; Rentech; Battech Enersys; Arrow Altech Distribution; Tridonic; Byte Connect): These facilities should all work together to devise a coordinated management plan for the wetland and contribute jointly towards its rehabilitation. In terms of facility activities, pollution must be avoided or contained to ensure that no spillage can reach the CBA. Operation: Bytes Managed Solutions (Boksburg) Sensitivity: (Medium)Low This facility is situated within 50m of a small river, which is ranked as D: Highly Modified (NFEPA) but is also close to the Ecological Support Area and Important Area (classified for the presence of Orange-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation) which extends in a strip along the river from a large natural wetland 2km to the east, to the wetland surrounded by the Powertech and Bytes Connect facilities mentioned above, 4km to the west. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 50

51 Recommendation: The recommendation is that BMS works in collaboration with the above facilities to restore the corridor which links aquatic services and biodiversity from the natural wetland to the artificial wetland. Operations: Bytes Connect Aeroport; Bytes Document Solutions (Johannesburg) Sensitivity: Low(Low) These facilities are within m from an Important Area (Red-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation, Gauteng C-Plan). Recommendation: These facilities need to ensure their activities do not impact the Important Area. Operation: Altron House Sensitivity: Low (Low) Altron House is not considered to be located near any important biological area or features and is thus rated of Low impact. Recommendation: The facility is located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply KwaZulu Natal Operations: Powertech Willard (Willard DBN in Durban); Powertech Aberdare Pinetown (PT Aberdare in Pinetown); Bytes Healthcare Solutions and Bytes People Solutions at same location (BHS and BPS in Durban); Altech Matomo (Durban branch); Crabtree (Umvilo); Altech Netstar (Durban); Bytes Document Solutions (Pinetown); Arrow Altech (Umgeni); Bytes Document Solutions (Bytes Managed Solutions, Bytes Systems Integration and Bytes FAC all in same location in Durban); Bytes People Solutions (BPS Umhlanga); Altech MultiMedia International (MMI); Altech UEC (Marshall rd, Durban); Altech UEC (Durban); Altech UEC (32 Marshall rd, Durban); Altech UEC House Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 51

52 Altron Biodiversity Assessment Umbilo Palmiet umngeni Altech UEC 32 Marshall Altech UEC DBN Altech UEC Marshall DBN Altech MMI S Altech Netstar DBN BDS DBN Willard DBN BDS Pinetown Arrow Altech Umgeni Powertech Aberdare Pinetown BHS DBN Altech Matomo DBN Crabtree Umbilo BPS Umhlanga Altron Group's Facilities NFEPA W etlands NFEPA Rivers KwaZulu-Natal Conservation Plan South Africa - Altron Group facilities Durban 0 3 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 26. Biodiversity assessment of the Altron group facilities: Durban

53 There is no CBA map yet for the KwaZulu-Natal region, but the KZN Conservation authorities Land cover map was used to obtain a more accurate picture of the surrounding land use and presence of biodiversity around Altron group facilities in this province. The Powertech Willard facility was not near any critical biodiversity, except for being within 400m of the Palmiet River, which is classified as class D: largely modified (NFEPA). The facility thus has a low impact: Low(Low). The Powertech Aberdare Pinetown branch is 200m from the Umbilo River, which is Class D, largely modified (NFEPA) so it rates fairly low (Low(Low)). Recommendations (Powertech Willard and Powertech Aberdare Pinetown): It is critical for the facility to manage processes which might impact the river, particularly, if there are manufacturing processes involved, to contain waste or spills very carefully. The Bytes Healthcare Solutions, Bytes People Solutions and Altech Matomo Durban branches are both considered to have low ratings - Low(Low) as they are not within close proximity to critical biodiversity, although they are located within 500m of a modified river. Recommendation (Durban: Bytes Healthcare Solutions, Bytes People Solutions and Altech Matomo): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply, particularly in regards to the waterrelated recommendations. The Crabtree Umvilo branch is within 400m of an estuarine wetland, which is ranked as a very high priority for conservation (Rank = I, NFEPA), and is important for avifauna. Thus this facility has a Medium(Low) rating. Recommendation (Crabtree Umvilo): Any activities that could have direct, cumulative or indirect impacts on the wetland ecological services or biodiversity must be well-managed and kept to a minimum. If this facility has any water management processes, there needs to be strict water quantity and quality monitoring, as well as monitoring the potential impacts on endangered species. Bytes Document Solutions (Pinetown) and the Arrow Altech (Umgeni) facilities have a higher rating than many of the other facilities in this study Medium (Medium) due to their very close proximity to the Umgeni River, being within 100m of wetlands associated with Umgeni river and within close proximity to the estuary, which has a high priority ranking of 1, according to NFEPA. Recommendations (Bytes Document Solutions (Pinetown) and Arrow Altech (Umgeni)): Any impacts of these facilities will directly impact the estuary downstream. The urban stakeholders should probably be coordinated through the Umgeni Business Park. Any of these facilities activities having a water resourcerelated impact must be critically evaluated and managed strictly.

54 Figure 27. Satellite image of Altron group facilities: BDS and Arrow Altech Distribution Bytes Document Solutions, Bytes Managed Solutions, Bytes Systems Integration (BSI DBN) and Bytes FAC, all at the same location, have a Medium(Low) rating based on an evaluation of the satellite image, this facility is located in an island of vegetation close to a stream and therefore is high in ecological importance. According to the Land cover map, there is Grassland and Dense Bush around the facility, but it not clear to what extent these fragments are degraded. Recommendation (Durban: Bytes Document and Managed Solutions; Bytes Systems Integrations and Bytes FAC): The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 apply. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 54

55 Figure 28. Satellite image of Altron group facility: BDS The Altech Netstar Durban branch has a rating of Low(Low). It is located close to fields of sugarcane and urban areas and some small dense bush patches, close to a stream. Recommendation (Altech Netstar: Durban): As these small natural areas probably provide a critical corridor within the urban landscape, they need to be conserved and well-managed through cooperative partnerships between stakeholders in the area. The Bytes People Solutions in Umhlanga, the Altech UEC Marshall, Altech UEC DBN, and Altech UEC 32 Marshall all were within a modified urban context and not within close proximity to critical biodiversity and were rated as Low(Low). Recommendation (Bytes People Solutions in Umhlanga, the Altech UEC facilities in Durban, including 30 and 32 Marshall street): The facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Altech Multimedia International, inclusive of Altech UEC, is within 9km of an Important Bird Area (IBA) and 500m of some fragments of Critically Endangered ecosystems, specifically Durban Metropole North Coast Grasslands, according to the Threatened Ecosystems (2011) spatial database (SANBI). Based on the satellite image of this facility (Figure 30), the site does not appear to be near any natural vegetation fragments, and is located within a transformed landscape, indicating a fairly low impact (Low(Low)). Recommendation (Altech Multimedia; Altech UEC): It is recommended that the Altron group support grassland conservation initiatives in the region. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 55

