NOTICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UMKHOMAZI ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN,ETHEKWINI, KWAZULU-NATAL

Introduction and Background: The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (KZN EDTEA) has initiated the development of an Estuary Management Plan (EMP) for the uMkhomazi Estuary in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. Verdant Environmental have been appointed to develop the EMP. The development of an EMP is a formal requirement of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008).

The objective of the EMP is to provide a formal framework and plan to manage and monitor the human activities that negatively impact the estuary with the aim of improving the ecological status of the estuary.

Public Participation Process: The development of the EMP requires a formal public participation process that affords all stakeholders and interested and affected parties (I&APs) an opportunity to register, express their interest and provide comments on concerns, expectations and issues relevant to the estuary.

How can you be involved?
• Review of the Situation Assessment Report (SAR): To date the SAR has been drafted for the estuary and is available for download at https://verdantenv.co.za or available on request.
• Attend a public workshop: A public workshop will be held on the 28th August 2025 at 10h00 at the Hole-in-One Restaurant (at the Umkomaas Golf Course, 6 Moodie Street) to present the findings of the SAR and discuss the management vision and objectives for the estuary and the prioritisation of the management objectives.
• Review of the draft EMP: The public will be given 30 days to provide comment on the draft EMP prior to the finalisation and submission of the final draft EMP to EDTEA. All IAPs will be notified of the 30-day timeframe for providing comments.