Tamarina Beach Club Hotel Extension

5
BASELINE ENVIRONMENT
Drawings relevant to this section are as follows:
 Topographic Plan including Tree Survey
 Location Plan
5.1
5.1.1
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT SITE AND PROJECT AREA
Project Site
The site is freehold land located at Tamarin on the Western coast of Mauritius in the District of Black River. As
per the Black River Outline Scheme, the site is located within settlement boundary and the South West Tourism
Zone that extends from Flic en Flac/Wolmar to Le Morne Peninsula.
The Project site is generally bounded as follows:
 towards the east by the existing Tamarina Beach Club Hotel
 towards the south by the line of High Water Mark
 towards the west and the north by Domaine de Wolmar
The coastal frontage, approximately 80 m long, is found, between the following coordinates:
 Latitude 20°19’17.20”S and longitude 57°22’41.66”E north site
 Latitude 20°19’14.95”S and longitude 57°20’40.18”E south of site
The site extent is of 36,938.84m2 excised from all that remains of 900A (Domaine Wolmar) belonging to
Medine Ltd as per title deed T.V 555 No 31, 3nt (Refer to Appendix A for Land Survey plan and Title Deed).
Medine Ltd has confirmed in writing that it has duly authorised its subsidiary, Tamarina Beach Club Hotel Ltd,
to proceed with the construction of an extension to its existing 50-room hotel on the aforesaid plot of land
(Refer to Appendix A for letter of authorisation).
The portion under development for the hotel extension is limited to the coastal frontage and of approximate
rectangular shape 65m coastal frontage x 50m inland.
Figure 5-1 below show the existing hotel blending in the vegetation and to its left the site earmarked for the
proposed hotel extension with a rocky shore.
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Hotel
extension
Existing
Hotel
Figure 5-1: Aerial view of Existing Hotel and site for Extension to the left
The site is currently undeveloped and with alien vegetation cover (refer section 5.3 Terrestrial Biodiversity)
There is no natural surface water feature on site (refer section 5.2.3 Site Hydrogeology and Hydrology)
There is currently no building on site; no services and infrastructure serving the site. There is however an
overhead CEB line that shall be relocated along the site boundary, with CEB approval.
Pictures of site are shown in Appendix E and forms part of the EIA report.
5.1.2
The Project Area
There is no agreed figures on the extent of a Project Area. It is however commonly considered in
Environmental Impact Assessment studies as being land comprised within 1,000 m radius from site; the
“Project area” is shown on the Location Plan attached.
The Area of Environmental Influence for such type of development, i.e. low density hotel development with
associated infrastructure and services, is however much smaller than the project area and can be reduced to
500 m from site boundary; the “Area of Environmental Influence” is shown on the Location Plan attached.
The Area of Environmental Influence includes the following main man-made features:
 To the east, Tamarina Beach Club Hotel and further east (and north east) Tamarina Golf Estate
 To the west and north, Domaine de Wolmar, being former grazing grounds
The Area of Environmental Influence includes the following main natural features:
 To the south west, the line of high water mark. It should be noted that there is no reef opposite the
site, thus no lagoon.
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5.1.3
Site Topography
As shown on the topographic plan attached, the site slopes in a general north-east to south-west direction and
towards the sea.
The blocks located at the rear of the portion of land to be developed for the hotel extension are generally
found on contour 6.5m; the blocks located at the front are generally found on contour 4.5m; both are distant
of about 35m. The slope is thus generally in the range of 5-6%.
5.2
5.2.1
GEO-DATA
Site Geology
The geology of Mauritius is dominated mostly by deposits of basaltic lavas following volcanic activities which
occurred during two distinct periods. The general series of basaltic rocks are as described in the Table 5-1
below.
LAVA SERIES
AGE (MILLION YEARS BC.)
Younger Volcanic Series
Late Lavas
Intermediate Lavas
Early Lavas
Older Volcanic Series
0.025 to 0.2
0.5 to 0.7
1.7 to 3.5
6.8 to 7.8
Table 5-1: Volcanic Series
From the “Land Resource and Suitability Map, FAO/MSIRI”, extract of which is reproduced in figure 5-2 below,
the project area lies within the northern and western intermediate lava plains and slopes (index 2.4).
