West Coast District

Home , Jakkalsfontein, Leipoldtville, West Coast National Park

Report No 4110 / 401286

Integrated Environmental Programme of the West Coast District

June 2006

N 193 I 2

N N

U U

O O NINHAM SHAND F

F CONSULTING SERVICES Report No: 4110/401286

INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME OF THE WEST COAST

DISTRICT

June 2006

WESKUS DIS TRIKSMUNISIPALITEIT WEST COAST DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

81 Church Street Posbus / P O Box 242 P.O. Box 1347 Moorreesburg Cape Town 7310 8000

Tel: (021) 481 2400 Tel: (022) 433 8400 Fax: (021) 424 5588 Fax : (022) 433 8484 Email: [email protected] [email protected]

WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS With grateful thanks for the time and contributions of the following:

Title Name Surname Organisation Mrs Feroza Albertus DEAT Mr Trevor Bagus Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Quintin Balie Swartland Municipality Dr Mandy Barnett CAPE Mr F Bekker CapeNature Mr Johan Bornman Namakwa Sands Mr A.J Bredenhann Berg River Municipality Mr Johan Bredenkamp Citrusdal WUA Mr Jan Briers Dept. of Mineral and Energy Affairs Mr Japie Buckle SANBI Sandveld Task Team/ Cape Nature/ Great Cederberg Mr Johan Burger Biodiversity Corridor Ms Elbé Cloete Cape Nature (Knersvlakte) & Bird Island Mr Marco Coetzee SANParks - West Coast National Park Mr Julian Conrad Mr Adriaan Conradie Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Gary de Kock Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve/ WCNP Mr Charl de Villiers Botanical Society of South Africa Mr Charl Du Plessis CapeNature Mr Mark Duckitt Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Mr Marius Durandt Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Morris Florris CapeNature Mr JJ Fourie Saldanha Steel Mr Gerhard Gerber DEA&DP Mr Paul Gerber DWAF: Forestry Ms Pippa Haarhoff West Coast Fossil Park Mr Martin Halvorsen Botanical Society of SA - West Coast Branch Mr Nicolaas Hanekom CapeNature Mr Owen Henderson SKEP Mr Paul Herselman Department of Agriculture Western Cape Ms E Howard DEAT Dr Antonieta Jerardino Heritage Western Cape Ms Alexia Julius DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Brendhan Kannemeyer Eland’s Bay Environmental & Development Action Group Mr Marek Kedzieja DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Dawie Kruger DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Martin Langenhoven West Coast District Municipality Mnr Jan Langeveldt STO Wesku Mr Elroy Lategaan Matzikama Municipality Ms Mireille Lewarne Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Anton Louw Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Siwe Mabula West Coast District Municipality

Mr Charles Malherbe West Coast District Municipality Ms Sandra Malope National Ports Authority Mr Steyn Marais Jakkalsfontein Nature Reserve Ms Wilhelmina Martin West Coast District Municipality Mr Johan Matthee LORWUA Ms Hillary Morris Regional Tourism Office Mr Donne Murray Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Mr Pierre Nel SANParks - West Coast National Park Mr Ollie Olivier Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr D O'Niell Matzikama Municipality Mr Carl Opperman Agri Western Cape Mr Abdulla Parker DWAF Mr Christo Paulsen Knersvlakte Biosphere Committee Mr Wessel Rabbets West Coast District Municipality Mr Sean Ranger CapeNature Mr Jaco Rheeder CapeNature Mr Berchtwald Rode West Coast District Municipality Mr L Scheepers Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Shaun Schneier DEAT: MCM Mrs Schoor West Coast District Municipality: Deputy Mayor Mr Y Schrauwen Y. Schrauwen Consultants cc Mr Cobus Smit Citrusdal WUA Ms Mathilda Smith Cederberg Municipality Mr W Smith DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr WB Smuts Lower Berg River Irrigation Board Mr Siegfried Spanig Saldanha Steel Mr J Steenkamp Swartland Municipality Ms Kerry Te Roller SANBI/Cape Nature Mr A van der Watt Matzikama Municipality van der Ms Annalie Westhuizen Matzikama Municipality Mr Francois Van Heerden DWAF Prof Willem Van Riet Peace Parks Foundation Mr Bertrandt van Zyl DWAF Mr Jaco Venter Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Mr P Venter Cederberg Municipality Mr Fabio Venturi DEA&DP Mr Daan Visser Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Werner Wagener Berg River Municipality Ms Bronwyn Williams SKEP Mr FE Williams West Coast District Municipality Mr Helmar Wobbe Namakwa Sands Mr Anton Wolfaardt CapeNature & Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Mr A Zaayman Swartland Municipality

PROJECT DETAILS

TITLE : West Coast Integrated Environmental Programme

AUTHORS : S. De Nysschen; N. Zimmermann; K. Shippey

CLIENT : West Coast District Municipality

PROJECT NAME : Integrated Environmental Programme for the West Coast District

REPORT STATUS : Final

REPORT NUMBER : 4110/401286

SUBMISSION DATE : June 2006

...... NICOLE ZIMMERMANN KAREN SHIPPEY (Pr. Sci. Nat. ) Senior Environmental Practitioner (Cert. EAP) Associate

This report is to be referred to in bibliographies as: Ninham Shand. 2006. Integrated Environmental Programme of the West Coast District. Report No. 4110/401286

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... i Project details ...... iii Contents ...... iv Glossary of terms...... x Abbreviations ...... xii

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Introduction to the Integrated Environmental Programme (IEP) ...... 1 1.2 IEP Development Process ...... 6 1.3 West Coast District: Environmental Context...... 8 1.4 Structure of this Report ...... 12

2 LEGAL CONTEXT ...... 13 2.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 13 2.2 CONSITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA ...... 13 2.2.1 The Western Cape Constitution...... 14 2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION...... 15 2.3.1 National Environmental Management Act...... 15 2.3.2 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act...... 17 2.3.3 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas...... 18 2.3.4 Environment Conservation Act ...... 18 2.4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION...... 19 2.4.1 Municipal Systems Act...... 19 2.4.2 White Paper on Local Government...... 20 2.4.3 Municipal Structures Act...... 21 2.5 SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION...... 21 2.5.1 National Water Act...... 21 2.5.2 Water Services Act ...... 22 2.5.3 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act...... 23 2.5.4 White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management...... 23 2.5.5 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act ...... 24 2.5.6 Seashore Act...... 24 2.6 OTHER LEGISLATION WITH AN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT...... 25 2.6.1 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act...... 25 2.6.2 Disaster Management Act ...... 26 2.6.3 Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act ...... 27 2.6.4 National Heritage Resources Act...... 27 2.6.5 Development Facilitation Act ...... 29 2.6.6 National Forests Act ...... 29 2.6.7 Mountain Catchment Areas Act ...... 30 2.6.8 National Veld and Forest Fire Act ...... 30 2.6.9 Land Use Planning Ordinance...... 31 2.6.10 Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance ...... 32

2.6.11 Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act...... 33 2.6.12 Health Act...... 33

3 PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES...... 34 3.1 INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT ...... 34 3.1.1 Convention on Biodiversity ...... 34 3.1.2 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) ...... 35 3.1.3 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention)...... 35 3.1.4 Convention on migratory species of wild animals (Bonn Convention) ...... 35 3.1.5 Convention to Combat Desertification...... 35 3.1.6 United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change...... 36 3.1.7 United Nations Millenium Project ...... 36 3.2 NATIONAL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ...... 37 3.2.1 Reconstruction and Development Programme...... 37 3.2.2 Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy ...... 37 3.2.3 National Spatial Development Perspective ...... 39 3.2.4 National Strategy for Sustainable Development...... 40 3.2.5 Local Agenda 21...... 41 3.2.6 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan...... 42 3.2.7 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment ...... 43 3.3 PROVINCIAL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES...... 43 3.3.1 Western Cape Environmental Implementation Plan...... 43 3.3.2 Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework ...... 44 3.3.3 Guidelines for Resort Developments in the Western Cape ...... 45 3.3.4 Guidelines for Golf Courses, Golf Estates, Polo Fields and Polo Estates in the Western Cape...... 46 3.3.5 Western Cape Provincial Urban Edge Guideline...... 47 3.3.6 Western Cape State of the Environment Report ...... 47 3.3.7 Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape...... 48 3.3.8 Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy ...... 48 3.3.9 A Settlement Framework for the Western Cape Province, Green Paper.... 49 3.3.10 Bioregional Planning Framework for the Western Cape Province...... 50 3.3.11 Draft Coastal Zone Policy for the Western Cape (2004) ...... 51 3.3.12 The Integrated Coastal Management Programme for the Western Cape (2003)...... 52 3.3.13 Western Cape Promotion of Sustainable Development Bill (Preliminary outcomes of the Provincial Law Reform Process)...... 52 3.3.14 Ikapa Elihlumayo – A Framework for the Development for the Development of the Western Cape Province (2004-2007)...... 53 3.3.15 Micro Economic Development Strategy for the Western Cape (2005) ...... 54 3.3.16 Strategic Infrastructure Plan for the Western Cape Province (2005)...... 56 3.3.17 Guidelines for environmental decision making by Municipalities in the Western Cape ...... 57 3.4 DISTRICT LEVEL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES...... 58

3.4.1 Integrated Development Framework of the West Coast District Municipality ...... 58 3.4.2 West Coast Region IDP (2005)...... 59 3.4.3 Integrated Development Plans for the Local Municipalities ...... 60 3.4.4 West Coast District Spatial Plan (2000) ...... 61 3.4.5 An Urbanisation Framework for the West Coast Region (1999)...... 62 3.4.6 West Coast Region Economic Development Strategy (2000) ...... 63 3.4.7 Tourism Implementation Strategy for the West Coast Region (2001)...... 64 3.4.8 West Coast District Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Strategy (2001)...... 65 3.4.9 Communication and Public Participation Strategy for the West Coast District (2003)...... 65 3.4.10 West Coast Poverty Alleviation Strategy (2005/2006)...... 66 3.4.11 West Coast Spatial Development Framework (2005/2006)...... 66 3.4.12 West Coast Economic Development Strategy (2006/2007) ...... 66 3.4.13 The Craft Industry on the West Coast (1999)...... 66 3.4.14 West Coast District Disaster Management Framework (2005) Draft for Discussion...... 67 3.4.15 Water Services Plan (2006)...... 67 3.4.16 Water Management Area Internal Strategic Perspective (2004 & 2005) .... 68 3.4.17 Integrated Transport Plan (2006)...... 69 3.4.18 West Coast Investment Initiative Appraisal Document (1997)...... 69 3.5 LOCAL LEVEL PLANS ...... 70 3.5.1 Lower Berg River Sub-regional Structure Plan (1999) ...... 70 3.5.2 Lower Olifants River Structure Plan, Policy Framework and Management Guidelines (1999) ...... 70 3.5.3 Cederberg Environs Spatial Development Framework (1999) ...... 71 3.5.4 Wupperthal Local Structure Plan (1998) ...... 71 3.5.5 Verlorenvlei Local Structure Plan (1996) ...... 72 3.5.6 Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Dwarskersbos to Olifants River (1992)...... 72 3.5.7 Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Veldrif to Bokpunt (1990) ...... 72 3.5.8 The Saldanha Local Economic Development Strategy ...... 73 3.5.9 Knersvlakte Bioregion Spatial Plan...... 74 3.5.10 Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Plans...... 74 3.5.11 Knersvlakte Plans...... 74 3.5.12 Protected Area Management Plans ...... 74 3.5.13 Other plans of relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management ...... 75

4 ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES76 4.1 BROAD BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVES ...... 78 4.1.1 Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E) ...... 78 4.1.2 Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan (SKEP) ...... 81 4.1.3 Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR)...... 87 4.1.4 Knersvlakte Bioregion...... 90

4.1.5 Establishment of the Knersvlakte Priority Area (KPA)...... 92 4.1.6 Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC) ...... 92 4.2 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMES ...... 96 4.2.1 Sandveld Task Team (Initiative from the GCBC) ...... 96 4.2.2 GCBC Core Corridors (Sandveld, Cederberg, Olifantsberg, Suid Bokkeveld , Tanqua Karoo and Groot-Winterhoek link)...... 97 4.2.3 Sustainable Rooibos Initiative (Initiated by the GCBC) ...... 98 4.2.4 Best Practices for 4x4 and off-road driving (Initiated by the GCBC)...... 99 4.2.5 GCBC Small Grants Fund (Initiated and administered by the GCBC) ...... 101 4.2.6 RARE Project (Initiated through the GCBC)...... 101 4.2.7 SCARCE Project: Survey of amphibians and reptiles within the GCBC (Initiated through the GCBC) ...... 102 4.2.8 Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association (GCFPA) ...... 102 4.2.9 Cape West Coast Fire Protection Association (CWCFPA)...... 103 4.2.10 Stewardship Programme ...... 104 4.2.11 CAPE Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning...... 104 4.2.12 Putting Biodiversity Plans to Work ...... 107 4.2.13 The Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) ...... 107 4.2.14 LandCare Area Wide Planning: ...... 109 4.2.15 Working for Water...... 110 4.2.16 Working on Fire ...... 110 4.2.17 Working on Wetlands...... 110 4.2.18 CoastCare ...... 110 4.2.19 Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Programme...... 111 4.2.20 CAPE Estuaries Programme ...... 111 4.2.21 Ecological Reserve Determination...... 111 4.2.22 State of Rivers Report: Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers 2006...... 112 4.2.23 State of Rivers Report: Berg River 2004...... 112 4.3 NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES...... 113 4.3.1 West Coast National Park (WCNP)...... 113 4.3.2 West Coast Fossil Park ...... 116 4.3.3 Nature Reserves managed by CapeNature ...... 117 4.3.4 Private Nature Reserves...... 118 4.3.5 Other Nature Reserves...... 119 4.4 WILDERNESS AREAS ...... 119 4.4.1 Cederberg Wilderness Area...... 119 4.4.2 Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area...... 120 4.5 CONSERVANCIES...... 120 4.5.2 Proposed Conservancies...... 121 4.6 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND PLANS ...... 122

5 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE WEST COAST REGION...... 124 5.1 Methodology ...... 124 5.2 Goals and Objects ...... 125

6 ISSUE AND GAP ANALYSIS...... 138  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page viii

6.1 Issues and Gaps...... 138

7 INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME...... 157 7.1 Programme ...... 157

8 WAY FORWARD...... 205 8.1 Programme ...... 205 8.2 Roleplayers...... 206 8.2.1 Key Stakeholders ...... 206 8.2.2 Task Team Members...... 207 8.3 Way Forward...... 208

REFERENCES...... 209

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: The interactive model of sustainability Figure 2: The Interdependence Model of Sustainability Figure 3: Relationship between the economic, social, natural and governance dimensions of sustainable development Figure 4: The Framework for the Integrated Environmental Programme Figure 5: West Coast Region Map Figure 6: Map of Major Biodiversity Initiatives Figure 7: CAPE and SKEP coverage Figure 8: The proposed planning domain of the five fine-scale plans

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1 Examples of how implementation of the WCPSDF is foreseen Table 3.2 Primary Spatial Planning Categories Table 3.3 Other plans of relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast region Table 4.1 Local Authority Nature Reserves Table 4.2 Other environmental projects identified during the key stakeholder participation process Table 5.1: Goals and objectives pre-determined for the West Coast district by the legislative and policy framework Table 6.1 Issues, concerns and gaps relating to Environmental Planning Conservation and Management Table 7.1 Proposed actions for environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast region

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Notes of Key Stakeholder Workshop 15 March 2006 Appendix 2: Notes of Task Team Meeting 17 March 2006 Appendix 3: Socio-economic policy overview (Urban-Econ)

Appendix 4: West Coast Municipalities: Existing Strategies, Strategies in Progress and Possible Strategies Appendix 5: Notes of Key Stakeholder Workshop & Task Team Meeting 18 April 2006 Appendix 6: NEMA EIA Regulations (Government Notice R385 No. R386 and No. R397) Appendix 7: Comments received on “Draft IEP for Public Comment”

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Bioregional Planning Land use planning and management that promotes sustainable development (PSDF, 2005)

Environment The surrounding within which humans exist and that are made up of-

(i) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth;

(ii) micro-organisms, plant and animal life;

(iii) any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and

(iv) the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influences human health and well-being (NEMA, 1998)

Environmental impact An environmental change caused by some human activity

Environmental Integrity Ensuring a durable ecosystem condition which continues to provide goods and services at consistent level without negatively affecting the health or wellbeing of the human, micro- organism, plant and animal life which relies on it.

Ecological Integrity The continued wholeness and success of the environment in terms of providing for and sustaining life on Earth, and concerns both the natural and human-made environment. Due to the fact that the survival of species, including our own, ultimately depends on the ecology, ecological integrity is then a key factor in the environmental sustainability equation (PSDF, 2005).

Environmental A strategic tool focused on a specific geographical area which Management Framework defines the environmental status quo in terms of inter alia biophysical environment, built environment and “planned” environment. It defines the desired state of environment and sets “environmental control zones”; environmental management plans and environmental management policies to achieve this state.

Public Participation A process in which potential interested and affected parties are Process given an opportunity to comment on, or raise issues relevant to, specific matters (EIA Regulations NEMA, 2006)

Reference Report A synthesis of relevant environmental legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies applicable to the West Coast Region.

Situation Analysis An overview of the goals and objectives within the West Coast Region, based on environmental legislation, guidelines, policies and existing strategic documents. A synopsis of existing environmental initiatives and projects in the West Coast Region and identification of issues, concerns and gaps within the ambit of environmental planning, conservation and management.

Sustainable Development that meet the needs of the present generation Development without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

ABBREVIATIONS

AAWDC Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs

AWP Area Wide Planning

BEE Black Economic Empowerment

BWI Biodiversity and Wine Initiative

CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

CN CapeNature

CWCFPA Cape West Coast Fire Protection Association

DEA&DP Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

DEF District Environmental Forum

DME Department of Minerals and Energy

DoA Department of Agriculture

EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner

ECA Environment Conservation Act

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EIP Environmental Implementation Plan

EMF Environmental Management Framework

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EPWP Extended Public Works Program

FPA Fire Protection Association

GCFPA Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association

IDP Integrated Development Plan

IEP Integrated Environmental Programme

IPW Integrated Production of Wine

ISRDS Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy

KBSP Knersvlakte Bioregion Spatial Plan

KPA Knersvlakte Protected Area

LA Local Authority

MDGS Millennium Development Goals

MEDS Micro-Economic Development Strategy

MSUF Municipal Sustainable Use Framework

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NR Nature Reserve

NSBA National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment

NSDP National Spatial Development Perspective

PCAS Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services

RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme

PGDSs Provincial Growth and Development Strategies

SAROOF Trail Owners Association

SDF Spatial Development Framework

SKH Succulent Karoo Hotspot

SMME Small, medium and micro-enterprise

SKEP Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan

SoER State of Environment Report

SRI Sustainable Rooibos Initiative

PGDS Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

WC West Coast

WCDM West Coast District Municipality

WCPSDF Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME (IEP)

The West Coast District Municipality, together with the Saldanha Bay, Matzikama, Cederberg, Berg River and Swartland Municipalities, have embarked on the process to compile an Integrated Environmental Programme (IEP) for the West Coast region. The IEP is being compiled as part of the process of Integrated Development Planning (IDP), as required by the Auditor General. Ninham Shand has been appointed by the West Coast District Municipality to compile the aforementioned IEP on behalf of the municipalities of the West Coast Region.

The purpose of the IEP is to:

• To provide a working guide of relevant environmental legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies applicable to the West Coast Region for all roleplayers, within the context of environmental planning, conservation and management, • To provide a synthesis of existing environmental initiatives and projects within the West Coast Region; • To identify and describe the existing roles and responsibilities in the West Coast Region within the ambit of environmental planning, conservation and management; • To enable local government to position itself as a roleplayer in the West Coast Region, with respect to environmental planning, conservation and management; • To formulate proposals/directives to enable the West Coast Region to achieve goals and objectives set by the various legal requirements and initiatives in terms of environmental planning, conservation and management, where such goals and objectives are not currently being met; and • To facilitate the effective and efficient execution of environmental planning, conservation and management by all roleplayers in the West Coast Region.

As a first step towards developing the IEP, a Draft Situation Analysis has been compiled. The Situation Analysis 1 comprises a synthesis of the relevant environmental legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies applicable to the West Coast region, within the context of environmental planning, conservation and management. Furthermore, the Situation Analysis includes an overview of the environmental goals and objectives within the West Coast, as well as a synthesis of existing environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region. The IEP (this document) expands on how to achieve the environmental goals and objectives, taking into account the existing environmental initiatives.

For the purposes of this study, the environment is defined as the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of- (i) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth; (ii) micro-organisms, plant and animal life;

1 The Situation Analysis comprises Chapters 2 – 6 of the IEP.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 2

(iii) any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and (iv) the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health and well-being; (NEMA, 1998)

The philosophy of Sustainable Development is fundamental to the West Coast District Municipalities and their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). The objectives stated in the WCDM IDP are given as the following:

• The purposeful improvement of the quality of Life of all residents of the West Coast Region;

• The establishment and preservation of a safe environment;

• The pro-active and responsible stimulation of the Regional economy;

• The furtherance and conservation of the natural environment and the conservation of natural resources; and • The advancement of pro-active co-operation between everyone that fulfils a role in development.

The strategic focus areas to be advanced in the West Coast Region within the next planning phase; 2006-2011 include the following: • alleviate poverty – according to strategy • economic development – upgrade existing strategy/ according to PAS • rural service delivery – ward profiles/ targeted delivery • ensure sufficient maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure – project consolidate • human settlement development – PSDF/ Growth Potential Study/ upgrade existing SDF’s • land reform – according to strategy • disaster management – according to strategy • communication – train councillors, officials, ward committee members • provision of housing • Social engineering (to make it equitable)

*extract from Draft West Coast Region IDP 2006/2007

These objectives and strategic focus areas should provide clear guidance for all roleplayers in the District and provide the basis for Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management. To achieve sustainability it is important to find the balance between the competing demands for resources from the Economic system, the Social system and the Ecological system that define our world. This approach is called the interactive model of Sustainability (See Figure 1 ). In this model the area of overlap between the three spheres represent where sustainability can be achieved.

Figure 1: The interactive model of sustainability 2

Recent Sustainability literature however has recognised that there is in fact more interdependency between the resource base provided by the Natural ecosystem and the reliance of human wellbeing on the ability of those resources to provide goods and services. A model showing this interdependency is therefore proposed as a basis for this IEP (Refer to Figure 2). The “carrying capacity” of the local ecosystem in terms of the goods and services that can be provided to mankind whilst retaining a durable ecosystem condition provides the opportunities and constraints within which an area must achieve development and economic growth ( Draft National Framework Guidelines for Discussion and Review – Strengthening Sustainability in the Integrated Development Planning Process – DEAT and CSIR, 2002).

Figure 2: The Interdependence Model of Sustainability 3

2 Mebratu, D. 1998. Sustainability and sustainable development: Historical and conceptual review. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, No 18, pp 493-520. New York, Elsevier Science Inc.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 4

The recent Concept Paper on Sustainable Development “ Towards a Sustainable Development Implementation Plan for the Western Cape ” (May 2005), developed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) and the Western Cape Provincial Development Council, provides for a fourth dimension of sustainable development, i.e. governance. Figure 3 provides a visual presentation of the relationship between the four dimensions of sustainable development, whereby the three spheres may be seen as three globes, with the outer one surrounding, enclosing and supporting the inner ones. This model conveys the notion that our natural resources, and the goods and services provided by these resources and processes, are the key enabling factor for socio-economic development. These activities and processes rest on, and are influenced by the prevailing governance system, i.e. the fourth dimension.

Figure 3: Relationship between the economic, social, natural and governance dimensions of sustainable development

The Concept Paper states that “ If the government’s commitment to long-term sustainable development is to be achieved, then there needs to be explicit recognition in its policy-making process that its economic systems are essentially products of and dependent on social systems, which in turn are products or, and dependent on, natural systems. Effective management of the interdependencies between ecosystem health, social equity and economic growth will require a significant change in current governance practices, in adopting an integrated and co-operative approach to governance that includes an accurate valuation of environmental goods and services ”.

The Concept Paper further identified a number of critical challenges and principles associated with maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, as well as promoting social equity and

3 Mebratu, D. 1998. Sustainability and sustainable development: Historical and conceptual review. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, No 18, pp 493-520. New York, Elsevier Science Inc.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 5 economic efficiency. It proposes that the following core principles for sustainable development should guide the development and implementation of policy and strategy with the Western Cape:

• Staying within the ecological limits of the province’s natural resources base so that the fundamental ecosystem services necessary for socio-economic development will be sustained into the future. • Mainstreaming sustainability considerations into all policy, planning and decision- making processes. This requires that policy decisions are taken on the basis of a complete and accurate assessment of the full market and non-market environmental and social costs throughout the lifecycle of products and services, based on access to reliable data and information, and with due consideration to public values as determined through processes of empowered participation, including a major attempt to build capacity amongst politicians and officials so they understand the unintended consequences of choices taken in seemingly unrelated fields. • Exploring appropriate institutional arrangements aimed at ensuring effective co- ordination and integration of sustainability considerations within and between local, provincial and national government departments and parastatals. • Introducing an appropriate regulatory and policy framework that seeks to ensure that environmental and social costs are fully internalised and incurred by those who impose them (the “polluter pays” principle) and that encourage efficient resources use through an effective mix of regulatory and market-based policy instruments. • Promoting co-operative governance across all spheres of government, vertically and horizontally. • Promoting good understanding, commitment and governance amongst all stakeholders based on the principles of transparency, access to information, accountability, shared responsibility and empowered participation • Promoting environmental justice including addressing historical inequalities • Developing monitoring and evaluation systems based on commonly accepted sustainable development indicators . • Promoting the education and capacity building of all stakeholders.

The IEP builds on the foundation laid by this initiative.

The IEP operates within a legal and policy framework that is nested or interdependent and based primarily on Sustainability. The framework goals and objectives established by the legal and policy landscape within which the West Coast region operates forms the next layer of guidance. The IDP processes gives form and meaning to these laws and policies within the region and finally within this strategic development structure, the guidance for environmental planning, conservation and management in the region (Refer to Figure 4).

Figure 4: The Framework for the Integrated Environmental Programme

1.2 IEP DEVELOMENT PROCESS

The approach used to compile the IEP included the following steps:

a) Task Team formation – A Task Team was established to provide critical review and input at key stages (e.g. Situation Analysis, Draft IEP and Final IEP) during the development of the IEP.

b) Key Stakeholder Forum establishment – A forum of key stakeholders, involved in environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast Region was established. The key stakeholders were invited to attend two workshops, to discuss and provide input to the Draft Situation Analysis and Draft IEP.

c) Interviews with key roleplayers – Interviews were carried out with selected key roleplayers in the West Coast Region. The purpose of the interviews was to obtain information regarding the environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region, and the “who, what, when, where, with what and how” related to environmental planning, conservation and management.

d) Situation Analysis – The Situation Analysis comprised a synthesis of the relevant environmental legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies applicable to the West Coast region; an overview of the goals and objectives within the West Coast Region, based on relevant environmental legislation, guidelines, policies and existing strategic documents; a synopsis of existing environmental initiatives and projects within the West Coast Region; and a preliminary identification of issues, concerns and gaps which need attention in the IEP.

e) Key Stakeholder Workshop – A copy of the Draft Situation Analysis was distributed to the Key Stakeholders for comment. The purpose of the first workshop was to obtain

input from the key stakeholders regarding the Draft Situation Analysis, to ensure that gaps in information were identified, and to develop support for the environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region. Refer to Appendix 1 for the notes of the Key Stakeholder Workshop held on 15 March 2006.

f) Initial report back to Task Team – A presentation of the Situation Analysis was provided to the Task Team. This was an important step in the development of the IEP as it provided the Task Team members the opportunity to comment on the nature of the information collected, the manner in which it was interpreted, and the proposed way forward. It was critical during this stage that gaps in information were identified and that all members agreed on a way forward that would ultimately satisfy the goals and expectations of the project. Refer to Appendix 2 for the notes taken at the Task Team Meeting held on 17 March 2006.

Based on feedback received from the Key Stakeholders and Task Team, additional information/ data needed to be collected and incorporated into the Situation Analysis.

g) Draft IEP – Based on the findings of the Situation Analysis, a Draft IEP was compiled, to facilitate the effective and efficient execution of environmental planning, conservation and management by all roleplayers in the West Coast Region. The Draft IEP expanded on how to achieve the documented goals and objectives, taking into account the existing environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region (i.e. addressing the shortcomings identified in the Situation Analysis) and provided the way forward.

h) Second Task Team Meeting and Key Stakeholder Workshop – The second Task Team Meeting was combined with the Key Stakeholder Workshop, to discuss the Draft IEP document. A copy of the Draft IEP was distributed to Key Stakeholders and the Task Team. The purpose of the workshop was to provide feedback to the Key Stakeholders and Task Team regarding the findings of the IEP, to ensure that gaps in knowledge were identified and addressed, and again, to develop support for the environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region. Task Team members were provided with an opportunity to comment on the nature of the information collected, the manner in which it was interpreted, and the proposed way forward. Refer to Appendix 5 for the notes taken at the second Key Stakeholder Workshop/ Task Team Meeting held on 18 April 2006.

i) Public Comment – The public were afforded a 3-week period to review and comment on the Draft IEP. An advert notifying the general public of the comment period was placed in local and regional newspapers, viz. Cape Times, Die Burger, Die Swartlander, Die Weslander, Swartland and Weskus Herald, Ons Kontrei and the Plattelander newspapers on 11/12 May 2006. The draft IEP document was available for viewing at the main municipal offices in the region and on the Ninham Shand website. The executive summary was placed in all public libraries within the West Coast Region. .

j) Final IEP – The Final IEP incorporated comments received from Key Stakeholders, the

Task Team, and the public 4 and was presented to the Task Team on 19 June 2006. Following the Task Team meeting, it was submitted to the local municipalities for approval.

1.3 WEST COAST DISTRICT: ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

The West Coast District covers the area from Malmesbury in the south to Bitterfontein in the north. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and extends to the provincial boundary in the east.

Topography The topography is governed by the geology of the area. The sandy plains of the Sandveld along the coast are unconsolidated quaternary sediments. These sediments form the basis of the rolling hills and plains of the 30 to 40 km wide strip along much of the coast. The Table Mountain Group Sandstones and the Bokkeveld Shales have formed the basis of the Cederberg and Witzenberg ranges with their striking folded nature. A defining characteristic is the narrow valleys that widen as one moves north, opening out until they become a wide floodplain downstream of Klawer. These flat dry plains are called the Knersvlakte. This area is characterised by its flat stark nature and much of the basin lies between 500 and 900 m above sea level. West of Nieuwoudtville lies the Bokkeveld Mountains escarpment, where the plateau elevation of about 700 m drops to about 300 m. In this area the Karoo Basin sediments form the basis for the Hantam Mountains near Calvinia and the Roggeveld to the south, which rise to about 1 500 m above sea level.

Climate Climatic conditions vary considerably as a result of the variation in topography. Minimum temperatures in July range from –3 ºC to 3 ºC and maximum temperatures in January range from 39 ºC to 44 ºC. The area lies within the winter rainfall region, with the majority of rain occurring between May and September each year. The mean annual precipitation is up to 1 500 mm in the Cederberg Mountains in the south-west, but decreases sharply to about 200 mm to the north, east and west thereof, and to less than 100 mm in the far north of the district.

Vegetation This area falls within the Cape Floristic Kingdom, which is an international diversity hotspot. The West Coast also comprises Succulent Karoo vegetation, which overlaps in areas with the Cape Floristic region. The West Coast has been identified for its exceptionally high levels of landscape and biological diversity. The diverse soil types and variance in rainfall distribution are key to this diversity and the vegetation of the area includes at least six veld types and several thousand plant species. Karoo and Karroid Types, False Karoo Types, Temperate and Transitional Forest Types, Scrub Types, and Sclerophyllous Bush Types. Important conservation areas include the West Coast National Park, the Verlorenvlei wetland in the Sandveld (which enjoys Ramsar status), the Cederberg Wilderness Area, and the northern section of the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, amongst others.

4 Refer to Appendix 7 for the comments received from the public regarding the Draft IEP.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc

WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 10

Rivers The major rivers include the northern section of the Berg River to its estuary and the Olifants River, of which the Doring River (draining the Koue Bokkeveld) and the Sout River (draining the Knersvlakte) are the main tributaries. The Olifants River and its tributary, the Doring River, are important from a conservation perspective because they contain a number of species of indigenous and endemic fish that occur in no other river systems, and that are endangered. In addition, reaches of some of the tributaries are virtually unspoiled by human manipulation and are of high to very high ecological importance. This region is water stressed and there is no surplus available from existing sources.

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands The region incorporates two estuaries namely the Olifants River estuary, and the Berg River estuary which are two of only three permanently open estuaries on the west coast of South Africa. It therefore represents a critical habitat to many estuarine-associated fish species. The estuaries also support at least 86 species of estuarine waterbirds and have a wide range of habitats. They play an important role in bird migration and the Olifants estuary is considered to be in the top ten South African locations of importance for conservation of waterbirds. The coastal wetlands of Verlorevlei, Die Vlei (Wamakervlei), Wadriftsoutpan and Lambert’s Bay in the Sandveld are vulnerable due to the pressure placed on the groundwater resource by over- utilisation and pollution. Vervlorenvlei is a Ramsar Site. Langebaan Lagoon in the West Coast National Park was registered as a wetland of international importance for birds, with the Ramsar Convention, which came into force in 1988 . Rocherpan is also an important wetland area, providing important breeding and feeding habitats for a large number of bird species.

Demography The West Coast District is the least populated region in the country with approximately 328 960 (West Coast Region Infrastructure Strategy 2003) people living in the region. More than half (69%) of the population live in urban or peri-urban areas, and the rest in rural areas. About 65% of the population is concentrated in the south-western portion of the region. The population growth expected for the area appears to follow the general trend of decreasing rural populations, which can be attributed to the lack of strong economic stimulants, migration of young people and the impacts of HIV/ AIDS (NWRS, 2004). There is strong in-migration of seasonal workers during the harvest and planting seasons.

Cultural heritage The region is famous for its Khoisan artefacts, some of which have been dated to the early and middle stone-age and hundreds of rock art paintings of the late stone-age (Hart, 2005). More recent agricultural colonisation of the west coast and the development of the fishing industry are reflected in the cultural landscapes that give the region a rich cultural fabric.

Economic development The agricultural sector has a significant contribution that can be attributed to the variety of products cultivated in the area, mostly under irrigation. Two of the other more important economic sectors, namely trade and manufacturing, are strongly linked to the agricultural sector, with a large proportion of their activities involving the sale or processing of agricultural products. The mining sector also contributes to economic development in the area, through  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 11 direct and indirect job opportunities. Dolomite is quarried at Vredendal, whilst limestone is quarried for cement at De Hoek and Riebeeck-Wes and for agricultural and feed lime at Vredendal and Saldanha. Gypsum is being produced north of Vanrhynsdorp and at Yzerfontein.

Of the total labour force approximately 8% is unemployed, which is much better than the national average of 29%. Approximately 75% of the labour force is active in the formal economy. A total of 50% of the formally employed labour force work in the agricultural sector, 20% in the government sector and only 9% in trade. The agriculture-dominated economy of the region is marked by inequality in income distribution along racial, gender and urban/rural divides. A skewed age and skills profile exists with decreasing numbers of young educated people remaining in the area. Security of tenure, adequate housing and access to productive land are the key development needs amongst the disadvantaged majority. The northern and eastern parts of the region are characterised by high unemployment, are sparsely populated, have poor infrastructure and high poverty levels.

Tourism is an important and growing component of the economy. The coastal towns, Clanwilliam Dam, Cederberg Wilderness Area, West Coast National Park, amongst other, support numerous tourism-based businesses. The coastal towns suffer from water shortages over the summer tourist season due to peak demand.

Land Use and Ownership The mean annual precipitation over much of the area is less than 200 mm, with the result that, except in the wetter south-west, the climate is not suitable for dryland farming on a large scale. Consequently, more than 90% of the land in the district is used as grazing for livestock, predominantly for sheep and goats. An estimated 4% of the land area is cultivated for dryland farming. Rooibos tea is a dryland crop that is increasing very rapidly in certain areas within the District Municipal area. There is currently large amounts of groundwater being abstracted to support potato and other crops in the region. Urban areas are relatively small and there are a few small rural settlements, but they occupy an insignificant area of land. Commercial farmers dominate the ownership of land. Resource-poor farmers have limited access to good quality agricultural land and have been historically sidelined in terms of access to water. Although the local authorities and the provincial departments of land and agriculture have programmes in place to actively transform the land ownership pattern, progress has been slow.

Bioregional Planning A Bioregional Planning approach, as adopted by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, forms the basis of the current spatial planning in the West Coast District. Bioregional Planning refers to land use planning and management that promotes sustainable development by recognising the relationship between, and giving practical effect to, environmental integrity, human well-being and economic efficiency within a defined geographical space, the boundaries of which are determined in accordance with environmental and social criteria. The main overarching goal of bioregional planning is therefore to improve the general status and sustainability of the natural and man-made environments throughout the province. The Knersvlakte Bioregion is the first important planning initiative in this regard in the West Coast District.

1.4 STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT

This IEP comprises of the following chapters:

CHAPTER CONTENT Chapter 1: Introduction and Context This chapter provides a brief statement of the purpose of the IEP and the philosophical underpinnings of the process. It further contains a brief overview of the West Coast Region. Chapter 2: Legal Context This chapter documents the legal framework within which Environmental planning, Conservation and Management occurs within the Region. The obligations and implications of each law are briefly outlined. Chapter 3: Plans, Policies And Guidelines This chapter documents the policy framework within which Environmental planning, Conservation and Management occurs within the Region. The obligations and implications of each policy are briefly outlined. Chapter 4: Environmental planning, This chapter documents the Environmental Conservation and Management Initiatives planning, Conservation and Management Initiatives currently being undertaken in the West Coast District 5. It documents the goals implementors, funders, and timeframes of the initiatives. Chapter 5: Goals and Objectives for This chapter documents the Environmental environmental planning, conservation and planning, Conservation and Management pre- management in the West Coast Region determined Goals and Objectives within a functional theme based framework. Chapter 6: Issue and Gap Analysis The goals and objectives framework is used to systematically capture the issues, concerns and gaps identified for comprehensive Environmental planning, Conservation and Management in the West Coast District. Chapter 7: IEP The proposed actions, together with their associated responsibilities, roleplayers, timeframes, target areas, budget, reporting/monitoring, are presented within the theme based framework. Chapter 8: Way forward to the IEP The process forward to finalising the IEP is documented. References This section provides a list of reference documents used in the compilation of the IEP.

5 Information on existing environmental initiatives was obtained from roleplayers, however it should be noted that some initiatives may not have been identified and therefore included.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 13

2 LEGAL CONTEXT

2.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter provides an overview of the environmental legislation and regulations applicable to the West Coast region within the context of environmental planning, conservation and management. A brief summary of the implications of the abovementioned environmental legislation and regulations for all roleplayers is also provided.

This chapter, together with Chapter 3, serves as a Reference Report that can be used as a working guide for all roleplayers involved, as well as potential developers and/or investors in the West Coast District. 2.2 CONSITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA

As the point of departure for policy and law making in South Africa, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) includes far-reaching clauses relevant to the environment. In particular, the Bill of Rights stipulates that:

“Everyone has the right -

(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that - (i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development”.

Section 152 of the Constitution, together with Schedules 4 and 5, outline the objectives, powers and functions of national, provincial and local government. The objectives for local government are to:

Provide democratic and accountable government for local communities; Ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner; Promote social and economic development; Promote a safe and healthy environment; and Encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government.

Schedules 4B and 5B contain a total of 38 ‘local government matters ’ which, under the subsections above, are the responsibility of local government. The following are of particular relevance to the management of the environment:

• Air pollution • Fire-fighting services

• Local tourism • Municipal planning • Municipal health services • Storm water management in built up areas • Water and sanitation services (limited to potable water supply systems and domestic waste-water and sewerage disposal systems) • Beaches • Cleansing • Local amenities • Municipal parks and recreation • Noise pollution • Public places • Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste removal

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The municipa lities of the West Coast district must strive, within their financial and administrative

capacity, to achieve the objectives set out in Section 152 (1) of the Constitution. Furthermore, all roleplayers in the West Coast District are legally obliged to ensu re that they do not, through their actions, infringe upon the environmental rights of others. The municipalities of the West Coast are also legally required to promote social and economic development within their district (Section 83, Act 117 of 1998). The social and economic development should focus on addressing the basic needs of the population. This reflects on the importance of service and infrastructure provision, community

services, educational components and business support to all of the areas wher e there is a lack thereof or where improvements are required.

2.2.1 The Western Cape Constitution

The Constitution of the Western Cape (Act 1 of 1998) has two major components dealing with environmental matters. Firstly the Constitution makes provision for the establishment of and principles governing a Commissioner for Environment (Section 71). Secondly, two of the directive principles of provincial policy (Section 81) relate to matters concerning the environment. The Western Cape government must adopt and implement policies to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people of the Western Cape, including policies aimed at achieving the following:

• The protection of the environment in the Western Cape, including its unique fauna and flora, for the benefit of present and future generations; and • The protection and conservation of the natural historical, cultural historical, archaeological and architectural heritage of the Western Cape for the benefit of the present and future generations.

2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

2.3.1 National Environmental Management Act

The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) 6 provides for co- operative environmental governance by establishing principles for decision making on matters effecting the environment, institutions that will promote co-operative governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions exercised by organs of state, and to provide for matters connected thereto .

Chapter 1(2) of NEMA contains a set of core environmental principles that are applicable to all organs of state that may significantly affect the environment. Local Government is required to incorporate these into any policy, programme, plan or any decision made that may have a negative impact on the environment.

NEMA principles

Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably.

Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

Sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant factors including the following:

o That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diver sity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; o that pollution and degradation of the environment are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; o that the disturbance of lands capes and sites that constitute the nation's cultural heritage is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, is minimised and remedied; o that waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, minimised and re-used or recycled where possible and otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner; o that the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources is responsible and equitable, and takes into account the consequences of the depletion of the resource; o that the development, use and expl oitation of renewable resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; o that a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions; and o that negative impacts on the environment and on people's environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented, are minimised and remedied.

