Nuclear ECO Connection publications

Management plan for the Koeberg Nature Reserve

The Koeberg Nature Reserve is located approximately 30 km north of Cape Town’s CBD along the R27 West Coast Road, and approximately 10 km southwest of the town of Atlantis.  It is made up of five properties owned by Eskom.
The ‘Koeberg Private Nature Reserve’ was proclaimed in 1991 in terms of Ordinance 19 of 1974.  The National Environmental Management (NEM): Protected Areas Act (2003), came into effect after the proclamation of the reserve, and includes previously protected areas under the new act.  One of the requirements of NEM: Protected Areas Act (2003) is the requirement to develop a management plan.  Koeberg Nature Reserve is thus managed in line with its approved Management Plan.
The primary drive for proclaiming the nature reserve was to support the operation of the nuclear power station while conserving the natural habitat, as far as possible, and providing a buffer area surrounding the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and preserving land for future development. 
The nature reserve incorporates a number of environments (habitats) which include small seasonal wetlands, coastal dune fields, Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Atlantis Sand Fynbos , an inter-tidal zone as well as two aquifers namely the Primary Sandveld Aquifer and the Malmesbury Aquifer.
A number of species occur on the nature reserve, including the Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris), Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), Burchell’s Zebra (Equus burchelli), Eland (Taurotragus oryx), Gemsbok (Oryx gazella), Blue Wildebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), Caracal (Felis caracal) and the Small Grey Mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta).
There are nine possible species of amphibian that potentially occur at the site, eight of which are of probable or confirmed occurrence.
There are 40 species of reptile occurring on the nature reserve.  Two Red Listed species, Gronovi’s Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Scelotes gronovii) (Near Threatened) and Southern adder (Bitis armata) (Vulnerable) are of probable occurrence, and one, Blouberg Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Scelotes montispectus) (Near Threatened), is of confirmed occurrence.
More than 210 bird species have been identified in the nature reserve and include the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) and the Cape Robin Chat(Cossypha caffra) to name but a few.
 
The educational and recreational values of the Koeberg Nature Reserve include:
  • Intellectual inspiration:  The nature reserve is used by a number of students to conduct research.  School groups visit the nature reserve as part of educational programmes.
  • Contribution to local economy:  Job creation via service contracts and permanent employment.
  • The Dikkop and Grysbok Hiking Trails:  Varies from 2.5 km to 22.3 km taking hikers through widely varying terrain, revealing to the splendour of the many moods of the West Coast.
  • Mountain Bike Trails:  The trails lead visitors through two naturally occurring veld types and passes a bird hide overlooking a freshwater dam.
    The Koeberg Nature Reserve is accessible free of charge to members of the public, seven days a week, from sunrise to one hour before sunset.

Enquiries about the reopening of the Nature Reserve may be directed at Koeberg Security on 021 550 4600

Nuclear ECO Connection publications

​Issue 1 – November 2017

​Issue 11 – April 2019

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​Issue 2 – December 2017

​Issue 12 – May 2019

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​Issue 3 – January 2018

​Issue 13 – June 2019

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​Issue 4 – February 2018

​Issue 14 – September 2019

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Issue 5 – April 2018

​Issue 15 – December 2019

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​Issue 6 – June 2018

​Issue 16 – January 2020

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​Issue 8 – July / August 2018

​Issue 17 – April & May 2020

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​Issue 9 – September 2018

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​Issue 10 – November 2018

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Management plan for the Koeberg Nature Reserve

The Koeberg Private Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1991 in terms of the Cape Provincial Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.  The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEM:PAA), Act No. 57 of 2003 came into effect in April 2013 which requires the development of a management plan for previously declared nature reserves. 
 
The Management Plan is a strategic document that provides the framework for the management of the land regarded as the Nature Reserve, which includes the strategic and operations management framework, the operational management and programmes, as well as monitoring measures. 
 
The final Koeberg Nature Reserve Management Plan was approved by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC), Department of Environmental and Development Planning, on 8 September 2016.
 
Click on the chapters below to access the Management Plan:
  
Chapter 0          Chapter 1          Chapter 2          Chapter 3          Chapter 4          Chapter 5          Chapter 6          Chapter 7          Appendix A         Appendix B