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Environmental notice publication plays an important role in ensuring that communities and interested parties are informed about proposed developments and activities that may affect the environment.
Legal Notice Publishing assists environmental assessment practitioners, developers, consultants and businesses with the professional publication of environmental and public participation notices. Our service provides an accessible publication process together with clear proof that the notice was published.
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Why environmental notices are published
Public participation is a central part of environmental decision making in South Africa. The National Environmental Management Act provides the broader legal framework for environmental governance and promotes public participation in decisions that may affect the environment.
Environmental notices help inform potentially interested and affected parties about a proposed project or application. They also explain how members of the public can obtain more information, register as interested parties or submit comments within the relevant period.
These notices may relate to proposed developments, environmental authorisation applications, basic assessments, environmental impact assessments, amendments to approved plans and other environmental processes.
When is environmental notice publication required?
The publication requirements will depend on the type of application, the location of the proposed activity and the instructions of the relevant environmental authority.
Regulation 41 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations provides for notice to be given to potential interested and affected parties. This may include displaying a notice at the site, providing written notice to identified parties and placing an advertisement in a local or online newspaper or an applicable official Gazette.
Where the potential impact of an activity extends beyond the boundaries of the relevant metropolitan or district municipality, publication in at least one provincial or national newspaper may also be required. The appropriate publication method should always be confirmed by the environmental assessment practitioner or competent authority responsible for the process.
What information should an environmental notice contain?
An environmental notice should give readers enough information to understand the nature of the proposed application and how they may participate.
Depending on the process, this may include:
• The name and location of the proposed project
• A description of the proposed activity
• The type of environmental application or assessment
• Details of the applicant or developer
• The name and contact details of the environmental assessment practitioner
• Information about where reports or supporting documents can be viewed
• Instructions for registering as an interested and affected party
• The closing date and method for submitting comments
The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations require notices and advertisements to provide details of the application and explain the process being followed, where relevant documents can be obtained and how representations may be submitted.
The wording should therefore be prepared or approved by the environmental assessment practitioner before it is submitted for publication.
Professional publication with clear proof
Environmental practitioners often manage several deadlines, reports and consultation requirements at the same time. Arranging publication should not add unnecessary administration to that process.
Legal Notice Publishing offers a straightforward service for the publication of environmental notices. Once the final approved wording has been received, the notice is prepared for publication and made available through an established online news platform.
After publication, proof of publication is supplied for the practitioner’s records and supporting documentation. This provides a clear record of where and when the environmental notice appeared.
Our publication service is suitable for environmental practitioners, consulting firms, developers, project managers, municipalities and organisations conducting formal public participation processes.
Making environmental notices accessible
The purpose of an environmental notice is not simply to complete an administrative step. It should make important project information accessible to the people who may be affected by the proposed activity.
Clear wording, visible publication and accurate contact information allow members of the public to understand the proposal and participate meaningfully. The regulations require interested and affected parties to be given a reasonable opportunity to comment and to access information that may influence the decision on an application.
Professional publication also helps environmental practitioners maintain an organised record of the public participation process.
View our latest environmental notices
Legal Notice Publishing publishes environmental notices for projects and public participation processes across South Africa.
View our latest environmental notices to see how these publications are presented, or contact us to discuss the publication requirements for your next project.
Send an email to legalnotices@legalnotice.co.za for a quote.
Publication requirements differ according to the applicable legislation, authority and environmental process. The environmental assessment practitioner or responsible authority should confirm the required publication channel and wording.