2.4
site
Figure 5-2: Geological Map - Land Resource and Suitability Map
According to the 1:50,000 Geological Map of Mauritius, the site is underlain by fresh basalt of the Younger
Volcanic Series that are characterised by uniform doleritic facies.
These lavas are light greyish in colour and show many phenocrysts (large crystal surrounded by a finer-grained
matrix in an igneous rock) of olivine scattered in the doleritic network of feldspars and pyroxenes (silicate
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minerals). They are often porous and vesicular and show many cracks and fissures, but they are also sometimes
compact. Scoriaceous textures are common, mainly at the upper and lower parts of the flows.
Weathering is in general not important and is very often in concentric beds production onion-type alteration
structures.
According to the Soil Map of Mauritius, the natural strata consists of Grey Hydromorphic Soils. These soils have
developed below the 1,250mm isohyet. The typical profile consists of a greyish cast A horizon over a B horizon
showing grey, yellow or brown mottlings.
5.2.2
Site Geotechnical Conditions
The following description is extracted from the Geotechnical Report issued by Water Research Co Ltd (refer
Appendix F)
The depth and thickness of the various strata observed in the Trial Pits are shown in the logs and are
summarised in Table 5-2.
Trial
Pit
TP1
TP2
TP3
Excavation
Depth
(m)
2.75
2.75
1.95
Elevation
(m)
6.50
4.25
3.50
Groundwater
Depth
(m)
2.5
2.75
--
Topsoil
0.00-0.030
0.00-0.035
0.00-0.030
STRATA (m)
Completely
weathered Basalt
0.30-2.75
0.35-1.70
--
Moderately
weathered basalt
-1.70-2.75
0.30-1.95
Table 5-2: Summary of Geotechnical Data
The following sections summarise the descriptions for each of the encountered strata.
1. Topsoil. Topsoil was encountered for all Trial Pits from the surface in an average thickness of 0.30m and was
generally described as soft dark brown to black very gravelly low plasticity sandy Silt with frequent roots and
sub rounded cobbles and boulders.
2. Weathered Basalt – Clay. Completely Weathered Basalt (CWB) was encountered at TPs 1 and 2 underlying
the Topsoil. The stratum was generally described as firm light greenish brown with white deposits very gravelly
high plasticity silty Clay with frequent sub rounded cobbles and boulders
3. Weathered Basalt – Rock. Moderately Weathered Basalt (MWB) was encountered at TPs 2 and 3 underlying
the Completely Weathered Basalt layer or the topsoil and extending to a minimum depth of 2.75m. Thickness
of this stratum ranges between 1.0m to 1.5m. The MWB was described as moderately weak to moderately
strong creamish grey with orange and black discolorations vesicular very closely jointed. The thickness of the
weathered rock varied between 1.05m to 1.65m and it extended to the maximum explored depth of 2.75m.
4. Groundwater. Groundwater was encountered at trial pits TP 1 and 2 only. Groundwater observations were
carried out for 48hrs and not fluctuations in the groundwater level were observed.
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5.2.3
Site Hydrogeology and Hydrology
(i)
Site Hydrogeology
The hydrogeology of a site pertains to the underground water features of this site.
The site lies within the aquifer of Curepipe/Vacoas/Flic-en-Flac commonly known as the Curepipe aquifer, and
more precisely in the coastal reservoir of Flic en Flac – Tamarin. This aquifer comprises:
1. The western part of the intracalderic groundwater reservoir centred on Arnaud-Curepipe point;
2. The median reservoir of Palma – Beaux Songes, limited to the south by Montagne du Rempart/Trois
Mamelles and to the north by Montagne St Pierre/Corps de Garde/ridge of Candos;
3. The coastal reservoir of Flic en Flac – Tamarin.
It is a multi-layer aquifer constituted by the superposition and the juxtaposition of basaltic flows, healthy or
more or less weathered, separated by clayish facies. The superficial part of the underground water reservoir
flows generally through a unit of healthy basaltic flow (recent basalts and /or intermediate basalts). It has a
hydraulic behaviour characterised by a high piezometric gradient (3.2% at Vacoas).