56 Figure 29. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Altech MMI Operation: Altech Netstar (Newcastle) Location: Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: Medium (Low) Altech Netstar Newcastle is located near an Important Bird Area (the Grassland Biosphere), located within 1.2km of the Ncandu river which is a class B, (Largely Natural, NFEPA) river and therefore of high biodiversity value. This river is also ranked as NFEPA 1, a high priority river to conserve. Thus the facility is rated Medium(Low) but as it is very much within an urban context, and with low process-related impacts, its biodiversity concerns are limited to ensuring negligible impact on this natural river system. Recommendation: The facility s management should consider contributing to biodiversity conservation in the region, whether that be working with bird conservation stakeholders, such as Birdlife SA or water management authorities to ensure river quality is maintained. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 56

57 Operation: Bytes Managed Solutions (Richards Bay) Biodiversity Assessment Study Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: Medium (Low) Bytes Managed Solutions is within an extensive grasslands area and within 600m of a high-ranked natural wetland (2, NFEPA).According to the Threatened Ecosystems layer, this grassland is a Critically Endangered Ecosystem, Kwambonambi Hygrophilous Grassland. Recommendations: It is recommended that the Altron group support grassland conservation initiatives in the region Mpumulanga Operations: Altech Netstar (Witbank); Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS Witbank); Powertech Aberdare Middelburg (Middelburg); Altech Netstar Nelspruit (and Bytes Managed Solutions for Nelspruit); Powertech Aberdare Nelspruit Location: Witbank, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Mpumulanga. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: see below The Witbank facilities, BMS Witbank and Altech Netstar Witbank are rated as Low(Low) as they are not in close proximity to biodiversity. There are no CBA maps for this region, but they are located 11km away from a proposed Protected Area Expansion area and BMS appears to be situated close to an area of Vulnerable vegetation type, Eastern Highveld Grassland. According to the satellite image, it is close to a mosaic of natural and urban fragments. Recommendation (Witbank: Bytes Managed Solutions and Altech Netstar): These office facilities should be cognisant of managing for low impacts on this Vulnerable vegetation type. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 57

58 Figure 30. Satellite image of Altron group facilities in Witbank Middelburg: Powertech Aberdare Middelburg is rated as Low(Low). The only significant concern is the Vaalbankspruit, a largely modified river, 1km away from the site. Recommendations (Powertech Aberdare Middelburg): The facilities have low proximity to critical biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. Nelspruit: The Altech Netstar Nelspruit (and Bytes Managed Solutions for Nelspruit) are within 600m from the Crocodile River, a Class C: Moderately transformed river (NFEPA) and are rated as Low(Low). Powertech Aberdare Nelspruit facility is also rated as Low(Low). These facilities, although within Nelspruit, are surrounded (within 500m at the closest point) by the Vulnerable vegetation type Legogote Sour Bushveld. Recommendations (Altech Netstar Nelspruit (and Bytes Managed Solutions for Nelspruit); Powertech Aberdare Nelspruit): As the facilities are within 1km of a Vulnerable Ecosystem type, any supplier impacts on this unique vegetation type should be assessed and mitigated. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 58

59 4.2.9 Limpopo Operations: Altech Netstar (Polokwane); Bytes Managed Solutions (Polokwane) Location: Polokwane, Limpopo. See Excel database for GPS and address details. Sensitivity: Low(Low) No CBA maps have been done for Limpopo. Altech Netstar Polokwane and Bytes Managed Solutions (BMS) are rated as Low(Low). They are within 4km of an Important Bird Area, Pietersburg Nature Reserve, and the BMS facility is 1km away from the Sand, a largely modified river (NFEPA). Recommendations: The facilities have low proximity to critical biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 8,9,10 apply. 5. Manufacturing Facilities Assessment Each of the major manufacturing facilities of the Altron group were independently assessed to determine their proximity to high biodiversity areas or areas of important ecological services and their potential impact assessed. As no site visits were conducted within this study, the actual operational impacts could not be quantified. Recommendations are given based on the higher impacts likely to be associated with manufacturing facilities, as opposed to office facilities. Without an actual site visit it is very difficult to provide specific guidelines or recommendations as there is no means of assessing how each facility s specific operations and activities are being (a) managed and (b) interacting with biodiversity. This can only be assessed with a thorough detailed survey of activities which could potentially impact biodiversity and ecosystem services, and an evaluation in the field how, and to what extent (often a function of management), these are currently impacting the environment. As this is essentially a spatial analysis and not a process analysis, assessing the risks of impacts and recommendations for existing office (low industrial) facilities can only be generic and broad in nature and will consist of guidelines to ensure facilities existing footprints are kept minimal. As the facility has already had an impact on the environment by being built, recommendations are of necessity not related to the actual presence of the facility but more subject to operations and activities associated with that facility s services. To add value, we will add broad recommendations on how Altron could strategize around biodiversity before building new facilities. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 59

60 5.1 KwaZulu-Natal Altech UEC Location: 46 Siphosethu Rd, Mount Edgecombe, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, SA Industrial activities: Manufacture of digital set-top boxes (STBs), flat-screen TVs and vehicle tracking systems Sensitivity: Low (Low) Altron Biodiversity Assessment Altron Group manufacturing facilities Altech UEC located in KwaZulu-Natal Altech UEC Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers KwaZulu-Natal Land Cover Plan Meters N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 31. Biodiversity assessment of the Altron group facility: Altech UEC. Due to the cadastre (grid) nature of the spatial layer KwaZulu-Natal Land Cover, this map output will be coarse in resolution. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 60

61 Figure 32. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Altech UEC There is no CBA map yet for the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, but the KZN Conservation authorities Land cover map was used to obtain a more accurate picture of the surrounding land use and presence of biodiversity around Altron manufacturing facilities in this province. Especial care must be taken that no industrial activities associated with the Altech UEC facility (see maps above), which is a factory of 13,500m 2 in size, impact the natural wetland that is in close proximity to the site. Although this wetland is of low rank (6), it provides ecological services for the area and supports associated species, therefore any wastewater or effluent discharge into the wetland or rivers feeding the wetland need to be carefully monitored and managed (See strategic recommendations at the end of this section). Altech UEC is surrounded by a matrix of land-use types, including bushveld; degraded bushveld; urban; emerging farmer sugarcane lands and grasslands, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Conservation Plan (2005). Recommendations: As there are sugarcane fields within close proximity, care must be taken that no industrial activities such as air pollution deposits or waste effluent impact these agricultural areas. Altech UEC has apparently linked up with a variety of waste management specialists to ensure the optimal and legal management of its waste, which will therefore have minimal impacts on biodiversity. If not already doing so, the company should encourage consumers to recycle their products too. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 61

