Environmental Rights Blog: Bulldozing environmental rights by fast-tracking infrastructure development will cost us dearly

The Centre for Environmental Rights criticises the draft Infrastructure Development Bill for omitting references to sustainable development and imposing a strict 250-day authorisation timeline for special infrastructure projects (SIPs). The author contends that these fast-tracked processes bypass necessary scientific assessments and public consultations, potentially violating constitutional rights to a healthy environment and just administrative action. The document warns that inadequate environmental planning for projects like mines and power stations will lead to long-term state liabilities and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

• The draft Infrastructure Development Bill facilitates the implementation of special infrastructure projects (SIPs), which include high-risk developments such as power stations, refineries, mines, and oil and gas pipelines, yet the text contains no mention of sustainable development.
• The Bill establishes a mandatory 250-day timeframe from project plan approval to regulatory decision, which the author argues is insufficient for responsible scientific assessment of air quality and water resources or for meaningful public consultation.
• The proposed fast-tracking mechanism may create a conflict of interest for government departments tasked with protecting environment and water resources, as it encourages the avoidance of intergovernmental disputes to ensure approvals are granted.
• The Centre for Environmental Rights identifies three primary areas where the Bill may be vulnerable to Constitutional challenges: the right to an environment not harmful to health, the right to just administrative action, and cooperative governance provisions regarding local land use planning.

APA

Melissa (2013). Environmental Rights Blog: Bulldozing environmental rights by fast-tracking infrastructure development will cost us dearly. Centre for Environmental Rights. https://cer.org.za/news/environmental-rights-blog-bulldozing-environmental-rights-by-fast-tracking-infrastructure-development-will-cost-us-dearly

Chicago

Melissa. Environmental Rights Blog: Bulldozing environmental rights by fast-tracking infrastructure development will cost us dearly. Centre for Environmental Rights, 2013. https://cer.org.za/news/environmental-rights-blog-bulldozing-environmental-rights-by-fast-tracking-infrastructure-development-will-cost-us-dearly.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Melissa |title=Environmental Rights Blog: Bulldozing environmental rights by fast-tracking infrastructure development will cost us dearly |publisher=Centre for Environmental Rights |date=28 March 2013 |url=https://cer.org.za/news/environmental-rights-blog-bulldozing-environmental-rights-by-fast-tracking-infrastructure-development-will-cost-us-dearly |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{melissa2013environmental, author = {Melissa}, title = {{Environmental Rights Blog: Bulldozing environmental rights by fast-tracking infrastructure development will cost us dearly}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2013}, month = mar, url = {https://cer.org.za/news/environmental-rights-blog-bulldozing-environmental-rights-by-fast-tracking-infrastructure-development-will-cost-us-dearly}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }