![Heritage Western Cape Provincial Heritage Site Plaque - Heritage Portal - December 2014](https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/sites/default/files/styles/adaptive/public/Heritage%20Western%20Cape%20Provincial%20Heritage%20Site%20Plaque%20-%20Heritage%20Portal%20-%20December%202014.jpg?itok=51GEXLdg)
On Thursday, 10 December 2015, Heritage Western Cape (HWC) and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) signed an Operational Agreement for the co-ordination of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs).
The agreement was signed by Dr Errol Myburg, the acting CEO of HWC, and DEADP HOD Pieter van Zyl. The Operational Agreement will also be provided to the Environmental Assessment Practitioners and training will be presented to staff and practitioners. “I am pleased that all the hard work of the staff involved has paid off and look forward to the reduction in red tape.” said Dr Myburg.
As a result of this agreement, heritage resources will be fully incorporated into the EIA process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and can therefore be better managed, conserving heritage resources when necessary, and, at the same time, reducing red tape by integrating heritage into the single EIA process.
Gerhard Gerber, Director of Development Facilitation at DEADP, thanked everyone on behalf of the department for the good working relationship between the department and Heritage Western Cape. “We are all looking forward to working even closer together as we implement the new Operational Agreement”, he said.
Let us continue to build relationships and grow with our partners BETTER TOGETHER.
Media Enquiries:
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za
Disclaimer: Any views expressed by individuals and organisations are their own and do not in any way represent the views of The Heritage Portal.