Aalwyndal: 4 things you need to know

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Over 120 residents and property owners of Aalwyndal attended the public information session in Mossel Bay Town Hall on Tuesday 16 September.

Here are four things you need to know.

1. Their main concerns include:

Fairness, transparency, costs, retaining control over their land, alleged poor consultation before the biodiversity study, opposition to a conservation levy (developers/municipality should pay), allegations of a political agenda, frustration that Aalwyndal was once considered low-value, but is now classified as highly sensitive, fears of land-grab intentions and being forced into development plans.

2. The municipality’s goals with Aalwyndal are:

To explore development potential through the Aalwyndal Precinct Plan, to balance development with biodiversity conservation via an offset investigation, to protect sensitive ecosystems (flora and fauna), to offer flexibility (owners may develop under guidelines or remain as residents) and to use public participation to finalise draft proposals.

3. The responses from officials and consultants at the meeting:

The biodiversity study’s project leader, Dr Jackie Dabrowski, said there is no hidden agenda and that the area is sensitive due to biodiversity. The Manager of Town Planning, Jaco Roux, said the proposals are drafts, that the property rights remain and no land grabs are intended. It was said that the owners remain free to develop or not, depending on personal choice.

4. Next steps:

Written comments must be submitted to the Mossel Bay Municipality by 30 September 2025. Comments must be addressed to Municipal Manager Colin Puren, for the attention of Jaco Roux.

Quote your name, address and contact details, interest in the matter and motivation. Enquiries can be put to Roux on 044 606 5071 or jroux@mosselbay.gov.za. Any person who cannot write will be assisted by a municipal official in transcribing their comments.

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