KNYSNA: MUNICIPAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
DRAFT Policy Context, Vision Directives a n d Status Quo Report
D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 8
KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 1
This report was prepared by Catherine Stone, Robert Ordelheide, PDG (Nick Graham and Jerome Kaplan) and Willem de Kock in association with
architects / urban designers / spatial planners
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Table of Contents 3.1 Introduction ...... 25 1 Introduction ...... 9 3.2 The Natural and Rural Environment ...... 25 1.1 Purpose of the Report ...... 9 3.2.1 Topographic and Landscape Characteristics ...... 25 1.2 Process and Timeframes ...... 9 3.2.2 Water Resources and Systems ...... 30 3.2.3 Climate and Climate Change ...... 38 1.2.1 Drafting Process...... 9 3.2.4 Biodiversity and Biodiversity Conservation ...... 41 1.2.2 Public engagement ...... 9 3.2.5 Agriculture and Forestries ...... 48 1.3 Document Structure ...... 9 3.2.6 Mineral Resources ...... 48 2 Policy Context and Vision Directives ...... 10 3.3 Built Environment Assets and Systems ...... 54 2.1 Implications of Relevant National Policies & Legislation ...... 10 3.3.1 Settlement Hierarchy ...... 54 3.3.2 Transport Infrastructure ...... 56 2.1.1 National Development Plan 2030 ...... 10 3.3.3 Utility Infrastructure ...... 61 2.1.2 Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 10 3.3.4 Social Infrastructure ...... 65 2.1.3 The Integrated Urban Development Framework (2016) ...... 11 3.3.5 Heritage and Scenic Resources ...... 67 2.1.4 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) (2018) ...... 11 3.4 Socio-Economic Trends and Challenges ...... 70 2.2 Implications of Relevant Provincial Policies & Legislation ...... 12 3.4.1 Population and Population Growth ...... 70 2.2.1 Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework 3.4.2 The Economy ...... 72 (2014) 12 2.2.2 Land Use Planning Act (2014) ...... 14 3.5 Settlement Trends and Challenges...... 73 2.3 District Planning Informants ...... 14 3.5.1 Housing Demand & Delivery ...... 73 3.5.2 Spatial Segregation...... 78 2.3.1 Eden District Rural Development Plan (2017) ...... 14 3.5.3 Disaster Risk ...... 82 2.3.2 Eden / Garden Route District MSDF (2017) ...... 14 3.5.4 Resource Security...... 82 2.3.3 The Southern Cape Regional Spatial Implementation Framework (Draft) (2018) ...... 15 3.6 Local Land Use Planning and Regulation ...... 86 2.3.4 Garden Route Rebuild (2017) ...... 16 3.6.1 Land Use Regulation ...... 86 2.4 Adjacent Municipal Planning ...... 20 3.6.2 Local Area Spatial Planning ...... 86 2.4.1 Draft George MSDF (2018) ...... 20 3.7 Inter-Governmental Investment and Coordination ...... 88 2.4.2 Bitou SDF (2017) ...... 20 4 Conclusion: Status Quo Synthesis...... 89 2.5 Municipal Planning ...... 22 4.1 The Environment is Central to Economic and Social Sustainability 2.5.1 Municipal Vision Statement ...... 22 91 2.5.2 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) (2018/2019 Review) ...... 22 4.2 Social Integration for Economic Well-Being ...... 92 2.5.3 Sector Planning ...... 22 4.3 Sustainable Rural Service Delivery...... 93 2.5.4 The Medium Term Municipal Budget ...... 23 4.4 Equitable Distribution of the Costs of Urban Settlement ...... 93 2.5.5 The Municipality’s Long Term Financial Plan (2017) ...... 23 4.5 Information Gaps...... 94 2.5.6 Stakeholder/ Public Input into Municipal Spatial Planning ...... 24 4.5.1 Land of Agricultural Significance ...... 94 3 Knysna Municipal Area Status Quo ...... 25 5 References ...... 95 KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 3
ANNEXURE 1 ...... 97 ANNEXURE 2 ...... 98
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List of Tables
Table 1: GRR Strategies and the direction given to the Knysna MSDF (GRR, 2017) ...... 18 Table 2: Strategies and policies relevant to the George/ Knysna interface in the draft, reviewed George MSDF, 2018 ...... 20 Table 3: Knysna Municipality Sector Plans: Status and Relationship to the MSDF ...... 22 Table 4: MTREF allocations to repairs and maintenance (Knysna Municipality, 2018) ...... 23 Table 5: The value of estuaries to property value (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018) ...... 30 Table 6: Prioritised Water Resource Units (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018) ...... 31 Table 7: Knysna Residual Sea Level (M to MSL) (CSIR, 2014) quoted in (Knysna Municipality, 2016) ...... 38 Table 8: Existing settlement hierarchy in the KMA ...... 54 Table 9: Estimated erven and population in 11 rural hamlets (V3 Consulting Engineers, 2018) ...... 54 Table 10: Approximate distances (km) between the major settlements within the KMA (ACE Consulting, 2016) ...... 56 Table 11: Formal and informal taxi rank locations (ACE Consulting, 2016) .. 58 Table 12: Public health facilities in the KMA (ACE Consulting, 2016) ...... 65 Table 13: Knysna Public Coastal Access Points (WCG, 2018) ...... 68 Table 14: Household Projections to 2030 across the KMA (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018) ...... 70 Table 15: Estimated dwelling units needed per annum to meet population growth from 2018 (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018) ...... 74 Table 16: Estimated land required based on projected population growth .... 74 Table 17: Knysna Informal Settlements Categorisation (Western Cape Government) ...... 76 Table 18: SCCD Projects (SCCD: Project Related Presentation, 2018) ...... 76 Table 19: WCG Housing Pipeline 2018 ...... 77 Table 20: Land and Building Pipeline for Social Housing (Knysna Municipality, 2016) ...... 78 Table 21: Public Sector Roleplayers in the KMA ...... 88 Table 22: IDP Objectives to inform the MSDF ...... 97
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List of Figures Figure 24: Residential Market Analysis: Total Household Growth (Demacon, 2018) ...... 75 Figure 25: Spatial Segregation in the Knysna town area (Frith, 2018) quoted Figure 1: SPLUMA Principles...... 11 in (GRR, 2017) ...... 78 Figure 2: The Vision, Strategic Goals and Levers in the IUDF (COGTA, 2016) Figure 26: Key Themes to inform the development of the MSDF ...... 90 ...... 11 Figure 3: Eden District FPSU Catchments (DRDLR, 2017) ...... 14 Figure 4: Eden/ Garden Route District IDP and MSDF alignment ...... 15 Figure 5: Eden/ Garden Route District SDF Spatial Drivers of Change and the Southern Cape RSIF Shared Values ...... 16 Figure 6: Garden Route Rebuild Vision (GRR, 2017) ...... 17 Figure 7: Topographic classification of the KMA (Knysna Municipality, 2016) ...... 26 Figure 8: Predicted future erosion of the Sedgefield coast based on expert geomorphological assessment (RHDV, 2018) ...... 39 Figure 9: Predicted future erosion of the Sedgefield coast based on wave energy regime/bay equilibrium (RHDV, 2018) ...... 39 Figure 10: Predicted future erosion of the Buffels Bay coast based on expert geomorphological assessment (RHDV, 2018) ...... 39 Figure 11: Predicted future erosion of the Buffels Bay coast based on wave energy regime/bay equilibrium (RHDV, 2018) ...... 39 Figure 12: Development control mechanisms to manage coastal risks (Western Cape Government, 2018) ...... 40 Figure 13: Distance from Knysna CBD to furthest suburbs (ACE Consulting, 2016) ...... 57 Figure 14: Rank locations and minibus taxi movements in Knysna town (ACE Consulting, 2016) ...... 57 Figure 15: Water Treatment Capacity in the KMA ...... 61 Figure 16: Wastewater Treatment Capacity in the KMA ...... 62 Figure 17: KMA Age Profile (Knysna Municipality, 2018) ...... 70 Figure 18: Knysna Municipal Area Settlement Population Projections (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018) ...... 71 Figure 19: GDPR growth per municipal area in the Garden Route District, 2007 - 2017 (Western Cape Government, 2018) ...... 72 Figure 20: Residential Building Activity in Knysna (Western Cape Government , 2018) ...... 72 Figure 21: Non-residential building activity in Knysna (Western Cape Government , 2018) ...... 73 Figure 22: Tenure status of households in the KMA (Demacon, 2018) ...... 73 Figure 23: Service Delivery Backlogs (Knysna Municipality, 2018) ...... 74
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List of Acronyms WCG - Western Cape Government WTP – Water Treatment Plant WWTW – Waste Water Treatment Works CBA – Critical Biodiversity Area CBD – Central Business District DAFF – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DEA&DP - Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WCG) DRDLR - Department of Rural Development and Land Reform ECD – Early Childhood Development FET – Further Education and Training FLISP – Financed Linked Individual Subsidy Programme FPSU – Farmer Production Support Unit GDP - Gross Domestic Product GPS - Growth Potential Study HAD – Housing Development Agency HSP – Human Settlement Plan IDP - Integrated Development Plan ISC – Intergovernmental Steering Committee ISDF - Integrated Strategic Development Framework IUDF – Integrated Urban Development Framework KMA – Knysna Municipal Area LITP – Local Integrated Transport Plan LUPA - Land Use Planning Act MBT – Minibus Taxi MSDF - Municipal Spatial Development Framework MTREF – Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework NDP - National Development Plan NDPG – Neighbourhood Partnership Development Grant NEMA - National Environmental Management Act NHRA - National Heritage Resources Act NMT - Non-Motorised Transport NPC – National Planning Commission PSDF – Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework MSDF – Municipal Spatial Development Framework RDP – Rural Development Plan RO – Reverse Osmosis SALA – Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act SANPARKS – South African National Parks SCCD - Southern Cape Corridor Development SPLUMA - Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act
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List of Maps
Map 1: Provincial Spatial Development Framework Composite Map, 2014 ...... 13 Map 2: Eden/ Garden Route MSDF ...... 19 Map 3: Bitou Municipality Spatial Concept, 2016 ...... 21 Map 4: Composite Spatial Development Framework for the Greater George ... 21 Map 5: Locality Map for the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 25 Map 6: Elevation and Landscape Features in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 27 Map 7: Slopes in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 28 Map 8: Aspect-Slopes in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 29 Map 9: Mean Annual Precipitation in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 32 Map 10: Mean Annual Run-off in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 33 Map 11: Knysna Municipal Area Hydrological Context ...... 34 Map 12: The condition of rivers and wetlands in the Knysna Municipal Area ... 35 Map 13: River Freshwater Priority Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 36 Map 14: Aquifer Type and Yield in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 37 Map 15: Biomes in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 41 Map 16: Vegetation Types in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 43 Map 17: Western Cape Biospatial Plan: Critical Biodiversity Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 44 Map 18: Threatened Ecosystems in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 45 Map 19: Protected Natural Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 46 Map 20: Garden Route National Park Management Plan ...... 47 Map 21: Forestry Exit Areas ...... 48 Map 22: Forestry and Agricultural Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 49 Map 23: Irrigation Use in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 50 Map 24: Concentration of Rural Economic Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 51 Map 25: Simplified Geology Map for the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 52 Map 26: Mineral Resources and Mining Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area 53 Map 27: Human Settlement in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 55 Map 28: The Knysna Municipal Area's Regional Connectivity ...... 59 Map 29: Accessibility within the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 60 Map 30: Municipal utility infrastructure in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 64 Map 31: Heritage and Scenic Resources in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 69 Map 32: Human Settlements Intervention Areas and Services: Knysna Town . 79 Map 33: Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Sedgefield ...... 80 Map 34: Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Rheenendal ..... 81 Map 35:Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Karatara ...... 81 Map 36: Fire Risk in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 83 Map 37: Coastal Risk Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 84 Map 38: Environmental Risks in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 85 Map 39: Environmental Regulation areas in the Knysna Municipal Area ...... 87
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1 Introduction The preparation of the MSDF is, in terms of the Knysna Municipality’s By-Law on Municipal Land Use Planning and the Land Use Planning Act, overseen by a transversal Project Committee representing relevant departments of the Knysna 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT Municipality, as well as an Inter-Governmental Committee. The requisite notice to the public of the Municipality’s intent to prepare this MSDF was advertised in The Knysna Municipality is preparing a new Municipal Spatial Development early 2018. Framework (MSDF). This MSDF must meet the expectations of a MSDF as set out in the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, the Municipal This report will be presented to the Knysna Municipal Council for adoption. A draft Systems Act, the Land Use Planning Act and the Knysna Municipality By-Law on MSDF will then be developed and submitted to the Knysna Municipal Council for Municipal Land Use Planning. authorisation to proceed with public participation, prior to finalisation for approval. . The purpose of this report is: 1.2.2 Public engagement It is intended that engagements take place with housing, environmental, business to unpack the policy context and vision directives provided by national, and resident sector groupings active in Knysna in 2018 to gain insight into the provincial and district legislation and policy, as well as related municipal experiences, issues, challenges and opportunities faced by those living and planning processes; working in the Knysna Municipal area and what they believe the trade-offs need to understand the key socio-economic, biophysical and built environment to be, and where the focus needs to be, to achieve a shared vision for the future informants to spatial planning in the Knysna Municipal area; and of the Knysna Municipal area. to understand development shifts and trends, new information and any other spatial information influencing the future development of the These Focus Group sessions will seek to: Knysna Municipal area, framed specifically by the MSDF content review and validate key development issues facing Knysna that are requirements set out in SPLUMA presented in the findings of the status quo analysis and syntheses hold integrated conversations across sectors on these issues, The focus is on a clear, strategic and integrated assessment of the key spatial challenges and opportunities that should inform the development of the and land use management-related patterns, issues, opportunities and trends in MSDF itself. the municipality. In order to provide sufficient clarity to develop a spatial vision and direct spatial proposals and policy development in the formulation of the The draft MSDF, once finalised and approved by Council for public participation, MSDF. will be made available to the public for review, input and comment for a period of 30 days. It is anticipated that this will take place in the first half of 2019. 1.2 PROCESS AND TIMEFRAMES 1.3 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE 1.2.1 Drafting Process This report is set out in line with the Department of Rural Development and Land This report is based on a strategic review of recent existing MSDF-related Reform Guidelines for Spatial Development Frameworks. products and an investigation into all matters arising since the development of these that have implications for the spatial form and development of the Knysna municipality. Reference points include the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the Southern Cape Regional Spatial Implementation Framework, the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative, current sector planning and developments (in all spheres of government), stakeholder/ public input and comments submitted, and any further new information available.
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2 Policy Context and Vision Directives 2.1.2 Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (Act 16 of 2013) (SPLUMA) provides detailed guidance on the content and process to prepare a SDF. In 2.1 IMPLICATIONS OF RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICIES & LEGISLATION summary a MSDF should include the following: A 5-year spatial plan for the municipality There are a plethora of national policies and legislation that have application in A 10-20 year spatial vision for the pattern of growth and development of the Knysna. The most important ones that give direction to the substance of an MSDF municipality. are summarised here. Other legislation and policies relevant to the MSDF are The structuring and restructuring elements of the spatial framework (e.g. development identified where relevant in the report. corridors) An understanding of expected growth, housing demand, economic outlook and job
creation and where this will be accommodated The implications for infrastructure provision over the 5-year period 2.1.1 National Development Plan 2030 Environmental pressures and opportunities, including critical and vulnerable The National Development Plan 2030 (NDP), developed by the National Planning resources, agricultural land and coastal access Commission (NPC) in the office of the President, and approved by Cabinet in Identification of areas where detailed local plans are needed 2012, sets out an integrated strategy for accelerating growth, eliminating poverty Implications of the SDF for land use management and reducing inequality by 2030. In particular the NDP aims to: An implementation plan which should include all details of actions required to realise reduce the proportion of households with a monthly income of below R419 (US$42.2) the SDF a person (in 2009 prices) from 39 % to 0 %, and A capital expenditure framework decrease the Gini coefficient, which measures inequality, from 0.69 to 0.6, by 2030. The critical starting point is that the MSDF should be premised on the principles The following aspects of the NDP fall within the competencies of local of spatial justice, spatial sustainability, efficiency, spatial resilience and good government and should thus inform the MSDF for Knysna: administration. The transformation of human settlements and the national space economy as set out in Chapter 8. Targets include more people living closer to their places of work; better quality public transport; and more jobs in proximity to townships. Actions to be taken include desisting from further housing development in marginal places, increasing urban densities and improving the location of housing, improving public transport, incentivising economic opportunities in highly populated townships and engaging the private sector in the gap housing market. Building an inclusive rural economy (Chapter 6) by inter alia improving infrastructure and service delivery, and investing in social services and tourism. Investment in economic infrastructure (Chapter 3) including the roll out of fibre- optic networks in municipalities. Improving education and training, through inter alia a focus on expanding early childhood development (ECD) and further education and training (FET) facilities. Chapter 12 focuses on building of safer communities and although explicitly noted in the NDP, actions should include improving safety through sound urban design and investment in the public realm. Building environmental sustainability and resilience as set out in Chapter 5 with a strong focus on protecting the natural environment and enhancing resilience of people and the environment to climate change. Actions include an equitable transition to a low- carbon economy (which would inter alia imply making settlements more efficient) and regulating land use to ensure conservation and restoration of protected areas.
