The Overstrand Municipality is progressing with the proposed formalisation of the Schulphoek informal settlement in Zwelihle, Hermanus, as part of its commitment to creating sustainable human settlements and improving living conditions for current residents.

This part of the project focuses on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, which aims to identify potential impacts and guide responsible planning, while ensuring that residents and stakeholders have the opportunity to provide input.

In 2023, a turnkey implementing agent was appointed to support the planning and delivery of the project, including carrying out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

The first Draft Scoping Report was completed in November 2025 and released for public comment. The public participation period has now closed, with inputs received until 17 April 2026.

The Municipality thanks all residents, community structures, organizations and government stakeholders who participated. The feedback highlights the complexity of the project and the importance of taking a careful, balanced approach as planning continues.

During public consultation, the following main issues were raised:

• The need for clarity regarding the temporary relocation of approximately 3,500 households during construction;
• Concerns relating to ongoing informal occupation and the management of further expansion;
• The potential for the project to unintentionally encourage additional land invasion;
• Environmental considerations, including impacts on wetlands, biodiversity, and the coastal protection zone;
• Concerns regarding the proposed extension of Schulphoek Road and its alignment through sensitive areas;
• The capacity and reliability of existing municipal services, including water, sanitation, stormwater, and electricity;
• Climate change risks, including sea-level rise and long-term settlement safety;
• The protection of Critical Biodiversity Area 1 features, including Milkwood forests, Strandveld vegetation, and ecological corridors;
• The need for greater detail on housing typologies, infrastructure provision, and project phasing; and
• Concerns relating to stakeholder engagement processes and governance.

The Overstrand Municipality acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes that no final decisions have been made. The purpose of the current phase is to identify potential impacts and guide responsible planning.

All comments received will be carefully considered by the project team and relevant specialists. These inputs will inform the next phase of the EIA process, where detailed assessments and measures to address these impacts will be developed.

Way forward in the EIA process

The project will now proceed through the regulated EIA process, which includes a number of further technical, environmental, and public participation steps. These include:

• Refinement of the proposed development layout, informed by initial specialist input and public comments (3 months);
• Preparation and release of a revised (2nd Draft) Scoping Report for further public participation (+1 month);
• Submission of a formal application for environmental authorisation (+ 3 months);
• Circulation of a further updated (3rd Draft) Scoping Report for stakeholder review, where required (+2 months);
• Finalisation and submission of the Scoping Report to the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) for decision (+ 4 months);
• Consideration and decision by DEA&DP on the Scoping Report (+ 4 months);
• Advancement of specialist studies into detailed impact assessments forming part of the Environmental Impact Assessment phase (+ 3 months);
• Preparation of detailed technical inputs, including engineering reports and a Traffic Impact Assessment (+ 2 months);
• Compilation and release of the 1st Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for public participation (+ 2 months);
• Ongoing refinement of specialist studies and the development layout, where required (4-6 months);
• Possible release of a revised (2nd Draft) EIA Report for additional public comment, if deemed necessary (+ 2 months); and
• Final submission of the EIA Report to DEA&DP for environmental authorisation (+ 4 months), followed by a formal decision by the authority.

These steps are designed to ensure that all environmental, technical, and social considerations are thoroughly assessed, and that stakeholders are afforded multiple opportunities to participate meaningfully in the process.

The Municipality remains committed to a transparent, lawful, and inclusive process that balances the urgent need for housing with the protection of the natural environment and the interests of all stakeholders.

Further opportunities for public engagement will be provided as the project progresses.