The City of Cape Town encourages organisations with an interest in the City’s nature reserves to apply for membership of the Protected Areas Advisory Committees (PAACs).
Through serving on the advisory committees, organisations from neighbouring communities and interest groups can get involved in matters concerning their local nature reserves and protected areas.
‘The role of the PAACs is to advise the City on matters of interest, and to facilitate interaction, communication, engagement and the development of partnerships with surrounding communities and interest groups on how reserves are managed. These are important functions and the City values the input and contributions we receive from those serving on the advisory committees,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
The membership of the PAACs is made up of representatives from formally constituted groups and organisations. These delegated representatives do not serve in the PAACs in their personal capacity, but on behalf of the group or organisation. Also, the City may from time to time appoint specialist advisory members to serve on the PAAC.
The PAACs were last renewed in 2018 as provided for in the Protected Areas Act. These committees serve a period of three years and membership is now open for renewal and applications by new members.
The following nature reserves have PAACs:
Blaauwberg
Bracken, including Perdekop
Durbanville, including Uitkamp Wetland and Botterblom
False Bay, including Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei, Pelican Park, Slangetjiesbos, Zandwolf and Strandfontein birding area
Helderberg
Table Bay, including Rietvlei, Diep River, Milnerton Racecourse and Zoarvlei
Tygerberg, including Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve
Witzands Aquifer
Wolfgat
• Zandvlei Estuary
• Edith Stephens
‘I invite organisations with an interest in nature conservation to please nominate representatives to serve on these committees.
‘The nature reserves and protected areas in Cape Town concern all of us. It is of utmost importance that we preserve these areas and the city’s biodiversity for future generations. We regard our residents and organisations who often use these areas as key stakeholders and guardians. All of us can make a contribution and I am encouraging organisations to get involved by serving on these committees,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
The opening date for nominations is tomorrow, 7 June 2021, and the closing date is 28 June 2021.
Source: City Of Cape Town