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To do this, the IUDF identifies nine levers. These levers and their relationship to the IUDF’s strategic goals and vision is presented in Figure 2.
Figure 2: The Vision, Strategic Goals and Levers in the IUDF (COGTA, 2016)
Programmes emanating from the IUDF are focussing particularly on intermediate cities and smaller towns and an Integrated Urban Development Grant is under Figure 1: SPLUMA Principles development which will support the implementation of the IUDF’s objectives and may, in time, be available to the Knysna Municipality.
2.1.3 The Integrated Urban Development Framework (2016) 2.1.4 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) (2018) The Knysna IDP Review 2018/19 notes that the Integrated Urban Development Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth has been revised downwards in 2018 but Framework (IUDF) sets out the policy environment for transforming and there is a modest expectation of recovery by 2021 from 0.7% to 2.3%. South restructuring South Africa ́s urban spaces, guided by the vision of creating Africa is vulnerable to global risks. Government spending will remain subject to a liveable, safe, resource efficient towns that are socially integrated, economically ceiling, with growth in real terms only in 2021/22. Spending will be re-prioritised inclusive and globally competitive. The overall objectives of the IUDF are to towards education (particularly with regard to improving sanitation facilities at create efficient urban spaces by: schools, early childhood development and tertiary education), health (personnel, Reducing travel costs & distances especially for poor people facility revitalisation), water (linked to drought relief) and electricity infrastructure, Aligning housing development with land use and transport planning municipal social infrastructure and social grants. The Government is seeking to Preventing housing development in marginal areas improve infrastructure planning, remove regulatory reform and finance Increasing urban densities & reducing urban sprawl infrastructure through development finance institutions and private sector Shift jobs & investment towards dense peripheral townships investment rather than direct public sector investment. Improve public transport & the coordination between transport nodes
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To support job creation, programmes are prioritised that boost growth in 2.2 IMPLICATIONS OF RELEVANT PROVINCIAL POLICIES & LEGISLATION townships and rural economies (through land reform and agricultural support) and to repair road infrastructure. Funds have been re-prioritised in favour of SANRAL for its non-toll network. 2.2.1 Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework (2014) The Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF), gives Changes to grant structures aim to promote informal settlement upgrading and spatial expression to the national and provincial development agendas; serves the centralisation of R1 billion worth of housing subsidies to better support middle as the basis for coordinating, integrating and aligning ‘on the ground’ delivery of to lower income home buyers. national and provincial departmental programmes; supporting municipalities to fulfil their municipal planning mandate in line with the national and provincial The allocation of non-interest expenditure to local government will 7% and will agendas. grow by 7.2%. The local government equitable share will grow by 9.9% in 2019/20 reducing to 8.6% in 2021/22. These above-inflation increases are aimed at It communicates the provincial government’s spatial development, land use addressing growth in household numbers and higher bulk electricity and water management and investment intentions to the private sector and civil society. costs. The maintenance of infrastructure by municipalities is a key concern for Alignment of the Knysna MSDF with this plan is thus not only a legal requirement; national government. Municipalities will be under pressure from national it is also a strategic imperative to ensure that the Knysna Municipality optimises government to increase their borrowing where they are in a position to do so. provincial support for its development agenda.
The logic underpinning the PSDF’s spatial strategy is to:
Capitalise and build on the Western Cape’s comparative strengths (e.g. gateway status, knowledge economy, lifestyle offering) and leverage the sustainable use of its unique spatial assets; Consolidate existing and emerging regional economic nodes as they offer the best prospects to generate jobs and stimulate innovation; Connect urban and rural markets and consumers, fragmented settlements and critical biodiversity areas (i.e. freight logistics, public transport, broadband, priority climate change ecological corridors, etc.); and Cluster economic infrastructure and facilities along public transport routes to maximise the coverage of these public investments, and respond to unique regional identities within the Western Cape.
The PSDF includes four spatial themes; namely, Resources, Space Economy, Settlement and Spatial Governance. The policies and strategies that flow from these themes focus on strategic investment in the space economy, settlement restructuring and protecting the province’s natural and cultural resource base.
These PSDF policies have application in the Knysna Municipality: Protect biodiversity and ecosystem services (Policy R1) Safeguard inland and coastal water resources, and manage the sustainable use of water (Policy R2) Safeguard the province’s agricultural and mineral resources, and manage their sustainable and productive use (Policy R3)
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Recycle and recover waste, deliver clean sources of energy to urban households, Improve inter and intra-regional accessibility (Policy S2) shift from private to public transport, adapt to and mitigate against climate change Promote compact, mixed use and integrated settlements (Policy R4) Ensure balanced and coordinated the delivery of facilities and social services (Policy Protect and manage provincial landscape and scenic assets (Policy R5) S4) Diversify and strengthen the rural economy (Policy E2) Ensure sustainable, integrated and inclusive housing planning and implementation in Revitalise and strengthen urban space-economies as the engine of growth (Policy E3) formal and informal markets. (Policy S5) Protect, manage and enhance sense of place, heritage and cultural landscapes (Policy S1)
Map 1: Provincial Spatial Development Framework Composite Map, 2014
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2.2.2 Land Use Planning Act (2014) The Land Use Planning Act 3 of 2014 translates SPLUMA objectives, providing In the meantime, the DRDLR is contributing to a roads and stormwater project in a framework act and directives for all aspects of land use management and Rheenendal and the RDP notes that there are three rural land reform projects / planning in the Western Cape. It provides additional guidance on the preparation land claims in the KMA. The DRDLR has not responded to an enquiry regarding of MSDFs. Section 10 states that a MSDF should: any further projects it may be involved with in the KMA.
Comply with other applicable legislation (e.g. SPLUMA) Promote predictability in the utilisation of land Address development priorities Where relevant, provide for specific spatial focus areas, including towns, other nodes, sensitive areas, or areas experiencing specific development pressure Consist of a report and maps covering the whole municipal area, reflecting municipal planning and the following structuring elements:
Transportation routes Open space systems and ecological corridors. Proposed major projects of organs of state with substantial spatial implications Outer limits to lateral expansion Densification of urban areas Be aligned with provincial spatial plans and strategies and indicate structuring elements such as provincial road networks and cultural and ecological resources of provincial importance.
2.3 DISTRICT PLANNING INFORMANTS
Figure 3: Eden District FPSU Catchments (DRDLR, 2017) 2.3.1 Eden District Rural Development Plan (2017)
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s (DRDLR) Eden District Rural Development Plan (RDP) presents extensive information on 2.3.2 Eden / Garden Route District MSDF (2017) agricultural activity in the district and rural poverty pockets. Agricultural activity in The Eden, now Garden Route District Municipality’s overarching Vision and Knysna is minor relative to the rest of the district given that much of the KMA is Mission has been aligned in its MSDF and IDP. The MSDF spatialises the IDP’s under forestry cultivation or conserved land. Livestock farming predominates over vision and strategies within a sustainable, long-term growth path as required by crop farming. The RDP identifies Oudtshoorn as an Agripark - a networked SPLUMA. The MSDF is directed to: innovation system of agro-production, processing, logistics, marketing, training and extensions services with a view to enabling growth of market driven 1. Address financial, social, environmental and institutional sustainability to set the commodity value chains and the achievement of rural economic transformation. foundation for a vibrant, sustainable region The agri-hub is linked to Farmer Production Support Units (FPSU) - a rural 2. Actively promote spatial integration, inclusion and redress outreach unit that does primary collection, some storage, some processing for 3. Enable appropriate land use planning oversight the local market and extension services including mechanisation. 4. Optimisation of District assets
The alignment of the District’s IDP Strategies to its spatial strategies is illustrated Knysna falls within the George FPSU. Rheenendal and Karatara are identified on in Figure 4. a preliminary basis as additional longer term FPSU’s to support agriculture production.
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The Garden Route District MSDF is framed around four overarching, integrative Recognise the unique attributes, resources and risks of the Klein Karoo and and connected strategic drivers relevant to the District Municipality’s context. Garden Route, namely: These are fundamental to achieving coordinated (spatial) planning for the sustainable growth and resilience of the District. Three strategic spatial drivers: Natural and Agricultural Resource Base; Economic Role and Potential; and 1. A sustainable environment is an economy positioned for growth - The Economy is the Celebrate the diverse landscape, lifestyle and tourism offerings.
Environment b Regional Accessibility for Equitable and Inclusive Growth 2. Regional Accessibility for Inclusive and Equitable Growth Enable appropriate accessibility to and between the Klein Karoo and Garden 3. Coordinated Growth Management is Key to Financial Sustainability Route as well as the greater Eden District: Establish a clear primary and secondary regional route hierarchy, role and investment are underpinned by a fourth driver; effective, transversal institutional integration; priorities (N2 vs R62); i.e. we need to plan, budget and manage as one government. This speaks to the Address connectivity between the coastal belt and inland areas; and institutional context within which spatial planning must take effect, with particular Enable virtual and physical accessibility reference to municipal finance, coordinated infrastructure planning and delivery as well as robust project preparation and pipelines. c Coordinated Growth Management for Financial and Social Sustainability Define a clear settlement hierarchy and framework for accommodating growth in relation to infrastructure, economic and institutional capacity. Direct and encourage growth to match capacity, resources and opportunity:
Align need with capacity, jobs, social services and opportunity Recognise population dynamics in infrastructure investment (more diverse housing products and opportunities in the correct location) Optimise the potential of a reconceptualised accessibility network to improve livelihoods and sustainable service delivery
Importantly, the Eden/ Garden Route District MSDF recognises that the Greater Knysna area faces significant limits to growth and the overall growth management strategy should be to consolidate Knysna as a high-performing, sustainable coastal centre. Refer to Map 2 for the Eden/ Garden Route District MSDF.
2.3.3 The Southern Cape Regional Spatial Implementation Framework (Draft) (2018) The Southern Cape Regional Spatial Implementation Framework (RSIF) is a regional scale plan, provided for in SPLUMA. Its objectives are to stimulate inter- municipal growth and development opportunities and to better support an Figure 4: Eden/ Garden Route District IDP and MSDF alignment integrated, regional approach to sustainable development and urban and rural area management practices. More specifically it endeavours to: These spatial drivers are translated into four spatial strategies with supporting policy statements: produce a competitive regional space-economy that re-energises and shares growth; a The Economy is the Environment create an integrated network of regional settlements that provide resilient, sustainable, quality and inclusive living environments for a KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 15
growing population; Explore regional bulk water infrastructure for the region to support water design sustainable regional infrastructure networks (i.e. ecological, utility security and transport); Regional approach to waste management promote collaborative regional management and governance Encourage and incentivise agri-beneficiation, agri-exports and niche arrangements. agricultural products Engage with national government regarding a regional rail long term plan The drivers of spatial change identified in the Eden / Garden Route District MSDF Reinforce struggling rural settlements with middle and higher income are linked to a shared set of regional values: development opportunities.
The sustainability of the last intervention would need to be very cautiously considered in the context of the Knysna municipal area and its sustainability.
2.3.4 Garden Route Rebuild (2017) The Garden Route Rebuild (GRR) initiative rose out of the post-2017 fire disaster recovery process for the Knysna and Bitou Municipalities. The intention was to turn disaster into opportunity; i.e. ‘’to coordinate the response to the immediate crisis, and to ensure that the region “builds back better” for long-term recovery that ultimately builds a more inclusive, resilient and opportunity-filled economy for residents, businesses and visitors’’ (GRR, 2017).
The vision is that the “Garden Route will strive to be an inclusive and thriving region that unlocks the potential for all who live, work, travel and play here” . This vision is broken down into three themes presented in Figure 6 below.
Figure 5: Eden/ Garden Route District SDF Spatial Drivers of Change and the Southern Cape RSIF Shared Values
The RSIF is to become a Garden Route Growth and Development Plan, led by the Garden Route District Municipality, as a plan of action to implement the Garden Route / Eden SDF, which will include a set of spatial and non-spatial actions.
The top regional growth and development interventions emanating from this process, relevant to spatial planning in the Knysna municipal area, can be understood to be as follows:
Preserve and enhance sense of place through appropriate development and design guidelines Facilitate film and niche agri sectors in the region
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Figure 6: Garden Route Rebuild Vision (GRR, 2017)
At the centre of achieving this vision are 6 strategic objectives: strengthening the tourism sector to support year-round activity; growing the light manufacturing industry; building a more inclusive local business environment, especially for SMMEs; creating a “skills mecca” of local and international training providers; enhancing urban development through affordable housing (3,000 units), upgraded public transport and improved service delivery; and bolstering the resilience of infrastructure, the environment and livelihoods (GRR, 2017). Seven flagship projects were identified.
Specifically, Table 1 summarises objectives and initiative identified in the Garden Route Rebuild Strategy where the MSDF has a key role to play.
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GRR Strategic Pillar Initiatives MSDF Role Improve ecological and redirecting Ensure that development is Tourism growth Enhanced activity offering infrastructure to stormwater into dams directed to protect water Light manufacturing Niche manufacturing Ensure/ protect industrial land withstand impacts resources growth space for light manufacturing of climate change land use Increase water and Green economy Contribute to an enabling energy resilience of manufacturing environment for construction of businesses and greener houses and promote households green infrastructure Alter residents’ Skills Mecca Skills Mecca Identify a suitable location for (or behaviours to criteria for the identification of) reduce negative skills development facilities impacts of disaster Urban Development Affordable mixed-income Give direction to the suitable and climate change Promote social housing: Make affordable location and opportunities for Mitigate against inclusion through housing commercially higher quality, affordable and disaster risk mixed-income viable by incentivizing mixed income housing for low Table 1: GRR Strategies and the direction given to the Knysna MSDF (GRR, 2017) developments commercial development, income earners closer to Create an enabling increasing access to economic hubs and that environment for the finance and changing supports better accessibility development of zoning legislation and viable public transport affordable housing (2,700 additional services affordable (R3,500 – Prioritise publicly owned land R15,000) units by 2022) for development Urban Development Increase Designate areas where Promote access to pedestrianization of inclusionary housing provisions economic CBD and offer should apply opportunities and alternative last-mile Prioritise supporting and public space via services improve incentivising investment based central housing and residents’ public transit on these locations – prioritise adequate public experience the provision of bulk transport Support the infrastructure development of Identify priority routes for Non- transport networks motorised transport facility targeted to low income enhancement earners Identify communal spaces closer to the CBD and tourist (Public transport waiting locations servicing all times < 15 minutes for all economic classes. residents and tourists) Identify and recognise cultural and heritage spaces honouring the region’s history and various traditions and cultures
Resilience of Fire and water security: Spatially identify priority areas ecological and man- increase water in the for intervention to manage made infrastructure catchment by eradicating risks associated with alien alien invasive species vegetation infestation
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Map 2: Eden/ Garden Route MSDF
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intends to guide development and investment and manage land use in these 2.4 ADJACENT MUNICIPAL PLANNING areas that interface with the KMA.
