Last month, the City of Cape Town extended the commenting period for the draft Code of Conduct for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR) to 31 October 2024. Residents and interested and affected parties are encouraged to submit their comments soonest. The draft code proposes a number of interventions in the interest of safety and security, and the continued conservation of this unique natural asset. Some of the proposed measures relate to restrictions on the number of daily operators and visitors to prevent overcrowding.

The WANR is one of the most popular destinations in the Western Cape for recreational activities on the dunes, among which 4X4 off-roading, quad biking, and sandboarding, entry of which is controlled through a permit system.

Since 2019 to 2023, however, the City has recorded a disconcerting 1 501% increase in the number of visitors and permits issued:

·       The total visitor numbers increased from 4 244 in 2019/20 to 67 980 in 2022/23, or over 1 501%

·       Quad biking and off-road motorcycles increased from 4 387 to 51 972 or nearly 1 085%

·       Sandboarding visitors increased from 4 057 to 4 827, or nearly 19%

·       Off-road vehicle activity increased from 3 369 to 5 151, or nearly 52%

·       The busiest months are December, January, March, and April

Given the exceptional increase in the above activities, the reserve has reached capacity.

The draft Code of Conduct is proposing a number of interventions to ensure the safety and security of visitors, operators, and reserve personnel, and the continued preservation of the unique natural environment.

Concerns related to overcrowding

·       The impact on the natural and cultural environment, amongst which loss of ecosystem function, value, and attraction

·       Increase in adventure sport accidents

·       Impact on the sense of place

·       Impact on visitors who are not participating in motorised activities, such as schools’ programmes, birdwatchers and hikers

·       Littering

·       Increase in illegal activities such as consumption of alcohol

·       Impact on the reserve’s efforts to conserve energy and water

·       Impact on the reserve’s conservancy tank that regularly overflows during peak visitor months

·       Parking bay area filled to capacity and beyond

‘The City is responsible for managing and conserving the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, which is renowned for its water catchment source, surface biodiversity, and mobile dunes. We all agree that this is an irreplaceable natural asset that must be preserved for current and future generations.

‘However, we are also well aware that many stakeholders rely on the reserve for their business operations and that these outdoor activities contribute immensely to our local adventure tourism industry. Our intention with the proposed Code of Conduct is to find a balance between conservation and business opportunities. I believe the right balance will assist us in creating a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors to fully experience and enjoy this beautiful nature reserve,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The Code of Conduct proposes:

·       A daily limit of 80 permits for off-road vehicles, and no individual or operator may purchase more than 50% of the daily permits

·       A daily limit of 250 permits for quad bikes and off-road motorcycles, and no individual or operator may purchase more than 50% of the daily permits

·       A daily limit of 80 permits for sandboarding, and no individual or operator may purchase more than 50% of the daily permits

·       All tour operators must have a valid tour guide certificate as required by the Tourism Act; and First Aid accreditation, and are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of injured clients

·       The wearing of personal protective equipment is mandatory

·       Service providers are allowed to use only one parking bay per service provider, and must park their vehicles at their depots

·       Day visitor pre-bookings constitute 80% of the daily visitor limit, with 20% being kept open for visitors on a first-come-first-served basis

·       Mondays are reserved for non-motorised activities, such as nature based education, walking and bird watching, except when a Monday falls on a public holiday

·       Any person who contravenes the City of Cape Town Nature Reserve By-law or the proposed Code of Conduct may be liable for a compliance notice, a fine, or be banned from the reserve for a period of time

The relevant documents with all of the information and applicable background are available on the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay, and at the Avondale and Wesfleur public libraries.

Importantly, the City intends to implement the Code of Conduct as from 1 February 2025, if all goes as planned.

How to comment:

·       Online, at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay

·       By email to Witzandsnature.Reserve@capetown.gov.za

·       By hand at your local Subcouncil office

Caption: The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is one of the most popular destinations in the Western Cape for recreational activities on the dunes, among which 4X4 off-roading, quad biking, and sandboarding. Given the exceptional increase in visitor numbers, the City is proposing a Code of Conduct to limit the number of visitors and operators in the interest of safety and security, and the conservation of this unique natural asset. Residents are encouraged to submit their comments by 31 October 2024. Alderman Eddie Andrews visited the nature reserve earlier this week and took a short ride on a quadbike himself.

Supplied by: City of Cape Town