Public consultation on the proposed Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas Regulations
Residents of Kenhardt, Vanwyksvlei, Carnarvon and Williston have been urged to submit their written representations or objections to the proposed Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas (KCAAAs) Regulations before 20 June.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) hosted workshops with these communities from 16 to19 May to inform them about the proposed Regulations and the impact of the initiative.
The workshops provided an opportunity to the communities and farmers to raise their concerns with senior officials from the DST and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africa Project Office. The workshops were divided into two sessions, namely, a DST-session on the proposed KCAAAs Regulations, and a SKA-South Africa information session on land acquisition for the SKA construction activities.
The Regulations, which restrict the use of certain radio frequency spectra and certain activities in the Karoo, give details of financial compensation procedures for those affected.
During the workshops, members of the public actively expressed views on the restriction of radio frequencies in the area, saying that it could compromise their businesses. They indicated that restricting television and cellphone signal wavelengths would affect their day-to-day activities and will make it difficult for them to communicate with each other and their workers.
It was important to get the inputs of the communities, as the region is home to the site where the SKA is being constructed. The project is an international effort to build the world's largest radio telescope, with a square kilometre (one million square metres) of collecting area. The SKA is therefore of great strategic importance to South Africa, and it is important to get the communities on board.
The scale of the SKA represents a huge leap forward in both engineering and research and development, and it will lead to a significant transformational increase in science capability when operational.
Minister Pandor extended the period for public consultation on the proposed Regulations by 60 days. After the closing date, the Minister will analyse the submissions and announce the date(s) for oral presentations.
