AE01734V
A REPORT ON A CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED RUTENBURG X 31 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, CLOSE TO RUSTENBURG, NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Purpose:
Archaetnos cc was requested by Lokisa Environmental Consulting CC to conduct a cultural heritage impact assessment (HIA) for the proposed Rustenburg Extension 31. The project is located on a Portion of the Remainder of Portion 1 and the Remainder of Portion 118 of the Farm Rustenburg Town and Townlands 272 JQ, situated directly south west of Boitekong X 9 and north of Rustenburg X 26.
Project description:
The project entails the establishment of a mixed uses development for approximately 6 x “Residential 2” erven, 4 x “Business 1” (including Industry and Light Industry)” erven, 1 x “Business 1” (Including a filling station, Industry and Light Industry) erf, 1 x “Institutional” erf, and “Public Open Space” erven, as well as “Streets”. This includes the required infrastructure thereto such as roads, access, water and sewer reticulation.
Methodology:
The methodology for the study includes a survey of literature and a field survey. The latter was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices and was aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of cultural significance in the area of proposed development.
If required, the location/position of any site was determined by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS), while photographs were also taken where needed. The survey was undertaken by doing a physical survey via off-road vehicle and on foot and covered as much as possible of the area to be studied. Certain factors, such as accessibility, density of vegetation, etc. may however influence the coverage.
All sites, objects features and structures identified were documented according to the general minimum standards accepted by the archaeological profession. Co-ordinates of individual localities were determined by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The information was added to the description in order to facilitate the identification of each locality.
Public consultation:
Public consultation was done by Lokisa. A Background Information Document (BID) was compiled and all identified Interested and Affected Parties were notified of the proposed project.
The intended activity was advertised in the “Brits Pos” on the 20th of October 2016. Notices was also placed on and around the site on the same date.
Findings:
During the survey no sites of cultural heritage significance were identified within the immediate project area.
Recommendations:
The report is seen as ample mitigation and the proposed development may continue, but only after it had been approved by SAHRA.
It should be noted that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts is always a distinct possibility. Due to the density of vegetation it also is possible that some sites may only become known later on. Operating controls and monitoring should therefore be aimed at the possible unearthing of such features. Care should therefore be taken when development commences that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate the occurrence.