Environmental managem ent must be integrated, acknowledging that all elements of the environment are linked and interrelated, and it must take into account the effects of decisions on all aspects of the environment and all people in the environment by pursuing the selection of the

best practicable environmental option.

Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons.

Equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services to meet basic human needs and ensure human well-being must be pursued and special measures may be taken to ensure access thereto by categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.

6 As amended in terms of the National Environmental Management Amendment Act (No 8 of 2004).  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 16

NEMA principles continued…

Responsibility for the environmental health and safety consequences of a policy, programme, project, product, process, service or activity exists throughout its life cycle.

The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted, and all people must have the opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation, and participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons must be ensured.

Decisions must take into account the interests, needs and values of all interested and affected parties, and this includes recognising all forms of knowledge, includ ing traditional and ordinary knowledge.

Community wellbeing and empowerment must be promoted through environmental education, the raising of environmental awareness, the sharing of knowledge and experience and other appropriate means.

The social, economi c and environmental impacts of activities, including disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed and evaluated, and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and assessment.

The right of workers to refuse work that is h armful to human health or the environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected and protected.

Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner, and access to information must be provided in accordance with the law.

There must be intergovernmental co-ordination and harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions relating to the environment.

Actual or potential conflicts of interest between organs of state should be resolved through conflict resolution procedures.

Global and interna tional responsibilities relating to the environment must be discharged in the national interest.

Chapter 3 of NEMA requires the preparation of Environmental Implementation Plans (EIP) and Environmental Management Plans. This is, however, only required of national and provincial authorities, not of municipalities.

The Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Regulations 7, promulgated under NEMA, have the objective of prohibiting the recreational use of vehicles in the coastal zone and controlling other uses of vehicles and boat-launching sites in the coastal zone. Nine uses of vehicles within the coastal zone, without a permit, are permissible under the ORV Regulations. For other uses, permits, authorisations or exemptions under the ORV Regulations are required. In terms of the ORV Regulations, a manager of a coastal protected area or a local authority may apply to the Director General requesting that an area of the coastal zone under their authority or jurisdiction, respectively, should be designated a recreational use area.

NEMA provides for the preparation of Environmental Management Frameworks (EMF) by authorities. Activities occurring in line with an authorised EMFs may be exempted from having to undertake an EIA.

7 Government Notice Regulation 1399 in terms of NEMA.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 17

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations under Section 24(5) of NEMA were promulgated on 21 April 2006 (Government Notice R 385, No. 386, and No. R 387) and are to supersede the EIA Regulations in terms of the Environment Conservation Act (refer to Section 2.3.4 below). All activities, except for the mining related activities, are to come into affect from 1 July 2006. The mining related activities will come into affect on 1 April 2007 8.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

When exercising powers that may significantly aff ect the environment, including taking decisions relevant to environmental matters, all organs of state, including municipalities, must apply the NEMA principles and undertake necessary environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, anyone wishing to use a vehicle in the coastal zone will need to comply with the ORV regulations, promulgated in terms NEMA. From 1 July 2006, all roleplayers wishing to undertake an activity identified in terms of Section 24(2)(a) and (d) of NEMA will need to obtain authorisatio n from the

competent authority via the prescribed EIA process.

2.3.2 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act

The Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) provides for the management and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, within the framework of NEMA, with a specific focus on the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection; the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources and the establishment and functions of a South African National Biodiversity Institute.

The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act applies to human activity affecting South Africa’s biological diversity and its components and binds all organs of state. The Act must be read with any applicable provisions of NEMA and must be guided by the National Environmental Management Principles.

Chapter 3 of the Act stipulates that a national biodiversity framework, a bioregional plan and a biodiversity management plan are required and that monitoring mechanisms and set indicators need to be designated in order to determine the conservation status of various components of South Africa’s biodiversity; and any negative and positive trends affecting the conservation status of the various components.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

In terms of this Act, the municipalities of the West Coast District have the responsibility to ensure the following in the preparation of their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs): o Alignment with and incorporation of the provisions of any applicable bioregional plan; o Demonstrate how the bioregional plan will be implemented; and o Include an invasive species monitoring, control and eradication plan for land under their

control.

8 Refer to Appendix 6 for a copy of the NEMA EIA regulations  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 18

2.3.3 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas

The purpose of the Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) is to provide for the protection of ecologically viable areas, as well as for the establishment of a national register of all national, provincial and local protected areas and the management of these areas in accordance with national norms and standards.

The Act provides for any land, including private or communal land, to be declared a formal protected area, and allows for co-management of such a protected area by the landowner(s) or any suitable person or organisation. This means that formal protected area status, with an associated rates exclusion in terms of the Rates Act, is not limited to state-owned land, and that government agencies are not the only organisations that can manage protected areas.

In addition, in terms of the Act, indicators for monitoring performance with regard to the management of national protected areas and the conservation of biodiversity in those areas may be established by the Minister. This Act also deals with intergovernmental co-operation and public consultation in matters concerning protected areas.

The Act must be read with any applicable provisions of NEMA and be applied in accordance with the National Environmental Management Principles. In addition, the Act must, in relation to any protected area, be read, interpreted and applied in conjunction with the Biodiversity Act.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Under this act, municipalities are responsible for the management of ‘local protected areas’ withi n their area of jurisdiction and they are further required to prepare management plans for all ‘local protected areas’. Municipalities are allowed to encourage the protection of areas through rate rebates and incentives. Roleplayers other than Municipalit ies creating, and managing protected areas must follow the guidance provided by the Act for the norms and standards that apply.

2.3.4 Environment Conservation Act

The purpose of the Environment Conservation Act (ECA) (Act 73 of 1989) is to provide for the effective protection and control of activities that may have a detrimental impact on the environment. Much of this act however was repealed with the promulgation of NEMA. The ECA requires that anyone (including local government and all roleplayers in the West Coast district) wishing to undertake an activity listed in Schedule 1 of Regulation 1182 of the ECA, requires approval from the competent environmental authority9. Authorisation must be applied for through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process outlined in Regulation 1183 of the ECA. The noise pollution controls also reside in this act.

9 In the Western Cape, the competent environmental authority is the provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP).  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 19

The EIA Regulations will be imminently superseded by the NEMA Regulations 10 , which were promulgated on 21 April 2006. As outlined in Section 2.3.1 above, all activities listed in the NEMA EIA Regulations, except for the mining related activities, are to come into affect on 1 July 2006. Accordingly, the current EIA Regulations (in terms of the Environment Conservation Act) will apply until 1 July 2006.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The ECA has implications for all roleplayers wishing to undertake an activity listed in Schedule 1 of Regulation 1182 of the ECA. Authorisation to undertake a listed activity will need to be obtained

from the competent environme ntal authority, i.e. DEA&DP, via the EIA process outlined in

Regulation 1183.

2.4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION

In order to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local and district municipalities relating to the environment, the following section outlines the local government legislation pertinent to environmental conservation, planning and management in the West Coast district.

2.4.1 Municipal Systems Act

The Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) lists the duties of a Municipal Council, within its financial and administrative capacity, as follows in Section 4(2):

Exercise the Municipality’s executive and legislative authority and use the resources of the municipality in the best interests of the local community. Provide, without favour or prejudice, democratic and accountable government. Encourage the involvement of the local community. Strive to ensure that municipal services are provided to the local community in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner. Consult the local community about - o the level, quality, range and impact of municipal services provided by the municipality, either directly or through another service provider; and o the available options for service delivery. Give members of the local community equitable access to the municipal services to which they are entitled. Promote and undertake development in the municipality. Promote gender equity in the exercise of the municipality’s executive and legislative authority. Promote a safe and healthy environment in the municipality. Contribute, together with other organs of state, to the progressive realisation of the fundamental rights contained in sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 29 of the Constitution.

10 A copy of the new NEMA regulations are included in Appendix 6 of the IEP.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 20

Chapter 5 of the Act outlines local governments obligations in terms of preparing and adopting Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), and indicates that local government must through appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures, consult the local community before adopting the process. Participation of the local community in the drafting of the IDP is therefore is of great significance. T he process of integrated development planning should not be regarded purely as a municipal exercise to guide and determine municipal functions, planning and budgeting, but rather as a methodology that constitutes a cooperative and consultative process of planning and implementation with it’s origin the needs of communities, that covers and addresses the activities of all roleplayers that operate within the region to achieve sustainable development within the given needs and perceptions.

Section 26(c) of the Municipal Systems Act further specifies that the Integrated Development Plan of a Local Municipality must contain its Local Economic Development (LED) aims. This awards the municipal LED Strategy legal status as part of the Integrated Development Planning process. LED is one of the most strategic tools through which local municipalities adhere to its duties, as prescribed by the Municipal Structures Act.

The Municipal Systems Act expands the requirement that the provision of services is a municipal function and that services must be provided in an ‘environmentally sustainable’ manner.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Municipal Structures Act outlines the duties of municipalities. These duties serve as

guidelines for co-opera tive governance and development efforts by local authorities. The Act

highlights that e nvironmental sustainability must be an overarching requirement for the provision

of services by municipalities, and also integrates Local Economic Development aims into the IDP

process, which implies the central role of economic planning in development initiatives. Local

roleplayers needs to be informed on the process of economic development by the local

municipalities.

2.4.2 White Paper on Local Government

The White Paper on Local Government provides for the inclusion of environmental considerations in the IDP process. Section 2.2 states that “planning for environmental sustainability is not a separate planning process but is an integral part of the process of developing municipal integrated development plans”.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The municipalities of the West Coast region must include planning for environmental sustainability as an integral part of their IDPs.

2.4.3 Municipal Structures Act

The Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998) outlines how functions and powers should be divided between the different categories of municipalities. The functions of category C (district) municipalities and category B (local) municipalities are of significance to the West Coast district.

The functions and powers of municipalities are provided under Section 83 of the Act. Under section 84(1) a district municipality has the following functions that are relevant to the environment: • Integrated development planning; • Potable water supply systems; • Domestic waste-water and sewerage disposal systems; • Solid waste disposal sites; and • Municipal health services.

In terms of Section 84(2), a local Municipality has the functions and powers refer to in Section 83(1) of the Act, excluding the functions and powers vested in terms of subsection 84(1) in the district municipality in whose area it falls.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The municipalities of the West Coast must ensure tha t their functions and powers, as provided in Section 83 of the Act are effectively implemented and adhered to, and particularly that the West Coast District Municipality adequately fulfil the functions listed under Section 84(1) of the Act that are relevan t to the environment, and ultimately fulfil their Constitutional obligations to ensure sustainable, effective, and efficient municipal services, promote social and economic development, encouraging a safe and healthy environment by working with communities in creating environments

and human settlements in which all people can lead uplifted and dignified lives.

2.5 SECTORAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

2.5.1 National Water Act

The National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) recognises that water is a scarce and unevenly distributed national resource and deals with water resource management and the sustainable use of water for the benefit of all users. The Act provides for the integrated management of all aspects of water resources and the delegation of management functions to a regional or catchment level so as to enable everyone to participate 11 .

Sustainability and equity are identified as central guiding principles in the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources. These guiding principles recognise the basic human needs of present and future generations, the need to protect water resources, the need to share some water resources with other countries, the need to promote social and economic development through the use of water and the need to

11 Refer to 3 April 1998 West Coast District Council by-laws relating to the control of boats on Misverstand Dam.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 22 establish suitable institutions in order to achieve the purpose of the Act. In terms of this Act, the responsibility for water quality and control of water pollution falls under the national government, but water services authorities have a role in the control of industrial water pollution.

In general, a water use must be licensed unless it is listed in Schedule I of the National Water Act, is an existing lawful use, is permissible under a general authorisation, or if a responsible authority waives the need for a licence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Whilst there are no legislative powers or duties administered to local authorities in terms of the National Water Act, the fundamental principles of the Act should be adhered to by all roleplayers within the West Coast, with all rolepla yers striving towards the effective protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources.

2.5.2 Water Services Act

The Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) deals with the rights of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation and sets national norms and standards for tariffs. The Act further provides for water services development plans, and sets a regulatory framework for water services institutions, water boards and water services committees. The monitoring of water services and intervention by the Minister or by the relevant Province, as well as financial assistance to water services institutions is also dealt with.

The Water Services Act requires the following: The preparation of a water services development plan by all municipalities as part of their IDPs; and The provision of measures by all water services authorities for the realisation of the right of every citizen to basic water supply.

In terms of this Act any municipality responsible for ensuring access to water services is defined as a ‘water services authority’. In terms of 1(2) of the Act, every water service authority must, in its water services development plan, provide for measures to realise the right that “everyone has the right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation”.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

In terms of the Water Services Act, the West Coast District Municipality and local municipalities of the West Coast region are required to prepare a water services development plan as part of their IDPs. Furthermore, as a ‘water services authority’, the municipalities of the West Coast region are required to provide measures for the realisation of the right of every citizen to basic water supply and sanitation.

2.5.3 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act

The purpose of the Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) is to protect the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development. It provides for national norms and standards regulating air quality monitoring, management and control by all spheres of government, as well as for specific air quality measures.

In terms of Section 11 (1) regarding local standards, a municipality may in terms of a by-law- Identify substances or mixtures of substances in ambient air which, through ambient concentrations, bioaccumulation, deposition or in any other way, present a threat to health, well-being or the environment in the municipality or which the municipality reasonably believes present such a threat; and In respect of each of those substances or mixtures of substances, establish local standards for emissions from point, non-point or mobile sources in the municipality.

Sections 14 (3) stipulates that each municipality must designate an air quality officer from its administration to be responsible for co-ordinating matters pertaining to air quality management in the municipality. Section 15(2) states that each municipality must include in its integrated development plan (contemplated in terms of the Municipal Systems Act), an air quality management plan . Furthermore, in terms of Section 36 (1), metropolitan and district municipality are charged with implementing the atmospheric emission licensing system referred to in Section 22 of the Act, and must therefore perform the functions of licensing authority as set out in the Act.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Air Quality Act requires all municipalities to prepare Air Quality Management Plans as part of their IDPs and gives all district municipalities (and therefore the West Coast Municipalities) the responsibility to implement the atmospheric emission licensing system.

2.5.4 White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management

The White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management (2000) identifies the various elements of pollution and waste management and assigns responsibilities to the various spheres of government. The White Paper highlights that the fostering of partnerships between government and the private sector is a pre-requisite for sustainable and effective pollution and waste management to take place.

In terms of this White Paper, municipalities will be responsible for providing waste management services and managing waste disposal facilities. The specific functions to be carried out by municipalities include: Compiling and implementing general waste management plans, with assistance from Provincial government;

Implementing public awareness campaigns; Collecting data for the Waste Information System; Providing general waste collection services and managing waste disposal facilities within their areas of jurisdiction; Implementing and enforcing appropriate waste minimisation and recycling initiatives; and Where possible, regional planning, establishment and management of landfill sites, especially for regionally based general waste landfills.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Municipalities of the West Coast region are responsible for implementing general waste management plans, with assistance from Provincial government; implementing public awareness campaigns; collecting data for the Waste Information System; providing general waste collec tion

services and managing waste disposal facilities; and implementing waste minimisation and

recycling initiatives.

2.5.5 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act

The Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act 45 of 1965) has been repealed by the Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) a provision for a two year overlap period was allowed for ending 2007.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Municipalities of the West Coast region have the authority to prohibit or control the use of any

fuel burning appliances and to make smoke control regulations, as outlined in Section 18 of the Act. No person may manufacture or import cert ain fuel burning appliances and parts therefore, or install fuel burning appliances (as defined in the Act), without authorisation from the local authority.

2.5.6 Seashore Act

The Seashore Act (Act 21 of 1935) declares the State to be the owner of the seashore and the sea within the territorial waters of South Africa. It also deals with provisions for the granting of rights in respect of the seashore and the sea and for the alienation of portions of the seashore and the sea.

The Act is assigned from National Government to the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board (now CapeNature), and includes the following responsibilities:

Letting or leasing of the seashore for various purposes; The removal of material from the shore (with exceptions); and

Preparing regulations to be applied to the shore and the sea adjoining to their area of jurisdiction 12 .

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Municipalities of the West Coast region have the responsibility to let or lease the seashore for various purposes, and to remove material from the shore (with exceptions), as well as preparing regulations to be applied to the shore and the sea adjoining to their area of jurisdiction.

2.6 OTHER LEGISLATION WITH AN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

2.6.1 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act

The aim of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA) (Act 43 of 1983) is to control the over-utilisation of agricultural resources in order to promote the conservation of soil, water resources and vegetation, as well as combating invasive aliens. CARA is administered by the National Department of Agriculture.

The Minister may prescribe control measures applying to certain land users and areas. Such control measures are stipulated in Section 6 (2) of the Act and include the following:

the cultivation of virgin soil; The utilisation and protection of vleis; marshes; water sponges; water courses and water sources; and vegetation; The grazing capacity of the veld; The maximum number and kinds of animals that may be kept on veld; The prevention and control of veld fires; The utilisation and protection of veld that has burned; and The control of weeds and invader plants,

In terms of Section 7, control measures are also described for the prevention or control of water logging or salinization of land as well as the restoration or reclamation of eroded or disturbed land.

Amended Regulation 15 and 16 of CARA were promulgated in 2001. The Regulations make provision for four groups of classified problem plants. The first three groups consist of undesirable alien plants and are listed in Regulation 15, Table 3 and include Category 1 plants or declared weeds, Category 2 plant invaders (commercial value), category 3 plant invaders (ornamental value). The fourth group, which is covered in Regulation 16, are indicators of bush encroachment, and is relevant to landowners in rural areas.

12 Refer to Province of Western Cape: Provincial Gazette 5008, 5 January 1996 regarding regulations for the control of the seashore and the sea situated within of adjoining the area of jurisdiction of the West Coast Regional Services Council.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 26

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICI PALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

All landowners in the West Coast region must adhere to the CARA regulations in order to provide for control over the utilization of natural agricultural resources, to promote the conservation of the soil , water sources and vegetation, and to combat weeds and invader plants.

2.6.2 Disaster Management Act

The purpose of the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) is to provide for: An integrated and co-ordinated disaster management policy that focuses on preventing or reducing the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, emergency preparedness, rapid and effective response to disasters and post-disaster recovery; The establishment of national, provincial and municipal disaster management centres; and Disaster management volunteers.

In terms of the Act, the Council of a district municipality is primarily responsible for the co- ordination and management of local disasters that occur in its area. In terms of Chapter 5 of the Act pertaining to Municipal Disaster Management, the Act stipulates that each metropolitan and district municipality must establish and implement a disaster management framework aimed at ensuring an integrated approach to disaster management in the district area, consistent with the Provincial and National frameworks. Such a framework should include the local municipalities and non-governmental institutions involved in disaster management, as well as the private sector. A district municipality must establish the disaster management framework after consultation with the local municipalities in its area, and DEAT in the case of oil spill contingency operations.

Furthermore, Section 43 of the Act stipulates that each metropolitan and district municipality must establish in its administration a disaster management centre for its municipal area, in consultation with the local municipalities within their area. These centres may be operated in partnership with the local municipalities. The powers and duties of the disaster management centres are provided in Section 44 of the Act.

In terms of Section 53, each municipality must, within the applicable disaster management framework, prepare a disaster management plan for its area, in consultation with the other municipalities in the district. Such disaster management plans are to form an integral part of the municipality’s IDP.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Disaster Management Act outlines, amongst others, the duties of municipalities. In particular, district municipalities must devel opment and implement a disaster management framework and establish a disaster management centre for its municipal area. The municipalities of the West Coast region are also each required to prepare a disaster management plan.

2.6.3 Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act

The purpose of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002) is to make provision for equitable access to and sustainable development of the country’s mineral and petroleum resources. The Act therefore deals with prospecting and mining rights.

The Act states that, in order to ensure that the exploitation of mineral resources serves present and future generations, the principles set out in Section 2 and the objectives set out in Chapter 5 of NEMA apply to all prospecting and mining operations. Any prospecting or mining operation must be conducted in accordance with generally accepted principles of sustainable development by integrating social, economic and environmental factors into the planning and implementation of prospecting and mining projects.

Furthermore, every person who has applied for a mining right must conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and submit an environmental management program (EMP).

In terms of the rehabilitation and management of negative environmental impacts, the Act states that an applicant for a prospecting right, mining right or mining permit must make financial provisions for rehabilitation, before the Minister approves the environmental management plan or environmental management program.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Every person who has applied for a mining right must conduct an EIA and submit an EMP. An applicant for a prospecting right, mining right or mining permit must make financial provisions for rehabilitation, before the Minister approves the environmental management plan or environmental management programme.

2.6.4 National Heritage Resources Act

The purpose of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) (Act 25 of 1999) is to introduce an integrated and interactive system for the management of the national heritage resources in South Africa. The Act also serves to empower civil society to nurture and conserve their heritage resources so that they may be bequeathed to future generations, as well as to provide for the protection and management of conservation-worthy places and areas by local authorities. It enables the provinces to establish heritage authorities, which must adopt powers to protect and manage certain categories of heritage resources; and provides for the protection and management of conservation-worthy places and areas by local authorities.

In terms of Section 8 of the Act, there is a three-tier system for heritage resources management, in which national level functions are the responsibility of SAHRA, provincial level functions are the responsibility of provincial heritage resources authorities (i.e. in the Western Cape, Heritage Western Cape) and local level functions are the responsibility of local authorities. Heritage resources authorities and local authorities are therefore accountable for their actions and decisions and the performance of functions under this system. A local authority is responsible for the identification and management of Grade III heritage resources and heritage resources

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 28 that are deemed to fall within their competence in terms of this Act. The Act stipulates that a provincial heritage resources authority or a local authority must not perform any function in terms of the NHRA (or any other law for the management of heritage resources) unless it is competent to do so. A local authority may apply to the relevant authority for the assessment of its competence in the manner prescribed by the assessing authority.

In terms of Section 38(1) of the NHRA, any person who intends to undertake a development categorised as-

the construction of a road, wall, powerline, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length; the construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50 m in length; any development or other activity which will change the character of a site- o exceeding 5 000 m 2 in extent; or o involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or o involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been consolidated within the past five years; or o the costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority; the re-zoning of a site exceeding 10 000 m2 in extent; or any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority, must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources authority (i.e. SAHRA) and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed development. The responsible heritage resources authority would in turn indicate whether a Heritage Impact Assessment needs to be undertaken. The NHRA specifically excludes the need for an HIA where the evaluation of the impact of a development on heritage resources is required in terms of the ECA.

The Regulations of the NHRA provide the permit application procedures for any person wishing to undertake the activities listed in the regulations concerning the following:

National heritage sites, provincial heritage sites, and provisionally protected place or structure older than 60; Archaeological or palaeontological site or meteorite; Reproduction of a national heritage site; Heritage objects; Export a heritage object; Wrecks; Burial grounds and graves

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

A local authority is responsible for the identification and management of Grade III heritage resources and heritage resources that are deemed to fall within their competence. Furthermore,

any person who intends to underta ke a development listed in Section 38(1) of the NHRA must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources authority, and obtain instruction as to whether a HIA is necessary or not to obtain the necess ary authorisation. Furthermore, any person wishing to undertake an activity listed in the NHRA Regulations needs to apply for a permit in terms of the NHRA.

2.6.5 Development Facilitation Act

The purpose of the Development Facilitation Act (67 of 1995) is to, amongst others, introduce measures to facilitate and speed up the implementation of reconstruction and development programmes and projects in relation to land, and in so doing to lay down general principles governing land development throughout South Africa.

The principles set out in Section 3 of the Act apply throughout South Africa and also apply to the actions of a local government body. Once of the general principles for land development stipulates that policy, administrative practice and laws should promote efficient and integrated land development by encouraging environmentally sustainable land development practices and processes .

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The principles of the Development and Facilitation Act must apply to the actions of the municipalities of the West Coast region. P olicy, administrative practice and laws should promote efficient and integrated land development by encouraging environmentally sustainable land development

practices and processes.

2.6.6 National Forests Act

The purpose of the National Forests Act (Act 84 of 1998) is to:

Promote the sustainable management and development of forests for the benefit of all; Create the conditions necessary to restructure forestry in State forests; Provide special measures for the protection of certain forests and trees; Promote the sustainable use of forests for environmental, economic, educations, recreational, cultural, health and spiritual purposes; Promote community forestry; and Promote greater participation in all aspects of forestry and the forest products industry.

The Act places considerable emphasis on the conservation of biodiversity. The Act is based on a set of principles, which include the principle that “forests must be developed and managed so

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 30 as to conserve biological diversity, ecosystems and habitats”. The same section also obliges organs of state applying the principles to “…recognise that conservation of biological diversity within plantations should be promoted in a way which is consistent with the primary economic purpose for which the plantation was established”.

2.6.7 Mountain Catchment Areas Act

The purpose of the Mountain Catchment Areas Act (Act 63 of 1970) is to provide for the conservation, use, management and control of land situated in mountain catchment areas.

2.6.8 National Veld and Forest Fire Act

The purpose of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (No 101 of 1998) is to prevent and combat veld, forest and mountain fires in South Africa.

Chapter 2 of the Act provides for the establishment, registration, duties and functioning of fire protection associations. These associations must deal with all aspects of veldfire prevention and fire fighting. The duties of the associations include the following:

• The development of a veld fire management strategy; • The provision for co-ordination of actions in the event of fires crossing boundaries; • The identification of ecological conditions that affect the first danger and numerous others; and • The appointment of a fire protection officer unless a municipality is a member.

It should be noted that a number of other established bodies can be recognised and register as a fire protection association. These include a conservation committee established under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No 43 of 1983); catchment management agencies established under the National Water Act; and a disaster management agency established under any law.

Chapter 4 of the Act places emphasis on preventing veld fires through firebreaks. It imposes a duty to prepare and maintain firebreaks and sets out the requirements in this regard.

Landowners may join Fire Protection Associations (FPAs), which are co-operative arrangements to prevent and manage veld fires. But the Act places an individual duty on each and every landowner where there is a risk of veld fire to take certain minimum precautions to prevent and combat veld fires. Landowners must: prepare firebreaks, have equipment, trained personnel and protective clothing, have a responsible person appointed to act on his/her behalf in case of fire, fight fires in his/her own and on adjoining land where the fires threaten life, property or the environment. Under the fire danger rating system, no individual, whether a land owner or not, may light fires in the open air when the danger rating is high.

The establishment of FPAs, co-operative governance with local government, co-ordination with Disaster Management Centres, co-ordination with municipal fire services, co-ordination with existing statutes and by-laws, are promoted by the Act .

The finances for veld fire fighting and management will come from: local government budgets through IDP’s, FPA members’ fees, additional contributions for FPAs.

DWAF and the Department of Provincial and Local Government are promoting congruence between veld fire management strategies of FPAs and the veldfire elements of local and the national disaster management plans.

The veld fire management strategy of FPAs will therefore at the same time be the veld fire plan within the disaster management plan required for each District Municipality or Metropole by the Disaster Management Act. Where an FPA is formed, the municipal fire service or designated service in that area must become a member of the FPA (s4(7)).

Co-operation and co-ordination is the key to veld fire management and prevention, because of the powers given to local government. It is essential for all roleplayers to be actively involved in fire management and prevention. DWAF has a facilitation and leadership role to play at national, provincial and local level with regard to veld fire management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Fire Protection Associations within the West C oast District must deal with all aspects of veldfire prevention and fire fighting, as outlined in the Act, and fulfil the duties of Fire Protection Associations stipulated in the Act.

2.6.9 Land Use Planning Ordinance

The Land Use Planning Ordinance (Ordinance 15 of 1985) serves to regulate land use planning and to provide for matter incidental thereto. The Ordinance provides for the preparation and submission of Structure Plans and Zoning Schemes, and provides stipulations in terms of the subdivision and rezoning of land. The Land Use Planning Ordinance Amendment Act (Act 2 of 2004) extends to 19 years the period during which owners of land may exercise land use rights.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MU NICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Every local authority shall comply and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance. In terms of the rezoning and subdivision of land, all roleplayers are to comply with the provision of t he Ordinance.

2.6.10 Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance

The Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance 19 of 1974) 13 serves to consolidate and amend the laws relating to nature and environmental conservation. The Act outlines the requirements for the establishment of provincial nature reserves, local nature reserves by local authorities and private nature reserves. The rights and duties of owners of private nature reserves are also outlined in Section 14.

The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, fish in inland waters and flora, and requires that a permit be obtained to undertake certain actions regarding the latter natural resources. Similarly, the Act stipulates that a permit is required to act as a professional hunter and/or hunting contractor.

The Act also deals with the management of problem animals. The term “problem wild animal” is defined as any species of wild animal, declared as such by the Administrator or the Board, by proclamation or notice in the Provincial Gazette. Any species of wild animal can be declared as a “problem wild animal” if it is the opinion of the Administrator or Board that, by reason of its prevalence in any area or its mode of living or other characteristics, the animal is detrimental to any other species of wild animal or any property. The Administrator or Board can then suspend the operation of any provision of section 29 of this Act (which prohibits ways of hunting) in relation to such animal.

In section 18 (1), the Act states that: “The Board may cause certain wild animals to be hunted if the Board is of opinion that any wild animal or any species of wild animal found on any land— (a) is detrimental to the preservation of fauna or flora; (b) is likely to be dangerous to human life; (c) is wounded, diseased or injured; (d) is causing damage to crops or other property, whether movable or immovable, of any person, or (e) should be hunted in the interests of nature conservation”.

The Board may then allow that such an animal may be hunted and pursued onto any land to which it might flee. The ownership in the carcase of any wild animal killed in terms of subsection 18(1) shall vest in the Board.

The Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance is in the process of being revised.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

All roleplayers in the West Coast District must adhere to the provisions of the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance.

13 As amended in terms of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act (Act 3 of 2000)  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 33

2.6.11 Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act

The purpose of the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act (Act 70 of 1970) is to control the subdivision and use of agricultural land.

Section 2 of the Act stipulates the actions that are excluded from the application of the Act, whilst Section 3 outlines the prohibition of certain actions regarding agricultural land. Anyone wishing to undertake one of the activities must apply to the Minister of Agriculture for consent.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

All roleplayers in the West Coast District wishing to subdivide agricultural land must adhere to the provisions of the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act. The Department of Agriculture is the permitting authority.

2.6.12 Health Act

The Health Act (Act 63 of 1977) provides for measures for the promotion of health of the inhabitants of South Africa. The Act states that one of the functions of the Department of Health is to take steps for the promotion of a safe and healthy environment .

3 PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

This chapter provides an overview of the environmental plans, policies and guidelines applicable to the West Coast region within the context of environmental planning, conservation and management. The main socio-economic policies 14 relevant to the West Coast Region are also incorporated into this Chapter, to provide the context in which the environmental goals and objectives for the West Coast Region (outlined in Chapter 5) are to be achieved. Similarly, a brief summary of the implications of the abovementioned environmental plans, policies and guidelines for all roleplayers is also provided.

3.1 INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

There are several international treaties which have relevance to the West Coast district, including the Convention on Biodiversity; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites; the African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; and the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

3.1.1 Convention on Biodiversity

The convention was signed by South Africa in June 1993 and ratified in November 1995. The convention aims to conserve biological diversity; to promote sustainable use of living natural resources worldwide; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. It also promotes the following:

Protection of ecosystems, habitats and species; Sustainable use of wetlands; Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems; and An ecosystem approach.

The convention is a framework treaty in two senses, first in that its provisions are generally expressed as overall goals and policies rather than precise obligations and secondly, and more specifically, it adopts an holistic approach by not setting targets or including lists of species or areas to be protected, but sets out general rights and obligations.

While recognising that the conservation of biodiversity is a ‘common concern’ of humankind, it emphasises the fact that natural resources are the property of individual countries. It ties this right to a national responsibility for environmental conservation, placing most decision-making at the national level.

The objectives of the convention are to be achieved in a variety of ways. First, article 6 provides for General Measures for Conservation and Sustainable Use and requires contracting parties to develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and

14 Refer to Appendix 3 for the Socio Economic Policy Overview prepared by Urban-Econ, which served as input into this Situation Analysis.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 35 sustainable use of biological diversity and to integrate these as far as possible into relevant sectoral programmes and policies. Secondly, specific articles provide for in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation respectively. Thirdly, a series of articles sets out a regulatory regime ensuring access to genetic resources by importing countries while providing for various returns to exporting countries in the form of transfer of technology, research methodology etc.

3.1.2 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The convention was signed by South Africa 3 March 1973 and ratified in July 1975. It is aimed at ensuring that contracting parties shall not allow trade in specimens of species, except in accordance with provisions of the Convention, that are:

Threatened with extinction that are or may be affected by trade. Not necessarily threatened now with extinction but may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilisation incompatible with their survival. Identified by a Party as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation.

3.1.3 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention)

The convention was signed and ratified by South Africa 12 March 1975. The provisions in this convention are precise obligations and promotes the following principles:

The conservation of listed wetlands; The wise (sustainable) use of wetlands; International co-operation; and The creation of wetland reserves.

3.1.4 Convention on migratory species of wild animals (Bonn Convention)

The convention was acceded by South Africa in December 1991. It aims to ensure that the contracting parties acknowledge the importance of conserving migratory species and that special attention be paid to migratory species, the conservation status of which is unfavourable, and take individually, or in co-operation the appropriate action and necessary steps to conserve such species and their habitats.

3.1.5 Convention to Combat Desertification

The convention was signed by South Africa on 9 January 1995 and ratified in September 1997. It is aimed at encouraging integrated development that prevents or reduces land degradation, rehabilitates partly degraded land and reclaims desertified land. One of the obligations within the convention is to develop a National Action Programme with strategies and priorities for combating desertification.

3.1.6 United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed by South Africa in 1994 and ratified in August 1997. The Convention addresses the threat of global climate change by urging governments to reduce the sources of greenhouse gases.

3.1.7 United Nations Millenium Project

The Millenium Project was commissioned by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2002, to develop an action plan for the world to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people (Millenium Project, 2006). The Millennium Project is an independent advisory body and presented its final recommendations, “Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals” to the Secretary-General in January 2005.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability (Millennium Project 2006). The goals are basic human rights, i.e. the rights of all individuals on earth to health, education, shelter, and security, as enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.

The 8 Millennium Development Goals are:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger • Achieve universal primary education • Promote gender equality and empower woman • Reduce child mortality • Improve material health • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases • Ensure environmental sustainability • Develop a global partnership for development

In terms of achieving environmental sustainability, three targets have been set, namely:

• Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources. • Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. • Have achieved by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers (Millennium Project 2006).

3.2 NATIONAL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

The following national plans, policies and guidelines have relevance to the West Coast region and are of particular significance to the environment.

3.2.1 Reconstruction and Development Programme

The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of 1994 is a guiding policy, which has direct implications for Local Economic Development. A wide range of social and economic development issues are addressed in the RDP, one of which is the promotion of the small enterprise sector in the economy. The RDP refers to the importance of consultation and the establishment of institutions, which are representative of the community.

In order to foster growth in local economies, representative institutions must be established to address Local Economic Development needs. Their main purpose would be to identify strategies to address job creation, investment and the leveraging of private sector funds for community development. If necessary, government can provide subsidies to act as a catalyst for job creation strategies.

The RDP also proposes better and fair control over access to our natural resources, education and awareness about the environment and careful monitoring of waste and pollution.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The RDP has a direct impact on development initiatives, policy formulation, and prioritisation of funding, strategy formulation and project implementation of the West Coast municipalities. It emphasises the role of local government in Local Economic Developm ent, and reiterates the need for strategic alliances and the promotion of Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Sustainable development is pertinent to enable people to meet their basic needs. Local

roleplayers need to align with local government, e specially in terms of project implementation and the promotion of SMMEs.

3.2.2 Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy

The Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS) (2000) aims to transform rural South Africa into an economically viable sector, which can make a significant contribution to the GDP of South Africa. The Strategy attempts to coordinate existing initiatives and programmes towards the end of achieving greater impacts over the short term. The ISRDS envisions socially cohesive and stable communities with viable institutions and sustainable economies with access to social amenities. Furthermore, communities must be able to attract skilled people who can contribute to the country’s growth and development. This vision contains the following key elements.

• Rural Development Rural development is a multi-dimensional concept, encompassing improved service provision, better opportunities for income generation, Local Economic Development, improved physical infrastructure, social cohesion and physical security within rural communities. The concept also adheres to democratic principles such as the level of representation of local communities in the political process. The concept places emphasis on facilitating change in rural environments to enable poor people to earn a higher level of income and to invest in themselves and their communities.

• Sustainability Sustainability in this context refers to the increased participation of local communities in development projects and initiatives to ensure their success at a local level. Initially most of the financing for the strategy will be channelled through line departments and special programmes, but will increasingly depend on the budgets of local authorities over time. Ensuring sustainability will thus include the enlargement of the revenue base at the local level over time.

Social sustainability is an important dimension of a successful development strategy. The participation process should be designed to be as transparent and broadly inclusive as possible. A portion of the benefits should be targeted to particular groups that might otherwise be under- recognised, such as women and young people.

• Integration The integration of rural development is a comprehensive task because it involves all of the economic sectors and necessitates effective coordination between the various spheres of government. The primary focus of integration is at municipal level through the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process. Implementation of decisions arrived at, through the IDP process, is achieved through an amalgamated resource envelope comprised of the municipal budget, the commitments of the line departments and other sources. The strategic objective of the ISRDS is “to ensure that by the year 2010 the rural areas would attain the internal capacity for integrated and sustainable development”.

In addition the ISRDS states that any strategy for development should be based on the socio- economic realities in the province and the country as a whole. This framework recognises the strong link between economic, social and physical factors. Any attempt to implement LED strategies should therefore consider the socio-economic realities of the area and its wider context, to comprehend the impact of these realities on economic growth.

IMPLICAT IONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

For the West Coast District Municipality, the Local Municipalities and Local Business, this strategy provides some guidelines as to develop the rural areas in the district into socially co hesive and stable communities with sustainable economies and access to social services. This requires co- operation from all different levels of municipalities and local business to facilitate change in the rural environments of the West Coast District Muni cipality in order to enable the poor to earn more, invest in themselves and their community and to contribute toward maintenance of infrastructure in

order to relief poverty.

3.2.3 National Spatial Development Perspective

The National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP) was produced by the Policy Co- ordination and Advisory Services (PCAS) in the Presidency as was endorsed by Cabinet in March 2003. The four principals in this document include the following:

Economic growth is a prerequisite for the achievement of other policy objectives, key among which would be poverty alleviation. Government spending of fixed investment, beyond the constitutional obligation to provide basic services to all citizens (such as water, electricity as well as health and educational facilities), should therefore be focused on localities of economic growth and/or economic potential in order to attract Private-sector investment, stimulate sustainable economic activities and/or create long-term employment opportunities. Efforts to address past and current social inequalities should focus on people not places. In localities with low development potential, government spending, beyond basic services, should focus on providing social transfers, human resource development and labour market intelligence. This will enable people to become more mobile and migrate, if they choose to, to localities that are more likely to provide sustainable employment or other economic opportunities. In order to overcome the spatial distortions of apartheid, future settlement and economic development opportunities should be channelled into activity corridors and nodes that are adjacent to or link the main growth centres.

The NSDP has identified areas of potential, however, it recognises that these are general guidelines from a National perspective and more detailed analysis needs to be undertaken at a Provincial and Local Level. The Provincial Growth and Development Strategies (PGDSs) and the municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDP) therefore takes on a greater importance in terms of achieving economic and spatial goals.

The NSDP identified six categories of potential and these include the following: Innovation and experimentation The production of high-value differentiated goods Labour intensive mass-production Public service and administration Tourism Commercial services and retail

The NSDP does however recognise that these potentials are spread across a range of urban and rural localities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

National Government has identified a number of growth and development options and these include the following: Focusing economic gr owth and employment creation in areas where this is most effective and sustainable Supporting restructuring, w here feasible, to ensure greater competitiveness

Fostering development on the basis of local potential Ensuring that development institutions are able to provide basic needs throughout the country The NSDP provides a national perspective on the distribution of and relationship between poverty and development potential and sets the guiding principals for infrastructure development and development sp ending. It therefore provides the common platform for more localised instruments, mechanisms and structure. In terms of local roleplayers, the NSDP provides guidance on the optimal location of where the government seeds investment opportunities.

3.2.4 National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Chapter 8 of Agenda 21 calls on countries to adopt national strategies for sustainable development (NSDS) that “ should build upon and harmonize the various sectoral economic, social and environmental policies and plans that are operating in the country ” (DEAT, 2005). The commitment to develop NSDSs was captured in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation as follows: “ states should take immediate steps to make progress in the formulation and elaboration of national strategies for sustainable development and begin their implementation by 2005 ” (DEAT, 2005).

South Africa has taken steps in responding to this target and is currently in the process of conceptualising the final stages of developing the NSSD. The next step is to address the gaps, and integrate and communicate the elements in a coherent national sustainable development strategy. The steps already taken include the following:

• A framework for sustainable development is in place, embodied firstly in the Reconstruction and Development Programme, secondly, in a number of cross-cutting implementation strategies such as the Anti Poverty Strategy, the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy, the Urban Strategy and finally in a number of sectoral policy and institutional developments, including White Papers and legislation that have emerged since 1994. • An investigation into the NSSD in preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 showed that although South Africa has not specifically formulated a NSSD, it has in place a national sustainable development framework. • South Africa has undertaken a review of the implementation of sustainable development & Agenda 21 with specific reference to achievements, barriers and challenges to the implementation of sustainable development and Agenda 21. • South Africa has developed a strategy that responds to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which includes the Millennium Development goals and a number of international commitments in the economic and social fields. • A number of key sectors have already started engaging with their sustainable development challenges (e.g. energy sector on alternative energy, mining sector, water sector, health sector, environment)  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 41

• The Cabinet approved in January 2005, a framework for the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (DEAT, 2005).

The Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs are responsible for coordinating South Africa ’s response to the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and will be the lead government departments for the development of the NSSD.

3.2.5 Local Agenda 21 15

Local Agenda 21 (LA21) originated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the Earth or Rio Summit) held in June 1992. It is an international sustainability planning process that provides an opportunity for local governments to work with their communities to create a sustainable future. It recognises that local governments, and the communities they represent, are ideally positioned to take the lead in achieving ecologically sustainable development through integrating environmental, social and economic goals on a local level

The guiding principles of Local Agenda 21 are:

• A continuing process

A LA21 program is a long-term commitment to achieve local ecologically sustainable development and is a permanent feature of the way councils carry out their functions and responsibilities.

