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Comment on the draft Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities at Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About<br></h2></span> <p> Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is one of the most popular off-roading destinations in the Western Cape. A number of general off-road vehicle users and formal off-road clubs visit the reserve on a regular basis. </p><p>In addition, several quadbike tour companies are currently operating at the nature reserve, with many more contacting reserve staff in an effort to launch new tour companies. </p><p>The rapid and ongoing growth of commercial activities and visitors at the reserve has become a cause for various concerns, including:</p><ul><li>the impact on the natural and cultural environment; </li><li>the limited number of parking bays available on site; </li><li>the quadbikes that take up space in the parking and the entrance to the dunes, limiting the available space for those visiting the reserve for other permissible activities; </li><li>the frequent quad bike tours affecting the sense of place of the reserve for other visitors, particularly those enjoying non-motorised activities; and </li><li>the increased number of accidents related to quadbike tours.</li></ul><p>Following a review of the activities at the reserve, we are in the process of introducing a Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities, including: </p><ul><li>off road and dirt road vehicles; </li><li>quad biking/motorcycles/all-terrain vehicles; and </li><li>sandboarding</li></ul><h4>The Code of Conduct aims to:</h4><ul><li>ensure public safety; </li><li>optimise the visitor experience; </li><li>integrate various recreational uses and user groups of the reserve; </li><li>ensure international best practice; and </li><li>protect Cape Town’s environmental assets and strategic water sources, while we continue to provide equitable opportunities for tourism and associated businesses at the reserve.</li></ul><h4>Access the documents:</h4><ul><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/WANRProposedCodeofConduct-BackgroundInformation.pdf" target="_blank">Background Information </a></li><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/WANR_Code_of_Conduct_for_Permissible_Activities-OffRoadandDirtRoadVehicles.pdf" target="_blank">Code of Conduct - Off Road and Dirt Road Vehicles </a></li><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/WANR_Code_of_Conduct_for_Permissible_Activities-Quadbiking.pdf">Code of Conduct – Quadbiking/Motorcycles/All-terrain vehicles</a> </li><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/WANR_Code_of_Conduct_for_Permissible_Activities-Sandboarding.pdf" target="_blank">Code of Conduct - Sandboarding</a><br></li></ul><h4>You can also access hard copies of the documents at:</h4><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Libraries/Avondale%20Public%20Library">Avondale Public Library </a></li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Libraries/Wesfleur%20Public%20Library">Wesfleur Public Library</a></li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Comment period</h2></span> <p>Submit your comments from <strong>2 September – 31 October 2024</strong>.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Submit your comment</h2></span> <p>Submit your comments and objections via the following channels: </p><p><strong>Online</strong> <br><a href="https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/websitefeedback/?id=7350bc68-c79e-4718-89cb-20587aa6402e" target="_blank">Submit your comment online</a>. </p><p><strong>Delivery</strong> <br>Deliver your written comments by hand to your nearest <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/City-Council/Find-your-councillor-ward-or-subcouncil" target="_blank">Subcouncil office</a>. </p> <span> <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 a comment but have a disability or are unable to read or write. See details below.</p></div></div></span> <h4>Public Participation office</h4><p> <em>Telephone:<br><a>0800 212 176</a><br><br> Email:<br><a href="mailto:public.participation@capetown.gov.za">public.participation@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2></span> <h4>Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve</h4><p> <em>Telephone:<br><a>021 400 6000</a><br><br>Email:<br><a href="mailto:Witzandsnature.Reserve@capetown.gov.za">witzandsnature.reserve@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p>

2 September – 31 October 2024

Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities at Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: Background Information Document	1812810	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-09-02T10:00:00Z
Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities at Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: Off Road and Dirt Road Vehicles	366876	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-09-02T10:00:00Z
Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities at Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: Quadbiking/Motorcycles/All Terrain Vehicles	370998	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-09-02T10:00:00Z
Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities at Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: Sandboarding	360566	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-09-01T22:00:00Z