NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MAKE REGULATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF THE KAROO CENTRAL ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREAS IN TERMS OF THE ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE ACT, 2007 AND EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD FOR WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS
I, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology, in accordance with sections 22, 23, 42, 50 and 51 of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007) (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), published proposed Regulations on the Protection of the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas in terms of the Act, in Government Gazette number 39442, under Notice number 1166, on 23 November 2015 (hereinafter referred to as "the proposed Regulations"). The period provided for the submission of written representations on or objections to the proposed regulations was sixty (60) days from the date of the publication of the notice.
On 11 December 2015, in Government Gazette number 39505, under Notice number. 1229, I published a notice extending the period for the submission of written representations or objections to the proposed regulations by a further thirty (30) days, which period expired on 22 February 2016.
Due to some confusion among the public regarding a similar process being undertaken by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and with a view to encouraging public participation in relation to the proposed Regulations, I have provided a further opportunity for the submission of written representations on or objections to the proposed Regulationsand extended the period for written representations or objections by an additional sixty (60) days from date of the Notice number 453 published in Government Gazette number 39939 on 20 April 2016.
I have also substituted Annexure A to Schedule A and Schedule D which are now republished in Notice number 453 published in Government Gazette number 39939, on 20 April 2016 with the Annexure A attached to this notice. There are no other site2016s to Schedule A and Schedule D, or any site2016s to Schedule B and Schedule C.
Written representations that have already been made in response to Notice numbers 1166 and 1229, referred to above, will be taken into consideration.
Interested or affected persons and members of the public who have already made written representations or objections may submit additional written representations or objections within 60 days of date of the publication of Notice number 453, if they wish to do so.
I also gave notice that further workshops will be held to address any concerns relating to the proposed Regulations and to provide assistance to members of communities within the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas who may require assistance in order to make written representations on or objections to the proposed Regulations.
Members of the public, including interested and affected parties, are invited to attend the workshops, which will be convened as follows –
| Date | Venue | Time |
| 16 May 2016 | Brandvlei Community Hall | 17H00 to 21H00 |
| 17 May 2016 | Vanwyksvlei Community Hall | 17H00 to 21H00 |
| 18 May 2016 | Carnarvon SASSA Hall | 17H00 to 21H00 |
| 19 May 2016 | Williston Combination School Hall | 17H00 to 21H00 |
All the documents referred to in this Notice are available on the Department of Science and Technology web site (www.dst.gov.za) (under “ENTITIES”, then “ASTRONOMY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (AMA)” and then “NOTICES”). These documents were also distributed to registered interested and affected parties by registered post in November 2015 and made available at municipal offices in Carnarvon, Fraserburg, Kenhardt, Keimoes, Loxton, Upington, Vanwyksvlei, Victoria West and Williston during January 2016.
Enquiries in relation to this Notice can be directed to:
Mr Mere Kgampe
Dept of Science and Technology Or Dept of Science and Technology
Building 53, CSIR Campus Private Bag X894
Meiring Naude Road Pretoria
Brummeria 0001
Pretoria
0184
Or
E-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone number 012 843 6644
MRS GNM PANDOR, MP
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANNEXURE A
Map of protection corridors containing the SKA radio astronomy stations within the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area 1
The map below depicts the 20 km radius circle around the SKA Virtual Centre, within which radius circle approximately 173 SKA radio astronomy stations will be located. The map also depicts three protection corridors required for approximately 24 SKA radio astronomy stations located within the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area 1. The protection corridors are required for the SKA configuration refinement over time.
A smaller scale version of the map below and/or a GIS-shape file is available on request from the management authority or co-management entity. The perimeters of the corridors are 5 km distant on either side of the spiral arms along which the SKA stations are to be positioned.