The Knysna Municipal Area (KMA) or Greater Knysna Area is bordered by the Strategy: Consolidate: Making what we have work better for our people George Municipality to its west and north and the Bitou Municipality to the east. Policy B Direct public and private fixed investment to existing settlements reinforcing their economic development potential The George, Knysna and Bitou municipalities are all guardians of the linear Strategy: Strengthen: Build on George’s foundations for growth and Garden Route landscape. This landscape is a national natural and economic resilience asset that hosts very valuable, beautiful and sensitive natural ecosystems. Policy D Manage the use of land in the municipal area in a manner which Increasingly these municipalities, along with the Mossel Bay municipality are protects natural ecosystem functioning and values ecosystem sharing infrastructure; for example, with the new regional waste facility based services, respecting that these are assets that underpin the in Mossel Bay that will serve all three municipalities. economy, settlement and their resilience
Policy E Safeguard the municipality’s farming and forestry areas as These municipalities are dependent on one another, we recently saw this in productive landscapes equal in value to urban land the 2017 Wildfire Disaster. They must share a consistent approach to certain Table 2: Strategies and policies relevant to the George/ Knysna interface in the draft, key elements in this linear system to maintain the functionality, sustainability reviewed George MSDF, 2018 and resilience of the whole:
• consistent management of the linear coastal system 2.4.2 Bitou SDF (2017) • maintaining and managing the integrity of the linear green / open The Bitou Municipality located to the east of the KMA adopted its SDF in 2013 space systems and again in 2017. However this MSDF is under review and to date the policy • understanding the regional settlement hierarchy and positioning of directives and status quo phase of the preparation of the MSDF has been the major nodes and their sustainable growth related to one another completed. • alien invasive management – to reduce fire, the spread of fire and to
enhance water supply into rivers Plettenberg Bay located on the N2 to the east of Knysna is the major urban • disaster risk management (associated with alien invasives centre of this municipality and like Knysna the main economic driver of this management, sustainable water use, fire risk mitigation, etc.) town is likely to remain leisure and tourism, with dominant seasonal • management of land use and alien invasives alongside and extraction economies. Plettenberg Bay and Knysna face very similar pressures as towns from river systems to ensure their functionality and integrity - the Diep on the frontier of increasing urbanisation from the rural areas of the Eastern and Hoekraal Rivers start in the George Municipal Area and flow into Cape and the demands and pressures that this brings. the Rondevlei and Swartvlei wetlands in the KMA; the Bietou River’s
source is in the KMA and flows into the Bitou Municipal Area. The 2013 MSDF concept (refer to Map 3) is framed by a bio-regional planning • protection of cultural and scenic landscapes, routes and passes approach, which recognises the importance of the river basins as a basis for
analysing and protecting the natural resource base. Hence the management 2.4.1 Draft George MSDF (2018) of the Keurbooms and Piesangs Rivers basins, which have their source in the The 2013 George SDF has been reviewed and a draft, reviewed MSDF is KMA, are central strategies for achieving sustainability, and are of relevance currently the subject of a public participation process (refer to Map 4). to the Knysna MSDF.
The northern-eastern portion of the George municipality, bordering the KMA to The Bitou SDF also recognises the importance of tourism as the driver of the the north is a largely rural area, with wilderness areas, plantations and farming. Bitou economy and thus protection and enhancement of the natural resources and scenery is promoted. The R340 which connects to the N2 and crosses Table 2 below highlights the spatial strategies and supporting policies relevant into the KMA to connect to the Prince Alfred’s Pass is identified as a scenic to the Knysna Municipality as they indicate clearly how the George Municipality route.
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Map 3: Bitou Municipality Spatial Concept, 2016
Map 4: Composite Spatial Development Framework for the Greater George Area (George, 2018)
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Sector Plan Status Relationship to the MSDF 2.5 MUNICIPAL PLANNING Economic Under review Not as yet. Economic Development development intent informed in 2.5.1 Municipal Vision Statement Strategy this report by the Garden Route The Knysna Municipality has developed a new vision for its municipal area: Rebuild Strategy (2017) and the “Inclusive, Innovative, Inspired”. Knysna Municipality’s Investment Prospectus Building on this vision, the Municipality’s mission includes “conserving our presentation (2018) natural resources through updating our IDP, SDF, zoning schemes, service Human Settlements Draft (2016) Will require re-write in light of master plans and other related activities”, “planning for the growth and Plan (prepared as the Southern Cape Corridor development of quality municipal services to support our community” and part of the Development Project. MSDF to “creating an enabling environment to foster development of our people and ISDF) guide focus. enabling them to contribute”. A mission that is underpinned by the values of Disaster Risk 2016 Informant to the content of this integrity, customer-centric responsiveness, transparent communications, Management Plan report managing resources responsibly, mutual respect and good governance Climate Change Must be Climate change considerations (Knysna Municipality, 2018). Adaptation Plan drafted have been identified in this report Local Integrated To be Current plan is an informant to 2.5.2 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) (2018/2019 Review) Transport Plan for reviewed the content of this report. The The Strategic Objectives and corresponding interventions relevant to the the Knysna and updated MSDF will need to be a guide to MSDF as identified in the draft Knysna IDP Review 2018/19 are presented in Municipality 2016 - (every 2 the review in terms of how the Table 22 in Annexure 1. 2021 (2016) years) ITP responds and supports the
growth and growth management The draft IDP Review presents an extensive, strategic analysis of the plans set out in the MSDF Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) facing Infrastructure Master A Completeness and Condition development in the KMA. Plans: Assessment on Infrastructure Assets is underway and will be 2.5.3 Sector Planning completed in the first quarter of The municipality is required to prepare a number of sector plans as statutory 2019 components of their IDP. These sector plans are important informants in the Electricity Under review MSDF can inform demand, preparation of an MSDF. At the same time, many of these sectors have a direct location and prioritisation impact on how the KMA develops and how the built environment performs, so Roads Must be MSDF to inform need and the MSDF should lead the approach to the preparation or review of sector drafted prioritisation plans, to ensure that they are implementing the spatial vision of the Pavement 2017 MSDF can inform prioritisation Municipality. Management System of rehabilitation Stormwater Master 2015 MSDF can inform prioritisation Table 3 below summarises the relevant sector plans, their status and whether Plan for Knysna CBD of rehabilitation they have informed the preparation of this report. Water Services 2013 Update to be informed by the Development Plan MSDF and its Capital Expenditure Framework Integrated Waste 2014 To be reviewed. Informant to the Management Plan MSDF. Table 3: Knysna Municipality Sector Plans: Status and Relationship to the MSDF
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- Basic electricity services to informal settlements/ housing developments 2.5.4 The Medium Term Municipal Budget - Upgrading of the Knysna Wastewater treatment works The Knysna Municipality’s Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure - Upgrading to bulk water supply at Charlesford and in the north-east. Framework (MTREF) for the 2018/2019 – 2020/2021 period identifies key (Knysna Municipality, 2018) challenges identified that need to be addressed:
The provincial and national government currently contribute 35% to the - Water Security (bulk water supply) Municipality’s capital budget. In the outer year this reduces to 25%. This is by - Improving waste water treatment capacity no means a secure supply of funding and is vulnerable to national revenue - Refurbishment of reticulation infrastructure collection and priorities. - Reducing fuel load and invasives
- Economic growth, development and job creation - Human settlement backlogs 2.5.5 The Municipality’s Long Term Financial Plan (2017) The municipality has a long term financial plan (LTFP) which it regularly Utility infrastructure is considered economic infrastructure - fundamental to updates. This plan considers the municipality’s long term financial promoting sustainable growth and reducing poverty. Water, wastewater, sustainability (INCA Portfolio Managers, 2018). electrical and road infrastructure upgrading and renewal is thus a priority and the proportion of the budget that is allocated to repairs and maintenance will The drivers of municipal operating costs include: steadily improve from 6.8% to 8.7% of the operating budget – improving its performance against the National Treasury’s benchmark. This is important as Travel time from economic centres the Knysna Municipality has consistently underperformed against this Settlement patterns benchmark (National Treasury, 2018). Nevertheless, these improved Scale and topography allocations remain limited, as can be seen from Table 4 below: Population size and household growth Poverty and unemployment (SALGA, 2016) Infrastructure 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Infrastructure standards in state subsidised housing projects Roads R26m R37.5m R39.5m Stormwater R1m R1m R1.1m The guidance the MSDF gives to the future development of urban areas, in Electricity R4.2m R4.9m R5.2m particular, in the Knysna Municipal Area can have a direct impact on the future Water Supply R10.4m R11m R11.5m costs to the municipality of meeting its service delivery obligations. The extent Sanitation R6.9m R7,4m R7.8m to which the MSDF and subsequent investment and land use management Solid Waste R874,000 R921,000 R972,000 decision-making directs the form and location of new development can also Community R1.7m R2.2m R2.2m impact on the costs to households of living and working in the KMA and the Facilities quality of settlements such that it can influence whether households that do Sport and R1.4m R1.5m R1.5m not currently pay rates may in future be able to do so. Currently, existing Recreation paying households are struggling to meet their obligations. This may however Facilities improve as Knysna recovers from the 2017 fire disaster. Table 4: MTREF allocations to repairs and maintenance (Knysna Municipality, 2018) Nevertheless, a key concern for the LTFP is that the population is growing The capital budget reduces over the MTREF period from R150.7 million to faster than the economy measured by Gross Value Add (GVA). If population R113.9 million in the outer year. The majority of this is allocated to investment growth is predominantly driven from the segment of the population that is too in trading services (energy, water, wastewater and waste management). poor to pay rates and services and high rates of unemployment (26.7% in Specifically this budget is allocated to: 2016) amongst a significant working age population persist, this will compromise the financial viability of the municipality. New businesses and - The surfacing of gravel roads households’ contribution to municipal revenue will reduce the pressure on KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 23 existing ratepayers to shoulder higher and higher costs. Economic growth that Direction needed for forestry villages and appropriate growth generates employment is therefore critical to the LTFP alongside the management importance of a streamlined, efficient municipality and enhanced asset Lack of clarity on proposed Transition Areas in the draft ISDF management - reinforcing the importance of the emphasis placed in the current Concerns regarding services availability and infrastructure capacities, medium-term budget of investing in existing infrastructure. While the pressure particularly with regard to water and wastewater treatment to invest in infrastructure will erode the Municipality’s Capital Replacement Greater recognition of slopes and topographical limitations to Reserves in the short term, this will need to become a priority for budgeting in development. the medium term to retain the Municipality’s ability to fund the safeguarding of its assets. The LTFP identifies the potential for the Knysna Municipality to While not all of these matters can be addressed in a MSDF or a SDF at borrow more. municipal scale, many can. The need for a specific exercise to review the urban edge to make it more cadastral specific and to consider the concerns raised 2.5.6 Stakeholder/ Public Input into Municipal Spatial Planning regarding the exclusion of properties with development rights has been In the processes of preparing the 2016 Integrated Spatial Development acknowledged as an issue that needs resolution. A process has been set up Framework and the subsequent preparation of the 2017 Synthesis Report, and to address this which will be based on a clear set of principles for the associated IDP public participation processes, there have been several delineation of an urban edge. opportunities for stakeholders and the general public to identify their concerns and opportunities that should be addressed by the MSDF.
The nature of what has been raised is summarised, very broadly, as follows:
Expectation of specific development proposals for local areas (e.g. Sedgefield and densification areas in Knysna town) and detail to the level of service and traffic master plans Missing reference to existing local area plans Lack of recognition of existing land use rights in specific instances and exclusion from the urban edge (e.g. inter alia Salt River Valley, Welbedacht and Farm Uitzight) Proposals to include certain areas into the urban edge or perceptions regarding inconsistency in what is included in and out of the urban edge, as well as arguments made to contract the urban edge in favour of densification Uneven focus in proposals Concern regarding IDP and SDF alignment Concern regarding SDF compliance with SPLUMA Concern regarding lack of Knysna specificity in proposals Economic Development Proposals Lack of direction to investments by other spheres and organs of government Lack of adequate identification of biodiversity assets and conservation priorities and policies (bioregional planning) Lack of adequate attention paid to climate change and sustainable development
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3 Knysna Municipal Area Status Quo 3.2 THE NATURAL AND RURAL ENVIRONMENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION 3.2.1 Topographic and Landscape Characteristics The Knysna Municipality is one of seven municipalities that form the Garden The Knysna Municipal Area (KMA) is endowed with a spectacular natural Route District. It is located on the Southern Cape Coast at the heart of the setting. The Outeniqua Mountains running parallel to the coastline form the Garden Route, bounded by Bitou Municipality (Plettenberg Bay) to its east and backdrop to an undulating forested landscape, drained by a number of rivers George Municipality to its north and west. It includes the towns of Knysna, with large water bodies in the low lying areas and sandy beaches sheltered by Sedgefield, smaller settlements of Karatara, Rheenendal, Buffalo Bay, rocky headlands and coastal dunes along the Indian Ocean coastline. This Brenton-on-Sea and numerous smaller hamlets and forestry villages. verdant landscape of outstanding scenic beauty (Western Cape Government, 2013) is of national significance and international renown and can be There are many studies that document the biophysical, socio-economic and considered as much an ecological, as it is an economic asset to the region. built environment characteristics, strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and Viewsheds are spectacular, giving name to the Garden Route. threats experienced in the Knysna Municipal Area. This report discusses those characteristics selectively, and in summary form, with a focus on those that Settlement in the KMA has predominantly occurred on the narrow coastal plain have spatial implications for current development planning and land use squeezed between the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and the rivers, management in the KMA in particular. lakes, wetlands and coastline. However, high and low density, rich and poor settlement has also now established itself on the hilltops surrounding the The first two sections of this chapter focus on the elements and systems that Knysna Lagoon to the north and east, along the N2 and to the east along the structure and underpin the possibility and sustainability of settlement in the coastline. Many quaint villages and hamlets in the KMA that have retained their KMA. The second two sections talk to the development trends and challenges character make their own contribution to the sense of place of the area that concern future planning of the KMA. alongside the natural and topographical splendour (Knysna Municipality, 2016). Throughout this report a distinction will be made between the whole Knysna Municipal Area and the settlements within it. Knysna town refers collectively to While the landscape offers character and amenity to human settlement, in the the Knysna town (including the Brenton and Belvidere areas), Hornlee and the urban context, the major landscape features constrain the scope for growth Northern Areas. and the efficiencies, savings and convenience possible from servicing development on flat terrain are not possible.
Figure 7 below presents the topographical character of the KMA.
Map 5: Locality Map for the Knysna Municipal Area KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 25
Figure 7: Topographic classification of the KMA (Knysna Municipality, 2016)
Map 6, Map 7 and Map 8 indicate the landscape features, elevation, slopes and aspect in the KMA.
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Map 6: Elevation and Landscape Features in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 7: Slopes in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 8: Aspect-Slopes in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.2.2 Water Resources and Systems These natural systems are under significant strain in the KMA. Strain from The rivers, lakes, estuaries and wetlands of the KMA are critical elements of pollution, the impacts of widespread alien vegetation infestation (clogging the the natural resource base offering a number of ecological services – services rivers and reducing surface run-off into the rivers) and from the drought that without which human settlement is not possible nor sustainable. They are has plagued the region for a number of years while extraction for household central to the landscape and amenity that makes the tourism economy possible use and irrigation purposes continues, in some cases unmanaged. Securing and they host endemic biodiversity species. the integrity of these systems is essential to the ability of human settlement to continue in the KMA. These systems are fed by an average annual rainfall of approximately 750mm. Most of the annual precipitation and run off is experienced in the northern rural SANPARKS have identified the need for the restoration of eight rivers in the and natural areas of the KMA. Map 9 presents Area Mean Precipitation and KMA to secure the ecosystem services they provide (e.g. water supply) and Map 10 presents Area Mean Annual Run-Off. from a biodiversity protection perspective:
The rivers provide the water that makes human settlement possible in the Knysna River (immediate priority) (supplies water to Knysna town) KMA. The estuaries and wetlands filtrate treated and non-treated effluent, Gouna River (immediate priority) (supplies water to Knysna town) polluted rivers and the stormwater that flows through them to the ocean. The Salt, Bigai and Bongani Rivers (immediate priority) lakes, estuaries and wetlands provide a buffer system, absorbing the impact Hoekraal of extreme weather events and more gradual change caused by climate Karatara (supplies water to Karatara and Sedgefield) change. For example, the inter-tidal salt marches along the shorelines of the Homtini / Goukamma (supplies water to Buffels Bay and Rheenendal) coastal estuaries create an effective erosion barrier against storm damage (Knysna Municipality, 2016). As a result of climate change storms are The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has identified all of increasing in intensity and frequency. the wetlands in the KMA as having been heavily or critically modified (CSIR, 2011). The hydrological systems not only provide a risk management service, they hold economic value. It is estimated that rivers and estuaries contribute R734.2 Map 11, Map 12 and Map 13 represent the hydrological context, rivers and million per year towards the gross output of R1 163.1 million per year in the wetlands condition and River Freshwater Priority Areas in the KMA Garden Route Coastal area (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018). respectively. Estuaries play a ‘nursery role’ for fish stocks. The Department of Water & Sanitation estimate that estuaries in the Western Cape are operating at 27% Knysna towns water requirements are fed by two dams, the Akkerkloof Dam of their original capacity. Lost services are valued at R675 million (Department and the Glebe Dam, fed by the predominantly the Gouna River, as well as the of Water & Sanitation, 2018). The amenity value of estuaries has also been Knysna River. Sedgefield has a desalination plant that supplies water in estimated in the form of annualised premiums associated with views and addition to the Karatara River. proximity for the Knysna municipal area’s estuaries; While there are boreholes in the KMA, ground water is not a significant source Estuary Value Rm/ year of water supply for settlements in the KMA. Aquifer type and yield is presented Wilderness R10.2 in Map 14. Swartvlei R16.4 Knysna R67.6 Extraction of water for human consumption purposes needs to be balanced Noetzie R0.1 with ensuring that the ecological functionality of the rivers is not compromised, Table 5: The value of estuaries to property value (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018)
KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 30 so as not to threaten the diverse floral and faunal species supported by these ecosystems. Land uses alongside the rivers need to be managed so as to manage the risk of polluted surface runoff into the rivers, too much run-off into the rivers or too little run-off. Alien vegetation infestation is not only a fire risk but also a key risk to water resources security. The removal of alien vegetation and fires also have consequences for the river systems as a result of increased surface run off and resulting siltation.
i. Water Governance The Knysna Municipal Area falls within the Breede Gouritz Water Management Area and Catchment Management Authority. The National Department of Water and Sanitation has gazetted limitations on seasonal bulk volume allocations in terms of the extraction of groundwater resources or domestic and industrial water use (curtailed by 45%) and for agricultural use by 60% in recognition of the fact that the region is suffering from sustained water resource shortages.
