Transport and Public Works

11.(1)(a ) and (b) The DTPW, in its capacity as custodian and manager of the provincial government’s immovable asset portfolio, actively promotes the use of renewable energy in public buildings. The availability of abundant sunshine across South Africa means that the utilisation of solar energy is perfectly aligned with the objectives of the programme. The DTPW commenced a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) feasibility study in 2013 and, following the feasibility report that was issued in March 2014, a tender was issued to procure the services of a solar PV contractor. The DTPW committed expenditure of approximately R54.8 million to the installation of rooftop solar PV systems at 16 government-owned properties. An additional eight sites are being considered for the continued implementation of solar PV with an approximate value of R17 million. The current cumulative energy saving for the financial year 2019/2020 is approximately 3 201 MWh.

• Table from page 24 of the 2019/20 Property Efficiency Report 9^th Edition

The solar energy yield from these systems has increased from 26 MWh in 2016/2017 to 3 201 MWh in 2019/2020, and the cost savings increased over the corresponding period from R32 000 per annum to R4 252 626 per annum.

• Above graphs from page 25 of the 2019/20 Property Efficiency Report 9^th Edition

• Above table from page 25 of the 2019/20 Property Efficiency Report 9^th Edition

(2) The national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure launched the Public Works Green Building Policy at the 11^th Green Building Council of South Africa Convention in Cape Town on 3 October 2018. From 2014, the DTPW was an active provincial Public Works participant in the development of this Policy and is accordingly a subscriber to it. The Public Works Green Building Policy not only deals with green buildings but also related critical aspects such as sustainable development, the green economy and sustainable buildings. The concept of sustainable buildings includes areas such as preferential procurement, empowerment, skills and enterprise development, job creation and balancing infrastructure delivery with development and empowerment. It is founded on principles such as Leadership, Energy, Water and Waste Management, Green Building certifications and Green Procurement to mention a few.

The Western Cape Government Public Works focus areas are highlighted at paragraph 5.3.3 on page 37 of the Policy:

• resource management and efficiency, including the annual Property Efficiency Report as a flagship programme, the Office Modernisation programme and property management reporting
• renewable energy, specifically rooftop solar PV
• greening of the built environment, including GBCSA certification, Office Modernisation, and a green school pilot project
• waste management, including groundwater harvesting and recycling

The green strategy is informed by the Policy and is coordinated at Branch level and implemented in the respective components of the Public Works branch. The focus remains largely as above, with additional new focus areas on Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for buildings (in terms of law since 8 December 2020) and Green Building Council of South Africa Accredited Professional qualification training for staff, and an associated Green Star Existing Building Performance certification for one of our office buildings.

(3) Department of Transport and Public Works has a Provincial Property Committee, appointed in terms of Sub-Regulation 3(1) of the Regulations promulgated in terms of Section 10 of the Western Cape Land Administration Act, 6 of 1998.  (a) The committee consist of:

1. the Head of the Component: Immovable Asset Management (Component) as the Chairperson of the Committee;
2. senior departmental officials nominated by the Heads of the provincial departments;
3. a person, if any; nominated by the national Minister of Land Affairs;
4. a person, if any, nominated by the national Minister of Public Works serves on the committee; and
5. persons who are not employees or members of a department or organ of state at any sphere of government with proven property experience and expertise.  They are Messrs. Jerry Margolius, Osman Narker, Bovain MacNab and William Horne.

 (b)  The functions of the committee are:

1. to consider a report from the Component on acquisitions and disposals of provincial state land, including offers of acquisition and disposal in cases where the value of the land as determined by the independent valuer or the amount of the offer exceeds R10 million. 
2. consider demolitions;
3. to monitor the administration of provincial state land and to advise the Component and the Minister on matters relating to the administration of provincial state land;
4. to perform the functions set out in the Regulations and such other functions as the Minister considers necessary or expedient for the achievement of the objects of the Act and the regulations; and
5. annually report to the Premier and the Provincial Parliament on its functions and on the matters referred to above.
6. The committee meet for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as the Chairperson deems fit.
7. The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be six members, provided always that a member contemplated in (i) and (ii) shall be present.
8. The decision of a majority of the members present at a meeting of the Committee shall constitute a decision of the Committee, and in the event of an equality of votes on any matter the person presiding at the meeting shall, in addition to his or her deliberative vote, have a casting vote.
9. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and the minutes of a meeting shall be signed by the person who chairs the next meeting.

 (c) The members of the Committee hold office for the period determined by the Minister, shall be eligible for reappointment and, may be removed by the Minister.

 (d) The members are selected as contemplated in (i) to (iv) above.  In terms of (v) an advertisement is placed inviting the public to nominate persons with proven property experience and expertise.