Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Act No. 53 of 2003)Industry ChartersForest Sector Charter15. Industry Specific Initiatives15.2 Additional Instruments15.2.4 Transport infrastructure development in support of forestry |
Transport of timber to markets represents a large cost component in timber production. Poor rail and rural road infrastructure within and to many forestry areas of the country negatively impact on the profitability of emerging grower operations.
To this end Government, through DWAF, undertakes to:
| (a) | Ensure that forestry development needs and opportunities are adequately incorporated in provincial and municipal planning processes (refer to par. 15.2.1 above). |
| (b) | Work with the forest industry in defining the transport infrastructure needs for forest development, for inclusion in the relevant Provincial Freight Transport Plans and Local Integrated Transport Plans for municipalities. |
This measure will be in place for the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo within two years of the effective date of the Charter and for other key forestry areas within three years thereafter.
Industry, in turn, undertakes to:
| (c) | Actively participate in provincial Freight Task Groups and Corridor Freight Committees to ensure that the transport needs of the forest industry receive the required attention from stakeholders and decision-makers in the transport sector. |
| (d) | Work through the Department of Trade and Industry supported Regional Industry Strategies and Wood Clusters initiative in developing road infrastructure and the development of business plans for key forest areas in the country. |
This measure will be in place in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo within two years of the effective date of the Charter and in other key forestry areas within three years thereafter.