Update on the Appeal Against EDTEA's Authorisation of the Umdoni Bulk Augmentation Project
As previously communicated, the Bazley Residents Association (B.R.A.) has been actively involved as an Interested and Affected Party (IAP) in the proposed Umdoni Bulk Augmentation Project—an initiative by Ugu District Municipality to replace the ageing water pipeline serving Bazley.
From the outset, B.R.A. has fully supported the need to replace the old pipeline. However, our concern has always been with the route proposed by the Consulting Engineers. Their original plan involved laying the pipeline along the eastern side of Lagoon Drive (impacting multiple driveways and two roads), continuing along the eastern side of Ridge Road (cutting through 24 driveways), and then along the southern side of Ndesingane Road—directly through a section of protected coastal forest.
In response, B.R.A. submitted a reasonable and less destructive alternative: that the pipeline be routed through the sugarcane fields on the western side of Lagoon and Ridge Roads, and along the northern side of Ndesingane Road. This route would avoid damaging residential infrastructure (driveways, electricity, and fibre connections), minimise traffic disruption, and preserve the integrity of the natural forest.
While our proposal was accepted for Lagoon Drive and Ndesingane Road, the Consulting Engineers rejected the Ridge Road alternative—without conducting any feasibility study—claiming it was not viable. The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) endorsed the engineers’ decision and authorised the project as proposed.
B.R.A. immediately lodged a formal appeal against EDTEA’s decision. Unfortunately, the appeal was dismissed by the Minister of the same department. Professor Jeremy Ridl, the environmental lawyer advising B.R.A., described the Minister’s decision as one of the poorest he has encountered, stating that it is so legally flawed that it would likely be overturned if subjected to judicial review.
However, pursuing a judicial review is a complex and costly process—well beyond B.R.A.’s current resources.
Going forward, the B.R.A. Committee will closely monitor the construction phase to ensure full compliance with the environmental conditions stipulated in the authorisation. We remain committed to protecting the interests of the Bazley community and the integrity of its natural environment.
