Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DEVELOPING
THE
2ND
GENERATION
AIR
QUALITY
MANAGEMENT PLAN
3.1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS (PPP) DURING THE REVIEW OF THE
AQMP2010
Members of the public were invited to participate in the review of the Western Cape Air
Quality Management Plan (AQMP) 2010. The aim was to assess progress made in terms
of implementing the Western Cape AQMP, while identifying potential air quality risks and
interventions that can be translated into air quality management (AQM) goals and
objectives in going forward. The following phases were identified to be followed during
the review process:
Phase 1: a series of regional Public Participation Process (PPP) Workshops was held
during 16 22 Septmeber 2015, which contributed towards the development of this
Status Quo Report.
Phase 2: a series of regional PPP Workshops will be held during August 2016,
which will contribute towards the development of the 2 nd Generation Western Cape
AQMP.
A series of PPP Workshops were held throughout the Western Cape during September
2015, as indicated in Table 3-1.
however, one of the biggest challenges was the fact that many participants were not
aware of the contents of the AQMP2010 prior to attending the review. As such, much
workshop time was spent in educating participants about the background and content of
the AQMP2010. Overall, there was excellent representation from Air Quality Officers
(AQOs) who possess excellent local knowledge of the air quality issues at hand and have
excellent relationships with local stakeholders of all sectors of society and industry.
3.2. KEY OUTCOMES IDENTIFIED DURING THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
A summary of the outcomes of the PPP Workshops in respect of the four goals of the
AQMP2010 is provided below:
Goal 1: To ensure effective and consistent air quality management
Participants agreed that AQM was important and further agreed this goal and its targets
were relevant five years on; an average score of 7/10 was rated for relevancy. Participants,
however, rated the implementation of Goal 1 as low and attributed this to air quality not
being prioritised throughout the Province. The general opinion was that air quality
management was an add on, thereby resulting in personnel, budget and training being
significantly below the necessary requirements. This was perceived to be especially true at
District and Municipal levels, as Municipal AQOs do not focus solely on air quality matters.
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16
2015
17
2015
September
West Coast
18
2015
September
City of Cape
Town
21
2015
September
Cape
Winelands
21
2015
September
Overberg
22
2015
September
Central Karoo
September
Air quality management training and capacity building were needed at all levels of
government, as well as for industry and the community. A call was also made for industry
to be recognised for their positive achievements in the field.
Overall, participants agreed that co-operative governance on air quality management had
improved over the past five years, with the formation of District Air Quality Officers
Forums (AQOFs) being a positive and welcomed development. It was viewed as a process
that narrowed the gap between industry and government in the Province.
Goal 2: To continually engage with stakeholders to raise awareness with
respect to air quality management
Participants agreed that raising awareness with respect to air quality management
remains very relevant; an average score of 9/10 was rated for relevancy. However,
participants overwhelmingly experienced that this goal required significantly more effort,
and highlighted that the general public was not informed on most aspects of air quality
management and the NEM: AQA. Awareness raising of air quality management and the
NEM: AQA is required in the municipal areas; the urgent need for increased air quality
awareness was raised. Industry requested that they be engaged more frequently, as
there was a real thirst for knowledge about air quality and its management.
A strong recommendation was made for government to develop an overarching Air Quality
Communications Strategy, with a dedicated focus to be established within the DEA&DP,
tasked solely with public relations on air quality management. It was recognised that air
quality awareness raising and communication was not only the mandate of the Province;
the Metropolitan, Local and District Municipalities were also responsible for air quality
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awareness raising and needed to prioritise this in their jurisdictions. Industry further noted
that larger companies were obliged by law to engage their local stakeholders regarding air
quality matters, and this was regarded as an obvious opportunity for air quality awareness
raising.
Goal 3: To ensure effective and consistent compliance monitoring and
enforcement
Participants agreed that effective and consistent compliance monitoring and enforcement
with respect to air quality management remains very important; an average score of 8/10
was rated for relevancy. There was strong agreement, especially from industry and civil
society, for the need for effective compliance monitoring and enforcement, and for
Provincial Government to use all its available legislative powers to encourage Local and
District Municipalities to perform air quality compliance monitoring and enforcement in
their jurisdictional areas.
There was a strong linkage to awareness raising, as the participants experienced that an
awareness of by-laws and the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved was
necessary for effective and efficient compliance monitoring and enforcement practices.
Further, there was a strong requirement of this goal to be linked to capacity building and
training of authorities in municipal by-law or air quality regulation application, as it relates
to continuous compliance monitoring and enforcement.