MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Aalwyndal residents in Mossel Bay are accusing the municipality of delaying the release of a biodiversity study that is holding up their property development plans.
However, the Mossel Bay Municipality said the study will soon be finalised by continuing with a formal commenting period that will allow residents and the public to give their input. It said dates for this participation process will be communicated soon.
The residents, many of whom wish to remain anonymous, told Mossel Bay Advertiser development plans are on hold until the biodiversity study has been completed so that they can receive clarification of what can and/or cannot be done concerning future development in Aalwyndal.
These residents claim they have received vague responses from the municipality whenever they specifically asked about the date the study would be made available.
The residents say they are not against any development, they only wish to have an exact date by which the latest information regarding the biodiversity study would be released, so they can contact the investors and get ready for a possible public participation meeting.
Development vs biodiversity
Due to its location, Aalwyndal has been identified as an area for possible development as part of the Mossel Bay Spatial Development Framework of 2018 and 2022.
The Advertiser reported on the Aalwyndal Precinct Plan in October last year. A biodiversity study, which was started in May 2024, brought new information about highly sensitive biodiversity areas to light - which could influence the plans for the development.
At the time, the municipality said it and the Western Cape Government had embarked on an offset investigation to produce a Strategic Biodiversity Offset Framework Plan for Aalwyndal.
The aim of this plan was to identify areas within Aalwyndal that could not be developed or offset due to environmental sensitivities, and - for the areas that can potentially be developed via offset - to exchange environmentally sensitive land for development in Aalwyndal with conservation-worthy land at a different location.
At that stage, the municipality said the aim was to complete the framework plan and master planning for services like water, sewage and stormwater by December last year, with possible amendments of the precinct plan and overlay zone to follow in 2025.
Municipality responds
The Advertiser forwarded the residents’ complaints and claims to the municipality and asked whether the mentioned plans for Aalwyndal had been finalised.
“The municipality takes note of these concerns,” it replied. “Following further engagements between the municipality and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, it was agreed that the study be finalised by continuing with a formal commenting period allowing all parties, including the general public and residents of Aalwyndal, to provide necessary inputs and comments.
Dates and other arrangements for this participation process will soon be communicated.”
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