Abstract
M.Sc.
The city of today is a major performer for the secondary sector of the economy. Manufacturing and
processing facilities not only provide the city with the essential commodity inputs but also provide the
means of living for the populace. Of late, ad-hoc decisions for industrial development have led to an
adverse impact on the local environment at costs which are much higher than the benefits actually accrued.
In view of the deteriorating environmental conditions in and around industrial townships, it has
become necessary to account for the environment while planning for such areas.
South African EIA regulations promulgated in 1997 require that environmental parameters are to be
taken into consideration with proposed development. To enable the equitable evaluation of the assessments,
the same base information would need to be used for all proposals. This study aims to identify
the information requirements and responsibilities at local government level to enable equitable
evaluation of EIA's as part of their development impact assessment process for proposed
development.
The information requirements are illustrated at hand of the Proposed Greater Florida Lake Urban Development
Plan adopted by the Western Metropolitan Local Council of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan
Council.