Extracts from the Koukamma Spatial Development Framework First Edition May 2007

Legislative Imperative

In order to give effect to the requirements of the Constitution the Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000 – Chapter 5 requires the preparation of a Spatial Development Framework

The SDF must:

• Plan to co-ordinate and to optimize human activities, which require physical space
• Public sector plan to guide public and private investment
• Represent the spatial development goals of a local authority.
• It is not comprehensive but should be a broad framework identifying the minimum public actions necessary to achieve the direction of the plan.
• It must have sufficient clarity to guide decision-makers in respect of development applications

Guidelines/Policy for Land Use e.g. Nodal Hierarchy Guidelines

• Basic services are to be provided to all levels of settlements. Prioritisation is to be given to primary and secondary nodes before investment takes place in the rural nodes.
• Active public investment is to take place in the primary nodes.
• Public investment in the secondary nodes is to address the provision of basic civil and community servicesonly.
• Public investment in the rural nodes is to address theprovision of basic civil services only.
• The hierarchy of nodes is to guide the prioritization of investment

Nodal Development Plans developed for: Kareedouw, Joubertina, Krakeelrivier, Louterwater, Misgund, Coldstream, Coldstream, Stormsriver, Nomphumelelo, Woodlands, Eersterivier and Clarkson.

Legislative Context

• The Constitution
• Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000
• Development Facilitation Act & DFA principles
• Land Use Management Bill (June 2002) and the draft White Paper on Spatial Planning and Land Use Management (March 2001)
• Local Government: Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations (August 2001)
• National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998
• National Spatial Development Perspective

The above feed into the Province of the Eastern Cape’s Strategy Framework for Growth and Development 2004-2014 to align with the Cacadu Municipalities vision and take into account the Koukamma IDP in order to present the Koukamma SDF.

Koukamma Issues in Cacadu SDF 2007

• No Koukamma settlements have been highlighted as significant within the Cacadu Region: The significant nodes are Grahamstown, Graaff-Reinet, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and Port Alfred.
• The N2 National Route is a primary road linkage within Cacadu The road network is in need of maintenance given the potential for agricultural export.
• The KouKamma has fifteen dispersed prominent settlements each with specific bulk infrastructure requirements and large disparities in service levels.
• The upgrading and maintenance of this infrastructure will continue to provide a major a challenge to municipal capacity.
• Urban expansion cannot be accommodated on existing state owned land.
• The pressure for urban expansion is competing for land that is either valuable from an agricultural perspective or environmentally sensitive
• Koukamma has the highest population growth rate in the region (3,8%) ‘Current and Future Development Areas (CFDAs) and will receive the majority of the CDM’s assistance in the region
• CDM’s Settlement Hierarchy policy together with the Settlement
• Development Guidelines will require that municipalities may need to: Discourage the continued existence of settlements; Maintain current settlements and prevent these from expanding and Encourage active growth and expansion of settlements that meet acceptable criteria.