The Knysna Municipal Area falls within the G15 Coastal Integrated Unit of Analysis within the Gouritz – Coastal Area and is identified as a Water Resource Class II (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018), meaning that it is moderately used water resource condition or moderately altered from its pre- development condition (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018). The following water resource units have been prioritised in the Knysna municipal area (excluding groundwater which has also been prioritised):
River Estuary Wetland Karatara Wilderness Groenvlei Goukamma Swartvlei Wilderness Knysna Goukamma Gouna Knysna Noetsie Table 6: Prioritised Water Resource Units (Department of Water & Sanitation, 2018)
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Map 9: Mean Annual Precipitation in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 10: Mean Annual Run-off in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 11: Knysna Municipal Area Hydrological Context
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Map 12: The condition of rivers and wetlands in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 13: River Freshwater Priority Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 14: Aquifer Type and Yield in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.2.3 Climate and Climate Change iii. Storm Surges The KMA enjoys a mild climate with an average annual rainfall of The CSIR produced estimates of extreme values for realistic combinations of approximately 750mm. Temperatures range from 8oC in winter and 28oC in the inshore seawater level components as applicable to each SA coastal summer (Knysna Municipality, 2018). region. Based on these calculations and the wave conditions, estimates are made of the regional storm surge levels around the SA coast for the main Generally, Knysna can expect to experience higher temperatures, stronger offshore wave conditions. This provides a robust first-order coarse storm surge winds, more severe and frequent storm events and less precipitation as levels assessment for the SA coastal regions. impacts of climate change. A drier, hotter, windier climate feeds the risk, indeed the occurrence, of wildfire. Additionally, as a coastal municipality it will Return 1 5 10 25 30 40 50 100 experience sea level rise and erosion and inundation as a result of greater Period in storm intensities - wave action, winds and storm surges - which together will Years breach and overwhelm existing infrastructure. The consequent threats and Residual 0.65 0.86 0.9 0.94 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.99 damage will be felt by private property owners on low lying land or alongside sea level (m) the shoreline as well as the municipality’s own infrastructure. Predictions Table 7: Knysna Residual Sea Level (M to MSL) (CSIR, 2014) quoted in (Knysna associated with sea level rise, storm surges and coastal erosion are unpacked Municipality, 2016) below and drawn from information presented in the 2016 Draft ISDF for Knynsa. These values are used as the baseline for the storm surge. When added to the level of the Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) level (at the site) and the ii. Sea Level Rise (SLR) amount of SLR a hazard level (m to MSL) can be derived for the specific site, The CSIR concludes that the best estimate (or central estimate/mid scenario) climate change and return period. of SLR by 2100 is around 1m, with a plausible worst-case scenario of 2m and a best-case scenario (low estimate) of 0.5m. The corresponding best estimate The MHWS level at Knysna is 1.12 m (MSL)3 and from the table above the 1- (‘mid scenario’) projections for 2030 and 2050 are 0.15m and 0.35m in-50 year residual storm surge level is 0.96m (MSL). No wave run-up is respectively. considered within the Knysna Lagoon North West of LeisureIsland and the storm surge hazard (still water) level and without any consideration of SLR, It further concludes that the extreme wave conditions (all directions and amounts to 2.08 m (MSL). locations) off SA were determined to range from approximately 8 m to 11 m for 1-in-10-year events and from just over 9 m to just over 12 m for 1-in-50-year Allowing for an additional rise in water level due to wind setup and windwave events, respectively. This approximately corresponds to offshore significant ‘chop’ of an additional 0.5m, the current (no SLR included) 1-in-50 year hazard wave height (H’0) ranges from approximately 4 m to just under 11 m for 1-in- level is calculated at 2,6m MSL. Adding the defined SLR scenarios of 0,50 m 10-year events and from just under 5 m to just over 12 m for 1-in-50-year by 2050 and 1,0 m by 2100 gives the realistic storm surge hazard level to be events, respectively. used in long term planning for Knysna can be taken at 3,1 m MSL in 2050 and 3,6 m by 2100. Within the rest of the Knysna Lagoon the wave setup and run-up can be ignored. However, the sea level due to tides, the effects of barometric pressure iv. Coastal Erosion changes (the hydrostatic force) as well as the effect of winds blowing across While coastal erosion is a natural and cyclical process, natural patterns have the water body are considered. The effects of small wind-waves causing a been interfered with and its impact on the natural and built environment is a splash-over is also considered (CSIR, 2014) quoted in (Knysna Municipality, more permanent and severe risk to life and property. More frequent and severe 2016).
KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 38 storms as a consequence of climate change are exacerbating the impacts of coastal erosion.
The WCG have delineated a coastal management line for the Eden District Figure 9: Predicted future erosion of the Sedgefield coast based on wave energy including the KMA. This line is shown on Map 37. The purpose of this line is to regime/bay equilibrium (RHDV, 2018) demarcate areas along the shoreline that are too risky for development or are sensitive from social or biophysical point of view and so should be conserved Similarly, in Buffels Bay large engineered sandbags are being used to protect (Western Cape Government, 2018). This is a development setback line that properties from future erosion. The Coast Road to Buffels Bay is also being takes into consideration: undermined by erosion.
Coastal risks such as long-term erosion trends, sea level rise and storm surges The littoral active zone Sensitive coastal vegetation, especially coastal vegetation identified as being provincial conservation importance Areas of particular coastal quality or value such as primary dune systems and steep coastal cliffs Protected areas
Flood risks and the estuarine functional zone around estuaries Figure 10: Predicted future erosion of the Buffels Bay coast based on expert (Western Cape Government, 2018) geomorphological assessment (RHDV, 2018)
No compromises should be made to this line. However; the coastal management line will not deal with the fact that there is already human intervention in the natural processes to manage the risks to private property resulting from the inappropriate location of that development to start with; for example, temporary coastal erosion defences to avoid the risk of private properties being undermined by dune collapse in Myoli Beach, Sedgefield (RHDV, 2018). These efforts will be ongoing given predicted future erosion:
Figure 11: Predicted future erosion of the Buffels Bay coast based on wave energy regime/bay equilibrium (RHDV, 2018)
Figure 8: Predicted future erosion of the Sedgefield coast based on expert The Situational Analysis for the delineation of the Eden District Coastal geomorphological assessment (RHDV, 2018) Management Lines points out that:
‘’A conservative (larger) natural buffer area promotes the principle of a ‘precautionary approach’ when dealing with irreversible coastal development, and transformation of sensitive coastal ecology. In a
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data-poor assessment environment, a larger buffer implies a ‘no- regret’ position that may be refined over time. The alternative, using a minimum buffer, does not offer scope for the reversal of decisions regarding development in the future.’’ (RHDV, 2018)
Mechanisms for the appropriate management of existing land uses within areas facing coastal hazards are needed to minimise the creation of further risks and to manage the burden on the public fiscus to carry the costs of preventing or managing damage to private development inappropriately located or safeguarding public property from private interventions aimed at protecting their own property. The CML is also a line indicating where there should be no further intensification of development. Figure 12 below summarises the recommended approach to development management to manage risk associated with proximity to coastal systems.
Figure 12: Development control mechanisms to manage coastal risks (Western Cape Government, 2018)
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3.2.4 Biodiversity and Biodiversity Conservation altered rainfall patterns anticipated as a result of climate change also place The geology of the area supports two distinct biomes, namely Afrotemporate pressure on the survival of these systems, along with the increased risk of wild Forest and Fynbos, which include endangered endemic vegetation types such fires presented by all of these factors (Knysna Municipality, 2016). Threatened as Knysna Sand Fynbos and Garden Route Shale Fynbos, which are listed ecosystems are shown in Map 18. The extent of critically endangered, threatened ecosystems, of the 11 vegetation types occurring in the region. endangered and vulnerable ecosystems in the southern half and most settled area of the KMA is a key challenge for the MSDF to manage.
Preserving biodiversity is not only important to ecological functionality of life on earth and preventing and mitigating the risks of climate change it also presents economic opportunity for niche cultivation and processing and tourism value.
The Garden Route National Park and Conservation Areas are shown in Map 19. In addition, the Garden Route National Park Management Plan (Map 20) identifies areas subject to conservation agreements, priority expansion areas and areas which need to be carefully managed as buffer areas – collectively these can be understood as the ‘’conservation estate’’, the aim of which is to enable a functional landscape that promotes climate resilience. An explanation of these spatial categories for biodiversity management is set out in Annexure 2 provided by SANPARKS.
The 10-year GRNP expansion focus areas are as follows (SANPARKS, 2018):
a Contractual National Park Knysna Sand Fynbos (Western Heads) Gouna and Gouna River Map 15: Biomes in the Knysna Municipal Area Knysna River
Map 16 presents the broad vegetation types occurring in the KMA. Map 17 b Knysna Protected Environment (PE) - revise regulations and include: identifies the critical biodiversity areas in terms of the Western Cape Biospatial Garden Route Shale Fynbos Plan 2017. Gouna River MTO Plantations
Salt River Development Control Area SANPARKS’ Garden Route National park (GRNP) Landscape Functionality Programme identifies the possibility of adding 1,392ha of private land to Bongani Development Control Area conserve the Knysna Sand Fynbos through contractual arrangements. Only Bigai Development Control Area 1,478ha remain globally. Similarly, 465ha has been identified that can be Eastern Heads to Noetzie Coastal Corridor placed under voluntary protection to conserve the Garden Route Shale Steenbok Nature Reserve Fynbos. Aside from the threat to these ecosystems form urban and agricultural land use and alien vegetation infestation, the increased temperatures and c River restoration in expansion footprint
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Hoekraal: 10.6 km Karatara: 13.5 Km Homtini: 22.4 km Knysna: 11.6 km (priority) Gouna: 8.2 km (priority) Salt, Bongani and Bigai (priority) d Conservation agreements Bracken Hill-Parkes Conservation Corridor Homtini – Goukamma Corridor e Marine buffer 500 m from Noetzie to Sinclair/Harkerville: 3 km (adjacent to GRNP past Noetzie)
Wilderness Protected Environment (PE) - draft regulations for entire PE footprint.
f Wildlife movement corridors (and safe areas) – this aspect will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
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Map 16: Vegetation Types in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 17: Western Cape Biospatial Plan: Critical Biodiversity Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 18: Threatened Ecosystems in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 19: Protected Natural Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 20: Garden Route National Park Management Plan
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3.2.5 Agriculture and Forestries Farleigh has been seriously impacted on by the 2018 wildfire and the viability Cultivated land is predominantly under forestry in the KMA. This and the nature of their re-establishment is in question. of other agricultural land use activities in the KMA are identified in Map 22. Forestry and Irrigation Use is shown on Map 23 and the spatial concentration of Agriculture and Forestry in the KMA is shown in Map 24.
Harvesting of indigenous timber and subsequent large scale commercial forestry is at the heart of the beginnings of settlement and the economy in Knysna. It now holds a more minor share in the local economy but is nonetheless, an important one, supplying sawmills who in turn supply a critical raw material to the province and country’s construction industry and manufacturing sector for commercial packaging. The forestry sector remains viable, with reliable demand for its product, and is keen on growing to ensure sustainability. This sector is an important employer and stabiliser of the economy. In the short term there will be challenges to this sector as forestries affected by the fires must harvest large areas of timber prematurely, and there will of course be a long hiatus while the forests regrow.
The National Department of Forestry and Fisheries’ resolution of the future of the ‘’exit areas’’ that have not been set aside for conservation, is a key concern for the sector in search of additional land to secure its sustainability (Refer to Map 21). At the same time, the lack of management or capacity (in the case of exit areas assigned to SANPARKS) to manage these exit areas is becoming a liability in terms of invasive flora management and the associated fire risk and risk to the functionality of the area’s rivers. Map 21: Forestry Exit Areas
It is noted that forests are also protected under the National Forest Act 84 of 3.2.6 Mineral Resources 1998. The Garden Route forests are managed by SANPARKS and harvesting Map 25 is a simplified geology map identifying the geological regions. of indigenous timber is managed by SANPARKS. Mineral resources and mining activities in the KMA are identified in Map 26. Increasingly settlements of forestry workers are looking to be independent of The topographical nature of the landscape and the extent to which areas lie the Forestry landholding and are looking to the Municipality for the provision of under conservation protection limits the possibility of sand and stone formal services. This varies across forestry companies. Feasible methods of aggregate extraction (which would primarily be for construction purposes) as service delivery are a key concern for the municipality and will require inter- a significant economic activity in the KMA. governmental cooperation to find affordable and sustainable solutions. The Knysna Municipality has assessed some of the bosdorpies requirements in respect of bringing services and top structures to an acceptable standard. This is discussed further in section 3.3.3. of this report. Settlements such as
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Map 22: Forestry and Agricultural Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 23: Irrigation Use in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 24: Concentration of Rural Economic Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 25: Simplified Geology Map for the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 26: Mineral Resources and Mining Activity in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.3 BUILT ENVIRONMENT ASSETS AND SYSTEMS Windeuwels, Vrystaat, Swaneberg Table 8: Existing settlement hierarchy in the KMA 3.3.1 Settlement Hierarchy Settlements in the KMA can be described as follows and the location of the In the Knysna town it should be noted that over half of the population live in larger settlements is shown on Map 27: Human Settlement in the Knysna Municipal the Northern Areas, inclusive of Wit Lokasie, Flenters, Rhobololo, Qolweni. AreaMap 27. Edameni, Joodse Kamp, Corcordia, Bongani, Kayalethu, Kairo, Dam-se-Bos, Nekkies and Ou Pad (Knysna Municipality, 2016). These communities live on SETTLEMENT FUNCTION / ROLE SETTLEMENT steep slopes with unstable soils. TYPE Regional Main urban centre in terms of Knysna Town The number of erven and estimated population of 13 rural hamlets/ bosdorpies Service location of new housing, jobs, was assessed as part of a services assessment of these settlements Centre services and facilities with a focus commissioned by the Knysna Municipality. on development and densification. The centre hosts main health, ESTIMATED education, cultural facilities as well SITE ERVEN as government services. As an POPULATION economic hub it contains industry BERGVALLEI 10 40 and the services and retail sub- sector. FARLEIGH 30 180 Specialised Urban centres with a special Sedgefield REDLANDS Area largely unused, 1 formal structure Coastal function (often tourism related) as Buffels Bay Centres well as a role in terms of servicing ELANDSKRAAL Abandoned area the surrounding areas and KRAAIBOSCH 10 50 containing a mix of economic BIBBYSHOEK 7 30 activities and services Villages Meeting the local convenience Rheenendal GOUDVELD 40 50 needs with basic social facilities for Karatara WINDHEUWELS 10 50 the resident population and surrounding rural communities SPRINGFIELD 13 80 Rural hamlets/ Small residential clusters without Charlesford, BRACKENHILL 10 50 bosdorpies commercial or business uses Bergvallei, Bibby’s VRYSTAAT 36 150 Hoek; Barrington; Kraaibosch, Noetzie, MIDDEL ERF 12 100 Buffelsnek, SWANEBERG 7 35 Springfield, Middelerf, TOTAL 185 815 Gouna, Homtini, Table 9: Estimated erven and population in 11 rural hamlets (V3 Consulting Engineers, Brackenhill, 2018) Modderhoek, Keurhoek, Farleigh, Goudveld,
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Map 27: Human Settlement in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.3.2 Transport Infrastructure Regional connections are shown in Map 28 and accessibility including the road network and classification is shown in Map 29. i. Regional Connectivity The N2 is the primary road-based infrastructure linking the two main ii. Local Accessibility settlements of the KMA, Knysna town and Sedgefield to each other and to the There is no publicly run public transport system in the KMA. Public transport in region and beyond – from a people and freight perspective. Lower order roads Knysna town and between Knysna town and Rheenendal is provided primarily connect Knysna northwards to its hinterland. by informal mini-bus taxis and a privately operated bus service operates between towns (ACE Consulting, 2016). There is no airport in Knysna, the closest national airport is located in George about an hour’s drive away. Knysna is also not presently linked to the region, The Western Cape Education and Transport Departments provide scholar province or nationally via an operational rail service, passenger or freight. The transport. infrastructure is there but has not been maintained and in parts will be prohibitively expensive to rehabilitate and rehabilitation may not be sustainable
- given its proximity to the coastline in parts. A concession has been awarded to
on
-
revive the railway line between Knysna town and Sedgefield, primarily for tourism purposes.