The hydrogeological characteristics of the intermediate series (multi-layered aquifers) are very interesting, and
the piling of basaltic flows within these series have provided important yields of the order of 300m3/hour.
6.2.3.2
Site Hydrology
The hydrology of a site pertains to the surface water features of this site.
There are no natural water courses on site. There is no man made irrigation drain on site.
According the 1:25000 Map of Mauritius, extract of which is shown in Figure 5-3 below, there is one man made
irrigation drain that flows from an upper reservoir down to the sea. This drain is located within the footprint of
the existing hotel and more precisely located between the hotel rooms and the restaurant (former beach club).
Figure 5-3: Irrigation Drain - 1:25000 Map of Mauritius
As per the Hydrology Data Book (2000 – 2005) the proposed site is located within the minor catchment TU of
an extent of 36 km², as indicated in Figure 5-4 below. The main surrounding catchments are catchments S, T
and U which are described below.
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Drainage area (S), River Tamarin falls into two parts. The upper part lies in the south of the central plateau, a
saucer like area of younger lavas, partly closed by basement rocks which have a very steep west-ward face. This
upper catchment has a high rainfall and there are numerous marshy depressions, three of which have been
enclosed to form the reservoirs at Mare aux Vacoas, Mare Longue and Tamarin falls. Water is released from
Mare Longue into Tamarind Falls and is used to generate hydro power before its release into River Tamarin at
Magenta. Most of the water is then diverted into the irrigation systems, the largest of which is Magenta. The
lower part of drainage area (S) consists of the deep Tamarin Gorge which opens on to a narrow, irregular
shaped coastal plain.
The drainage area of River du Rempart West (T) is similar to area (S) but the saucer rim enclosing the upper
catchment is lower. This has resulted in an overflow of late lavas through a depression between the Du
Rempart and St. Pierre mountains. Thus, in addition to surface flow in River du Rempart there is a considerable
groundwater flow through the aquifer. This aquifer known as the Curepipe aquifer which emerges from the
southwest part of the central plateau to the coastal plain is one of the most productive of the island. Some of
this groundwater emerges as springs at levels of 275-300 m, for example at Bassin in area (TU) while a large
volume flows to the coastal plain producing springs in the Flic-en-Flac – Medine area (TU) and (U). Marine
springs occur a few feet from the shore at Dileau Bouilli near Flic-en-Flac. The ground water from the
Pierrefonds tunnel, which is found between the St Pierre and the Corps de Garde Mountains, is used for
domestic purposes in the region of Petite Riviere and part of Port Louis.
La Ferme Reservoir (capacity 11.52 Mm3) was constructed on the upper reaches of River Belle Isle (U) and
receives water from both Trianon Grosses Roches Feeder Canal (W) and La Fenetre Feeder Canal from River du
Rempart and River Papayes (T).
Figure 5-4: Western Drainage Area
5.3
TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY
An ecological and botanical study of the site has been commissioned for EIA purposes. The complete Ecological
Survey Report is attached at Appendix G and forms part of the EIA report. Extracts of this report are presented
hereafter.
The clusters of vegetation as well as individual trees that have been geo-referenced are shown on the
Topographic plan attached.
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Flora. The site contains no indigenous or endangered species, no rare flora that are protected by law.
The site is not located within an existing or proposed Environmental Sensitive Area, as per the National
Development Strategy Plan and Black River Outline Planning Scheme.
Fauna. The site hosts two endemic species; one bird and one reptile.
5.3.1
Ecological Description and Flora Survey
Two main ecological zones have been identified and are classified as follows:
 Coastal frontage
 Inland and former grazing grounds
(i)
Frontage vegetation.
The frontage flora zone is coastal and dry lowland vegetation even it is considered to be degraded vegetation
and most of the trees found are introduced species during colonisation.
