SUBMISSION BY THE WESTERN CAPE NATURE CONSERVATION BOARD ON PROPERTY RATES BILL: 2003


Dear Sir,

The Board is grateful for the opportunity to summit comment on this important legislation. The Board recognises the value of financially stable and efficient local authorities for the provision of services and that they could make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation. It is important however that this legislative mechanism provides for a balance between local authority requirements and the environmental responsibilities of local authorities.

There is concern that local demands may compromise provincial and national environmental interests and in its current draft form this legislation does not adequately encourage and support sustainable land use practices or provincial and national land management objectives.

LOCAL ECONOMY

Rural development and stability may be significantly enhanced through conservation in areas where commercial agriculture may no longer be economically viable Protected areas both formal (statutory) and informal provide a range of ecological, social and economic benefits to the people living in and using the landscape.

A stable environment allows sustainable eco-tourism development and commercial activities which contribute significantly to local economic development. International funding is now being channeled into these areas to conserve priority biodiversity sites and alleviate poverty.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Large areas of the Western Cape, particularly in the lowlands, are inadequately conserved. Most of these areas are in private ownership. The most cost effective means of conserving these important biodiversity sites is by encouraging the appropriate land use and management on these private holdings. Section 9 (2) of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board Act makes provision for the establishment of Nature Conservation areas or privately own land. This is consistent with the provisions of the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas legislation and the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board is aggressively pursuing this means of reaching international and national biodiversity targets.



The Board has identified three main areas of concern namely:

The importance and significant role which privately-owned land has in biodiversity conservation.
Responsible and sustainable land use practices should be encouraged and supported by legislation in the Local, Provincial and National interest.
Nature based commercial activities which support and fund national biodiversity conservation should be supported by this legislation.


Biodiversity conservaiton for Local, Provincial and National interest


The Board supports the new framework for protected areas contemplated in the Protected Areas Bill 2003 which recognises that private land may be incorporated into a provincial and national protected area network with attendant legal status.

The wording in the relative clause S15 (2)(e) disqualifies private land for exemption even if it has national or provincial conservation status.

Recommendation: Clause 15 (2) (e)
Replace with "any protected areas proclaimed in terms of national or provincial legislation, excluding any such part of such area which is used for commercial or business purposes"


Responsible and Sustainable Land (use and) Management

The effective use of differential or split rates to encourage appropriate and sustainable land use in the Local, Provincial and National interest would leverage substantial behavioral change and set up a platform for effective alien clearing, fire management and other important environmental management aspects. (flood attenuation, sustainable use of resources, etc)

Recommendation:
Provide framework for municipal guidelines which encourage sustainable development and responsible land use and management. The application of split or differential rates for different forms of land use could effectively incentivise the wise management and protection of high value conservation land. This should be in collaboration with ministries such as Environment Affairs, Agriculture and Water Affairs & Forestry.


Nature Based Tourism Activities

In accordance with national financial management frameworks, the Board and other conservation entities, including some local authorities, are embarking on a number of Public Private Partnerships which will significantly contribute to the local rural economy and support the Board’s core business of biodiversity. The levying of rates on services and private properties in such partnerships will significantly impact on the positive effects of these partnerships on the local rural economies and biodiversity support.

Recommendation:
That the municipal guidelines which encourage local economic development in collaboration with the finance ministry include guidelines for split or differential rates for Public Private Partnerships which support the local economy and biodiversity. Areas that are important for biodiversity conservation can be identified by the relevant conservation authority and effectively protected through an incentivised Public Private Partnership.





The Board would appreciate an opportunity to make a verbal presentation to the parliamentary committee to elaborate on some of the issues highlighted in this submission. My office will contact you shortly to arrange for an appropriate time during your hearings on 13 or 14 May 2003.


Yours faithfully




Mr D Daitz Dr K Hamman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES