Notice of intention to declare Wilderness Nature Reserve

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: PROTECTED AREAS ACT, 2003 (ACT 57 OF 2003)
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DECLARE WILDERNESS NATURE RESERVE

The Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
in the Western Cape (the Provincial Minister)—
( a ) in terms of section 33(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003) (the Act), gives notice of his intention to—
( i ) declare, under section 23(1)(a)(i) of the Act, the following areas as a nature reserve (the intended nature reserve):
(aa) Portion 7 (Klein Kamp) of the farm Klip Hoogte No. 83, situated in the Hessequa
Municipality, Division of Riversdale, Western Cape Province; In extent: 117, 6304 (One Hundred and Seventeen comma Six Three Zero Four) hectares;
Held by Deed of Transfer No. T9558/2024; and (bb) Portion 15 (Wilderness) of the farm Klip Hoogte No. 83, situated in the Hessequa Municipality, Division of Riversdale, Western Cape Province;
In extent: 526, 0115 (Five Hundred and Twenty-Six comma Zero One One Five) hectares;
Held by Deed of Transfer No. T9558/2024,
the boundaries of which are reflected on Surveyor-General diagrams 1831/2023 and A4776/1926 set out in Part A of the Schedule; and
( ii ) assign, under section 23(1)(b) of the Act, the name “Wilderness Nature Reserve” to
the intended nature reserve;
( b )notifies that the intended nature reserve is situated on the southern border of the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, approximately 30 km north of Heidelberg, the closest town, as indicated on the map in Part B of the Schedule;
( c ) notifies that CapeNature assessed the intended nature reserve, and it is apparent from this assessment that the intended nature reserve contains several features that make it eligible for declaration as a nature reserve;
( d ) notifies that the intended action referred to in paragraph (a)(i) meets the requirements of section 23(2)(b)(i) and (iii) of the Act, as it is aimed at protecting the intended nature reserve, which has significant natural features or biodiversity and is in need of long-term protection for the maintenance of its biodiversity or for the provision of environmental goods and services;
( e ) notifies that the contents of the Schedule and details of the assessment referred to in paragraph (c) may be viewed at https://www.capenature.co.za/care-for-nature/stewardship/;

( f ) notifies that the Provincial Minister is not, at this stage, aware of any potential rights or interests of the local community, or stakeholders other than the owner of the intended nature reserve, that may be affected by the intended actions referred to in paragraph (a); ( g ) invites members of the public to submit to the Provincial Minister written representations on or objections to the intended actions referred to in paragraph (a) within 60 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Provincial Gazette by—
(i) posting the representations or objections to:
Dr Ashley Naidoo
The Chief Executive Officer
Attention: Ms Kaylin Reid
CapeNature
Private Bag X29
Gatesville 7766;
(ii) delivering the representations or objections to:
Ms Kaylin Reid
Legal Advisor
CapeNature
Cnr Bosduif and Volstruis Streets
Bridgetown
Athlone; or
(iii) emailing the representations or objections to: [email protected]; and
( h ) invites interested or affected persons to, in appropriate circumstances, present oral representations or objections to the Provincial Minister, or to a person designated by the Provincial Minister, within the period contemplated in paragraph (g). Written representations or objections received, or oral representations or objections presented, after the closing date may be disregarded.
Enquiries may be directed to Ms Kaylin Reid at 087 087 3208.