Public Meeting to be Held as Part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for World Cup 2010 Stadium at Green Point

Members of the public will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the proposed development on one of two identified sites on the Green Point Common earmarked for the 2010 World Cup soccer event.

There will be an open meeting forming part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the stadium. Members of the public will have the opportunity to raise issues that will need to addresses in the EIA if they have not already been identified.

The meeting is open to all and takes place on

Tuesday, 11 April 2006
from 18:00 to 20:00
Hamiltons Rugby Club in Green Point.

This public forum kicks off the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process which is being facilitated by The Environmental Partnership, independent environmental consultants commissioned by the City of Cape Town (CCT).

The Green Point Common was selected by Government and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) as the most appropriate location for a semi-final venue.

At present there are two sites in the area being considered by City of Cape Town for the development of a 68 000 seater, all-weather, multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof.

The City of Cape Town has, however, requested in writing that FIFA's local Organising Community keep the possibility of other sites open in order to ensure that there is a viable alternative if either of the two Green Point sites become untenable. Any alternative sites that are selected for assessment will be duly announced and a separate EIA process will follow. Such an EIA process will also be open for public discussion.

The two sites in Green Pint include the existing stadium site, which will entail the demolition of the current facility, and a portion of land currently leased by the Metropolitan Golf Club.

The proposed development includes the construction of an environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced stadium; the establishment of an urban park; improvements to the road networks; and upgrading of the power supply infrastructure. No housing is envisaged as part of the development.

"The City of Cape Town recognises the environmental and heritage sensitivities of the precinct and the EIA is an unfolding process which will guide the ultimate choice of site," says Carmen du Toit of The Environmental Partnership. This first public meeting forms part of the scoping process and is intended to ensure that all the necessary issues are identified before we proceed further with the environmental process.

Possible identified impacts include those of a visual, noise and light nature; traffic, power supply, stormwater and wastewater management; and cultural and socio-economic factors.

"Despite the urgency of the assignment, we will not be 'cutting any legal corners'. The City of Cape Town is committed to an open and transparent process," says Teral Cullen, Director: World Cup 2010 for the City. After the meeting on 11 April, the consultants will identify the need for further specialist studies such as transport, archeological, visual, geotechnical, noise, social and economic impacts.

Thereafter a draft scoping report and draft plan for the assessment phase will be compiled by 24 April. These documents will be released for public comment from 24 April to 15 May.

The scoping report is to be finalised by 21 May and the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be available and distributed for public comment from 14 June to 14 July.

Another public forum will be held on 15 June to present the findings of the assessment phase.

Interested and affected parties can register with

Rashieda Thomas or Carmen du Toit, of
The Environmental Partnership
PO Box 945
Cape Town
8000

Tel: 021 422 0999
Fax: 021 422 0998
Email: enviropart@icon.co.za.

A Background Information Document is available on request from The Environmental Partnership.

Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:
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City of Cape Town
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