INTEGRATED

INTEGRATED

RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN



HARMONY FLATS NATURE RESERVE



March 2011

INTEGRATED RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN









Compiled by



Sabelo Lindani



Biodiversity Management Branch



Environmental Resource Management Department



City of Cape Town







Harmony Flats Nature Reserve









March 2011









ISBN NUMBER

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART SECTION AND SUBSECTIONS PAGE

NUMBER NUMBER

List of Maps ii

List of Figures ii

List of Tables ii

List of Appendices iii

List of Abbreviations used iv



Part 1 1. Introduction 1

Description 1.1. Aim of the Integrated Reserve Management Plan 2

1.2. Location and Extent 5

2. Description of landholdings and ownership 7

2.1. Property Details and Title Deed Information 7

2.2. Landscape Perspective 7

2.3. Physical Environment 8

2.4. Biological Environment 11

2.5. Socio-Political Context 13

2.6. Protected Area Expansion 16

3. Purpose, Vision / Mission, Significance / Value 16

3.1. Purpose of the Protected Area 16

3.2. Vision and Mission 16

3.3. Significance of Property (Biodiversity, Heritage and 18

Social)



Part 2 4. Administrative and Legal Framework for the 19

Management Management Authority

policy 4.1. Legal Framework 19

framework 4.2. Administrative Framework 25

5. Protected Area Policy Framework & Guiding 26

Management Principles

5.1. Management Objectives 26

5.2. SWOT analysis 36

5.3. Protected Area management policy framework and 37

Guiding Principles

5.4. Sensitivity Analysis 42

5.5. Zonation Plan of the Harmony Flats Nature 42

Nature Reserve

6. Development Plan 44

7. Costing Plan 45



Part 3 8. Monitoring & Auditing 46

Monitoring &

Auditing

8.1. Annual Audit Procedure 46

8.2 Biodiversity Monitoring 46

Part 4 9. References 49

References

Part 5 10. Appendices 51

Appendices









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | i

List of Maps Page Numbers

Map 1: Nature Reserve Location in the CCT 6

Map2: Nature Reserve Boundary

Map3: Nature Reserve Erven

Map4: Catchments including Rivers and wetlands

Map5: Nature Reserve and Biodiversity Network

Map6: Zonation Map 43

Map7: Vegetation Distribution Map









List of Figures Page Numbers

Figure 1: Integrated Nature Reserve Management 3

Figure 2: City Development Strategy 4

Figure 3: Long-term Precipitation trends 9

Figure 4: Mean Annual Precipitation 9









List of Tables Page

Table 1: Legal Framework 19

Table 2: Staffing Complement 25

Table 3: Management Objectives 26

Table 4: SWOT Analysis 36

Table 5: Protected Area Policy and Guiding Management Principles ?

Table 6: Environmental Education Programmes 38

Table 7: Costing Plan 45

Table 8: Monitoring Requirements 47









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | ii

List of Appendices

A. Charts and Tables

 Rainfall Table

 Zonation Table





B. Legal Agreements

 Government Gazette for Nature Reserve Proclamation

 Surveyor General (SG) diagrams (Cliff Dorse to arrange)

 Office Space Memorandum of Agreement

 Lease Agreement

 Memorandum of Agreement (transfer of management)

 Title deed





C. Species Checklists

 Plants

 Mammals

 Birds

 Reptiles





D. Other documents as required :

 METT-SA (The HF METT is write protected therefore one should be printed out and

attached on the document)









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | iii

List of Abbreviations used

APO Annual Plan of Operations



BMB Biodiversity Management Branch



C.A.P.E Cape Action for People and the Environment



CARA Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act



CBO Community Based Organisations



CCT City Of Cape Town



CDF Conservation Development Framework



CFR Cape Floristic Region



DLA Department of Land Affairs



EIA Environmental Impact Assessment



EMS Environmental Management System



EPWP Expanded Public Works Programme



HFWG Harmony Flats Working Group



IS Invasive Species



IDP Integrated Development Plan



IMEP Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy



IRMP Integrated Nature Reserve Management Plan (IRMP)



LBSAP Local biodiversity Strategic Action Plan



LAF Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos



MCM Marine & Coastal Management



MEC Member of Executive Councils



MOU Memorandum of Understanding



MPA Marine Protected Area



MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework



NEMA National Environmental Management Act



RPC Nature Reserve Planning Committee



SANBI South Africa National Biodiversity Institute



WESSA Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa



WfW Working for Water



Integrated Reserve Management Plan | iv

PART 1

DESCRIPTION

1. INTRODUCTION

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve was officially opened in 1986 and later proclaimed as a

Provincial Nature Reserve in 1989 mainly for the protection of the endangered geometric

tortoise (Psammobates geometricus). Since the Nature Reserves proclamation the area has

been subjected to mass urban development that resulted in the reduction and transformation

of the indigenous vegetation particularly in the areas surrounding the Nature Reserve. This

reduction is further exacerbated by the irresponsible activities by humans such as frequent

fires, illegal plant harvesting. Sadly in the end the geometric tortoise has disappeared due to

theft and frequent fires.





Harmony Flats Nature Reserve conserves a critically endangered vegetation type known as

Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos (LAF). Less than 1% of this vegetation is currently protected

and more than 94% transformed falls under private land ownership. The national target for

the conservation of this vegetation is 30% and only 5% is available (Rebelo et al. 2006). This

management plan will address all the threats that are continuously experienced in the Nature

Reserve and at the same time discuss the various programmes (from monitoring to

environmental awareness) that have been carefully selected to address these challenges.





The strategic management planning process, which results in the development of an

Integrated Reserve Management Plan, for the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve, begins with

the definition of the Vision followed by the Purpose for the Nature Reserve. This Purpose is

then supported by Desired States for the Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve Objectives

contribute to realizing the Purpose and Desired States. For each Desired State a number of

Management Objectives are identified. These Management Objectives are then made

operational through the identification of Outputs. Objectives for each Desired State are

prioritized for the five-year time horizon of the plan. Time frames, deliverables, performance

indicators and targets are then allocated for each objective, or a group of linked outputs

contributing to the Desired State.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 1

1.1. Aim of the Integrated Reserve Management Plan

The aim of the Integrated Reserve Management Plan (IRMP) is to ensure that the Harmony

Flats Nature Reserve has clearly defined objectives and activities to direct the protection and

sustainable use of its natural, scenic and heritage resources over a five year time period.

The IRMP thus provides the medium-term operational framework for the prioritized allocation

of resources and capacity in the management, use and development of the Nature Reserve.

The IRMP intends to add value and continuity by clearly stating management objectives,

scheduling action and providing guidelines on the management approach.





The context of the Nature Reserve planning process for the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve

are: (i) City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) (Anon 2010); (ii) City’s IMEP (Anon

20031); (iii) Biodiversity Strategy (Anon 20032) and Local Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan

(LBSAP) (Anon 20091); and (iv) Bioregional context (Cape Action for People and the

Environment (C.A.P.E.). The major elements of the IRMP are: this document (overall

strategy, vision and context); the detailed subsidiary plans (as required) and an annual plan

of operations (APO). The IRMP for the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is supported by a

State of Biodiversity Report, Operational Guidelines, and Monitoring and Evaluation

framework to ensure ongoing implementation and review of protected area management

activities (Figure 1).









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 2

Integrated Nature Reserve Management

Plan



Strategic Plan

for Nature

Reserve: vision,

background,

context Operational

State of guidelines

Biodiversity

Report Monitoring and

Evaluation

LBSAP









Annual

Subsidiary

plans Plan of

Operations









Figure 1: The elements of the Nature Reserve management plan



The IRMP for the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve forms part of a tiered series of policies,

legislation and related planning documents at the sectoral, institutional, agency and local

levels (Figure 2).









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 3

Figure 2: Legal and planning framework for the integrated management plan





Where possible, emphasis has been placed on the following:



 Assigning responsibility for management interventions;



 Scheduling, said management interventions; and



 Quantifying management costs.





This approach has the specific intention of creating a mechanism whereby management

intervention can be monitored and audited on an annual basis.





In context, this IRMP is a dynamic document and the detailed subsidiary plans should be

updated on an annual basis or as soon as new information comes to light that may better

inform decisions on responsible land management. The IRMP should be updated every five

years.



