Cabinet approves East London IDZ

Ed Richardson CABINET LAST week approved the designation of the East London Industrial Development Zone. This was announced in Bisho by Eastern Cape Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana. It coincided with the news that the East London Industrial Development Zone had met the conditions for ISO 14001 environmental standard certification. "Our auditors KPMG have confirmed that the East London IDZ conforms to the international ISO 14001 standards," says environmental manager Mervin Olivier. Environmental controls and adherence to ISO 14001 standards have been built in right from the start of the planning process for the East London IDZ, according to Olivier. The IDZ has developed an environmental design manual to guide engineers, architects, planners and engineers working on the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ). A construction environmental management plan has also been developed to limit the environmental impact of construction activities. Construction could start by early next year, according to IDZ spokesperson Diane Stap. This will follow the awarding of a provisional operator's licence. The East London Development Zone Corporation said it would be submitting its application "within a week". "In addition, expressions of interest from engineering companies will be called for with a view to undertaking the detailed engineering design for bulk infrastructure and urban design," says Stap. Service providers will be evaluated and short-listed after which detailed proposals will be requested, she says. Once the design is completed, which could take up to six months, earthworks for Phase 1A and 1B will begin, involving R270 million worth of external and internal infrastructure development.