‘Our nature reserves play a critical role in the conservation of our unique biodiversity and ecosystems. Most of these reserves are located in close proximity to communities and are a haven for residents where they can spend time in nature, away from roads, buildings, traffic, and noise. Most of our reserves have hikes or walks, bird hides, educational centres, and picnic spots for visitors. But apart from providing a place of wellbeing, recreation, education, and tourism, we also use the reserves for the pro-active land banking of conservation worthy areas. By securing these biodiversity offsets we can facilitate future development without compromising our biodiversity. We are grateful that the Mayoral Committee has endorsed our proposal and next, we will seek Council’s support,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. 

Council’s support will be requested for the proclamation of two new nature reserves, all-in-all consisting of 88,2 hectares:

• Schapenberg Nature Reserve, located on the Schapenberg Hills in Somerset West, consisting of 13,2 hectares
• Paardevlei Nature Reserve, located in Somerset West and consisting of 75 hectares

 
Council’s support will be requested for expanding five nature reserves with an additional 861,9 hectares:

• Harmony Flats Nature Reserve, Strand, with 0,9 hectares
• Table Bay Nature Reserve, Milnerton, with 0,8 hectares
• Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve, Durbanville, with 3,9 hectares
• Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, Atlantis, with 826,2 hectares
• Wolfgat Nature Reserve, Macassar, with 30,1 hectares

Once approval has been obtained from Council, the City will submit the proposed reserve proclamations to the Western Cape MEC for Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for gazetting. This process will include a notice of intent to proclaim the reserves and a public participation process where the public will have the opportunity to submit comments over a period of 60 days.
 
The City launched the Schapenberg Nature Reserve in September last year, and started with alien clearing to mitigate the huge fire risk. The City’s Environmental Management Department is busy developing ideal activities that are sustainable and compatible with Schapenberg’s natural environment. This will inform the conservation development framework going forward, as well as environmental education and awareness activities, such as Spring guided walks, night walks, outdoor classrooms, and so forth.