The main exotic trees are: Terminalia arjuna (badamier de l’Inde), Tamarindus indica (tamarin) and Terminalia
catappa (badamier) which can be preserved and incorporated into the landscape.
The other invasive species such as Acasia nilotica (piquant loulou), Haematoxylum camechianum (Campeche)
and Schinus terebinthifolius (Poivrier marron) are also found on site but without any aesthetic value.
Two native common species are recorded along the coastal line; Thespesia populnea (Sainte Marie) and
Scaevola taccada (veloutier vert). These are however located off site. Those common native plants will be
preserved and maintained.
(ii)
Inland and former chasse vegetation
The inland zone is dry lowland vegetation even it is highly degraded and invaded by exotic plants species and
located at the upper part behind the fenced line.
The other exotic trees found on the proposed site; Terminalia arjuna (badamier de l’Inde), Tamarindus indica
(tamarin), Pongamia pinnata (la coqueluche), Syzygium cumini (jamblon) and Terminalia catappa (badamier).
Some of the potential trees will be preserved and incorporated into the landscape.
The invasive species such as Acasia nilotica (piquant loulou), Haematoxylum camechianum (Campeche) and
Schinus terebinthifolius (Poivrier marron) which limit the propagation of the flora of environmental value will
be removed and replaced by endemic species.
5.3.2
Fauna Survey
Twelve endemic species of land bird have so far escaped extinction. Of these, nine are threatened according to
the IUCN Red List (2003). Species recovery programmes have saved three of these species from probable
extinction.
24 of the 52 native species of forest vertebrate that were known to have occurred on Mauritius and adjacent
islets are now extinct, including the Raphus cucullatus (Dodo), the Lophopsittacus mauritianus (Raven Parrot)
and two species of Cylindrapsis spp. (giant tortoise) and the Leiolopis mamauritiana (Giant Skink). Many of the
extant species are threatened.
Two endemic species been recorded on site one bird; Zosterops borbonicus mauritianus (The Mascarene Grey
White Eye, Oiseau Pic-Pic, Zozo manioc) and one reptile; Phelsuma ornata (Ornate day gecko, Vinson’s gecko).
Most of the fauna community are introduced species during colonisation of the island.
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5.4
THE COASTAL FRONTAGE
The coastal frontage is characterised by a rocky shore as shown on figure 5-5 below.
Figure 5-5: Site Coastal Frontage being a Rocky Shore
The below statement is extracted from the ecological survey report:
The sea frontage forms a barrier of some 80m long, basically with natural basalt volcanic rocks.
This zone has a middle tide zone or called mid-littoral zone. This is a turbulent zone that is covered twice a day.
The zone extends from the upper limit of the barnacles to the lower limit of large brown algae; (e.g.
Laminariales, Fucoidales). Common organisms are sea-snails, sponges, sea stars, barnacles, mussels, sea palms
and crabs.
A rocky shore is an intertidal area that consists of solid rocks. It is often a biologically rich environment and can
include many different habitat types like steep rocky cliffs, platforms, rockpools and boulder fields. Because of
the continuous action of the tides, it is characterized by erosion features. Together with the wind, sunlight and
other physical factors it creates a complex environment. Organisms that live in this area experience daily
fluctuations in their environment. For this reason, they must be able to tolerate extreme changes in
temperature, salinity, moisture and wave action to survive.
This area of the coast is also characterised by the absence of reef barrier as shown on figure 5-6 below
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Figure 5-6: Aerial View of Tamarin Bay - No Reef Barrier opposite Tamarina Beach Club hotel
5.5
GENERAL CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Mauritius has a moderate tropical climate characterized by a hot, humid summer between November and April
(average mid-day temperature 25°C on the Central Plateau and 30°c on the coast), followed by cooler and drier
winter period (19°c and 24°c respectively). Seasonal rainfall patterns are distinct, with about 50% of the annual
rainfall (average 1,200 mm) occurring between January and March, and often little or no rainfall during
November to December.
5.5.1
Wind Regime
Mauritius is situated in the equator-ward belt of the southern sub-tropical anticyclone system. Atmospheric
pressures at the surface increase southward in this belt, creating a gradient, which maintains a general easterly
flow.
