Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development
(1) (a) What is the current situation with vehicular access to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, (b) what measures have been introduced to handle the number of vehicles that visitors wish to bring into the reserve and (c) what measures have been implemented to limit the damage done to the natural vegetation by vehicles;
(2) whether CapeNature has embarked on a public participation process regarding vehicular access to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of these engagements and (b) what input was received?
[1] [a] Vehicular access is allowed into the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve since it has reopened. Vehicles can enter the reserve via the circular track through the MTO entrance gate.
[b] MTO gate-guards carefully monitor the number of vehicles entering and leaving the reserve so that the number of vehicles in the reserve are strictly adhered to.
[c] Additional signage has been erected to indicate to visitors where vehicles are not allowed to drive and/or park. Furthermore, only 20 vehicles are allowed at the Witbrug parking area and only 6 vehicles are allowed to park at the start of the Swartboskloof hiking trail, any one point in time. This limits the traffic flow within the reserve and limits any potential road damage. It also allows for the easier flow of traffic in the event of a fire.
MTO has completed the first maintenance intervention that allows for vehicles to drive on the access track with ease, leaving the track obstruction/obstacle free, so that vehicles do not have to veer off the side of the track or to drive off the access road.
[2] CapeNature did not embark on a public participation regrading vehicular access to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. MTO was the lead agency regarding vehicular access to the reserve.
