DELplan Consulting

Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦, has unveiled plans to transform its unfinished Foreshore highways, which have stood incomplete for about 50 years, into a bridge, tunnel, promenade and new neighbourhood.

The project would connect the inbound freeway to Helen Suzman Boulevard, while the outbound elevated road would eventually be replaced by a tunnel alongside Duncan Road.

The redevelopment could free up around 15 hectares for housing, parks and a harbour-side walkway.

Proud this development is coming alive! Working on it since 2003!

𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐏 𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐍
𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐄𝐊𝐎𝐌𝐒 𝐕𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐁𝐀𝐀𝐈 – 𝐋𝐀𝐀𝐓 𝐉𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐑
Hoe behoort Mosselbaai oor die volgende 25 jaar te groei? Waar behoort toekomstige ontwikkeling plaas te vind? Hoe vind ons die regte balans tussen ekonomiese groei, infrastruktuurbelegging, gemeenskapsbehoeftes en die beskerming van die omgewing?

Dit is van die belangrike vrae wat in die Konsep Munisipale Ruimtelike Ontwikkelingsraamwerk (MSDF) 2027 aangespreek word – die Munisipaliteit se langtermyn-beplanningsraamwerk wat toekomstige groei en ontwikkeling regoor die munisipale gebied sal rig.

📢 Die konsepdokument is nou oop vir openbare kommentaar en inwoners word aangemoedig om deel te neem.
✅ Woon een van die openbare vergaderings by wat gedurende Augustus 2026 aangebied word.
✅ Besigtig die konsepdokument by www.mosselbay.gov.za
✅ Dien jou kommentaar en aanbevelings in vóór 1 September 2026

📻 Wil jy meer weet? Skakel hierdie week in op plaaslike radiostasies waar munisipale verteenwoordigers die Konsep-MSDF, die openbare deelnameproses en die belangrikheid van jou insette sal bespreek.
📅 29 Julie 2026 – HeartBeat FM @ 15:00–16:00 (Afrikaans)
📅 30 Julie 2026 – Eden FM @ 17:00–18:00 (Engels)
📅 SFM – Datum en tyd moet nog bevestig word
📞 Meer inligting: 044 606 5070
📧 E-pos: [email protected]

The Western Cape Property Development Forum (WCPDF) says the Constitutional Court’s recent judgment against the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town on affordable housing presents an important opportunity for government, the private sector, and civil society to work together on practical, long-term solutions to one of the province’s most significant socioeconomic challenges: https://bit.ly/4fLMrRN

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Council has taken a significant step in long-term planning by approving the Draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF) 2027 for public participation.

The SDF is a legally required, strategic planning document that will guide land use, development decisions, and infrastructure investment across the municipal area for the period 2027 to 2032. It forms an integral part of the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and must be reviewed every five years in line with national legislation.

To date, substantial progress has been made, including the development of a status quo report, stakeholder engagement through an intergovernmental steering committee, and the preparation of a draft framework aligned with the Municipality’s long-term growth vision.

A key component of the framework is the inclusion of a Capital Expenditure Framework and Long-Term Financial Plan, which aligns infrastructure needs with available funding over time. This ensures that future development is not only strategically planned but also financially sustainable.

The draft SDF will now be published for public comment, allowing residents, stakeholders, and organisations to provide input before the final version is adopted.

This process reflects the Municipality’s commitment to:
* Transparent and inclusive planning
* Responsible long-term infrastructure investment
* Balancing growth with financial sustainability

Importantly, the SDF does not introduce immediate changes but provides a structured, forward-looking framework to guide development in a managed and sustainable way.

𝙊𝙥𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙍𝙪𝙞𝙢𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙠𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙧𝙖𝙖𝙢𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙠 2027 𝙫𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚
Die Raad het die konsep Ruimtelike Ontwikkelingsraamwerk (SDF) 2027 goedgekeur vir openbare kommentaar.

