How do you envisage Hermanus and the other towns of the Overstrand 40-50 years from now? For example, do you think that nature reserves such as Fernkloof (shown below) can be used to build roads? Now is the time to ensure that your vision for a future Overstrand is taken into account!
The Overstrand Municipality has commissioned consultants to draw up two critically important documents – a Draft Integrated Development Framework and Strategic Environmental Management Framework. These documents will, in turn, give direction to the Integrated Development Plan for the Overstrand. The IDF provides guidance to the private and public sectors on the agreed long term spatial planning and strategic development direction for the Overstrand.
Once these documents have been approved, it will be very difficult for the public to challenge any developments that are in line with what is contained in these documents. For this reason it is imperative that people who love the Whale Coast should participate in these crucial decisions about the direction our developments will take over the next 40 years and the kind of environment we leave to those who follow us.
These critically important documents will be presented to Hermanus residents on Friday 4thOctober from 17h00 to 19h00 in the Banquet Hall next to the Municipal Auditorium. Public presentations will also be held in Kleinmond and Gansbaai on the 2nd and the 3rd respectively. Participation and comment from the public can be submitted until 1 November.
Whale Coast Conservation will fully participate in this public participation process and will strive to make meaningful input to ensure the best possible future direction for the Whale Coast and environment. Your active participation is crucial. If you do not wish to make an individual submission, your comments can be forwarded to Whale Coast Conservation for inclusion in our submission. Input to these documents should be representative of the views of as many citizens of the Overstrand as possible.
The economy of the Whale Coast is dependent on the health of the environment. The way we plan and implement development, our lifestyles and the way we manage our impact upon the ecosystems upon which we depend, are all critical to environmental health.
You can help to determine the kind of development that is needed and wanted and what kind is not required or desirable. You can be instrumental in shaping the future natural and built environments in which we and our descendants will live.