62 5.1.2 Powertech Aberdare, Pietermaritzburg Location: 67 Gladys Manzi Rd, Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg Industrial activities: Cable production Sensitivity: Low(Medium) Altron Biodiversity Assessment Powertech Aberdare, KwaZulu-Natal Powertech Abderdare KwaZulu- Natal Land Cover P lan 0 Altro n Gr oup 's M a nu fa c turin g F acil ities N FE PA W e tlan ds 4 5 N FE PA R iv er s N Kilom eters Produced for Altron. February 2013 Figure 33. Biodiversity assessment of Altron group facility: Powertech Aberdare KZN EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 62

63 Figure 34. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Aberdare KZN The facility is located near an airport, which probably has low biodiversity value but is also within 2km of a nature reserve (Bisley Valley Nature Reserve). According to the KZN Conservation map, there is a mosaic of land use surrounding this facility, predominantly urban but also located close to patches of grassland (Green classification on the map) and degraded grassland (light grey classification on the map). It is also within 400m of two linear wetlands, and although these are of low rank (5, according to NFEPA) and not associated with any endangered species, there are implications for ensuring that industrial activity associated with this cable production unit does not impact the ecological services associated with this river, particularly as these probably act as corridors linking the bushveld fragments (Brown classification on the map) with the biodiversity of the grasslands. Recommendations: Ensure the ecosystem services of the corridor are not disrupted. As it is close to an airfield, care should be taken that activities do not attract birdlife in any way as this could result in increased birdstrikes with planes. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 63

64 5.2 Western Cape Powertech Transformers Location: Elliot Str, Epping, Cape Town Activities: The Cape Town factory manufactures distribution transformers in the range 16 kva to 1 MVA and miniature substations in the range 100 kva to 1600 kva. Sensitivity: Low(Low) Altron Biodiversity Assessment South Africa - Manufacturing facilities Powertech Transformers Epping Elsieskraal Powertech Transformers Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Biodiversity Network of the City of Cape Town: CBA 1A CBA 1B CBA 1C CBA 1D CBA 1E CBA 2 OTHER NATURAL VEGETATION PROTECTED Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 35. Biodiversity assessment of Altron group facility: Powertech Transformers Epping EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 64

65 Figure 36. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Transformers Epping As the facility is not located within close proximity to any critical biodiversity areas or protected areas and as it has low industrial activities, it is not likely to pose a risk to biodiversity. It is more than a kilometre away from Elsieskraal river and 2km away from estuarine wetlands, and 1.4km away from critical biodiversity areas rated CBA2 (Restorable irreplaceable sites) or CBA1B (Irreplaceable high and medium condition sites - see Appendix A for further description of these ratings). Recommendations: Although these areas of high biodiversity appear fairly close, they are situated within a dense urban landscape and thus it is highly unlikely the manufacturing facility has direct impacts on these areas, unless it is abstracting water from a river or discharging waste into a freshwater ecosystem, which could have both aquatic ecosystem impacts and downstream impacts on terrestrial biodiversity. Please refer to Section 7 and 8 for generic recommendations in regard to manufacturing facilities and waer-related issues. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 65

66 5.3 Eastern Cape Powertech Aberdare, Port Elizabeth Location: Stanford Road, Port Elizabeth Industrial Activities: Production of cables Sensitivity: Low(Low) Powertech Batteries (Korsten) Location: Cnr Stanford and Lindsay Road, Korsten, Port Elizabeth Industrial Activities: Production of batteries Sensitivity: Low(Low) Powertech Batteries (Neave) Location: Unit 21 Mazda Drv, Neave Industrial Park, 7 Bennet Str, Neave, Port Elizabeth Industrial Activities: Production of batteries Sensitivity: Low(Low) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 66

67 Biodiversity Assessment Study Altron Biodiversity Assessment Altron manufacturing facilities: Eastern Cape Algoa Bay Islands Nature Reserve Swartkops Estuary, Redhouse & Chatty Salt Powertech Batteries Korsten Powertech Abderdare Powertech Batteries Neave S Bake PORT ELIZABETH ns Sardinia Bay MPA Major Town Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Important Bird Areas Eastern Cape Terrestrial CBA Map CBA 1 CBA 2 CBA 3 Marine Protected Areas (2011): S Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 37. Biodiversity assessment of Altron group facility: Eastern Cape Figure 38. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Aberdare EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 67

68 Powertech Aberdare, Powertech Batteries in Korsten and Neave are all of low risk to biodiversity due to their urban context and distance away from high biodiversity areas (one of the facilities is 6km from an estuary which is also considered an Important Bird Area and is also 15km from the Sardinia Bay Marine Protected area and Algoa bay Island Nature Reserve). Powertech batteries in Neave is 700m from a river, the Papkuils river (rank = highly transformed), and all three manufacturing sites are fairly close to small wetlands, but these are of low rank due to their poor condition and the surrounding transformed landscape. The risks of impacting biodiversity associated with these wetlands is only high if the facilities directly discharge waste or effluent into these systems, or if any modification occurs within their reaches (e.g., sand mining). The Powertech Aberdare and Powertech Batteries (Neave) are within 400m of a Vulnerable vegetation type, according to the Eastern Cape Terrestrial CBA map (level CBA3), but as existing land use was not integrated into the analysis of this particular biodiversity map, it is unlikely that there is significant stretches of natural vegetation left in this zone. The satellite images show this to be true. As can be seen from the landscape view by satellite, the facilities are located within a highly transformed urban context, with low proximity to biodiversity or even significant fragments that might support ecological services. Recommendations (PE: Powertech Aberdare; Powertech Batteries (Korsten); Powertech Batteries (Neave)): Please refer to the Section 7 recommendations. 5.4 Gauteng Powertech Transformers (Booysens) Location: Distribution: 56 Third Street, Booysens Reserve, Johannesburg Industrial activities: Distribution (The Johannesburg factory manufactures distribution transformers in the range 100 kva to 20 MVA as well as neutral earthing resistors) Sensitivity: Low (Low) Crabtree Electrical Accessories SA (Wadeville) Location: Cnr. Davidson & Wadeville Roads Wadeville, Gauteng Industrial activities: Sensitivity: Medium (Low) Powertech Calidus Location: 19 Daniel Road, Benrose, Johannesburg, Gauteng EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 68

69 Industrial activities: Sensitivity: Low (Low) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 69

70 Altron Biodiversity Assessment Altron Group Manufacturing Sites Gauteng Powertech Calidus Powertech Transformers (Booysens) Crabtree (Wadeville) Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Gauteng Critical Biodiversity Areas: Ecological Support Area Important Area Irreplaceable Area Protected Area Natural Wetland 0 5 Kilometers N Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 39. Biodiversity assessment of Altron group facilities: Gauteng EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 70

