Commenting period for draft Code of Conduct for Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve extended
06 September 2024
The City of Cape Town has extended the commenting period for the draft Code of Conduct for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR) with 30 days until 31 October 2024. 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. Residents, operators, and stakeholders are encouraged to peruse the draft code and to submit comments.
'The City received a request from an established user group to extend the commenting period, and as such, we have now postponed the deadline for comments from 2 October to 31 October 2024. I encourage residents, stakeholders, and operators to please make use of the additional 30 days to peruse the draft code, and submit comments and proposals,' said the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
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 draft Code of Conduct is proposing a number of interventions to ensure the safety and security of visitors, operators, and reserve personnel, and 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 Alderman 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:
Attend the public information sessions:
- Wednesday, 18 September 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
- Saturday, 21 September 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
'It is vital that residents, operators, and other stakeholders participate in this process. Given the overcrowding and the serious challenges this poses, we anticipate to implement the code by February next year. This timeline gives operators in particular, about five months to prepare and adapt their operations as needed.
'The proposed gate limits for the various activities may be questioned, however, I want to remind all that it is in the interest of the safety of visitors, as well as in the interest of the protection of this sensitive natural environment, that we address overcrowding. This will ensure that those visiting the reserve have the best possible opportunity to fully enjoy the activities and abundant beauty without overcrowding of vehicles and activities. Limiting the visitor numbers will also assist in preventing long queues at the entrance gate during the peak visitor months,' said Alderman Andrews.
Facts about the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
- It was declared a nature reserve on 12 January 2018 under management of the City of Cape Town
- It covers over 4 800 ha and is host to Endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Endangered Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Critically Endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld and Critically Endangered Swartland Granite Renosterveld
- 895 plant species are recorded here
- 214 bird species are recorded
- 46 insects
- 39 mammals and
- 45 reptiles
- It has an underground natural aquifer
- Non-vegetated mobile dunes and rocky outcrops are two outstanding features, with the mobile dunes covering about 500 ha
- The unique underdeveloped setting is of great value, and is favoured by the film industry, and accommodates recreational activities such as 4X4 off-road driving, quad biking and sandboarding
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.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
