Proposed redevelopment of the Westlake Conservation Centre

Proposed Redevelopment of the Westlake Conservation Centre

The City of Cape Town proposes the development of new offices, restoration works and supporting infrastructure for the Biodiversity Management Branch at the Westlake Conservation Centre, Erf 12534, on Steenberg Road and Ou Kaapse Weg, Cape Town. The Westlake Conservation Centre hosts the offices for the Biodiversity Management Branch, which manages the City's nature reserves.

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Westlake Conservation Centre site is approximately 22 ha in extent and is located on erf 12534 in Tokai, Cape Town, which is currently zoned as Public Open Space. The site falls within ward 71 of Sub-council 20 of the City of Cape Town and is flanked to the west and south by the Table Mountain National Park, Steenberg Estate to the north and Westlake residential area to the east. Undeveloped parts of the site support remnant Peninsula Granite Fynbos and Cape Flats Sand Fynbos.  Watercourses on the site include wetlands and streams which are to are to be targeted for various rehabilitation interventions to improve wetland habitat and connectivity.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The proposal includes the redevelopment of the Westlake Conservation Centre buildings and associated infrastructure, largely within the development footprint of existing hard infrastructure on the site and to improve the functionality and capacity of the site for its existing uses. Additionally, the proposal includes the rehabilitation of wetland habitat on site including stream diversion and the establishment of new wetland habitat by promoting lateral flows and increased surface water retention on site.

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

Application has been made for environmental authorisation to undertake listed activities in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) and EIA Regulations, 2014 as amended (GNR 326 of 2017):

• Listing Notice 1 (GNR 327 of 2017): Activities 12, 19 and 48
• Listing Notice 3 (GNR 324 of 2017): Activities 4, 12, 14, 15 and 23

OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE

The 30-day commenting period for the draft BAR commenced on Thursday 07 August 2025 and closed Monday 08 September 2025.
Should you have any queries or concerns, you can contact the Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Infinity Environmental (Jeremy Rose or Kelly Gilmour), using the following options:
•    By sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
•    By sending a WhatsApp message to 060 524 7676 or telephonically on 021 834 1600
•    By completing the form on this page

Files can be accessed at the link below:

  folder 2025-08 Proposed redevelopment of the Westlake Conservation Centre