The City of Cape Town has taken a significant step toward strengthening environmental protection after the Mayoral Committee endorsed a proposal to proclaim two new nature reserves and expand five existing reserves across the metro.
The proposal, led by the City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, will add an additional 950,1 hectares of protected land to the City’s conservation network once approved by Council.
According to the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, nature reserves play a vital role in safeguarding Cape Town’s unique biodiversity while providing accessible green spaces for nearby communities.
Many of these reserves are located close to residential areas, offering residents safe environments for recreation, relaxation and environmental learning. Facilities across the reserves include hiking trails, walking routes, bird hides, educational centres and picnic areas that promote both wellbeing and environmental awareness.
Beyond recreation, the City also uses protected areas as part of proactive land-banking strategies aimed at conserving ecologically valuable land. These biodiversity offsets help enable future urban development while ensuring that natural ecosystems remain protected.
Two new nature reserves proposed
Council will be asked to support the proclamation of two new reserves in the Helderberg area:
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Schapenberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West – 13,2 hectares
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Paardevlei Nature Reserve, Somerset West – 75 hectares
Together, the new reserves will protect 88,2 hectares of environmentally significant land.
Expansion of existing reserves
Five established reserves are also set to expand by an additional 861,9 hectares:
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Harmony Flats Nature Reserve, Strand – 0,9 hectares
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Table Bay Nature Reserve, Milnerton – 0,8 hectares
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Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve, Durbanville – 3,9 hectares
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Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, Atlantis – 826,2 hectares
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Wolfgat Nature Reserve, Macassar – 30,1 hectares
Once Council approval is secured, the City will submit the proposal to the Western Cape MEC for Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for formal gazetting. The process will include a public participation phase allowing residents to submit comments over a 60-day period.
Conservation linked to community impact
The Schapenberg Nature Reserve, launched in September last year, has already seen alien vegetation clearing to reduce wildfire risks. The City is now developing sustainable activities aligned with the natural environment, including guided walks, outdoor classrooms, environmental education programmes and community awareness initiatives.
The expansion of Cape Town’s nature reserve network reflects growing recognition that environmental protection and urban development can coexist through careful planning and shared stewardship.
By protecting biodiversity while creating accessible natural spaces, the City continues to invest in climate resilience, social wellbeing and long-term environmental sustainability for future generations.