The prevailing wind pattern in Mauritius is the South Eastern trade winds, as shown on Figure 5-5 below,
except for short periods in the summer months when tropical storms approach the island. The trade winds are
stronger and more persistent in winter when strong anticyclones pass to the South and close to the island.
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Figure 5-7: Wind Rose for Mauritius
Tamarin is located on the western coastal plains and is not directly under the influence of the prevailing winds.
Mean wind speed for the western region, i.e. MEDINE meteorological station are reported in Table 5-3 below
(Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000)
The wind speed increases in winter with strong south eastern trade winds and anti-cyclones.
The highest gust occur during the cyclonic period
Wind variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of activity involved.
All buildings in Mauritius are normally designed to withstand gusts up to 280 km/h.
MONTH
Mean Wind
Speed (km/h)
Highest Gust
(km/h)
JAN
7.6
FEB
9.5
MAR
7.6
APR
9.5
MAY
11.4
JUN
15.2
JUL
15.2
AUG
17.1
SEP
15.2
OCT
13.3
NOV
7.6
DEC
7.6
200
256
125
129
90
83
80
83
82
85
87
174
Table 5-3: Mean Wind Speed - MEDINE
5.5.2
Temperatures
Mean maximum and mean Minimum monthly temperatures for the western region, i.e. MEDINE
meteorological station are reported in Table 5-4 below (Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000).
Mean minimum temperatures are recorded during the winter season in July and August. Mean maximum
temperatures are recorded during the summer season from December to March.
Seasonal temperature variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of
activity involved.
MONTH
Mean
Max
Temp (°c)
Mean
Min
Temp (°c)
JAN
30.4
FEB
30.3
MAR
30.2
APR
29.5
MAY
28.1
JUN
26.4
JUL
25.8
AUG
25.9
SEP
26.7
OCT
27.8
NOV
29.1
DEC
30.0
22.5
22.7
22.3
21.3
19.5
17.7
17.0
17.0
17.5
18.6
20.2
21.6
Table 5-4: Temperatures Records - MEDINE
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5.5.3
Rainfall Regime
The comparative low annual rainfall for the western region arises from the prevailing pattern of the south
eastern trade winds and geology of Mauritius.
These winds rise over the island and cause precipitation mainly on the higher Central Plateau and its eastern
slopes. When the winds reach the lower regions, and the western coast, they have already dropped most of
their moisture.
Average monthly rainfall for the western region, i.e. MEDINE meteorological station are reported in Table 5-5
below (Mauritius Meteorological Services, 1971-2000).
July to October are the driest months with average rainfall below 20mm. December to February are above
100mm monthly rainfall.
Seasonal rain variations should cause no effect to and from the proposed project due to the type of activity
subject to land drainage being adequately designed.
MONTH
Average
Rainfall (mm)
No. day with
rainfall >1mm
No. day with
rainfall >5mm
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
153.2
181.8
86.2
87.6
42.7
29.0
15.4
14.8
12.5
16.5
25.7
115.6
9
10
8
8
5
4
3
3
2
2
3
7
8
10
6
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
5
Table 5-5: Mean Monthly Rainfall - MEDINE
5.5.4
Cyclone and Natural Catastrophes
(a)
Cyclone and Sea Level Rise
Mauritius is subjected to seasonal tropical cyclones in the months of December to March/April. Cyclones are
characterised by low pressure conditions and high wind systems. From records available at the Mauritius
Meteorological Services, over the period 1960-70, 39% of cyclones were classified as “Weak”, 42% as
“Moderate” and 19% as “Strong” with gust speeds over 80km/h.
The strongest gusts recorded instrumentally in Mauritius have been of 280 kilometres per hour (Feb 1975) and
records of gusts of over 250 km per hour have been made in earlier cyclones.
The values for 3 second gusts proposed by the Mauritius Meteorological Service in a paper dated May 1994 is
as follows:
 Return Period of 50 years : 240 km/hr (67 m/s)
 Return Period of 100 years : 280 km/hr (76 m/s)
Authorities have recommended the use of a basic wind speed of 280-300 km/hr for recent projects.