The drafting of this Management Plan has been guided by a small interdisciplinary Nature

Reserve Planning Committee (RPC) comprising the Branch Manager, the Regional

Manager, the Area Manager, the Reserve Manager, various specialists and other interested





Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 4

and affected persons. Iterative drafts of the IRMP were presented to, and discussed by, the

RPC before broader circulation for inputs from the public.









Pre-engagement workshops were held with community partners during March to May 2010.

This afforded key community partners an opportunity to input at an early stage. The ideas

and outputs from the workshops have been (where practical) incorporated into the IRMP.







1.2. Location and Extent

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is approximately nine ha in size and is situated within the

Helderberg basin (grid reference 34º08’15’’S: 18º51’35’’E) within the CCT. The Nature

Reserve is located near the boundary of Strand and Gordon’s Bay about 2km inland, in the

centre of the following low income residential areas: Cassablanca, Gustrouw and Rusthof

(Figure 3). Harmony Flats Nature Reserve was officially proclaimed on the 21 June 1989 by

the Administrator of the Province of the Cape of Good Hope in terms of section 6(1) of the

Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance, 1974 (Ordinance 19 of 1974) as a

Provincial Nature Reserve on Portion of Erf 5544, Strand. Provincial Gazette no. 4593

published on the 7 July 1989 (Appendix 3).









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 5

Location Map (INSERT LOCATION MAP HERE!)from Adele









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 6

2. DESCRIPTION OF LANDHOLDINGS AND OWNERSHIP

2.1. Property Details and Title Deed Information

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is a property of the CCT and located on Erf 5544 in the

Strand area. This land was part of a larger Erf 5079 which was expropriated by the Registrar

of Deeds in Cape Town from Casper Frederick Christiane on the 30 September 1965 and

subdivided for the Gustrouw Sports Field and housing. The land was transferred to the

Municipality of Strand, Title Deed number: T2402/ 1965 (Appendix 8). See Surveyor General

Diagram on Appendix 4.





2.2. Landscape Perspective

The Nature Reserve falls within the CFR. The CFR in South Africa is the smallest and richest

of the six floral kingdoms in the world, and it is the only one to be found entirely within one

country. This rich biodiversity is under serious threat for a variety of reasons including

conversion of natural habitat to permanent agriculture, inappropriate fire management, rapid

and insensitive development, overexploitation of water resources, and infestation by alien

species. The region has been identified as one of the worlds "hottest" hotspots of biodiversity

(Myers et al. 2000).



In response to this challenge, a process of extensive consultation involving various

interested parties, including local government and nongovernmental organizations resulted

in the establishment of a strategic plan (C.A.P.E Project Team 2000) referred to as Cape

Action Plan for the Environment which, identified the key threats and root causes of

biodiversity losses that need to be addressed in order to conserve the floral kingdom. This

resulted in a spatial plan identifying areas which need to be conserved and a series of broad

programme activities which need to be done over a 20 year period. Based on the situation

assessment and analysis of threats, three overarching themes that complement and

reinforce one another were developed:





 establish an effective Nature Reserve network, enhance off-Nature Reserve

conservation, and support bioregional planning;





 strengthen and enhance institutions, policies, laws, co-operative governance, and

community participation; and



 develop methods to ensure sustainable yields, promote compliance with laws,

integrate biodiversity concerns into catchment management, and promote sustainable

eco-tourism.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 7

The Cape Action for People and Environment (C.A.P.E.) partnership was formed that works

together to implement the C.A.P.E. vision and plan by strengthening institutions, supporting

conservation efforts, supporting education, developing tourism benefits, and involving people

in conservation. The CCT was one of the 19 founding signatories of the C.A.P.E.

memorandum of understanding (MOU).



The Harmony Flats Nature Reserve forms an important platform and integral link within the

city’s Biodiversity Network (Anon 20092). It is this network that ensures parcels of

conservation worthy land are included in a protective network, connected to other parcels of

conservation worthy land.





2.3. Physical Environment

2.3.1. Climate

The climate in this area is Mediterranean and is characterised by warm dry summers with

mild rainy winters. The average daily maximum and minimum temperature on the Nature

Reserve is 22.2°C and 13.2°C based on a 24 year period (1985-2009) with infrequent frost

incidence. The Nature Reserve experiences prevailing and strong summer winds from the

South East direction while the winter wind is dominated by the North and North West. In the

period of 2005-2009 42% of the wind recorded was the South Easterly wind and 20% of this

wind had a strong speed of more than 10.7 meters per second. The winter-rainfall climate

peaks up from May to August with a Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) of 400–768 mm

(mean: 598 mm). Following is the graph that illustrates the rainfall fluctuations since 1985

that also depicts the driest year (1998) in the period.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 8

Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP)



900.0



800.0



700.0



600.0



500.0

(mm)









Annual Rainfall Over 24 Years

400.0



300.0



200.0



100.0



0.0

85





87





89





91





93





95





97





99





01





03





05





07





09

19





19





19





19





19





19





19





19





20





20





20





20





20

Years





Figure 3: Long Term Precipitation Trends (Data from Weather Services, 2010)



These rainfall data could be useful over a period of years for comparative purposes and to

determine long term trends. The following graph illustrate the rainfall patterns over one year

period, once again the data plays a crucial role in the management of the Nature Reserve as

it influences what interventions to take place and by what time of the year. See rainfall table

on Appendix 1.









Figure 4: Graph showing Mean Annual Precipitation from a monthly perspective, for

the Strand area (Van Tonder 2010)





Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 9

2.3.2 Geology, geomorphology, soils and land types

The Nature Reserve is characterised of plinthic, duplex, silty soils often with small cobbles

and pebbles embedded. Found over Cape Suite granite and metasediments of the

Tygerberg Formation (Malmesbury Group) with a shale rock at a depth of 0.3 to 1.3m

throughout much of the area.







2.3.1 Hydrology and aquatic systems

As a result of the flat topography and underlying hardpan the water penetration is very slow

and therefore large parts of the area become waterlogged between May and October.







2.3.1 Catchments

The Nature Reserve is characterised as a seasonal wetland and it falls within the Catchment

Area. WHICH CATCHMENT AREA – FROM ADELE!









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 10

2.4 Biological

2.4.1 Vegetation

The Vegetation Scientists have in the past referred to the vegetation in this area as either

renosterveld or fynbos. This is as a result of the Nature Reserve being in a lowland area

where the screes, sands and silt have been deposited in alluvial fans. The species typical of

renosterveld are found on the finer sediments and fynbos on the courser sediments. Thus

referred to as LAF. LAF is endemic to the Cape Town area and is found in the low-lying

plains between Firgrove and Gordon’s Bay, including much of the Strand and Somerset

West area, with the extension to the Lourensford Estate (Rebelo et al. 2006).





On these low-lying plains, low-medium dense shrubland with short graminoid understorey is

supported. Restioid and asteraceous fynbos are dominant; however there is some evidence

that proteoid fynbos might once have been dominant in the area. Some parts of the Nature

Reserve have remnants that are exceptionally rich in geophytes. In the Nature Reserve 215

plant species have been recorded to date with 23 species listed as species of special

conservation concern in the Red Data List (Raimondo et al. 2009). Such species include

Lotononis prostrata, Leucadendron lanigerum, Elegia verreauxii, Ixia versicolor. The latter

has its only viable population occurring in this Nature Reserve (see Appendix 9 for species

list).





The conservation status of LAF is Critically Endangered with more than 94% of it

transformed inter alia by urban development, roads and farming. LAF is the most

transformed endemic vegetation type within the CCT and one of the most transformed types

in South Africa. The national target for its conservation is 30% and only 5% is available with

less than 1% currently conserved in Harmony Flats Nature Reserve. The re-mapping of the

area is highly necessary since intensive development has taken place in the area since the

last analysis (National Vegetation Map for the Fynbos Biome, 2006). The integrity of LAF is

further and largely threatened by frequent fires that have partially changed vegetation

structure from dense shrubland to mostly grassy communities. (Refer to Appendix 14 for the

distribution of LAF in the area).





