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City of Cape Town has extended the commenting period for the draft Code of Conduct for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR) with 30 days until October 31, 2024. The draft code proposes a number of interventions in the interest of safety and security and the continued conservation of the unique natural asset.
Reportedly, some of the proposed measures relate to restrictions on the number of daily operators and visitors to prevent overcrowding. The residents, operators and stakeholders are encouraged to peruse the draft code and to submit comments.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that the City of Cape Town received a request from an established user group to extend the commenting period, “and now we have postponed the deadline for comments from October 02, 2024 to October 31, 2024.”
Andrews added, “I encourage residents, stakeholders and operators to please make use of the additional 30 days to peruse the draft code and submit comments and proposals.”
The WANR is one of the most popular destinations in the Western Cape for recreational activities on the dunes, among which 4X4 off-roading, quad biking and sandboarding, entry of which is controlled through a permit system.
According to the recorded stats, since 2019 to year 2023, Cape Town has recorded a disconcerting 1,501% increase in the number of visitors and permits issued. The total visitor numbers increased from 4,244 in the year 2019-20 to 67,980 in the year 2022-23 or more than 1,501%.
The Quad biking and off-road motorcycles increased from 4,387 to 51,972 or nearly 1,085%. With this, sandboarding visitors increased from 4,057 to 4,827 or approximate to 19%.
Considerably, the Off-road vehicle increased from 3,369 to 5,151 or nearly 52%. The busiest months are December, January, March and April which will record this. Given the exceptional increase in the above activities, the reserve has reached its capacity.
Notably, the draft Code of Conduct is proposing a number of interventions to ensure the safety and security of visitors, operators, and reserve personnel, and continued preservation of the unique natural environment.