Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
12 July 2000
WORLD HERITAGE CONSERVATION ACT - PUBLICATION OF DRAFT REGULATIONS FOR GREATER ST LUCIA WETLANDS PARK
The public has one more week to comment on the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism's draft regulations on the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park ("GSLWP") published for comment in the Government Gazette (Notices 633-365 in Gazette No 21304).
Parliament passed the World Heritage Convention Act (Act No. 49 of 1999) towards the end of last year. The Act combines a fundamental commitment to conservation with a strong emphasis on development. By balancing these two interests, the Act creates a legal instrument appropriate to South African circumstances where high levels of poverty demand an approach that optimises the economic potential of World Heritage Sites without compromising their cultural and ecological integrity. The Act also envisages site-specific regulations for each of South Africa's World Heritage Sites. It thus enables Government to tailor-make locally appropriate arrangements that recognise the unique character of each Site.
The GSLWP will become the first of South Africa's World Heritage Sites to benefit from the passing of the World Heritage Act. The publication of the regulations represents the culmination of a long process - stretching back to the no-mining decision of the mid-90s - to save the unique character of St Lucia and to release its economic potential without compromising its ecological integrity.
This has been a long and solid process than build on the recommendations by the Leon Commission and decision by Cabinet in 1994 that mining should not take place on the St Lucia dunes.
Amongst other matters, the regulations will formally establish the GSLWP, which has until now consisted of several fragments of land conserved under various proclamations and owners. The regulations also create a dedicated statutory authority for the GSLWP, which will ensure the optimal management of the Park and the fulfillment of South Africa's obligations under the World Heritage Act.
Minister Valli Moosa, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, has said, "The establishment of a dedicated St Lucia Authority will provide an institutional framework within which rapid private sector investment and increased commercial activity at St Lucia may be reconciled with ongoing conservation and protection of the environment.
" The Authority"s primary purpose will be to accelerate development, generate sustainable jobs and create conditions for the establishment of an internationally competitive tourism destination."
Through the establishment of an Authority for the greater St Lucia Wetland Park the plan is to kick-start the economy of the sub-region over a 10-year period. By 2010 projections are for an increase in tourist numbers to 1,4 million, the bed numbers to 18,700 and foreign currency earnings to R850 million a year.
With careful conservation and resource management 9000 jobs during infrastructure construction which, with private sector investment, is estimated to create 4 500 permanent jobs.
The regulations recognise the role that the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board (NCB) has played in the conservation of the province's natural assets, and entrench the NCS as the conservation manager of the GSLWP within the new institutional arrangement.
In addition the Authority will deal with issues such as commercial afforestation, rehabilitating and establishing park management and tourism infrastructure, direct involvement of communities and local economic development, ensuring continued affordable public access.
The GSLWP Authority is being established within the broader context of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative. Through this and other programmes, Government is ensuring that the infrastructure and support frameworks are in place to underpin the long-term conservation and commercial development of the GSLWP. The publication of the regulations represents another element in an integrated approach to stimulate sustainable development in Maputaland.
Other recent achievements include the development of major new road and related infrastructure, as well as the signing and implementation of malaria control and transfrontier conservation agreements.
Through the Lubombo Spatial Development process a total of R44million in infrastructure upgrades is currently being invested in the GSLWP. The monies are for upgrading existing roads, fencing, view points, environmental management, park planning as well as !community capacity building.
The regulations are underpinned by a balanced commitment to the protection of St Lucia's world heritage values and its optimal development as a tourism destination (as envisaged by the Act). They offer a win-win opportunity for all those who have an interest in the sustainable conservation and development of the greater St Lucia area.
"The formal establishment of the GSLWP and the creation of a purpose built Authority for the Park represent an important new benchmark in the history of South African conservation."
Pending the legal establishment of the Authority, an interim Authority Structure has been set up comprising of:
Interested parties are invited to comment on the Draft Regulations
on or before 14 July 2000 by transmitting comments to Wilma Lutsch
via facsimile (012-320-7026), e-mail (wlutsch@ozone.pwv.gov.za
Issued by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
For More Information Please Contact Media Liaison Director:
Onkgopotse J.J Tabane: 082 465 6166/ 021 465 7240