2.4.2 Mammals

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve only has a limited number of small mammals as the Nature

Reserve itself could not support viable populations of any large mammals due to the fact that

it is only nine hectares in size. A small mammal survey is conducted twice a year and so far

two rodent species have been recorded, namely, Mus minutoides (Pygmy Mouse) and

Rhabdomys pumilio (Striped Field Mouse). Due to the size of the Nature Reserve and

available habitat the Nature Reserve management has no intentions of introducing any



Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 11

bigger mammals in the future but to manage and monitor the ones that are already on site

(Appendix 10).





2.4.3. Birds

The Nature Reserve does not have a comprehensive bird list but over a period of three years

more than 13 bird species have been recorded, this list includes species such Elanus

caeruleus (Black Shouldered Kite), Vanellus coronatus (Crowned Lapwing), Scopus

umbretta (Hamerkop). Of the significance are the pairs of Mirafra apiata (Cape Clapper Lark)

which still occur on site (Appendix 6).





2.4.4 Amphibians

To date only one frog species has been recorded on site and this is the Strongylopus grayi

(Clicking Stream Frog).





2.4.5 Reptiles

The reptiles recorded to date include Homopus areolatus (Parrot Beaked Tortoise), Chersina

angulata (Angulate Tortoise), the latter does not originally occur on site however was

released by person(s) unknown, Naja nivea (Cape Cobra) and the Agama hispida (Southern

Spiny Agama) which was last recorded within CCT in 1985 and therefore thought to be

locally extinct. Additionally Harmony Flats Nature Reserve was once a home to a Critically

Endangered Geometric Tortoise which was later translocated to Tygerberg Zoo as the

Nature Reserve experienced frequent fires that threatened the survival of these tortoises.

See Appendix 12 for a list of the reptile species recorded to date.





2.4.6 Invertebrates

The Nature Reserve has no data with regards to the invertebrates however a baseline

survey is envisaged in the near future.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 12

2.5 Socio-Political Context

2.5.1 History

The significance of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve was first realised in the mid 1970’s when

a relic population of Geometric Tortoise was found in the Rusthof area between Strand and

Gordon’s Bay. It was during this time that the Strand Municipality was approached by the

then Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation (now Cape Nature) and

representation was made to have an area set aside for conservation purposes. As a result of

this initiative nine hectares was subsequently earmarked for the conservation of the

threatened habitat (LAF), in which the above endangered geometric tortoise survived. In

addition the Jarman (1986) report revealed that out of the 55 sites that were studied,

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve and the Dassenberg Hills had the highest score of

threatened flora of which about 100ha was still intact.





Nonetheless as a result of the rapid urban sprawl and desperate need for housing the area

adjoining the Nature Reserve was bulldozed in October 1985 and the building of residential

sites commenced. During this time the Department decided to collect the tortoises and keep

them in a safe place until the Nature Reserve has been fenced off and proclaimed. As a

result of this the department with help from the members of the Hottentots Holland Centre of

the Wildlife Society collected and removed 292 Homopus aereolatus (Padlopers) and 52

Geometric Tortoises. The Geometric Tortoises were temporarily housed by Admiral Dirk

Nortier at Gordon’s Bay and the padlopers by Mr. Steve Mitchell a nature conservation

official employed by Somchem in Somerset West.





During this time there were ongoing discussions between the Strand Municipality and the

Provincial Department of Nature Conservation (now Cape Nature) to conserve the area

which resulted to an agreement on conditions under which a small Nature Reserve would be

set up. The Nature Reserve was then leased to Cape Nature for a period of nine years and

eleven months (from 01 October 1986) at a very nominal rate of R1 per annum (Appendix 3).

In the meanwhile the then editor of African Wildlife (John Comrie-Craig) and the Wildlife

Society of Southern Africa (now WESSA) took an initiative together with the SA Nature

Foundation to raise funds for the erection of security fence around the Nature Reserve. The

Geometric Tortoise appeal fund was established whereby the public was called upon to

make contributions, the two organisations (SA Nature Foundation and Wildlife Society of SA)

contributed R5 000 each, and eventually a total amount of R37, 000 was received.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 13

The Nature Reserve was officially opened on 24 October 1986 and at that ceremony the

then Mayor of Strand (Mr Hattingh) handed over to WESSA (Hottentots Holland Region) the

sum of R2, 000.00. At this opening 42 Geometric Tortoises and 100 padlopers all marked

were released back into the Nature Reserve. WESSA undertook to fence the property and it

is believed that roughly R80, 000.00 was raised and the fence and signage was erected. The

Nature Reserve is officially called the “Harmony Flats Nature Reserve” the name of the farm

prior to its sale and subdivisions for housing development being put into place.





In the years to follow it became a major challenge for the provincial authority to manage the

Nature Reserve adequately due to financial constraints and lack of dedicated staff to the

Reserve, irresponsible human activities, theft of the new fence and signage, and alien

vegetation was cleared irregularly, the site was regularly set alight by persons unknown

leaving a high number of both types of tortoises dead. These challenges resulted to Cape

Nature not renewing the lease to manage the Nature Reserve when it lapsed on the 31

August 1996 (see memorandum on Appendix 7). The land therefore reverted back to the

management of the local authority (Helderberg Municipality, now CCT) which included the

local areas of Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Lwandle and Nomzamo. The Nature

Reserve was then placed under the management of City Parks and Nature Conservation unit

based at Somerset West.





In 2005 the management was taken over by the Biodiversity Management Branch. By the

time the local authority took over the management of the Nature Reserve most of the once

intact lowland vegetation adjoining it had been extensively transformed. A study undertaken

by Maze and Rebelo (1999) identified a 40 hectares area (Weltevreden) just northwest of

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve and south of Lwandle as one of the 35 Core Flora

Conservation Areas on the Cape Flats. This site is currently referred to as Morkel’s

Cottages (name of residential area adjacent to the land) and is facing housing development.

However negotiations between the BMB and the Housing Department (CCT) to set aside

some land for conservation are currently taking place.





In 2002 Harmony Flats Nature Reserve was identified as one of the four pilot sites by SANBI

through the Cape Flats Nature Project which aimed at building a good relationship between

nature and surrounding communities within the city. The project secured R50, 000.00 worth

of funds received via J&B Whiskey allocated for a period of two years. The funding was

mainly for the employment of a nature conservation student and was handed over to the

Friends of The Helderberg Nature Reserve to administer.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 14

A third year Nature Conservation student from Cape Technikon was employed during 2003

as a Student/Site Manager and carried out some intensive work that involved establishing an

enthusiastic local group called Harmony Flats Working Group (HFWG) with the aim to assist

in the management of the Nature Reserve. Cape Flats Nature lobbied for a container after a

request was made by the HFWG, a 12 meter long container was purchased by the CCT that

was going to be used by the group.





The approach to employ students became challenging as there was no continuity due to the

fact that the students were only employed for one year to complete the in-service training. As

a result of this the relationship between the Nature Reserve and the HFWG suffered

tremendously due to a lack of continuity. During this time Cape Flats Nature was fund raising

to have a dedicated and qualified Site Manager employed to manage the Nature Reserve.

Finally in October 2007 a full time Nature Conservator was employed on contract with the

aim to apply sound management to the Nature Reserve at the same time engaging the local

communities on the management and activities within the Nature Reserve. In July 2009 as

part of the City realignment process the Nature Reserve was amalgamated under the

management of Steenbras Nature Reserve so that it can have access to work resources that

it still lacks such as staff and equipment. The City finally made the Site Manager position

permanent in November 2009 and the title was changed to Reserve Manager for operational

alignment reasons.





2.5.2 Socio-economic context

The Nature Reserve is surrounded by communities of different economic status, the

communities on the close proximity of the Nature Reserve are Cassablanca, Sercor Park,

Southfork, Gustrouw which are low income areas and other border is Gordon’s Bay which

ranges from middle to high income communities. The Cassablanca and Sercor Park

communities are represented by two CBO groups HFWG and TAG Changers. The HFWG

was established in 2003 with the aim to assist voluntarily in the management activities of the

Nature Reserve. This group was originally made up of 15 members of mostly pensioners

from the area, and their activities included removal of invasive species, environmental

education and held public meetings when job opportunities existed. The membership of the

group (HFWG) has now decreased tremendously over the years and it now stands at five

members. Some of the members of the group have either passed on, found work and others

have retired. The TAG Changers is a youth organisation who’s purpose is to interact and

entertain younger people in the Strand area. The partnership that the Nature Reserve has

with TAG Changers gives an opportunity to work with younger people during environmental

awareness programmes. On the outskirts (near the N2) a township dominated by low income

black communities known as Lwandle exists. There is not formal partnership between the



Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 15

Nature Reserve and these communities except with a few schools that are approached

during environmental education interventions.