Since cyclones Dina in 2001, Mauritius has not been subject to strong cyclones.
Elevations in sea levels caused by cyclones do not exceeded 2.00m, however high wind systems over the sea
can contribute to formation of occasional waves exceeding this value.
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Sea level rise associated with climate change have also to be factored in.
In the present project, the hotel rooms located closest to the sea are setback 30m from High Water Mark and
located on contours 4.5m. The ground level will be further raised to 5.25m. Accordingly, there should be no
flooding effect due to sea level rise.
(b)
Natural Catastrophes
Mauritius is not subjected to earthquakes, nor has the island been affected by the Tsunami in December 2004.
Elevations in sea levels which have been recorded from North to East of the island have not exceeded 2.00m.
5.6
AIR QUALITY
Existing air quality within the area is expected to reflect its western coastal character free from any
atmospheric pollutant.
There is little published data on ambient air quality in Mauritius and none in the western coastal area. The data
available are extracted from the unpublished report “Environmental Investment Programme of Mauritius,
Project No7A” prepared for the Government of Mauritius, Ministry of Health by the Norwegian Institute for Air
Research and I. Kruger Consult AS-COWI Consult. The 1993 study included an air pollution survey that reported
urban related levels of particulate matter (PM) from road traffic taken over a two-month period in AugustOctober 1992.The report found that road traffic emissions (notably from old diesel truck and bus fleet) are the
dominant source of PM pollution in Mauritius.
Mauritius having a moderate tropical climate with South East trade winds prevailing through most of the year
and the site being located on the western coast and with no nearby source of trans-boundary air pollution, the
natural background dust level is extremely low. However, burning of sugar cane fields during the harvest
season also raises particulate matter of less than 10µm concentrations above 70µg/m3 over a wider area
during low wind speeds and poor dispersion.
No specific Ambient Air Monitoring was carried out on site since the proposed project is not likely to influence
the ambient air quality in the area.
5.7
NOISE
Noise is probably the most common form of pollution experienced by the majority of the population, and is
unfortunately an inevitable by-product of the whole process of industrialisation and urbanisation.
Environmental noise exposure limits in Mauritius are set by the Environment Protection (Environmental
Standards for Noise) regulations 1997 (GN17/1997).
Noise exposure limits for neighbourhood noise in residential areas shall be
60 dB(A) Leq from 07.00 to 18.00 hrs,
55 dB(A) Leq from 18.00 to 21.00 hrs and
50 dB(A) Leq from 21.00 to 07.00 hrs
No specific Ambient Noise Monitoring was carried out on site since the proposed project is not likely to
influence the ambient air quality in the area.
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5.8
5.8.1
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Resident Population at census 2011
According to the Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED), at
the 2011 Census the "de facto" population was 1,237,299 in the Republic of Mauritius.
The resident population for the island of Mauritius was 1,196,383 with 42% of the resident population living in
urban areas and the balance in rural areas.
The resident population in the district of Black River was 76,605 at the census 2011 with 23,157 living in urban
areas and 53,448 in rural areas, which represents a ratio of 30-70.
The resident population of Black River district increased from 60,587 at census 2000 to 76,605 at census 2011,
a net increase of 26%.
The existing settlements and population - as per census 2011 - within the village council areas (VCA) of the
project Area of Environmental Influence are provided in table 5-7 below:
Cascavelle VCA-west
Flic en Flac VCA
Tamarin VCA
TOTAL
Resident population
(2011 Census)
2,479
2,197
3,766
8,442 (11%)
Population density
2
(per km )
132.9
103.5
78.7
%
distribution
population
0.21
0.18
0.31
of
Table 5-6: Existing Settlements in the Project Area
The above table shows that only 11% of the resident population of Black River is located within the project area
of environmental influence, a rather lowly populated area. As a matter of comparison, Bambous VCA
concentrates on its own 20% of the resident population of the district.