Five long distance bus services operate through Knysna and Sedgefield Brenton Brenton Sea Buffels Bay Knoetzie Knysna Rheenendal Sedgefield connecting them to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban (ACE Consulting, 2016) Brenton 0 3.2 23 25.7 14.9 25 27.1
The lack of alternative high order entry and exit points, aside from the N2 in Brenton-on- the case of Knysna and Sedgefield, is a cause for concern from a risk 3.2 0 21.9 24.6 13.8 23.9 26 management perspective and was keenly felt in the recent fire disaster. Sea
The proposed N2 bypass, which would provide an alternative east-west Buffels Bay 23 21.9 0 31.3 20.6 26.5 22 connection to the current N2 through Knysna town, is on a long term trajectory. A portion of the land reserved to enable this has been made available for housing development. Environmental impact assessments that still need to be Knoetzie 25.7 24.6 31.3 0 10.8 33.4 35.5 done following the finalisation of the re-alignment and the allocation of resources for implementation, are likely to be difficult given the sensitivity of the environment in this area. A re-alignment of the N2 through Knysna town as Knysna 14.9 13.8 20.6 10.8 0 22.6 24.7 an alternative measure will impact on land use management associated with the intersections where the new roads connect to old roads. Clarity on the Rheenendal 25 23.9 26.5 33.4 22.6 0 30.6 future of the N2 bypass and/ or re-alignment is needed as it is impacting on the investment decisions of the Department of Health for example due to accessibility considerations. The MSDF will need to give guidance in this Sedgefield 27.1 26 22 35.5 24.7 30.6 0 regard Table 10: Approximate distances (km) between the major settlements within the KMA (ACE Consulting, 2016)
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The Knysna Local Integrated Transport Plan 2016 – 2022 (LITP) points out low. Topography and distance challenge accessibility by NMT for the poorer that 2km is the average walking distance that a person will feel comfortable residents given the apartheid pattern of settlement and the subsequent with and 4-5km cycling distance. This is of course dependent on the gradient, continuation of this pattern and NMT infrastructure is poor. Many are therefore quality of walking and cycling infrastructure, and real or perceived safety and reliant on minibus taxis (MBT). Figure 14 shows the MBT ranks and routes in security. The distances to the outer suburbs of Knysna town are illustrated in Knysna town. Residents walk to main roads to access MBT services – the Figure 13. The other settlements are much smaller and flatter and therefore an extent to which they permeate residential areas is limited by steep gradients able-bodied person can move around within them relatively easily by foot or and poor road surfaces (ACE Consulting, 2016). bicycle, albeit the latter is not popular. While non-motorised infrastructure (cycling and walking) is provided in the town centres, the quality deteriorates in the suburban or township areas and is non-existent in rural settlements. Most learners in the KMA move around on foot. Pedestrian safety is therefore a key concern (ACE Consulting, 2016). Ten learner transport routes operate to bring learners to primary and high schools in Knysna town and Rheenendal from remoter areas.
K
Figure 14: Rank locations and minibus taxi movements in Knysna town (ACE Consulting, 2016)
The Municipality is responsible for the provision and maintenance of the taxi ranks. Table 11 identifies the location and condition of these ranks (ACE Consulting, 2016). Figure 13: Distance from Knysna CBD to furthest suburbs (ACE Consulting, 2016) Knysna town is the most challenged by mobility constraints. Car ownership is
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public access to public resources; such as, coastal amenities and scenic On/Off Town Location Type Condition routes, as well as public convenience within Knysna town particularly for Street pedestrians. The MSDF will need to provide a principled approach to the Knysna Nelson Street Formal Off Paved management of requests for road closures and planning to improve public Sanlam Mall R399 Informal Off Good accessibility in the municipal area over the long term. Sunridge Hornlee Informal Off Good Street Access routes of concern are: White location Gray Street Informl Off Good - The Noetzie Ring Road - Access for trucks between the N2 and the industrial area and the Sedgefield Vink Street Formal Off Paved impact of freight movement on affected residential areas Table 11: Formal and informal taxi rank locations (ACE Consulting, 2016) - Links to the private hospital - Roads in and out of Costa Sada Congestion in the Knysna CBD is a challenge in peak season. The LITP - Sunninghill Drive identifies the need to encourage public parking facilities on private property, as - Public access to Leisure Isle. well as the need for more parking for disabled people.
iii. Transport Needs The Knysna LITP identifies the following transport needs in Knysna that are relevant to the development of the MSDF: Upgrading of George Rex Drive and extension of the cycle path along George Rex Drive towards The Heads. The existing path is commonly used by recreational cyclists but ends shortly after Vigilence Drive. The informal settlements of Hornlee and Concordia are within walking and cycling distance from Knysna city centre. Sidewalks should/ are been constructed to facilitate NMT. Currently there is a problem with trucks overnighting in Sedgefield. An overnight truck facility could be introduced at the Market area which is held west of the town. This will support the idea of introducing overnight facilities along the N2 for trucks to make use of as there is currently located at The Crags in Bitou and Albertinia in Kannaland. Due the steep incline on the way to Hornlee and Concordia it is suggested that the possibility of using the abandoned rail reserve as a cycle route be explored.
In addition, the upgrade of the R339 to Uniondale has been identified, and the need for the road between Rheenendal and Karatara to be tarred.
A number of local roads are closed off to public access or are proposed to be closed off. This is a concern from the perspective of spatial justice, in terms of
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Map 28: The Knysna Municipal Area's Regional Connectivity
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Map 29: Accessibility within the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.3.3 Utility Infrastructure capacity of 39.03 Ml’s per day. Therefore in 2016/17 the municipality had a The Knysna 2017 - 2022 IDP (2017) and subsequent review in 2018 outline, utilisation rate of only 53%. The utilisation rate does however have significant at a high level, the current bulk infrastructure capacity and constraints for all variation per town, ranging from 11% in Buffels Bay to 56% in Knysna municipal engineering services. This information is further elaborated in the (accounting for both Knysna Water Treatment Plant and RO plant). municipal sector planning studies which include: Water Services Development Plan (2013 Waste Characterisation Study Knysna Municipality GLS water and waste water system data 2016/17 Eden District PMS report 2017 Knysna CBD Storm water Masterplan 2017
A high-level synopsis of the status quo for each service is provided below based on these documents and data. From a bulk infrastructure perspective, the critical constraints at a municipal wide scale are currently waste water treatment capacity and roads backlog rehabilitation. The waste water treatment capacity constraint is particularly acute in the town of Knysna and will likely curtail backlog reduction and new growth until the WWTW upgrade is completed. Water treatment capacity is sufficient at 2016/17 consumption Figure 15: Water Treatment Capacity in the KMA rates however further detailed analysis of consumption trends will need to be completed in order to determine the realistic total water demand going forward. v. Waste water According to the 2016/17 data several waste water treatment works (WWTW’s) The IDP also indicates that there are bulk constraints at the local level, stating in Knysna are operating at well above design capacity. According to the data that bulk services and infrastructure will need to be upgraded in Rheenendal, the Knysna WWTW utilisation rate was 159% of current design capacity, the Karatara and Sedgefield in order for the municipality to proceed with any Sedgefield WWTW was 126% and the Karatara WWTW at 99% of current human settlement projects in these areas. capacity. Given the assumed reduction in water consumption over the period, Municipal infrastructure is indicated in Map 30. the resulting utilisation rates of the WWTW’s must be addressed in order to accommodate new growth or address existing backlogs. iv. Water A primary concern for the Municipality is a constrained raw water storage capacity evidenced in the recent drought. In this regard the municipality is conducting a feasibility study for the establishment of a dam in the upper Knysna River.
Currently the 2017/18 water demand analysis studies have not been completed and therefore all water and waste water data obtained for this review are for 2016/17. Given that this data represents the height of the Western Cape drought, water demand would be artificially lowered by a significant proportion. Given this in 2016/17 there was a total average annual demand per day of 19.71 Ml’s for Knysna as a whole, compared to a design
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vii. Roads The municipality updated its pavement management system (PMS) in 2017 and includes an inventory and asset condition assessment of all municipal roads. It shows that currently the condition of roads in Knysna presents a challenge with over 50% of roads in ‘poor’ condition.
In total the report estimates that approximately R100 million would be required to undertake the necessary rehabilitation of 67km’s of the road network. Of this the paved network backlog for the KLM accounts for at least R83m. The PMS further states that the identified network improvement programmes should be implemented as a matter of urgency since remaining pavement surface life will certainly not last for more than eight and a half (8.55) years, whilst the
Figure 16: Wastewater Treatment Capacity in the KMA remaining pavement structural life will not survive over fifteen (15.5) years.
viii. Stormwater Bulk capacity availability is unclear in the IDP. In the 2018 IDP waste water Information available on the current state of stormwater infrastructure and treatment capacity is identified as a bulk constraint for the Municipality capacity in Knysna is limited however a high level stormwater master plan for currently, with the Knysna WWTW near capacity but the Sedgefield WWTW the Knysna CBD was completed in 2015. The masterplan indicated that there upgrading already being underway with significant capacity increases being are 340 pipes which are under capacity, resulting in a high level of surcharging realised. However, the 2017 IDP states that a major upgrade and and node flooding in the CDB catchment. An estimated upgrade cost of over refurbishment of the Knysna and Sedgefield waste water treatment works is R 10 million was provided at the time to rectify the stormwater backlogs. now complete and which would allow additional capacity that would “certainly unlock development potential and attract investment to the area and facilitate ix. Solid waste the implementation of residential development”. However approximately R22 The Municipality currently has sufficient capacity to collect refuse on a weekly million has been budgeted for the upgrade of the Knysna WWTW over the basis for all customers in the municipality, according to its IDP. Knysna is one 2017/18 – 2020/21 period so it is assumed that the capacity upgrade is of three municipalities party to a PPP to develop a new regional landfill at ongoing. Mossel Bay. The new regional landfill will have a lifespan of approximately 50 years and therefore landfill airspace does not currently pose a challenge to the
vi. Electricity municipality. The Knysna Waste Transfer Station is also currently being According to the Municipal IDP, Knysna has been severely constrained in the upgraded to enhance solid waste compaction capacity prior to transporting it past by Eskom supply capacity to the municipality. However recent network to Mossel Bay. upgrades by Eskom have resulted in a considerable capacity allowance surplus for Knysna. This upgrade has provided sufficient bulk capacity such x. Services to rural hamlets or ‘bosdorpies’ that the IDP (2017) states that there is sufficient capacity “to deliver bulk A number of rural hamlets or bosdorpies are approaching the Municipality for electricity services for any current or future residential or commercial improved services and top structures, this is often in the context of tenure in developments in the area”. However, the IDP (2017) further notes that the bulk these settlements being handed over to the residents from the forestry infrastructure in the Northern Areas of Knysna are currently at capacity but the companies. In 2018 the Municipality did an assessment of 13 of these Department of Energy has committed itself to provide funds for the necessary settlements to assess current services, identify what is required to bring upgrades to address this. services to an acceptable standard and estimate the cost of this. Total costs
KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 62 vary significantly across settlements. The total cost is estimated to be R16,929,761.23 including improvements to top structures.
xi. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Connectivity to the internet is increasingly considered a basic service alongside water and sanitation, for example. Access to the internet is a crucial means to access information and overcome the burden of distance in economic activity and social services. Where government has struggled for centuries to improve services to, and economic development opportunities for rural communities, new possibilities emerge with virtual access to information, services and resources on the internet.
The speed, quality and affordability of internet access is a fundamental precondition for economic growth. ICT enables people in the services sector to choose where they want to live and to work from there rather than have to live where the work is. This starts to make it possible for places like Knysna that offer a high quality lifestyle for many, to attract residents who can contribute to the local economy in different ways. For these reasons, local governments are increasingly seeing an important role for themselves in securing reliable and affordable ICT connectivity, alongside the WCG that has a programme to provide free digital access at schools and other public facilities, with infrastructure that local government in turn can leverage.
The Knysna Municipality has a comprehensive broadband strategy to plan connectivity roll out across the KMA as an economic enabler via the installation and management of a new fibre network. Planned routes for fibre installation are in place for Knysna town, Sedgefield, Karatara and Rheenendal with microwave links used to connect the areas.
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Map 30: Municipal utility infrastructure in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.3.4 Social Infrastructure considerable housing pipeline and the need for education facilities that this Social infrastructure in the KMA is presented in Map 27. In addition to the generates is to also be addressed. Notwithstanding backlogs identified above, education and health facilities, the Knysna Central Park is identified as a the 2016 Draft ISDF, based on Census 2011 figures and its own population strategic project to develop a major, inclusive public space (Knysna projections to 2030, estimates that between 5 and 7 new schools will be Municipality, 2018). required.
i. Education A residential and ancillary facilities market study conducted by Demacon The Western Cape Education Department has identified an under-provision (or (2018) for the KMA suggests that there is moderate demand for a private utilisation of 124%) of schools in the circuit within which the KMA falls and in school by 2019. particular, of high schools (Western Cape Education Department, 2017) although the provision of a primary school in Concordia is an urgent need ii. Health where over 700 pupils are being transported to school and a temporary facility Table 12: Public health facilities in the KMATable 12 identifies public health is catering for the foundation phase learners. The KMA has 20 schools, 16 of facilities present in the KMA, in addition to a private hospital in Knysna town. which are primary schools and 16 of which are no-fee schools. Four schools are considered to be over-utilised, three in the Knysna town area and the Name Location primary school in Sedgefield. 8 schools do not have libraries; however, only Hornlee Clinic Hornlee, Knysna, Eden two do not have access to a community library either. The learner-teacher ratio Karatara Satellite Clinic Karatara, Knysna, Eden has increased to 40.3% in 2015. Learner enrolment has increased, but so has the drop-out rate and matric pass rates have declined (Knysna Municipality, Keurhoek Clinic Knysna Municipal Offies, Eden 2018). Knysna Town Clinic Knysna Municipal Offices, Eden
Knysna Hospital Knysna and Bitou, Eden There are presently no tertiary education facilities in the KMA. The 2016 Draft ISDF and the Garden Route Rebuild Strategy identified the need for a tertiary Sedgefield Clinic Sedgefield, Knysna, Eden level skills facility in the region. Consideration will need to be given to an Wit Lokasie Clinic Wit Lokasie, Knysna, Eden appropriate location for such a facility, whether provided by the state or the private sector and the reservation of land for this purpose, should land be Keurhoek Mobile Clinic Keurhoek, Knysna, Eden available in such a suitable location. The location should not be determined by Knysna District Municipality Mobile Knysna Municipal Offices, Eden the expediency of land ownership but by the best location to ensure Clinic accessibility and spin-off benefits for the town (opportunities to respond to the Sedgefield Mobile Clinic Sedgefield, Eden need for affordable accommodation, capturing economic opportunities arising Table 12: Public health facilities in the KMA (ACE Consulting, 2016) from student activity and increased footfall, etc). Consideration will also need to be given to enabling such a facility to be accessible to the region, beyond More complex procedures require patients to go to the George District Hospital the KMA. (ACE Consulting, 2016) and the Knysna LITP identifies the need for a subsidised transport scheme to assist patients to access this hospital. As Knysna’s economy is increasingly bound to the tertiary sector, a skilled population is key to any significant economic growth prospects. The adequacy The residential and ancillary facilities market study conducted by Demacon and performance of its educational institutions (from early childhood (2018) for the KMA suggests that there could be the market for an additional development facilities right through to tertiary education opportunities) should private health facility of 48 beds by 2033. This would of course depend on be a key developmental concern. This requires particular focus if the progress with regard to the implementation of a national health service.