Die SDF sal toekomstige ontwikkeling, grondgebruik en infrastruktuurbeplanning in die munisipale gebied vir die periode 2027–2032 rig.

Die dokument sluit ook ’n kapitaalbeleggings- en finansiële raamwerk in om te verseker dat groei op ’n volhoubare en finansieel verantwoordelike manier bestuur word.

Inwoners en belanghebbendes sal nou die geleentheid kry om insette te lewer voordat die finale plan aanvaar word.

Enforcement of Land Use and Building by-laws: safeguarding, safe quality living environments

The Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department exists to protect the public by making sure that buildings and land uses are safe and lawful in terms of national standards and code. Enforcement is not punitive but serves as a warning to owners and developers that their activities may present a risk to residents, their homes and municipal services and demands measure to safeguard against such risks. This can be achieved partly by ensuring compliance with national legislation and municipal by-laws, which apply equally to all property, whether private or public.
The process ensures that owners take measures to ensure that buildings are structurally sound and safe to occupy, that they comply with norms and standards, and that people do not damage services such as water, sewer and electricity lines. Unauthorised building can cause damage to a person’s own property, their neighbour’s property, and critical municipal infrastructure.

How enforcement works
Enforcement takes place in three main ways:
• Complaints received from members of the public
• Routine area inspections and surveys
• Monitoring compliance with approved building plans and land use approvals

When a contravention is detected, the matter is registered and assigned to a case officer for investigation which starts with a desktop investigation to confirm whether authorizations are in place and assess the potential risks based on digital data at their disposal.

If needed, an inspection is conducted. Inspections are conducted lawfully in terms of section 15(1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, which authorises officials to enter land or buildings at reasonable times to assess compliance. It is preferred that the owners are present during the inspection to engage about possible means to rectify the issue.

What happens if there is non-compliance?
If non-compliance is identified:
• The owner is informed; and
• A formal notice is issued explaining the contravention and the steps that can be taken to rectify.

The notice usually gives the owner options, which may include:
• Submitting the required application
• Removing the unlawful structure
• Stopping the unauthorised activity

The municipality does not impose penalties immediately. Several notices (typically up to three) are issued to give property owners reasonable opportunity to respond and make use of the available options. Property owners are encouraged to contact the department for guidance and assistance in resolving the matter.
Where an owner is clearly taking steps to rectify the issue, the municipality is open to granting an extension of time to comply, provided the activity does not pose a risk to life, property or essential services.

Fines, legal action and misinformation
Legal action is considered only as a last resort, after repeated failure to cooperate and remedy non-compliance. Litigation is not preferred, as it can be costly and time-consuming for both the municipality and the property owner.
If attempts to secure voluntary compliance are unsuccessful, a section 56 notice (which would include a fine and/or a requirement to appear in court) may be issued in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. This still provides the individual with a further opportunity to make representations to the court.

It is also important to correct misinformation. Contrary to statements circulating on social media, the municipality does not impose a blanket fine of R6 000 for structures such as tool sheds. Any fines or penalties are determined through the proper legal process and depend on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Why compliance benefits everyone
The municipality has a legal and ethical duty to ensure that development is safe, orderly and lawful, for the benefit of all residents. Unchecked and unsafe building work can overload services, damage infrastructure, increase the risk of fires or structural failure, and incur costs that must ultimately be carried by law-abiding ratepayers.

Enforcement of bylaws is therefore a key element of good governance. It protects the rights and interests of all affected parties and is applied fairly and consistently, with multiple opportunities given to property owners to comply. It is not an instrument of “oppression”, but a regulated system designed to uphold the law, protect public safety and infrastructure, and allow residents the opportunity to regularise any non-compliance.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department directly at 044 801 9171 for assistance, clarification or support in regularising any structures or land use activities.
Report suspected activities to [email protected], [email protected] or use the MySmartCity app to log a complaint by downloading the app on www.mysmart.city