The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) is calling on local residents, business owners, and interested parties to review and comment on the newly updated Draft Situation Assessment Report for the Onrus River Estuary.
The public comment period is officially open from 22 May 2026 to 21 June 2026.
Why this report matters
The Onrus River Estuary has faced severe environmental setbacks in recent years. Following the devastating 2019 peatland fires and the catastrophic September 2023 floods, the estuary’s ecological health has significantly degraded, dropping to a Category E Present Ecological State (indicating a highly modified and struggling ecosystem).
To fix this, DEA&DP is updating the official Estuarine Management Plan. This Draft Situation Assessment Report is the critical first step – it outlines the current state of the river, what went wrong, and what needs to be addressed to bring the ecosystem back to health.
Legal framework
This public participation process is being conducted in line with official environmental legislation, specifically:
- Sections 8 and 10 of the National Estuarine Management Protocol (2021 NEMP).
- Section 53(1)(b) of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act 24 of 2008).
The department has appointed Coastal and Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd (CES) to independently manage this update and public review process.
How to comment
The community’s local insights are important to ensuring the final management plan is accurate and effective.
You can download and review the full draft report online at CES Public Documents: www.cesnet.co.za/public-documents or Onrus River Estuarine Management Plan
All written feedback, comments, or registrations as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) must be submitted directly to CES on or before the 21 June 2026 deadline.
Enquiries
- Email: cesppp@cesnet.co.za (Attention: Dr. Ted Avis and Ms. Kayla Schoenknecht)
- Phone Enquiries: 087 405 1455 (available weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00).
