Communities affected by the building of another runway at OR Tambo International Airport outside Johannesburg are to be kept fully informed about progress, according to Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.
The aim, he said in reply to a written parliamentary question on Tuesday, is to allay fears and misconceptions ”as well as prevent undue manipulation and disruption to the property market and social fabric of the affected communities”.
The minister told Stuart Farrow — the transport spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Alliance — that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality are together developing a communications strategy to deal with local sensitivity to the impact of the airport’s master-plan proposals.
ACSA’s board approved the master plan for future development of the airport in December 2006, and in-principle support was given to the proposal by committees of Ekurhuleni council in April.
Radebe said, however, that the plan must still be presented to him for consideration. In order to be approved for implementation, the runway development will be subject to an environmental impact assessment. The process will include social studies and comprehensive public participation. — I-Net Bridge