Budget prioritises healthy vleis, a resilient coastline, biodiversity, urban regeneration, and economic growth
12 April 2026
The City of Hope budget 2026/27 prioritises improving the water quality of our vleis, strengthening the resilience of our coastline against the impact of climate change and rising sea levels, and the management and expansion of the City nature reserves, including new land parcels to conserve Cape Town’s biodiversity. Spending on urban regeneration projects in vulnerable communities and neglected central districts continues, as well as precinct development plans to stimulate economic growth.
The City of Cape Town’s draft budget for the new financial year, starting 1 July 2026, was tabled at the Council meeting on 30 March and is available for public comment until 30 April 2026.
The Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate plays a key role in stimulating economic growth through its built environment regulatory mandates; drives spatial transformation and integration; and is responsible for protecting the city’s environmental assets and biodiversity.
‘The City of Hope Budget considers the implications of population growth and urbanisation, the need for economic growth and urban management, and protecting our vulnerable natural assets. The Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate is responsible for our vast coastline; for preserving our world renowned biodiversity, among which our 21 nature reserves and wetlands; to sustainably manage special rating areas and those areas in need of urban regeneration; and finally, to assess development and building plan applications while realising the spatial goals as determined by the City’s Integrated Development Plan and Municipal Spatial Development Framework. Economic growth, socio-economic challenges, and spatial transformation remain key priorities and the proposed budget demonstrates our commitment to deliver on these,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The directorate’s draft capital budget for the next three financial years amounts to R794 million; and the operational budget for the new financial year is R2,4 billion.
Major projects for the next financial year include the following, among others:
Coastal programme: to improve the resilience of our coastline with major upgrades of defence structures, including the seawall at Strand (R43 million), the Table View beachfront upgrade (R6,3 million), and upgrade of the beachfront in Muizenberg (R63 million), including a new seawall
Biodiversity programme: lowering of the weir at Zeekoevlei (R15 million)
Creating quality public spaces: completing the Parow Station Pedestrian Arcade (R8,7 million), upgrades at the Salt River Station Precinct (R11,2 million) and District Six public realm upgrades (R13,7 million)
Various precinct upgrades (R14,2 million)
Conservation land banking to support development of infrastructure and human settlements (R30 million)
R156 million for fencing and upgrades at City nature reserves, among which at Harmony Flats; the Edith Stephens Nature Reserve, Eerste Steen Management Area, and the Westlake Conservation Centre
The operational budget prioritises a number of projects for the new financial year, among which:
Wetland rehabilitation programme to improve the water quality of our vleis: R106 million for the dredging of Zeekoevlei; R20 million for the dredging of the Milnerton Lagoon
Job creation opportunities: the Kader Asmal Programme and alien invasive plant clearing projects (R12 million) and Community Ambassadors (R12 million)
R9 million for precinct management in targeted town centres and public transport nodes
R5,1 million for preventative measures in curbing the spread of the invasive borer beetle pest
R9 million for essential user costs to support building inspectors with by-law enforcement
R386 million for personnel costs that support and drive the processing of building plan and land use (development) applications
R4,3 million for concept design studies for future upgrades at St George’s Mall; Harrington Square; Chapel Street; Maitland Square; Dunoon public square; Green Market Square
R102 million for personnel costs to support spatial planning frameworks, spatial data and analysis to support sustainable development and urban growth, and the creation of economic opportunities
R21 million for repairs to slipways, access to beaches, maintenance of tidal pools, and restoration of coastal sand dune systems
R6,5 million for the Shark Spotters NPO and R12 million for the Cape Baboon Partnership who is assisting with baboon management on the South Peninsula
R62 million for security at nature reserves and coastal assets
R181 million for staff supporting the management and expansion of the City’s nature reserves, including coastal resorts and new land parcels to conserve Cape Town’s natural areas and biodiversity
‘I encourage residents to read the draft budget and submit comments. This is public money to be spent in the interest of our communities as we are building the City of Hope. Our professional and dedicated officials will manage the implementation of these projects together with residents’ ongoing support and collaboration, part of which is participation in the City’s budget process. Please make use of this opportunity to give us your input,’ said Alderman Andrews.
City of Hope Budget 2026/27 by 30 April 2026
Visit www.capetown.gov.za and click the draft budget trending box on the homepage for all budget-related information, as well as a public engagement schedule.
Submit comments on the draft Budget:
• Email: Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za
• Online: www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate ; or www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay
• Visit Subcouncil offices
• Phone: 0800 212 176
Caption 1: The Directorate for Spatial Planning and Environment now offers support to landowners who want to develop affordable rental flats on their properties. The Local Planning Support (LPS) service was launched in Langa in March with the intention of assisting the private sector to develop affordable accommodation in targeted areas across Cape Town. The City’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews, attended the launch. With him is the LPS manager, Bradley Burger.
Caption 2: The upgrade of the Muizenberg beachfront is progressing well. The project started in February 2025 and is on track to be completed by December this year. This is a massive investment in improving the node’s resilience against the impact of climate change and rising sea levels with a new sea wall and the relocation of buildings and underground services landward, away from the surf.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