The management of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve also aims to explore the possible

tourism opportunities for the Nature Reserve that will at the same time bring economic

benefits to the local communities by training local guides. The Nature Reserve has in the

past created some temporary employment for more than 30 local residents through Poverty

Relief projects; these include a Working for Wetlands project, a fence erection project among

others. Additionally the Nature Reserve has received some funding from the National

Department of Tourism and CCT to construct a Tourism Facility, this facility will have a

potting shed developed for the nursery. The initial employment potential of the project was

26 people and currently only 11 people have been employed.





2.6 Protected Area Expansion

Cape Nature in conjunction with the BMB is in the process of negotiation with the private

land owners to have a portion of their land set aside for conservation purposes and

incorporated to the Nature Reserve through a Stewardship Programme. All these properties

consist of LAF and are situated in the Gordon’s Bay area. Once this process has been

finalised the size of the corridor will expand from 9ha to 19.58 hectares in total. The sites

areas include the following erven: 6331, 6330, 6329, 6334, 6341, 6342, 6343 and 32634.

Refer to Appendix 15.







3. PURPOSE, VISION / MISSION, SIGNIFICANCE / VALUE

3.1 Purpose of the Protected Area

The primary purpose of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is to conserve the ecological

processes associated with the LAF.





3.2 Vision and Mission

3.2.1 Vision

Integrated Development Plan Vision

The vision of the CCT remains as follows:

 To be a prosperous City that creates an enabling environment for shared growth and

economic development



 To achieve effective and equitable service delivery



 To serve the citizens of Cape Town as a well-governed and effectively run

administration.





Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 16

To achieve this vision, the City recognises that it must:



 actively contribute to the development of its environmental, human and social capital;



 offer high-quality services to all who live in, do business in, or visit the city as tourists;

and



 be known for its efficient, effective and caring government.



C.A.P.E. Vision

We, the people of South Africa, are proud to be the custodians of our unique Cape Floral

Kingdom, and share its full ecological, social and economic benefits now and in the future.





Environmental Resource Management Department Vision

To ensure that sustainable and equitable development is combined with sound

environmental practice for a healthy local environment, which sustains people and nature,

provides protection for our unique resources and results in an enhanced quality of life for all.





Biodiversity Management Branch Vision

To be a City that leads by example in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. A City

within which biodiversity plays an important role, where the right of present and future

generations to healthy, complete and vibrant biodiversity is entrenched, and to be a City that

actively protects its biological wealth and prioritises long term responsibility over short-term

gains.





Harmony Flats Nature Reserve Vision

To protect the long term ecological integrity of the LAF at the same time building

environmental harmony among various cultures that are found outside the borders of

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.





3.2.2 Mission

Biodiversity Management Branch

 Manage biodiversity proactively and effectively

 To ensure an integrated approach to biodiversity between CCT line functions &

departments and actively pursue external partnerships

 To adopt a long-term approach with regards to biodiversity

 To ensure sustainability of our rich biodiversity

 To adopt a holistic and multifaceted approach to biodiversity





Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 17

 To continually measure and monitor the CCT’s performance in the protection and

enhancement of biodiversity

 To continually measure and monitor the state of biodiversity in Cape Town





Harmony Flats Nature Reserve

 To proactively manage the Nature Reserve ecosystem as expected by the Biodiversity

Management Branch.

 To ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of all ecological processes.

 To integrate the neighbouring communities through environmental awareness

programmes.





3.3 Significance of Property (Biodiversity, Heritage and Social)

 Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is home to LAF which is Critically Endangered. The

Nature Reserve has recorded more than 215 plant species of which more than 20 of

them are listed as species of conservation concern. One of the plant species is Ixia

versicolor and the Nature Reserve is known to have the last viable population of this

Critically Endangered plant.



 The Nature Reserve has recorded a number of avifauna and, reptile species that

included a Southern Spiny Agama (Agama hispida) which was considered extinct

within the City boundaries.



 Harmony Flats Nature Reserve has a very good partnership with some community

groups from the Cassablanca Area.









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PART 2

MANAGEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK

4. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

4.1 Legal Framework

Table 1: Legal Framework

The following is a list of Legislation applicable to the management of the CCT’s Biodiversity Management branch, with particular reference to the

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve. Repealed legislation has been included as greyed out text for information purposes only.



Legislation: Relevance: Amendment: Comment:

Act, Ordinance, By-law Description Latest Amendment Date Other Notes

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Chapter 2: Bill of rights assigns citizens

Lists South African citizen’s environmental rights. N/A

Act; No 108 of 1996 with particular rights.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

National Legislation

One of the most important environmental laws relating to most aspects  Amendment Act 56 of 2002

National Environmental Management Act, No Provides for cooperative environmental

of the environment including EIA’s the roles of DWE, environmental  Amended by GN. 26018 Vol.

107 of 1998 governance

information and legal standing etc. 464 –of 2004-02-13

The objectives of the Act are to provide for: The development of the IRMP will assist in

 the management and conservation of South Africa’s ensuring that the NEM:BA objectives are

biodiversity within the framework of the National achieved in the Nature Reserve.

Environmental Management Act, 1998

 the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant

National Environmental Management: national protection

N/A

Biodiversity Act No 10 of 2004  the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources

 the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bio-

prospecting involving indigenous biological resources

 the establishment and functions of a South African National

Biodiversity Institute









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In essence, the Act was put in place to safeguard the important

biodiversity attributes in the country, whilst allowing people to benefit

equally from the natural resources. In order to achieve these goals, the

Act made provision for the South African National Biodiversity Institute

(SANBI), which has been designated certain functions and has been

afforded powers and duties in respect of this Act.

 To provide for the protection and conservation of ecologically Regulations Notice 1029 of 2009 list

viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological specific regulations for reserves

diversity and its natural landscapes and seascapes; proclaimed by the MEC (draft August

 for the establishment of a national register of all national, 2009)

National Environmental Management: provincial and local protected areas;  Amendment Act 62 of 2008

Protected Areas Act No 57 of 2003  for the management of those areas in accordance with  Amendment Act 15 of 2009

national norms and standards;

 for inter-governmental cooperation and public consultation in

matters concerning protected areas;

 and for matters in connection therewith.

CARA Regulations contain a list of alien invasive vegetation  Amended by GN R 2687 of

Conservation of Agricultural Resource Act, Alien invasive plant legislation to be

categorized according to there legal status. Act regulates sale position 1985-12-06 and GN R 280 of

1983 (ACT 43 OF 1983) included under NEM:BA in future

and use of listed species 2001-03-30

National Veld and Forest Fire Act; No 101 of Relates to veld fire prevention, fire protection associations, fire danger A detailed Fire Management Plan will be

N/A

1998 indexing, enforcement of fire legislation and the fighting of fires developed.

The Environment Conservation Act is the other law that relates  Environment Conservation

specifically to the environment. Although most of this Act has been amendment Act 98 of 1991

replaced by NEMA there are still some important sections that remain  Environment Conservation

in operation. These sections relate to: amendment Act 79 of 1992

 protected natural environments  Environment Conservation

Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989  littering Second amendment Act 115 of

 special Nature Reserves 1992

 waste management  Environment Conservation

 limited development areas amendment Act 94 of 1993

 regulations on noise, vibration and shock  Environment Conservation

 EIA Second amendment Act 52 of







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1994

 Proclamation R27 of 1995

 Proclamation R43 of 1996

 National Environment Act 107

of 1998

To provide for enhancing the quality of ambient air for the sake of Promulgated to give effect to section 24(b)

National Environmental Management: Air

securing an environment which is not harmful to the health and well- of the Constitution.

Quality Act 39 of 2004

being of the people South African Air Quality Information

System (SAAQIS) is a web-based system

which provides information on the quality

of ambient air across the country

To consolidate and amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty Animal Matters Amendment Act 42

Animal Protection Act, 71 of 1962

to animals of 1993

Regulates the ownership and protection of game Faunal Management Plan to be developed

Game Theft Act 105 of 1991

according to the act.

