The City of Cape Town’s Directorate for Spatial Planning and Environment has prioritized upgrades and improvements at several beachfronts along the False Bay and Atlantic coastlines. According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, Cape Town’s coastline and nature reserves are pristine destinations. Thousands of visitors enjoy these natural spaces that have become even more popular during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘They provide a safe space for us to connect outdoors and with nature, and contribute to the city’s reputation as a world-class destination. Some of the amenities and coastal structures are, however, in need of refurbishment and this is why a large portion of our capital budget will be invested on improvements to beachfronts and nature reserves in the new financial year,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
The directorate’s capital budget for the new financial year starting on 1 July 2021 amounts to R137.7 million with the main spending priorities being the following:
- Upgrades at Fisherman’s Lane in Strandfontein – this will be out on tender and the cost will be known once the bid has been awarded
- Upgrades to the Seaforth coastal precinct at Boulders beach in Simon’s Town – this will be out on tender and the cost will be determined through the bidding process
- R3 million allocated for the detailed design and planning of the upgrade for the entire Monwabisi beach precinct
- R3,1 million for upgrades at Glencairn beach precinct. These are underway already and will be completed by October 2021, if all goes as planned
- R1 million for upgrades at the Muizenberg beachfront
- Upgrades at the Table View beachfront – this will be in the tender advertising, adjudication and award phase
- Upgrades to the Milnerton beachfront – this will be in the tender advertising, adjudication and award phase
- Upgrade of the Small Bay sea wall – this will be in the tender advertising, adjudication and award phase
- R7 million for upgrades at the Sea Point promenade
- R5,8 million for improvements at the Helderberg Nature Reserve
- R400 000 for upgrades at the Table Bay and Tygerberg nature reserves
- R4 million for upgrades at the reserve in the Metro-south east
- R2,2 million for improvements at the Bracken Visitor Education Centre
- R3 million for improvements at the Harmoney Flats Visitor Education Centre
- R3,2 million for improvements at the Zandvlei Visitor Education Centre
- R18,8 million for the rehabilitation of the Asanda Village wetland
- R700 000 for the upgrade of the Edith Stephens Wetland Park
‘We want to expand the visitor education centers at the Bracken, Harmony Flats and Zandvlei nature reserves so that they can serve the wider community. These centres play an important role in increasing environmental awareness among the youth,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
The directorate is also involved in precinct planning and works closely with other City departments in realizing local area priority initiatives (LAPIs) to improve precincts that are suffering from degeneration, crime, and grime. Some of these projects include:
- R7 millon for the Bonteheuwel and Bishop Lavis LAPI
- Upgrades to pedestrian facilities at the Parow station (R1 million); Salt River station (R1 million) and Kruskal Avenue (R2 millon)
‘Our Urban Catalytic Investment Department focuses on precincts where transit-oriented development can assist with spatial transformation at scale. Their aim is to create investment-friendly environments and public-private partnerships that can lead to more economic opportunities and jobs for local residents. Up to R6,8 million is budgeted for the refurbishment of the Philippi Fresh Produce Market. In addition, precinct plans for catalytic projects are being developed for the Bellville CBD, Philippi Opportunity Area, and the Gateway Precinct in the CBD,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
The upgrade of Fisherman’s Lane on the False Bay coastline and the Seaforth coastal precinct near Simon’s Town in the Far South are two important capital projects the directorate is undertaking over the medium-term.
