The SEA experience
*In response to mounting community pressure for a holistic review of their health
and environment, Durban Authorities embraced Agenda 21-(created at the world
congress in Rio to address earths mounting ecological crisis). They commissioned
a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in order to take “responsibility
to resolve the conflict between industrial and local community needs”-
according to 1999 SEA report. The process promised to ensure full participation
of all stockholders and particularly the community. The initial report concluded
that Durban had a hazardous waste crisis and assimilative capacity of the air
was near exceeded. A major effort would be required to provide for an acceptable
living environment.
However these good intentions were hijacked by a concurrent process conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry to develop an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Durban. The indaba involved businesses but excluded the community. The SEA was now used to assess these developments. An expansion of the Durban port was approved by the provincial government and the expansion the “petrochemical industrial cluster” which included a massive expansion of Shell and BP’s capacity at Sapref, was supported by the national Department of Trade and Industry. In the end the SEA study concluded that the port and petrochemical options could be combined for maximum benefit to Durban's economy. Accompanying maps suggested that substantial residential areas be converted to petrochemical and light industry zones, but no mention was made of the implied relocation of the people. For communities who had experienced apartheid reallocations this was provocative. A series of public meeting organised by SDCEA were attended by several thousand angry residents who condemned the plans as perpetrating environmental racism. As yet no decisions have been taken regarding the SEA recommendations.