National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 Provides for the protection of heritage resources N/A

World Heritage Conservation Act 49 of 1999 Incorporates the World Heritage Convention into South African law N/A

Problem Animal Control Ordinance 26 of Regulates problem animals Administered under the Western Cape

1957 Nature Conservation Board Act 15 of 1998

Whole repealed 01 April 2010 in

Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act 45 of favour of the National

1965 Environmental Management: Air

Quality Act 39 of 2004

Provincial Legislation

Although it might not have a direct

application in the management of Nature

 Assented to 22 November 1985 Reserves, it does affect the surrounding

The purpose of the ordinance is to regulate land use and to provide for  Western Cape Land Use properties and could possibly be used to

Land Use Planning Ordinance, No 15 of 1985

incidental matters related to land use. Planning Ordinance, 1985, control activities / developments around

Amendment Act, 2004 the Nature Reserves to minimize negative

effects on the Nature Reserves – for

example in applying zoning restrictions.







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Administered under the Western Cape

Cape Nature and Environmental The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate wild animals and plants Publication date 1 September Nature Conservation Board Act 15 of 1998

Conservation Ordinance, no 19 of 1974 and the establishment of Nature Reserves. 1975





Western Cape Nature Conservation Board Biodiversity Agreements are signed under

Act 15 of 1998 this act

Municipal Legislation

Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy Envisages a set of City-wide aligned strategies dealing with all aspects Influences the Biodiversity Strategy 2003

(IMEP) 2001 of the environment.

To be a City that leads by example in the protection and enhancement  Draft amendment for 2009- Influenced the development of IRMP

The Biodiversity Strategy 2003

of biodiversity. 2019

To provide for the regulation of stormwater management in the area of  Publication date 23 September Communication Strategy and Action Plan

CCT By-Law Relating To Stormwater

the CCT, and to regulate activities which may have a detrimental effect 2005 will take effect into addressing the issues

Management , LA 31420

on the development, operation or maintenance of the stormwater with the relevant department.

system





The purpose of this by-law is:

 Publication date 4 February

to give effect to the right contained in section 24 of the Constitution of

CCT: Air Pollution Control By-Law; LA 12649 2003

the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) by controlling

air pollution within the area of the Council’s jurisdiction; to ensure that

air pollution is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, is

minimized and remedied.

The purpose and scope of the By-law is: A fire Management Plan to be designed.

 Publication date28 February

By-Law Relating to Community Fire Safety; to promote the achievement of a fire-safe environment for the benefit

2002

Province of the Western Cape; LA 11257 of all persons within the area of jurisdiction of the Municipality; to

provide for procedures, methods and practices to regulate fire safety

within the area of jurisdiction of the Municipality.





The purpose of this By-law is:

To formulate a new single by-law including 10 different municipal dog

CCT Draft Animal By-Law, 2009  Draft, 2009

by-laws and the Animal Protection Act of 1962.

This includes chapters on dogs, cats, poultry and working equines.









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HUMAN RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION

National Legislation

To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the

health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and

machinery; the protection of persons other than persons at work

Occupational Health and Safety The Safety and Security Plan will be

Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection

Amendment Act , No 181 of 1993 developed as required.

with the activities of persons at work; to establish an advisory council

for occupational health and safety; and to provide for matters

connected therewith.

Provides for control measures pertaining to employment Standard Operational Procedures Manual

Basic Conditions of Employment Act 3 of

 Amendment Act 11 of 2002

1997



The labour relations act aims to promote economic development,  Amendment Labour Relations

social justice, labour peace and democracy in the work place. Act , 42 of 1996

 Amendment Afrikaans Labour

Relations Act 1998

Labour Relations Amendment Act, 66 of 1995  Amendment Labour Relations

Act , 127 of 1998

 Amendment Labour Relations

Act 2000

 Amendment Act 12 of 2002

Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 Establishes core principles, process and mechanisms relating to local

of 2000 government

Promotion of Equality/Prevention of Unfair Provides for the prevention of discrimination and other related matters

Discrimination Act 4 of 2000

Criminals Procedures Act

Fire Arm Act

Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009

Fencing Act 31 of 1963 Regulates all matters relating to fencing

Controls substances which may cause injury or ill health to, or death

Hazardous Substances Act 15 of 1973

of, human beings by reason of their toxic nature

Land Survey Act 8 of 1997 Regulates land surveying, beacons and other related matters







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Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of Promotes access to information

2000

Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of Provides for the promotion of administrative justice

 Amendment Act 53 of 2002

2000

Regional Services Council Act 109 of 1985 Regulates and controls land, land usage and other related matters

Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 Promotes the development of skills

State Land Disposal Act 48 of 1961 Regulates the disposal of state owned land

Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act 70 of Regulates the subdivision of agricultural land

1970

Provides for the promotion of tourism and regulates the tourism A Tourism Strategy is envisaged.

Tourism Act 72 of 1993

industry

Public Resort Ordinance 20 of 1971 Regulates nuisance and pollution control

Municipal Ordinance 20 of 1974 Regulates pollution and waste management

South African National Road Agency Limited

(SANRAL) and National Road Act 7 of 1998

Provides for the control, regulation and encouragement of aviation  Repealed in favour of the Civil

Aviation Act 74 of 1962

activities in the Republic of South Africa Aviation Act 13 of 2009

Provincial Legislation

Western Cape Constitution Act 1 of 1998 Introduces a constitutional framework for the province

Western Cape Land Administration Act 6 of Regulates land and land usage

1998

Western cape Planning and Development Act Regulates planning and development within the province

7 of 1999

Municipal Legislation

The Purpose of the By-law is to regulate and facilitate filming in the  Provincial Gazette 6277, 24

CCT By-Law relating to Filming

CCT June 2005

By-law relating to Streets, Public Places and The purpose of the by-law is to regulate activities in streets and public  Promulgated 28 September

the prevention of noise nuisances 2007 places and prevent excessive noise nuisance 2007, PG 6469; LA 44559









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4.2 Administrative Framework

The Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is managed by the BMB which forms part of the CCT’s

Environmental Resource Management Department under the Strategy and Planning

Directorate. The Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is located within the Eastern Region and is

under the management of a Reserve Manager who reports to the Area Manager. The Nature

Reserve is in a serious need for an additional staff member particularly a People and

Conservation Officer. Over the years the Nature Reserve has seen a need to increase its

Environmental Education and Awareness programmes as a response to various social

pressures on the environment. This has therefore created a need to have an additional person

to run these programmes as they are difficult for the Reserve Manager to plan and implement

them.





4.2.1 Staffing complement

Table 2: Staffing Complement



Designation Workdays Hours







Reserve Manager Monday -Friday 40 hours







Student (annual contract) Monday - Sunday 40 hours









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5. PROTECTED AREA POLICY FRAMEWORK & GUIDING MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

5.1 Management Objectives

Table 3: Management Objectives

High level objective Objective Sub-objective Initiative Low level plan



CONSERVATION OF Consolidation and expansion of

(1) Identification of under represented

REPRESENTATIVE, land areas:

Representative habitats/ecosystems.

FUNCTIONAL Consolidation of protected areas

ecosystems: (2) Consolidate Nature Reserve boundaries. Nature Reserve expansion plan

ECOSYSTEMS: focusing on under representative

To incorporate a (3) Incorporate untransformed fynbos.

To conserve a representative ecosystems, functional linkages and

spectrum of viable

sample of the regions processes.

terrestrial

ecosystems in a linked

ecosystems Fire management:

landscape, and the

characteristic of (1) Implement a fire management plan in

maintenance or restoration of

the Harmony Flats Apply appropriate fire regime in fynbos accordance with objectives of conserving

environmental processes to Fire management plan

Nature Reserve, areas (frequency, season, intensity, biodiversity and threatened biota.

enable natural spatial and

and to re-introduce size). (2) Monitor impact of fire management regime.

temporal variation in

missing elements

structural, functional and

where possible. Threatened biota:

compositional components of

biodiversity. (1) Maintain viable populations of rare/threatened

Maintain viable populations of

plant and animal species (identify, locate & Monitoring Plan

threatened species in order to meet

monitor populations of priority species)

obligations in terms of international

agreements and conventions.