• Integration

Full integration of the LA21 planning process with the overall corporate and strategic planning of councils ensures that environmental, social and economic considerations are incorporated in all decision making. In committing to an LA21 program a council will interact in an integrated, regional sense with other Local, State and Commonwealth agencies in order to turn policy into practice. It is also essential that the State and National Governments ensure that the outcomes of LA21 programs are integrated with and inform all levels of planning and policy making.

• Local solutions to global problems

It is essential to link local issues and actions with global issues. Collective responses from local government have been recognized at an international level as the most effective way of turning Agenda 21 and other international and national strategies into a reality, thereby achieving tangible changes that fulfil Ecologically Sustainable Development.

• A community partnership

15 Government of South Australia, 2006(http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/la21.html )

Community consultation and participation is a core principle in LA21 programs. LA21 programs aim to make the ideology of 'think globally, act locally' a reality through effecting changes in the attitudes and activities of people at a community level - in households, workplaces, and social groups and through their local government.

• A process to achieve the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development

Those principles are:

o management, planning and development decisions should be based on an integration of economic, environmental and social considerations o avoidance of the risk of serious or irreversible environmental damage should not be postponed because of a lack of full, scientific knowledge (the 'precautionary principle') o recognition that environmental impacts can be felt right around the world and that international competitiveness should therefore be environmentally sustainable o development of a strong, growing and diversified economy should enhance the capacity to protect the environment o policy measures should encourage voluntary, cost effective achievement of environmental goals and responses to environmental problems o acknowledgment should be made of the need for community consultation and participation in decision making to achieve a cooperative response to environmental, economic and community issues.

Accordingly, LA 21 is a powerful participatory planning process that aims at holistic, integrated and sustainable development, and focuses on the local level, but builds links with regional, national and global issues.

3.2.6 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan

The development and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is an ongoing and iterative process (DEAT, 2004). The goal of the NBSAP is to conserve and manage biodiversity to ensure sustainable benefits to the citizens of South Africa.

The strategic objectives of the NBSAP can be summarised as follows: • An enabling framework integrates biodiversity into the socio-economy • Biodiversity contributes to socio-economic development and sustainable livelihoods. • Biodiversity, including species, ecosystems and ecological processes, is effectively conserved across the landscape and seascape, with a focus on biodiversity priority areas. • South Africa’s international obligations are met where feasible and in the national interest. • Enhanced institutional effectiveness and efficiency ensures good governance in the biodiversity sector.

3.2.7 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment

The National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (2004) was commissioned by DEAT as part of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and is the first comprehensive spatial assessment of biodiversity throughout the country. The NSBA has four components, dealing with the terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments. The current status and protection levels of ecosystems for each of these environments is assessed, and priorities for conservation actions are identified.

The spatial products presented in the report should be widely used and built upon, to ultimately translate the biodiversity priorities identified into conservation actions on the ground. This will involve mainstreaming biodiversity priorities into policies, plans and actions of stakeholders (both public and private) (SANBI and DEAT, 2005).

3.3 PROVINCIAL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

The following documents, prepared by the Western Cape Provincial Government, have relevance to the West Coast district and are of particular significance to environmental planning, conservation and management.

3.3.1 Western Cape Environmental Implementation Plan

The preparation of Western Cape Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP) is a requirement of NEMA, to ensure co-operation in environmental governance in the National and Provincial departments.

The plan evaluates the compliance of policies, plans and programmes of selected Provincial Government departments in terms of the NEMA principles. The key problems experienced in the Province in relation to the achievement of the objectives of integrated environmental management and compliance with the NEMA principles are pointed out. Problems identified pertain to the following issues: Co-operative governance; Law reform; Bioregional planning; Provincial housing policy and CMIP; Youth development; Local Economic Development; Green Globe Initiative; Externalities; and Management tools.

Recommendations for environmental management are incorporated in a programme for implementation. It includes proposals for long term strategic interventions and a short to medium term action plan for implementation.

Local government involvement was not addressed in the first edition EIP. This was identified as a major gap and the importance of local government involvement in future EIPs was highlighted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

In terms of Section 16(4) of NEMA, all organs of state are obliged to comply with the Western

Cape EIP.

3.3.2 Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework

The Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework (WCPSDF) states that its purpose is to: Be the spatial expression of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy; Guide municipal (local, district and metropolitan) IDPs and SDFs and provincial and local spatial development plans (SDPs); Help prioritise and align the investment and infrastructure plans of other provincial departments; Provide clear signals to the private sector about desired development directions; Increase predictability in the development environment, by establishing “no go”, “maybe” and “go” areas for development; and Redress the spatial legacy of apartheid.

With respect to the implementation of the WCPSDF, the report gives district municipalities a co- ordinating role. Local municipalities are given a key role, as they will be at the forefront of implementing the policies. This will largely occur through their local SDFs, which should show the details of proposals dealt with in the WCPSDF.

Table 3.1 below gives examples of how the implementation is foreseen.

Table 3.1: Examples of how implementation of the WCPSDF is foreseen Examples of Provincial District Local Strategies URBAN EDGE Principles Co-ordination Detailed delineation HUMAN RESOURCE Funding of fixed and Vehicle storage / Construction of SERVICES mobile services co-ordination market sites SPATIAL PLANNING Principles / provincial Co-ordination Detailed alignments / CATEGORIES wide co-ordination development control 2ND ECONOMY Overall enablement Identification of key Location of markets DEVELOPMENT and partial funding nodal settlements OPPORTUNITIES

The following strategies were formulated specifically for the West Coast region:

Prepare an industrial development / environmental conservation plan for Saldanha- Vredenburg that acknowledges this sub-region’s extreme environmental and economic sensitivities; Prepare an action plan to adapt to global climate change; Investigate the potential of the Olifants River development corridor with particular emphasis on improved access to land for small farmers;

Formulate a coastal management plan to address pressure for development along the coast; and Promote ecological corridors linking the coastal zone to the Cederberg Mountains.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The WCPSDF serves as a guideline to all roleplayers in the West Coast region for future spatial development in the Western Cape Province. In terms of Municipal SDFs, the broad provincial Spatial Planning Categories set out in the WCPSDF should be refined and delineated in greater details in district and local SDFs. Municipal SDFs and SDPs should ultimately be consistent with the WCSDF. Support must be given to the policies put forward in the WCPSDF by all roleplayers, to ultimately provi de opportunities and an effective way to achieve environmental sustainability, economic efficiency and social justice.

3.3.3 Guidelines for Resort Developments in the Western Cape

The Guidelines for Resort Developments in the Western Cape (2005) are intended to assist authorities in the task of processing and assessing resort applications, thereby facilitating the decision making process. It is also the aim of the guidelines to assist municipalities towards autonomous consideration of resort applications whilst promoting consistency in the manner in which applications are dealt with.

In terms of environmental protection, the guidelines stipulate that, as part of the municipal IDP and SDF processes, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and Localise Strategic Environmental Guidelines (LSEG) should be compiled.

The following are the most important criteria identified for the location of a resort:

Compatibility with relevant provincial and local planning policies; The presence of a unique recreational resource; and The particular set of environmental opportunities and constraints applicable to the site being such that the impact of the resort can be managed and mitigated to an acceptable standard.

The report states that resort density and size must be considered both in terms of the environmental impact and carrying capacity (sustainable resource utilisation). The maximum size is ultimately determined by the most restrictive of these factors.

Limitations can be imposed on resort developments through conditions of zoning approval, for which a checklist is provided in Section 6.2 of the report.

Approval for resort development is also required in terms of the EIA Regulations, which would include requirements for environmental management, visitor behaviour management and the siting and number of units allowed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Guidelines will assist the municipalities of the West Coast with processing and assessing resort applications. Municipalities should ensure that all potentially suitable resort areas are id entified timeously and included in their SDFs/SDPs. There is an obligation for decision makers

and applicants to take these guidelines into account when preparing and deciding upon

applications.

3.3.4 Guidelines for Golf Courses, Golf Estates, Polo Fields and Polo Estates in the Western Cape

The purpose of the Guidelines for Golf Courses, Golf Estates, Polo Fields and Polo Estates in the Western Cape (2005) is to guide the future growth of the aforementioned developments in the Western Cape in a sustainable manner, and to provide clarity to all participants in the development process through stipulating detailed requirements.

The report sets out locational criteria for urban and buffer areas in Section 6.2 of the report. It is important to note that the guidelines allow no golf courses, golf estates or polo estates in core areas (as identified in the bioregional planning categories i.e. in nature reserves, ecological corridors, endangered habitats and river corridors).

The application process requirements deal with the following, amongst others: Compliance with relevant spatial planning (with special emphasis on the urban edge principle); Cultural heritage and visual impact assessment; Biodiversity considerations; Stormwater and water use considerations; Social and economic impact (including long-term socio-economic impact); Infrastructure and services; and Sustainable building considerations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Guidelines set a standard for best practise for applicants (i.e. developers/investors for golf courses, golf estates, polo fields and polo estates) as well as decision makers over and above mere legislative requirements. The guidelines therefore provide detail and information to applicants and deci sion makers that will support the achievement of the principles set out in existing legislation. There is an obligation for decision makers and applicants to take these guidelines into account when preparing and deciding upon applications.

3.3.5 Western Cape Provincial Urban Edge Guideline

The Western Cape Provincial Urban Edge Guidelines (2005) sets out criteria for the preparation of urban edges in the Western Cape. It also sets out what issues and factors should be considered in the drawing of urban edges around towns and cities, as well as guidelines for the management of urban edges.

When demarcated, urban edges should be designed to contribute to the following: The conservation of aesthetic and sensitive environmental features; The establishment and conservation of biodiversity corridors; The redevelopment of under-utilised and centrally located low density residential areas; The (re) development of vacant land, particularly for subsidised housing; and The creation of opportunities for the establishment of small farmers and the informal sector.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Using the guidelines, the Municipalities of the West Coast District should be able to establish and incorporate urban edge s into their SDFs and other planning documents to guide urban growth. The

guidelines therefore provide detail and information to applicants and decision makers that will support the achievement of the principles set out in existing legislation. There is an obligation for decision makers and applicants to take these guidelines into account when preparing and deciding upon applications.

3.3.6 Western Cape State of the Environment Report

The Western Cape State of the Environment Report (2005) provides information about the state of the environment in the Western Cape, and serves to provide credible information to inform strategies and track interventions in order to assist politicians and decision makers and they strive towards achieving the goal of a sustainable province. Where possible it compares and evaluates the condition of the environment with other provinces, targets and international standards. It identifies indicators, which will serve as a baseline for future monitoring and evaluation of the environment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Western Cape State of the Environment Report serves as a guide to all roleplayers regarding the current state of the environment in the Province. The information contained therein should be used to inform strategies, to guide politicians and decision makers in reaching their goals of

achieving sustainable development in the West Coast District. The report also serves to assist municipalities and other decision mak ers in the West Coast District with the formulation of sustainable policies and plans, and to make informed decisions about the environment, as well as providing the wider public with access to information about the environment in which we live in the Wes tern Cape Province.

3.3.7 Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape

The Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape (2004) study quantified the growth potential of 131 towns in the Western Cape in terms of 82 variables. In terms of natural resources the following indicators where used:

Availability of developable land; Availability of water; Agricultural potential; Tourism attractions; and Environmental sensitivity.

Implications for the West Coast District are that Vredendal, Vredenburg and Saldanha were identified as ‘leader’ towns in the Western Cape, and the latter two were also identified as towns with a high growth potential.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Municipalities of the West Coast District should use the town profiles presented in the report as a guideline for gauging future development initiatives on a local scale in their urban centres. Furthermore, the report should be used in conjunction with the Micro Economic Development

Strategy should be used to inform potential investors, entrepreneurs, developers, WESGRO and

other relevant institutions of the most appropriate locations that will best serve development and community needs in the West Coast District.

3.3.8 Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

The Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (2004) sets out a vision with targets in the areas of economic growth, employment creation, poverty eradication, skills development and equity, building effective local communities for the 2004 - 2014 period, based on the sustainable development approach.

The PGDS is a strategic plan, which prioritises major structural deficiencies in the social economy and natural environment.

In terms of the strategy, the provincial goals for growth and development relevant to environmental planning, conservation and management include the following:

To ensure that the people of the Western Cape will have the best developed environment by managing and promoting integrated planning, affordable housing and effective local government; To create a strong, dynamic and balanced economy within the Western Cape Province in order to address unemployment, poverty and social and spatial inequalities; To ensure a prosperous agricultural community in the Western Cape Province; To further the well-being of all the people in the Western Cape by ensuring a healthy and clean environment as well as fostering a common value system towards its heritage;

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Strategy outlines the development objectives and strategies, w ith the intention to create synergy between various roleplayers in government, civil society and business to ensure that individual actions are mutually supportive, contributing towards the communal objectives.

3.3.9 A Settlement Framework for the Western Cape Province, Green Paper

The Settlement Framework for the Western Cape Province (2003) determines a broad strategy and policy that gives direction to spatial planning and sets guidelines for the management of settlements from a provincial perspective. Recognition is given to the fact that rapid urbanisation is a reality in the Western Cape. The challenge is to manage all human settlement in such a way that possible negative impacts are minimised and potential positive impacts maximised.

The vision is that all people of the Province will be settled in conditions that enhances their quality of life, that are environmentally and economically sustainable and that are socially equitable.

The framework pursues the following objectives: • Establishing a broad provincial framework that will serve as a guide to future settlement, taking due cognisance of bioregional planning principles; • Creating urban settlements that are spatially integrated and compact as well as proactive in absorbing growth; • Establishing cities and towns that are economically robust; • Ensuring that human settlements are environmentally sustainable; • Providing appropriate levels of services for all and making optimal use of existing and planned services; • Ensuring that subsidised housing is provided equitably and that it plays a meaningful role in the management of human settlement both in urban and rural contexts; and • Ensuring that urban and rural settlements are governed effectively and efficiently.

The following three major biogeographic regions are established, based the natural systems, in order to determine the capacity of regions to accommodate human settlement. • Wet mountains and valley lands, • Moist grainlands, and • Arid areas.

These broad categories feed into a map of environmental constraints on human development, which forms the basis of the policy and the identification of broad settlement options.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLEPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST REGION

The settlement framework determines a broad strategy that gives direction to spatial planning and sets guidelines for the management of settlements from a provincial perspective, based on three major bio-geographic regions ( wet mountains and valley lands, moist grainlands, arid areas), which feeds into a map of environmental constraints on human development. In terms of this map, the West Coast region can be divided spatially into areas where urban development should be avoi ded or restricted and areas where urban development should be subject to controls. This settlement

framework has been incorporated into the Provincial Spatial Development Framework (2005).

3.3.10 Bioregional Planning Framework for the Western Cape Province

The Bioregional Planning Framework for the Western Cape Province (2000) is a support document to promote the application of Bioregional planning principles and the implementation of UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve Programme in land-use planning in the Western Cape, within the framework of the Western Cape Planning and Development Act.

The point of departure is that for biodiversity conservation to succeed, the maintenance of environmental integrity, as defined by ecological, economic and social criteria, must be one of the primary determinants of land-use planning. The Provincial Cabinet has resolved that the implementation of bioregional planning principles must be promoted and supported on provincial and local government levels.

Bioregional planning implies a place-specific approach to the planning, design and management of the natural and human-made environment. Biosphere reserves have been designed as tools for reconciling and integrating the conflicting interests and pressures that characterise land-use planning.

The six categories proposed to be primary spatial planning categories (refer to Table 3.2) are: Core 1 (Proclaimed National Parks, Provincial Nature Reserves, Mountain Catchment Areas, unprotected but critically endangered areas of biodiversity); Core 2 (River corridors, ecological corridors); Buffer 1 (endangered areas of biodiversity overlapping with extensive agriculture); Buffer 2 (Vulnerable and least threatened area of biodiversity overlapping with extensive agriculture). It would be important to make use of the SPCs that are recommended in the Western Cape PSDF. These make allowance for inclusion of Critically Endangered habitats that are not currently protected into a core category (for example).

Table 3.2: Primary Spatial Planning Categories CATEGORY DESCRIPTION BASIC PURPOSES Category A Core Area • Comprising areas of high conservation importance that must be protected form change • Only non-consumptive land-uses allowed Category B Buffer Zone • Serving as a buffer between Category A and C areas • Sustainable small scale development and non- consumptive land uses allowed Category C Agricultural Areas • Constituting rural areas where extensive and intensive agriculture is practised. • Including forestry areas

Category D Urban - Related Areas • Representing a broad spectrum of nodal urban- related settlements and their associated services and infrastructure. Category E Industrial Areas • Representing the industrial areas where the highest intensity of human activity occurs.

Category F Surface Infrastructure • Constituting all surface infrastructure and and Buildings buildings not catered for in the above categories. • Including roads, railway lines, power lines, communication structures, etc.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Land use planning and management in the Western Cape is now based on bioregional planning

principles. This has the implication that all municipalities need to take the bioregional approach in relation to sustainable development into account in the preparation of spatial development frameworks and the process of integrated development planning for their respective administrative areas. The application of these principles provides authorities with a framework for land use planning and manageme nt that can be under written by the creation of Bioregions and possible subsequent Biosphere Reserves and other multi-stakeholder landscape initiatives. The implementation of Bioregional planning concerns a certain management approach towards the realisat ion of sustainable development and depends on a wide range of elements drawn into a management process that considers the three imperatives of sustainable development on an equal stance. The Bioregional planning approach manifests itself in own delimitate d boundaries and further constitutes a structured process to involve local communities into policy- and

decision-making.

3.3.11 Draft Coastal Zone Policy for the Western Cape (2004)

The Draft Coastal Zone Policy for the Western Cape (2004) provides the framework for the implementation of the Coastal Management Programme (see below). The Policy aims to institute a holistic land use classification system and to develop a policy framework for the entire coastal zone of the Western Cape, which is consistent with the principles of bioregional planning.

The coastal zone includes the whole Western Cape coastline from Hoekbaai on the West Coast to the Bloukrans River on the Tsitsikamma Coast, including the coastal plain and the open sea. The framework is based on the same macro bioregional regions as established in the Western Cape Settlement Framework.

The draft Coastal Zone Policy is not based on a systematic spatial assessment of the sensitivity or conservation priority of different coastal ecosystems, since such an assessment has not been done.

One of the goals identified for the framework is to “ensure a balance between development and conservation”. The following objectives relate to this goal: Maintain the natural diversity of coastal environments with distinctive features of characteristics within the coastal zone; Concentrate development into compact nodes and prevent urban sprawl; and Ensure that the construction of surface infrastructure does not cause unacceptable degradation of the ecological and aesthetic qualities of the coastal zone.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Draft Coastal Policy sets out categories, based on bioregional planning, for land use development along the coast of the Western Cape, these categories have to be refined and implemented by the local municipalities with areas of coastline under their jurisdiction. Other developers, such as landowners and potential developers will be guided by these categories in terms of the land uses allowed on private properties.

3.3.12 The Integrated Coastal Management Programme for the Western Cape (2003)

The Integrated Coastal Management Programme (CMP) for the Western Cape (2003) was prepared according to the requirements of the Coastal Zone Bill and builds further on the policy statements presented in the Coastal Zone Policy (discussed above).

The CMP proposes to support sustainable coastal development. Its main aim is to facilitate improved planning of coastal resources, and thereby allow for more targeted investment from government and non-government organisations to support coastal development. The CMP proposes specific lead agents for all the programme objectives.

3.3.13 Western Cape Promotion of Sustainable Development Bill (Preliminary outcomes of the Provincial Law Reform Process)

The Provincial Law Reform Process is currently being undertaken by the Department of Environmental Affairs and development Planning. The working title of the draft document is “Western Cape Promotion of Sustainable Development Bill”. The purpose of this process is to promote ecologically sustainable development and the conservation of the environment and

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 53 cultural heritage of the Province. One of the results of this process would be the integration of environmental and heritage impact assessments and other processes affecting the use of land.

The draft document proposes the following in terms of the role of municipalities: Implement national, provincial and municipal legislation dealing with land; Maintain national and provincial standards and requirements in relation to land; Perform other functions that may be delegated to it by the Provincial Government; Prepare a Municipal Sustainable Use Framework (MSUF) or make amendments to its IDP to ensure that the IDP complies with the requirements for MSUFs; Review its by-laws that effect the use of land; Adopt a zoning scheme that will give effect to this Act; and Prepare a heritage resources register.

The proposed minimum requirements for a MSUF are the following:

A MSUF must be prepared in a manner that allows for effective participation by interested and effected parties; and The following must be included: o A vision, goals and objectives consistent with the sustainable use principles; o A coherent policy framework to inform and guide decisions concerning the use of land; o Management objectives for biospheres or other areas within the municipality; o An implementation plan; o A system for monitoring and evaluating progress towards the achievement of its goals and objectives; o A spatial development framework; and o A determination, in accordance with guidelines for doing so by the Department, and depicted in the spatial development framework. o It must be reviewed and amended at least once every five years.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Proposals from the Provincial Law Reform Process are still in dra ft for discussion format. The main implications could be that municipalities will remain the authority dealing where development applications are submitted (i.e. the first authority to deal with development applications), but applications that then need t o be referred to a number of other authorities, could be referred to a “hub” of decision-makers, which should integrate and fast-track decision-making.

3.3.14 Ikapa Elihlumayo – A Framework for the Development for the Development of the Western Cape Province (2004-2007)

The Premier committed the province to a delivery focused budget with fiscal discipline, in addition to appropriate job creation initiatives, strengthening of the social net together with continued rationalisation of health services, building human capital, increasing infrastructure investment and safety measures for the Province’s citizens, and renewed efforts at bolstering

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 54 land reform, urban and rural development. This long-term strategy is essentially designed to guide government and its development partners over the next ten years.

The “iKapa Elihlumayo – The Growing Cape” is a step forward from previous development planning processes in the Province, which have tended to be sectorally driven and fragmented, short-term and sometimes reactive. This is a major attempt by Government and its social partners to set an effective development agenda, not only for the government, but also for all stakeholders working together to realise the Province’s vision, “A Home for All.”

IKapa Elihlumayo firstly combines short and long-term strategies. Through the payment of grants and the Extended Public Works Program (EPWP), the Elihlumayo drive provides short- term relief to the poor and unemployed. Over the long term, structured human resource development, targeted and coordinated infrastructure spending and investment promotion should put in place key pillars of higher levels of sustained growth and employment.

IKapa Elihlumayo secondly combines economic interventions with social interventions. So while it pursues economic growth and higher levels of employment, it also puts in place programmes to regenerate social capital by supporting especially the youth and families.

The following eight key developmental priorities have been identified for the Province and approved by Cabinet:

• Building Social Capital with an emphasis on Youth • Building Human Capital with an emphasis on Youth • Strategic Infrastructure Investment • Micro-Economic Strategy • A Spatial Development Framework • Co-ordination and Communication • Improving Financial Governance • Provincialisation of Municipally Rendered Services

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Province is obliged to o versee and support municipalities. The Provincial Government has to ensure that the Municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) are integrated within the Province’s Growth and Development Plan. This will result in the vertical integration of municipal pr iorities with the functional departmental strategies. This creates ample opportunity and scope for inter- and intra-governmental integration, co-ordination and cooperation between spheres to focus resources on agreed upon priority areas. Key focus areas ar e identified where local role players can assist the government in achieving its developmental goals.

3.3.15 Micro Economic Development Strategy for the Western Cape (2005)

The Micro-Economic Development Strategy (MEDS) is a preliminary synthesis report that was launched in July 2005. The MEDS provides certainty on the 10-year economic development view of Government. It provides a firm platform for launching co-ordinated  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 55 meaningful cost-efficient interventions in the economy by all social partners. It is the authoritative reference point for all-important views by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) on matters economics for planners, analyst and investors.

The MEDS will contribute to the following:

• A very significant increase in the funds made available for economic development. In the past, funding was limited relative to the enormity of the challenges of achieving both sustainable growth and equity in the democratic era. • That small business development, with the huge potential boost for employment, will receive a quantum growth spurt occasioned by their one-stop shop advice and business support centres. • A great leap forward in interventions in human resource development to equip all the citizens to be effective players in the workplace in the era of unbridled competition and rapid change in the global marketplace. • That large-scale intervention will be put in place to deal with growth and equity in promising industries. • Pioneering large-scale initiatives to find sustainable decent work for those whose skill-level have condemned them to the apparent scrap heap of global employment. • Essentially, for the municipalities that fall outside of the City of Cape Town, a strategy has been devised in order to ensure that all the applicable interventions arising from the Micro- economic Development Strategy are harnessed for their benefit. It is called Die Plek Plan , which is a contraction for Die Pl aaslike Ek onomiese Plan . • Essentially what this Plek Plan will do, is to assign highly trained economic development practitioners into each municipality to ensure that all the opportunities arising from the Micro- Economic Development Strategy, or opportunities arising from our global business intelligence unit, and all additional opportunities which arise from purely local circumstance are translated into real business opportunities. Critically the economic development practitioner will unblock any blockages, harness any partnership funding, fast track investment recruitment and mobilise municipal level forces to maximise the uptake of these opportunities.

The MEDS identifies four main categories of interventions, namely:

• Sector based interventions . Key economic sectors identified include: Agriculture, Aqua-culture and associated value chains, Clothing, textiles and leather Metals, engineering, boat building and ship repair, Oil and Gas Service Hub, Furniture Cultural Industries, Crafts and Jewellery, Tourism, Call Centres and business process outsourcing, Information and communication technology and Film • Theme-based interventions . These include: Human Resource Development (HRD), R & D, Innovation, New materials, New technology, Provincial Manufacturing Technology Strategy, Design in industry, Energy, Logistics, The Knowledge economy, Effective use of ICT and HIV/AIDS • Interventions to increase economic participation by all . To achieve this the following comprehensive strategies and interventions will be developed: Black Economic Empowerment, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Youth Economic Empowerment, Economic Empowerment for people with Disabilities, Economic Empowerment for rural dwellers and workers • General Economic Simulation Interventions. This includes activities to improve export, investment and tourism promotion.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The MEDS (especially Die Plek Plan) will guide the municipalities of the West Coast to harness their resources into meaningful co-operation and co-funding arrangements to achieve their goals in a focused and co-ordinated manner. In terms of local roleplayers, the key focus sectors are identified where the government is to focus for development.

3.3.16 Strategic Infrastructure Plan for the Western Cape Province (2005) The future prosperity of the people of the Western Cape will depend on a creative partnership between the people of the Province and the various government institutions in the Province. The role of government is to provide the secure institutional and physical framework within which citizens can exercise their initiative to reach their full potential.

The Strategic Infrastructure Plan is one element of the Provincial Government’s strategy for delivering its side of this partnership. It is the part that deals with the infrastructure that makes normal economic and social activity possible. Infrastructure includes water supply and sewerage disposal, electrical power provision, and transport of all kinds, hospitals, schools and cultural facilities.

As infrastructure provision and maintenance is expensive, difficult choices have to be made when allocating available resources amongst these different sectors. The purpose of the Strategic Infrastructure Plan is to help determine these choices by showing how development plans in each of the various infrastructure sectors will work together to achieve agreed aspirations of the citizens of the Western Cape.

The plan sets both broad and specific priorities. The Strategic Infrastructure Plan will be an ongoing process of appraisal and refinement of infrastructure delivery in the Province.

The Strategic Infrastructure Plan will liaise with other elements of the Province’s development strategy to ensure that future infrastructure investment is directed to sectors where it will yield the best overall returns to society.

As the instrument of public sector agencies to support economic growth, labour market participation and general well being of the Province, the Strategic Infrastructure Plan will involve a number of provincial and national departments, local authorities and parastatals in its development and execution. This plan will form the basis upon which decisions on infrastructure investment by the Province will be made. Delivery of the Plan will involve close co-operations with the private sector. A priority will be to work through the small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) sector. This is because SMME’s have been shown to be the foundation of long term sustainable economic growth and the key to a more rapid absorption of skills from a growing labour market.

The Strategic Infrastructure Plan also embraces the statutorily agreed principles of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) with the objective as a foundation for the social stability upon which all economic progress depends.

The Thirteen Infrastructure sectors are: Transport, Land and Property, Information and Communication Technology, Education and Training, Justice and Emergency Services, Recreation and Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Health, Community Services and Housing, Energy, Water, Wastewater and Natural Assets, Waste Management

Strategies driven by the Strategic Infrastructure Plan: Co-ordinate infrastructure planning and implementation, Promote sustainable development, Efficient use of infrastructure, Be pro-active, creative and inventive

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

Investment in correctly located infrastructure will lead to sustainable, economic and social development for the West Coast District Municipality. Local roleplayer s can guide infrastructure investment through the identification of investment opportunities.

3.3.17 Guidelines for environmental decision making by Municipalities in the Western Cape

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning embarked upon a capacity building programme that sought to inform, educate and generally build capacity within municipalities with regards to decision making which impacts on the environment and the implementation of legislation that relates to the environment (EnAct International, 2003).

The guidelines provide an overview of the role of municipalities in the constitutional dispensation, considers the role of municipalities with respect of environmental decision-making specifically, and considers how decisions affecting the environment are made, with particular regard to administrative aspects of public law. The guidelines also considers the taking of decisions in relation to specific statues, considers the common law and the role of policy documents, including guidelines, and deals with appeals, review, monitoring and enforcement (EnAct International 2003).

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

All municipalities within the West Coast must be familiar with and take cognisance of the guidelines when making decisions that impact on the environment and for he implementation of legislation th at relates to the environment.

3.4 DISTRICT LEVEL PLANS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

3.4.1 Integrated Development Framework of the West Coast District Municipality

Each District Municipality must, within a prescribed period after the start of its elected term and after a consultative process with the Local Municipalities in its region, adopt a framework for the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the region as a whole.

As part of the West Coast Regional Framework for the formulation of an IDP, the following overall principles are subscribed to:

• Integrated Development Plan (IDP) should lead to the establishment and maintenance of viable communities within a framework of sustainability. This implies that the existing needs of the communities in the West Coast Region are addressed, without compromising the ability of future generations to address their own needs, by striving towards the following objectives:

o Sustainable utilisation of resources and impact management o Holistic and integrated planning o Participation and partnerships in the management of strategic elements o Empowerment and environment awareness o Management of information o Formulation of an effective institutional framework and legislation.

• Important elements of the IDP in the West Coast Region should be the provision of basic services, alleviation of poverty and optimal economic development, in context of transformation. • IDP in the West Coast Region must take place within an accepted and effective framework managed by the Local Governments and lead to a process of joint/coordinated and effective implementation. • The process to IDP must take place in the most effective way possible, taking the available skills, personnel and funds into account. • The optimal functioning of Local Governments regarding planning, management and administration should result from the process towards IDP. • The allocation and application of internal and external resources in the West Coast Region should take place according to guidelines resulting from the process towards IDP in the West Coast Region. • Participation in the process of IDP and acknowledgement of IDP of Local Government by Provincial and National Government should be ensured, also with the integration of decision-making and management by 1 st and 2 nd spheres of government. • Participation in the process of IDP by role-players other than government structures must be ensured, to the extent that the primary functions of such an institution are integrated and complementary to the functions of government structures. • Existing products and/or any other outcomes obtained by any process as already completed by the Local Government should be taken into account in the continuation of the process according to this framework.

• All residents in the Region should be given the opportunity for inputs and/or commentary on the process of the IDP as applied by the Local Governments, as well as regular feedback to the community. • Public participation should be structured in a way that eliminates confusion between the various spheres of government’s IDP. • Within the responsibilities of the West Coast District Municipality, the following regional strategies were highlighted:

o Economic Development Strategy o Spatial Planning o Urbanisation Strategy o Tourism strategy o Refuse removal strategy for solid waste o Infrastructure strategy o Communication strategy

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The IDP Framework creates an operational sphere and a common understanding of the pr ocess within which integrated development planning can be performed jointly by all role players active in the region, but also individually by each responsible authority.

3.4.2 West Coast Region IDP (2005)

The West Coast Region IDP (April 2005) process identifies the following objectives for the region:

• The purposeful improvement of the quality of life of all the residents of the West Coast Region; • The establishment and preservation of a safe environment; • The pro-active and responsible stimulation of the regional economy; • The furtherance and conservation of the natural environment and the conservation of natural resources; and • The advancement of pro-active cooperation between everyone that fulfils a role in development.

The following goals were established: • Human wellbeing: ensure the welfare of all people by means of planned social change with the emphasis on the identified needs of vulnerable groups and communities; • Human resource development: improve the people’s quality of life through the development of human resource capacity aimed at viable and productive society, with the understanding that development is never without self-development; • Economy: cherish and contribute towards the establishment of a sound, dynamic and sustainable Western Cape economy; • Cooperation: ensuring efficient and effective sustainable governance;

• Safe Environment: ensuring and maintaining a safe and secure environment that is developed and managed with a view to promoting prosperity; • Natural Environment: The furtherance and conservation of the natural environment and the conservation of natural resources; • Infrastructure: ensuring the effective provisioning and maintenance of infrastructure in a sustainable fashion that will contribute towards the conservation and development of the region.

Bioregional planning (as detailed in their SDF) is proposed as the method by which sustainable development will be achieved in the West Coast Region.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The IDP is seen as the single, inclusive and strategic document that outlines and incorporates all

organisational and developmental needs and activities in the West Coast Region. It serves as the overarching planning and policy instrument that guides and informs all decisions regarding planning, management and development within the West Coast and pertains to all activities performed by the various role players in a functional area or -responsibility (inclusive of local authorities but not limited to). It binds a municipality in the execution of its executive authority, but simultaneously provides communities with a sense of coordinated and cooperative goals, objectives and targets. Local roleplayers need to provide input into the IDP process and assist in identif ying development needs.

3.4.3 Integrated Development Plans for the Local Municipalities

The West Coast District Municipality is comprised of five local municipalities, namely Matzikama, Cederberg, Berg River, Saldanha Bay and Swartland. Each of these municipalities has compiled IDPs, which are available, except for the Cederberg, which is still in the process of approving its IDP. The following Development Priorities, that need specific attention, were identified by the role-players for the different Municipalities:

Saldanha Municipality Basic service delivery and infrastructure development Economic Development Healthy and safe environment Conservation and management of natural environment Social welfare development Development of institutional and operational capacity

Swartland Municipality Safety and Security Tourism Infrastructure and related services Social and Community Development Economic Development Environment and Heritage

Governance

Berg River Municipality Development of the Local Economy Promotion of Tourism Provision of Housing Promotion and Provision of community safety Upgrading and provision of service-infrastructure Protection of the environment Uniform ground use control Spatial guidelines for development Expansion and integration of the municipal structure

Matzikama Municipality Integrated governance Human wellbeing Human resource-development Economic Infrastructure (Physical) Urban –and Rural environment General safety

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The IDP is the overarc hing planning instrument that guides and informs all planning and development and decisions regarding planning, management and development in the Local Municipalities on the West Coast. It binds the municipality in the execution of its executive authority. Each of the Local Municipalities have committed themselves to work towards the achievement of the goals set in their IDPs and fulfil the prioritised needs of their local communities as identified through the IDP process. Local Role Players need buy-into t he strategy through involvement in the process and they need to provide guidance to the municipalities on local development needs.

3.4.4 West Coast District Spatial Plan (2000)

The West Coast Spatial Plan proposes the establishment of biosphere reserves and spatial planning categories (based on biosphere principles) to direct land use and development in a sustainable manner.

The following goals are identified: Sustainable resource use and impact management; Holistic and integrated planning; Participation and partnerships in governance of strategic issues; Empowerment and environmental education; Information management; and Effective institutional framework and legislation.

The following issues are dealt with by means of guidelines: Subdivision of land outside urban areas; Establishment of special management areas; Existing development rights; Sustainable development and spatial planning; and Planning and management of neighbourhood areas.

The SDP will be reviewed and updated in 2006.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The West Coast District Spatial Plan lays down bioregional planning principals for the spatial

development of the region, which the municipalities and other relevant role players as well as local

developers have to adhere to. Local Municipalities are expected to refine the spatial delimitation of the core areas, buffer zones, agricultural and urban areas and develop place-specific design guidelines for areas under their jurisdiction.

3.4.5 An Urbanisation Framework for the West Coast Region (1999)

The Urbanisation Framework consists of principles to govern urbanisation in the West Coast Region. One important principle is that decisions relating to the growth of towns, and particularly the provision of new housing by the municipality, should be based on sustainability.

The framework aims towards the realisation of the goals set out in the 1999/2000 IDP of the West Coast District Council: • Housing for farm workers and meeting the urban housing backlog; • Sustainable agriculture; • Effective service delivery; • Managing urbanisation and influx of people; • Progressive development: better cooperation, sustainable development; • Employment generation; • Economic growth; • Establishing the role of all towns in the regional economy; • Enhancing the tourism potential of the region; • Conservation of the environment; • Limiting pollution of the environment; and • Ensuring sustainable use of underground water.

In terms of the environment, the following issues are outlined in the study: 1. Urban sprawl: i.e. location of new housing projects; coastal development; many vacant erven; lack of urban integration; impact of urban growth on rural character of towns; potential negative impact on tourism potential. 2. Pollution 3. Harbours 4. Water shortages, mainly in the northern areas, but also the rest of the area, over the longer term

Smaller local issues are also identified relating to: Sewage disposal; and Solid waste removal (burning of waste).

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Urbanisation Framework provides an in strument to the Municipalities of the West Coast region to

guide urbanisation in the West Coast in a sustainable (environmentally and socio-economically) manner, with special focus on the following issues: The management of urbanisation in migration; An urban hierarchy; Housing; The accommodation of farm workers; Municipal services; and The capacity of local government.

3.4.6 West Coast Region Economic Development Strategy (2000)

The Economic Development Strategy provides an overview of the main economic sectors in the West Coast Region, with specific focus on the development potential of each. The strategy highlights that the region needs to attract external investment and diversify the range of economic activities that local residents take part in.

Based on this view, the following five economic strategies are proposed: Support the development of a competitive agricultural and industrial production system Maximise economic empowerment opportunities for all residents; Facilitate the creation of sustainable employment opportunities; Support the development of a more competitive labour force; and Develop an effective support system.

As part of this strategy a number of programmes were identified and these included the following:

Small farmer/ fisherman development Development and expansion of Agricultural markets and linkages with other sectors Facilitate a co-ordinated marketing programme Identification of local processing Identification and promotion of SMME development Tourism development and support Support and co-ordinate appropriate education and training programme Development of an appropriate economic information system

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The West Coast Region Economic Development Strategy provides an instrument to guide economic development in the West Coast in relation to all economic activities prevalent and foreseen in the region, and create a means whereby the Municipalities and other role players need to address the existing needs of the commun ities in the West Coast Region without compromising the ability of future generations to address their own needs.

3.4.7 Tourism Implementation Strategy for the West Coast Region (2001)

The Tourism Strategy for the West Coast (2001) provides a tourism implementation strategy for the West Coast and gives a suggested tourism institutional framework for the West Coast Region.

A tourism vision was generated for the West Coast, namely “ Making Tourism Work for the People of the West Coast”.

The overall objectives for the West Coast Region include the following: • To grow the levels of local, domestic and international tourism to and within the West Coast • To market the West Coast tourism products to identified target markets • To complement and cooperate with tourism marketing and development initiatives at national, provincial and regional levels • To ensure the alignment and integration of tourism at all levels with the other planning, development, conservation, infrastructure and service departments and authorities • To create employment and facilitate human resource development • To integrate previously disadvantaged communities into the tourism industry • To facilitate the identification and development of tourism products with are in line with tourism demand • To stimulate and facilitate investment into the tourism industry • To maximise the economic impact of benefits flowing form tourism within the West Coast and minimise leakages • To ensure the sustainable use of all tourism resources

Specific Medium Term Objectives are:

• Grow domestic tourism by 4.5% per annum over the next five years • Growth foreign tourism by 10% per annum over the next five years

The marketing strategy acknowledges that the region’s main tourism products are largely based on the natural environment. The following are identified as the most important potential market interests: Flowers, Adventure, Wine routes, Whales, Fishing and coastal experience, Coastal experiences and culture, Mountains and wilderness and Nature and scenic tours.

The Tourism Development Strategy identified four areas of tourism development categories, namely:

1. Basic Infrastructure Development

2. Tourism Infrastructure and Service Development 3. Development Control 4. Social and economic development

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Tourism Development Strategy for the West Coast Municipal Are a provides an instrument to guide the marketing, development and institutionalisation of tourism on the West Coast according to which all tourism- and related activities should be performed and promoted by everybody involved to the benefit of all, derived from the fulfilment of the inherent potential of contributors to tourism.

3.4.8 West Coast District Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Strategy (2001)

This strategy emphasises the importance of the reduction of waste at the source and re- utilisation and recycling. The following guidelines were followed: • Prevent of minimise the production of waste; • Encourage and support the recovery of waste; • Ensure that waste that cannot be prevented or recovered is disposed of without causing environmental pollution.

The following decisions have major implications for the municipalities and other roleplayers:

• All solid waste created in the district will be dealt with within the District itself; • Only three sites will be permitted in the Region, namely at Malmesbury, Vredenburg and Vredendal; • Incineration of medical and sanitary waste will be allowed; • Hazardous waste will be disposed of at licensed sites only; and • All waste disposal will be subject to minimum requirements as proclaimed by the Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Solid Waste Disposal Strategy for the West Coast Municipal Area provides an instrument to guide the d isposal and recycling of solid waste in the West Coast region. It further regulates the

number and type of waste disposal sites to be allowed in the region and emphasis that the minimum requirements as expected by law must be met.

3.4.9 Communication and Public Participation Strategy for the West Coast District (2003)

This initiative investigates the challenges and priorities relating to communication in the West Coast region by researching the inter- and intra-municipal communications, as well as public

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 66 perceptions of the local municipalities. The strategy established that communication within and between the municipalities is hindered by a number of problems, an important one being the distances between them.

The project goals are to:

• Build / strengthen a relationship between all spheres of government and communities such that communities can effectively participate in decision-making and councils can effectively inform communities of decision that are taken; • Strengthen the relationship between communities and local government; • Enable municipalities to effectively convey their performance to the general public; and • Enable municipalities to determine the context of participation and communication.

The strategy focuses on the following issues identified:

Customer service and service delivery; Cross-cultural sensitivity; Internal communication; External communication; Corporate image; Role clarification; Participation engagement; Attitudinal behaviour; and Timing and representivity of public participation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIP ALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Communication and Public Participation Strategy for the West Coast Municipal Area emphasis the importance that communication between all role players and the municipalities, inter and intra between mu nicipalities themselves and towards the communities is essential for effective service delivery and the realisation of sustainable development. Participation is also central to an efficient cooperative governance system .

