Final Adopted IDP - KZN Development Planning

The term environment refers to our surroundings including living and non-living elements,
e.g. land, soil, plants, animals, air, water and humans. It also refers to our social and
economic surroundings, and our effect on our environment. NEMA defines the
environment as “the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of:
i. the land, water and atmosphere of the earth;
ii. micro-organisms, plant and animal life;
iii. any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the inter-relationships among and between
them”
According to the definitions in Chapter 1 of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000,
as amended, „environmentally sustainable‟ means the provision of a service that aims to
ensure that risks of environmental harm and risks to human health and safety are
minimised to the extent reasonably possible under the circumstances, and the potential
benefits in these areas are maximised to a similar extent, while legislation intended to
protect the environment and human health and safety is complied with.
ENVIRONMENTAL REALITIES WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY
Topography
The topography map, included as Plan 3 in Annexure C attached to this IDP review
document, depicts the elevation characteristics of the Ulundi Municipality. The mean
elevation (metres above sea level) ranges from 1600 metres above sea level in the
western parts of the Municipality, 723 metres above sea level in the central parts of
the Municipality, to 140 metres above sea level on the eastern boundary.
The White Mfolozi River further divides the western mountainous area of the
Municipality into a northern and a southern area, with only four official crossing points
situated on the R66, the R34 (including a smaller bridge next to the R34 crossing), and a
crossing where the L1606 connects Mpungamhlophe to the P734 and Lottery, in
existence.
Slope Analysis
The slope analysis depicts the gradients of the land as it declines in height above sea
level towards the east. The slope categories range from smaller than 1:10 (10% incline),
1:6 (17% incline), 1:3 (33% incline) and steeper. The higher the gradient, the more
difficult are more expensive construction and the provision of services becomes.
Slope also affects modes of transport, as a maximum gradient of 5% is recommended
for bicycle tracks and 8% is recommended for footpaths. Terrain therefore plays an
integral part in determining settlement patterns or the line of road construction to
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