Monitoring Plan:

Implement and maintain an approved (1) Implement and maintain a biological monitoring

Monitoring Plan

Monitoring Plan for the Nature Reserve programme for the Nature Reserve.









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Rehabilitation:

Vegetation:

Rehabilitate degraded

Re-establishment of physical, chemical

areas, including the re- (1) Rehabilitate all old degraded sites. Vegetation Rehabilitation plan

and biological processes in degraded

establishment of natural

vegetation areas.

biodiversity patterns, and

the restoration of key

processes which support

the long term persistence

(1) Establish the distribution and density of

of biodiversity. Alien plants and other alien biota:

invasive species.

Control and where possible eliminate Invasive alien plant management

(2) Prioritise areas for alien removal focusing on

alien biota to facilitate re-establishment plan ; Alien biota management

biodiversity restoration.

of natural biodiversity pattern and plan

(3) Implement removal programs for priority

process in invaded areas.

species and areas.

Reconciling biodiversity Internal developments:

MITIGATE INTERNAL and with other Nature Minimise the impacts associated with

EXTERNAL PRESSURES: Reserve objectives: the development of visitor and Nature

To reduce threats and To ensure that non- Reserve management infrastructure, (1) Nature Reserve zonation

pressures and limit biodiversity management and ensure that such developments do (2) Develop and implement CDF.

environmental impacts aspects of Nature Reserve not compromise biodiversity (3) Developments in accordance with EIA process

resulting from non-biodiversity operations (revenue objectives. (NEMA) and corporate policies. CDF

management aspects and generation including visitor, Internal activities: (4) Establish visitor carrying capacities.

operations on surrounding resource use, Minimise the impacts associated with (5) Implement green standards and environmental

land and resource use. developments, visitor and Nature Reserve best practice based on corporate policy

management activities, management activities, and ensure

etc.) are informed and that such activities do not compromise

constrained by biodiversity biodiversity objectives.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 33

conservation objectives, Extractive resource use:

and that the impacts of Minimise the impacts of extractive (1) Quantify current extractive resource activities.

these activities on resource use, and ensure that such (2) Define opportunities and constraints in line with

biodiversity are minimised. activities are aligned with corporate corporate guidelines. Research to take place.

guidelines; are within management (3) Regulate resource use, according to adaptive

capacity constraints, and do not management process

compromise biodiversity objectives.

(1) Engage with regional land management

authorities, incl. IDP’s and SDF’s at local &

Reconciling biodiversity External developments: regional level.

with external threats: Minimise the impacts associated with (2) Alignment with bioregional planning, including

To reduce external threats inappropriate developments outside explicitly identified areas for the maintenance of

and pressures, and limit the Nature Reserve importance for biodiversity pattern and processes

impacts of surrounding with appropriate land use guidelines. Communication Strategy and

land & resource use on (3) Provide input into planning and decision Action Plan

biodiversity conservation making process for external development that may

within the Nature Reserve. compromise Nature Reserve and Biodiversity

Network objectives.

(4) Negotiate to ensure that external

developments are not visually obtrusive or out of

character with the park.

(1) Negotiate to mitigate or improve the

External activities: management of external potentially detrimental

Negotiate to ensure that external impacts. Education Strategy and Action

resource and land use do not (2) Encourage eco-friendly resource use and land Plan

detrimentally affect ecological management practices on adjacent properties.

processes within the Nature Reserve. (3) Mitigate the impacts of oil and other pollution

events, through appropriate contingency planning









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 34

Hydrological and water chemistry (1) Lobby for appropriate Catchment categorization

changes: (currently General Authorization).

Participate in activities for the (2) Encourage enforcement of legislation applicable

Education Strategy and Action

maintenance of river flow regimes and to the management and protection of aquatic

Plan

water chemistry within limits for the resources.

maintenance of ecosystem processes (4) Facilitate regular assessments of River Health.

in aquatic ecosystems within the (5) Address the issue of sewage and other point

Nature Reserve. source pollution into aquatic systems



Illegal harvesting of resources:

(1) Public liaison Safety and Security Plan

Prevent the illegal collection, removal

(2) Law enforcement Security Operational Manual

and destruction of physical and

(3) Audit every five years

biological resources.

WILDNESS / REMOTENESS:

Range of experiences: (1) CDF

To maintain and restore (1) Nature Reserve zonation

Provide a range of visitor (2) Nature Reserve expansion

uniqueness/tranquillity in the (2) Develop CDF and sensitivity-value analysis.

experiences. plan

Harmony Flats Nature

(3) Invasive plant management

Reserve such that the spiritual

(1) Implement & update CDF plan

and experiential qualities of Sense of place:

uniqueness are maintained, (2) Establish and apply appropriate visitor carrying

Maintain or restore

enhanced, or where capacity

appropriate sense of place.

necessary restored (3) Negotiate to ensure that external developments

are not visually obtrusive or out of character with the

Nature Reserve.



(1) Develop a database of all tangible and intangible

cultural assets which include and inventory, maps

CULTURAL HERITAGE and relevant documentation.

MANAGEMENT: Conserve and manage (2) Develop site Management Plans for each

N/A N/A

To investigate and manage all cultural heritage assets Cultural Heritage site with monitoring systems in

cultural assets place for management priorities and prescriptions.

(3) Facilitate appropriate Interpretation of cultural

heritage associated with the Nature Reserve









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 35

5.2 SWOT analysis



Table 4: SWOT analysis

Strengths Weaknesses







 The Nature Reserve has a full time manager who oversees the  Lack of capacity in terms of Human resources to maintain some important tasks such as baseline data collection,

management of the Nature Reserve. environmental education and monitoring. The tasks are currently run by a student but there is no continuity.





 The Nature Reserve proclaimed which gives a legal status for the  The Nature Reserve has no fences on its boundaries therefore the access is not controlled which leads to a

Biodiversity Management Branch to fully control the site. difficulty to manage effectively.





 The Nature Reserve has a good relationship with local organisations.









Opportunities Threats



 There is a possibility to link the Nature Reserve with the  Illegal activities- the thoroughfare through the Nature Reserve has a number of bad consequences such as too

neighbouring private properties to form ecological corridor frequent fires, illegal dumping (household and rubble), sand removal that lead to soil erosion, restio and bulb

through the Stewardship programme. harvesting.

 Stray dogs that have a bad impact on nesting birds, small mammals and tortoises.

 To establish a Friends group that will assist the Nature Reserve on

variety of activities particularly environmental awareness.  Invasive alien plants- mostly Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu), Acacia saligna (Port Jackson) and many

herbaceous weeds that occur in the Nature Reserve.

 To develop very effective and important monitoring systems.

 Nature Reserve isolation- the Nature Reserve is very isolated therefore may become a major threat in the future in

terms of viability.





 Indiscriminate development- Bloubos road development/ extension could have serious impacts on the Nature

Reserve as it will break the species distribution and connection





 to the rest of the corridor. At the same time affect the hydrology in the system.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 36

5.3 Protected Area management policy framework and Guiding Principles

5.3.1 Community Participation

The Harmony Flats Nature Reserve will strive to nurture productive and mutually beneficial

partnerships that result in economic and/or biodiversity equity. This will be achieved through

the creation of job opportunities in support of Expanded Public Works and Poverty Relief

Programmes. Through the support of community based Social Development Initiatives the

Nature Reserve will strive to enhance socio-economic benefits to local communities.





The Nature Reserve has in the past ran projects through Working for Wetlands and internally

funded projects that have proved to be successful in terms of temporary job creation. However

these projects are never sustainable as they only last for a few weeks or months. However the

Nature Reserve management is meeting with various organisations with the aim to try and

explore possibilities of raising funds and subsequently running more sustainable projects that

will benefit the Nature Reserve and the communities around it. The Nature Reserve staff is

also in the process of establishing a Friends Group for the Nature Reserve. It is intended that

this group will assist with environmental awareness and education programmes. On the other

side the HFWG and TAG Changers of Cassablanca and Sercor Park communities run and

assist in eight environmental education programmes that take place over a year period. These

organisations help mobilise the kids and youth from the community who come to assist in

invasive plant clearing among other things.