3.4.10 West Coast Poverty Alleviation Strategy (2005/2006)

Work in progress.

3.4.11 West Coast Spatial Development Framework (2005/2006)

Work in progress.

3.4.12 West Coast Economic Development Strategy (2006/2007)

To be completed.

3.4.13 The Craft Industry on the West Coast (1999)

This document consists of a comprehensive directory of craft producers in the West Coast region. It also includes marketing opportunities, support agencies, funding sources and trade fairs and other useful contacts.

3.4.14 West Coast District Disaster Management Framework (2005) Draft for Discussion

The purpose of the Disaster Management Framework is to ensure an efficient disaster risk management effort in the Municipality by ensuring that all role-players work together in a coherent fashion. Disaster risk management covers the following three main phases: • Mitigation and prevention; • Response and relief; and • Recovery.

The Draft Framework makes the following proposals: • All potential hazards identified in the Municipality; • All potential hazards assessed and prioritised; • Contingency plans drafted on all identified hazards; and • Detailed Disaster Management Plans drafted by the Municipal departments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Disaster Management Framework facilitates the cooperation of all roleplayers in order to prevent and respond to disasters in the West Coast area.

3.4.15 Water Services Plan (2006)

The Water Services Plan proposes the following relating to water demand management and unaccounted for water:

Water demand management: • Water demand management should be included when water resources are investigated and it should be seen as part of the water services planning process; • New supply schemes should only be developed where it can be shown that the existing water resources are used efficiently; • Council members need to be informed regarding the legislation relating to water demand management; • Brochures regarding the benefits of water demand management should be distributed; and • More emphasis should be placed on water education in schools.

Unaccounted for water: • Water Service Authorities need to identify specific zones within their systems to monitor unaccounted for water on a regular basis; • Systems need to be put in place to measure key parameters;

• A policy relating to consumer meter management, maintenance and replacement is necessary; and • A programme should give attention to pressure and pipeline management and rehabilitation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Water Services plan highlights the need to manage water demand in all the municipalities and to regulate unaccounted for water in the arid West Coast area where water is a scarce resource.

3.4.16 Water Management Area Internal Strategic Perspective (2004 & 2005)

The Berg Water Management Area (WMA) Internal Strategic Perspective (2004) and Olifants Doorn WMA Internal Strategic Perspective (2005) presents the opinion of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) on how it intends managing water resources within these WMAs during the period leading up to the establishment of a Catchment Management Agency. The documents outline challenges to water resources and recommend strategies to address them. The strategies developed fall within the categories of:

• Yield balance and reconciliation • Water Resource Protection • Water Use Management • Water Conservation and Demand Management • Institutional Development and Co-operative Governance • Social and Environmental • Waterworks Development and Management • Monitoring Data and Information Management • Implementation

These reports highlight the water resource opportunities and constraints per catchment within the West Coast District and provide approaches for water resource management within the area.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The ISPs outline the water resource opportunities and constraints within which the West Coast Municipalities and all other roleplayers operate. It outlines intentions for water developments in the region and highlights areas of co-operation between spheres of government and water users required for protection of the resource.

3.4.17 Integrated Transport Plan (2006)

The Integrated Transport Plan proposes the following, amongst others: • Establish a transport planning department; • Establish public transport working groups; • Introduce a public transport information system; • Effective public transport law enforcement; • Establish pounds; • Build an additional weighbridge in the Porterville area; • Promote the public transport corridor concept; • Develop a mobility strategy for the District Management Area and Matzikama; • Assess non motorised transport needs; • Assess ambulance service delivery; • Investigate the rail network.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Integrated Transport Plan proposes that public transport should become in creasingly important in the West Coast to improve the mobility of local communities and that the municipalities should promote the public transport corridor concept.

3.4.18 West Coast Investment Initiative Appraisal Document (1997)

The intention of the West Coast Investment Initiative is to focus interest, effort and investment in a specific location of potential, with under-utilised infrastructure and resources. The West Coast Investment Initiative is focused on the opportunities created by the mini mill of Saldanha Steel as well as the under-utilised opportunities in agriculture, tourism and fishing in the region. This initiative opens a window of opportunity to potential investors in an area with a significant resource base, adequate infrastructure and an environment that offers attractive social facilities and natural attributes.

The decisions of Namakwa Sands and Saldanha Steel to invest in mega projects in the region were made in the 1990s. These projects have only started to explore the potential and infrastructure in the region. The investment of Saldanha Steel, with its leading edge technology that took cognisance of both the competitiveness of the industry and the importance of the region’s natural environment, captures the imagination. The outputs from the Saldanha Steel plant offer potential for linked and related industries, while extensive infrastructure is already in place to support a broad range of export orientated industries.

The West Coast Investment Initiative is one of eight Spatial Development Initiatives in South Africa. The West Coast Investment Initiative aims to:

• Stimulate job creation; • Realize the growth potential of existing infrastructure and resources in the region; • Encourage the involvement of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs);

• Develop the export potential of the region through the port.

The focus of the West Coast Investment Initiative is on the well-established, healthy agricultural and fishing sectors, the growing tourism sector and the expanding industrial sector.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

It is imperat ive that sound environmental management practices be adhered to in all sectors in the municipalities of the West Coast, so that the unique natural resources which make the West Coast a prime eco-tourism destination are preserved for future generations. Loc al Role Players in the focus sectors need to work with local government to maximise opportunities identified.

3.5 LOCAL LEVEL PLANS

3.5.1 Lower Berg River Sub-regional Structure Plan (1999)

The following mission statement guided the Lower Berg River Sub-regional Structure Plan:

The purpose of this structure plan is to provide in the needs of both the rural and urban populations of the region in such a manner that the sustainable use of the environment and resources will be ensured.

This includes the following goals: • The establishment of conservation and development actions; • The identification of responsibilities; • The establishment of a time framework and prioritising actions; • Monitoring the implementation.

The following strategies have been formulated in terms of the above plan: • Guidelines for the development of the urban component (Velddrif, Laaiplek and Dwarskersbos) as well as the transitional zone to the agricultural area; • The protection of the river and management of the river banks by means of the proclamation of a Protected Area; and • The completion of research is necessary for hydrographical management guidelines for the Berg River to be formulated.

3.5.2 Lower Olifants River Structure Plan, Policy Framework and Management Guidelines (1999)

The purpose of Lower Olifants River Structure Plan is to balance the need for conservation and development of the sensitive ecosystem of the Olifants estuary and river. Based on a public participation process, the following categories of issues were identified and are dealt with in the plan: • Fishing;

• Agriculture; • Biophysical environment; and • Urban environment.

The plan establishes three zones namely a, conservation -, transition -, and development zone in the area and proposes that the conservation zone and parts of the transition zone be established as Protected Areas.

3.5.3 Cederberg Environs Spatial Development Framework (1999)

The Cederberg Environs SDF aims at achieving the same strategic goals as the West Coast District SDF: • Sustainable resource use and impact management; • Holistic and integrated planning; • Participation and partnerships in governance of strategic issues; • Empowerment and environmental education; • Information management; and • Effective institutional framework and legislation.

The SDF identified key bioregional planning categories for the Cederberg and environs (wilderness areas, other protected natural areas, natural resources, cultural resources, tourism, agriculture, rural infrastructure, urban development, social development and legislative and institutional framework). A vision and recommendations are proposed for each category.

The most important recommendation of this SDF is the proposed establishment of the Cederberg Biosphere Reserve. However, subsequent planning and work has lead to a different multi-stakeholder landscape approach/model being pursued – the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor.

3.5.4 Wupperthal Local Structure Plan (1998)

The Local Structure Plan for Wupperthal is based on the following goals: • To provide the basic needs of the local population of Wupperthal and surrounds; • To facilitate the development of the most important economic sectors, agriculture and tourism; • To conserve the unique character of Wupperthal, and other smaller settlements, as a historic mission settlement; and • The conservation of the unique natural environment as a tourism asset.

The plan positions itself within the Cederberg and Environs SDF, where the Wupperthal area falls largely into a buffer zone. The proposals relate directly to the above goals, and guidelines are further proposed to guide new developments to ensure that the character of the towns is maintained. An area is demarcated for the possible future expansion of Wupperthal, based on bioregional planning principles.

3.5.5 Verlorenvlei Local Structure Plan (1996)

The following are the primary aims, established to guide the preparation of the Verlorenvlei Local Structure Plan: • Recognise the need to balance human need with environmental integrity; • Ensure the maintenance and protection of the essential ecological processes and preservation of the biological diversity; • Conserve the Verlorenvlei wetland; • Provide opportunities for eco-tourism; • Ongoing management; • Protection of cultural heritage; • The sustainable utilisation of the agricultural potential of the area; and • Improved living standards for all residents.

Policies are recommended to fulfil the above aims and to provide decision-makers with a framework for the management of development in this unique environmental asset. The Plan also takes into account the roles of agencies such as WWF-sa, Wildlife Society and Botanical Society. CapeNature is the principal stakeholder in this process, as the management authority for Verloerenvlei.

3.5.6 Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Dwarskersbos to Olifants River (1992)

The following issues were addressed in this plan: • Public access to the coast; • Achieving a compromise between conservation and development; • Identifying conservation-worthy and sensitive areas; • Identifying potential areas for development; and • Managing state land along the high-water mark.

The structure plan comprises of a series of plans that indicate an over-arching land-use pattern, with appropriate proposals and guidelines for the above issues.

3.5.7 Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Veldrif to Bokpunt (1990)

The primary objective of the structure plan is to ‘provide a framework for harmonious development and for preventing potential conflicts between the interests of urbanisation, recreation and conservation.’

The structure plan comprises of a series of plans that indicate an over-arching land-use pattern, with appropriate policies and principles. Specific issues relating to recreational developments are addressed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES &

ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The sub-regional and local plans listed above aim to guide spatial de velopment. In each case, spatial categories for development are established to guide development at the local level in the areas of concern.

3.5.8 The Saldanha Local Economic Development Strategy

The Saldanha Bay Municipality is in the process of completing its LED strategy. As part of this strategy nine thrusts for the Saldanha Bay Municipal area’s economy were identified and these include the following:

• Development of the Agricultural Sector and Activities • Industrial Development • SMME Development • Tourism and Cultural Development • Development of Local Economic Activities • Environmental Sustainability • Renewable Energy Development • Development of the Municipality and its Internal Structure • Human Resource Development

The strategy also outlines the shortcoming of the current local municipal structure in terms of economic development and one of the proposals is to strengthen the current LED unit to allow it to perform the necessary functions and activities associated with LED. The objectives of the LED are therefore the following:

• To facilitate economic growth in the urban and rural areas of the Municipality • To implement a holistic and interactive planning and development process • To identify appropriate opportunities, develop and exploit these opportunities • To formulate a flexible Local Economic Development Strategy • To facilitate active community involvement, consultation and empowerment • To develop an appropriate database • To identify projects with the highest benefit for the region.

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES & ROLESPLAYERS IN THE WEST COAST DISTRICT

The Saldanha Bay LED provides an in strument to guide economic development within the Saldanha Bay Municipality. Once implemented, strategies and programmes should widen the

economic base of the area so that the creation of employment opportunities is addressed, resulting in positive spin-offs throughout the local economy. Local roleplayers should adopt the strategy and implement where possible, programmes and projects.

3.5.9 Knersvlakte Bioregion Spatial Plan The Knersvlakte Bioregion Spatial Plan (KBSP) was formulated in 2004. The purpose of this spatial plan was to give effect to the Bioregional Planning Policy for the Western Cape, which advocates integrated environmental planning as part of the IDP.

The aims of the KBSP are to: • Draw up the boundaries of the Knersvlakte Bioregion; • Formulate management strategies; and • Implement the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.

The KBSP proposes that a biosphere reserve be established in the Knersvlakte region. A managing committee, consisting of members from each of the four task teams (nature, culture, economy and community development) as well as the Matzikama Municipality and the West Coast District Municipality, is in the process of carrying out the proposals of the KBSP. It is important to consider a range of landscape models.

The KBSP proposes a number of programmes to guide the establishment of the biosphere reserve: • Involvement of interested and affected parties; • Collaboration; • Administration; • Research and monitoring; and • Performance management indicators.

3.5.10 Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Plans

The Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Plans include the following: GCBC Planning Phase report; Spatial Planning: Technical Report; GCBC Economic pre-feasibility study; GCBC Community Engagement study; GCBC Biodiversity Profile; GCBC Regional Tourism Development Plan. The latter documents are available from the CapeNature office in Porterville.

3.5.11 Knersvlakte Plans

The Knersvlakte Plans include the following: Consolidation of Knersvlakte Priority Area; Management of Knersvlakte Priority Area; Biodiversity Awareness raising plan for the Knersvlakte; Phil Desmet’s Knersvlakte Planning documents for the Knersvlakte. The latter documents are available from the CapeNature office in Porterville.

3.5.12 Protected Area Management Plans

Protected Area Management Plans generally provide much broader contextual information than the reserves themselves (e.g. links with local economic development, tourism etc.)

3.5.13 Other plans of relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management

Other plans of relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast District, which were identified during the key stakeholder participation process, are outlined in Table 3.3 below and include the following 16 :

Table 3.3: Other plans of relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast region

Name of Plan Responsibility Date Saldanha Port Master Plan National Ports Authority Draft Land Reform Strategy West Coast District Municipality March 2006 Draft Poverty Alleviation West Coast District Municipality 2006 Strategy Environmental input into the Saldanha Bay Municipality 2002 Saldanha Bay SDF Draft Swartland Integrated Swartland Municipality 2006 Waste Management Plan Road reserve management Plan Swartland Municipal SDF: Swartland Municipality urban edge Area Wide Planning Dept. of Agriculture Mining Strategy - Barry Low Local oil spill plans Biodiversity Plan for the SANBI/Botsoc/CapeNature Swartland Municipality Upcoming CAPE fine-scale CAPE/CapeNature biodiversity plans

16 Please note that the table contains the details available at the time of print.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 76

4 ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES

This chapter documents the Environmental planning, Conservation and Management Initiatives currently being undertaken in the West Coast District. It documents the goals implementers, funding arrangements, and timeframes of the initiatives. It further outlines conservation areas within the region.

The initiatives documented in this chapter are as follows:

Broad Biodiversity Initiatives • Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E) • Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan (SKEP) • Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) • Knersvlakte Bioregion • Establishment of the Knersvlakte Priority Area (KPA) • Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC)

Other Environmental Initiatives & Programmes • The GCBC have identified and initiated several high priority projects, which include the following: o Sandveld Task Team o Establishment of core corridors as per the PSDF and GCBC planning (Sandveld, Cederberg, Olifantsberg, Grootwinterhoek link, Suid Bokkeveld, and Tanqua Karoo) o Sustainable Rooibos Initiative o Best practices for 4x4 and off-road driving o GCBC small grants fund o RARE project o SCARCE project (Survey of amphibians and reptiles in the broad GCBC domain) • Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association (GCFPA) • Cape West Coast Fire Protection Association • CapeNature Stewardship Programme • CAPE fine-scale biodiversity plans for the four local municipalities that do not currently have fine-scale biodiversity information • The Biodiversity and Wine Initiative • Landcare Area Wide Planning • Working for Water • Working on Wetlands (especially around Verloerenvlei) • Working on Fire • Water Management Areas • CAPE estuary plan (Olifants River is one of the pilot estuaries) • Coastcare • Ecological Reserve Determination • State of Rivers Report: Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers 2006 • State of Rivers Report: Berg River • Putting Biodiversity Plans to Work: Swartland Municipality pilot. • Ceder restoration project

National Parks and Nature Reserves • West Coast National Park (WCNP) • West Coast Fossil Park • Nature Reserves managed by CapeNature o Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve o Bird Island Nature Reserve o Rocherpan Nature Reserve o Riverlands Nature Reserve o Dassen Island Nature Reserve o Verlorenvlei Nature Reserve o Knerslvlakte Nature Reserve o Rob Eiland o Moedverloren Nature Reserve (Knersvlakte) o Paternoster Rocks Offshore Nature Reserve o Kasteelberg Nature Reserve

• Private Nature Reserves • Other Nature Reserves o SAS Saldanha Contractual Reserve o Kapel Nature Reserve o Local Authority Nature Reserves (Columbine Nature Reserve, Darling Local Nature Reserve, Darling Renosterveld Local Nature Reserve, Kalbaskraal Nature Reserve, Paardeberg Nature Reserve, Ramskop Nature Reserve, Yzerfontein Nature Reseve) o Grootfontein Natural Heritage Site, Bushmanskloof Natural Heritage Site

Wilderness Areas • Cederberg Wilderness Area – also a State Forest, managed by CapeNature as a protected area • Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area – also a State Forest, managed by CapeNature as a protected area

Conservancies • Cederberg Conservancy • Sneeuberg Conservancy • Northern Cederberg Conservancy • Wupperthal Conservancy • Groot Winterhoek Conservancy • Benede Berg River Conservancy • Yzerfontein Urban Conservancy • Kasteelberg Conservancy • Paardeberg Conservancy • Cape West Coast Conservancy

Proposed Conservancies • Keerom Conservancy

World Heritage Sites: • Cederberg and Groot-Winterhoek Wilderness Areas are both included in the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4.1 BROAD BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVES

This section documents a series of interviews undertaken during February 2006 with representatives of these initiatives. Figure 6 below shows the location of the major biodiversity initiatives in the area.

4.1.1 Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E)

Cape Action for People and the Environment is a programme of the South African Government, with support from international donors, to protect the Cape Floral Kingdom (an area of approximate 90 000 km²). SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) is the management agency responsible for the coordination of the C.A.P.E. programme. CapeNature is the lead agency for implementation of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor, an initiative that is located on the West Coast.

C.A.P.E seeks to create linkages between people and the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region, in order to unleash the economic potential of land and marine resources through focussed investment in development of key resources, while conserving nature and ensuring that people benefit.

Vision: “By the year 2020, the natural environment and biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom will be effectively conserved, restored wherever appropriate, and will deliver significant benefits to the people of the region in a way that is embraced by local communities, endorsed by government and recognised internationally”.

Objectives of the programme include the following: • To establish an effective reserve network, enhance of-reserve conservation and support bioregional planning; • To develop methods to ensure sustainable yields, promote compliance with laws, integrate biodiversity concerns into catchment management and promote sustainable nature-based tourism; • To strengthen institutions, policies and laws, enhace co-operative governance and community participation so that capable institutions co-operate to develop a foundation for mainstreaming biodiversity in the Cape Floral Kingdom into social and economic development.

Co-operation with partners:

• C.A.P.E. is a partnerhsip programme that is implemented by its partners, including government, non-governmental organisations, research institutes and the private sector. • A fundamental aspect of the programme is high levels of buy-in from its stakeholders, consensus on outcomes and commitment to implementation. • Approximately 21 organisations have signed the C.A.P.E. Memorandum of Understanding, which commits organisations to aligning their goals to the C.A.P.E strategy.

• The programme has a focus on co-operation with local government, and is working across the province with district and local authorities. As part of this programme of work, the programme is developing data layers for incorporation into the municipal IDP process and spatial planning in particular. • A focus of the programme is building capacity within existing institutions, and working with existing institutions and institutional structures to mainstream biodiversity into their work programmes;

Components of the Initiative: • Strengthening institutions; • Supporting conservation education; • Co-ordinating and monitoring progress; • Unleashing the potential of protected areas; • Involving people in conservation stewardship; and • Managing watersheds using conservation principles.

Rate of Success: • Good progress is being made with the achievement of the above-mentioned components. Their success relies on the co-ordination of the different implementing agencies and, with respect to local authorities, incorporation of the C.A.P.E strategy into processes such as the IDP and SDFs.

• C.A.P.E is currently in the process of developing performance indicators, which will be utilised in future to measure the performance of the programme.

Funding: The C.A.P.E. programme is/ has been funded through local resources, mainly from the realignment of the resources of partners to the priorities of the programme, and several grants from international donors including: • A GEF/ World Bank investment in the TMNP; • A GEF/ UNDP investment in the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative • A GEF/ World Bank and UNDP investment on the C.A.P.E. Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development project; • A 5-year grant from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Most of the funding has already been allocated to a range of initiatives and projects in the CFR.

Timeframe & Way forward: • The C.A.P.E programme has a 2020 vision, and will continue to adapt its approaches to implementation as it responds to lessons, challenges and opportunities.

Additional Issues Raised: • In order to facilitate better co-operation, the C.A.P.E Implementation Committee invites the West Coast District Council to become a formal partner of the C.A.P.E. Programme • Spatial planning should incorporate fine scale biodiversity layers. The biodiversity layers and guidelines that have been developed by partners of the programme are available for incorporation into the municipal IDP process and spatial planning in particular. • The sustainable use of scare natural resources should be promoted and supported by facilitating a dialogue between users.

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc

WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 81

• Economic opportunities that demonstrate how sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources can contribute to the upliftment of local communities should be identified and supported; • Projects to clear alien vegetation that support the creation of local livelihoods should be developed and implemented • A critical shortage of extension staff to monitor and enforce legislation in the region is noted. The Department of Agriculture should be supported to enhance their capacity in the region.

4.1.2 Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan (SKEP)

The Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme began as a planning process in September 2001 and completed one year later. It was facilitated by Conservation International’s Southern Africa Hotspots Programme. This formed part of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s (CEPF) preparation to expand its investment to the Succulent Karoo hot-spot. The team included scientific advisors and four co-ordinating organisations from the region.

The initial mandate of the SKEP initiative was to develop an overarching framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Succulent Karoo hotspot, which includes approximately 116,000 km² in Namibia and South Africa. Because of this process, an ecosystem profile has been produced for the CEPF that identifies key areas for investment in this region.

Vision: The overall vision for SKEP is to have: ‘The people of the Succulent Karoo take ownership of and enjoy their unique living landscape in a way that maintains biodiversity and improves livelihoods now and into perpetuity’.

THE SKEP PLANNING PROCESS

The SKEP planning process set out to obtain information and generate consensus among stakeholders for a holistic conservation and sustainable land-use plan for the Succulent Karoo. SKEP, which means "to serve" or "to create" in Afrikaans, involved more than 60 scientific experts and over 400 local stakeholders representing government, academia, NGOs, private sector interests and local communities in a unique approach to conservation planning.

Coordinated by a Technical Working Group, SKEP brought together several local partners, special advisors and local experts (Sub-regional Champions) in the arenas of biodiversity, socio-political issues, resource economics and institutions. Organizations with expertise in these fields were contracted to manage and coordinate the development of specific outputs for each component. Local experts working in existing organizations involved with conservation or land- use issues were identified within the sub-regions and enlisted to become local representatives for the SKEP process in their area. These individuals, known as Champions, and their assistants, were responsible for soliciting the information from and communicating the SKEP message to local stakeholder groups.

The objectives for the planning phase were: SKEP aims to promote sustainable land-use and conserve the unique biological diversity of the Succulent Karoo. The following are the specific goals: • Identify a hierarchy of priority areas; • Leverage existing biological and socio-economic initiatives to contribute to the identification of these priorities and engender consensus in the form of a long-term conservation plan; • Expand human resource capacity to implement the plan; and • Secure the institutional and government support required to ensure effective implementation of the plan.

SKEP planning had four components, dealing with: • Biodiversity; • Socio-political issues; • Resource economics; and • Institutional issues.

By focusing on these components, SKEP has been successful at integrating these into an overarching plan for biodiversity conservation in the Succulent Karoo Biome that: • Provide a hierarchy of priority actions to guide conservation efforts and donor investment in the biome; • Build human resource capacity to implement the plan by including training and mentorship activities as part of the planning process; and • Generate the institutional and governmental support required to ensure its effective implementation.

Rate of Success: SKEP planning phase pioneered a unique approach to conservation planning in South Africa by integrating high-level scientific expertise with socio-political, economic and institutional concerns. The following 20-year conservation targets have been identified through a participatory process:

SKEP Strategy – Programme goals and targets: Based on the planning phase stakeholders realised that:

• Nearly 60% of the Succulent Karoo Hotspot (SKH) needs to be protected in some way. • Although a significant player, it is not possible or desirable for the government to be solely responsible for conservation. • The people living in the Succulent Karoo must become custodians for biodiversity on their own land. This means their understanding and participation in biodiversity issues are essential. • Coordination of conservation and land-use activities must be at a local level, working to integrate SKEP into local agencies, communities, corporations and reach private and communal farmers. • Coordination must also ensure that existing projects and government priorities are realigned and augmented to support the SKEP vision. • Innovation will be required to successfully link conservation and development in the region.

The follwing key targets were then agree too by stakeholders.

The key targets for the 20-year timeframe are: • Create a coordinated conservation and sustainable land-use programme throughout the Succulent Karoo that involves all main land-use sectors (agriculture, mining, tourism, conservation, communal lands) and additional role players (local government, schools, police departments) in working towards conservation targets. • Secure 100% of conservation targets for Succulent Karoo vegetation types under formal conservation management regimes controlled by state, communal, private or corporate entities. This will effectively conserve 75% of the species in the SKH. • Maintain populations of key indicator and flagship species within priority geographic areas at their current levels. • Conserve important ecological processes, namely the sand corridor movements, river corridors, and climatic gradients by protective legislation and improvement of local management practices. These areas include: • North-South gradients along the coast and mountains in the west, and between the great-basins in the south (e.g. the mega-reserve linking the Great Karoo, Little Karoo and Southern Coastal Plain). • East-West gradients in the west (e.g. coast-Kamiesberg-Bushmanland, Cederberg- Tankwa-Roggeveld). • Links between the mountains and basins in the south (e.g. the Breede River-Little Karoo area).

The long term strategic focal areas for Programme are:

1. Increasing local, national, and international awareness of the unique biodiversity of the Succulent Karoo. 2. Expanding protected areas and improving conservation management, particularly through the expansion of public-private-communal-corporate partnerships. 3. Supporting the creation of a matrix of harmonious land uses. 4. Improving institutional coordination to generate momentum and focus on priorities, maximize opportunities for partnerships and ensure sustainability.

Achieving these will ultimately result in a conserved, yet lived in, worked in landscape.

Additional Issues Raised: • Overgrazing on private and communal lands has devastated large areas; • Invasive alien species are also posing a threat to many areas in the Succulent Karoo; • Mining has had a significant impact in the region and is likely to expand in the future; and • Only 2.1% of the biome is conserved in statutory reserves and these reserves protect only 10% of the hotspot’s 900 Red Date Book plant species.

SKEP geographic priorities: With a new understanding of the distribution of biodiversity and transformation pressures in the SKH, SKEP's team of scientists determined what would be needed in terms of area to ensure that the region's species and the ecological processes that support them are conserved and set conservation targets for biodiversity features (vegetation types, river ecosystems, sand movement corridors, presence of Red Data and endemic species, etc.) based on this assessment.

SKEP recommends giving priority to conserving those habitats within geographic priority areas that have conservation value and are most vulnerable to increasing land use pressures. Ideally, all untransformed land in these habitats, irrespective of size should enjoy some form of conservation action in order to achieve conservation targets and link reserves by means of natural corridors. Additionally, in those priority areas with less transformed landscapes, such as the Roggeveld, SKEP will seek to establish informal conservation networks that will achieve vegetation and process targets.

The Programme focuses on nine priority areas (listed below) which need to be developed sensitively and conserved in order to achieve the conservation targets set for this Hotspot. These areas contain important habitats that have conservation value and are most vulnerable to increasing land use pressures.

• Sperrgebiet The Sperrgebiet in Namibia is the only wilderness area in the Hotspot. In the 56,100 hectare area there are 776 plant species, including 234 endemics and 284 Red Data List.

• Greater Richtersveld The Greater Richtersveld including the Gariep region has a staggering 2700 plant species, of which 560 are endemic. Since 80% of the plant species are succulents, this is regarded as the area with the world's highest succulent diversity.

• Bushmanland Inselbergs The Bushmanland Inselberg area is located on the northeast margin of the Succulent Karoo Hotspot. The 31,400-hectare area includes 429 plant species, of which 67 are endemic and 87 are Red List species.

• Namaqualand Uplands The Namaqualand Uplands encompass the highlands of central Namaqualand in the Northern Cape. The 33,500-hectare area includes 1109 species, of which 286 are Succulent Karoo endemics and 107 are Red List species.

• Central Namaqualand Coast This 34,600-hectare area along the coastline includes 432 plant species, 85 of which are Succulent Karoo endemics and 44 of which are Red List species.

• Knersvlakte The Knersvlate, which as has the greatest percentage of threatened endemics in this this hotspot, is in the centre of the Succulent Karoo hotspot. The 48,500-hectare area is extremely rich in plant species, with a total of 1,324 species, 266 of which are Succulent Karoo endemics

• Hantam Tanqua Roggeveld The Hantam-Roggeveld area is centered on the town of Calvinia and encompasses both the Bokkeveld and Roggeveld escarpments. The total plant species tally in this 86,600-hectare area is 1,767, of which 357 are Succulent Karoo endemics and 173 are Red List species.

• Central Breede River Valley The Worcester/ Robertson Karoo Centre, which includes the Middle Breede River Valley has approximately 1500 species of plants of which 115 are endemic..

• Central Little Karoo The Central Little Karoo lies in the valley between the Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges in the south of the Succulent Karoo Hotspot. There are 1,325 species in this 51,000- hectare area, including 182 Succulent Karoo endemics and 92 Red List species

Timeframe & Way forward:

Moving from planning to a coordinated programme for action: In 2003 the programme received a block grant of over $8 million from CEPF and CI agreed to continue co-ordinating the programme until local South African and Namibian organizations were ready to take over this function.

CI’s programme co-ordination involved the training of more than 14 local people, in 5 sub regional nodes, to co-ordinate, facilitate project development and action at a local level. Creating local capacity was, and still is, a large part of the SKEP strategy to ensure the programme is supported and remains locally driven. In 2004, these functions were streamlined and migrated to Anchor Project teams in the priority areas. With this restructuring, more than 80% of these newly trained conservationists moved into other positions within the conservation sector and continue to champion the SKEP vision and agenda within their local communities.

The successful transition of the programme took place in 2005, with the coordination functions moving to the Namibian Nature Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) in Namibia, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), under the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) in South Africa. The SKEP Programme now forms part of SANBI’s bioregional programmes network, with five other bioregional programmes currently in operation in South Africa.

Funding: With the $8 million received from CEPF, the programme has managed to catalyse projects focused on civil society in South Africa and Namibia. The role of the coordination units was to support civil society organisations with developing appropriate projects in line with the SKEP 20 year strategy and the CEPF investment profile. To date several additional donors have come on boards to support the programmes objectives and two additional small grant funding mechanisms are being developed. To date the programme has received a total of $11 millions committed to various initiatives, some which support government activities as well.

To date this funding has resulted in 88 projects, focusing on conservation and development in the Succulent Karoo Hotspot. Of this, 59 projects are directly funded by CEPF, and these include developing new and innovative approaches for keeping people on their land, but yet manage land more sustainably.

As a result of CEPF funding alone a total of 73 new conservation and development jobs have been created, with many potential jobs as a result of the wide range of projects currently being implemented.

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc

WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 87

For more detail visit the website ate www.skep.org or contact the coordination unit at 021 799 8777 (SKEP Coordination Unit)

4.1.3 Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR)

The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve is one of a network of over 450 designated biosphere reserves situated across the world.

The CWCBR stretches from Diep River, north of Cape Town, to the Berg River, and from the coast eastwards to a line through Malmesbury and Darling to appoint north of the Berg River. It covers both land and sea, but the extent of the marine component has not been finalised. The terrestrial component is approximately 378 000 ha in size, the interim marine component 50 000 ha and the total approximately 428 000 ha.

The Board of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Company manages the biosphere reserve. This is a Section 21 non-profit company and the Board consists of volunteers.

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program designated the area a Biosphere Reserve and the Minister of Environment and Tourism ratified it in 2001. The main business is to: • Promote, advance and fulfil of the basic functions of a biosphere reserve. • Foster human and economic development that is ecologically sustainable; • Conserve the landscapes, ecosystems, genetic variation and species of the West Coast; and • Lend support for demonstration projects, environmental education, research, monitoring, training and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.

Vision: A biosphere reserve that is the pride and lifeblood of the community, with deep links to the wealth of the Atlantic Ocean and the wide landscapes of the Cape West Coast.

The Municipalities of the West Coast District see the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve as the best international example of integrating rapid growth and change with biodiversity conservation, sustainable living and heritage preservation.

Goals: • To conserve, maintain and rehabilitate biodiversity in the CWCBR; • To conserve non-renewable resources; • To maintain the palaeontological, historical and cultural heritage of the CWCBR; • To contribute to enhancing the sustainable economic well-being of communities; • To contribute to coherent planning at all levels to provide models of land management; • To adopt the precautionary principle to development in the region • To seek stakeholder support for the CWCBR; • To develop a high profile biosphere reserve; • To comprehend and understand change in the region; • To provide education, awareness building and training to further community and stakeholder knowledge; • To secure adequate ongoing management resources for the biosphere reserve; • To ensure effective, participatory and adaptive management; and

• To co-ordinate with national and international networks.

Co-operation with partners: The CWCBR works in close co-operation with local communities, private landowners and NGOs. There is, however, currently limited co-operation with the other large environmental initiatives in the West Coast Region. Better co-operation would be appreciated, where appropriate, but a situation should be avoided where the north is allowed to govern over the south in terms of environmental planning. A “one-size-fits-all” approach should be avoided at all costs.

There has so far been very limited co-operation with government in general although these institutions are central to the success of the application of the bioregional planning principles within the Biosphere Reserve. The local municipalities were represented on the team that formulated the strategic plan.

Components of the Initiative: • Sustainable development enhancement; • Natural resource management; • Coastline and marine species protection; • Biodiversity protection and extension of zones and boundaries; • Agriculture and agro-industry; • Mining and industry; • Tourism and leisure; • Infrastructure and utility development; • Built form and development control; • Historical, cultural and archaeological sites; • Research and monitoring; • Education and training; • Information and marketing; • Partnerships; and • Innovative project establishment.

Rate of Success: Thought the CWCBR is on track in the achievement of their goals, it was indicated that a lot could still be improved. There is a need for political buy-in and assistance from the municipalities. The capacity of the CWCBR Company must be increased to manage the implementation of the strategic and business plan.

The following projects have been undertaken: • Flora project: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) provided one Rand for every Rand raised by the community – 2 herbariums were established (for Sandveld and Renosterveld, as well as Strandveld fynbos) and the capacity was raised to assist in other projects; • Darling veld flower trust was set up for the conservation of flowers in the Darling area; • Project in Hopefield for the conservation of the river; • Project with Fairest Cape in Atlantis to introduce recycling at 12 schools; • Management of road reserves; • The Fire Protection Agency shares their offices with the CWCBR;

• The CWCBR directors/volunteers provide inputs and comments on land use applications/plans circulated to them, such as the land restitution and establishment of small farmers plans; • Comment on strategic forward planning and input in the IDP processes of authorities; • Spatial Development plan to be compiled; and • Three flagship projects identified.

Core components already being conserved within the CWCBR area: • The Langebaan Lagoon and Saldanha Bay together form a water body covering 13 000 ha. The lagoon is fed only by freshwater seepage and tidal exchange. The system is pivotal to the CWCBR.

• The Langebaan Lagoon is also designated as a Ramsar wetland and protected in terms of the Bonn treaty for migratory birds. The lagoon is a natural resource that supports tourism, recreation and mariculture and forms part of the West Coast National Park.

• New core areas consisting of the small Dassen and Vondeling Islands and their surrounding sea areas have been added, thus improving the representativity of coastal marine systems of this Biosphere Reserve.

Funding & Way Forward: The CWCBR was previously funded by the Development fund of DBSA, WCDM as well as DEA&DP, but currently DEA&DP is their only source of funding. Funds are distributed to them via the District Municipality: • 2004: approximately R650 000; and • 2005: approximately R450 000, largely used for administrative costs.

The CWCBR Board of Directors is not satisfied that the funding is sufficient to meet their goals. There is limited funding for the implementation of projects, the Flora project for instance had to be stopped due to lack of funding. They are currently busy with a funding application to C.A.P.E.

Additional Issues Raised: • Environmental law does not currently place enough emphasis on bottom-up planning; • Limited capacity at the municipalities to deal with environmental planning and control; • Municipalities unable to implement environmental laws or conditions of approval, therefore developments are allowed to block access to the coast, amongst other problems arising from this issue; • Nobody plans for the bigger picture; • The municipalities regard services such as water and electricity as money-making commodities and therefore water and energy saving does not take priority; and • Environmental assessments are not done properly at times, particularly when environmental consultants do not work independently from the engineers and developers.

4.1.4 Knersvlakte Bioregion

The Knersvlakte is an extensive dry plain in the centre of the Succulent Karoo hotspot bounded on the east by the Bokkeveld Mountains, approximately 522 317 ha in size.

A Bioregion was delineated and is formally recognised by all roleplayers in the area such as Cape Nature and the respective authorities. An association with a constitution has been established and is tasked with the implementation of proposals forthcoming from the KBSP.

Goals of the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association: • The establishment of Biosphere Reserve(s), or other appropriate multi-stakeholder models, in the Knersvlakte region; • Provide input to the formulation of policy and management strategies that encourage sustainable development in the Knersvlakte Bioregion, that recognises the interdependence of environmental integrity, human welfare and economic efficiency; • Promote effective community participation and development planning and environmental management in the Knersvlakte Bioregion, with specific emphasis on economic and social elements; • Promote bioregional planning as a mechanism for the achievement of sustainable development; • Establish a database of information necessary for the formulation, communication and enacting of goals and objectives for the Knersvlakte Bioregion; and • Initiate research and monitoring for the updating of the KBSP.

Co-operation with partners: Other environmental initiatives: • The Knersvlakte does not fall into the CFR and there is no involvement from CAPE. SKEP is the primary initiative involved with the Knersvlakte initiative.; • The Knersvlakte Bioregion Association is a multi-stakeholder process, involving a range of institutions and stakeholders, which is being planned at a number of different levels. • The consolidation of the Knersvlakte Priority Area forms the anchor project being implemented by CapeNature. This forms part of the initiatives being undertaken by the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association, specifically to establish the core of the proposed Knersvlakte Biosphere Reserve. • It is important to use lessons learnt from other landscape initiatives in the Knersvlakte initiative to avoid making the same mistakes.

The West Coast Municipalities: • A number of role players are already involved: Matzikama Municipality, Departments, NGOs, the West Coast District Municipality: Martin Langenhoven is the secretary of the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association and other officials are also involved. The interest of Municipal Councils and National Departments in the Knersvlakte Bioregion could, however, be improved. • This contribution can be expanded by getting all role players actively involved in the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association. The West Coast District Municipality should promote neighbourhood areas. • The Knersvlakte Bioregion Association contributes to the work of local government by bringing together officials from different municipalities, as well as other role

players, to work together in the application of the KBSP. The IDPs and SDFs of different municipalities are important for integrating environmental concerns into municipal planning.

Other roleplayers • Co-operation with CapeNature, Agriculture, West Coast Municipality is good, but co- operation with Water Affairs needs to be improved.

Components of the Initiative: The KBSP proposes a number of programmes to guide the establishment of the biosphere reserve: • Involvement of interested and affected parties; • Collaboration; • Administration; • Research and monitoring; and • Performance management indicators.

Rate of Success: It is yet too early to measure the success of the initiative, but the following has been achieved: • The Knersvlakte Bioregion Association was establish and regular meetings are taking place, the process is making progress with limited funding; • An outline has been determined for the Knersvlakte Bioregion, but a great deal more work is needed before biosphere reserves can be established; • Task teams are being set up for the determination of core, buffer and transitional zones. The Maskam area and the Olifants River estuary have been identified as possible core areas.

Funding: The initiative is currently funded by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, but the Association is unsure how much funding is available. The WCDM contribute indirectly towards funding of the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association in the form of administrative support. It is foreseen that the WCDM will contribute (budget) to support the Knersvlakte Bioregion Association in the 2006/2007 financial year.

Timeframe & Way forward: The Association will continue to exist until the goals are met.

Additional Issues Raised: • Mining in the Knersvlakte, applications for prospecting, particularly in the quartz areas, but also the limestone areas; • Mining in the Hartebees Basin, with special reference to mining heaps; • Diamond mining in the sea; • Unregulated fishing; • Over-use of water in the Olifants River, particularly for Citrus and vineyards, as well as alien vegetation on riverbanks; and • Over-grazing in the Hardeveld.

4.1.5 Establishment of the Knersvlakte Priority Area (KPA)

An area of 74521 ha of the Knersvlakte, lying just to the north of the towns of Vanrhynsdorp and Vredendal in the Western Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa, has been identified by botanical specialists to be of extreme importance.

CapeNature has initiated a process in conjunction the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan (SKEP) and WWF-SA to formalise Priority Areas according to Phil Desmet’s research (Desmet, 1999 and 2003) in the Knersvlakte together with an appropriate conservation strategy. Secondary aims of this process are to actively involve all stakeholders; assess the land in the Priority Area; consolidate all relevant documentation relating to the Priority Area; and to formulate the necessary initial Management and Business Plans to give effect to the conservation strategy. The intention is that the KPA will form part of the core of the proposed Knersvlakte Biosphere Reserve.

The intension of this process was to consolidate the conservation proposals and efforts of various individuals and organisations into an implementable management plan for the priority area, facilitate social and economic development, thereby securing long term sustainable conservation of both the biota and sense of place, unique to the Knersvlakte.

It will be seen that far more research will be required during the process of including all relevant sectors and stakeholders in order to produce a strategy for the KPA that will be acceptable to all and will produce consensus based objectives. This process and documentation that will flow from it is intended to inform decision making on how best to proceed.

Certain recommendations have been made that relate to basic programmes considered essential for the botanical biodiversity of the KPA to be properly protected, which is the underlying reason for this process, and an initial management framework to ensure that programmes are instituted. Certain initial findings are also given regarding potential funding and income streams.

The KPA is a “lived-in, worked-in” protected landscape. It creates partnerships between landowners, local communities and authorities, non-governmental organisations, as well as between formal conservation agencies, with the overall aim to conserve the biodiversity of the Knersvlakte Region. It incorporates a variety of land-uses and emphasizes the value of the natural and cultural resources of the area.

Landscape conservation is a new concept and approach to achieving biodiversity conservation objectives. This management plan constitutes the first building blocks in the conservation of the Greater Knersvlakte Region.

