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Comment on the draft Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2025Comment on the draft Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2025<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/CityConnectHeader.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /><div class="ExternalClass52C42FE7A4034880ABF026D9A5DD0426"><p>We are updating and renaming our Bioregional Plan (2015), and we want your input.</p></div><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​About the draft policy​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>The City’s <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Environmental%20Management%20Department">Environmental Management Department </a>is updating its <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Bioregional%20Plan%20for%20City%20of%20Cape%20Town%20-%20%28Policy%20number%2044854%29%20noted%20on%2019%20August%202015.pdf" target="_blank">Bioregional Plan (adopted as Council policy in 2015)</a>, and renaming it the <strong> </strong> <em> <strong>Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2025</strong></em>.</p><h4>The draft policy includes:</h4><ul><li>a profile of Cape Town’s biodiversity; </li><li> the Cape Town BioNet 2024; and </li><li> associated land-use guidelines.</li></ul><h4>Purpose of the draft policy</h4><p>For a range of sectors, whose policies and decisions affect our biodiversity; this policy will inform and guide spatial planning, environmental assessment, and natural resource management. It also provides a framework for all City departments to align their environmental responsibilities.</p><p>The intention behind the draft policy is to reduce conflict between the environmental and other sectors with the provision of up-to-date information on biodiversity priorities that guide: </p><ul><li>protected area expansion; </li><li> forward planning; and </li><li> sustainable development in the most biodiverse city in the world.</li></ul><p>The draft policy incorporates the latest best practice national principles and methods for spatial biodiversity planning. It covers all land in the municipal area, and spatially identifies the minimum network of biodiversity priority areas needed to meet national biodiversity targets, including:</p><ul><li>Protected Areas </li><li>Conservation Areas </li><li> Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) </li><li> Ecological Support Areas (ESAs)</li></ul><p>We are updating the policy for three main reasons:</p><ul><li>To align with the Cape Town BioNet 2024, which incorporates new and updated input layers, category changes for better alignment to national CBA map categories, expert revision, and refined mapping </li><li>To align with updated legislation, other policies and strategies </li><li>To change the policy name to align with the <a href="https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-act-2" target="_blank">Western Cape Biodiversity Act, 2021<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</li></ul><p>The draft policy fits well into both national and provincial legislation, and complies with international biodiversity commitments.</p><p>It also aligns with the following City documents:</p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/our-vision-for-the-city/the-citys-idp-2022-2027">Integrated Development Plan 2022-2027 </a></li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/plans-policies-frameworks-and-guidelines/cape-town-spatial-development-framework">Municipal Spatial Development Framework, 2023</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/plans-policies-frameworks-and-guidelines/district-plans">Eight District Spatial Development Frameworks, 2023</a></li></ul><h4>About the Cape Town BioNet 2024</h4><p>The Cape Town BioNet 2024 is the latest fine-scale, systematic, spatial biodiversity plan (map) for the municipality. This biodiversity network selects terrestrial and aquatic features that are critical for conserving native biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem function at the landscape level. </p><p>The design arranges priority areas for optimal spatial efficiency, in order to:</p><ul><li>avoid spatial conflicts with other land and resource usage where possible, and </li><li> provide for connectivity in the landscape.</li></ul><p>Legislation, scientific data, best practice and expert input form the foundation of the map. It is the least land-hungry option possible to meet national biodiversity targets, and the best option to keep Cape Town sustainable.</p><p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CapeTownBioNet2024_Information_Sheet_Final.pdf" target="_blank">Find out more about the Cape Town BioNet 2024</a>.</p><p>In terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, you can submit comments to the municipality relating to the draft policy.</p><h4>Access the documents:</h4><ul><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/CT_Biodiversity_Spatial_Plan_2025.pdf" target="_blank">Draft Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2025</a> </li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CapeTownBioNet2024_Information_Sheet_Final.pdf" target="_blank">Cape Town BioNet 2024 Information Sheet and Map</a></li></ul><p>You can also access the information at <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Libraries">City libraries</a>. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Comment period</h2><p>Submit your comments from <strong>13 February – 13 March 2025</strong>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Virtual meeting</h2><p>Join us online to discuss the draft plan.</p><table style="width:461px;"><thead><tr><th style="width:152px;">Date</th><th style="width:137px;">Time</th><th>RSVP</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:152px;">20 February 2025</td><td style="width:137px;">17:00 - 18:30</td><td><a href="https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/websitefeedback/?id=9f57290c-7b13-4e62-8978-3bf1faeb4c0e" target="_blank">RSVP</a> to receive the meeting link via email.</td></tr></tbody></table>​​​ <p></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Submit your comment</h2><p>Submit your comments via the following channels: </p><p> <strong>Online </strong><br> <a href="https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/websitefeedback/?id=581e7066-e2b7-4c47-8356-5f7b22828e40" target="_blank">Submit your comments online</a>. </p><p> <strong>Email </strong><br>Email your comments to <a href="mailto:public.participation@capetown.gov.za">public.participation@capetown.gov.za</a>.<span> </span></p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Our Public Participation Unit will assist you if you would like to submit comments but are unable to read or write. Call <em><a>0800 212 176</a></em> for assistance.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>For more information and general enquiries, contact:</p><h4>Environmental Management Department</h4><p> <em>Email:<br><a href="mailto:Enviro.GIS@capetown.gov.za">Enviro.GIS@capetown.gov.za</a> </em></p>GP0|#cc1f7b28-f43b-45ab-a0f2-08b4fefef7ed;L0|#0cc1f7b28-f43b-45ab-a0f2-08b4fefef7ed|Issues open for public comment;GTSet|#a7cfb90d-44ad-4426-98ce-565f79932396;GPP|#79e6adda-2aa2-4523-bc29-296828216c9313 February – 13 March 20250

 

 

Cape Town BioNet 2024 Information Sheet and MapCape Town BioNet 2024 Information Sheet and Map1855034GP0|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033|Pamphlet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2025-02-12T22:00:00Z
Draft Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2025Draft Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 202512282216GP0|#77ed9e13-fe40-4cff-a50b-e31d4851c4d9;L0|#077ed9e13-fe40-4cff-a50b-e31d4851c4d9|Draft plan;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2025-02-12T22:00:00Z

 

 

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