71 Figure 40. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Crabtree Crabtree Electrical SA is one of the highest sensitive zones, as the building is located very close to the boundary, of wetland-associated land, and is within 50m of an Ecological Support Area and 100m from an Important Area. Recommendations: All activities undertaken by this factory need to be carefully scrutinized to ensure they do not impact on the ecologically sensitive wetland area. Although this wetland is not of high rank (6), it feeds into a much larger floodplain wetland which is of ecological significance, although already highly impacted. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 71

72 Figure 41. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Transformer The Powertech Transformer (Booysens) facility is located within an industrial area which is itself located in a broader context of transformed land due to mining and an urban park, Gold Reef City. It is within 200m of a very small ecological support area (Gauteng CBA map) and 200m of a wetland of low rank (NFEPA); therefore the facility probably has very low impacts on biodiversity. Recommendations: Please see Section 7 for generic recommendations regarding manufacturing facilities. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 72

73 Figure 42. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Calidus Powertech Calidus is within 160m of an Ecological Support Area but as this is within a highly disturbed urban context and is fairly fragmented already, there is not likely to be any significant risk from the facility s activities on this Ecological Support Area. Recommendations: The facility has low proximity to critical biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 7 and 9 apply Powertech Transformers (Pretoria) Location: Distribution: 1 Buitekant Street, Pretoria West, Pretoria, Gauteng Industrial activities: The Pretoria facility manufactures power transformers of up to 800 MVA with Primary Voltages up to 500 kv, shunt reactors up to 500 kv, and condenser bushings up to 132 kv, as well as offering laboratory and equipment calibration services, installation, commissioning and other site services. Sensitivity: Low (Medium) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 73

74 Altron Biodiversity Assessment Magaliesberg & Witwatersberg Important Bird Area Skinnerspruit Apies Powertech Transformers (Pretoria) Voortrekker Monument Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities Powertech Transformers (Pretoria) Altron Group's Manufacturing Facilities NFEPA Wetlands NFEPA Rivers Formal Protected Areas National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Important Bird Areas Gauteng Critical Biodiversity Areas: Ecological Support Area Important Area Irreplaceable Area Protected Area Vaal Grasslands Hennops 0 10 Kilometers N Rietvlei Dam Produced for Altron February 2013 Figure 43.Biodiversity assessment of Altron group facility: Powertech Transformers Figure 44. Satellite image of Altron group facility: Powertech Transformers EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 74

75 The Powertech Transformer factory in Pretoria is close to some ecological systems that might affect biodiversity, in particular within 800m of Skinnerspruit river, 8km of an Important Bird Area and an Important Area CBA (Gauteng CBA Map: important for its Orange-Listed plant habitat, Red-Listed plant habitat and primary vegetation) and situated across the street from an artificial wetland (though this is of low biodiversity significance (NFEPA)) and ecological support area (Gauteng CBA). Although not in close proximity to high biodiversity, the close proximity to areas supporting biodiversity in an urban network make any impacts associated with the facility s operations of significance to biodiversity being supported by the wetland or ecological support area. Powertech Transformers is also within 3.2km of a Protected Area (Voortrekker Monument), but this area is of low biodiversity significance. Recommendations: The facilities have low proximity to critical biodiversity. The generic and strategic recommendations in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 apply. 6. Potential environmental impacts of manufacturing facilities Current environmental management practices of the Altron group s manufacturing facilities: According to various annual reports by the Altron group, the operations of the group include the following potentially negative impacts and processes for the environment: manufacturing of lead-acid batteries - two hazardous chemical substances, namely sulphuric acid and lead, are used. Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive chemical substance and about 95% of its usage on site is concentrated in the battery/cell accumulator charging facilities or charge rooms. The handling of the acid causes continual minor spillages which, if not effectively controlled, can detrimentally affect the environment in terms of contamination or pollution of the soil and subterranean water systems under the concrete floor. Types of major waste generated by Altron operations include, in Altech UEC for example, steel strips, cardboard and plastic, which is segregated to facilitate recycling, as well as general waste that is sent to landfill. Other wastes include fluorescent tubes, oil rags and used thinners. Aberdare s copper, PVC and lead waste is recycled, while cable waste is sent to landfill. Battery production waste is reclaimed and recycled, while its liquid effluent is treated and discharged into the municipal sewer. Personal protective equipment waste is sent to landfills with a licensed hazardous waste contractor. Plastic is reclaimed and recycled. Powertech sends other wastes to landfills, such as insulation waste, boiler ash, oil-contaminated waste, and soluble oil. Scrap paint and thinners are partially recycled where possible, while scrap oil, scrap steel, scrap core steel, and scrap copper are recycled. Battery production results in the emission of pollutants such as acid vapour and lead dust into the atmosphere. Water is used in various other production stages. In the 2011 financial year the group consumed approximately megalitres of water. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 75

76 Bytes SA s recycling programme ensures that waste paper and used batteries are removed by specialists for disposal in an environmentally friendly manner. Scrap generated by the group, including printer cartridges, is sold to scrap dealers who, in turn, sell it to recycling companies. The Altron group are currently monitoring water use and complying with permitting regulations, with a view to measure and track water usage and set specific water reduction targets by Altron also has a climate change policy and are monitoring their carbon footprint in order to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and energy demand. Currently environmental risks are largely managed through accredited environmental management systems. Operations have a third-party certified ISO environmental management system in place. 7. Manufacturing Site Recommendations The Altron group currently have strict policies adhering to environmental legislation, reducing waste, water and energy use, and educating employees around environmental concerns. If Altron is not already addressing the following, we recommend that attention could be directed to some of these biodiversityrelated issues: 1. Aberdare Cables, a member of the Powertech group, is a leading African manufacturer of cables with five manufacturing sites, in three provinces of South Africa. The company s customer base includes power supply authorities, railway and transport organisations, municipalities, and companies in industries such as petrochemical, mining, wholesale, industrial, construction and domestic building. An ideal way to ensure sustainability throughout the supply chain would be to provide environmental guidelines to buyers around the biodiversity-friendly placement of cables. 2. Manufacturing facilities need to adhere to environmental legislation around wastewater discharge into rivers and wetlands and monitor the biodiversity status of closely-associated wetlands and rivers. It is essential that if pollution does occur, the Altron group immediately notifies the relevant authorities and takes all reasonable measures to remediate and rehabilitate, especially in CBAs. 3. The Altron group needs to further reduce pollution emissions if not already in place. 4. The Altron group needs to continue its efforts in terms of mitigation of greenhouse gases, as climate change has long-term and far-reaching implications for biodiversity survival. 5. The Altron group should source manufacturing materials from producers with a strong environmental ethic, not only as regards compliance with existing legislation, but also with a proactive approach to integrating biodiversity with development 6. All systems should be examined by experts in regards to biodiversity, particularly around the sustainable use of natural resources and raw materials EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 76