4.1.6 Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC)

The GCBC is a “lived-in, worked-in” protected landscape. It creates partnerships between landowners, local communities and authorities, non-governmental organisations, as well as between formal conservation agencies, with the overall aim to conserve the biodiversity of the Greater Cederberg Region. It

Both the Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo Biome are internationally recognised as global hotspots of biodiversity with high levels of diversity and endemism for plants and animals. Each is threatened by alien plant invasions and inappropriate land-use, thus spearheading the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC) project in order to initiate procedures for conservation through sustainable utilisation. The GCBC is one of three selected landscapes in the Cape Floristic Region (the other two being Gourits Initiative and Baviaanskloof Megareserve) that incorporate a wide altitudinal range and extend across climatic and habitat gradients, in order to adequately provide for the conservation of ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes in the CFR and the Succulent Karoo.

The vision of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC) was defined as that picture of the future that the efforts of various organisations will work towards. It is not owned by just one organisation, but is shared by the various stakeholders of the GCBC.

The vision: From Karoo to Coast, we in the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor share a common purpose for biodiversity conservation through sustainable utilization of its unique living landscape.

The mission was defined as the means to achieve the vision. In other words, the railway tracks that will have to be travelled on to achieve the vision. It usually consists of a strategy that defines the way in which the vision will be achieved.

The Mission: “Learning and working together all the people of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor live sustainably with, and benefit from, their natural resources now and in the future… through appropriate conservation and management of the region’s unique biodiversity.”

Goals: The long-term goal of the project is to ensure that the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity corridor (GCBC) will, with civil society involvement, make a significant contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in the Cape Floral Region.

Strategic goals and objectives for 5-year implementation:

Strategic Goal 1: Consolidate and expand protected areas within the GCBC - Identify on the basis of threat and ecological significance the core corridors - Initiate the area-wide planning process - Initiate the stewardship process - Establish the Core corridors in line with PSDF

Strategic Goal 2: Mainstream biodiversity and conservation in the GCBC - Establish partnerships with key industries in the GCBC domain - Promote Sustainable land-use practices - Initiate Responsible Tourism in the GCBC - Sustainable Rooibos Initiative - Best Practices for 4x4 / off-road industry

Strategic Goal 3: Promote Human well-being within the GCBC - Develop human capital - Continued people centered approach

Strategic Goal 4: Promote local economic development through biodiversity - GCBC Small grants fund - Promote local economic development through community based natural resource management

Strategic Goal 5: promote, raise awareness and information sharing in the GCBC - Increase the awareness of the GCBC - Sharing and distributing information and awareness

Strategic Goal 6: Co-ordination of the GCBC - An effective management model for the GCBC - Catalyse bioregional programmes within GCBC - Catalyse funding streams - Training and capacity building

Co-operation with partners:

The GCBC Steering committee has been established in 2003 to ensure meaningful participation by all stakeholders regards the GCBC. Currently the following organisations are members of the GCBC Steering committee: Environmental Monitoring Group, Cederberg Municipality, CapeNature, SanParks, DTEC (Northern Cape Nature Conservation), Botanical Society, Cederberg Conservancy, Northern Cederberg Conservancy, Church representative, Community based representative, CAPE, SKEP, Conservation International, Provincial Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mountain Club of South Africa, Winelands District Municipality, DEA&DP, West Coast District Municipality).

The goal of the GCBC Steering Committee is to oversee, advise and facilitate the implementation of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor. This process aims to effectively conserve the biodiversity of the Greater Cederberg by 2020 and beyond, and through it to deliver significant benefits to the people of the area.

In order to achieve this goal the GCBC Steering Committee will assist the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor to:

• Expand the minimum area of sustainable land use to an estimated 500 000 ha which is believed to be the minimum area required in the region to conserve the unique biodiversity as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes required to do so. • Ensure that the people of the area benefit from the development of the “biodiversity economy” of the region. • Develop co-operative governance structures that will promote the sustainable management of the area (i.e. between government, civil society and private sector). • Ensure effective participation of local people. • Promote awareness of the objectives of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor. • Ensure the capacity of local people to effectively participate in the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor.

• Ensure that the biodiversity of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor is managed sustainable.

Components of the Initiative: • expansion of protected areas • mainstream biodiversity in local industries • local economic development • human wellbeing promotion • awareness and community involvement • meaningful co-ordination

Rate of Success: • Meaningful public participation through the establishment of a GCBC Steering committee that provide assistance, co-ordination and support to the implementing agent (CapeNature). • Completion of a Planning Phase that include the following documents / reports (all was subject to public review process and many were established in an integrated manner with stakeholders: o GCBC Planning Phase Report o Spatial Planning Technical Report o GCBC Economic Pre-feasibility Study o GCBC Community Engagement Strategy o GCBC Biodiversity Profile o GCBC Regional Tourism Development Plan • The sourcing of funds for implementation through CAPE for a five-year period. • Dedicated team within the implementation agent, CapeNature, that is working to fulfil the objectives and goals of this participative process. • Focussed approach towards implementation.

Funding: • The major sources of funding are the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund: Planning Phase (Sept. 2003 – Apr. 2004) and Global Environmental Facility: Short term implementation (June 2004 – 2009). These funds are earmarked for core project management funds. • Additional funds are being sourced on a continuous basis to assist especially local project development by local communities and project partners.

Timeframe & Way forward: June 2004 – 2009: Continue and expand the current initiative.

The following specific projects/initiatives already underway: • Establish the Sandveld / Cederberg Conservancy Core Corridors • Plan the Suid-Bokkveld; Olifantsberg and Groot Winterhoek Core corridors • Initiate and establish the Suid-Bokkeveld, Olifantsberg and Groot Winterhoek core Corridors • Implement the Sustainable Rooibos Initiative • Plan and implement Best Practices for Potato Farming • Implement the 4x4 / off-road driving Best Practices

• Develop and implement human well-being and community based natural resource management • Support and assist in the development and implementation of nature-based tourism initiatives (donkey-cart trails, rooibos heritage route, etc) • Build on the success of the GCBC Small Grants Fund

4.2 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMES

4.2.1 Sandveld Task Team (Initiative from the GCBC)

The Sandveld Task Team and CapeNature (part of the GCBC) jointly manages the first focus area of the GCBC. This initiative is located in the Western part of the GCBC: Between Berg River and Lamberts Bay along the coast and to the Olifants Mountains to the east. Including the Wadrif salt-pan and Verlorenvlei.

Goals To encourage & consolidate effective partnerships between all stakeholders, thereby ensuring a culture of sustainable natural resource utilisation and protection in the Sandveld.

Co-operation with partners: Forms part of the co-ordinated effort of GCBC. The Sandveld Task Team is a partnership between landowners, industries, local communities and authorities, NGOs and formal conservation agencies. A representative from the district municipality serves on the Sandveld Task Team. Communication and information sharing with municipalities can, however, be improved through links with the SDF and IDP.

The MEC for Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has tasked the Sandveld Task Team to produce a Sandveld Action Plan to improve governance and co-ordinate natural resource management between all stakeholders in the Sandveld.

Currently it is envisioned that the Landcare Area Wide Planning (Provincial Department Agriculture – Francis Steyn) will be rolled out further to cover the entire Sandveld as part of the action plan mentioned above.

Components of the Initiative: • Maintenance of ecosystem Integrity – biodiversity pattern and process (including terrestrial and freshwater) • Archaeology • Human well being • The integrity of the agricultural landscapes and uptake of Industry Best practice guidelines and responsible codes of conduct. • Stewardship principles • Alien Clearing and restoration of wetlands

Rate of Success: The Task team is established and operational, working towards co-ordination of the different government departments to address natural resource issues and management needs.

Brochures have been disseminated and various articles have been published in the media as part of the awareness raising initiatives.

Funding: The establishment of the Task Team has been funded mostly by the stakeholders themselves. The various projects that have been identified are not currently funded and are in need of resources to ensure they are successfully implemented.

Timeframe and Way forward: The Sandveld Task Team is envisaged as an ongoing initiative. The way forward involves: • Establishment of sandveld corridors, • Oversee the integration of the CAPE fine-scale biodiversity plan process with the work of the relevant stakeholders, institutions and initiatives, such as the GCBC sandveld core corridor. • Oversee the integration and consolidation of all natural resource planning initiatives and management in the sandveld region.

Additional Issues Raised: • Two fundamental issues faced in the Sandveld, over-abstraction of water and conversion of natural veld to agriculture primarily Rooibos and potato production systems. • Linking of AWP process with deliverables in the municipal IDP. • Streamlining and integration of all natural resource planning processes; • Waste management, existing guidelines are not being implemented; • Improve services and infrastructure; and • Distribution of information relating to Municipal initiatives programmes and projects in the area.

4.2.2 GCBC Core Corridors (Sandveld, Cederberg, Olifantsberg, Suid Bokkeveld , Tanqua Karoo and Groot-Winterhoek link)

The concept of the core corridors of the GCBC is not a single large protected area under the exclusive jurisdiction of statutory conservation authorities where access is controlled and regulated and expansion occurs through acquisition, or formal contracting in, of neighbouring land. The GCBC core corridors are rather conceptualised as a matrix of natural and transformed areas over an extensive, lived in, working landscape in which the different land use patterns are reconciled and aligned with biodiversity conservation imperatives.

The GCBC core corridors are about people – primarily rural communities and their livelihoods – how they use the land now and in the future. It is about their environmental value systems, fears and aspirations, their livelihoods and the drivers of land use patterns. The corridors are not about forcing communities to change how they use their land by introducing new rules, regulations or zonings – it is rather about incentivising a landscape where the economic, social

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 98 and the natural environment is managed within the capacity of available natural resources in such a way as to deliver long term benefit to all.

The Sandveld corridor Sandveld represents the best viable link between the Olifantsberg and the Atlantic Ocean. This is also the area within the GCBC which is most threatened, and is therefore of immeasurable importance to this landscape scale conservation initiative. The rapid transformation of this lowland area has resulted in severe impacts on the Swartland Shale Renosterveld (CE), Leipoldtville Sandplain Fynbos (E), Hopefield Sand Fynbos (E), Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos (V) and Lamberts Bay Strandveld (V). Statutory conservation of the most threatened vegetation types is below 5%.

Effective conservation intervention in the Northern Sandveld requires a focussed approach capable of determining conservation willingness and threat to prioritise and focus conservation action at cadastral level. The project methodology delivers a core corridor that captures acceptable biodiversity returns for conservation effort. The GCBC will use the Stewardship approach as an off reserve landscape scale conservation intervention focussed within the core corridor. The project process and resultant outputs are contained below. The area-wide planning products provide integrated land-use maps at a scale that is useful to all our partners. Critical importance was the alignment of the corridor with the Provincial Spatial Development Framework.

4.2.3 Sustainable Rooibos Initiative (Initiated by the GCBC)

In response to the exponential growth of Rooibos exports and the concerning rate of transformation of endangered habitat in the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC), CapeNature & the South African Rooibos Council have joined forces to develop and implement a Biodiversity Strategy for the South African Rooibos Tea Industry. The pilot area is the GCBC where the vast majority of Rooibos is currently produced. Such a strategy can only be effective in the long term if it fits within the broad definition of Sustainable Development. Therefore, the Strategy is has incorporated the four dimensions of sustainable development and named the Sustainable Rooibos Initiative (SRI).

The vision of the SRI is to develop and implement a sustainable production strategy for the Rooibos industry. The strategy will conserve the biodiversity of the GCBC and deliver social and economic benefits to all stakeholders in the GCBC. The guiding principals include a commitment to conservation, economic growth, social transformation and good governance. Core objectives include preventing further loss of threatened habitat, setting land aside in key corridors, implementing biodiversity guidelines, and exposing social and economic opportunities for the industry through the SRI.

The SRI outputs include: Provide a framework for the Rooibos industry to engage with government. Develop a set of biodiversity guidelines for the Rooibos industry Implement the biodiversity guidelines through a system of champions Undertake research to determine the requirements for sustainable Rooibos production Undertake a joint planning process for expansion Determine how this expansion strategy fits in with industry land reform criteria. Develop economic opportunities and social benefits Develop a monitoring and evaluation system to ensure integrity and credibility of the SRI.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 99

The SRI incorporates a full biodiversity assessment of the Rooibos industry, reviewing the conservation objectives, threats, legislative framework and mitigation strategies. It also includes a concise business plan to be used as a tool to assess the viability of the SRI, and to implement the SRI.

4.2.4 Best Practices for 4x4 and off-road driving (Initiated by the GCBC)

In response to a growing need for sustainable development practices, CapeNature (GCBC), the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), the Trail Owners Association (SAROOF) and the Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs (AAWDC) have joined forces to pilot a Sustainable Use Strategy for the 4x4 Industry in the Western Cape. This document is the result of the conservation sector and the 4x4 Industry proactively exploring sustainable best practices in the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor (GCBC) over the past year. If implemented successfully in the GCBC, this will be used as a model for implementation for the rest of the Western Cape.

4x4 Trails are a popular tourism product in the GCBC with 34 existing established trails. Over the past year the 4x4 Industry and conservation sector have been exploring innovative ways of introducing best practices into the GCBC. These efforts have culminated in CapeNature, AAWDC (Western Cape), DEA&DP and SAROOF joining forces to pilot a Sustainable Use Strategy for 4x4 Industry in the GCBC. If implemented successfully, this will be used as a model for implementation in the rest of the Western Cape.

Guiding Principles • Commitment to conserving the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region while preserving the “sense of place” of the GCBC. • Commitment to a responsible code of conduct for all 4x4 users, trail owners, trail developers and trail users in the GCBC. • Commitment to providing accredited, accessible trails that are managed in a sustainable manner. • Commitment to the social upliftment of historically disadvantaged communities in the GCBC.

Objectives • Incorporate credible and practical sustainable use systems into all facets of the 4x4 industry operating in the GCBC. • Conserve the biodiversity of the GCBC through land stewardship and the adoption of best practices by the 4x4 industry. • Facilitate employment for disadvantaged communities through trail development, maintenance and related tourism activities. • Change the negative perceptions of the 4x4 industry into positive factual accounts of the industry making a difference to people and the environment.

The 4x4 industry strategy will be implemented in the GCBC through the four broad strategic directions detailed below. Once implemented successfully, the model will be refined, expanded and implemented throughout the Western Cape.

1. Biodiversity Conservation Securing the biodiversity of the GCBC through stewardship and the adoption of a concise set of best practices for trail owners and trail users is a priority of this strategy. These best practices will include guidelines and systems for the responsible development, management, use and monitoring of all 4x4 trails in the GCBC. The goal is to entice all trail owners and users to become stewards of the GCBC, each playing a role in the sustainable use and appreciation of the GCBC. Through a system of SAROOF and AAWDC honorary rangers, the industry will assist CapeNature and DEA&DP in compliance with the regulations and guidelines, and undertake conservation rehabilitation projects.

2. Tourism Tourism is the vital economic component in realising the Sustainable Use Strategy. Tourism provides the economic incentive for trail owners, the recreational incentive for users and the opportunity for job creation and social upliftment. The adoption of the Sustainable Use Strategy by the 4x4 industry in the GCBC will offer a competitive advantage over other tourism areas. Responsible tourism and sustainable development are increasingly important criteria for tourists when selecting a holiday destination. Working with the tourism industry bodies, the 4x4 industry and the media, the GCBC will be packaged to attract increasing numbers informed people to the GCBC. Educating tourists on the natural and cultural attributes of the GCBC is a fundamental part of encouraging stewardship and enhancing the visitor experience.

3. Social Upliftment Social upliftment is an essential pillar in the sustainable development model and is a major component of the Sustainable Use Strategy. The 4x4 Industry will implement social upliftment at all levels through a commitment to the use of local people (farm workers and surrounding communities) and resources in the development, maintenance and operation of trails in the GCBC. In addition, the industry will take concerted steps to train-up black guides and instructors, and support the development of black-owned 4x4 related tourism businesses.

4. Financial Sustainability For this strategy to be effective in the long term, it is essential for it to be realistic and financially sustainable. Trails must remain accessible to a broad range of users and the industry must not become over-regulated. While the costs to the user and trail owner will increase due to the proposed regulations, part can be subsidised by the manufacturers/retailers but the remainder must be viewed as a premium for ensuring the use of the trails by future generations. With regard to trail owners, the cost of establishing and accrediting a trail can be recouped through an increase in the volume of trail fees and broadening the base of trail services e.g. accommodation, meals, guides, maps, etc.

The conservation sector has committed to providing the seed funding for the planning phase but the implementation funding must be sourced from the industry (vehicle manufacturers and retailers). Once established, the industry will be required to subsidise the process with each component funding itself i.e. user training and licensing funded by the user, trail accreditation funded by the trail owner, trail use funded by the user.

4.2.5 GCBC Small Grants Fund (Initiated and administered by the GCBC)

The GCBC Small Grants Fund is a joint partnership between C.A.P.E. (Cape Action for People and the Environment), SKEP (Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan), CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund), CapeNature and the GCBC Team. The GCBC Small Grants Fund awards small amounts of funds (small grants of up to R60 000) to civil society to ensure civil society engagement in biodiversity conservation.

The purpose of this partnership is to provide assistance to non-governmental organisations, community groups and other civil society partners to help safeguard the natural environment of the Greater Cederberg Region. Each grant awarded helps to implement the GCBC’s objective of promoting innovative private sector and community involvement in biodiversity conservation, whilst ensuring action towards a common vision.

The GCBC Small Grants Fund provides funding and technical assistance to civil society groups within the geographic extent of the GCBC.

Funding Assistance: Funding will be awarded to approved projects to the amount of R60 000. Projects with smaller budgets (below R30 000) are especially encouraged to apply.

Technical Assistance: The GCBC will provide, where appropriate, assistance regards project identification and project planning to civil society groups.

Who, or what projects, are NOT eligible to receive grants?

GCBC Small Grants fund may not be used – (1) to directly fund government agencies activities; (2) for the purchase of land; (3) for involuntary resettlement of people; (4) the capitalization of trust funds (5) the alteration of any physical cultural property (6) project where no clear link exist to biodiversity conservation (7) projects that are outside the boundaries of the GCBC domain

4.2.6 RARE Project (Initiated through the GCBC)

The endangered Clanwilliam cedar is currently used as an icon for the Cederberg Wilderness Awareness Campaign coordinated by CapeNature. Rare, an international NGO that develops conservation education programmes in biodiversity hotspots around the world, using a local charismatic species to raise environmental education. Rare are based at the University of Kent in England, Conservation International and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) support the Rare Programme.

The Cederberg awareness project used various resources e.g. puppet shows, cedar costume, cedar school song, legislation booklets, various pamphlets and posters, A-Z colour in booklets and formal presentations to improve environmental awareness. These resources focussed on threats to the environment and how everyone can assist in minimizing these threats. The target audiences are landowners, communities and school children.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 102

An important aspect of this project is the assessment of the awareness campaigns. According to the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, the community is far more aware of the value of biodiversity than they were before the campaign. Rare has broadened participation and strengthened efforts to bring the cedar back to the Cederberg.

The project is still ongoing, focussing on target audiences in the Clanwilliam, Citrusdal and Wupperthal area, but will also include new areas of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor like Elands Bay and Elandskloof.

4.2.7 SCARCE Project: Survey of amphibians and reptiles within the GCBC (Initiated through the GCBC)

This project aims to partner organisations, the private sector and civil society in generating information on the amphibians and reptiles of the proposed GCBC corridor. It will not only focus on the generation of new information, but also on the collation, analysis, interpretation, maintenance, and dissemination of data on the amphibians and reptiles in order to provide strategic input into design and management plans for the corridor.

4.2.8 Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association (GCFPA)

The Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association is managed by the Executive Committee of the GCFPA in order to fulfil requirements of the National Veld and Forest Act, Act 101 of 1998, as amended by the National Fire Laws Amendment Act.

Vision: Promote integrated fire management in the GCFPA in order to minimise losses to social, economic and ecological assets. This is achieved through the successful implementation of strategies focusing on fire protection and sustained financial support.

Goals: • Ensure that all members comply with legal requirements pertaining to fire; • Use fire effectively to achieve the management goals for the natural environment on both commercial and private property; • Reduce the occurrence and spread of veld fires; • Provide training to members and employees; • Implement effective awareness programmes; • Increase membership on a continual basis; • Organise professional and co-ordinated responses to fires.

Co-operation with partners: Works closely with the CapeNature, DWAF, the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor, Farmers Associations, Community structures, Conservancies and local authorities. The West Coast District Municipality Chief Fire Officer is the appointed Fire Protection Officer for the association and has certain responsibilities according to the Act.

As fire management are part of Disaster Management is it of utmost importance that an over arching planning and implementation relationship exists between the West Coast District Municipality and the GCFPA. The GCFPA needs human, financial and equipment resources form the WCDM.

An integrated fire management strategy is the only way to minimise the negative impacts of wild fires in the region and to ensure that biodiversity targets are met.

Components of the Initiative: • Protection from fire • Fire prevention • Fire awareness • Fire preparedness • Investigation of the causes of fires • Record keeping, statistics and reporting of fires • Recognition of the responsibility of landowners • Establishment of partnerships and co-operative management structures

Rate of Success: It was a slow process to convince landowners and communities to become members of the GCFPA, because they did not have sufficient knowledge about the implications of the new Act.

It also took time and commitment from different organizations and institutions to set up the management structure, established partnerships and to engage into a proper planning process.

The GCFPA are currently at the point were implementation of various strategies can start that will ultimately ensure integrated fire management in the region. Various projects are currently been implemented.

Funding: Membership fees are the primary income streams for the GCFPA and therefore the organization relies heavily on creating partnerships with other institutions, organizations and Departments. The partnership with the West Coast DM is crucial to allocate funds and resources to successful integrated fire management in the area.

Timeframe & Way forward: Continue in current format and will expand into other areas like the Sandveld region.

4.2.9 Cape West Coast Fire Protection Association (CWCFPA)

The CWCFPA aims to contribute to community development by eliminating loss of life and human injury in veld fires, progressively reducing impacts on property, job creation, and environmental values while promoting the useful role of veld fires as a management tool. Furthermore, it aims to successfully implement a integrated fire management strategy that will contribute to community development and local economic development.

4.2.10 Stewardship Programme

Stewardship is the wise use, management and protection of the natural resources that have been entrusted to your care.

The Stewardship Programme is implemented by CapeNature across the entire Western Cape Province.

The primary purpose of stewardship is to promote the protection and effective management of threatened habitats and ecological corridors on private properties through negotiated management agreements. Its purpose is to promote conservation outside of the formally protected reserves and provide more support to private conservation initiatives. Conserving natural habitats on private property, in partnership with CapeNature.

The key objective of the Western Cape Stewardship Forum: • To represent private conservation initiatives at a provincial and national level. Secondary objectives: • To provide a platform for networking • To ensure collaboration and co-ordination between all role players. • To generate an awareness of the contribution and importance of private sector conservation initiatives • To promote the concept of stewardship provincially and nationally

• Members of the forum can include landholders (landowners and tenants), conservancy groups, owners of Private Nature Reserves and owners of other sites (e.g. Natural Heritage Sites). It was decided that all members should have equal voting powers.

• Options for landowners: Three stewardship options are being promoted by CapeNature that will eventually replace existing designations such as Private Nature Reserves and Natural Heritage Sites.

• Contract nature reserves: applies to areas adjacent to statutory reserves or areas large enough to be self-contained ecosystems, no development allowed and managed with substantial assistance from Cape Nature. Contract Nature reserves also apply to areas that significantly contribute to the establishment of corridors.

• Co-operation agreements: applies to any conservation worthy land, which is then managed in a way that supports the natural processes, with specific agreements for fire, alien, plant and animal management.

• Conservation areas: applies to any natural land, where limited land use limitations will apply, but the natural character must be retained, with advice and support from Cape Nature through basic extension services.

4.2.11 CAPE Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning

Until recently, the conservation of the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has not taken into account the fact that a strategic and systematic approach is required to include the full spectrum of biodiversity pattern and ecological processes in an effective network of

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 105 conservation areas, both statutory and non-statutory. The original C.A.P.E. biodiversity plan (Cowling et al. 1999) identified broad biodiversity priority areas within the CFR. However, its broad scale means that it is not ideal for guiding the work of conservation agencies on the ground, or for informing land-use planning and decision-making by a range of local and provincial agencies. Fine-scale biodiversity plans have been done for some of the broad priority areas within the CFR (for example, the renosterveld lowlands in the Swartland and Overberg), but there are significant priority areas in which no fine-scale biodiversity planning has been undertaken. This has resulted in the initiation of the C.A.P.E. Fine Scale Biodiversity Planning Project.

The Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning Project is a four year project, (May 2005 – December 2009), funded by the Global Environment Facility as part of the Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.) Programme. C.A.P.E. is a partnership programme, hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which seeks to conserve and restore the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region and adjacent marine environment, while delivering significant benefits to the people of the region.

Component 5 of the C.A.P.E. GEF programme deals with establishing the foundations of the biodiversity economy to enhance conservation stewardship in key lowland landscapes. It has four sub-components: 5.1 Undertaking fine-scale biodiversity planning in five broad priority areas namely the Riversdale Plain, Nieuwoudtville, Upper Breede River Valley, North West Sandveld and the Saldanha Peninsula (see Figure ). 5.2 Integrating biodiversity in land-use decision-making. 5.3 Increasing landowners commitment to conservation (e.g. through stewardship). 5.4 Investigate economic incentives for enhancing conservation stewardship of priority landscapes.

This project constitutes Component 5.1, and will support the activities of Components 5.2 and 5.3, both of which rely on identification of biodiversity priority sites at a fine-scale.

For the NW Sandveld, Saldanha Peninsula, Upper Breede River Valley and Riversdale Coastal Plain plans, fine scale mapping will be confined to ecosystems that have been identified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered (hatched red areas) according to the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004. Planning products (e.g. Guideline documents, posters and biodiversity priority layers) will be provided for entire municipalities (indicated as green) by fusing of these finer scale plans with existing courser scale plans. For the Nieuwoudtville plan, the entire area indicated as green will be mapped at a fine scale.

The C.A.P.E. Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning Co-ordinator, Kerry te Roller, is employed by CapeNature, one of the lead implementing agencies for the C.A.P.E. programme. Kerry will work in close partnership with staff of the Botanical Society of South Africa and SANBI. Other project partners include the full spectrum of provincial departments and agencies, local authorities, planning and environmental consultants and local conservation NGOs.

Figure 8: The proposed planning domain of the five fine-scale plans.

The work of the C.A.P.E. Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning Project is overseen by the C.A.P.E. Biodiversity Planning Task Team, which includes representatives from the project partners and meets quarterly to provide guidance on the direction of the project and assess progress.

The intended outputs of the C.A.P.E. Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning Project are:

• Systematic biodiversity plans for the five broad priority areas (see Figure 8); • Maps and action plans to guide the work of conservation agencies and C.A.P.E. partners in securing priority sites for the protected area network; • Maps and guidelines to inform land-use planning and decision-making by a range of organizations, including the Western Cape Department of Environment Affairs and Development Planning, the Department of Agriculture, and municipalities; and • Other supporting information to assist users of the biodiversity plans (e.g. a technical report and a summary report for each plan).

The C.A.P.E. Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning project, together with completed fine-scale biodiversity plans (Agulhas Plain, Cape Renosterveld Lowlands, Cape Flats Flora) and those currently underway (Garden Route Initiative), will provide fine-scale biodiversity information for 19 of the Western Cape’s 25 local municipalities.

The Swartland Municipality has recently been provided with biodiversity maps, summary information and guideline information, based on a fine scale plan that was carried out for the Renosterveld vegetation of the Swartland area. After the completion of the additional fine-scale plans identified above, all five of the local municipalities within the West Coast District Municipality will have biodiversity maps, guidelines and supporting information produced for them. These products are being developed as tools to aid planning and decision making, as it  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 107 relates to biodiversity within these critically important areas (and includes all of the municipalities of the WCDM).

4.2.12 Putting Biodiversity Plans to Work

This project was undertaken by the Conservation Unit of the Botanical Society of South Africa. Putting Biodiversity Plans to Work (PBPTW) was funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), through the Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E) programme. The purpose of the project was to mainstream the use of systematic conservation plans in the land-use planning and decision-making systems in the Western Cape province, with the goal of curtailing habitat loss in priority areas for biodiversity conservation. The project focussed on a few pilot municipalities, one of which was the Swartland Municipality. The outputs of the project included the following:

• Biodiversity maps and land-use guidelines, based on fine-scale conservation planning outputs. • Supporting materials to assist officials, consultants, NGOs and decision-makers to use biodiversity priority maps and land-use guidelines wisely.

Various meetings and field days were held with officials of the Swartland Municipality. All of the GIS data, together with hardcopy posters and an illustrated booklet with the guidelines, have been provided to the municipality.

The PBPTW project has now been completed, but it is important to note that the CAPE fine- scale biodiversity plans that are in the process of being developed for the other four municipalities within the WCDM, will include a component that uses the output of these fine- scale plans to develop similar guidelines that relate to biodiversity, and which are intended to support land-use planning and decision-making in the threatened ecosystems and special biodiversity habitats of these municipalities.

4.2.13 The Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI)

The BWI is a partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat, and to contribute to sustainable wine production, through the adoption of biodiversity guidelines by the South African wine industry.

Aims of initiative: • Prevent further loss of habitat in critical sites; • Increase the total area set aside as natural habitat in contractual protected areas; • Promote changes in farming practices that enhance the suitability of vineyards as habitat for biodiversity, and reduce farming practices that have negative impacts on biodiversity, both in the vineyards and in surrounding natural habitat; • Create marketing opportunities for the wine industry by positioning the biodiversity of the CFK, and the industry’s proactive stance on biodiversity, as a unique selling point to differentiate Brand South Africa.

The BWI partners are implementing six key strategies to achieving these objectives:

1. Establish an enabling environment: The BWI partners have established an enabling environment to build capacity and facilitate meeting the objectives. The BWI office is based at the SA Wine and Brandy Company in Stellenbosch. The Project Co-ordinator is Tony Hansen and the BWI Extension Officer is Sue Winter.

2. Incorporate biodiversity guidelines into the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) Guidelines: The BWI is working closely with the wine industry to include relevant biodiversity guidelines in the IPW environmental guidelines. The biodiversity guidelines will be practical and realistic for growers and producers to implement, with maximum conservation benefits. The first draft of biodiversity guidelines have been incorporated into the current IPW guidelines for 2004 & 2005.

3. Identify and enlist biodiversity and wine champions: Through marketing the BWI in wine industry publications, the BWI will enlist interested producers and growers to champion the initiative. These “champions” will be guided through the implementation of the biodiversity guidelines, and assisted with building a biodiversity story into the identity of their winery.

4. Extend conservation stewardship to the wine industry: Cape Nature’s (CN) existing Conservation Stewardship Programme will be extended to wine grape growers with endangered renosterveld and lowland fynbos on their properties. Landowners can enter into formal contract agreements with CapeNature to conserve critical portions of a property, securing the area for conservation, assistance with land management, alien plant clearing and positive media coverage.

5. Integrate biodiversity into Brand South Africa: The BWI aims to incorporate biodiversity into Brand South Africa, thus giving South Africa a competitive marketing advantage in the global wine market. The industry can differentiate itself from other wine producing countries, based on the unique attributes of the scenery and biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a recently listed World Heritage Site. The BWI will build on the fact that South Africa’s complex terroir, unique in the world, results in complex biodiversity and complex wines.

6. Develop a biodiversity wine route: The BWI aims to establish a biodiversity wine route in the second year of the project, where visitors are exposed to both the wine and the biodiversity experience of each participating producer. The biodiversity wine route is an opportunity to create employment and develop a new ecotourism angle for South African wine tourism.

The BWI initiative initially focussed in pilot areas, including the Darling area within the Swartland Municipality. The initiative has now expanded and continues to expand into other areas. Those that are relevant for the WCDM include: Porterville, Paardeberg, Kasteelberg and the Riebeek valley, and Koringberg.

For more information contact: Sue Winter or Tony Hansen BWI Extension Officer BWI Project Co-ordinator Tel: (021) 886 8428 Tel: (021) 780 1066

Fax: (021) 882 9510 Fax: (021) 761 5983 Cell: (083) 649 0004 Cell: (082) 499 2228 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

4.2.14 LandCare Area Wide Planning:

The LandCare Area Wide Planning programme is a community-based natural resource management method, adopted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to enable local people to identify and address the concerns of their community while striving to improve or maintain the health of the land. The method involves pro-active land use planning, and spatial information is generated, which can be fed into municipal Spatial Development Frameworks.

There are several pilot Area Wide Planning projects underway in the West Coast region, in the Greater Cederberg Area and the Knersvlakte (in partnership with CapeNature), with plans to roll the programme out further. Where possible, Area Wide Plans are linked to fine-scale biodiversity plans.

Objectives: LandCare Area Wide Planning aims to: • Conserve, protect, improve and sustain natural resources and the environment by means of integrated planning of farms, the design of soil conservation works, as well as control over the judicious fragmentation of agricultural land; and • Integrate social, economic and ecological concerns over defined geographical areas, at a scale larger than an individual farm.

Co-operation with partners: Area Wide Planning involves partnerships with other the agricultural community, Nature Conservation organisations, government departments, non-governmental organisations and international resource agencies, as well as specific groups affected by specific Area Wide Planning initiatives.

Components of initiative: Area Wide Planning includes any of the following initiatives, based on the local requirements: Identification of land use, wetlands, vleis, natural vegetation, endangered vegetation species, soil quality for agricultural use, potential areas for urban expansion of towns.

Funding: The Western Cape Department of Agriculture funds LandCare Area Wide Planning from its working capital budget. Approximately R 2,5 million would be necessary to complete the Area Wide Planning for the West Coast region. The amount depends on what actions are required and includes the purchasing of satellite photography. Area Wide Planning can also be linked to resource conservation initiatives. For fine scale planning, funding is also obtained from local municipalities.

Issues: • The Department has limited staff to carry out Area Wide Planning; and • Not enough funds available to carry out large scale projects.

Timeframe & Way forward:

The timeframe will be determined by the availability of funds and the extent of work required. The way forward is therefore the following: • Identify what Area Wide Planning is required in the West Coast District; and • Form partnerships to perform Area Wide Planning.

4.2.15 Working for Water

This initiative is managed by DWAF and its initial mandate was to clear aliens in river catchment areas. It started in the Western Cape in 1997.

The goals are to create jobs, protect biodiversity and save water.

Initially national parks received funding to initiate the project. The WCNP appointed a project manager. At first, the implementation was labour-based but it then became contractor-based (managed in a closed tender process). Alien clearing activities are also underway at a number of other sites, including Riverlands Nature Reserve Olifants River.

The work consists of initial alien clearing and follow-up clearing. Different species are targeted and specific, often intricate procedures are used to clear specific alien species. The project is now also GIS-based to improve its effectiveness.

Alien clearing activities are also taking place under the auspice of Landcare (administered by Provincial Dept. Agriculture).

4.2.16 Working on Fire

This is another poverty relief programme being managed by the Forest Fire Association in collaboration with CapeNature in the Western Cape. For more information contact Pierre Combrink, the regional project manager, based in Stellenbosch.

4.2.17 Working on Wetlands

Another poverty relief programme, being co-ordinated by SANBI. Working for Wetlands activities are currently being planned for Verlorenvlei over a three year period.

4.2.18 CoastCare

The CoastCare initiative is managed by DEAT and its initial mandate was to keep South African beaches clean.

The work has since expanded to include any of a range of tasks along the coast, such as repairing roads or other infrastructure, breaking down rundown buildings, alien clearing, gardening, etc.

Unemployed persons are given a fixed daily wage to undertake these tasks and parks are expected to spend a fixed number of person days on this project. This arrangement renders the project to be perceived as less successful in some aspects than the Working for Water initiative.

The Invasive Species Control Unit in Pretoria centrally manages both the Working for Water and CoastCare projects on behalf on National Parks. There is, therefore, not a very close relationship between the parks and these projects. The success often depends on the personalities involved. Good mutual support is often achieved where good communication takes place.

4.2.19 Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Programme

The Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Study undertaken by DEAT in 2002 provides guidance as to the understanding of coastal livelihoods and associated opportunities and constraints, as well as the identification of practical interventions to improve livelihood prospects for poor people living along the coast.

The following two projects are currently being implemented in the West Coast region through a partnership between DEA&DP and the Marine and Coastal Management Branch, with the aim of creating sustainable coastal livelihoods:

• The West Coast Trails Project consists of a multi-day hiking trail along five West Coast towns, which is in the process of being developed. The trail will be managed by previously disadvantaged communities; and • The West Coast Community-based Tourism Project is a public-private partnership. Previously disadvantaged communities living around the West Coast National Park are being trained to develop and manage a holiday accommodation facility in the Park.

4.2.20 CAPE Estuaries Programme

To ensure the protection and sustained utilization of estuary biodiversity in the Cape Floristic Region, a Regional Estuary management Programme is being implemented as part of the overall C.A.P.E. Programme. This Estuary Programme will be the first of its kind in South Africa and will serve as a test case for the incorporation of strategic decision-making into local estuary management in line with the approach used in the development of the Coastal Zone Bill. The C.A.P.E. Estuary Work Plan identifies the development of a generic Estuary Management Plan (GEMP) as a priority initiative within the overall C.A.P.E. Estuary Management Programme. It is important that this GEMP is designed in such a way that it accords with international best practice and national requirements for protected area management plans and is applicable to small or relatively simple estuary systems as well as large or complex estuary systems. Pilot estuaries will be used to develop the generic management plans. The Olifants River Estuary will serve as one of these pilots.

4.2.21 Ecological Reserve Determination

The DWAF Directorate: Resource Directed Measures (RDM) commissioned a Comprehensive Reserve Determination Study (2003-2006) for the Olifants Doorn Water Management Area that

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 112 covers much of the West Coast District. The study will recommend the water requirements that need to be set aside to ensure the healthy functioning of the aquatic ecosystems for the Olifants and Doring River systems.

4.2.22 State of Rivers Report: Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers 2006

The State of Rivers Report for the Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers (2006) aims to inform decision makers, interested parties and the public on fundamental issues impacting on river systems in the Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers in an easy to understand format. Furthermore, it aims to raise awareness and understanding on the current state of the abovementioned rivers and their tributaries, the impacts on them and what management actions can be taken by all to improve them. The report is the product of a variety of organisations, researchers and scientists, including DWAF, DEAT, Water Research Council, City of Cape Town and the CSIR, amongst other.

In general, only the upper reaches of the main rivers and their tributaries in the Olifants/Doring Water Management Area (WMA) are still in a natural or good ecological state (DWAF, 2006). Portions of the area are protected through conservation initiatives such as the GCBC and the Knersvlakte Centre of the Succulent Karoo. The middle and lower reaches of many rivers are in poor ecological condition because of alien plan and fish infestation, as well as intensive agriculture development.

The following management actions are noted:

• Encourage efficient water-use throughout the WMA • No further in-stream dams should be built in the Olifants, Doring and Verlorenvlei rivers; • Investigate environmental flow release options for all existing in-stream dams • Discourage groundwater abstraction within the riparian zone in the Sandveld • Use environmentally acceptable farming practices (prevent overgrazing, limit livestock in riparian zones) and maintain a buffer area (10 – 20m) along river banks • Clear alien vegetation from riparian buffer area and the surrounding catchment. Maintain cleared areas; • Investigate the removal of alien fish from certain key river reaches to allow the creation and management of sanctuaries/refuge areas for indigenous fish (DWAF, 2006).

4.2.23 State of Rivers Report: Berg River 2004

The State of Rivers Report for the Berg River (2004) informs decision makers, interested parties and the public on fundamental issues impacting on the Berg River. The report highlights that the Berg River is an important contributor to the economic and social well-being of the Western Cape by providing water to towns, cities, rural communities, farmers and recreational users in the area.

In terms of the report, the “Lower Middle Berg River and Tributaries” (which includes the Vier-en Twintig River) and “ Lower Berg River” (including the Boesmans, Matjies, Platkloof and South Rivers) fall within the West Coast District. The diversion weirs in the Vier-en-Twintig River have altered flow patterns. Alien fish (bass and banded tilapia) are widespread and have led to the disappearance of indigenous fish (Berg River redfin and whitefish) (River Health Programme,  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 113

2004). The river health in the Lower Middle Berg River and Tributaries is also reduced by the effects of agriculture (levees and pesticide residues). Farming practices and alien vegetation in the Lower Berg River and Tributaries impacts on the habitat integrity and flow of the rivers. Flow releases are made from the bottom of the Misverstand Dam and reduce the water quality (River Health Programme, 2004). Furthermore, alien fish (banded tilapia and carp) prey on and compete with indigenous fish.

The following management actions are noted for the Berg River (within the West Coast District):

• Ensure that environmental flow releases are made from diversion weirs (e.g. Vier-en- Twintig River); • Continue clearing of invasive alien vegetation and maintain cleared areas, including the banks of the Berg, Boesmans and the Platkloof Rivers; • Re-introduce indigenous riparian vegetation to reduce sedimentation problems; • Manage flows in the Platkloof River at Goedverwacht and the upper reaches of the Boesmans River to ensure sufficient water in summer for threatened indigenous fish; • Obtain support of the Goedverdacht community to become caretakers of the highly sensitive Platkloof River; • Improve management and monitoring of water abstraction, particularly during summer; • Improve land use practices (e.g. farming) to reduce sedimentation and water quality problems; • Improve monitoring and management of runoff and discharges from urban and agricultural areas; • Stock farm dams with indigenous fish rather than alien fish; • Determine the ecological Reserve for the Berg River Estuary before any further reduction in river inflow is approved; • Register the Berg River Estuary as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention to ensure a high level of bird habitat protection; • Ensure that prescribed environmental flow releases are made from large dams in the catchment.

4.3 NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES

4.3.1 West Coast National Park (WCNP)

The West Coast National Park was established in 1985 and the lagoon wetlands were designated in 1988. The Park is managed by National Parks by way of the Park Manager for the West Coast National Park.

The initial mandate was “the establishment, preservation and study of wild animal, marine and plant life and objects of geological, archaeological, historical, ethnological, oceanographic, educational and other scientific interest and objects relating to the said life or the events in or the history of the park, in such a manner that the area which constitutes the park shall, as far as may be and for the benefit and enjoyment of visitors, be retained in its natural state”. (National Parks Act No. 57 of 1976)

The park lies between Yzerfontein and Langebaan and the R27 and covers approximately 20 000 ha. It incorporates the Langebaan Lagoon, the islands of Malga, Jutten, Marcus and

Shaapen, the Postberg Private Nature Reserve and the Geelbek Bird Hide, Restaurant and Information Centre.