5.8.2
Black River Outline Planning Scheme Forecast
Black River District continues to expand and evolve, mainly because of its strategic location on the western
fringe of the conurbation- home to some 500,000 Mauritians. In the north, it acts as a southern commercial,
industrial and residential suburb of Greater Port Louis and further south as an attractive residential and
tourism location including for second homes in a natural setting. As the fastest growing rural District it is
projected that by 2020 there should be a requirement for 10,600 more dwellings to accommodate the
population increase and changes in household structure.
5.8.3
Socio-Economic Conditions
According to the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District Council Area, (September 2011), around 43%
(19,400) of the population of Black River District are employed.
The unemployment rate (7.9%) is slightly lower than the national average of 8.9% (2000 data) although this
does not take account of the more recent closure of the Bel Ombre sugar mill, nor construction and operation
jobs connected with the new hotel complex there. Table 5-8 show the distribution of employment (i.e.
workplaces) in Black River District by sector and make comparisons to the national and all-District distributions.
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Industrial Sector
Black River*
Agric./ For. / Fishing
Mining/ Manufacturing
Construction (incl. EGW)
Trade
Hotels/ Restaurants
Transport
Finance/ Business
Public Admin./ Defence
Health/ Education
Other Services
TOTAL
4,473
4,770
3,287
582
3,841
495
218
377
612
1,694
20,350
22%
23%
16%
3%
19%
2%
1%
2%
3%
8%
100%
Mauritius
All Districts
11%
30%
10%
13%
5%
7%
5%
6%
8%
6%
100%
19%
31%
10%
9%
8%
5%
2%
4%
8%
5%
100%
Table 5-7: Employment Structure, Black River 2000
* The 2000 Census data has been adjusted to allow for changes in District boundaries. This adjustment was
considered essential as these changes were equivalent to around 1/3rd of the District’s total employment.
Source: Derived from 2000 Census.
The extension of Tamarina Beach Club Hotel will create further direct employment opportunities in the Hotels/
Restaurants sector and indirect employment in other tourism related sectors.
5.9
TRANSPORT, UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The following data has been gathered from the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District Council Area,
(September 2011) and updated as required from desk review of available data.
5.9.1
Transport
Access to and within the District is primarily via the A3 Trunk Road, south from Port Louis and Petite Rivière
through a number of ribbon developments and small settlements to Grande Rivière Noire. In the south the only
main road (B9) follows the coast and links eastwards to Savanne and Grand Port Districts and the SSR
International Airport. The B2 provides the main link to Quatre Bornes and the conurbation from the A3 west of
Beaux Songes.
With the exception of peak period congestion on the A3 particularly along the approaches into Port Louis and
the main urban area and on the B2 approaching Quatre Bornes other roads are generally adequate with little
evident congestion. However traffic and pedestrian safety problems exist on the A3 and B2 given insufficient
bus lay bys in the key settlement areas, particularly in parts of Bambous and Petite Rivière and sharing of road
space with slow moving agricultural and stone-carrying heavy goods vehicles.
The Road Development Authority (RDA) [has constructed] a new link road between the M1 motorway at
Phoenix and Beaux Songes to relieve congestion on the B2 through Quatre Bornes/La Louise/Palma. This road
should also significantly improve accessibility between Black River District and the conurbation. Additionally
there are a number of tourist roads in the District, including the Flic en Flac Coastal Road and roads within the
National Park.
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September 2014
5.9.2
(i)
Utilities and Infrastructure
Water Supply
The majority of the potable water for the District is obtained from ground water sources (around 90%) with the
remainder being supplied from the intake on the Grand River North West (GRNW-supplying the north of the
District) and from the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir.
There are main pipelines (200mm and above) serving the key settlements of Albion/Belle Vue, Flic en
Flac/Wolmar and along the coast through Grande Rivière and Tamarin as far as the Le Morne peninsula. A new
pipeline is being constructed from Mare aux Vacoas reservoir to meet the demand from new developments
proposed in the Les Salines and Le Morne areas.