77 7. All areas or facilities with potentially high biodiversity within close proximity should be fieldsurveyed and special biodiversity features, species or services monitored regularly. 8. Any new facilities to be developed should be biodiversity-vetted even before the Environmental Impact Assessment process begins; it is essential for biodiversity considerations to be mainstreamed in the pre-feasibility and feasibility of phases of any developments projects. 9. It is critical to ensure waste management systems are efficient and waste outputs are reduced as far as possible, particularly in ecological support areas, which are often the last refuge for urban biodiversity, particularly in South Africa, with its globally unique and high-value biodiversity. 10. The Altron group needs to ensure maximum efficiency of water use and intensive management of the water cycle within facilities to ensure minimum waste, not only to prevent immediate impacts on biodiversity but also long-term impacts, given the scarce water resources of the country and in light of the predicted negative impacts of climate change on water resources. 11. The Altron group should work closely with other stakeholders, such as corporates in the area, civil society and authorities, to ensure cooperative governance of natural resources, especially in terms of biodiversity including CBAs surrounding its premises. 12. The Altron group should work with water authorities to ensure close management of water discharge in rivers and to set emergency warning measures in place in case of accidental discharge. 13. Given the high disturbance associated with transport and manufacturing facilities, these facilities should have an alien plant invasive control plan and fire management plan. 14. The Altron group management should ensure employees practice environmentally-friendly practices, e.g., sharing lifts to work, reducing waste, recycling paper, using public transport, reducing the use of the air conditioner, buying green-label office equipment and stationery, and switching office facilities to water-friendly sanitation. A further recommendation is that the Altron group develop a basic training course or toolkit for facility staff on how to assess and manage existing and potential biodiversity impacts of the Altron production units. This would allow staff to understand and evaluate the possible impacts of Altron operations on biodiversity and ensure risk is managed before becoming too costly. This would allow early warning systems to be put in place and allow personnel to understand when to call the experts in. 8. Water recommendations As many of the facilities are in close proximity to water sources, In addition to legal compliance, it is recommended that the statistics arising from the Altron group s reporting on the GR Indicators related to water withdrawal and water sources (e.g., EN8: Total water withdrawal by source; EN9: Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water; EN21: Total water discharge by quality and destination; EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 77

78 EN25: Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the reporting organization s discharges of water and runoff) could be integrated with the results of this study. This would allow a comprehensive analysis of the actual impacts of high-risk facilities, as data from this report (facilities with high biodiversity impact associated with water sources, like rivers and ecological support areas around rivers) could be correlated with facilities which have high process impact in terms of the water-reporting indicators (e.g., high wastewater volumes, high pollution emissions, etc, in particular water sources). The following text box includes some appropriate actions around water management 4 that the group can implement if not already in place. 4 Adapted from EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 78

79 Monitoring proposals, contingency measures and emergency plans, including an environmental checklist to monitor and plan the timing of discharge with high-volume flows, need to be developed. This should cover: daily visual inspections and the recording of environmental aspects proposals for planning activities in relation to times of heavy rain; identification of all construction elements and their location in relation to sensitive receptors, including any waterbodies, water supplies, and water-dependent species reduction of the amount of water used in a factory will both reduce the cost for water and for waste-water treatment. Reduced water consumption also saves energy because less water needs to be heated for the different processes. all applicable legal requirements should be followed and necessary permits should be available and up-to-date. Production managers should be educated on efficient water use and maintenance of equipment. The employees should also be involved through communication and education on efficient water use. Analysis of influent water should be conducted regularly to ensure high quality of the water used in the processes. Machinery checking (i.e. pumps, valves) and general maintenance should be conducted at regular intervals. The total amount of water used per production unit should be measured monthly to enable continuous improvements. All data should be kept on site. Optimal methods and the recipes and chemicals used should be clearly documented. Factories should work methodically with water efficiency action plans. Water saving equipment should be identified and installed to reduce water consumption. Publish best practice techniques to reduce and reuse water consumption. All possibilities to reuse and recycle processed water should be investigated. Water consumption level should be sustainable within the local environmental limits and the water catchment area. The water consumption data should be an implemented part of the business plan and available on site. The environmental characteristics of the chemicals used in production processes should be known (such as COD, aquatic toxicity, degree of biodegradation, content of nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur, health and safety aspects). Incorporate Sustainable Drainage into management; Sustainable Drainage is the practice of controlling surface water runoff as close to its origin as possible by slowing flows, allowing adequate settlement and biological action to take place before water is discharged to a watercourse or to ground. It uses softer engineering solutions to imitate natural drainage rather than traditional piped drainage solutions. Sustainable drainage methods used both in the construction phase and in the design of the project will reduce flood risk from development within a river catchment; minimise diffuse pollution arising from surface water runoff; minimise the risk of pollution to groundwater; minimise environmental damage, such as bank erosion and damage to habitats; maintain or restore the natural flow regime of the receiving watercourse; maintain recharge to groundwater; achieve environmental enhancements, improvement to wildlife habitats, amenity and landscape quality; 9. Generic Recommendations Although this study provides sensitivity ratings for pre-existing business sites, from a business risk perspective, it is most cost effective to identify red flags for project development early in the project planning phase. The costs of fixing problems during implementation are inevitably greater than avoiding EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 79

80 or preventing those problems through early detection. Red flags could include potentially significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is therefore recommended that Altron does preconstruction, pre-eia biodiversity analyses for potential new projects including extensions or mergers and acquisition as a matter of course. It is also recommended that for facilities of high sensitivity, Altron investigate the operational processes of those sites in more detail in the field to get a more thorough understanding of the scale and type of the impacts on biodiversity associated with these operations. In particular, the Arrow Altech sites in Durban and Altech Nupay in Johannesburg need a more detailed assessment of the extent and nature of impacts of the facility on biodiversity. The Altron group could also budget for costs to help reduce impacts of biodiversity and ecosystem impacts, and a component of CSI could be directed at biodiversity conservation concerns in the immediate Altron facility landscapes. Recommendation per category: If the facility is:...in close proximity of an Irreplaceable or Important CBA: evaluate the type of biodiversity and processes governing its continued presence in the landscape; manage operations stringently to prevent any degradation of the biodiversity; become involved in the longterm conservation of the biodiversity; lobby against future development in these areas...in close proximity of an Ecological Support Area: support conservation and sustainable conservation of the ecological services; ensure activities associated with the facility do not disrupt ecological services; consider supporting rehabilitation of urban ecosystems...in close proximity of endangered species habitats: evaluate the gaps needed for future conservation of the species, e.g., monitoring, and support the conservation of the species; ensure activities associated with the facility do not disrupt ecological services or habitat supporting the species; contribute to improving habitat for endangered species by supporting habitat restoration...in close proximity of wetlands and water courses: prevent direct or indirect pollution of all water courses, especially water and soil pollution through spillage, run-off, stormwater. Pollution needs to be contained. Adhere to all environmental legislation. Evaluate indirect risks in terms of waste management. Consider monitoring water bodies of high natural value. Ensure water flow is not disrupted; manage to reduce downstream impacts; become involved in cooperative governance and management of catchments...in close proximity of vulnerable or endangered vegetation ecosystems: understand the role the facility plays in degradation of the ecosystem, whether that be through suppliers activities or operational activities; support the conservation of these ecosystems EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 80