Vision: A National Park that conserves and enhances the unique terrestrial and marine biodiversity, ecological processes and cultural, historical and scenic resources of the Langebaan lagoon, proximate islands and natural environments of the West Coast region for the appreciation by, and use of, the present and future generations.

Goals: • To enable the expansion of the WCNP to ensure its long-term ecological, financial and social sustainability; • To promote the long-term conservation and rehabilitation of the biodiversity of the Park; • To ensure that physical conservation planning and development of the park maintains and enhances the integrity of ecological, cultural and scenic resources, enables the financial sustainability of the Park and is integrated and co-ordinated with the development and planning of the surrounding areas; • To ensure that the improving management of the Park is guided by the application of relevant scientific research and monitoring, resulting in information that is readily accessible to managers and relevant stakeholders; • To facilitate the conservation of heritage through the expression of divers cultural identities in the Park and the protection of representative examples of archaeological, palaeontological and historical value; • To build a park community which works together for and benefits equitably from the long-term sustainability of the Park; • To provide opportunities for staff, contractors, stakeholders, visitors and users to develop an appreciation and understanding of the natural and heritage resources of the Park; • To improve the relationships between the park, different spheres of government and stakeholders in order to attain the vision and goals of the Park; • To develop the potential for financial sustainability of the Park without compromising the ecological and socio-economic sustainability; • To provide a unique experience and world-class service and facilities to all users and visitors of the Park; • To effectively market the Park to visitors and users and communicate about Park development and opportunities to stakeholders; • To facilitate opportunities for the involvement of the private sector in the provision of tourism services which realises tangible benefits for the sustainable conservation of the Park; • To develop the institutional capacity and resources to support the implementation of the Park policy and strategic plan; and • To ensure that all operational impacts on the environment are avoided or minimised.

Objectives: • To ensure the survival of fauna and flora peculiar to the lagoon, islands and landscapes of the west coast region; • To protect representative examples of archaeological, palaeontological and historical areas;

• To provide opportunities for education and appreciation of the natural resources and man-made legacies of the west coast; • To provide a variety of open-air recreational opportunities which will blend in with the character of the park, and to encourage an appreciation of the park among visitors with heterogeneous interests; • To manage the park in such a way that optimum environmental quality will be achieved and to provide adequate facilities for public convenience and safety; and • To promote the establishment of land uses and development within the park, compatible with and complimentary to the character of the park.

Co-operation with partners: • The Park works with other role-players through the WCNP Forum, which comprises of landowners, homeowners and ratepayers associations, representatives of Cape Nature Conservation, Marine and Coastal Management, WCDM, Saldanha and Swartland Municipalities, Langebaan Net fishing Association, SANDF, SANParks, Saldanha Steel Environmental Monitoring Committee, CWCBR, Yzerfontein Urban Conservancy and Jakkelsfontein Private NR. The Park Forum provided input to the Park Management Plan and is now responsible for its review. This Forum is, however, not very active and there is room for improvement as far as the sharing of ideas with other role-players is concerned. • The Park works closely with the CWCBR and the Kids in Parks programme (Pick ’n Pay). • Locally the Park also co-operates with the Saldanha municipality on issues of service delivery to private properties within the Park and provided input to the municipal IDP and SDF. • There is the perception that the municipality often needs to compromise development with conservation and this issue complicates co-ordination, particularly since the Park is governed by the Protected Areas Act. It the municipality could, however, clarified what their attitude towards conservation is, as well as define exactly what they understand by sustainable development, closer co-operation could possibly be achieved and a common goal for environmental planning, management and conservation could be formulated.

Success Rate: The Park’s budget is currently not activity-based and it is therefore difficult to measure success in terms of the goals and objectives. This is recognised as a problem and the need to set short- term goals was expressed. The biodiversity conservation is audited every year in terms of the Protected Areas Act.

Components of the Initiative: The WCNP consists of the following five departments: • Conservation: which consists of two sections, each with a ranger in charge; • People in Conservation: which is community orientated and focuses on environmental education and community initiatives; • Tourism: responsible for brochures and rest camps; • Technical Department: largely responsible for maintenance; and • Administrative Department.

The Strategic Management Plan for the WCNP (2002 – 2007) sets out the following key result areas for the purpose of monitoring the progress and performance of the WCNP:  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 116

• Park establishment: this includes strategies relating to the consolidation and expansion of the park; • Biodiversity conservation: relating to re-establishment of species and the removal of aliens; • Park planning and development: strategies relating to the preparation of maps and local area plans; • Research, monitoring and information management; • Heritage resources management; • Community partnerships and benefits; • Education and awareness; • Co-operative governance; • Financial sustainability; • Visitor management and services; • Marketing and communications; • Commercial operations management; • Institutional development; and • Managing operational impacts.

Funding: • 15% of funding comes from National Government, the rest is generated by National Parks throughout the country, some of which is profitable, while others, such as the WCNP are not and therefore subsidised by the others. • Further funding is obtained from DEAT’s public works project, which allocates approximately R250 million to National Parks for rest camps, roads etc. with certain requirements relating to spending, such as a percentage for labour. • A lot of emphasis is place on the importance of National Parks generating funds and this has the effect that the focus has shifted slightly from biodiversity conservation to generating profit. This has positive and negative results. The Geelbek centre in the WCNP has for instance, been outsourced and it is now a source of income and managed better that before.

Timeframe and Way forward: Long term, way forward to grow the park and increase the number of rest camps.

Additional Issues Raised: • Growth and development in the area leads to increased people pressure on the Park; • Limitations in inter-departmental co-operation, the Park is governed by different acts, which have to be implemented simultaneously, but co-operative governance is not always effective in this regard; • There is a need to co-operate to protect the area, but there are many conflicting ideas and co-operation agreements have sometimes proven in the past to be unsustainable; • The pressure to generate profit in biodiversity conservation is a constraint to good conservation.

4.3.2 West Coast Fossil Park

Five million years ago the Cape west coast was very different from what it is today with a wide range of now extinct animals living in riverine forests, wooded savanna, the adjacent sea and on  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 117 offshore islands. Phosphate mining operations at Langebaanweg uncovered one of the richest fossil sites in the world. Over the past 40 years bones of 200 different kinds of animals, many of them new to science have been recovered. A few years after mining operations ceased in 1993, a 14 ha fossil-rich area within the mine property was declared a National Heritage Site.

Iziko Museums of Cape Town and SAMANCOR launched the Fossil Park in 1998 to bring palaeontology to the public. Iziko and BHP Billiton manage the park. The first phase of the West Coast Fossil Park includes a test trench displaying the remains of several extinct giraffes called sivatheres uncovered and left "in situ" for public viewing and a display area, lecture room, laboratory, offices, tea room, curio shop and research accommodation 17 .

4.3.3 Nature Reserves managed by CapeNature

a) Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve Matjies River Nature Reserve (12000 ha) is situated on the drier eastern boundary of the Cederberg Mountains. It is managed as an integral component of the greater Cederberg conservation area. Obtained in 1995 with the assistance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (SA), this rugged nature reserve includes the famous Stadsaal rock formations and some excellent examples of San rock art. BotSoc recently succeeded in obtaining funding from Fauna & Flora International to build a new Cedar tree nursery at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, which is managed by CapeNature.

b) Bird Island Nature Reserve Bird Island lies about 100m offshore of Lambert’s Bay. It is almost three ha in size and connected to the mainland via a breakwater. It is an important breeding and roosting site for seabirds. It is managed as a reserve for the protection of wildlife and has been developed as a tourist attraction.

This project has brought together community organisations and three tiers of government in a bid to diversify and invigorate the economy of Lambert’s Bay. As a result, derelict guano buildings have been renovated into a visitor’s centre, a replica guano platform has been constructed and stone pathways with outdoor interpretation have been built to create easy access between the Island’s attractions. This project is mainly the result of collaborations between the Board, the national Department of Provincial and Local Government, Lambert’s Bay Municipality, the provincial Department of Works, and the Lambert’s Bay Trust, which represents the local community .

c) Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Rocherpan lies 25 km north of Velddrif and comprises 914 ha. The reserve was established in 1967 and consists largely of a seasonal vlei. The combination of land, vlei and marine environments provide ample breeding and feeding habitats for various birds and small mammals. Rocherpan provides critically important habitat for waterfowl and is part of the west coast bird route.

17 Reference: http://www.museums.org.za/wcfp/list.htm  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 118

d) Riverlands Nature Reserve

Riverlands Nature Reserve is situated outside Malmesbury and conserves endangered Sandplain Fynbos, and numerous threatened plant species.

e) Dassen Island Nature Reserve

Dassen Island Nature Reserve (200 ha in extent) is offshore of Yzerfontein. Dassen Island is significantly important for the conservation of seabirds, is home to the largest colony of African Penguins and one of only two colonies of White Pelican in South African as well as a range of other threatened and endemic seabirds.

f) Verlorenvlei Nature Reserve The Verlorenvlei Nature Reserve includes the actual vlei as well as the coastal dune habitats north of Elands Bay.

g) Knersvlakte Nature Reserve North of Vanrynsdorp, the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve forms part of the core of the Knersvlakte Priority Area and the proposed Biosphere Reserve.

h) Robeiland Robeiland is a rock formation north of the Olifants river mouth.

i) Moedverloeren Nature Reserve

j) Paternoster Rocks Offshore Nature Reserve

k) Kasteelberg Nature Reserve CapeNature manages Kasteelberg Nature Reserve as one of the Provincial Nature Reserves. The Nature Reserve comprises the upper section of the Kasteelberg Mountain, and not the foothills.

4.3.4 Private Nature Reserves • Yzerfontein Private Nature Reserve • Jakkalsfontein Private Nature Reserve - which is performing a meaningful role in the West Coast region as reflected by some of their environmental initiatives, including: o Environmental education outreach projects for schools in the Darling region in association with the Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa and DEAT’s “Adopt-A-Beach” project; o Extensive alien invasive vegetation clearing programme which creates employment for several persons in the Darling region; and o The negotiation and registration of a proposed Provincial Contract Nature Reserve as part of Cape Nature’s conservation stewardship programme. • Vygevallei Private Nature Reserve • Rondeberg Private Nature Reserve • Tienie Versveld Private Nature Reserve (nature reserve managed by SANBI)

• Grotto Bay Private Nature Reserve • Hopefield Private Nature Reserve • Postberg Private Nature Reserve (within the WCNP) • Bojaansklip Private Nature Reserve • Donkins Bay Private Nature Reserve • Seven Puts Private Nature Reserve • Doornspring Private Nature Reserve • Soopjeshoogte Private Nature Reserve • Bergwater Private Nature Reserve • Banghoek Private Nature Reserve

4.3.5 Other Nature Reserves

• SAS Saldanha Contractual Reserve • Kapel Nature Reserve • Local Authority Nature Reserves (refer to Table 4.1 below).

TABLE 4.1 Local Authority Nature Reserves in the West Coast region Date Name of Reserve Location Hectares Established

Columbine Nature Reserve Vredenburg / Saldanha 263 11.12.73

Darling Local Nature Reserve Swartland 25 15.11.2002 Darling Renosterveld Local Nature Reserve Swartland 67 15.11.2002

Kalbaskraal Nature Reserve Moorreesburg 35 18.01.67

Paardenberg Nature Reserve Swartland 380 22.03.85`

Ramskop Nature Reserve Clanwilliam 54 22.11.66

Yzerfontein Nature Reserve Swartland 15/3/2002

• "Hoedjie Koppie", outside Vredenburg, is in the process of being proclaimed, an area has been demarcated and fenced, initiatives are underway to enlarge the area. • Grootfontein Natural Heritage Site • Bushmanskloof Natural Heritage Site 4.4 WILDERNESS AREAS

4.4.1 Cederberg Wilderness Area

CapeNature manages the Cederberg Wilderness Area, which is situated from Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to Clanwilliam, approximately 71 000 ha in size.

The primary mandate is the conservation of biodiversity and ecological systems and tourism. Broad conservation goals are achieved by means of environmental management plans and ecological auditing.

The Clanwilliam Cedar restoration project is being implemented by CapeNature. The aim of this project is to maintain and enhance the natural populations of the endangered and endemic Clanwilliam Ceder (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) in the Cederberg Wilderness Area and to establish woodlots of the Clanwilliam Cedar outside the Cederberg Wilderness Area (CWA). Seedlings are grown in a nursery that is located at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, and then planted out as two year old trees into existing Cedar populations, specifically in areas that are less fire-prone, or more protected from fire. Trees are also planted in woodlots, again in areas that are less fire-prone, mostly outside of the CWA on private land.

Co-operation Partners: The Wilderness Area forms the core of a leopard management area established in 1988. This area includes private land and is managed in collaboration with the landowners. The aim of the initiative is to promote the existence of leopards by minimising conflict between stock farming and nature conservation. Local landowners have joined CapeNature in setting up two conservancies bordering the Wilderness Area.

4.4.2 Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area

CapeNature manages the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area situated in the Groot Winterhoek Mountain range, north of Tulbagh and east of Porterville, approximately 30 608 ha in size.

The area is particularly important for the conservation of mountain fynbos and wildlife, as a source of water to the Cape Metropole and the west coast and for outdoor recreation.

The Cederberg and Groot-Winterhoek Wilderness Areas are both included in the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage Site. 4.5 CONSERVANCIES

a) Cederberg Conservancy In 1997, twenty-two landowners established the Cederberg Conservancy, covering an area of 93 0 000 ha. The Cederberg Conservancy exists as a voluntary agreement between landowners to manage the environment in a sustainable manner.

In 2005 an Area Wide Planning process were initiated in the Conservancy as part of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor, CapeNature and the Department of Agriculture to map land- use in the area and to identify the Cederberg Core Corridor. Page: 120 Landowners of the Cederberg Conservancy are very keen and willing to enter into the Stewardship program. This will link Cederberg Wilderness with Matjiesriver Nature Reserve. Four landowners wants to establish the Rooi Cederberg Private Conservation Area expanding Matjiesriver with another 70 000 ha.

The conservancy is now the custodian of the Clanwilliam cedar, and is involved in environmental projects such as the re-introduction of game that historically occurred in the area,

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 121 baseline data collection, ecological audits and awareness projects, involving farm workers. A diversity of recreation and accommodation opportunities exists in the area, and it is hoped that the new cedar nursery will become a focal point of interest for visitors.

b) Sneeuberg Conservancy Stretches from the Algeria turn off on the N7 towards Citrusdal. The conservancy were established in 2001 and covers 25 000 ha. It seems that most of the functions of the conservancy will be taken over by the Sneeuberg Management Unit of the Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association. This will be a more streamline approach towards biodiversity management.

c) Northern Cederberg Conservancy

CapeNature and the landowners are currently in the process to re-evaluate the domain of conservancy and to change it to a conservation area in terms of the Stewardship programme. This will basically involve 10 landowners and cover about 40 000 ha.

d) Wupperthal Conservancy

Established in 2003 and covers about 34 000 ha. This conservancy falls within the domain of the Moravian Church of Wupperthal. Projects currently underway are the Northern Cederberg Donkey Cart Route a community based tourism venture, benefiting inhabitants of the Heuningvlei community. CapeNature, Department of Agriculture and DWAF also planning to establish a multi resource centre at Wupperthal to improve awareness levels. CapeNature and the Department of Agriculture will also draw up a resource utilization plan for the conservancy.

e) Groot-Winterhoek Conservancy

f) Benede Berg River Conservancy

g) Yzerfontein Urban Conservancy

h) Kasteelberg Conservancy

i) Paardeberg Conservancy

j) Cape West Coast Conservancy

4.5.2 Proposed Conservancies • Keerom

4.6 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND PLANS

The following projects with relevance to environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast District, outlined in Table 4.2, were identified during the key stakeholder participation process.

Table 4.2: Other environmental projects identified during the key stakeholder participation process Name of Project/ Plan Area Responsibility Information Covered ENPAT Western Cape Western Cape DEAT A research programme developed by DEAT, which surveyed the whole of the Western Cape for environmentally sensitive features and placed this information on a CD called ENPAT Western Cape. The information is visible through an upfront viewer that allows you to look at the environmentally sensitive features in map format as well as query the information on each specific site. Biodiversity priorities Swartland SANBI/Botsoc/CapeNature identified Biodiversity Population Cape Fynbos WWF International & The objective of the project is / Consumption Eco-Region Conservation Planning to provide an estimation of the Overlays Unit resource consumption pattern. The impact of human activities such as water consumption, urban and industrial development and agricultural land-use, will be extrapolated as trends showing increases in resource consumption. This will provide a baseline against which to measure the progress in conservation and resource management activities. The results will be fed into WWF International's "Living Planet Index". Provincial pilot project North west of DEAT Pilot project for the location of wind Darling energy generation farms NEMA Identification of Western DEA&DP sensitive areas Cape Liquid Natural Gas PetroSA Terminal Strategic Investigation Sandveld groundwater Sandveld DWAF monitoring Langebaan beach Langebaan Saldanha Bay Municipality

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP Page 123 erosion restoration project Desalination initiatives: City of Cape Town Pilot desalination project for West Coast (2004) Various projects West Coast Dept. of Agriculture District Saldanha sewage Saldanha Bay Saldanha Bay Municipality purification Berg River RAMSAR Berg River nomination Threatened Species Cape Floristic SANBI Programme: Region Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers Project Consolidation of the Knersvlakte Cape Nature Knersvlakte Priority Area Save Bird Island for the Lamberts Bay Cape Nature Gannets Best Practice GCBC Cape Nature Initiatives: 4x4, Potato, Rooibos Tea Management of Misverstand WCDM agreement with MoU Misverstand Dam Dam, Berg DWAF River Application for the A portion of Cape Wineland registration of a the planning District Municipality Biosphere area is within Reserve in Cape the Winelands West Coast Region (Swartland Municipality) Sustainable Mining Initiative Environmental Economy Initiative Water Management West Coast DWAF Areas Region Eland’s Bay Elands Bay and EBEDRAG EBEDAG is a civic Environmental and the lower organisation hat was Development Action reaches of established out of concern Verlorenvlei Group (EBEDRAG) with regard to environmental and developmental issues in Elands Bay in particular, and in the area of the lower reaches of Verlorenvlei more generally Harvesting of Buchu Banghoek

5 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE WEST COAST REGION

This chapter documents the Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management pre- determined goals and objectives within a functional theme based framework. 5.1 METHODOLOGY

The goals and objectives were isolated from the applicable legislation, policies, plans, programmes detailed in Chapter 2 and 3 and documented in Table 5.1 . The goals and objectives were synthesised to reduce duplication and arranged according to appropriate themes. The goals and objectives of the regional initiatives are documented in Chapter 4. The themes used are as follows:

• Overarching Environmental Goals • Governance • Co-ordination and Co-operation • Economic Development and Job Creation • Process • Resource Use (Overall) o Water Resources o Air o Agriculture o Heritage Resources o Tourism o Waste o Mining o Coast • Strategic Planning and Management • Biodiversity Protection/Conservation o Conservation/Protection o Alien Management • Government/ Municipal Services • Community/ Other Roleplayer Engagement • Information Sharing /Communication • Capacity Building

These themes are then taken forward to Chapter 6 where they are used to arrange the issues, concerns and gaps raised as challenges to Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management.

5.2 GOALS AND OBJECTS

The goals and objectives pre-determined for the West Coast district by the legislative and policy framework are detailed in Table 5.1 below:

TABLE 5.1: Goals and objectives pre-determined for the West Coast district by the legislative and policy framework

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy 1. OVERARCHING Sustainable Development Sustainable Development ENVIRONMENTAL • To promote conservation & secure ecologically sustainable • To promote ecologically sustainable development and the GOALS development conservation of the environment and cultural heritage of the • To promote a safe and healthy environment. Province; • Responsibility for the environmental health and safety • To establish and preserve a safe environment; consequences of a policy, programme, project, product, • To ensure that the maintenance of environmental integrity, as process, service or activity exists throughout its life cycle. defined by ecological, economic and social criteria, is one of • To ensure socially, environmentally and economically sustainable development practices and processes. the primary determinants of land-use planning; • To promote sustainable coastal development - involving a balance between material prosperity, social development, Human Welfare cultural values, spiritual fulfilment and ecological integrity, in • To ensure that human settlements are environmentally the interests of the current and future generations of the sustainable; Western Cape. • Recognise the need to balance human need with environmental integrity and prevent potential conflicts Human Welfare between the interests of urbanisation, recreation and • To work with communities in creating environments and conservation; human settlements in which all people can lead uplifted and • dignified lives. To ensure that all people of the Province will be settled in • To pursue environmental justice so that adverse conditions that enhance their quality of life, that are environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such a environmentally and economically sustainable and that are manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, socially equitable; particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons. • To address the existing needs of the communities in the West • To pursue equitable access to environmental resources, Coast Region without compromising the ability of future benefits and services to meet basic human needs and ensure generations to address their own needs; human well-being. • The environment is held in public trust for the people, the beneficial use of environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people´s common heritage.

Env ironmental Management • To provide for the effective protection and control of activities that may have a detrimental impact on the environment.

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy • Environmental management must be integrated, acknowledging that all elements of the environment are linked and interrelated and it must take into account the effects of decisions on all aspects of the environment and all people in the environment by pursuing the selection of the best practicable environmental option. • The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities, including disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed and evaluated, and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and assessment. • Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably. • To provide for the protection and management of conservation-worthy places and areas by local authorities. • The costs of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and consequent adverse health effects and of preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution. Environmental damage or adverse health effects must be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment.

Pollution prevention • To prevent pollution and ecological degradation. • To protect the environment, including its unique fauna and flora, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable measures.

2. GOVERNANCE Efficiency and Transparency Efficiency and Transparency • Provide, without favour or prejudice, democratic and • To formulate an effective institutional framework and accountable government. legislation; • Policy, administrative practice and laws should promote • To identify projects with the highest benefit for the region; efficient and integrated land development by encouraging • To identify responsibilities; environmentally sustainable land development practices and • To establish a time framework and prioritising actions; processes. • • To provide democratic and accountable government for local To monitor implementation; and communities. • To ensure ongoing management.

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy • Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner, and access to information must be provided in accordance with Community involvement the law. • To ensure partnerships in the management of strategic elements;

3. CO-ORDINATION & Co-operative governance Co-operative governance CO-OPERATION • To provide for co-operative governance in biodiversity • To ensure cooperation in environmental governance in the management and conservation and in the declaration and National and Provincial departments; management of protected areas. • To guide the municipalities of the West Coast to harness their • To provide for intergovernmental co-ordination and resources into meaningful cooperation and co-funding harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions relating to the arrangements to achieve their goals in a focused and co- environment. ordinated manner;

• To advance pro-active cooperation between everyone that fulfils a role in development. • To coordinate existing initiatives and programmes towards the end of achieving greater impacts over the short term.

4. ECONOMIC Susta inable Development Economic viability DEVELOPMENT & JOB • To ensure socially, environmentally and economically • To transform rural South Africa into an economically viable CREATION sustainable development practices and processes. sector, which can make a significant contribution to the GDP of South Africa; • To create a strong, dynamic and balanced economy within the Western Cape Province in order to address unemployment, poverty and social and spatial inequalities; • To stimulate the district’s economy pro-actively and responsibly and widen the economic base; • To establish cities and towns that are economically robust; • To stimulate the agricultural and fishing sectors, the growing tourism sector and the expanding industrial sector; • To focus economic growth and employment creation in areas where it is most effective and sustainable; • To support restructuring, where feasible, to ensure greater competitiveness.

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy

Human Resource Development • To foster development on the basis of local potential; • To improve of the quality of life of all residents of the West Coast Region, by means of planned social change with emphasis on the needs of vulnerable groups; • To attract skilled people to rural communities who can contribute to the district’s growth and development.

Social stability • To ensure socially cohesive and stable communities with access to social amenities; • To ensure empowerment takes place.

Job creation • To create opportunities for the establishment of small farmers and the informal sector; • To encourage the involvement of SMMEs; • To develop the export potential of the region through the port; • To improve the mobility of local communities and promote public transport. 5. PROCESS Environmental management Decision-making support (EIS, (EIA, SEA, IDP, SDF) • To provide for the effective protection and control of activities • To assist authorities in processing and assessing applications that may have a detrimental impact on the environment. by facilitating the decision making process; • Environmental management must be integrated, • To provide clarity to all participants in the development acknowledging that all elements of the environment are linked process and promote consistency in the manner in which and interrelated and it must take into account the effects of applications are dealt with; decisions on all aspects of the environment and all people in • the environment by pursuing the selection of the best To integrate environmental and heritage impact assessments practicable environmental option. with other processes affecting the use of land. • Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably. •

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy 6. RESOURCE USE Sustainable Utilisation Sustainable Utilisation (Overall) • To formulate policy, guidelines (including thresholds) with • To ensure sustainable resource use and impact management; regard to sustainable utilisation of natural resources • To ensure better and fair control over access to all natural • To promote the use of natural resources while promoting resources, including access to the coast; justifiable economic and social development. • To ensure sustainable use of agricultural resources;

• To ensure the sustainable use of tourism resources; • To manage water demand in all the municipalities, including underground water and regulate unaccounted for water; • To manage state land along the high-water mark for the coastal area Dwarskersbos to Olifants River ) • Implement Community Based Natural Resource Management guidelines 6.1 WATER Sustainable Utilisation • RESOURCES To ensure that the nation's water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled in ways which take into account - o meeting the basic human needs of present and future generations; o promoting equitable access to water; o redressing the results of past racial and gender discrimination; o promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest; o facilitating social and economic development; o providing for growing demand for water use; o protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their biological diversity; o reducing and preventing pollution and degradation of water resources; o meeting international obligations; o promoting dam safety; o managing floods and droughts.

Services • To provide for the right of access to basic water supply and the right to basic sanitation necessary to secure

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy sufficient water • To prepare and adopt water services development plans by water services authorities. • To promote effective water resource management and conservation.

Appropriate Land use planning • To provide for the conservation, use, management and control of land situated in mountain catchment areas. 6.2 AIR Protect resource • To prevent air pollution. • To protect enhance the quality of ambient air to secure an environment that is not harmful to health and wellbeing of people 6.3 AGRICULTURE Protect resource • To control the over-utilisation of agricultural resources in order to promote the conservation of soil, water resources and vegetation. • To provide for the conservation of the natural agricultural resources by the maintenance of the production potential of land, by the combating and prevention of erosion and weakening or destruction of the water sources, and by the protection of the vegetation and the combating of weeds and invader plants. (CARA)

6.4 HERITAGE Protection and Conservation Protection and Conservation • • RESOURCES To protect & conserve the natural historical, cultural historical, To protect the cultural heritage; archaeological & architectural heritage of the Western Cape for the benefit of the present and future generations. • To empower civil society to nurture and conserve their heritage resources so that they may be bequeathed to future generations.

6.5 TOURISM Sustainable utilisation • To conserve the unique natural environment as a tourism asset;

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy

Develop sector • To grow the levels of local, domestic and international tourism to and within the West Coast; • To complement and cooperate with tourism marketing and development initiatives at national, provincial and regional levels; • To stimulate and facilitate investment into the tourism industry; • To facilitate the identification and development of tourism products which are in line with tourism demand; • To provide opportunities for eco-tourism; • To market the West Coast tourism products to identified target markets; • To ensure the alignment and integration of tourism at all levels with other planning, development, conservation, infrastructure and service departments and authorities;

Community involvement • To integrate previously disadvantaged communities into the tourism industry;

6.6 WASTE Integrated Waste Management Minimise waste • To promote integrated and holistic pollution and waste • To minimise the production, encourage the recovery and management through pollution prevention minimization at manage the disposal of solid waste; source, impact management and remediation. • To limit the pollution of the environment; • To ensure that integrated pollution and waste management • To further the well-being of all the people in the Western Cape considerations are effectively integrated into the development by ensuring a healthy and clean environment; of government policies, strategies and programmes, all spatial and economic development planning processes and all

economic activities. Monitor

• To ensure careful monitoring of waste and pollution;

6.7 MINING • That mining/ prospecting will not result in unacceptable pollution, ecological degradation or damage to the  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 133

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy pollution, ecological degradation or damage to the environment. • Any prospecting or mining operation must be conducted in accordance with generally accepted principles of sustainable development by integrating social, economic and environmental factors into the planning and implementation of prospecting and mining projects. • Every person who has applied for a mining right must conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and submit an environmental management program (EMP). • An applicant for a prospecting right, mining right or mining permit must make financial provisions for rehabilitation, before the Minister approves the environmental management plan or environmental management program. 6.8 COAST • Manage coastal resources in a sustainable manner • Ensure fair control of access to the coast • Ensure a balance between coastal development and conservation • Maintain the natural diversity of coastal environments with distinctive features of characteristics within the coastal zone • Concentrate coastal development into compact nodes and prevent urban sprawl; • Ensure that the construction of surface infrastructure on the coast does not cause unacceptable degradation of the ecological and aesthetic qualities of the coastal zone • Manage state land along the high water mark

7 STRATEGIC PLANNING Sustainable Development Sustainable Planning & MANAGEMENT • To promote social & economic development. • To ensure holistic and integrated planning; • To establish conservation and development actions; Sustainable Planning • To ensure progressive development; • To ensure that the preparation of IDPs incorporate bioregional planning, invasive species control and planning for Guide development environmental sustainability. • To guide the future growth of developments in the Western • Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar Cape in a sustainable manner;

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy systems require specific attention in management and planning • To establish a broad framework that will serve as a guide to procedures, especially where they are subject to significant future settlement, taking due cognisance of bioregional human resource usage and development pressure. planning principles and increasing predictability by establishing “no go” (conservation-worthy and sensitive Delivery areas), “maybe” and “go” areas for development; • To introduce measures to facilitate and speed up the • To guide the growth of towns and manage urbanisation and implementation of reconstruction and development programmes and projects in relation to land. the influx of people; • To create urban settlements that are spatially integrated and compact as well as proactive in absorbing growth and preventing urban sprawl;

Delivery • To ensure renewed efforts at bolstering land reform and rural development; • To redress the spatial legacy of apartheid; • To manage and promote integrated planning and effective local government;

8 BIODIVERSITY Conservation Conservation/Protection PROTECTION/ • To promote and ensure nature conservation in the Province. • To ensure the maintenance and protection of essential CONSERVATION • To provide for management & conservation of biological ecological processes; diversity within SA • To preserve biological diversity; • To provide, within the framework of national legislation, for the • To conserve aesthetic and sensitive environmental features; declaration and management of protected areas. • To maintain the natural diversity of coastal environments; • To effect a national system of protected areas in South Africa • as part of a strategy to manage and conserve its biodiversity. To establish and conserve biodiversity corridors; and • To provide for a representative network of protected areas on state land, private land and communal land. Planning • To conserve the biodiversity of the ecologically sensitive • To promote the application of Bioregional planning principles coastal zone. and implement UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve Programme in • To provide special measures for the protection of certain land-use planning in the Western Cape. forests and trees. • To give effect to ratified international agreements relating to Fire management biodiversity that are binding. • Careful management of fire regimes

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy Utilisation • To provide for the use of indigenous biological resources in a sustainable manner. • To provide for the fair & equitable sharing among stakeholders of benefits arising from bioprospecting involving indigenous biological resources. • To promote sustainable utilisation of protected areas for the benefit of people, in a manner that would preserve the

ecological character of such areas. • To promote the sustainable management, development and use of forests for the benefit of all and for environmental, economic, educations, recreational, cultural, health and spiritual purposes.

Research • To render services and provide facilities for research and training in connection with nature conservation and related matters in the Province.

Community • To promote community forestry. • To promote greater participation in all aspects of forestry and the forest products industry.

Fire Management • To prevent and combat veld, forest and mountain fires in South Africa • To provide for the establishment, registration, duties and functioning of fire protection associations

ALIEN MANAGEMENT Eradication Fire management • To combat invasive aliens. • Alien plan eradication should be accelerated together with • To provide for the conservation of the natural agricultural other measures such as fire management in order to ensure resources by the combating of weeds and invader plants. the survival of terrestrial ecosystems.

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy 9 MUNICIPAL SERVICES Provision of appropriate services Provision of appropriate services • To ensure the provision of sustainable, effective, and • To prioritise and align the investment and infrastructure plans efficient municipal services to the local community in a of provincial departments; financially and environmentally sustainable manner. • To ensure a delivery focused budget with fiscal discipline; • To consult the local community about - • To provide appropriate levels of services for all and make o the level, quality, range and impact of municipal optimal use of existing and planned services; services provided by the municipality, either directly or • To allocate available resources amongst different sectors, by through another service provider; and showing how development plans in each of the various o the available options for service delivery infrastructure sectors will work together to achieve agreed • Give members of the local community equitable access aspirations; to the municipal services to which they are entitled. • To ensure that development institutions are able to provide Disaster Management basic needs throughout the district; • To ensure the effective provisioning and maintenance of • To prevent or reduce the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, emergency preparedness, rapid and infrastructure in a sustainable fashion that will contribute effective response to disasters and post-disaster recovery. towards the conservation and development of the region; • To establish national, provincial and municipal disaster • To ensure that the construction of surface infrastructure does management centres; and disaster management volunteers not cause unacceptable degradation of the ecological and aesthetic qualities of the coastal zone;

10. COMMUNITY/ OTHER Empower communities Empower communities ROLEPLAYER • To promote the education and empowerment of SA’s people to • To build / strengthen relationships between all spheres of ENGAGEMENT increase their awareness of and concern for pollution and government and communities such that communities can waste issues, and assist in developing the knowledge, skills, effectively participate in decision-making and councils can value and commitment necessary to achieve integrated effectively inform communities of decision that are taken; pollution and waste management. • To ensure participation and partnerships in the management • The role of women and youth in environmental management of strategic elements; and development must be recognised and their full participation therein must be promoted. Empower municipalities to engage Engagement • To facilitate active community involvement and consultation; • To encourage the involvement of communities & community • To enable municipalities to effectively convey their organisations in the matters of local government. performance to the general public; • The participation of all I&APs in environmental governance • To enable municipalities to determine the context of must be promoted, and all people must have the opportunity to participation and communication; develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation, and  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 137

THEME Legally Required Guideline & Policy achieving equitable and effective participation, and Disaster Management participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons must • To facilitate the cooperation of all roleplayers in order to be ensured. prevent and respond to disasters in the West Coast area; • To ensure effective public participation in integrated pollution and waste management governance. • To promote participation of local communities in the management of protected areas.

11. INFORMATION Enabling communication Information provision SHARING/ • Community wellbeing and empowerment must be promoted • To ensure awareness of the environment; COMMUNICATION through environmental education, the raising of environmental • To provide credible information on the state of the awareness, the sharing of knowledge and experience and environment to inform strategies and interventions in order to other appropriate means. assist politicians and decision makers;

• To provide clear signals to the private sector about desired • To develop and maintain databases of information management systems to provide accessible information to development directions; I&APs that will support effective integrated pollution and waste management. Information collection • To identify indicators, which will serve as a baseline for future monitoring and evaluation of the environment; • To foster common value system towards the heritage of the region;

Information Network • To develop an appropriate database; • To ensure information management takes place;

12 CAPACITY BUILDING • To promote the education and capacity building of all stakeholders, to guide the development and implementation of policy and strategy with the Western Cape

6 ISSUE AND GAP ANALYSIS

This chapter uses the goals and objectives theme based framework to systematically document the issues, concerns and gaps identified for comprehensive Environmental planning, Conservation and Management in the West Coast District.

6.1 ISSUES AND GAPS

The issues, concerns and gaps documented in Table 6.1 were primarily raised in interviews carried out with representatives of the various environmental initiatives in the West Coast district during February and March 2006. These were augmented by issues raised at the key stakeholder workshops held on 15 March 2006 and 18 April 2006 respectively, and Task Team Meetings. (Further information regarding the workshops are included in Appendix 1, 2 and 5). Furthermore, the gaps in fulfilling the documented goals and objectives for Environmental planning, Conservation and Management in the West Coast are presented, based on an assessment of the goals and objectives of current initiatives and those set out in environmental legislation, policies, plans and guidelines, as outlined in Chapter 5.

This chapter will therefore serve as a basis for the IEP, which will expand on how to address the shortcomings identified.

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc

WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 140

TABLE 6.1 Issues, concerns and gaps relating to Environmental Planning Conservation and Management THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district 1. OVERARCHING • Goals outlined for human welfare and pollution • Human welfare linkages – create 1. Ensure professional and world class ENVIRONMENT prevention but no specific projects in response to opportunities in terms of environmental management of protected areas within AL GOALS goals economy the area of the WCDM • Focus of decision making needs to be holistic: • Pollution prevention initiatives 2. Determine, safeguard and improve the sustainable development, human wellbeing, • Definition, target setting and environmental integrity of natural areas environmental equity and economic integrity measurement of Sustainable not under formal conservation • Sustainable Development is an overall goal but Development 3. Ensure that people (meaning the poorly defined for the region and no measurement • Municipal services not minimising impacts broader community) are meaningfully • Municipal Services must legally be environmentally involved in environmental initiatives from sustainable but this does not always occur. inception and share benefits equitably Overloaded wastewater and solid waste disposal (refer to 3.2 below) and treatment are examples of non-sustainable 4. Co-ordinate IEP with regional strategies services in the area such as Poverty Alleviation Strategy, Land Reform Process, Economic Development Strategy, Water Services Development Plans, Integrated Waste Management Strategy, SDF, Integrated Transport Plan and other studies. 5. Develop and implement a Sustainability measure for the WC region (link to Provincial SoER) 6. Prepare a SoER for the West Coast Region as part of the process of integrated development planning. 7. Undertake an environmental audit of municipal services (B and C municipalities) 8. Stimulate, promote and safeguard the environmental economy of the WC region 9. Engage meaningfully around biodiversity issues with the other Environmental bodies responsible in the WCDM 10. Contextualise “environmental” goals and  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 141

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district objectives with other regional specific goals and objectives 11. Create structural and systematic linkages between the components that constitute the three imperatives for sustainable development in the West Coast region.

2. GOVERNANCE • Co-operative governance is not always effective; • Co-operative governance affectivity 1. MOUs between government bodies to • Insufficient or non-secure funding • Inadequate/ insecure funds codify actions for issues / areas of • Shift in funding requirements e.g. National Parks • Transparency of local authority decision- concern/conflict generating funds is shifting their focus from making 2. Agri MoU - Draft an Agreement of Co- biodiversity conservation to profit generation. • Lack of involvement/ support of initiatives operation concerning the streamlining of • Broader efficiency and transparency needed by Local authorities (Municipalities must the application and review processes for • Community involvement/commitment needed, acknowledge that they are important applications to cultivate new agricultural supported, capacity building roleplayers in environmental fields. • Champions within municipalities required for management) 3. Develop a funding policy in relation to Environmental Planning, Conservation and • Lack of champions goals and objectives to guide initiatives Management initiatives • Define roles and responsibilities of all in applying for funding from Provincial / • Interaction between municipalities needs to be stakeholders Local sources improved • Prioritise funding 4. Co-ordinate promotion of activities within • Good governance and enforcement is needed: • Improve the efficiency of financial environmental planning, conservation illegal farming activities must be investigated and systems and management with municipal prosecuted, and permit conditions & records of • Encourage Cross local authority borders communication strategy or create and decision must be enforced. interaction implement a communication strategy to • communicate decisions relating to the environment (policies, programmes, plans and projects) 5. Create a District Environmental Forum (DEF) for engagement between all role players - dependend on a steadfast terms of reference for the committee 6. Create an Environmental staff position / function in each municipality 7. Determine the environmental planning,

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district conservation and management function/ responsibility to be situated in local authorities 8. Determine budgetary implications for LAs to perform their role and responsibility in environmental planning, conservation and management 9. Identify a champion to co-ordinate IEP activities and liase with DEF 10. Sensitise all practitioners in environmental planning, conservation and management to provincial, regional and local initiatives, policies and guidelines 11. Acknowledge and accommodate existing voluntary civil participation in processes (also decision making) and in particular structures that promote amongst others biodiversity (refer to decisions at all levels and about all issues)

3. CO-ORDINATION Co-operation Co-operation Co-operation & CO-OPERATION • There is the perception that the municipalities need • Lack of local authority involvement / 1. Interact with LAs in their processes i.e. to compromise development priorities in favour of participation in environmental initiatives SDF processes, IDP Representative conservation priorities and this issue complicates • Lack of participation of national Forum, Ward Committees co-operation with conservation initiatives; departments with initiatives 2. LAs to assign contact person for • Municipalities need to clarify their attitude towards • Initiatives are unclear what the Local initiatives in their areas conservation and define sustainable development, Authorities’ goals and roles in relation to 3. Establish a DEF with representatives closer co-operation could be achieved the natural environment are, and their from all initiatives to drive • Lack of common goals for environmental planning, understanding of sustainable communication, co-operation and co- management and conservation development ordination efforts between initiatives, • There is a need to co-operate to protect the area, • Limited co-operation between the large based on the District Assessment but co-operation agreements have often proven to environmental initiatives in the area Committee (DAC) model. (Investigate if • be unsustainable; Lack of political buy-in for initiatives. DAC model is appropriate. DAC report • Limited co-operation between large environmental to a champion, has got delegated initiatives in the West Coast Region;  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 143

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district initiatives in the West Coast Region; “powers”, is a decision making structure • Co-operation between local government and etc.) initiatives is limited, particularly with certain C 4. Environmental planning, conservation Municipalities (reps invited to meetings but don’t and management roleplayers to be key attend) e.g. CWCBR and the Swartland roleplayers in formulation of economic Municipality; development policy and programmes at • There has been no co-operation between the provincial and regional level. Knersvlakte Biosphere Committee and STEP 5. Environmental planning, conservation • The interest of Municipal Councils and National and management roleplayers to be part Departments in the Knersvlakte Bioregion could be of structures that perform local

improved; economic development at local level. • Not all role players are actively involved in the 6. DEF to comment on development initiative Committees e.g. Knersvlakte Bioregion initiatives and usage of natural Committee; resources to inform authority decisions. • Co-operation between the initiatives and Water Affairs needs to be improved; Co-ordination • Cross-sectoral co-operation and communication is Co-ordination 1. Encourage sustainable partnerships • insufficient Improve understanding of chain(s) of 2. Ensure participation by communities in • Conflict resolution procedures are not utilised command LA planning structures • • Tend to work in conservative manner instead of Co-ordination & integration of initiatives 3. Inform relevant roleplayers of Provincial • being innovative Cross-sectoral co-operation and guidelines outlining coastal communication responsibilities and mandates (see 2.10) • Co-ordination Consolidate committees 4. Constitute a West Coast Regional • • CAPE’s success relies on the co-ordination of the Coastal interface mandates clarified Coastal Committee (WCRCC) • different implementing agencies and incorporation Portnet / SANParks / Municipalities: 5. Provide information on initiatives to the of the CAPE strategy into processes such as the disaster management integration local community and LA IDP and SDFs; 6. Agricultural Conservation Committees • There is a need for political buy-in and assistance 7. Establish a West Coast Mining from the municipalities in the initiatives e.g. Monitoring Committee CWCBR; LandCare AWP, GCBC 8. Combine Saldanha Environmental • Integration of activities such as meetings and co- Committees into one Forum i.e. ordination between initiatives required Saldanha Forum, Saldanha Water • Coastal interface often neglected because of Quality Forum, Saldanha Steel uncertainty regarding mandates Environmental Monitoring Committee 9. All environmental planning conservation

and management initiatives to provide

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district brief progress reports to the DEF secretariat to distribute prior to each meeting

4. ECONOMIC • Human resource development and social stability • Not optimizing opportunities for uplifting 1. Quantify the economic value of DEVELOPMENT & goals not being translated into projects local communities from biodiversity biodiversity JOB CREATION • Linking biodiversity to opportunities for upliftment of initiatives and alien clearing 2. All environmental initiatives in the area local communities; • Socio-economic reform to endeavour to have a social benefit/job • Concern for future of farm workers (raised as • Identify alternative livelihoods creation component to their efforts – link general issue for WC region); • Consideration of economic activities on on to Expanded Public Works • The capacity of the CWCBR Company must be the environment i.e. agriculture & mining Programme, feed back the results into increased to manage the implementation of the • Consider where rehabilitation efforts are the LA system to monitor job creation. business plan required. 3. Link with Poverty Alleviation Strategy • Clearing of alien vegetation (opportunity for and other policy guidelines livelihood creation) 4. Create sustainable job creation projects/ • Educate leaders of local communities- e.g. clearing provide mentoring for Environmental of road reserves (not needed) vs removal of aliens Planning Conservation and (needed) Management projects (biodiversity). • Economic activities impact on the environment e.g 5. Co-ordinate job creation projects. Expansion of iron ore terminal, Small fishing 6. Develop a Champions Capacity Building harbour development, Mariculture, Harbour growth Programme with local communities (eco-tourism and environmental initiatives) – Link onto programmes of Department of Labour and LAs. 7. SOER and other studies to consider the economic impacts of environmental activities and where rehabilitation is required.

