Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
City allocates R50m towards preservation of wetlands
THE City of Cape Town has allocated about R50 million to the preservation of local wetlands and water bodies over the next three financial years.
According to the City, the aim is to boost the Liveable Urban Waterways (LUW) projects in the Southern Suburbs. These include the Grootboschkloof, Spaanschemat-Prinskasteels River, Westlake and Keysers River, and Sand-Langevlei canals confluence, immediately upstream of Zandvlei Nature Reserve.
This follows criticism that the City was neglecting the wetlands, which had a negative impact after three wetlands had to be closed due to months of sewage spills and the need for tests to be performed. Rietvlei, Zeekoevlei and Zandvlei were affected.
Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews said the identification of these projects was a culmination of work over the years, of which some were in support of the Source to Sea River Corridor initiative.
“The projects are looking to improve the specific river reaches in line with the principles of the LUW programme. Rivers are important green corridors that provide a range of services to the built and natural environments, providing benefit and opportunities for people and nature.
“The City in partnership with the Working for Wetlands project has worked extensively in the Southern Suburbs since 2014.
“To date, active rehabilitation has
taken place in Klaasenbosch Greenbelt, Spaanschemat, Diep River Trail, Grootboskloof Wetland and Kirstenhof Wetland.”
Andrews explained that each wetland project would be managed in three phases over a two-year cycle and a programme team would be supported by a small team that would fulfil various roles, such as Geographical Information Systems and training.
“Independent design engineers and environmental assessment practitioners are appointed to undertake the planning, design and authorisation components of the project.
“The first phases straddle the first year of the cycle and involve planning, identification, design and authorisation of interventions. The third phase is implementation, which takes place during the second year,” he added.
The move has been warmly welcomed by the communities and Westlake’s environmental activist Tony Jantjies, who said this was a victory.
“We have engaged with the City on numerous occasions, raising concerns about the state of our wetlands and need for proper interventions. We are glad something will finally be done.”
He said the Westlake and Keyser wetlands have been severely affected by social ills such as sewage spills and dumping, which endanger the marine life.
Deputy chairperson for Princess Vlei Forum and an environmentalist Bridget Pitt said the mayoral water quality in wetlands and waterways
advisory committee was a huge step forward in enabling the environmentally sensitive and sustainable management of waterways, and was welcomed.
“There needs to be ongoing co-ordination between all the different departments managing natural spaces, including stormwater, the alien species unit, and other affected departments.”
She added that this would alleviate the need for educating communities about not polluting waterways and stormwater drains.
“Caring for our waterways is critical. They should never be seen as a convenient stream to remove waste and sewage.”