The Council of the City of Cape Town has supported the proclamation of six new City-managed nature reserves across Cape Town, and the extension of various nature reserves.
The proposed new nature reserves are Ariesfontein Nature Reserve; Haasendal Nature Reserve; Soetwater Nature Reserve; Symphony Way Nature Reserve; Van Schoorsdrift Nature Reserve and Westlake Nature Reserve.
The City also supports the expansion of the following existing Nature Reserves:
- Blaauwberg
- False Bay
- Harmony Flats
- Steenbras
- Table Bay
- Tygerberg
- Witzands Aquifer
- Wolfgat and
- Zandvlei
“We have formally supported the commencement of the process to expand nine existing reserves and the proclamation of six new reserves in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act. There will be an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the proposed new nature reserves in due course,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews.
Through pro-active land banking of conservation-worthy areas, the City is able to facilitate development by securing biodiversity offsets. These areas have been identified to be protected for conservation and public benefit.
The additions to the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is of particular interest as these areas have been purchased to implement the approved Atlantis Generic Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) and thus facilitate development projects within the Atlantis urban area.
The EMPr has been gazetted by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and eliminates various environmental authorisation triggers, including those for the removal of indigenous vegetation from the Atlantis urban area, which will greatly facilitate development in Atlantis.
The Soetwater resort and surrounding area is another critically important recreation and biodiversity area and it is now due to be transferred to the Environmental Management Department. This area includes a section of coastline, extensive coastal wetlands and high-quality natural vegetation.
“The City, through its Biodiversity Management Branch, is dedicated to conserving, restoring and managing Cape Town’s unique biodiversity and natural resources. These efforts will assist the City’s resilience, and preserve natural assets for generations to come,” added Andrews.
The formal proclamation process, which includes public participation, will soon commence in collaboration with CapeNature.
