The City of Cape Town’s Council on Thursday, 26 October 2023, 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 include 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 Nature Reserve
· False Bay Nature Reserve
· Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
· Steenbras Nature Reserve
· Table Bay Nature Reserve
· Tygerberg Nature Reserve
· Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
· Wolfgat Nature Reserve
· Zandvlei Nature Reserve
‘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. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Biodiversity Management officials for the sustainable response to the urban pressures that Cape Town faces; for their meaningful contributions towards the accolades that the City receives annually, as well as the progress they have made with these conservation areas that are now officially proclaimed as new City nature reserves,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
Through pro-active land banking of conservation worthy areas, the City is able to facilitate development by securing biodiversity offsets. These identified areas must 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 spectacular section of coastline, extensive coastal wetlands and high quality natural vegetation that warrants nature reserve status.
‘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,’ said Alderman Andrews.
The formal proclamation process which includes public participation will soon commence in collaboration with CapeNature.