5. PROCESS • Alignment with Provincial Policies & Strategies e.g. • Limited capacity at municipalities to 1. Establish a policy of using only (EIS, (EIA, EMF, IDP, SDF) WCPSDF implement environmental laws and the certified/registered Environmental • Environmentally sustainable development and conditions of approval of EIAs and Assessment Practitioners, as there is a planning needed planning applications disciplinary procedure if any unethical • Integrating of LandCare Area Wide Planning results • Ensure adherence to Provincial behaviour is undertaken. Applications to into IDPs and SDFs Guidelines be undertaken according to • Environmental impact assessments (EIA) are not • Ensure adherence to Environmental Laws specifications in NEMA  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 145

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district done properly at times, particularly when • Deal effectively with legal non-compliance 2. Provide a contact person in each LA for environmental consultants are not independent; • Make use of pro-active tools provided in the reporting of environmental non- • Need to streamline Municipal processes (e.g. EIAs) legislation, e.g. Environmental compliance, which can then be was identified; Management Frameworks (EMF) forwarded to relevant section/ provincial • Limited capacity at municipalities to implement • Develop an information exchange process dept for action. Publish the contact environmental laws and the conditions of approval to Inform LA’s of applications by other role details widely. of EIAs and planning applications; players in area i.e. land clearing, water 3. Determine extent of non-compliance to • Monitoring and auditing standards must be set – we extraction, etc guide further action at various levels of don’t know how close we are to thresholds (carrying • Develop ‘rules of engagement’ for the WC responsibility capacity restrictions) Region to create a ‘user friendly’ process 4. Develop a best practice handbook for of engagement with all role players in the the WC Region to create a ‘user friendly’ participation / application procedures process of engagement with all role • Evaluation of applications – land clearing, players in the application procedures mining etc. not part of the IDP process 5. All stakeholders to participate in the need to be guided. process of IDP as conducted within the respective municipal areas (see 3.11). 6. Develop EMFs in co-ordination with IDP (SDFs). 7. Develop a District EMF. 8. Develop an information exchange process to inform LAs of applications by other role players in area i.e. land clearing, water extraction, etc – see 5.2. 9. DEF to assist LA’s in the guidance of applications for the areas that fall outside the LA process (mainly LUPO) w.r.t – land clearing, mining etc.

6. RESOURCE USE Sustainable Utilisation • Monitoring and control of resource use, 1. DEF to comment on development (Overall) • Sustainable use of natural resources; • Policing of compliance with regulations initiatives and usage of natural • Alignment with WCPSDF and conditions of authorisation resources to inform authority decisions • Environmentally sustainable development and • Benchmarking with National and (see 3.5). planning needed International standards to improve 2. Collate existing research and studies • LandCare AWP results must be integrated into IDPs performance of WCDM. from the area in a large stable district • New housing and resort developments impacting • Incentives or raise awareness of benefits library and electronic copies onto a public access to the coast; for LAs to embrace reduced resource District website to act as a knowledge  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorisedutilisation reproduction, e.g. water, copy energy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 146

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district • The municipalities regard services such as water utilisation e.g. water, energy resource for decisions and future and electricity as money-making commodities and • SDF, EMF and LandCare AWP to guide research. therefore water and energy saving does not take future development 3. Undertake a survey of research needs priority; • Identify research needs and provide and possible funding sources for the • Mining is likely to expand in the future; support/ resources for funding requests necessary research and circulate to • Unregulated fishing occurring; tertiary education institutions. • Research needed to ensure decision are based on 4. Determine preliminary thresholds for facts usage of particular resources and • Improved compliance monitoring and law subsequent conservation priorities. enforcement needed 5. Set realistic targets for renewable • Infrastructure maintenance critical for energy e.g. 10% by 2010. environmentally sound management. 6. Develop and implement a sustainability • Infrastructure upgrades/ development must keep measure for the WC region (and include pace with development in SOER). 7. Undertake a benchmarking research project with National and International standards to guide for improved performance of Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management roleplayers in the WC District– linked to goals and objectives .

6.1 WATER • Salination of underground water due to over- • Enhanced co-operative governance 1. Set realistic targets for Water RESOURCES utilisation e.g. Sandveld between District authorities, DWAF, Conservation and Demand • Potato farmers depleting underground water DEA&DP and DEAT Management (rural and urban) reserves • Co-ordination of sensitive water source 2. Establish a MOU between District • Degradation of coastal wetlands due to over- and appropriate land use planning authorities, DWAF, DEA&DP and DEAT exploitation of groundwater to ensure comprehensive protections of • Perceived over-use of water in the Olifants River, river channels, estuaries, wetlands and particularly for Citrus and vineyards groundwater dependent ecosystems • Sustainable Utilisation and Resource protection, 3. Actively support the efforts to establish services, appropriate landuse planning a Sandveld Water Users Association • Insufficient attention to protection of water resources (WUA) / and consider similar by environmental & local authorities associations to cover the West Coast • Complete supporting studies and develop a sound Region. management plan and water balance model for the 4. Prevent groundwater abstraction near Sandveld area.  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 147

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district Sandveld area. springs, rivers, wetlands, coastal lakes • Involve landowners in finding solutions and reflect & municipal wellfields, stop all illegal water scarcity and stress in Municipal water use of groundwater, introduce effective services plans. water conservation and limit further • Monitor water levels, water quality and usage development that will affect stressed (current data collection processes are in place, resources within the Framework of the however there is the danger that these essential National Water Act activities may be reduced). 5. Involve landowners in finding solutions • Prevent groundwater abstraction near springs, and reflect water scarcity and stress in rivers, wetlands, coastal lakes & municipal Municipal Water Service Development wellfields, stop all illegal use of groundwater, Plans. introduce effective water conservation and limit 6. Environmental Planning, Conservation further development that will impact on stressed and Management roleplayers to assist resources. with and comment on the formulation of • Examine water pricing and re-establish a positive water services development plan of all water balance in the area according to the Resource LAs. Quality Objectives that have been set.

6.2 AIR • Dust pollution in the Sandveld • Enhanced co-operative governance 1. Raise awareness of air quality during • Protect quality of ambient air between District authorities, DA and Environmental Awareness Week. DEAT 2. Create and implement an Air Quality Management Plan. 6.3 AGRICULTURE • Over-grazing in the Hardeveld; • Enhanced co-operative governance 1. Area wide planning to be rolled out on • Overgrazing on private and communal lands has between District authorities, DA and all agricultural areas in the West Coast devastated large areas; DEA&DP District Area, e.g. Sandveld Corridor. • A legal mechanism is needed to ensure that 2. Activities and programs part of or cultivation permit conditions take cognisance of forthcoming from Area Wide Planning to biodiversity and environmental issues be documented and distributed to • No cover crops on agricultural fields in Sandveld. Environmental Planning Conservation • No policing of legal requirements and Management roleplayers and local • Illegal transformation of natural vegetation. authorities. • Over-abstraction of water. 3. Develop best practices guidelines for • Increased disease pressure on seed potato appropriate agricultural practices. production 4. Raise awareness of good agricultural practices and Landcare. 5. Participation of Agricultural

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district Organisations and Dept Agriculture in DEF and other conservation forums.

6.4 HERITAGE • The goals for heritage resources highlight protection • Enhanced co-operative governance 1. Focus on awareness raising and RESOURCES and conservation between District authorities, HWC and building of local heritage pride – • Fire can also damage cultural heritage resources SAHRA Heritage Day (21 March) events e.g. damage and/or destruction of rock painting • Engage with community organisations to throughout area supported by LAs through heated induced exfoliation of the rock share cultural heritage and oral history in 2. Awareness raising and fieldtrips for surface, awareness raising programmes schools. Promote educational tourism • Monitoring, access control and conservation of coastline • Engage with iZiko Museums and heritage aimed at locals and learners must consider the presence and significance of organisations and academic institutions to 3. Support eco-tourism initiatives aimed at archaeological and palaeontological heritage resources encourage awareness raising awareness raising of heritage located along it. programmes 4. Local Authorities to assess, quantify,

determine and document the heritage resources of the area including scenic qualities of the rural and urban environments (DEF to co-ordinate in partnership with South African Heritage Resources Agency and Heritage Western Cape

6.5 TOURISM • The goals for tourism highlight Sustainable • Integration with Tourism Strategy 1. Co-ordinate and implement responsible utilisation, development of the sector and tourism guidelines within West Coast community involvement District area Best Practice Guidelines • Access to Berg River is limited 2. Co-ordinate activities and programmes • Marketing of tourism not a municipal priority of environmental planning, conservation • Public access to beaches should be enabled and management roleplayers with through provision of parking, ablutions etc. Tourism strategy for the region Ecotourism encouraged on beaches such as at 3. Environmental Planning Conservation Elandsbaai and Management roleplayers to partake in regional tourism structures in region, or local tourism organisations in area. 4. Manage the informal recreational activities along the West Coast

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district 6.6 WASTE • The goals highlight the need for Integrated Waste • Integration with IWM Strategy 1. Develop and implement an Integrated Management, waste minimisation and monitoring of • Monitoring and enforcement Waste Management Strategy compliance • Regional Waste Site process 2. Develop and implement a Sustainability • Don’t want a hazardous waste on the West Coast • Investigate existing solid waste sites and measure for the WC region/ Part of existing wastewater treatment works- SoER impact on the environment 3. Undertake an audit of municipal waste services to quantify the impact on the environment 4. Consider regional waste disposal sites as proposed in regional solid waste disposal strategy 5. Determine policy with regards to a hazardous waste site 6. Evaluate and control the environmental impact of on-farm waste disposal 7. DEF to collaborate with DWAF to eliminate all unpermitted waste disposal sites

6.7 MINING • Mining in the Knersvlakte, prospecting applications, • Integrated consideration of mining 1. Prioritise ownerless mines for particularly in the quartz areas may have significant • DME to initiate a trust fund for rehabilitation (based on impact on impacts on the biodiversity; rehabilitation tourism) and include a strategy and cost • Mining in the Hartebees Basin, with special • Uptake of existing mineral rights in the estimates for rehabilitation reference to mining heaps; region may impact on ability to achieve 2. Roleplayers in Environmental Planning, • Abandoned non-rehabilitated mines in the area environmental goals Conservation and Management to cause degradation of surrounding environment and partake in strategic planning to guide may have health impacts mine development 3. Integrate mining application processes with local planning – develop an MOU with DME 4. Initiate project to rehabilitate derelict / ownerless mines, rehabilitate only priority areas. DME to act decisively on non-compliance to rehabilitation 5. Investigate existing mineral rights in the region to determine the possible impact  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 150

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district on environmental goals and conservation areas

6.8 COAST • The coastline is a finite resource, the whole • Monitor and control the use of the 1. Formulate a policy for the use of the coastline of South Africa is only 3000 km long coastline Admiralty reserve • It is a functionally important resource, with a very • Need to act on the opportunity to 2. See 3.3 and 3.4 high use value, particularly for tourism conserve coastal area (land owned and 3. Evaluate the performance of institutions • The state of the West Coast coastline has been not used by mining companies) that regulate coastal resource use identified by the community of the West Coast as • Plans for the rehabilitation of the frequently and create reporting critically important to tourism development in the coastline, including the rehabilitation of mechanisms to regional institutions. region. derelict mines, motivated by a tourism 4. DEF to coordinate closely with Regional • The coastline is both a rare and a diverse habitat plan and community desire Coastal Committee and landscape • Lack of a policy in relation to the 5. All key roleplayers in coastal • The coastal area is, however, declining due to Admiralty reserve conservation and management to be uncontrolled tourism use, mining, urban members of DEF development and economic growth in certain areas • In the West Coast District, a large percentage of all development happens in the coastal area • The coastline is under pressure from transformation and bad development • Only about 200 km of the Western Cape coastline is protected • The state of the coastline (mainly as result of mining) is one of the main aspects that prevent tourism development, particularly along the northern coast of the West Coast District 7. STRATEGIC • Nobody plans for the bigger picture, i.e. sustainable • Integrated environmental planning for the 1. Utilise existing processes to engage PLANNING & development; area as a whole, taking into account the with planning- IDP, SDF etc. MANAGEMENT • The need to integrate environmental planning, i.e. in needs of individual areas, without 2. Develop and implement a policy that all different areas and co-ordinate initiatives; prescribing methods that worked in Local Authorities (LA) will utilise • In the short and medium term, implement an certain areas to other areas. biodiversity information to inform local accelerated LandCare Area Wide Planning (AWP) • Avoid duplication w.r.t structures/ planning process to facilitate the alignment of natural committees, processes, plans, policies, 3. Undertake an EMF for the region and resource planning across national, provincial and programmes and projects. local EMF in conjunction with SDFs local government. Products must be robustly linked • Identification of responsibilities (see 5.6 and 5.7) to the SDF & IDP. • Spatial biodiversity layers are available 4. Inform wards of environmental issues and should form part of municipal SDFs  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 151

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district • It is important to work with existing and should form part of municipal SDFs (see 3.11) structures/committees and not create any new • LandCare AWP and Fine-scale planning 5. DEF to provide support to local structures; must be integrated into IDP, SDF and authority planners to address • A situation should be avoided where the north is EMF for the region environmental issues allowed to govern over the south in terms of • Performance management required 6. Prepare a State of the Environment environmental planning; • Consider the needs and perceptions of Report under the IDP • A “one-size-fits-all” approach to environmental communities in Environmental 7. Institute environmental performance management should be avoided at all costs; Conservation Planning and Management scorecard initiative for all district • Centralisation of environmental planning should be initiatives to participate in programmes avoided; and projects (see 6.7) • There have been problems in the past where 8. Ensure mutual involvement of all methods that worked in the southern areas were stakeholders in strategic planning applied to northern areas but failed; processes • Spatial planning should incorporate biodiversity 9. See 1.3 layers; 10. Promote and incorporate in planning the • Limited capacity at municipalities to deal with philosophy of bioregions that environmental planning acknowledge the difference between • Growth and development in the area leads to areas from a human and environmental increased people pressure on the WCNP; perspective. • The Biosphere concept is effective and should be used more throughout planning • Planning must be sustainable and guide development so area can achieve delivery • Lack of Cooperative governance • Accountability is lacking • National initiatives ignore laws / regulations and local resolutions • Uncertainty regarding who is responsible for what? Roles and responsibilities must be clearly spelt out • Performance management is needed (collective and individual)

8. BIODIVERSITY Conservation / Protection Conservation / Protection Conservation / Protection PROTECTION/ • Goals for biodiversity highlight utilisation, planning • Need for increased percentage of 1. Actively support initiatives which identify CONSERVATION an research as well as involvement of the succulent Karoo preserved in statutory and attempt to conserve threatened community reserves ecosystems especially in partnership

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district • Only 2.1% of the Succulent Karoo biome is • Perceived lack of compliance to with landowners through a system of co- conserved in statutory reserves and these reserves environmental and mining legislation; operation protect only 10% of the hotspot’s 900 Red Data • Lack of monitoring of compliance with 2. Increase dedicated environmental Book plant species; environmental legislation (condition of capacity in each LA (See 2.6) • Mining has had a significant impact in the region; approval, EMPRs) 3. Develop and implement a sustainability • Change of agricultural legislation is needed to • Lack of information & awareness about measure for the WC region (See 1.5, protect biodiversity; pressures on biodiversity and 6.6.2) • The pressure to generate profit in biodiversity 4. Publish the contact details of conservation is a constraint to good conservation; Alien management responsible environmental authorities (to • A “roundtable” is required for all biodiversity • Improved co-ordination of alien clearing enable queries to be passed on to the initiatives in the region to co-ordinate efforts initiatives for the West Coast district relevant authority timeously) (see 5.2) • Need enforcement- more inspectors and higher required. 5. Focus environmental awareness actions • fines Alien clearing in catchment areas on information about pressures on • • A legal mechanism is needed to ensure that Increasing landowner awareness biodiversity and the potential cultivation permit conditions take cognisance of regarding their responsibility in terms of consequences of losing biodiversity biodiversity and environmental issues. invasive aliens 6. Establish a “roundtable” for all • The West Coast District Municipal area contains biodiversity initiatives in the region to co- amongst the most threatened ecosystems in the ordinate efforts country, from the lowland renosterveld in the 7. Formulate and implement property rates Swartland Municipality, to the highly threatened and policies that promote / provide unique coastal ecosystem in the Saldanha incentives for responsible environmental Municipality, the globally important Knersvlakte and and resource management e.g. alien many more. clearing, fire management • Less than 2% of vegetation types are formally 8. Identify priority biodiversity areas on conserved in the Sandveld. municipal property that can be • Agricultural transformation has significant impact on formalised as conservation areas biodiversity. 9. Develop Localised Strategic Guidelines • Agricultural conversion of natural veld has been progressing at 2.7ha/day since 1989. for Biodiversity priority areas 10. Biodiversity information to be • Sandveld vegetation types 40-45% transformed to agricultural production. meaningfully incorporated into SDFs • Regional impacts of global warming in terms of and other spatial planning initiatives water, natural fauna and flora could be severe. 11. Utilise roads, power lines as • Water resources, both surface and sub-surface are conservation corridors key resources in the area that are increasingly threatened and will continue to be so, especially in Alien management the light of climate change, which will impact the 1. DEF to comment on alien clearing  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 153

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district the light of climate change, which will impact the initiatives to assist co-ordination to area particularly severely. occur 2. Programme to increase landowner awareness regarding their responsibility Alien Management in terms of invasive aliens • Invasive alien species are posing a threat to many 3. Initiative to raise awareness amongst areas in the Succulent Karoo; municipal staff and councillors of role of • Alien vegetation on Olifants River banks linear infrastructure features (e.g. roads, • Restoration and alien clearing projects should be power lines) as natural linkages in scaled up, especially in riparian and wetland conservation corridors systems. 4. Increase dedicated environmental • Alien vegetation in the catchment of the Verlorenvlei capacity in each LA (See 2.6)

9. GOVERNMENT/ • Improve services and infrastructure, poor • Need for sustainable, effective, and efficient 1. Environmental audit of municipal MUNICIPAL management leads to degrading environmental municipal services to the local community services SERVICES conditions in a financially and environmentally 2. DEF to create guidelines for approval of • Poor roads to outlying areas e.g. Knersvlakte, which sustainable manner infrastructure projects to be performed prohibits tourism development. • Lack of equitable access to municipal by government (reservoirs, roads, etc). • Waste management, the existing guidelines are not services. 3. Consider biodiversity information in being implemented; • Non-compliance with existing waste implementing the integrated human • Accountability is lacking management guidelines. settlements program • Infrastructure maintenance critical for • Benchmarking with National and 4. Develop and implement an Integrated environmentally sound management. International standards to improve Waste Management Strategy (also • Infrastructure upgrades/ development must keep performance of WCDM needed. mentioned under 6.6.1) pace with development 5. Develop and implement a Sustainability • Provision of appropriate services measure for the WC region (see 1.5, • Appropriate Disaster Management provision 6.6 and 8.3) 6. Communicate relevant components of Saldanha Bay oil spill disaster management plan and confirm capacity to implement plan 7. Complete and implement Disaster Management Framework and Plan (to also consider Drought Relief) 8. Government institutions like

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district CapeNature to liase frequently with LA’s on programs, initiatives and projects that have implications for each other. 9. Apply similar approach to Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management as what is advocated for LED. 10. COMMUNITY/ • Objectives highlight the need to empower • Comprehensive communication strategy 1. Provide communities with coherent OTHER communities to participate, empower municipalities • Involve communities in environmental information on Environmental ROLEPLAYER to engage and use engagement to obtain support planning, management and conservation Conservation Planning and ENGAGEMENT and participation • Increase awareness (PR) Management through IEP, • Perception that environmental law does not • Improve effectiveness of public Environmental Awareness week currently place enough emphasis on bottom-up participation initiative and DEF and the IDP process planning • Promote environmental conservation, 2. Use existing fire protection and • There needs to be meaningful commitment to raise environmental awareness agricultural associations to integrated environmental processes • Ensure the training of future leaders, speak/engage with farmers on matters • Non-involvement of West Coast people in environmental awareness should form regarding environmental planning, processes part of school curriculum conservation and management • Avoidance of local inputs into Enviro Monitoring 3. Inform NGOs, CBOs, local community Committees etc. of initiatives and progress • Need “buy-in” from man on the street (and on the 4. Support school environmental farm) education initiatives • Public not aware of environmental crisis region is in 5. Co-ordinate with B and C municipalities’ • Extension Officers needed communication strategy or create and implement a communication strategy to communicate decisions affecting the environment on policies, programmes and projects 6. Collate existing research and studies from the area in a large stable District library and electronic copies onto a District website to act as a knowledge resource for decisions and future research (see 6.2) 7. Involve communities in DEF/ consider sub structures for DEF to engage with  Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc WEST COAST DISTRICT IEP 155

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district or be accommodative of community structures and//or representatives 11. INFORMATION • Objectives highlight the need for enabling • Need for information sharing and 1. Local Authorities and initiatives need to SHARING/ communication and allow for information provision improved communication between participate in existing information- COMMUNICATION and collection initiatives sharing opportunities • Political will and bureaucratic will lacking • Need for information sharing and 2. Develop an information exchange • Lack of support / commitment from Municipality improved communication with the local process to Inform LA’s of applications • Communication – who is responsible for what? authorities. by other role players in area i.e. land • Need to increase awareness to allow clearing, water extraction, etc Information Network political buy in and support to develop 3. Develop ‘rules of engagement’ to create • Distribution of information relating to Municipal • Use GIS as support mechanism to a ‘user friendly’ process of engagement initiatives, programmes and projects in the area; improve decision making with all roleplayers in the participation / • Better links and information sharing is necessary application / formulation procedures with the municipalities in order to avoid duplication, 4. Environmental Awareness Week with but no more workshops are required; active programme and media coverage • Communication and information sharing between for the District Community. Target LA the Sandveld Task Team, Area-wide Planning, SDF Councillors and Ward Committees and IDP initiatives can be improved; • There is room for improvement as far as the sharing of ideas between the WCNP and other roleplayers is concerned;

Information collection • Spatial planning to incorporate fine scale biodiversity layers being prepared 12. • Political will and Bureaucratic will must be present • Commitment and financial support of the 1. Develop and implement a Sustainability IMPLEMENTATION • Performance measurement of efforts must be part IEP and its initiatives must be provided by measure for the WC region. OF THE IEP of the process the Municipalities 2. Create a DEF to strengthen • Environmental Champions in each LA • Commitment to the IEP initiatives by engagement with initiatives between all • A clear leader for the IEP process must be identified stakeholders roleplayers. and capacitated with budget and power to ensure 3. Establish an environmental implementation and ongoing review and revision position/function in each municipality (see 2.6). 4. IEP to be submitted for endorsement by stakeholders and accepted by relevant responsible government bodies.

THEME: Issues identified by key roleplayers of Identified Gaps Suggested Responses for IEP environmental initiatives in the WC district 5. Publicise the IEP (see 10.7). 6. Establish IEP Champion within DEA&DP and C Municipality (equal partners) (see 2.9). 7. DEF to evaluate the implementation of the findings of the IEP as part of performance framework for region. 8. Update the IEP as part of State of Environment Report. 9. All roleplayers to consider proposals of IEP in planning- and budget processes (06/07) and beyond

13. CAPACITY Capacity Capacity Capacity BUILDING • It is the perception that the municipalities have • Ward committees do not engage in 1. Develop a plan for capacity building: limited capacity to deal appropriately with environmental issues should be involved e.g. summits, meetings, workshops, environmental issues which largely fall outside of in LandCare Area Wide Planning media, etc their mandate; • Build capacity amongst Local authority 2. Create an Environmental Awareness • There is a lack of dedicated capacity on the ground councillors and Ward Committees to Week with active programme and (municipalities and organisations) to ensure proper environmental legal regulations and media coverage for the Region - target and timeous transition from plans to action compliance requirements LA Councillors, IDP representative • Development of eco-tourism entrepreneurs and • Create more partnerships to support each forums, Ward Committees and other champions for environmental initiatives is lacking other community structures (DEA&DP and • Ward committees do not engage in environmental • Create a Environmental District forums to Local Government to take equal issues minimise committees needed responsibility for this initiative) • Develop/ employ informed people or identify • Limited capacity of municipalities to deal 3. Develop a Champions Capacity volunteer working groups and accept their input. appropriately with environmental issues Building Programme with local Pay for their direct participation costs e.g. travel Take issues to authorities, don’t expect communities (incl. eco-tourism and them to come to you. environmental initiatives) • Improve quality of (sense) responsible 4. Focus on legal compliance (see 5.2) citizenship (capacity building) 5. Host environmental law workshops to • Lack of resources / funding / human build capacity in LA and community capital 6. Create environmental capacity within • Development /identification of eco-tourism each LA staff compliment (See 2.6 and entrepreneurs and champions for 2.7) environmental initiatives

7 INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME

This chapter details the proposed actions, together with their associated responsibilities, roleplayers, timeframes, target areas, budget, and reporting/monitoring, are presented within the theme based framework.

7.1 PROGRAMME

The suggested responses for the IEP documented in Table 6.1 are drawn through to the “Action” column in Table 7.1 below. This has been supplemented by the actions raised at the key stakeholder workshops held on 15 March 2006 and 18 April 2006 respectively. (Further information regarding the workshops is included in Appendices 1, 2 and 5 ). This chapter is therefore the programme, which is the key deliverable of this IEP process, which responds to the shortcomings identified.

PLEASE NOTE: 1. The actions correlate directly with those identified in Chapter 6, which means that certain activities are repeated under more than one theme. 2. Budget amounts assume expenditure only so no budget has been allocated for staff or volunteer’s time.

TABLE 7.1 . Proposed actions for environmental planning, conservation and management in the West Coast region THEME 1: OVERARCHING ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Ensure that people (i.e. All stakeholders All stakeholders Ongoing West Coast Resources Roleplayers should be the broader District Area required open to pursue trans community) are provincial or trans meaningfully involved “departmental” in environmental reserves. initiatives from inception, and share benefits equitably Co-ordinate IEP with District All stakeholders of (Ongoing) 2006 West Coast Nil regional strategies e.g. Municipality region District Area Poverty Alleviation Strategy, Disaster Management Framework/Plan, Land Reform Strategy & Economic Development Strategy, Integrated Transport Plan, Water Services Development Plans & SDF. Co-ordinate IEP with District B Municipalities, (Short – medium West Coast Nil • IWM Strategy in Also take into account Integrated Waste Municipality DEA&DP term) District Area place Demand Side Management Strategy • Waste reduction Management Develop 2007- annual target 2008 achieved Implement- 2008- • Waste sites in the onwards area compliant with DWAF requirements

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Develop and District All stakeholders of Short term West Coast R60 000 • Devise inclusive Anticipated this would implement a Municipality the IEP process District Area definition of be developed by the Sustainability measure Sustainability i.t.o stakeholders. Can be for the WC region (link all impacts and developed as part of to Provincial SoER) activities. the SOER process. Prepare a State of the District All stakeholders of (Every 3 years to West Coast R300 000 State of Environment Likely to require Environment Report Municipality, B and the IEP process inform the IDP District Area Report external consultants for (SoER) for the WC C municipalities reviews) the first report Region as part of the 1st SOE- 2008 IDP process Undertake an B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short – medium West Coast R200 000 Environmental Audit Could be undertaken environmental audit of municipalities Dept Agriculture, term District Area report internally but likely to municipal services (B 2007 require external and C municipalities) consultants for the first report Stimulate, promote and District DEA&DP, DoA, Ongoing West Coast Nil Identify and safeguard the Municipality DME, CapeNature, B District Area determine status of environmental & C municipalities key ecological economy of the WC resources. region To meaningfully B & C All Govt department, Ongoing West Coast R100 000 Utilise existing engage around municipalities & Conservation District Area structures such as biodiversity issues with Provincial agencies with CAPE and Fynbos the other Government delegated Forum to assist Environmental bodies responsibilities for engagement in the WCDM environmental issues Ensure professional Relevant All stakeholders of Ongoing Protected Areas, Resources Include in State of Donor funding should and world class authorities (e.g. the region current and desperately Environment Report be investigated. WC management of CapeNature and planned required to Municipalities to protected areas within SANParks) achieve world provide assistance and the area of the WCDM class support of funding standards applications to donors

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Determine, safeguard All stakeholders DoA, DME, Ongoing West Coast Nil and improve the CapeNature, District Area environmental integrity of natural areas not under formal conservation Contextualise All Stakeholders District Municipality, Ongoing West Coast R50 000 Can be undertaken “environmental” goals B and C District Area within the auspices of and objectives with municipalities the District other regional specific Environmental Forum. goals and objectives Continue with goal identification initiated as part of this IEP process Create structural and All Stakeholders District Municipality, Ongoing West Coast R20 000 Initiated by this IEP, systematic linkages B and C District Area can be advanced by between the municipalities the District components that Environmental Forum. constitute the three imperatives for sustainable development in the WC region

THEME 2: GOVERNANCE

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Memorandums of B and C Government bodies; Ongoing West Coast Nil • MOUs in place Purpose to advance co- Understanding (MoU) Municipalities, NGO’s; Parastatals; District Area and • Co-operative operative governance between government DWAF, Dept Commercial; PPP’s; wider governance bodies to codify actions Agriculture, relevant occurring effectively for issues/areas of national and • Illegal activities concern/conflict provincial reduced departments Agri-MoU DEA&DP The National Existing project West Coast Nil • MOUs in place Linked to C.A.P.E Agri- Draft Agreement of co- Department of District Area and forum: Established by the operation concerning Agriculture, W Cape wider C.A.P.E. Co-ordination Unit the streamlining of the Dept of Agriculture, to inform the CAPE application and review The Dept of Water programme of progress with processes for Affairs and Forestry, the Memorandum of applications to cultivate CapeNature Understanding for the new agricultural fields. cultivation of new lands, and what could be done to ensure its effectiveness. Develop a funding DEA&DP & District Environmental Develop policy- West Coast • Annually confirm Database of funders policy in relation to Municipality initiatives, District 2006-2007 District Area and R100 000 funded initiative goals and objectives to Municipality, wider deliverables met guide initiatives in provincial and local Annual review applying for funding funding sources; ongoing from Provincial/ Local NGO’s; sources

Co-ordinate promotion District Municipality B Municipalities Ongoing West Coast Nil • No registered Ensure reasons for of activities within District Area complaints to decisions are adequately environmental (Develop – 2007 (Development municipalities documented planning, conservation Implement – R150 000) regarding and management with ongoing) transparency w.r.t municipal environmental

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING communication decision making strategy or create and implement a communication strategy to communicate decisions

Create a District District Municipality LAs and Short term West Coast R60 000 per • 2 meetings per year WCDM to provide Environmental Forum – PIMSS environmental 2006-2007 District Area year secretariat, function, venue (DEF) for engagement Directorate initiatives and sponsor participants between all role- Community Ongoing forum travel costs to meetings, players Services, DAC There must be a strict terms model of reference for the DEF Create an B and C Short – medium West Coast ± R200 000 • Environmental staff Environmental staff Municipalities term District Area per staff member employed position / function in 2007-2008 member per at each Municipality each municipality year Determine the B and C All Roleplayers Short term West Coast R20 000 • LA environmental Undertake as part of the environmental Municipalities District Area responsibilities Municipal Environmental planning, conservation clearly defined Audit and management Preliminary guide given in function/responsibility Chps 2-5 of this report to be situated in LAs

Determine budgetary B and C All Roleplayers Short term West Coast R20 000 • LA environmental Undertake as part of the implications for LA’s to Municipalities District Area responsibilities Municipal Environmental perform their role and clearly defined Audit responsibility in Preliminary guide given in environmental Chps 2-5 of this report planning, conservation and management

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Identify a Champion to B WC District Short term Nil • Active IEP co-ordinate IEP Municipality and C Champion activities and liase with Municipalities DEF

Sensitise all Provincial All Stakeholders Ongoing R10 000 • General awareness practitioners in Government of Provincial Policies environmental planning, conservation and management to Provincial, regional and local initiatives, policies and guidelines

Acknowledge and All stakeholders All stakeholders Ongoing West Coast R10 000 Roleplayers should be open accommodate existing District Area to pursue trans provincial or voluntary civil trans “departmental” participation in reserves. processes (also decision making) and in particular structures that promote amongst others biodiversity

THEME 3: CO-ORDINATION & CO-OPERATION

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Co-operation

Interact with LAs in their All stakeholders All Short – medium West Coast Nil Stakeholders Ward Committees are processes i.e. SDF term District Area registered as attended on an adhoc processes, IDP stakeholders on basis, not always Representative Forum, IDP and engage possible to attend Ward Committees with Ward regularly. Committees on a regular basis LAs to assign contact B and C Municipalities Environmental Short term West Coast Nil Stakeholders know person for initiatives in initiatives (ongoing) District Area who is contact their areas person and person can be contacted Establish a District Responsible mandated District Municipality: Short term West Coast R60 000 per year Quarterly WCDM to provide Environmental Forum provincial government logistical role - 2006-2007 District Area (logistical Frequency of secretariat, function, (DEF) with departments (Driver: administrative functions) meetings to be venue and sponsor representative from all DEA&DP / MCM or support LAs and Ongoing forum determined by participants travel costs initiatives to drive relevant Dept.) environmental legislation, e.g. Air to meetings communication, co- initiatives Quality Act DEF could play the role operation and co- prescribes number of other mandatory ordination efforts of meetings committees (CMA, between initiatives. Mineral and Energy, Coastal Committee, Agricultural Conservation Committees, HEEs, etc.) (Investigate whether the DAC model is appropriate – DAC report to a champion, have

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING delegated “powers”, is a decision making structure etc) Environmental planning, All IEP Stakeholders Public Short – medium West Coast R20 000 Budget to assist conservation and B and C Municipalities, term District Area communication management roleplayers through IDP (ongoing) to be key roleplayers in formulation of economic development policy and programmes at provincial and regional level. Environmental planning, All IEP Stakeholders Public Short – medium West Coast R10 000 Budget to assist conservation and B and C Municipalities, term District Area communication management roleplayers through IDP (ongoing) to be part of structures that perform LED at local level. DEF to comment on All IEP Stakeholder, B and C Ongoing West Coast R10 000 • DEF holds regular development initiatives DEF Municipalities District Area meetings during and usage of natural which this is an resources to inform item on the authority decisions. agenda Co-ordination

Encourage sustainable B & C Municipalities All Stakeholders Short – medium West Coast Nil Budget for Encourage partnerships All stakeholders term District Area partnership partnerships through initiatives indicated regular interaction, separate providing funding opportunities and assist initiatives to apply for donor funding

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Ensure participation by All IEP Stakeholders Public Short – medium West Coast Nil Budget to assist communities in LA B and C Municipalities, term District Area communication planning structures through IDP (ongoing) Inform relevant DEAT MCM Stakeholders in Short term West Coast R10 000 printing Distribute broadly roleplayers of Provincial All stakeholders coastal areas District coastal to LA staff, guidelines outlining area initiative reps and coastal responsibilities coastal towns and mandates Constitute a West Coast To be established by The WCPCC Western Cape R50 000 WCPCC is an interim Regional Coastal the MEC of the Coastal area structure that will Committee (WCRCC) Province in terms of the operate until WCRCC planned Coastal has been launched. In Management Act the absence of a WCRCC, the PCC should interact with regional structures. (Consider existing structures. Do not duplicate or fragment – consolidate) Provide information on All environmental Community and B& Ongoing West Coast R20 000 initiatives to the local initiatives C Municipalities Region community and LA

Agricultural Dept Agriculture All stakeholders Ongoing West Coast Nil Conservation Region Committees Establish a West Coast Dept Mineral & Energy All stakeholders Ongoing West Coast R50 000 Mining Monitoring Region Committee Combine Saldanha Existing Saldanha LA, WCDM and Short-medium Saldanha Bay Nil Environmental Committees relevant Provincial term Committees into one Authorities Forum i.e. Saldanha

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Forum, Saldanha Water Quality Forum, Saldanha Steel Environmental Monitoring Committee All environmental All IEP Stakeholder, B and C Ongoing West Coast Nil DEF holds regular planning conservation DEF Municipalities District Area meetings during and management which this is an initiatives to provide brief item on the agenda progress reports to the DEF secretariat to distribute prior to each meeting

THEME 4: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOB CREATION

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Quantify the economic value WCDM / B CAPE/ B Short term – West Coast R 200 000 – Completion of of biodiversity Municipalities/ CAPE/ Municipalities PRIORITY NO 1 District Area 06/07 Study PGWC 2006/2007 All environmental initiatives All Stakeholders B and C Ongoing West Coast R500 000 • Report on jobs in the area to endeavour to municipalities District Area created through have a social benefit/job their initiatives creation component to their efforts - link on to Expanded Public Works Programme, feed back the results into the LA system to monitor job creation

Link with Poverty Alleviation District Municipality Stakeholders in Short – medium West Coast Part of IDP – as converging Strategy and other policy poverty alleviation term District Area operational tool guidelines strategy process activities – For example: LED and others 06/07 strategies, Regional Economic Development Strategy Create sustainable job All Stakeholders B and C Ongoing West Coast Nil • Report on jobs creation projects/ provide municipalities District Area created through mentoring for Environmental these initiatives Planning Conservation and Management projects (biodiversity)

Co-ordinate job creation District Municipality/ B Job creation Short term West Coast R 200 000 – • Increased jobs Create efficient projects Municipalities projects / private District Area 06/07 provided from system to facilitate sector environmental coordination initiatives

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Develop a Champions District Municipality Local communities, Medium term West Coast R200 000 – • Established Lessons can be learnt Capacity Building eco-tourism and District Area 08/09 champions from the DWAF/ Programme with local environmental throughout area DANIDA Water communities (eco-tourism initiatives Champion efforts in and environmental initiatives) the area - Link onto programmes of Department of Labour and LAs

SOER and other studies to B and C municipalities All stakeholders of (Every 3 years to West Coast R300 000 – Likely to require consider the economic the IEP process inform the IDP District Area 09/10 external consultants impacts of environmental reviews) for the first report activities and where 1st SOE- 2009/10 rehabilitation is required

THEME 5: PROCESS (EIA, SEA, IDP, SDF)

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Establish a policy of using B & C Municipalities Medium term Applicable to all R20 000 • All municipal EIAs Currently the Interim only certified/registered developments in (draft policy undertaken by Certification Board of Environmental Assessment 2007-2008 West Coast and registered/certified Environmental Practitioners as there is a District Area communicate practitioners Assessment disciplinary procedure if any it broadly) Practitioners of SA unethical behaviour is (Require developers (EAPSA) and the SA undertaken. in the region to meet Council for Natural Apply according to the same policy) Scientific Professions specifications in NEMA (SACNASP) register EIA practitioners Provide a contact person in B & C Municipalities All people of the Ongoing West Coast R20 000 • Public can identify Applicable to NEMA each LA for the reporting of West Coast District Area (publish who is the contact and LUPO environmental non- ROD to be handled information) person and person applications only compliance, which can then by DEA&DP can be contacted be forwarded to relevant • All complaints of section/ provincial dept for illegal activity have action. Publish the contact action noted details widely. against them

Determine extent of non- B Municipalities All people of the Ongoing West Coast Nil compliance to guide further West Coast District Area action at various levels of responsibility Develop a best practice B & C Municipalities All role players Medium term West Coast R 80 000 • Policy in place Should also provide handbook for the WC District Area • Stakeholder TOR for consultants Region to create a ‘user engagement is friendly’ process of broadly accepted engagement with all role and effective players in the application procedures

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING DEF to assist LAs in the District Municipality LAs and Short term West Coast R60 000 per • 2 meetings per WCDM to provide guidance of applications for environmental 2006-2007 District Area year year see theme 4 secretariat, function, the area which fall outside initiatives venue and sponsor of the LA processes (mainly (Ensure representation Ongoing forum participants travel LUPO) w.r.t – land clearing, of Local, Provincial and costs to meetings mining etc. National departments active in the area on

the District Environmental Forum) All stakeholders to All stakeholders All Short – medium West Coast Nil • Alignment of Process plan participate in the IDP term District Area projects with IDP Road map process as conducted process within the respective • Develop a checklist municipal areas to take part in accordance to strategic IDP document Develop EMFs in co- District Municipality All local Medium – Long West Coast R800 000 • EMF in place for ordination with IDPs and municipalities, term District Area WC Region SDFs stakeholders, public, • Local EMFs for Provincial & National 2009-2010 critical areas Departments Develop a District EMF District Municipality All local Short – medium West Coast R400 000 EMF in place for municipalities, term District Area WC Region rural stakeholders, public, areas Provincial and National Departments Develop an information District Municipality LAs, Provincial and Short term West Coast Nil exchange process to inform Use forum National District Area LAs of applications by other All roleplayers Departments roleplayers in area i.e. land All stakeholders clearing, water extraction, etc.