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iii. Cemeteries The Knysna Municipality notes that half of the Knysna Municipality’s cemeteries are operational. All of them are nearing the end of their capacity. Land is a key concern. Land identified close to the Knysna town has also been earmarked for housing and a waste water treatment works. Knysna town will need a new cemetery within two years.
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3.3.5 Heritage and Scenic Resources The Heritage and Scenic Resources: Inventory and Policy Framework for the Section 30(5) of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 makes Western Cape (2013) identifies a summary of resource assets and an provision for heritage inventories to be prepared at the time of the compilation accompanying series of policies and guidelines applicable to natural, rural, of a spatial development framework. Section 31(1) requires that “A planning ancient landscapes, scenic routes/ passes and cultural resources worthy of authority must at the time of revision of a town or regional planning scheme, or formal protection, many of which are found in the KMA and are shown in Map the compilation or revision of a spatial plan,[ ], investigate the need for the 26. These will need to inform the development of policy guidelines in the designation of heritage areas to protect any place of environmental or cultural MSDF. interest” (Western Cape Government, 2013). Securing public access to heritage and scenic resources is an important Knysna town is itself a historic settlement designated as a conservation area consideration for an MSDF and is linked to realising the SPLUMA principle of in the Knysna Zoning Scheme and subject to the oversight of a Heritage and spatial justice. The public’s right of access to the coastal zone is enshrined in Aesthetic Advisory Committee. A heritage survey for Knysna town was the NEMA: Integrated Coastal Management Act No 24 of 2008 (ICMA). In the conducted in 2009. Heritage Western Cape (HWC) consider the current case of access to coastal resources, the WCG has conducted a Coastal Heritage Inventory unsatisfactory/ out of date. The inclusion of a Heritage Access Audit for the Eden District (2018) and a draft Provincial Coastal Inventory in a MSDF is considered a compliance issue by the HWC. Resolution Access Strategy and Plan (2017). The expectation is that the municipality of this matter is beyond the scope of this report and the draft MSDF to follow designates coastal access land, failing which the WCG can do so. A key and will need to be addressed separately between the Knysna Municipality and concern for the municipality is to prevent private encroachment onto public HWC as an ongoing concern and action item in the MSDF Implementation land and private actors preventing public parking. Public coastal access Framework. points for Knysna identified in this study are listed in Table 13 below.
A preliminary identification of cultural landscapes of significance is presented in Map 31 and is under review by local specialists. Historic and/ or scenic mountain passes that occur in the KMA are:
the Seven Passes between Knysna and George Prince Alfred Mountain Pass between Knysna and Avontuur Garden of Eden Pass between Knysna and Uniondale Homtini Pass between Rheenendal and Barrington Phantom Pass between Knysna and Rheenendal
The Knysna Urban Conservation Guidelines (2010) note heritage sites that should be investigated for proclamation purposes such as, inter alia, the Knysna Heads, Brenton Butterfly Reserve, the Natural Forest Reserves. The 2016 Draft Integrated Spatial Development Framework notes that ‘the von Kervelsvlei deserves special mention as a peat bog of great age, worthy of national heritage status’.
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Coastal Access Point Action required Buffalo Bay Maintenance - road access - wooden ramp access - (North) public access ramp - Caravan park - Paragliding launch Enforce by-laws New launch site Formalise Old Boat launch site Maintenance Brenton-On-Sea Maintenance Millionaire’s Beach Maintenance The Southern Right Enforce maintenance arrangements Jaap se Baai Maintenance Sedgefield Maintenance Myoli Beach Maintenance required – linked to desalination plant Swartvlei Maintenance Brenton paragliding Enforce by-laws Leisure Isle Maintenance The Heads Maintenance Thesen Island Enforce public access arrangements Coney Glen Maintenance Eastern Head Maintenance Noetzie Enforce management and maintenance arrangements Table 13: Knysna Public Coastal Access Points (WCG, 2018)
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Map 31: Heritage and Scenic Resources in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRENDS AND CHALLENGES HOUSEHOLD PROJECTIONS **assuming 2.9 people per household (2016 Census Estimate for Knysna) No. of No. of No. of No. of 3.4.1 Population and Population Growth households households households households The population of the KMA in 2018 is estimated to be 75,286 people (Stats SA/ Settlement 2018 2023 2028 2030 Western Cape Government , 2018) and approximately 25,877 households Knysna 19496 20940 23094 24015 (Knysna Municipality, 2017). Between 2011 and 2016 the population grew at Sedgefield 3358 3607 3978 4136 Rheenendal 1.1%. In the next five years the population is estimated to grow at 1.6% and 1575 1692 1866 1940 Karatara thereafter at 2%. This is a higher growth rate than is estimated for the district, 333 357 394 410 Buffelsbaai 21 23 26 27 the province and the Cape Town metropole (Stats SA/ Western Cape Knysna Rural 1179 1266 1396 1452 Government , 2018). Total 25961 27885 30753 31979
Table 14: Household Projections to 2030 across the KMA (Stats SA/ Western Cape In five years’ time the population is estimated to be 80,867 people and in 10 Government , 2018) years’ time, 89,185 people (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018). A disaggregation of the population growth projections per settlement in the The KMA has a young population, 51% of the population is below 30 years of Knysna municipal area is presented in Figure 18: Knysna Municipal Area age. 67% are of an economically active age. Settlement Population ProjectionsFigure 18.
Household sizes have gradually been reducing and at 2016 were an average of 2.9 persons with larger households in Rheenendal and Karatara as opposed to the Knysna town area (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018). Population growth coupled with smaller household sizes places increases pressure on space for accommodation.
The Knysna town area makes up 75% of the population of the KMA, and Sedgefield 12,9% (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018). The KMA population is very much urbanised.
Figure 17: KMA Age Profile (Knysna Municipality, 2018)
Population growth will have an impact on the demand for services and social facilities.
Average monthly household income is understood to be R12,713.00 (Demacon, 2018).
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Figure 18: Knysna Municipal Area Settlement Population Projections (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018)
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3.4.2 The Economy adding manufacturing industries. The predominance of the tertiary sector talks Knysna’s Gross Domestic Product is on a downward trend and is estimated to to the centrality of the tourism economy in Knysna and the fact that the have contracted in 2017 due to the fire disaster as is shown in Figure 19. environment and its quality is crucial to the sustainability of this sub-sector, as well as other sub-sectors such as finance and real estate that are drawn to the quality of life and amenity of working from Knysna.
The formal sector employs 72% of economically active segment of the population, and the informal sector, 28%. Between 2006 and 2016 there was a 1.2% average employment growth rate. The bulk of labour are semi-skilled (43.8%), 34.7% are low skilled and 21.4% skilled (Knysna Municipality, 2017). Unemployment has been steadily increasing in Knysna and the official unemployment rate is estimated to be 20.3% in 2017 (Western Cape Government, 2018).
Building plans are an indicator of economic activity in a municipality. The figures below show residential and non-residential building activity. It should be borne in mind that this activity will have been distorted by the fire disaster recovery process.
Figure 19: GDPR growth per municipal area in the Garden Route District, 2007 - 2017 (Western Cape Government, 2018)
The tertiary sector contributed 71.8% to the GDPR in Knysna, followed by 23.7% by the secondary (manufacturing and construction) sector and 4.5% by the primary (agricultural/ resources) sector. Within the tertiary sector, finance, insurance, real estate and business services made the largest contribution (24.8%), followed by wholesale and retail trade, catering and accommodation (18.6%). The Western Cape Government’s 2018 Municipal Economic Review and Outlook (MERO) points out that the tertiary sector and manufacturing are Figure 20: Residential Building Activity in Knysna (Western Cape Government , 2018) ‘highly dependent on the strength and stability of the national economy, [ ], as well as the local agriculture, forestry and fishing sector that provides input for agro-processing.’. Knysna’s top three manufacturing sub-sectors are wood, paper, publishing and printing; food, beverages and tobacco; and petroleum products, chemicals, rubber and plastic. This reinforces the importance of the forestries to the local economy, providing timber to the sawmills and value
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3.5 SETTLEMENT TRENDS AND CHALLENGES
3.5.1 Housing Demand & Delivery Housing demand is going to be a key driver of urban growth in the KMA for the foreseeable future as population growth both through natural growth and in- migration continues. The need will primarily come from sectors of the population in need of state assistance and therefore the products available to respond to this demand will be severely constrained by affordability and the means of the state to respond. Given that the state’s capacity is limited and there are many households competing for the same pot of resources provincially and indeed nationally, informal settlement is likely to remain. The key challenge is to find ways of spatially accommodating demand in ways that result in a sustainable urban form and enable incremental, progressive improvement over time, largely driven by households themselves. Another Figure 21: Non-residential building activity in Knysna (Western Cape Government , 2018) critical challenge is how infrastructure and social facilities will keep up with this A young, under-skilled, job-seeking population, that is growing, and a trend in growth. Housing development pipelines need to be aligned with utility declining labour productivity and economic growth coupled with a predominant infrastructure planning and implementation. sector that requires skilled labour and has a tendency towards jobless growth presents a very real challenge and risk to the Knysna Municipality. The majority of those living in the KMA live in a formal dwelling structure, 80% (Knysna Municipality, 2018). 20% of residents live in an informal dwelling. The Knysna Municipality’s Economic Development Strategy is under review Slightly more live in an informal backyard dwelling compared to those who live and was not available at the time of preparing this report. However, situational in a stand-alone informal dwelling (Knysna Municipality, 2018). research undertaken in preparation for developing this strategy suggests that agriculture, manufacturing and tourism are the economic sectors with the An understanding of the current tenure status of households is reflected in greatest comparative advantage. The development of these sectors and the Figure 22 below. overall performance of the economy will stimulate growth in the performance of other derived demand sectors such as finance and business services. The improvement of transport linkages and communication systems and technology are identified as playing an important enabling role in the economy (Urban Econ, 2018).
Figure 22: Tenure status of households in the KMA (Demacon, 2018)
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While the number of households living in informal dwellings has decreased to LAND PROJECTIONS (@ 25 du / ha) 20% in 2016, the Knysna Municipality has also progressively been able to Future land requirements for new housing, assuming a future gross dwelling unit density of 25du/ha: improve access to basic services for the majority of its citizens. New New New households Households Land households Land between Land Required between 2018 Required by between 2018 - Required by Settlement 2018 – 2023 by 2023 (ha) - 2028 2028 2030 2030 (ha) Knysna 1445 58 3599 144 4519 181 Sedgefield 249 10 620 25 778 31 Karatara 24 1 61 2 77 3 Rheenendal 117 5 291 12 365 15 Buffelsbaai 2 0 4 0 5 0 Total new households in urban areas 1837 73 4575 183 5745 230 Knysna Rural 87 218 273 Table 16: Estimated land required based on projected population growth
This need may or may not be met, in part or in full, but both the public and private sectors.
Figure 23: Service Delivery Backlogs (Knysna Municipality, 2018) These figures are fairly crude and do not for instance differentiate between The estimated number of dwelling units needed per annum to meet demand income groups, types of housing required and the extent to which government resulting from population growth going forward is presented in Table 15 below. assistance will be needed to meet the demand. This does not include backlogs. An earlier study by Urban Econ (2013) and a more recent study by Demacon Knysna sub-place Dwelling units needed per annum (2018) has indicated that the bulk of the demand will be in lower income Buffelsbaai 0 brackets requiring a full subsidy or partial subsidy such as offered by the FLISP Karatara 5 or Social Housing programmes. Knysna 650 Rheenendal 20 Demacon suggests that households will fall into the following housing Sedgefield 65 categories by 2028 as shown in Figure 24, 80% of which will need to be provided in Knysna town and 10% in Sedgefield with the remaining 10% in Rural areas 9 Table 15: Estimated dwelling units needed per annum to meet population growth from other settlements in the KMA. While population estimates and projections differ 2018 (Stats SA/ Western Cape Government , 2018) across sources the proportion of demand across housing products is likely to be consistent. Working on a simple formula, the additional land required to meet this new demand on the basis of development at an average of 25 dwelling units per ha (gross) is presented in Table 16 below. Again this does not include backlogs. It should also not be assumed that new land on the periphery is required – more optimum, efficient utilisation of existing urban land should be the starting point to address this need. However, there are real constraints to growth in the Sedgefield and Knysna areas which is a key concern.
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challenge in Knysna and Sedgefield, albeit here too there are parts of these settlements that are developed at very low densities.
i. Informal Settlements The informal settlements in the KMA and their categorisation in terms of the national categorisation process are listed in Table 17 below. The settlements shaded in blue have been comprehensively profiled. The settlements in grey require further investigation.
Figure 24: Residential Market Analysis: Total Household Growth (Demacon, 2018)
The housing backlog, i.e. people currently living in inadequate housing is more difficult to pin down. The draft HSP provides the following figures: Households in informal structures (including backyard dwellers), based on 2014 and 2015 figures comes to 5 251 whereas the Provincial housing demand database reflected a figure of 9 748 in 2015. There is no indication that these discrepancies have been resolved to date, but it would safe to say that there is significant demand for subsidised housing in the KMA, particularly in the Knysna Northern Areas, Hornlee and Sedgefield.
A source of increasing frustration is the prioritisation of land for formal human settlement development at the expense of using this land for other necessary municipal functions. For example, in Sedgefield, a site identified for housing has also been earmarked for a satellite fire station; in Nekkies temporary housing was placed on a site identified for a new green waste site; and in Windheuwel the same piece of land is planned for a cemetery, housing and a waste water treatment works. While this issue may highlight concerns regarding internal coordination of sector planning, it also talks to the significant land constraint facing the municipality and the difficulty of balancing competing needs for space for uses that in fact depend on one another; i.e. one cannot have sustainable human settlement without adequate wastewater treatment capacity and space to store and process waste.
Land within the urban edge to accommodate growth does not appear to be a problem in the settlements of Rheenendal and Karatara, albeit there may be other, environmental reasons why the edge may need to be amended. Karatara is also currently developed at a very low density. There is however a
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Informal Category Age Structure Provincial Municipal ii. The Housing Delivery Pipeline Settlement Count Ranking Ranking The main housing delivery programme presently is the Southern Cape Corridor Khayalethu B1 20+ 62 U6 1 Development (SCCD) Programme under the auspices of the National South Department of Human Settlements, the Western Cape Government, the HDA, Bloemfontein A 16 – 20 156 U8 2 the Knysna Municipality and the Bitou Municipality. This programme has a potential yield of 9,405 opportunities. The projects identified within this Soweto A 20+ 393 U9 3 programme are listed in Table 18 below. Love Corner B1 20+ 40 U12 4 Municipality Project Name Insitu Status Project Status Phasing Nekkies East B1 20+ 1007 U13 5 Short Term MEDIUM LONG TERM Knysna KNCD-Ethembeni On-going Project Implementation Qolweni B1 20+ 66 U20 6 Knysna KNCD- Sout Rivier Informal Settlements Planning Knysna KNCD-Endloveni Informal Settlements Inception White Location A 16 – 20 120 U31 7 Knysna Kruisfontein Greenfields Inception Knysna Heidevallei Greenfields Inception Love Corner B1 20+ 201 U33 8 Knysna Sedgefield Infill Greenfields Planning Knysna Sedgefield Social Housing Site Greenfields Inception Club Timber B1 20+ 17 U40 9 Knysna Karatara Greenfields Inception Knysna Rheenendal informal Settlements-infill Inception Oupad B1 20+ 110 U41 10 Knysna Concordia Greenfields Planning Knysna Idenitfied Site 1 Greenfields Inception Idenitfied Site 3 Greenfields Blade Square B1 16 – 20 50 U43 11 Knysna Inception Knysna Idenitfied Site 4 Greenfields Planning Knysna Idenitfied Site 5 Greenfields Inception Makhaphela B1 11 – 15 320 U50 12 Knysna Idenitfied Site 6 Existing Buildings Planning Knysna Idenitfied Site 7 Existing Buildings Planning Hlalani B1 20+ 357 U79 13 Knysna Idenitfied Site 8 Greenfields Inception Knysna Idenitfied Site 9 Greenfields Inception Slangepark B1 11 – 15 350 U81 14 Key Notes Rhobololo B1 20+ 160 U90 15 Short 0-3Years Medium 4-6 Years Edameni B1 16 – 20 25 U96 16 Long >6 Years Table 18: SCCD Projects (SCCD: Project Related Presentation, 2018) Rhobololo B1 0 -5 6 U97 17 Unknown While the SCCD Programme is in planning, the WCG has the development of Lapland B1 20+ 49 U103 18 1,187 opportunities in the pipeline and on the budget for the next three years, as shown in Table 19 below. These projects are identified on Map 32 alongside Die Skool Gaatjie A 20+ 40 U126 19 other WCG investments in the KMA over the next three years. Bongani C 20+ 7 RC7 RC1
Concordia A 0 11 – 15 900 0 0
Concordia B 0 11 – 15 210 0 0
Love Corner 0 11 – 15 20 0 0
Die Plakkers 0 20+ 26 0 0
Table 17: Knysna Informal Settlements Categorisation (Western Cape Government)
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HOUSES HOUSES SITES HOUSES BUILT BUILT SERVICED BUILT Project Programme 2019/20 Units 2020/21 Units 2021/22 Sites 2021/22 Units Vision (1393) UISP UISP 0 0 0 0 Vision PHP 50 50 0 0 Edameni (25) UISP 0 0 0 0 Hlalani (273) UISP 56 0 0 0 Ethembeni (180) UISP 125 0 0 0 Happy Valley (95) UISP 70 0 0 0 Hornlee (359) ABSA IRDP 50 100 0 0 Bloemfontein (152) UISP 75 0 0 0 Qolweni (220) UISP 70 100 0 41 Witlokasie (Disaster) UISP 0 0 0 0 Rheenendal (322) IRDP 0 0 0 0 Sedgefield ISSP UISP 0 0 0 0 Karatara IRDP 0 0 0 0 Heidevallei IRDP 0 0 400 0 TOTAL 496 250 400 41 Table 19: WCG Housing Pipeline 2018
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3.5.2 Spatial Segregation As with most South African towns and cities, spatial segregation on the basis Land Buildings of race and class persists in Knysna. SPLUMA’s principle of spatial justice Heidevallei Protea terrace requires that MSDFs specifically address this. Lagoon View 2 Melkhout Flats Melkhout Flats Westview Courts Lagoon View 2 (private) Lagoon View 2 (private) Curlew Court Table 20: Land and Building Pipeline for Social Housing (Knysna Municipality, 2016)
The Municipality’s restructuring zones should simultaneously designate areas for the application of an inclusionary housing policy in terms of section 21(i) of SPLUMA and benefit from shortened land use development procedures in terms of section 21(l)(ii) of SPLUMA to incentivise development in these areas, reduce costs and enhance the viability of inclusionary housing projects.
