Spatial Planning

Spatial Development Framework

‘To optimize the rich and balanced mix of the Overberg’s agriculture, tourism, heritage, conservation resources (including natural and scenic resources) and eco system services within their scenic setting which is contained by the Riviersonderend and Langeberg mountains in the north, descends across the rolling hills of the Rûens and the varied ecology of the Agulhas plain and culminates in the rocky headlands and long sandy beaches of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.”

This section sets out the main policy and principle informants for the SDF.

• The area’s unique agricultural, environmental and urban qualities must be maintained;
• In particular, the Elgin valley and the Rûens must continue to be farmed to as intensely as possible but care must be taken to safeguard their key inputs, namely fertile soil which should be protected from erosion, over use and its water;
• Private conservation areas must continue to be promoted with careful consideration of appropriate development rights to mobilise the necessary resources for veld rehabilitation and management;
• In particular Renosterveld linkage corridors across the Rûens linking remnant patches not suitable for agriculture should be encouraged;
• These corridors can provide both a tourism opportunity as well as channels for faunal movement and seed transport;
• The tourist appeal and promotion of the various Act 9 and other similar settlements should be promoted so as to increase awareness of them and thereby help to improve the livelihoods of their residents, particularly those for whom these settlements may represent poverty traps; and,
• Development and tourism efforts should take advantage of the district’s close proximity to Cape Town as well as ensuring maximum benefits for local residents.

Regional Geographic Information System (GIS) database

The environmental management section will source relevant and up to date GIS information form credible sources. All GIS information will be based on vector mapping data standards.

In an attempt to maintain the GIS database information will be sourced from relevant departments and create linkages with other database source.

This GIS information will be used in the context of spatial planning, environmental- and coastal management monitoring and development application evaluation.