THEME 6: RESOURCE USE (Overall)

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING DEF to comment on District Municipality LAs and Short term West Coast R60 000 per year • 2 meetings per WCDM to provide development initiatives environmental 2006-2007 District Area year secretariat, function, and usage of natural initiatives venue and sponsor resources to inform (Ensure Ongoing forum participants travel costs authority decisions representation of to meetings Local, Provincial and National departments active in the area on the District Environmental Forum) Collate existing District Municipality All stakeholders Medium- Long West Coast R150 000 • WC District This infrastructure research and studies term District Area (collection, Research Centre should be linked to the from the area in a large copying, Library and existing District stable District library cataloguing and website Municipality and electronic copies storing of data) onto a District website to act as a knowledge resource for decisions and future research

Undertake a survey of District Municipality Environmental Medium term West Coast R50 000 • Research Needs research needs and initiatives, LAs and (Update every 3 District Area Report forms part possible funding provincial & national years once of the IEP sources for the departments (for established) necessary research research needs) and circulate to tertiary education institutions

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Determine preliminary B and C Municipalities All stakeholders Medium-Long term West Coast R200 000 • Update these Can be undertaken thresholds for usage of District Area (contribution to with each review through a series of particular resources research) of the IDP research projects or and subsequent Additional donor stakeholder co- conservation priorities funding will need ordination to be sourced Work undertaken for CAPE and STEP has already partially undertaken this for the vegetation Use the results to inform IDPs, SDF and EMFs. Set realistic targets for B and C Municipalities; All stakeholders, Short – medium West Coast Nil Achieving targets renewable energy e.g. Dept. of Agriculture including Dept. of term District Area 10% by 2010 Agriculture

Develop and implement District Municipality All stakeholders of Short term West Coast R60 000 Anticipated this would a Sustainability the IEP process District Area be developed by the measure for the WC stakeholders. Can be region (include in developed as part of SoER) the SOER process.

Undertake a District Municipality & All stakeholders Medium to Long West Coast R200 000 Benchmark report This must be linked to benchmarking research DEA&DP & DEAT term District Area (contribution to available the stated goals and project with National research) objectives for the area and International standards to guide for improved performance of Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management roleplayers in the WC District

THEME 6.1: WATER RESOURCES

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Set realistic targets for All Water Service B & C Municipalities Short – medium West Coast R20 000 • Achieving targets Within framework of Water Conservation & Providers and DWAF Dept. of Agriculture term District Area annually National Water Act Demand Management Dept. of Agriculture (rural and urban) Establish MOU DWAF and other MOU District Municipality, Short – medium West Coast Nil • MOUs in place between District roleplayers DWAF, DEA&DP term District Area: river • Co-operative authority, DWAF, and DEAT channels, governance DEA&DP and DEAT to estuaries, occurring ensure comprehensive wetlands and effectively protection of river groundwater • Illegal activities channels, estuaries, dependent reduced wetlands and ecosystems groundwater dependent ecosystems Actively support the DWAF Role players in Short term Sandveld Nil • Established First public meeting for efforts to establish a Sandveld + B& C functioning WUA in N. Sandveld WUA – 4 Sandveld WUA Municipalities Sandveld May (consider similar associations to cover total WC region) Prevent groundwater DWAF and relevant Water users & B Short – medium West Coast R100 000 • Monitoring results abstraction near institutions (WUAs, Municipalities term District Area annually show stable results springs, rivers, CMA) (enforcement and groundwater wetlands, coastal lakes measures) situation improving & municipal wellfields, stop all illegal use of groundwater, introduce effective water conservation and limit further development that will impact on

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING stressed resources, within the framework of the National Water Act Involve landowners in B and C Municipalities Water users & Short – medium West Coast R100 000 • Timely WSDPs finding solutions and Landowners , DWAF term District Area (Engagement • Accurate reflect water scarcity process) predictions of water and stress in Municipal usage Water Service • Achieving WCDM Development Plans. targets Environmental B and C Municipalities IEP roleplayers, Short – medium West Coast R100 000 • Timely WSDPs Planning, Conservation Water users & term District Area (Engagement • Accurate and Management Landowners , DWAF process) predictions of water roleplayers to assist usage with and comment on • Achieving WCDM the formulation of water targets services development plan of all LAs.

THEME 6.2: AIR

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Raise awareness of air District Municipality Community Annually West Coast District R10 000 • Increased quality during Area awareness Environmental regarding air Awareness Week pollution Create and implement B &C Municipalities Stakeholders, (Short – medium West Coast District R100 000 • AQM Plan in Within the framework of an Air Quality DEAT term) Area place DEA&DP’s Air Quality Management Plan • Air Quality Strategy Develop 2007- Targets 2008 achieved Implement- 2008- • Air Quality onwards compliant with DEAT requirements

THEME 6.3: AGRICULTURE Note priorities: no 1 – 4 ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING 1. Area wide planning Agricultural All stakeholders, B& Short – medium West Coast R2 500 000 to be rolled out on all Organisations and C Municipalities term District Area agricultural areas in the Dept. of Agriculture West Coast District Area, e.g Sandveld Corridor

2. Develop best Dept.s of Agriculture, LAs and Ongoing West Coast R100 000 • Ongoing practices guidelines for both Provincial & environmental District Council appropriate agricultural National initiatives + practices Agricultural organisations, Dept Agriculture, WC and National 3. Raise awareness of Dept.s of Agriculture, LAs and Ongoing West Coast R100 000 • Annual good agricultural both Provincial & environmental District Area occurrence practices and landcare National initiatives + Agricultural organisations, Dept Agriculture, WC and National 4. Participation of Dept.s of Agriculture, LAs and Short term West Coast R60 000 per year • 2 meetings per WCDM to provide Agricultural both Provincial & environmental 2006-2007 District Area year secretariat, function, Organisations and Dept National initiatives + venue and sponsor Agriculture in District Agricultural Ongoing forum participants travel costs Environmental Forum organisations, Dept to meetings and other conservation Agriculture, WC and forums National

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING 5. Activities and Agricultural All stakeholders, B& Short – medium West Coast R20 000 DEF to assist in programs part of or Organisations and C Municipalities term District Area information forthcoming from Area Dept. of Agriculture dissemination Wide Planning to be documented and distributed to Environmental Planning Conservation and Management roleplayers and LAs.

THEME 6.4: HERITAGE RESOURCES

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Focus on awareness District Municipality, Supported by LAs & Annually West Coast R 100 000 • Events on raising and building of Heritage Western District District Area Heritage Day local heritage pride – Cape, SAHRA Environmental reasonably Heritage Day (21 Forum attended March) events • Involvement of throughout area youth supported by LAs Awareness raising and Tourism Offices, IEP Supported by B & C Short – medium West Coast R100 000 • Involvement of fieldtrips for schools. Stakeholders, Heritage Municipalities term District Area youth Promote educational Western Cape, SAHRA tourism aimed at locals and learners Support eco-tourism B & C Municipalities Tourism Offices, IEP Short – medium West Coast R50 000 • Involvement of initiatives aimed at Stakeholders, term District Area youth awareness raising of Heritage Western heritage Cape, SAHRA Local Authorities must Heritage Western Cape B & C Municipalities, Medium-long term West Coast R1 000 000 Copies of existing assess, quantify, and South African stakeholders District Area heritage reports should determine and Heritage Resource be copied to the District document the heritage Agency (SAHRA) Library. resources of the area Heritage Western Cape including scenic requested from all local qualities of the rural authorities to compile and urban such an inventory in environments (DEF to January 2006. co-ordinate in partnership with South African Heritage Resources Agency and Heritage Western Cape

THEME 6.5: TOURISM

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Co-ordinate and DEA&DP (or Tourism Offices Short term: West Coast Nil • One / two High priority within implement responsible appropriate Provincial immediate District Area meetings a year tourism sector tourism guidelines body); B & C s responsibility of within West Coast District District area Best Municipality Practice Guidelines Co-ordinate activities B & C Municipalities Tourism Offices Short – medium West Coast Nil and programmes of term District Area Environmental Planning, Conservation and Management with Tourism strategy for the region Environmental All stakeholders All Short – medium West Coast Nil • Alignment of Regional Tourism Planning Conservation term District Area projects where Office to play active and Management possible with role in guiding tourism roleplayers to partake tourism initiatives programmes/projects in in regional tourism environmental planning, structures in region, or conservation and local tourism management. organisations in area.

Manage the informal B Municipalities District Municipality Short – medium Coastal area R100 000 (patrol • No degradation Job creation recreational activities term & enforcement caused by illegal opportunity along the West Coast actions) or uncontrolled coastal activities e.g 4x4 driving on dunes Crayfish route South-North Tourism B & C Municipalities, Existing project Hiking trail from Budget provided Route (SNTR) initiative Stakeholders Lamberts Bay to outside of the IEP Elands Bay.

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Paternoster heritage Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project Paternoster Budget provided trail Stakeholders outside of the IEP West Coast hiking trail Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project Elands Bay Budget provided from Elands Bay Stakeholders outside of the IEP Casino Flower Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project Budget provided Community Fund Stakeholders outside of the IEP contribution Honey Badger Honey Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project Budget provided Project Stakeholders outside of the IEP Information office on Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project R27 Budget provided the R27 Stakeholders outside of the IEP Farm stall and Tourism Offices B & C Municipalities, Existing project N7 Budget provided gardening on the N7 Stakeholders outside of the IEP

THEME 6.6: WASTE

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Develop and implement Province; District B Municipalities (Short – medium West Coast District R200 000 • IWM Strategy in an Integrated Waste Municipality term ) Area place Management Strategy • Waste reduction Develop 2007- annual target 2008 achieved Implement- 2008- • Waste sites in the onwards area compliant with DWAF requirements Develop and implement District Municipality All stakeholders of Short term West Coast District R60 000 Anticipated this would be a Sustainability measure the IEP process Area developed by the for the WC region – part stakeholders. Can be of SoER developed as part of the SOER process. Undertake an audit of B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short – medium West Coast District R200 000 Undertaken with the municipal waste municipalities Dept Agric, term Area Overall municipal audit services to quantify the 2007 Could be undertaken impact on the internally but likely to environment require external consultants for the first report Consider regional waste B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Medium term West Coast District R 600 000 disposal sites as municipalities Dept Agric, Area proposed in regional solid waste disposal strategy

Determine policy w.r.t. B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short-medium term West Coast District R50 000 Hazardous waste site municipalities Dept Agric, Area

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Evaluate and control the DEA&DP DWAF, Dept Agric, Medium term West Coast District R500 000 environmental impact of B and C Area on-farm waste disposal municipalities

Collaborate with DWAF B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short-medium term West Coast District R50 000 to eliminate all municipalities Dept Agric, Area unpermitted waste disposal sites

THEME 6.7: MINING

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Prioritize ownerless District Municipality Dept Minerals and Short – medium Coastline north of R 200 000 • Report indicating mines for rehabilitation Energy, DEAT, term Lamberts Bay and derelict mines & (based on its impact on Mining Companies, Knersvlakte. their current future tourism landowners status and development). Include a impact on future strategy and cost tourism estimates for development or rehabilitation. community demand. Environmental Planning, Dept Minerals and B Municipalities Short – medium Coastline north of R200 000 • Mine Strategic Conservation and Energy, DEAT, and IEP term Lamberts Bay and Plan in place Management Mining Companies & stakeholders Knersvlakte; and roleplayers to partake in District Municipality Saldanha area strategic planning to guide mine development Integrate mining Dept Minerals and Mining Companies, Short-medium West Coast District R20 000 • MOU in place to Learn lessons from Agri application processes Energy, DEAT, Stakeholders Area integrate local MOU with local planning- & District planning and Develop an MOU with Municipality mining DME applications

Initiate project to Dept Minerals and District Medium – long Coastline north of R 5 000 000 per • Rehabilitation of Would have to be rehabilitate derelict / Energy, DEAT, Municipality, IEP term Doorn Bay and annum for at least mines that create undertaken as a ownerless mines. Mining Companies, stakeholders, Knersvlakte. 5 years ongoing partnership Rehabilitate only priority landowners adjacent land environmental areas. DME to act owners degradation and decisively on non- impact on future compliance to tourism rehabilitation development or community demand.

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Investigate existing Dept Minerals and B Municipalities, Med-long term West Coast District R100 000 • Report on mineral Likely to utilise mineral rights in the Energy, DEAT, Stakeholders Area (mostly rights and overlap consultants for this report region to determine the Mining Companies, northern area) with possible impact on landowners, District environmental environmental goals and Municipality goals conservation areas

THEME 6.8: COAST

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Formulate a policy for B and C DEA&DP, DEAT Short – medium West Coast District R50 000 • Policy in place the use of the Admiralty municipalities MCM, Dept Agric, term Area • Policy reserve Dept Public Works, 2007 communicated to Relevant Private & all roleplayers State Nature Reserves Evaluate the DEAT, MCM B & C Medium to Long West Coast District Budget outside of • Reports to DEF performance of Municipalities, term Coastal zone IEP regarding institutions that regulate Stakeholders performance, coastal resource use issues and frequently and create actions required reporting mechanisms to regional institutions. DEF to coordinate District All Stakeholders, Short-medium West Coast District Nil • Reports to DEF closely with Regional Environmental Relevant Private & term Area regarding Coastal Committee Forum, B and C State Nature performance, municipalities, DEAT Reserves issues and MCM, Regional actions required Coastal Forum All key roleplayers in District All Stakeholders, Short-medium West Coast District Nil • Reports to DEF coastal conservation Environmental Relevant Private & term Area regarding and management to be Forum, B and C State Nature performance, members of DEF municipalities, DEAT Reserves issues and MCM, Regional actions required Coastal Forum Monitoring, access B Municipalities and All Stakeholders Ongoing West Coast District Nil • Awareness of control and conservation MCM, HWC Area heritage of coastline must resources consider the presence amongst officials and significance of controlling of archaeological and conservation of

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING palaeontological the coastline heritage resources located along it.

THEME 7: STRATEGIC PLANNING & MANAGEMENT

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Utilise existing All stakeholders All Short – medium West Coast Nil • Stakeholders processes to engage term District Area registered as with planning- IDP, SDF stakeholders on etc. IDP and engage with IDP representative Forums on a regular basis • IDP & SDFs integrated with initiatives and EMFs Develop and implement B and C Municipalities All stakeholders Short – medium West Coast R25 000 • All IDP and SDF CAPE is undertaking a policy that all LAs will term District Area documents refer detailed fine-scale utilise biodiversity to and utilise biodiversity planning information to inform biodiversity for the region. The local planning mapping and products developed information to from this process will inform the be designed to inform bioregional and support land-use planning. planning and decision- making in the region, especially those areas identified as biodiversity priorities. Products have already been developed for the Swartland Municipality, which should be seen as a pilot. Biodiversity products will be

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING developed for the other 4 municipalities within the WCDM over the next two years. Undertake an EMF for District Municipality All local Medium – Long West Coast R800 000 • EMF in place for the region and local municipalities, term District Area WC Region EMF in conjunction with stakeholders, public, • Local EMFs for SDFs Provincial and 2009-2010 critical areas National Departments Inform wards of Stakeholders B&C Municipalities Short term West Coast Nil • IDP Forums to environmental issues District Area have an environmental item on their agendas

DEF to provide support District Environmental Local authority Short – medium Planning R50 000 • Planning Support is likely to be to LA planners to Forum planners term departments informed by in the form of providing address environmental environmental comments on issues issues applications or discussing strategic planning . Information such as vegetation sensitivity may also be provided by some stakeholders Prepare a SoER under B and C municipalities All stakeholders of (Every 3 years to West Coast R300 000 • State of Likely to require the IDP the IEP process inform the IDP District Area Environment external consultants for reviews) Report the first report 1st SOE- 2008 Institute environmental District Municipality; B All stakeholders of Short term West Coast R60 000 • Performance Develop a set of performance scorecard & C Municipalities; All the IEP process District Area Management strategic goals, targets initiative for all district stakeholders Systems and indicators which initiatives to participate (Scorecard part of has broad consensus

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING in programmes and IT reporting) from the stakeholders projects Ensure mutual All Stakeholders All stakeholders of Ongoing West Coast R 3 000 000 involvement of all the IEP process District stakeholders in strategic planning processes Promote and B and C municipalities All stakeholders of 1st SOE- 2008 West Coast Nil incorporate in planning the IEP process District Area the philosophy of bioregions that acknowledge the difference between areas from a human and environmental perspective.

THEME 8: BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION / CONSERVATION

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Conservation / Protection

Actively support B and C Municipalities Stakeholders in Ongoing West Coast R50 000 Municipality to initiatives which identify conservation District Area (Liaison and participate and support and attempt to conserve initiatives contributions) processes that will threatened ecosystems deliver products and/or esp. in partnership with improve conservation landowners through a initiatives, e.g. system of co-operation Sandveld Task Team Increase dedicated B and C Municipalities DEA&DP As soon as West Coast R200 000 per • Environmental Then capacity of environmental capacity possible. Budget District Area staff member per staff member personnel still to be in each LA for 2006-2007 yr per B employed at each built. TOP PRIORITY municipality. Municipality Develop and implement District Municipality All stakeholders of To Develop: Short West Coast R200 000 • Final Report Dependant on the a Sustainability measure the IEP process term, 2007-2008 District Area (Consultant) quantification of the for the WC region (link value of the biodiversity to provincial SoER) To implement: resources in the Ongoing WCDM (possibility of this being completed under THEME 1: Overarching Environmental Goals). Publish the contact Environmental officer All people of the Ongoing West Coast R50 000 • Public can identify details of responsible employed by West Coast District Area (publish who is the contact environmental B and C Municipalities information) person and authorities (to enable will fulfil this function. person can be queries to be passed on contacted to the relevant authority • All complaints of timeously) illegal activity have action noted against them

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Focus environmental C& B Municipalities with LA Councillors and West Coast R100 000 awareness actions on assistance from other ward Committees District Area information about stakeholders, Provincial pressures on departments biodiversity and the potential consequences of losing biodiversity Establish a “roundtable” All biodiversity focussed District Quarterly West Coast Nil for all biodiversity initiatives/ stakeholders Environmental District Area initiatives in the region to Forum co-ordinate efforts (part of DEF).

Formulate and B & C Municipalities District Short- Medium West Coast R50 000 • Policy in place implement property Environmental term District Area rates policies that Forum 2007 - 2008 promote / provide incentives for responsible environmental and resource management e.g. alien clearing, fire management Identify priority B & C Municipalities CapeNature, Land Short term All municipal land R50 000 • Report Forms part of the State biodiversity areas on Affairs, DoA, Public 2007 - 2008 (contribution per land audit municipal property that Works, DEA&DP annum towards can be formalised as CapeNature conservation areas existing projects Develop Localised C& B Municipalities with All relevant initiatives Short term Knersvlakte, R150 000 • LSG’s in place. Strategic Guidelines for assistance from other and stakeholders 2007-2008 Sandveld, Biodiversity priority stakeholders, Provincial Saldanha areas departments peninsula, Renosterveld lowlands,

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING West Coast Coastal Zone, Cederberg and surrounds, and other Biodiversity information Municipalities to co- Biodiversity sector Ongoing West Coast Nil • Reflection of to be meaningfully ordinate input from District Area information in incorporated into SDF’s biodiversity sector said documents and other spatial planning initiatives. Utilise roads, power Provincial Government, Conservation Short – medium Region Nil • Adopt mutually Schedule or limit lines as conservation Eskom, B & C authorities term beneficial brush-cutting corridors municipalities maintenance protocols for maintenance of linear infrastructure Alien management

DEF to comment on District Environmental Relevant Short – medium West Coast Nil • Alien clearing alien clearing initiatives Forum stakeholders term District Area strategy & reports to assist co-ordination to 2007- 2008 occur Programme to increase B& C Municipalities DEAT, DEA&DP and Short – Medium West Coast R50 000 • Broad awareness Funding. landowner awareness Agric can assist in term District Area (contributions to of alien clearing regarding their programme 2007 - 2008 awareness legal responsibility in terms of efforts) responsibility invasive aliens • Active landowner clearing occurring Initiative to raise B and C Municipalities DEAT/ DEA&DP Short – medium West Coast R50 000 • Broad awareness Incorporate guidelines awareness amongst assisted by term District Area: of linear into Road verge municipal staff and CapeNature, conservation infrastructure maintenance contracts. councillors of role of Botanical Society priority areas playing an linear infrastructure and Biosphere ecological

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING features (e.g. roads, Reserve Comm. function power lines) as natural linkages in conservation corridors Increase dedicated B and C Municipalities DEA&DP As soon as West Coast R200 000 per • Environmental Then capacity of environmental capacity possible. Budget District Area staff member per staff member personnel still to be in each LA for 2006-2007 yr per B employed at each built. TOP PRIORITY municipality. Municipality

THEME 9: MUNICIPAL/GOVERNMENT SERVICES

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Environmental audit of B and C municipalities DEA&DP, DWAF, Short – medium West Coast R200 000 Could be undertaken municipal services Dept Agric, term District Area internally but likely to 2007 require external consultants for the first report DEF to create DEF, B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short – medium West Coast R20 000 guidelines for municipalities Dept Agric, term District Area implementation of 2007 infrastructure projects to be performed by government (reservoirs, roads, etc). Consider biodiversity DEF, B and C DEA&DP, DWAF, Short – medium West Coast Nil information in municipalities Dept Agric, term District Area implementing the 2007 integrated human settlements programme Develop and implement District Municipality B Municipalities (Short – medium West Coast R200 000 • IWM Strategy in an Integrated Waste term ) District Area place Management Strategy • Waste reduction Develop 2007- annual target 2008 achieved Implement- 2008- • Waste sites in the onwards area compliant with DWAF requirements Develop and implement District Municipality All stakeholders of Short term West Coast R100 000 Anticipated this would a Sustainability the IEP process District Area be developed by the measure for the WC stakeholders. Can be region (link to provincial developed as part of

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING SoER) the SOER process. Utilise roads, power Provincial Government, Conservation Short – medium Region Nil Adopt mutually Schedule or limit brush- lines as conservation Eskom, B & C authorities term beneficial cutting corridors municipalities maintenance protocols for maintenance of linear infrastructure Communicate relevant Port Authority, Relevant B and C Immediate Saldanha Bay R10 000 • Broad awareness components of Municipalities, by public of Saldanha Bay oil spill Marine & Coastal disaster disaster management management preparedness plan & confirm capacity to implement plan Complete and B and C Municipalities All relevant Short term West Coast R50 000 • Functioning implement Disaster provincial and District Area Disaster Management national depts Management Framework and Plan Forums Drought Relief DWAF, Dept. Of All water users Ongoing West Coast R50 000 Existing project Agriculture, Social Dept District Area (Emergency funds to be added to Provincial provisions) Government institutions All Government B& C Municipalities Ongoing West Coast Nil • Good (e.g CapeNature) and institutions District Area communication LA’s to liase frequently on programs, initiatives and projects that have implications for each other. Apply similar approach B& C Municipalities Provincial Ongoing West Coast Nil to Environmental Departments District Area Planning, Conservation and Management as

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING what is advocated for LED

THEME 10: COMMUNITY/ OTHER ROLEPLAYER ENGAGEMENT

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Provide communities with C & B Municipalities LA Councillors and Annually West Coast R100 000 coherent information on with assistance from ward Committees District Area Environmental Conservation other stakeholders, Planning and Management Provincial through IEP, Environmental departments, Cape Awareness week initiative, Nature DEF and IDP process

Utilise fire protection & B and C Agri Western Cape Ad Hoc West Coast Nil • Effective agricultural associations/ Municipalities, Provincial Dept of District Area communication structures to speak/engage Agriculture, Land with farmers with farmers on matters Affairs environmental planning, conservation & management

Inform NGOs, CBOs, local Environmental B and C Ongoing West Coast R10 000 annually community etc. of initiatives Initiatives Municipalities District Area and progress

Support school environmental B and C District Ongoing West Coast R50 000 annually • Strong school education initiatives Municipalities, Cape Municipality and all District Area (contributions to Environmental Nature, Landcare stakeholders support Education initiatives) Initiatives Collate existing research and District Municipality All stakeholders Medium-Long West Coast R150 000 • WC District studies for the area in a large term District Area (collection, Research stable District library and copying, Centre Library electronic copies onto a cataloguing and and website District website to act as a storing of data) knowledge resource for decisions and future research

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Co-ordinate with B & C District Municipality, B Municipalities, Ongoing West Coast Nil • No registered Ensure reasons for municipalities’ communication Prov Dept of GCIS (Provincial District Area complaints to decisions are strategy or create & implement Communication Dept) (Develop – 2007 (Development municipalities adequately a communication strategy to Implement – R150 000) regarding documented communicate decisions ongoing) transparency affecting the environment on w.r.t policies, processes, environmental programmes and projects decision making

Involve communities in DEF/ District All Stakeholders Ongoing West Coast Nil consider sub structures for Environmental District Area DEF to engage with or be Forum, B& C accommodative of community Municipalities structures and//or representatives

THEME 11: INFORMATION SHARING/ COMMUNICATION

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Local Authorities and Local Authorities and Local Authorities and Short – long term West Coast Nil initiatives need to environmental initiatives environmental District Area participate in existing initiatives information-sharing opportunities

Develop an information District Municipality Las, Provincial and Short term West Coast Nil exchange process to National District Area inform LAs of Departments applications by other role players in area i.e. land clearing, water extraction, etc

Develop ‘rules of B and C Municipalities All role players Medium term West Coast R 80 000 • Policy in place engagement’ to create a District Area • Stakeholder ‘user friendly’ process of engagement is engagement with all role broadly accepted players in the and effective participation / application / formulation procedures

Environmental C& B Municipalities with LA Councillors and Annually West Coast R100 000 Awareness Week with assistance from Cape ward Committees District Area active programme and Nature, other media coverage for the stakeholders, Provincial District Community. departments Target LA Councillors and Ward Committees

THEME 12: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IEP

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Develop and implement District Municipality All stakeholders of Short term West Coast District R60 000 Anticipated this would be a Sustainability measure the IEP process Area developed by the for the WC region (link stakeholders. Can be to provincial SoER) developed as part of the SOER process. Create a DEF to District Municipality LAs and Short term West Coast District R60 000 per year • 2 meetings per WCDM to provide strengthen engagement environmental 2006-2007 Area year secretariat, function, with initiatives between initiatives venue and sponsor all roleplayers Ongoing forum participants travel costs to meetings Environmental B and C Short – medium West Coast District ± R200 000 per • Environmental position/function in each Municipalities, term Area staff member (incl. staff member municipality Provincial 2007-2008 transport) member employed at each Government per yr Municipality IEP to be submitted for C Municipality All IEP Short term West Coast District R10 000 • Broad endorsement by Stakeholders Area acceptance of the stakeholders and IEP by accepted by relevant stakeholder responsible government • Commitment to bodies and participation in the DEF Publicise the IEP WCDM, Provincial All stakeholders Short term West Coast District R20 000 • General sector Government Area (and wider?) awareness of IEP Establish IEP Champion WCDM, DEA&DP All B and C Short term West Coast District Nil • IEP Champion within DEA&DP and C Municipalities Area identifiable and Municipality (equal contact details partners) available

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING DEF to evaluate the District All Stakeholders Short-medium term West Coast District R10 000 Budget to assist with implementation of the Environmental Area travel costs and IEP as part of Forum, B& C honorarium to DEF performance framework Municipalities members who perform for region this task Update the IEP as part WCDM All Stakeholders Update every 4 th West Coast District R200 000 • IEP updated of SoER year with IDP annually and review revised every 4 years All roleplayers to All roleplayers in All Stakeholders Short term West Coast District Nil • Budget allocated consider proposals of environmental Area by stakeholders IEP in planning- and planning, to undertake budget processes conservation and activities and (06/07) and beyond management participate in activities outlined in the IEP

THEME 13: CAPACITY BUILDING

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Environmental Awareness C& B Municipalities LA Councillors and Annually West Coast R100 000 • Annual Week with active programme with assistance from Ward Committees District Area Environmental and media coverage for the other stakeholders, Awareness Week Region – target LA Provincial Councillors, IDP departments, representative forums, Ward DEA&DP, local Committeed and other government community structures

Develop a Champions District Municipality Local communities, Medium term West Coast R200 000 • Established Lessons can be learnt Capacity Building All stakeholders eco-tourism and District Area champions from the DWAF/ Programme with local environmental throughout area DANIDA Water communities (eco-tourism initiatives Champion efforts in and environmental initiatives) the area. This could be co-ordinated together with other capacity building exercises e.g. HIV/Aids

Focus on legal compliance District Municipality All stakeholders Short term WCDM Budget and transfer as per mandate for different departments

Develop a plan for capacity District Municipality All stakeholders Short term West Coast R50 000 building: e.g. summits, District Area meetings, workshops, media, etc.

ACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ROLEPLAYERS TIMEFRAME TARGET AREA BUDGET REPORTING/ NOTES MONITORING Host environmental law DEA&DP B and C Medium term District and local R 100 000 • One law Can occur as part of workshops to build capacity All roleplayers Municipalities, authorities and workshop in Environmental in LA and community stakeholders community district per Awareness Week annum Workshop/ course could require payment of participants to cover costs Create environmental B and C Municipalities Short – medium West Coast ± R200 000 per • Environmental Also see theme 5 capacity/function within each term District Area staff member staff LA staff compliment 2007-2008 (incl. transport) member/function member per yr employed at each Municipality

District Environmental Forum’s role is to: • Drive communication, co-operation and co-ordination efforts between initiatives • Comment on development initiatives and usage of natural resources to inform authority decisions • Provide communities with coherent information on Environmental Conservation Planning and Management ( Inform NGOs, CBOs, local community etc. of initiatives and progress) • Assist with co-ordination of Environmental Awareness Week activities • Comment on strategic planning exercises, assist planners w.r.t environmental concerns • Comment on prioritisation for alien clearing (Ensure representation of Local, Provincial and National departments active in the area on the District Environmental Forum)

8 WAY FORWARD

This chapter documents the way forward for the IEP process. The study approach is outlined in Section 1.2 and the programme is provided below:

8.1 PROGRAMME

Data collection January – March 2006

Draft Situation Analysis February - March 2006

Key Stakeholder Workshop 15 March 2006

Task Team Meeting 17 March 2006

Finalise Situation Analysis March – April 2006

Draft IEP 13 April 2006

Key Stakeholder Workshop 18 April 2006

Task Team Meeting 18 April 2006

Public comment period 15 May – 5 June 2006 (3 weeks)

Finalise IEP Mid June 2006

Task Team Meeting 19 June 2006

Implement IEP June 2006 onwards

8.2 ROLEPLAYERS

8.2.1 Key Stakeholders The key stakeholders identified for this process are as follows: Title Name Surname Organisation* Mrs Feroza Albertus DEAT Mr Trevor Bagus Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Quintin Balie Swartland Municipality Dr Mandy Barnett CAPE Mr F Bekker CapeNature Mr Johan Bornman Namakwa Sands Mr A.J Bredenhann Berg River Municipality Mr Johan Bredenkamp Citrusdal WUA Mr Jan Briers Dept. of Mineral and Energy Affairs Mr Japie Buckle SANBI Sandveld Task Team/ Cape Nature/ Great Cederberg Mr Johan Burger Biodiversity Corridor Ms Elbé Cloete Cape Nature (Knersvlakte) & Bird Island Mr Marco Coetzee SANParks - West Coast National Park Mr Julian Conrad GEOSS Mr Adriaan Conradie Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Gary de Kock Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve/ WCNP Mr Charl de Villiers Botanical Society of South Africa Mr Mark Duckitt Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Mr Marius Durandt Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr JJ Fourie Saldanha Steel Mr Gerhard Gerber DEA&DP Mr Paul Gerber DWAF: Forestry Ms Pippa Haarhoff West Coast Fossil Park Mr Martin Halvorsen Botanical Society of SA - West Coast Branch Mr Nicolaas Hanekom CapeNature Mr Paul Herselman Department of Agriculture Western Cape Mr E Howard DEAT Ms Alexia Julius DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Marek Kedzieja DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Dawie Kruger DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr Martin Langenhoven West Coast District Municipality Mnr Jan Langeveldt STO Wesku Mr Elroy Lategaan Matzikama Municipality Ms Mireille Lewarne Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Anton Louw Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr Siwe Mabula West Coast District Municipality Mr Charles Malherbe West Coast District Municipality Ms Sandra Malope National Ports Authority Ms Wilhelmina Martin West Coast District Municipality Mr Johan Matthee LORWUA Ms Kristal Maze SANBI

Dr Guy Midgley SANBI Ms Hillary Morris Regional Tourism Office Mr Donne Murray Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Mr Pierre Nel SANParks - West Coast National Park Mr Ollie Olivier Dept of Agriculture Western Cape Mr D O'Niell Matzikama Municipality Mr Carl Opperman Agri Western Cape Mr Abdulla Parker DWAF Mr Christo Paulsen Knersvlakte Biosphere Committee Mr Wessel Rabbets West Coast District Municipality Mr Sean Ranger CapeNature Mr Jaco Rheeder CapeNature Mr Berchtwald Rode West Coast District Municipality Mr L Scheepers Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Shaun Schneier DEAT: MCM Mr Cobus Smit Citrusdal WUA Mrs Mathilda Smith Cederberg Municipality Mr W Smith DEA&DP: Planning, Biodiversity & Coastal Management Mr WB Smuts Lower Berg River Irrigation Board Mr Siegfried Spanig Saldanha Steel Mr J Steenkamp Swartland Municipality Ms Kerry Te Roller SANBI/Cape Nature Mr A van der Watt Matzikama Municipality van der Ms Annalie Westhuizen Matzikama Municipality Mr Francois Van Heerden DWAF Mr Bertrandt van Zyl DWAF Mr Jaco Venter Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Mr P Venter Cederberg Municipality Mr Fabio Venturi DEA&DP Mr Daan Visser Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr W Wagener Berg River Municipality Ms Bronwyn Williams SKEP Mr FE Williams West Coast District Municipality Mr Helmar Wobbe Namakwa Sands Mr Anton Wolfaardt CapeNature & Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor Mr A Zaayman Swartland Municipality

8.2.2 Task Team Members The Task team is comprised of representatives from the West Coast District Municipalities, the Provincial Departments of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Department of Agriculture Western Cape, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and CapeNature as the statutory conservation body and Agri-Western Cape. The following individuals receive the task team correspondence.

Title Name Surname Organisation* Mr Trevor Bagus Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr Quintin Balie Swartland Municipality Mr Arnold Bredenhann Berg River Municipality Mr Johan Burger CapeNature Mr Gerhard Gerber DEA&DP Ms Alexia Julius DEA&DP (PGWC) Mr Marek Kedzieja DEA&DP (PGWC) DEA&DP: Plan ning, Biodiversity & Coastal Mr Dawie Kruger Management Mr Martin Langenhoven West Coast District Municipality Mr Elroy Lategaan Matzikama Municipality Mr Anton Louw Dept. of Econ. Dev, Tourism and Agric Mr Siwe Mabula West Coast District Municipality Mr Charles Malherbe West Coast District Municipality Mr Ollie Olivier Department of Agriculture Western Cape Mr D O'Niell Matzikama Municipality Mr Carl Opperman Agri Western Cape Mr Abdulla Parker DWAF Mr Wessel Rabbets West Coast District Municipality Mr Berch twald Rode West Coast District Municipality Mr L Scheepers Saldanha Bay Municipality Ms Mathilda Smith Cederberg Municipality Mr J Steenkamp Swartland Municipality Mr A van der Watt Matzikama Municipality Mr Annalie van der Westhuizen Matzikama Municipality Mr Bertrandt van Zyl DWAF Mr P Venter Cederberg Municipality Mr Fabio Venturi DEA&DP Mr Daan Visser Saldanha Bay Municipality Mr W Wagener Berg River Municipality

8.3 WAY FORWARD

The IEP has been revised in light of the comments received from Key Stakeholders, Task Team members and the public. The updated IEP was presented to the Task Team on 19 June 2006 and submitted to the Municipalities in late June 2006 for ratification.

REFERENCES

Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Consortium. 2004. Strategic Plan Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve Complete Document Draft 4.

C.A.P.E: Fynbos Fynmense: The profound linkage between the people and the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Pamphlet.

Cape Nature Conservation: Conservation Stewardship: Options for landowners.

CNdV. 2005. Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework. Prepared for the Provincial Government of the Western Cape.

Dennis Moss Partnership. 2004. Draft Coastal Zone Policy for the Western Cape . Prepared for Provincial Government of the Western Cape.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry: Be a friend of the Cederberg: Integrated Fire Management in the Greater Cederberg.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2002. The Application of Bioregional Planning Methodology to Promote Sustainable Development as Applied by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape . Planning Africa 2002 Conference Planning Paper.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2003. Key Aspects of Bioregional Planning and Management. URL http://dws.wcape.gov.za/pls/dmsv525/ PubShowFolders?p_folder_id=54564.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2005. Guidelines for Resort Developments in the Western Cape.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2005: Guidelines for Golf Courses, Golf Estates, Polo Fields and Polo Estates in the Western Cape.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2005. Western Cape Provincial Urban Edge Guidelines.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 2005. National Strategy for Sustainable Development. URL http://www.environment.gov.za.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism & South African National Botanical Institute. 2005. National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa. URL http://www.sanbi.org/biodiversity/NSBA%202004%20Report% 20Summary%20Report.pdf. Pretoria.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 2004. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. URL http://www.environment.gov.za/ProjProg/ProjProg/2004Jun10/ newsletters/NBSAP_newsletter_July_04.pdf. Newsletter. 2004

EnAct. International. 2003. Guidelines for Environmental Decision Making by Municipalities in the Western Cape . Prepared for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning of the Government of the Western Cape Province.

Government of South Australia. 2006. Local Agenda 21. URL http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/la21.html.

Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor. 2004. Planning Phase Report

Millennium Project. 2006. Millenium Project . URL http://www.unmillenniumproject.org. Sited 10 April 2006.

National Government. 2000. The Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy ISRDS . Government Printers.

National Government the Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services. 2003. The National Spatial Development Perspective NSDP.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 2000. Cape Action Plan for People and the Environment: A Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 2002. Environmental Indicators for National State of the Environment Reporting .

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2002. Western Cape Environmental Implementation Plan.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2005. The Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2005. Western Cape State of the Environment Report.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2004. Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2004. Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2003. Settlement Framework for the Western Cape Province.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2000. Bioregional Planning Framework for the Western Cape Province

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2000. Coastal Zone Policy for the Western Cape

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2005. Western Cape Promotion of Sustainable Development Bill Preliminary outcomes of the Provincial Law Reform Process

Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Ikapa Elihlumayo – A Framework for the Development for the Development of the Western Cape Province 2004-2007 .

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2005. Micro Economic Development Strategy for the Western Cape.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape. 2005. Strategic Infrastructure Plan for the Western Cape Province.

River Health Programme. 2006. State of Rivers Report: Olifants/Doring and Sandveld Rivers. Prepared for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Pretoria

River Health Programme. 2004. State of Rivers Report: Berg River System . Prepared for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Pretoria.

Sandveld Taakspan: Die natuur se oorvloed in die Sandveld: ’n Spesiale hoekie van die Groter Cederberge Biodiversiteitskorridor.

South African Tourism: Cape West Coast Biosphere: Conservation without Boundaries.

West Coast District Council: Integrated Development Framework of the West Coast District Municipality.

West Coast District Council. .2005. The West Coast Region IDP.

West Coast District Council. 2000. West Coast District Spatial Plan.

West Coast District Council. 1999. An Urbanisation Framework for the West Coast Region.

West Coast District Council 2000: West Coast Region Economic Development Strategy

West Coast District Council. 2001. Tourism Implementation Strategy for the West Coast Region.

West Coast District Council. 2001. West Coast District Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Strategy.

West Coast District Council. 2003. Communication and Public Participation Strategy for the West Coast District.

West Coast District Council. 1999. The Craft Industry on the West Coast

West Coast District Council .2005. Disaster Management Framework Draft for Discussion.

West Coast District Council. 2006. Water Services Plan.

West Coast District Council 2004 & 2005. Water Management Area Internal Strategic Perspective.

West Coast District Council. 2006. Integrated Transport Plan.

West Coast District Council. 1997. West Coast Investment Initiative Appraisal Document.

West Coast District Council. 1999. Lower Berg River Sub-regional Structure Plan.

West Coast District Council. 1999. Lower Olifants River Structure Plan, Policy Framework and Management Guidelines.

West Coast District Council. 1999. Cederberg Environs Spatial Development Framework.

West Coast District Council. 1998. Wupperthal Local Structure Plan.

West Coast Regional Services Council. 1996. Verlorenvlei Local Structure Plan.

West Coast District Council. 1992. Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Dwarskersbos to Olifants River.

West Coast District Council. 1990. Sub-Regional Structure Plan for the Coastal Area Veldrif to Bokpunt.

Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. 2003. Western Cape Integrated Coastal Management Programme.

Wes-Kaapse Natuurbewaringsraad: Die Groter Cederberg Biodiversiteit Korridor: ’n bewaringsvennootskap van wêreldbelang.

APPENDIX 1 Notes of Key Stakeholder Workshop 15 March 2006

APPENDIX 2 No tes of Task Team Meeting 17 March 2006

APPENDIX 3 Socio-Economic Policy Overview

APPENDIX 4 West Coast Municipalities Existing Strategies, Strategies in Progress and Possible Strategies

APPENDIX 5 Notes of Key Stakeholder Workshop and Task Team Meeting – 18 April 2006

APPENDIX 6 NEMA EIA Regulations (Government Notice R385, No. R386 and No. R 397)

APPENDIX 7 Comments on the “Draft IEP for Public Comment”

 Ninham Shand (2006) No unauthorised reproduction, copy or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made. I:\ENV\PROJECTS\401286~WCDM IEP\IEP\Final IEP\West Coast IEP.doc