Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
(a) What preparations have CapeNature facilities undertaken in anticipation of the 2025 flower season and (b) what additional measures are in place to manage increased visitor volumes, particularly in terms of increased refuse demands?
(a) The visitor statistics for nature reserves likely to be visited during flower season (e.g. Rocherpan, Cederberg, Bird Island and Grootwinterhoek), usually on route to popular flower viewing locations, indicate that existing measures are sufficient. CapeNature does not foresee an unusually high influx of visitors to these nature reserves during the months of August, September and October. Measures currently in place are also implemented during the peak holiday season, when nature reserves do experience an influx of overnight and day visitors.
(b) Measures include the standard deployment of employees dedicated to front of house, visitor liaison, terrain and campsite maintenance and cleanliness, combined with day-to-day operations such as visibility patrols to address any activity that is not in keeping with conditions for entry. This includes dedicated waste management interventions such as signage at strategic points, the provision of bins, and regular refuse removal.