Two potential dam sites have been identified in the District; one near Cascavelle (Mon Vallon) and the other on
the Grande Rivière Noire. The latter is located in the Black River Gorges National Park and there is little risk of it
being affected by upstream development. The former is downstream of Beaux Songes, Palma and Vacoas.
(ii)
Electricity Supply
There is one hydro-electric power generation facility in the District, at La Ferme, plus one photovoltaic farm
also at la Ferme and one privately operated bagasse fired thermal power station at Médine.
There are existing 66kV transmission lines that run along the northern half of the eastern District boundary,
connecting Henrietta with the main power stations in Port Louis.
The Central Electricity Board (CEB) has also constructed a new 66kV rated transmission line from Henrietta
down to Le Morne to connect with another new line that runs from Le Morne through to Combo, thereby
providing a primary transmission ring that should ensure that the south west of the District obtains a secure
power supply.
(iii)
Sewerage System
There are no existing sewerage systems serving any of the urban areas in the District although there is a
sewage treatment works at St Martin and another one just outside the northern District boundary at Montagne
Jacquot. These works treat sewage collected within Port Louis and the conurbation and discharge primary
treated and disinfected effluent to sea; the outfall for the St Martin works being located at Pointe Moyenne.
A recent study (West Coast Sewerage Study) has investigated the provision of sewerage to Flic en Flac,
Bambous and Tamarin. Currently all properties other than the main hotels use on-plot sewage disposal
facilities, although these are frequently poorly designed, sited and constructed. The study has concluded that
the least expensive solution is to pump sewage from the first two of these areas to the St Martin treatment
works rather than construct a dedicated treatment facility. There has been reluctance on the part of hotels
south of Flic en Flac to connect to a mains sewerage system as they have already invested in their own
treatment works and are able to utilise the treated effluent for irrigation purposes.
(iv)
Solid Waste
Solid waste in the area is currently disposed of to the Mare Chicose landfill site in Grand Port District. A new
solid waste management area has been constructed in the La Chaumière area north of Bambous and to the
east of the A3 road. This site clusters the transfer station and a composting plant.
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September 2014
5.10
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE
As per the Schedule (section 2) of the National Heritage Fund Act 2003 (Act 40/2003), there are only five
monuments in the district of Black River, namely:
1. Batterie de I'Harmonie
2. Colonel Draper Tomb (La Mivoie Cemetery)
3. La Tour Koenig
3A. Le Morne - Added by [GN No. 11 of 2006]
4. Martello Tower (La Preneuse)
None of these monuments are located in the project area of environmental influence.
5.11
SCENIC LANDSCAPE AREAS
Black River District has extensive coastal frontage along the island’s southwest and southern coasts extending
from Pointe aux Caves on its northern-western boundary to Beau Champ on the southern coast
The Black River Gorges National Park, proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1993, incorporates
most of the Savanne Mountain Ranges and has some of the only primary habitat remaining in Mauritius. The
National Park is surrounded by both privately-owned and state Mountain Reserves which are protected under
the Forest and Reserves Act. A series of privately owned and state forest lands also form natural buffers to the
National Park and Mountain Reserves.
The natural and open character of Scenic Landscape Areas, identified on the Development Management Map
of the Outline Planning Scheme for Black River District, should be protected. Agriculture and forestry- related
activities should generally be acceptable in these areas.
Where proposals for tourism, leisure or recreation, or an integrated resort scheme, settlement extension or
new settlement adjoin or form part of a Scenic Landscape Area, such developments may be allowed where
they are in accordance with the sequential approach to site identification.
Because of their open natural physical attributes, some areas whilst consisting of vegetation of limited
ecological or natural landscape value, provide interest and character to the countryside, coast or within or on
the edge of settlements. Whilst such areas are not worthy of protection on ecological grounds alone, nor are
they of outstanding natural beauty, they can contribute to the scenic attributes of built-up areas, the open
countryside and the coast and are thus worthy of conservation, consistent with the principle of sustainable
development. In all cases, proposals for development in or adjoining a Scenic Landscape Area should show how
they contribute to maintaining and enhancing the landscape and conform to design guidance.
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September 2014