81 ...in close proximity of an Important Bird Area: evaluate the potential risks for the species or breeding grounds/habitats concerned and ensure activities associated with the facility do not impact species survival or disrupt ecological services or habitat that bird species require; support bird conservation...in close proximity of a Protected Area: ensure operational activities do not directly or indirectly impact biodiversity and ecosystem services within the park and within a buffer zone around the park; support capacity building of conservationists; support endangered species research in parks The Altron group need to take a clear commitment in terms of active conservation and protection effort of the urban environment; this could be done through monitoring of species or rehabilitation of urban habitats, urban conservation or water monitoring. 10. Higher-level Altron recommendations High level recommendation in terms of biodiversity management It is important to understand that the reporting process in terms of the GRI related to biodiversity needs to be strategically framed in a broader context within the company. It is important for Altron to understand its broader interrelationship with biodiversity. There is a risk to only report without any strategic objectives or way forward. Companies need to develop beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). A business needs a big picture vision which sets out what it wants to be in the world, even though, in the short term, such a vision may not always appear beneficial to the company. Ecosystem damage and loss of biodiversity is a moral as well as a business issue. Businesses cannot abdicate responsibility for their actions by claiming that they do not access, or make use of all ecosystems. Businesses with well developed strategies in relation to ecosystems and natural capital have a critical role to play in showing leadership and influencing their peer group and supply chains. For these lead companies, benefits will definitely accrue in the shape of public acknowledgement, reputation building and enhancing brand value. Challenges of ecosystem degradation should not be viewed from an individual company perspective. Collaboration will be required both within and across sectors and with other stakeholders. In future, supply chain partners will need to be carefully selected to ensure that they share the vision of natural capital conservation. A supplier s sustainability credentials may become as important as the price of its product and leading companies will need to educate and share learning with their supply base. Cambridge Natural Capital Programme It is understood from the biodiversity assessment conducted that the direct impacts on biodiversity from Altron infrastructure might not be regarded as significant. However, it has to be realised that such an assessment was limited in scope (only pre-existing infrastructure and limited process-related impacts), it did not assess the supply chain impacts and it also did not address potential cumulative impacts. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 81

82 It is therefore suggested for Altron to conduct a preliminary exercise to assess the potential risks and opportunities linked to biodiversity. As much as the direct biodiversity impacts from the infrastructure of Altron might not be regarded as significant, it is important for Altron to assess if there might be other direct or indirect risks or opportunities related to biodiversity throughout its supply chain. It would be useful for Altron to clearly identify its impacts and dependency on the ecosystems services which benefit the business. As outlined in King III report and code, sustainability is now the primary moral and economic imperative and it is one of the most important sources of both opportunities and risks for businesses. Natural capital, society, and business are interconnected in complex ways that need to be understood by decision makers. Consequently, in terms of King III, Directors have an obligation to assess the potential business opportunities and risks related to the natural capital if they want to ensure good corporate governance. As a company if you do not assess and understand the implications (risks and opportunities) of the reliance and impacts of your company on ecosystems services/products and biodiversity generally, you then cannot ensure that you are managing adequately the risk exposures to your organisation as prescribed by King III. Directors of companies are accountable to shareholders and an obligation to all stakeholders (including shareholders) is to ensure that the company s resources (which include natural capital) are utilised so as to ensure the continuing viability of the company and of the natural capital. The Cambridge Natural Capital Programme highlights that the degradation of ecosystems, and the free services they provide, can create significant supply chain risks for businesses. It also indicates that growing pressures on ecosystem services and natural capital are expected to generate a range of future risks and opportunities for businesses. The ability to understand, anticipate and respond to these challenges will undoubtedly improve competitive positioning and return additional shareholder value in future. Therefore the management of ecosystems services and biodiversity has to become an essential component of the governance of risk through formal risk management processes in companies. Sustainability, including the management of biodiversity and related ecosystem services, has to be regarded as a critical value chain issue. It is going to be essential for companies to demonstrate that they operate within the limits of natural systems and preferably that they also provide a net gain in terms of the natural capital. It has been stated that for businesses to remain competitive they will have to identify their impact and dependencies on environmental infrastructures, both current and future. With this deeper understanding, they can then take steps - individually and collectively to manage and protect the natural capital that supports the global economy (Building a leadership narrative for business relating to ecosystems and natural capital, The Cambridge Natural Capital Programme, 2011). In this context, it might become a competitive and risks management strategy for Altron to facilitate collaboration and capacity building both within and across sectors and with other stakeholders within the sphere of its supply chain. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 82

83 It is also important for Altron to realise that it still has direct biodiversity impacts due to its geographical footprint and that it could look at voluntary mitigating such impacts through conservation and ecosystems investments. This could be a way for Altron to set precedent and best practices in the sector it operates. Such an option should be further investigated to determine the most suitable approach. Altron should also look at positive actions to improve the biodiversity surrounding its infrastructure. In order to ensure the sustainability of companies and manage risks accordingly, it is essential to mainstream biodiversity in the companies objectives and processes. The move from a reactive to a proactive approach in order to manage the relation of a company with the natural capital is becoming very critical and strategic. Such a pro-active move can also represent a competitive advantage, as the management of the natural capital should not only be regarded as a source of business risks but also of opportunities. One such example could be an integrated biodiversity approach when evaluating future infrastructure development. Including biodiversity risk assessment at the pre-feasibility stage of new development planning can significantly decrease costs later. Furthermore, working with supply chain environmental concerns, such as developing biodiversity-friendly guidelines for cable placement or energy development, allows for sustainability throughout the supply chain. 11. Conclusions The direct impact risk of the Altron operations in South Africa on biodiversity, using fine-scale local, provincial and national spatial biodiversity assessment tools, were analysed in a desktop study and found to be generally of low impact, in terms of their spatial proximity to areas of high biodiversity or areas supporting services that maintain biodiversity, to protected areas, high priority wetlands and rivers, as well as having low operational impacts overall. This study provides a far more detailed (and thus operationally useful, as well as biologically meaningful) indication of biodiversity impact than simply using overlap with Protected Areas alone. An overview of all the Altron group s facilities can be found in the attached Excel database, with accompanying biodiversity risk ratings. Overall, none of the facilities have a very high impact, as most of them are based in existing transformed landscapes, where biodiversity has already been substantially reduced due to ongoing pressures of urbanization and unsustainable resource use. There is potentially a need to address the cumulative impacts of the Altron group operations, since it is a large corporation with a big overall footprint in South Africa. Twenty-eight facilities scored a Medium(Low) rating, two scored a Low(Medium) rating and three scored Medium(Medium). These last three were the Arrow Altech site in Durban, Bytes Document Solutions (Pinetown) and Altech Nupay in Johannesburg and it would be recommended that these sites need a detailed field assessment of the extent and nature of impacts of the facility on biodiversity. The most common recommendation for existing sites was to ensure the protection and conservation of specific critical biodiversity areas and areas supporting biodiversity in close proximity of facilities. In an EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 83