5.3.2 Environmental Education

The Nature Reserve hosts quite a number of environmental activities that are aimed at the

different age levels of the surrounding communities, these activities are run annually and they

include the following:









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 37

5.3.2.1 Environmental Education Programmes

Table 6: Environmental Education Programmes





Activity Date Target group



Waste Week March / April Local schools



Biodiversity / Bird Week May Local schools



Holiday Programme June/July Younger children



Arbor Week September Local schools



Spring Walks September/ October Public members



SEEP Hike October Youth



Careers in Conservation As per request Schools



Weedbuster Week October Youth



Holiday Programme December Younger children









Additionally the Nature Reserve also hosts random walks and talks for different organisations

and groups such as interns, international students and visitors. All these activities are held in

conjunction with HFWG and Tag Changers. However in the absence of an EE officer this area

is not optimised as it could be.





5.3.3 Security and safety

A safety and security audit still needs to be carried out in the Nature Reserve. Harmony Flats

Nature Reserve is not entirely fenced off except in the North West and East boundaries

therefore access is uncontrolled. There are no buildings at this stage except for the container

that is being utilised for meetings when required. This container has security gates and

burglars on windows and doors to prevent attempts to break in. The fence posts have in the

past been stolen and the perpetrators were never discovered. The other form of theft that

takes place is illegal plant harvesting, mostly the bulbous plants such as Incwadi (Boophane

disticha), Thamnochortus fruticosus. At this stage it is difficult to know who is responsible for

these wrong doings at the same time the quantities taken out are also not known. However

security measures will be introduced after the office buildings have been developed.





5.3.4 Cultural historical, archaeological, paleontological management

No cultural historical information is known and available to the Nature Reserve at this stage

however some research is being conducted. The only cultural history that is known to occur is

that of the Lwandle area which is in close proximity to the Nature Reserve however not

relevant to the management of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.



Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 38

5.3.5 Tourism development and management

Tourism is one of the country’s main sources of income as it contributes tremendously to the

Gross Domestic Product through different segments. The eco-tourism segment alone plays a

very important role in showcasing the protected natural areas in South Africa and Cape Town

is no exception. This segment does not only bring benefit to protected areas financially but

also help to create job opportunities for the local people.





In terms of scenic beauty particularly in spring Harmony Flats Nature Reserve demonstrates a

wide variety of wild flowers that can only be seen at a specific time and only in this part of the

world. As a result of the conservation status (Critically Endangered) of the LAF, the Nature

Reserve has some of the rarest plants on earth which should therefore make it one of the

tourist destinations within the Cape Town area. Although the important status is there, the

Nature Reserve does not get the marketing and recognition that it deserves.





As a result of this the management together with the local organisations and possibly with the

Friends Group in the future will try to explore some funding opportunities that will help unleash

the specialised botanical tourism potential in this area. There are intentions of linking the

Nature Reserve on the tourism route, develop a partnership with the Lwandle Museum and

international organisations such as African Conservation Experience which is a United

Kingdom based organisation. There are opportunities for township tourism whereby the local

talent is show cased to visitors by a various cultural performances that the communities

around possess. Some of these initiatives have already started but are not sustained due to a

number of factors that included a lack of staff capacity and budget. The opportunities have

been identified and tourism packages still need to be developed.





5.3.6 Infrastructure management

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve does not have any building infrastructure except for the

container that is used when needed. Other than that the Nature Reserve has a fence on two of

its borders that receive maintenance when needed. The Nature Reserve is currently in the

process of constructing its new building offices that will comprise of two offices, a reception

and exhibition area, a kitchen and a lecture room. Accompanying this building a potting shed

will also be constructed for the purposes of a nursery. The construction period is envisaged to

take up to six months. An infrastructural maintenance plan will be developed once the project

has been completed.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 39

5.3.7 Biodiversity conservation management

5.3.7.1 Community based natural resource management

The harvesting of natural resources within the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is currently not

allowed. Research on the amount of harvesting and the species harvested across the city is

currently underway. Some investigations as to the types and extent of harvesting in the Nature

Reserve has been started but to date there is no detailed or conclusive data, that determines

where current harvesting is sustainable, and or what potential threats are foreseen should

these activities persist.





5.3.7.2 Fire management

Fire plays an essential ecological role in the life-cycle of fynbos species. Fire is crucial to the

long term conservation of species within the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve and is therefore

considered an important component of Nature Reserve management. Fire management

involves varying the season, frequency and intensity of fires, and reconciling ecological and

practical requirements. Too frequent fires, or fires which burn out of phase of the natural

burning regime, present a threat to slower-growing species, which can be eliminated. If fire is

excluded from the area, forest species can invade resulting in fynbos species being lost.

Conversely if vegetation is allowed to burn too frequently, the area becomes degraded and

alien species, especially grasses. Grasses maintain a shorter fire cycle and permanently

change the vegetation structure and biodiversity value.





Although fire plays a crucial role in the management of fynbos ecosystems this is to be done

with extra caution in Harmony Flats Nature Reserve. Over the past 24 years since the Nature

Reserve was officially opened and proclaimed it has been inundated by frequent fires. On

average at least three fires are recorded per year in different sections of the Nature Reserve.

This has been an occurrence since proclamation and it is exacerbated by the fact that the

Nature Reserve is not entirely fenced off and therefore people still use it as a thoroughfare

which makes it difficult to know if most fires are arson or accidental.





As a result of this some plants particularly the Proteaceae species only occur on one section

although this provides some heterogeneity in the veld but the main reason is because some

sections burn more than one occasion in two fire seasons which lead to the grass dominance.

It is therefore the responsibility of the Nature Reserve Manager to develop a proper fire

management plan that will encompass all different factors at the same time taking into

consideration the legislation such as the Veld and Fire Act and other legislation that one has to

abide to. The fire management plan will take into consideration the fact that there are

residential areas that are surrounding the Nature Reserve therefore the fire frequency of eight

to ten years will be applied.

Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 40

5.3.7.3 Soil erosion and control

A draft rehabilitation plan has been developed for the Nature Reserve; this plan has attempted

to address various challenges that occur within the reserve that include soil erosion, rubble,

light scale sand mining, and invasive species. The plan will address how these challenges will

be dealt with and prevented as well as the interventions to be applied e.g. a formal footpath

such as a boardwalk.





5.3.7.4 Invasive species management

The management of invasive species is a priority within the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.

The main plant species that occur in the Nature Reserve include Acacia saligna (Port

Jackson), Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) and more than 11 other herbaceous weeds

species. Animal species include mainly the domestic dogs that are recorded in packs on the

Nature Reserve. Invasive species management within the Nature Reserve is applied in

accordance with the City’s Invasive Species Strategy and in co-ordination with various

government funded initiatives, including EPWP: WfW and Working for Wetlands. The Nature

Reserve has a draft invasive species plan that addresses all strategies and control measures

needed to be taken into consideration with regards to the management of invasive species.





5.3.7.5 Species introductions

Currently the Nature Reserve does not introduce any species, however in the past this has

happened through Search and Rescue from other sites of similar environmental features as

the Nature Reserve. In the near future another search and rescue will again take place and

the plant species will be identified recorded and this will also be factored into the rehabilitation

plan as they will be planted on the kikuyu patches.







Once the Nature Reserve has been fully secured and all the systems and plans have been

developed and implemented it is intended that re-introductions of geometric tortoise will take

place. This is dependent on results of research projects and approval from the BMB Faunal

Community. All proposed re-introductions need to be approved before implementation.

Recommendations and approvals are required from the Faunal and Floral Management

Committees as well as from CapeNature. The implementation of any re-introduction

programmes will be specified in plan of action and documented accurately.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 41

5.3.7.6 Strategic research

There is no research that currently takes place in the Nature Reserve except for the nature

conservation students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. There is however

an opportunity for more strategic research projects on a variety of projects. It is within the

BMB’s intentions in the future to encourage local universities to conduct relevant research on

Nature Reserves including Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.





5.4 Sensitivity Analysis

No Sensitivity Analysis has been conducted on the Nature Reserve at this stage.





