Zoo Blues

Jo'burg Zoo has been given the go ahead to upgrade. The parking and animal farmyard are to be updated, and a viewing tower, visitor centre and shopping centre built. The aim is to make the Zoo self-funded, which the City Council expects the Zoo to be.

Flo Bird of the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust says, "We have no evidence that the Council knows how to make money," citing the derelict and vandalised buildings around the Library Gardens that the Council approved as an example. "In no other city in the world are zoos, parks and museums expected to make money," says Bird. "Our rates should cover the expenses of these public facilities. The Jo'burg Zoo is owned by the people of Johannesburg, and not the Council."

The plan for the shopping centre is more for a group of restaurants than shops (a la Moyo at Zoo Lake). The problem is, according to Bird, when the restaurants move on, what to do with the buildings.

The parking lot has a huge environmental impact because it is tar. "I agree that we need more parking at the Zoo, but we need one that is environmentally friendly, with trees and gravel," said Bird.

"We badly need an overall environmental development policy for the Zoo," concluded Bird, drawing attention to the many important heritage and environmental issues that need to be addressed. Included are the trees, unique in Jozi, and the Zoo stream, which feeds into the Zoo Lake, to name but two.

The Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust will be appealing this exemption, and so can you. Here are the details:

GRANTING OF EXEMPTION FOR PROJECT REFERENCE GAUT 002/05-06/835: UPGRADING OF THE JOHANNESBURG ZOO WITH REGARDS TO EXPANSION OF THE PARKING, CONSTRUCTION OF A VIEWING TOWER, RETAIL NODE AND VISITOR CENTRE AND THE UPGRADING OF THE ANIMAL FARMYARD

Please be advised that the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environmental (G DACE) has issued authorisation to Johannesburg Zoo in terms of section 28A of the Environment Conservation Act (Act No 73 of 1989) from complying with provisions of Regulation GN R 1183 (as amended) promulgated under sections 22, 26 and 28 of the Act subject to the conditions and provisions as listed in Section 3 of the Authorisation.

A copy of the Authorisation from G DACE outlining the conditions of approval for construction is attached for your review.

In terms of Section 35 of the Environmental Conservation Act, (Act 73 of 1989) and Regulation 11 of Government Notices R1182 and R1183 of 5 September 1997, as amended, any appeals against the issuing of the authorisation or condition/s of authorisation must be lodged in writing with the MEC, Mr Mkhabisi Mosunkutu, Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng Provincial Government within 30 calendar days from the date on which the Record of Decision was issued (06 May 2008). Appeals must be lodged by Thursday, 05 June 2008 and must set out all facts as well as the grounds of appeal.

All appeals must be accompanied by all relevant documents or copies thereof, which are certified as true by a Commissioner of Oath. Appeals can be submitted by utilizing one of the following methods:

By facsimile: 011 333 0620
By post: PO Box 8769, Johannesburg 2000
By Hand: 16th floor, Diamond Corner Building, 68 Eloff Street, Johannesburg.