84 urban environment, these areas are even more critical to conserve as these fragments act as refuges for wildlife and sources of ecological services, such as runoff control, which benefit remaining biodiversity and human society. These areas also provide an aesthetic intrinsic value for society, and it is the responsibility of urban custodians to protect these last remaining natural ecosystems for future generations. The following facilities had potential risk for biodiversity in close proximity: Facility Code Facility Name Physical address Province Sensitivity/risk rating BMS EL Bytes Managed 47 Commercial Road, Arcadia, East Solutions (Bytes MS) London Eastern Cape M(L) Powertech Powertech 253 Grahamstown Road Deal Party,, Aberdare PE Aberdare Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape M(L) BDS Bloem Bytes Document 146 Nelson Mandela Drv, Solutions (BDS) Bloemfontein Free State M(L) ACS JHB 68 Saturn Crescent, Frankenwald Altech Card Extension, Linbro Business Park, Solutions Sandton, Gauteng Gauteng M(L) AF Centurion Altech Fleetcall (AF) 1282 Heuwel Avenue Centurion, Gauteng Gauteng M(L) Altech Office Altech Office Altech Office, Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Gauteng Gauteng M(L) BDS 1333 JHB Bytes Document 1335 Spyker Crescent, Stormill ext 2, Solutions (BDS) Roodepoort, Johannesburg Gauteng M(L) BDS 1335 JHB 1333 Spyker Crescent, Stormill ext 2, Bytes Document Roodepoort, Roodepoort, Solutions (BDS) Johannesburg Gauteng M(L) BMS Boksburg Bytes Managed Unit 11, N12 Airport Industrial Park, Solutions (Bytes MS) Dr Vosloo Drive, Bartlett, Boksburg Gauteng M(L) BMS Pretoria Bytes Managed Unit 22, Scientia Park Techno Park Solutions (Bytes MS) Office Block, Silverton, Pretoria Gauteng M(L) 59A Roan Crescent, Corporate Park Strike Midrand Strike Technologies North, Old Pretoria Rd, Midrand, Gauteng Gauteng M(L) TIS Midrand Unit A, 59 Roan Crescent, Corporate TIS - Technology Park North, Old Pretoria Road, Integrated Solutions Midrand, Gauteng Gauteng M(L) Altech Netstar KwaZulu Altech Netstar Suite 4, 67 Sutherland Str, Newcastle Newcastle Natal M(L) BDS DBN Bytes Document 55 Island Circle, Riverhorse Valley KwaZulu Solutions (BDS) Office Park, Effingham, Durban Natal M(L) BMS DBN 55 Island Circle, The Island, Bytes Managed KwaZulu Riverhorse Valley Business Estate, Solutions (Bytes MS) Natal Durban M(L) BMS Richards Bytes Managed Unit 15, Macgra Park, 3 Brass Link, KwaZulu Bay Solutions (Bytes MS) Richards Bay Natal M(L) BSI DBN Bytes Systems 55 Island Circle, Riverhorse Valley KwaZulu Integration (BSI) Office Park, Sookhai, Durban Natal M(L) FAC DBN Bytes - FAC 55 Island Circle, Riverhorse Valley KwaZulu M(L) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 84

85 Crabtree Umbilo Altech Isis Altech Netstar Century City BSI CT BUS Century City Crabtree Montague Gardens Powertech Aberdare CT Powertech Calidus CT Tridonic CT Crabtree Wadeville Altech Nupay JHB Arrow Altech Umgeni BDS Pinetown Office Park, Sookhai, Durban Natal Crabtree 5 Braiswick Place, Umbilo, Durban KwaZuluNatal M(L) Altech Isis Altech Netstar Bytes Systems Integration (BSI) Bytes Universal Systems (Bytes US) Crabtree Powertech Aberdare Powertech Calidus Tridonic Crabtree Electrical Accessories SA Altech Nupay Arrow Altech Distribution Bytes Document Solutions (BDS) 1 Thibault Square LG Building 23rd Floor cnr. Long & Hans Strydom Street Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape G3 Century Square, Heron Crescent, Century City, Cape Town Mowbray Golf Park, Raapenberg Road, Pinelands, Cape Town The Gatehouse, Units 104 and 105 Century Way, Century City. Cape Town Unit 6B, Phumelela Park, Montague Gardens Unit 6A Phumelela Park, Montague Gardens, Milnerton, Cape Town Calidus: 19 Mansell Road, Killarney Gardens, Cape Town Aberdare Cables Building, Unit No. 6A, Phumelela Park, Montague Drv, Montague Gardens Cnr. Davidson & Wadeville Roads Wadeville, Gauteng Itas House, 10 Kingfisher Crescent, Meyersdal, Alberton, Gauteng Units 1 & 2, Block C, 35 Intersite Ave, Umgeni Business Park, Umgeni, Durban 37 Aloefield Crescent, Springfield Park, Pinetown Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Gauteng Gauteng KwaZulu Natal KwaZulu Natal M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(L) M(M) M(M) M(M) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 85

86 APPENDIX A Methodology and description of Critical Biodiversity Area maps and other biodiversity data layers used in this analysis Critical Biodiversity Areas - Rationale: At present the system of formally protected areas is inadequate to protect all elements of biodiversity, as historically PA s were often located in areas that no-one wanted, or where large ungulates could be kept. Biodiversity elements are often in other areas, in areas threatened with development, farming and industry. The CBA captures biodiversity conservation on private land Gauteng CPlan Version 3.3 Methodology: Based on the principles of complementarity, efficiency, defensibility and flexibility, irreplaceability, retention, persistence and accountability. Systematic conservation planning is an iterative process. Knowledge of the distribution of biodiversity, the status of species, approaches for dealing with aspects such as climate change, methods of data analysis, and the nature of threats to biodiversity within a planning region are constantly changing, especially in the Gauteng province which is developing at an extremely rapid rate. This requires that the conservation plan be treated as a living document with periodic review and updates. Holder GDARD Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Date - October 2011 Categories: Primary Vegetation (Merged Primary grassland + Primary wooded grass + Primary woodland) Orange and Red-Listed species plants, mammals, birds KwaZulu-Natal Land Cover Purpose: This coverage depicts the Land Cover for KwaZulu-Natal as of the 2005/6 (primarily 2005) period. In total 39 distinct land cover classes have been identified. Methodology: The province-wide KZN Land-Cover dataset was generated from dual-date SPOT2 and SPOT4 satellite imagery, recorded primarily in EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 86