Figure 25: Spatial Segregation in the Knysna town area (Frith, 2018) quoted in (GRR, 2017)
The Knysna Municipality has identified three restructuring zones in terms of the Social Housing Act of 2008 in the Knysna town area, but has indicated that these should be reviewed, possibly with a view to extending these zones to capture opportunities for the private sector to contribute to the delivery of affordable housing. The current restructuring zones are identified in Map 27. These zones determine where accredited social (rental) housing providers may benefit from state subsidisation. Albeit the opportunities on public land are limited, a pipeline of land and buildings has been identified within these restructuring zones to support the development of inclusive, affordable, well located housing opportunities (Knysna Municipality, 2016).
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Map 32: Human Settlements Intervention Areas and Services: Knysna Town
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Map 33: Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Sedgefield
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Map 34: Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Rheenendal Map 35:Human Settlement Intervention Areas and Services: Karatara
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3.5.3 Disaster Risk 3.5.4 Resource Security The Knysna Municipality’s top ten disaster risks are as follows: Water and energy security are significant concerns in the KMA. The Municipality is investing in augmenting water supply but still drawing from the Drought local rivers. On the other hand, interrupted supply presents the threat of Fire polluted water spillages into the natural hydrological system that presents Floods economic and environmental consequences. Alien vegetation infestation Water supply disruption Municipal and SANPARK’s efforts to tackle alien vegetation infestation, while Estuary pollution mitigating the risk of wildfires, will also improve water supply in the catchment. Sewerage disruption The KMA is dependent on Eskom and national funding (alongside all other Hazardous materials (linked to road accidents) municipalities) to secure and sustain energy supply and this is likely to remain Severe weather (linked to fire and floods) (WCG Disaster the case in the long term. Management, 2018)
Household initiatives to reduce consumption, increase efficiencies and reduce Many if not most of these risks have been experienced by the KMA in the their reliance on bulk water and energy supply systems is important for recent past. There is a strong inter-relationship between these risks and their resilience of the system as a whole. It does not however detract from the mitigation. For example, addressing alien vegetation infestation can reduce the importance of managing and maintaining municipal infrastructure systems to impact of fire and the risk of a runaway wildfire, it can also increase the supply assure energy and water supply when needed and as a right. In Cape Town of water to the rivers which in turn reduces the impact of drought and water households pay a fixed basic charge for access to municipal bulk and supply disruptions and reduces or delays the demand for more dams. reticulated water and energy supplies, regardless of the extent to which they
draw on these supplies. Knysna has the added concern of the extensive under- Map 36 and Map 38 presents predominant environmental risks facing the KMA. utilisation of its infrastructure in the off peak season. Sustainable and equitable
utility charges to ensure the maintenance of infrastructure but also allow for The 2016 Draft ISDF identifies a number of conditions in the KMA that resources to fund new infrastructure to support transformative development is exacerbate the risk of fire and its disastrous impact: a key challenge for the municipality.
Hot, windy dry summer conditions Sloping topography Poor acess for emergency vehciles as a result of past planning Indigenous, fynbos vegetation that requires fire to evolve and regenerate, a build-up of invasive alien vegetation increasing biomass/fuel load Use of combustible construction materials Inadequate fire-scaping of gardens.
From an MSDF perspective it is important to direct investment and manage land use so as to reduce these risks and/or their impact.
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Map 36: Fire Risk in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 37: Coastal Risk Areas in the Knysna Municipal Area
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Map 38: Environmental Risks in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.6 LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATION provided this is aligned to the regulations identified above. This streamlining of land use management regulation will provide an incentive to development in locations targeted for urban consolidation and intensification. At the same time 3.6.1 Land Use Regulation this MSDF will need to clarify the delineation of the urban edge to address a Land use is regulated by a number of pieces of legislation in South African number of public comments and ensure coherence and consistency in growth municipalities. management in the KMA.
The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act and associated regulations The Land Use Planning Act 3.6.2 Local Area Spatial Planning The Knysna Municipality By-Law on Municipal Land Use Planning. Existing local area plans are understood to be as follows: The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) The National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA) Knysna Lower Central Enhancement Study (2007) Sedgefield CBD Enhancement Project: Sedgefield Main Road Urban Design Land use in the KMA is currently governed by three zoning schemes for Guidelines (2007) Knysna, Noetzie and Sedgefield specifically. These will be replaced by a Welbedacht / Eastford Structure Plan (?) consolidated single Zoning Scheme By-Law, which is currently in draft form. Draft Rheenendal Local Spatial Plan (date?) Western Head Structure Plan (?)
Fishermans Walk Plan for Brenton on Sea However, the Knysna Municipality has two additional layers of regulation; namely: The MSDF will recommend priority areas for local spatial planning as part of
implementing the MSDF’s proposals. On this basis, new local spatial plans will The Outeniqua Sensitive Coastal Area Extension (OSCAE) (Government Gazette need to be developed or existing plans will need to be reviewed based on the No 1526, as a schedule to the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989): Activities are identified which may have a substantial detrimental effect on the environment new, approved MSDF for Knysna. Outdated, existing local spatial plans my in respect of this specific coastal area and specific properties are identified where need to be rescinded to ensure a rationalised, clear decision-making this regulation applies. The Municipality is the permitting authority. environment. The Knysna and Wilderness Lakes Protected Areas identified in terms of the NEMA Regulations which identifies the National Department of Environment as an authorising authority when NEMA is triggered. Development Control Areas where SANPARKS is an authorising authority for activity within 50m of the water body regardless of whether NEMA is triggered. This is to be updated for the whole Knysna Protected Environment.
Specific regulated areas are shown in Map 29.
Knysna currently makes use of an urban edge as a land use management tool to manage urban growth and encroachment into natural and agricultural areas. NEMA makes provision for the designation of an urban area, allowing for exemptions from certain listed activity triggers for environmental impact assessment within this area. The Knysna MSDF will need to identify the urban areas within the urban edges that can benefit from this provision in NEMA,
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Map 39: Environmental Regulation areas in the Knysna Municipal Area
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3.7 INTER-GOVERNMENTAL INVESTMENT AND COORDINATION Organ of state Extent of influence Relevance to SDF The WCG is the main public sector role player in the KMA in addition to the National Government Knysna Municipality. Planned investments in the KMA by the WCG are shown COGTA Integrated Urban Guidance given to in Map 30 alongside the Municipality’s own planned investments over the Development Grant Capital Expenditure medium term (next 3 years). These primarily relate to the WCG’s health and Frameworks education service provision functions, but also, significantly, to the WCG’s role Dept of Human Southern Cape Significant – will need in housing delivery. Settlements/ HDA Corridor Development to integrate housing Programme proposals into the Table 21 below scopes other notable public sector role players in the KMA and broader SDF the nature and extent to which the municipality needs to coordinate its efforts: DAFF Forestry Areas Guidance on future forestry growth areas DRDLR Rural development and Assistance with land reform strategy to serve forestry villages National Treasury Oversight over the Integration of financial alignment of budget to considerations into the MSDF MSDF SANPARKS GRNP, GRNP Significant guidance to Management Plan, sustainable Expansion Footprint development and Landscape parameters Functionality Eskom Security of electricity Minor supply PRASA Passenger rail and N/A landholdings Transnet Freight rail and N/A landholdings Table 21: Public Sector Roleplayers in the KMA
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4 Conclusion: Status Quo Synthesis
This report provides an extensive overview of the policy context, vision value as the core of its approach to sustainability, resilience and realising directives and status quo of the natural, economic, social and regulatory sufficient opportunity and resources for all of its people. environment which must inform the development of the Knysna MSDF. Along the way issues that need to be addressed by the MSDF have been identified. This requires inter alia the careful consideration of the current role of The 2018 IDP Review sets out a thorough Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats settlements and their potential for growth. Within the municipality, Knysna is and Opportunities (SWOT) analysis of the development issues confronting the the main economic driver, but in the context of the Garden Route and sub- Knysna Municipality and the KMA more broadly. region, Mosselbay and George are likely to remain the most important economic hubs. Rather than re-present such an analysis, this conclusion identifies, or proposes key inter-dependent themes that should frame the next step in the Knysna’s role as the major visitor destination on the Garden Route is likely to development of spatial development and development management remain its economic driving force, but to keep this competitive edge it is proposals, drawing on what has been learnt from the information gathered and imperative that the tourism offering remains authentic, that the sense of place, reflected on in this report. and the experience of a real village is retained.
It is clear that Knysna has carried through the vision directives set out in Growth and densification in Sedgefield is constrained by service provision and national policy and legislative frameworks in its IDP and in the GRR initiative. it could be argued that its strong beach town character is an asset that needs Many sector planning processes are in process and will no doubt be driven by to be protected. a similar vision but be primarily oriented to addressing operational or sectoral issues within the constraints of the Municipality’s budget. The challenge lies in The smaller settlements of Karatara and Rheenendal, as well as hamlets such the implementation and the careful balance that must be sought between as Bibby’s Hoek, Springfield, Gouna and Homtini have their origins in forestry competing demands which are way beyond the financial ability of the or small scale farming but are in decline and in need of attention. municipality to address. Figure 26 suggests 4 themes around which the MSDF could be built and inter-dependent issues be dealt with together. Appropriately managed growth will protect the physical resource base, create opportunities for residents to prosper in a just space economy and ensure the Central to these themes is the reality that the Knysna Municipality has very efficient use of resources to protect long term financial sustainability of local serious spatial and ecological limits to growth, which if overstepped will government. become counter-productive to the very economic basis for settlement in this area. Rather than an ambitious economic and demographic growth path, Knysna needs to seek a stable, complementary state of well-being for its people and its environment, harnessing its environmental dependence and
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Figure 26: Key Themes to inform the development of the MSDF
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In unpacking these themes, key issues need to be dealt with in the MSDF. The bodies, with resultant cost to economy (e.g. decline in oyster production) issues are organised in terms of inherited spatial legacies that need to be and municipality (e.g. cost of dredging). redressed, current issues that need to be addressed and future risks that need Alien vegetation invasion which impacts on run-off, indigenous vegetation, to be mitigate. coastal dune systems and exacerbates fire risk.
Current Issues 4.1 THE ENVIRONMENT IS CENTRAL TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL Pollution of water courses and wetlands through illegal dumping, and SUSTAINABILITY overextension of sewerage treatment capacity. Urban expansion, including informal settlements, existing land use rights The livelihoods and safety of Knysna’s residents and businesses are very and recent approvals that impacts on sensitive natural systems, and the directly linked to its environment. Its rivers supply its water, its natural unique scenic qualities and character of the area. environment attracts a tourism and lifestyle economy creating jobs and Natural systems vulnerable to over exploitation (e.g. harvesting of generating revenue for the municipality, its forests create jobs and feed indigenous bulbs) by stressed communities. downstream enterprises, etc. This is a very delicate balance to maintain. Climate change impacts are affecting infrastructure and the security of Unmanaged land use and settlement is compromising the functionality of the supply of resources such as water and energy. environment and its ability to buffer communities from the impact of climate A dire lack of employment generating activities in the economy of Knysna change. This balance must be the central concern for spatial planning in the resulting in a high unemployment rate and few job prospects for low Knysna municipal area. income and low skilled people.
Large housing backlog and demand for housing in areas with limited Environmental rehabilitation and protection is at the core of Knysna’s economic socio-economic opportunities such as Karatara and Knysna north. future and an important disaster risk mitigation measure. It is also currently the most important, if not only, significant asset Knysna has to leverage unskilled and semi-skilled job creation. Future risks
Climate change which is likely to result in sea level rise and increased This theme talks to the SPLUMA principles of spatial sustainability and vulnerability to coastal storms with a vicious cycle of encroachment of resilience. public property to secure private property, increasing the integrity and
vulnerability of the ecological systems on public property Some of the main issues that should inform the MSDF proposals and policies are: Fluctuating rainfall patterns and growing demand resulting water scarcity (already an issue in certain settlements) Legacy Issues Loss of ecosystem services as a result of an expanding development Inappropriate development on the banks of watercourses, causing footprint downstream silting and degradation of the water quality of important water High dependency tourism makes the economy especially vulnerable to global economic trends as well the ability of authorities to manage the resources which attracts visitors.
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4.2 SOCIAL INTEGRATION FOR ECONOMIC WELL-BEING Ongoing amendments to the urban edge to accommodate development that is unsustainable in terms of infrastructure capacity and services as Development should not happen where it is cheapest or easiest but at the right well as household affordability. locations. New, affordable housing needs to ensure access to economic opportunity, adequate social facilities and amenities and endeavour to avoid Current perpetuating spatial separation based on class or race – that risks locking Decline in the CBD of Knysna, as a result of economic downturn and communities into spatial poverty traps that do not enable housing projects to competition from new upmarket development such as the Knysna become functional suburbs of Knysna. Opportunities for densification need to Waterfront be exploited to support the efficient use of existing infrastructure and facilities High levels of unemployment in Knysna North, Hornlee, Sedgefield and and reduce the costs to poorer households of meeting their daily needs and Rheenendal in particular. the costs to citizens of subsidising an inefficient urban form. Everyone needs Attractiveness of KMA and its settlements eroded by sprawling to be able to share in the enjoyment of a high quality public realm and public development and resultant loss of authentic small town experience. amenities. The walkability and liveability of towns and the land use mix and Large, unmet demand for ‘gap’ housing. densities that make it possible to improve the efficient and just access of all Affordability of housing to attract the middle class and “key workers”, e.g. communities to the economy, services and amenities of the KMA is key. teachers, nurses and policemen and thus establish complete communities and authentic working towns. This theme talks primarily to the SPLUMA principles of spatial justice and Urban development on steep slopes with environmental impacts and high efficiency. infrastructure cost. The barrier effect of N2 which limits access to socio-economic Some of the main issues that should inform the MSDF proposals and policies opportunities to certain groups. are: Poor condition of important connectors such as R355 and R339, which disadvantages communities dependent on access to services via these Legacy routes. Relatively walkable existing settlements High dependency on N2 to move goods and people to and from the Peripheral, mono-functional townships with poor access to economic municipal area. opportunities and amenities Lack of population thresholds to support community facilities and public Remote rural settlements with very low levels of access to economic transport in remote settlements. opportunity Severe congestion in Knysna and Sedgefield during peak holiday season. Limited high quality, accessible public spaces which residents can enjoy Lack of tertiary education opportunities in the municipal area. together Land use distribution not optimal to support efficient transportation, e.g. Inefficient low density and fragmented residential development in large the location of Knysna industrial area. parts of Knysna. Very limited land for future development within and around the town of Legacy of segregation placing poorer communities on the outskirts of Knysna due to water bodies, slopes and surrounding activities. settlements with difficult access to socio-economic opportunities. Large tracts of estate development with inefficient use of resources and transformation of land.
