Stakeholder engagement for drafting of Western Cape Biodiversity Act Regulations kicks off
The Western Cape Biodiversity Act, 2021 (Act 6 of 2021) was signed into law in November 2021. Although certain sections of the Act are already effective since 15 November 2022, interested parties are now invited to engage on the development of regulations within the Act.
“I call on and encourage citizens of the Western Cape and interested groups to register to participate in a series of local stakeholder engagements, both in-person and online, towards the development of the draft Regulations. The Western Cape Biodiversity Act (WCBA) allows us to modernise our thinking on biodiversity, driven through partnerships with key sectors and communities to promote the conservation of our biodiversity while also allowing for development, economic growth, and job creation,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said.
Certain sections of the WCBA, which are not yet in effect, will be given effect and come into operation through the development of Regulations, in a phased manner. Stakeholder engagements facilitated by CapeNature and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning are aimed at the compilation of draft Regulations to give effect primarily to sections 49 to and including 76 of the WCBA. This largely relates to the protection of plant and animal species and compliance and enforcement related thereto. Once drafted, the draft Regulations will be published for public comment and consultation.
Interested parties and Western Cape citizens are invited to register on the WCBA webpage https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-act .
Below are details of the stakeholder events, both in-person and online which interested groups can attend. Should you not be able to register online, please email wcbaregulations@capenature.co.za to find out who the Stakeholder Engagement Officer in your area is, who will be able to assist with manual registration.
Contact:
Wouter Kriel
Spokesperson for MEC Anton Bredell
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Cell: 079 694 3085
Email: Wouter.kriel@westerncape.gov.za