5.5 Zonation Plan of the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve

5.5.1 Zoning Informants

This section briefly outlines the values underlying the identification of tourism use zones. It is

important to remember that the landscape/biodiversity analysis is one of the informants

necessary in the zonation process. Although the biodiversity analysis has not been conducted

in the Nature Reserve it is intrinsically a relatively objective scientific process. The zonation

definitions and descriptions have been workshoped with the branch and four categories

decided on such as the Conservation zone, Low intensity leisure zone and high intensity

leisure zone (for more information on the categories, refer to the Zoning table on Appendix 2).

Harmony Flats Nature Reserve as a result of its small size of only nine hectares has only one

zone i.e. Conservation Area, see Zonation map below:









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 42

Map 6: Zonation Map for Harmony Flats Nature Reserve









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 43

6. DEVELOPMENT PLAN

No significant development is contemplated to take place within the boundaries of Harmony

Flats Nature Reserve. However a footpath will be developed on a less sensitive location, the

main aim being to encourage the visitors to only walk on a demarcated area thereby

preventing trampling on vegetation. Additionally the new reserve offices will be constructed on

an adjacent site on Erf: 13815 which is managed by the Department of Sport and Recreation

(CCT). The official permission for this agreement is in Appendix 5.





The building will comprise an exhibition centre, and reception, two offices, a kitchen, toilet

facilities and a classroom that will be utilised for the purposes of Environmental Education and

Green Futures lectures (Green Futures will be responsible for a one year learnership that is

aimed at capacitating the local youth interested in basic horticultural skills). A nursery with the

potting shed will be developed next to the building and it will also be utilised for the purposes

of the skills programme. The building project is envisaged to begin in January 2011 and the

project completion in July 2011. The Nature Reserve also aims to fence off its southern

section in 2011 however a thorough public participation process will take place whereby the

communities using the Nature Reserve will be interviewed about this possibility.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 44

7. COSTING PLAN

Table 7: Costing Plan



Management Action Funding Source 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016



1. Invasive Alien Plants

Management Grant





1.1 Rehabilitation R211, 000.00





2. Environmental Education Operating R5, 135.85 R5, 418.32 R5, 716.32 R6, 030.00 R6, 364.41





3. Human Resources Operating R356, 400.00 R384, 912.00 R415, 704.96 R448, 961.36 R484, 878.27





4. Infrastructure Development Operating / Capex





4.1 Fencing Operating R246, 915.36





4.2 Signage





4.2.1 Interpretive Signage Capex R200, 000.00





4.2.3 Directional Signage Operating R3, 151.00





4.2.4 Boardwalk development Capex R90, 000.00





7. Maintenance Operating





8. General Expenses Grant / Operating R2, 000.00





9. Special Projects





Total R577,686.85 R837,645.68 R511,421.28 R454,991.36 R491,242.68









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 45

PART 3

8. MONITORING & AUDITING

8.1 ANNUAL AUDIT PROCEDURE

A detailed auditing process of the past three years of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve exists.

These include the Protected Areas Review as well as the annual Nature Reserve visits. Every

three years the auditory process includes the METT-SA auditing process (Appendix 13). The

focus of these audits is to assist the management in achieving management objectives and

improving management effectiveness of the protected area.





8.1.1 Management Plan review

This management plan should be reviewed on a 5-yearly basis and adjusted where

necessary. To achieve this, the following questions (and others as needed) should be

addressed:



 Did this Management Plan make a meaningful contribution to the management of the

Protected Area?

 Were individual management “prescriptions” realistic and achievable? Were they written

unambiguously or was there room for misunderstanding?

 Were budgets for each management activity realistic? Were the allocated budgets too

much or too little?

 Were sufficient staff members of the right qualifications allocated to each management

activity?





There will be some overlap between the review and the audit and they should therefore be

done on the same day, by the same team.



8.2 Biodiversity Monitoring

A number of monitoring programmes have been identified as necessary to assist with the

effective management of the Harmony Flats Nature Reserve. Some programmes have been

well implemented and included into the management of the Nature Reserve. Others require

formalizing and further implementation. The Biodiversity Database also plays a crucial role in

the monitoring of both floral and faunal species which allows one to add sightings as seen on

the Nature Reserve. When a sighting is added one is requested to insert a date, this allows

one to measure the trends of a certain species over a certain period.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 46

8.2.1 Monitoring Requirements



Table 8: Biodiversity Monitoring

Action

Responsible Party Means of Verification Frequency

Vegetation Monitoring

IS Vegetation Nature Reserve staff Weekly Inspections Weekly

Actions to be monitored include; the Nature Reserve Manager, Student Final Inspections Once off – completion of contract

effectiveness of the operation, the effectiveness Field Verification Sheets Annually - to determine Management

of the follow–up, methods used, compliance with Unit Clearing Plan

the alien clearing schedule and environmental

damage such as herbicide spillage









Fire mapping Nature Reserve staff Veld age map, fire map Post fire

The accurate mapping and recording of all veld Nature Reserve Manager, Students and

fires must be done to build up a useful record Interns

that will assist with veld interpretation. These

records will take the guesswork out of the effects

of fire when it occurs on the property. A simple

map indicating the extent of the burn with the

date of the fire is the minimum requirement.





Post Fire Recruitment Nature Reserve staff Stratified Sampling plots Post fire

Nature Reserve Manager, Student 6 months

12 months

Abundance, Density & Structure Nature Reserve staff Fixed point photography Annually for 3 years

Nature Reserve Manager, Student Presence, abundance, density





Nature Reserve staff

Nature Reserve Manager, Student Field Observation Sheet Annually







Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 47

Nature Reserve staff, Nature Reserve Seasonally

Threatened Species Manager, Student, Custodians of Rare Line transect

and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Annually

Action

Responsible Party Means of Verification Frequency

Faunal Monitoring





Bird counts and identification Nature Reserve staff Transects and field observation Monthly

Nature Reserve Manager, Student





Nature Reserve staff

Small mammals Nature Reserve Manager, Student Stratified Random Sherman trap array Annually





Rehabilitation sites Nature Reserve staff New species recording on rehab. sites. Monthly

Nature Reserve Manager, Student









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 48

PART 4

9. REFERENCES

Anon 2010. City of Cape Town, Five-year Plan for Cape Town, Integrated Development Plan

(IDP) 2007 – 2012, 2010 – 2011 Review. Unpublished report, CCT.





Anon 20031. The Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy. Unpublished report, City Of Cape

Town.





Anon 20032. The Biodiversity Strategy. Unpublished report, City Of Cape Town.





Anon 20091. Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2009 – 2019. Unpublished report, City Of

Cape Town.





Anon 20092. CCT Biodiversity Network – Analysis: 2009 Methods and Results. Unpublished

report, City Of Cape Town.





Anon, (undated). Cape Town’s Unique Biodiversity Endemic Ecosystems.

www.capetown.gov.za/environment





Cape Project Team 2000. Cape Action Plan for the Environment: Strategy. Unpublished report,

WWF (South Africa).





Helme N, Motivation for Extension of Harmony Flats Nature Reserve, Gordon’s Bay. Nick Helme Botanical

Surveys. Scarborough





Holness, S. Skowno, A. 2008. Report on Sensitivity-Value Analysis and Zonation Process for the

Boland Mountain Complex. Cape Nature Conservation Internal report.





Holmes, P. and Dorse, C. (eds) (2008) City of Cape Town Biodiversity Report 2008. City of Cape

Town: Cape Town.





Jarman, M. (ed.). 1986. Conservation priorities in lowland regions of the Fynbos Biome. SA Nat. Sc.Prog.

Report 87. CSIR, Petoria





Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum. http://www.lwandle.com/







Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 49

Maze K, Rebelo A. 1999. Core Flora Conservation Areas on the Cape Flats. FCC Report 99/1.

Botanical Society of SA, Kirstenbosch.





Myers N, Mittermeyer RACG, Fonseca GA, Kent J 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation

priorities. Nature 403:853-858.





Rebelo AG, Boucher C, Helme NA, Mucina L, Rutherford MC et al. 2006. Fynbos biome. In: Mucina, L,

Rutherford MC (Eds) The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Strelitzia, 19, pp. 52-219.





South African Weather Services. 2010. Cape Town





Wright G, 2004. Management Plan for Harmony Flats Nature Reserve.









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 50

PART 5: Appendices

Please refer to list of attached appendices









Integrated Reserve Management Plan | 51