The new by-law will deal with poaching, littering, drinking in public and pollution and hawking to name a few!
The Western Cape, South Africa – The City of Cape Town will soon publicise the draft Coastal By-law for public participation. The purpose of the by-law is to better protect and manage our coastline, which is one of Cape Town’s most important and valued assets. It is also intended to improve safety on our beaches.
“Cape Town is synonymous with rolling waves, rocky shores, dolphins, whales, and sunsets on pristine beaches. Our coastline draws millions of tourists and local visitors every year; it is central to our identity and gives us a sense of place and pride. We also cannot overestimate the importance of the coast to our local economy. It is a public asset that must be preserved and protected for current and future generations. The draft by-law will assist us to manage our coastline better and enable law enforcement of activities that may have a damaging impact on the coastal environment,” said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
The draft by-law will be available for public comment as from 1 August until 2 September 2019. The City will, during this time, also host eight public hearings across Cape Town where residents can ask questions, and comment.
The draft by-law will apply to the coastal zone, which is a public area that belongs to all South Africans. It covers the seashore, the coastal waters, and the environment on, in, under, and above the coastal zone.
“One of the most important aspects of the proposed by-law is that it will give the City the legislative powers to enforce the public’s right to access and enjoy our beaches and sea. Some residents are claiming the beaches or parcels of land in front of their properties as their own private areas by either extending their homes or gardens, sinking swimming pools, or building walkways with ‘no-access’ signs on it. Our coastline belongs to all South Africans, and the by-law will be used to entrench this right,” said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
Broadly speaking, the proposed by-law addresses the following:
- poaching, or illegal fishing
- harvesting, or removal of vegetation
- removal of sand, pebbles, rocks, shells, and kelp
- removal of or damage to indigenous coastal vegetation
- littering
- pollution and dumping
- encroachment of private property into the coastal environment
- measures to remove encroachments, and rehabilitate affected land
- possession or consumption of liquor or drugs
- hawking or doing business without authorisation
- launching of vessels
- issuing of fines for contraventions
Broadly speaking, the by-law will be a legislative tool to, among other things:
- entrench and enforce the public’s right to freely access and enjoy our coastline
- ensure the sustainable use and development of the coastal area;
- promote the protection of the natural environment of the coastal zone;
- manage and promote public access to beaches and beach areas;
- prevent anti-social behaviour on beaches and beach areas;
- manage access to and the use of public amenities on the beach and beach areas;
- enable better regulation, protection, and governance of the coastline as a sensitive and economically
- valuable asset; and
- ensure measures are taken to rehabilitate or correct actions that have a damaging impact on the coastal environment.
The City’s Coastal Management Branch has drafted the proposed by-law. It is founded on the principles of the Integrated Coastal Management Policy and Coastal Management Programme that were adopted by Council in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and the National Environmental Management Integrated Coastal Management Act 36 of 2014 as amended.
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