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Future Risks Demand for education and other community facilities far exceeds ability of Future Risks authorities to provide through traditional mechanisms and within forecast Long term affordability of current and future infrastructure within a context budgets of declining government funding. Low density growth and further fragmentation of land use, will impact on walkability of settlements and thresholds to support affordable public transport. 4.4 EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE COSTS OF URBAN SETTLEMENT
4.3 SUSTAINABLE RURAL SERVICE DELIVERY Who bears the costs of running the municipality? Services are distributed over large areas, many of which are developed at very low densities and many of Rural service delivery needs to recognise the rights of those living in rural these houses are not occupied for the better part of a year, yet they are settlements to an acceptable standard of basic service and the rights of people guaranteed services all of the time. At the same time, large, subsidised urban to choose where they live. At the same time, this must be affordable for the extensions to provide additional housing in marginal areas where the prospect municipality and residents of rural settlements, not only in terms of upfront of communities contributing to the rates base of the municipality is a long term capital costs but also ongoing operational costs. Access to social facilities is aspiration, spreads resources thinly. New development is competing with the another concern and rural public transport and the quality of road connections need to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure and the municipality is is a key concern which requires inter-governmental attention. The likelihood under increasing pressure to become more financially self-sufficient. of their being additional jobs created in the rural areas needs to be a strong informant to how rural settlements are managed especially with regard to any This theme talks primarily to the SPLUMA principles of spatial justice, new development in these settlements at significant scale. sustainability and efficiency.
This theme talks primarily to the SPLUMA principles of spatial justice and Some of the main issues that should inform the MSDF proposals and policies efficiency. are:
Some of the main issues that should inform the MSDF proposals and policies are: Current The highly land consumptive nature of private housing estates (excluding Legacy Thesen Island) that eat up valuable land for future urban expansion and Remote location of rural settlements (originally forestry driven) limits sterilise the land for a considerable period of time if not permanently. provision of services and development of economic opportunities Seasonal influx to holiday towns with implications for sustainable and efficient provision of utility services.
Current High expectations of rural communities for municipality to create jobs. Highly ambitious human settlement pipelines for Rheenendal and Karatara without the corresponding economic opportunities.
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that have impacted on this matter making it important to obtain agreement based on facts from all parties concerned. This is not only related to SALA but 4.5 INFORMATION GAPS also with the view of the new bill that is in process, the “Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land” (PDALB). There are some information gaps remaining where it has not been possible to resolve these within the timeframe of preparing this status quo report. The MSDF preparation process is a good opportunity to verify and obtain Ongoing effort will be made to fill these gaps in the development of the MSDF agreement on the demarcation of agricultural land between DAFF and the itself. municipalities. The urban edge in particular is a useful tool from this perspective, to get alignment and where needed follow the legislative 4.5.1 Land of Agricultural Significance procedures to exclude land from the provisions of the SALA. The National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) (Land Use and Soil Management) is the mandated authority responsible for the Sub- In 2016/2017 DAFF commenced with a process to demarcate all high potential division of Agricultural Land Act, 70 of 1970 (SALA). This act requires specific agricultural land in the country (from a cultivation perspective), per province. definition of areas regarded as agricultural land on which SALA is Consultation on this work is underway and more data is being sought. applicable. DAFF have spatially delineated agricultural land and attempted to verify this with municipalities. Initial attempts to do this were unsuccessful. A DAFF and the Knysna Municipality will meet in 2019 to share information and process is underway to obtain agreement with municipalities in terms of areas align their planning. regarded from a legislative perspective as agricultural land and on which SALA is applicable – this is mainly due to various decisions and other related acts
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5 References
ACE Consulting. (2016). Local Integrated Transport Plan for the Knysna Local Municipality 2016 - 2021. COGTA. (2016). Integrated Urban Development Framework. CSIR. (2011). National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas. CSIR. (2014). Determination of the inshore wave climate along the South African coast - Phase 1 for coastal hazard and vulernability assessment. Demacon. (2018). Knysna Residential and Anncillary Facilities Development Market Study . Department of Water & Sanitation. (2018, December). Department of Water & Sanitation. Retrieved from Water Resource Classifciation System Curernt Studies : http://www.dwa.gov.za/rdm/wrcs/ Department of Water & Sanitation. (2018). Determination of Water Resources Classes and Resource Quality Objectives in the Breede - Gouritz WMA. DRDLR. (2017). Eden District Rural Development Plan . Frith, A. (2018). www.adrianfrith.com. Retrieved from Adrian Frith: https://adrianfrith.com/ Garden Route District Municipality . (2017). Garden Route Municipal Spatial Development Framework. George Municipality. (2018, October). Draft George Municipal Spatial Development Framework (Review). GRR. (2017). Garden Route Rebuild Strategy. Garden Route Rebuild . Retrieved from www.gardenrouterebuild.com INCA Portfolio Managers. (2018). Knysna Municipality Long Term Financial Plan - Update 2017. Knysna Municipality. (2016). Application and Motivation for Approval of Identitifed Social Housing Restructuring Zones. Knysna Municipality. (2016). Draft Integrated Spatial Development Framework. Knysna Municipality. (2017). Knysna in Numbers . Knysna Municipality. (2018). Final Annual Budget of Knysna Municipality Budget 2018/19 to 2020/21. Knysna Municipality. (2018). Knysna Municipality Draft Integrated Development Plan Review 2018/2019. National Treasury. (2018, November 11). Municipal Money. Retrieved from www.municipalmoney.gov.za: https://municipalmoney.gov.za/profiles/municipality- WC048-knysna/ RHDV. (2018). Eden District Coastal Management Lines Situational Analysis. Royal HaskoningDHV. SALGA. (2016). Cost fo Basic Municipal Services Report. South African Local Government Association. SANPARKS. (2018). Knysna Municipality Conservation Estate. SCCD: Project Related Presentation. (2018). Stats SA/ Western Cape Government . (2018). WC Settlement Population and Households 2018-2030. Urban Econ. (2018). Knysna Economic Development Strategy Draft Situational Analysis. V3 Consulting Engineers. (2018, September ). Knysna Municipality Services Report. WCG. (2018). Coastal Access Audit for the Eden District Project Report. WCG Disaster Management. (2018). Key Findings: Knysna Local Municipality Disaster RIsk Assessment 2018. Western Cape Education Department. (2017). UAMP 2016 17_Eden District Overview . Western Cape Government . (2018). Western Cape Building Statistics Data. Western Cape Government. (2013). Heritage and Scenic Resources: Inventory and Policy Framework. Western Cape Government. (2018). 2018 Municipal Economic Review and Outlook. Western Cape Government. (2018). Coastal Management Lines for the Eden District. Western Cape Government. (n.d.). Prioritisation of the Informal Settlement Implementation Plan Report.
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ANNEXURE 1
KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY DRAFT IDP REVIEW 2018/19 : SUMMARY OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF A SPATIAL NATURE Strategic Objective : To improve and maintain current basic service delivery through specific infrastructural development projects Sanitation Adequate basic service delivery (incl backlogs) Infrastructure maintenance Appropriate & improved facilities in forestry villages Knysna WWTW adaptation and improvement Additional WWTW at Windheuwel? Electricity Increase access Upgrade Knysna Eastford and Sedgefield substations Infrastructure maintenance Streets and Improve, repair and maintain Stormwater Clarity on N2 re-alignment/ by-pass Management Transport plan for better traffic flow, public transport systems and safe non-motorised transport Water supply Maintain and improve quality Ensure basic service Infrastructure maintenance Upgrade Charlesford pump storage scheme Ensure supply and security of supply Integrated Provide housing opportunities and secure land tenure Human Meet the demand for social and GAP housing Settlements Audit state-owned land – Heidevallei and Kruisfontein Formalise informal settlements Effective TRA planning Integrate communities and create a sense of place (“to be a key focus point of the Knysna SDF”) Strategic Objective : To promote a safe and healthy environment through the protection of our natural resources Environmental Improve the management of the natural environment conservation Alternative energy sources to reduce estuary pollution Mitigate risk of environmental disasters Alien vegetation eradication Promote inclusive living spaces Identify hazard prone areas / hotspots Cost upgrading of Green Hole at Leisure Island Disaster Establish satellite fir stations in remote areas Management Fire breaks, slope stabilisation and alien vegetation clearing Strategic Objective : To create an enabling environment for social development and economic growth Decent Review land use management practices. Align development plans employment Assess all Council property holdings for investment/ development – Unlock strategic and opportunities for development eg Heidevallei Social Housing and job creation Catalytic infrastructure projects Knysna CBD Revitalisation Establish township business nodes Rural Apply the Eden SDF guidelines for investment in rural nodes development Secure sufficient socio-economic and infrastructure investment through the CRDP (Rheenendal, Karatara, surrounding farming areas) Promote inclusive living spaces and complete villages by directing investment that complements existing demographics and consolidates existing economies Table 22: IDP Objectives to inform the MSDF
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ANNEXURE 2 are achieved. The purpose of a buffer zone is to: Protect the purpose and values of the national park as defined in the management plan; Protect GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK EXPANSION FOOTPRINT – Knysna important areas of high value for biodiversity and/or to society where these Municipality (SANPARKS, 2018) extend beyond the boundary of the national park; Assist adjacent and affected communities to secure appropriate and sustainable benefits from the park and The focus of the GRNP Landscape Functionality Programme is to expand the buffer zone area itself by promoting a conservation economy and ecotourism. conservation estate in the Garden Route to promote a functional landscape that contributes to a climate resilient community. The Knysna Municipality The buffer zone in combination with guidelines will serve as a basis for: i) contains very important land parcels for biodiversity conservation and the Conserving areas of national or regional biodiversity importance that could be maintenance or restoration of ecological infrastructure, both within and outside managed for conservation purposes to contribute to biodiversity targets and to of the GRNP Expansion footprint. enhance the landscape functionality of the park; ii) Integrating long term protection of the park into the SDFs of municipalities and other planning processes to guide decision-making in an environment where housing backlogs and the need for additional services infrastructure is a reality; The park will interact with all spheres of government, whether local, provincial, or national, as required, to achieve a positive conservation outcome in the buffer zone. iii) Identifying focus areas in which park management and scientists must respond to Environmental Impacts Assessments (EIAs) and Land Use Planning Applications (LUPA) to maintain or enhance connectivity; (iv) highlight areas where alien clearing, rehabilitation and integrated fire management can take place on private land to support landscape functionality (depending on availability of funding).
The intention is to place legal and management restrictions on priority biodiversity areas to provide an extra layer of protection to support the integrity of the national park. A formalised buffer zone will assist in minimising conflict and inappropriate land use development, transformation and additional fragmentation in an open access park with high development pressure and climate change effects already noticeable.
Section 6.7 of the GRNP Management Plan deals with the buffer zone (see In the park’s case, there are four key categories within the park buffer zone, below for background information). Knysna Municipality targets are described priority expansion area, conservation agreement area, marine buffer area and on page 4 and 5. wildlife movement corridor (and safe area). Additional zones that will be used in SANParks commenting role are: Viewshed Protection Area, Fire 6.7 The park buffer zone Management Area and Alien Vegetation Clearing Area. The categories are: Priority Expansion Area which is the area identified from a biodiversity The buffer zone shows areas outside the park within which land use change conservation, social, economic, tourism and/or a management perspective that or development can affect the ecological integrity of the park negatively, if would need to be managed as part of the National Park in order to ensure the landscape functionality is compromised, or positively, if conservation outcomes long term viability of the park. This zone aims to ensure the long-term
KNYSNA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: FINAL STATUS QUO REPORT 98 persistence of biodiversity, within and around the park, on which the long-term wetlands is not be supported. The control of alien vegetation and survival of the park depends. This includes areas important to both biodiversity prevention of soil and dune erosion must be promoted. pattern (especially reasonably intact high priority natural habitats) and Energy and water efficient development and the implementation of processes (ecological linkages, catchments, intact hydrological systems Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) must be encouraged. (surface and groundwater). In the long term it could be incorporated into the park either, contractually, through voluntary stewardship agreements, Marine Buffer Area which are areas that are important to maintain donations or purchase (willing-buyer willing-seller). functionality and diversity of coastal and marine ecosystems by minimising impacts on natural processes and appropriately responding to climate change. Development guidelines: Maintain in a natural or near-natural state with no The Marine Buffer Area can cover activities below the high water mark (marine) further loss of habitat. Degraded areas should be rehabilitated. Only low- as well as the shoreline immediately above the high water mark (coastal). impact biodiversity-sensitive land uses are approximate. Equitable access to and sustainable benefit sharing from coastal and marine ecosystem services are supported. Conservation Agreement Area which are the areas that have been identified, Development guidelines: Support only climate resilient development; Permit as suitable for the expansion of the park but that do not necessarily need to be exploitation of marine resources within constraints of zonation, relevant managed by SANParks, or actually included into the park. However, it is critical legislation and with minimal impact on ecological values of GRNP; Monitor that these areas be maintained in their natural state for the long term viability recreational fishing activities and Implement compliance and enforcement of the national park. Any of the currently accepted range of contractual options monitoring. would be considered, but this should not have resource implications that affect the priority expansion areas. In the short to medium timeframe mechanisms Wildlife movement corridors and safe areas which are areas where human such as National Nature Reserve (NNR), Protected Environments (PE), activities and barriers (fences, roads, lights) should be kept to a minimum in Biodiversity Agreements (BA) and Voluntary Agreements (VA) could be used order to prevent wildlife population fragmentation and isolation and to promote as interim measures. Third Parties and Land Owners Associations can drive wildlife movement cross the landscape. Additionally, to promote ecosystem the process. processes such as seed dispersal and metapopulation persistence. Wildlife crossings that allow connections or reconnections between habitats to combat In the context of the Garden Route Priority Natural Areas and Ecological habitat fragmentation may be investigated and implemented. Wildlife crossings Process Areas (Catchment Protection Areas) were included in the priority also assist in avoiding collisions between vehicles and animals, which in expansion and conservation agreement areas. The next 10 year focus will be addition to killing or injuring wildlife may cause injury to humans and property a proactive landscape functionality approach that contributes to a climate damage. Wildlife movement corridors were not spatially included on the buffer resilient community rather than on a site specific re-active approach. zone map and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Development guidelines: Terrestrial: Maintain in a functional, natural or near-natural state. Degraded Development guidelines: Maintain movement corridors and safe places for areas should be rehabilitated. Some habitat loss is acceptable, provided wildlife persistence. In some instances, further fragmentation and the underlying biodiversity objectives and ecological functioning is not transformation will not be supported. compromised. Low impact tourism facilities and activities are appropriate. The control of alien vegetation, control of soil erosion and appropriate land Additional zones that will be used for SANParks commenting role and to guide care (e.g. appropriate stocking rates) must be promoted. decision making to support landowners with alien clearing and rehabilitation Aquatic: Development such as inappropriate dam construction, loss of are: riparian vegetation, excessive aquifer exploitation and the infilling of
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Viewshed Protection Area which are areas where development could impact on the aesthetic quality of a visitors experience in a park or detract from key tourism routes. This zone is particularly concerned with visual impacts (both day and night), but could also include sound pollution. Viewshed Protection Areas were not spatially included on the buffer zone map and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Development guidelines: Within these areas any development proposals should be carefully screened to ensure that they do not impact excessively on the aesthetics of the park (day and night) or on key tourism routes. Low lighting should be promoted.
Fire Management Area which are areas where wild fires are likely to spread into the park or vice versa. In these areas membership of the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SC FPA) should be encouraged to ensure active Fire Manangment Units (FMU) are in place and that landowners are legally compliant. Fire Management Areas were not spatially included on the buffer zone map and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Development guidelines: Fire wise gardening and compliance with legislation.
Alien Vegetation Clearing Area which are areas where alien vegetation poses a threat to biodiversity conservation, the functioning of ecological infrastructure and structural, functional and hydrological connectivity. Alien Vegetation Clearing Areas were not spatially included on the buffer zone map and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Development guidelines: Alien vegetation should be cleared and follow-up should take place as required by legislation to restore biodiversity and connectivity.
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