87 ATTRIBUTE FIELDS Each value represents a separate distinguishable land cover feature: 0 : Outside KZN 1 : Natural Fresh Water 2 : Plantation 3 : Plantation clearfelled 4 : Wetlands 5 : Wetlands-mangrove 6 : Permanent orchards (banana, citrus) irrigated 7 : Permanent orchards (cashew) dryland 8 : Permanent pineapples dryland 9 : Sugarcane - commercial 10 : Sugarcane - emerging farmer 11 : Mines and quarries 12 : Urban 13 : Golf courses 14 : Rural dwellings 15 : Susbsistence (rural) 16 : Annual commercial crops dryland 17 : Annual commercial crops irrigated 18 : Forest 19 : Dense bush ( cc) 20 : Bushland (< 70cc) 21 : Woodland 22 : Grassland / bush clumps mix 23 : Grassland 24 : Bare sand 25 : Degraded forest EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 87

88 26 : Degraded bushland (all types) 27 : Degraded grassland 28 : Old cultivated fields - grassland 29 : Old cultivated fields - bushland 30 : Smallholdings - grassland 31 : Erosion 32 : Bare rock 33 : Alpine grass-heath 34 : KZN national roads 35 : KZN main & district roads 36 : Dams 37 : Estuarine Water 38 : Marine Water 39 : Coastal Sand and Rock City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network Habitat condition of indigenous vegetation remnants assessed by botanical experts in the field, City of Cape Town: working with CapeNature, Nature Conservation Corporation and Grant Benn Environmental Resource Management Department: Benn, G 'City of Cape Town BioNet: Terrestrial Systematic Conservation Plan Re-Analysis: Methods and Results'. Report. GeoCline Consulting CC: Cape Town. ATTRIBUTE FIELDS Field Name Description Alias Name Name of Protected Area Proclaimed Proclaimed as a Protected Area: yes or no Type_A All categories of Protected Area into which EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 88

89 this particular one falls Type_B Primary classification of this Protected Area Type_C Secondary classification of this Protected Area Type_D Tertiary classification of this Protected Area Cba_cat New Criticial Biodiversity Area categories Cba_name Legend name description of CBA category Cba_desript Full description of CBA category Hectares Perimeter Perimeter in metres Cdornum Corridor Number Cdorname Corridor Name Legislatio Legislation Signif_hab Significance of Habitat Action River and Wetlands National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) The layer codes for River Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) and associated sub-quaternary catchments, Fish Support Areas and associated subquaternary catchments and Upstream Management Areas. This GIS layer codes: EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 89

90 River Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) and associated sub-quaternary catchments Fish Support Areas and associated sub-quaternary catchments Upstream Management River FEPAs achieve biodiversity targets for river ecosystems and fish species, and are identified in rivers that are currently in a good condition (A or B ecological category). FEPA maps show rivers, wetlands and estuaries that need to stay in a good condition in order to conserve freshwater ecosystems and protect water resources for human use. River FEPAs are often tributaries that support hard-working mainstem rivers, and are an essential part of an equitable and sustainable water resource strategy. This does not mean that FEPAs need to be fenced off from human use, but rather that they should be supported by good planning, decision-making and management to ensure that human use does not impact on the condition of the ecosystem. Their FEPA status indicates that they should remain in a good condition in order to contribute to national biodiversity goals and support sustainable use of water resources. FEPA maps show rivers, wetlands and estuaries that need to stay in a good condition in order to conserve freshwater ecosystems and protect water resources for human use. River FEPAs are often tributaries that support hard-working mainstem rivers, and are an essential part of an equitable and sustainable water resource strategy. This does not mean that FEPAs need to be fenced off from human use, but rather that they should be supported by good planning, decision-making and management to ensure that human use does not impact on the condition of the ecosystem. Good condition means an A or B ecological category (see Table below for a summary of ecological categories). The current and recommended ecological category for all river FEPAs is A or B. Wetland FEPAs that are currently in a condition lower than A or B should be rehabilitated to the best attainable ecological condition. Present ecological state categories used to describe the current and desired future condition South African rivers (after Kleynhans 2000). For NFEPA, rivers in an A or B category were regarded as being in good condition. Ecological category Description A Unmodified, natural B Largely natural C Moderately modified D Largely modified E Seriously modified EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 90

91 F Critically/Extremely modified FEPAs were identified based on: o 20% biodiversity target for river, wetland and estuarine ecosystem types across the country o 20% biodiversity target for significant wetland clusters embedded in natural landscapes, within each wetland vegetation group o Population targets for threatened freshwater fish species indigenous to SA o alignment with all remaining free-flowing rivers o alignment with priority estuaries identified in the National Biodiversity Assessment 2010 o alignment with existing protected areas and focus areas for protected area expansion Nel, J.L., Murray, K.M., Maherry, A.M., Petersen, C.P., Roux, D.J., Driver, A., Hill, L., Van Deventer, H.,Funke, N., Swartz, E.R., Smith-Adao, L.B., Mbona, N., Downsborough, L. and Nienaber, S. (2011). Technical Report for the National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas project. WRC Report No. K5/1801. This layer (2011) codes Wetland Freshwater Priority Areas (FEPAs), wetland ecosystem types and wetland condition on a national scale. The delineations were based largely on remotely-sensed imagery and therefore did not include historic wetlands lost through drainage, ploughing and concreting. Irreversible loss of wetlands is expected to be high in some areas, such as urban centres. In addition, there are many gaps in wetlands as remote sensing does not detect all wetlands. Note: This GIS layer codes: Wetland Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 91

92 National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy Purpose: (2010) Focus areas for land-based protected area expansion are large, intact and unfragmented areas of high importance for biodiversity representation and ecological persistence, suitable for the creation or expansion of large protected areas. The focus areas were identified through a systematic biodiversity planning process undertaken as part of the development of the National Protected Area Expansion Strategy 2008 (NPAES). They present the best opportunities for meeting the ecosystem-specific protected area targets set in the NPAES, and were designed with strong emphasis on climate change resilience and requirements for protecting freshwater ecosystems. These areas should not be seen as future boundaries of protected areas, as in many cases only a portion of a particular focus area would be required to meet the protected area targets set in the NPAES. They are also not a replacement for finescale planning which may identify a range of different priority sites based on local requirements, constraints and opportunities. EWT Altron Biodiversity Assessment Page 92