An 879-ha stretch of land surrounding the Berg River Dam in Franschhoek has been leased to the Berg River Dam Adventure Tourism Company (BRDATC), which is currently upgrading the area for outdoor recreation.
The move sparked public concern, particularly at a meeting held last Monday (3 November), when some residents argued that the land should remain untouched by construction or other interventions.
Reghard Goussard, director of the BRDATC, told residents that the lease presented an opportunity to make the area safer, assuring them that access would be monitored and controlled.
According to Wisane Mavasa, spokesperson for the national Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the land surrounding the dam “is registered in the name of the national government of South Africa and is in favour in the DWS”.
He said the lease of the land to BRDATC is currently “under re-review by the department to exclude departmental infrastructure such as buildings and operating facilities”.
The lease is valid for nine years and 11 months from 28 February 2024, with no extension option or automatic renewal clause.
Goussard said BRDATC began its lease application in 2020 and “started executing [their] lease condition in March of this year”.
The broader development around the Berg River Dam was branded as the “ARC of Franschhoek”, an acronym for Architectural Regeneration Collective, a creative nod to Noah’s Ark, he explained.
“The purpose of the lease [to BRDATC] is to provide opportunities for recreational activities to the community and/or visitors in the area concerned, and provide access to the dam for the purpose of picnicking, participation in water sports and recreation,” Mavasa pointed out.
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Goussard said progress is ongoing across multiple fronts on the land around the Berg River Dam.
Key activities include:
- repairing existing fencing and access control infrastructure;
- restoration and repurposing of gates and security installations with CCTV and access management;
- removal of derelict and unsafe structures and signage;
- upgrading of access roads in consultation with the necessary governing bodies;
- preparation for the refurbishment of Bell’s Lodge (pending vacancy);
- implementation of a site-development plan (SDP), including environmental assessments, water-use licensing and approvals for a small-scale sewage treatment system, rock pools, and upgraded slipway access; and
- closure of unauthorised access routes and infrastructure repairs to the dam wall, pending DWS and Department of Public Works assistance.
According to Mavasa the lease did not go through a public-participation process, as it was an “unsolicited bid for a tourist lease,” as Goussard described it at the public meeting.
At the same meeting additional development plans were shared, including upgrades to the multi-use trails, the possible establishment of a restaurant and the addition of camping or glamping sites as well as a designated area for launching boats into the dam. The site will still be dog-friendly, Goussard added.
The BRDATC is yet to finalise entrance fees for the area that is currently being fenced off, he added.
BRDATC “did not apply for the lease of the land to make profit”, Goussard told locals, adding that accommodation plans would likely help sustain the project financially.
Currently access to the area remains unregulated, but this is expected to change as BRDATC is currently finalising access control.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The project has already created employment for 12 residents of Mooiwater, with the aim of expanding to 20 through the Community Participation Programme this month, as outlined in the lease addendum between DWS and BRDATC, Goussard said.
Additionally, a Mooiwater resident has been appointed as a director of the non-profit company (NPC) SA Trails Network, which has been contracted to upgrade the 66 km multi-use trails around the dam. Goussard is the founder of the NPC.
“Trail infrastructure such as signage, trailheads, rest points and accessibility upgrades will also be undertaken, while the trail design will prioritise water-conservation awareness and biodiversity education,” Goussard pointed out.
“Alien vegetation clearing and ecological rehabilitation work will also be undertaken. Long-term ecological monitoring of the area will be undertaken under CapeNature’s oversight.”
SA Trails Network aims to create eight to 15 full-time jobs in trail management and more than 50 seasonal jobs.
The upgraded trail system is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026, with the NPC anticipating a 40 to 50% increase in visitation within a year of its launch.
Local tourism organisation Franschhoek Wine Valley (FWV) announced its conditional support for the project. “FWV supports the foundational principles of the BRDATC project and acknowledges the potential value it holds for the region,” said FWV CEO Ruth Mccourt.
“Our support is conditional on mutual agreement and ongoing alignment with community interests, as outlined in our recent communication with the lease-
holder. FWV has committed to serving as a communications bridge, ensuring clear, consistent messaging and fostering trust across all stakeholder groups.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.