Overstrand Municipality

Overstrand Municipality Background

The Overstrand Municipality includes the towns of Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, Hangklip-Kleinmond, Greater Hermanus, Fisherhaven, Hawston, Vermont, Onrus, Birkenhead, De Kelders, Gansbaai, Franskraal, Pearly Beach, Stanford, Van Dyks Bay, Buffeljags, Wolvenkloof and Baardskeerdersbos. The municipality is the smallest municipality (in terms of area) in the Overberg district, covering 1 708 km².

A significant feature of the Overstrand Municipal area is the dramatic coastline extending from Rooiels in the west, for approximately 230 km to Quoin Point in the east. The Kleinriviersberg Mountain Range is a main feature along the Walker Bay coastline and surrounds the main centre of the town of Hermanus, the area’s primary urban centre. The Overstrand land cover shows a large proportion of land under natural vegetation, of which approximately 6500 hectares are under Open Space Zone 1, for conservation use and protection, with large tracts of land under agriculture and a significant portion under alien vegetation. The climate in the region is Mediterranean, this is defined by cold winter months and high rainfall; and high temperatures in summer with low rainfall.

The 2022 census, published 10 October 2023, estimated a population of 132 500 people (annual estimated population growth of 2.8%) in the Overstrand Municipality with 30 075 households.

In 2019, the economy of the Overstrand municipal area was valued at R6.609 billion, employing 36 600 people. The primary economic sectors are agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining and quarrying, followed by manufacturing, electricity, gas and water and construction. The tertiary sector includes wholesale and retail trade, catering and accommodation, transport, storage and communication, finance, insurance, real estate and business services, government and community and social and personal services. The greatest financial income for this Municipality is tourism related and the various economic industries linked to tourism.

Biodiversity Features and Administration

Biodiversity features

The Overstrand consists of varied landscapes which create micro-climates to support a diversity of fynbos-dominated natural habitats, riverine forests, rivers, wetlands and estuaries as well as productive marine and agricultural environments. Numerous wetlands and river corridors have been identified by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) as Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas. The area also boasts several large and productive estuaries, which are of key national importance in terms of ecological economic functions such as sustaining commercial marine fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. The Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary, Walker Bay Marine Protected Area and Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area are important zones for the protection of coastal and marine biodiversity. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is an important feature of the Overstrand landscape. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was the first Biosphere Reserve to be declared in southern Africa and forms part of UNESCO’s world-wide network of Biosphere Reserves.

Administration of biodiversity

Environmental functions in the Overstrand Local municipality are managed by the Overstrand Environmental Management Services and supported by staff of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, stationed at the Overberg District Government.

Overstrand Municipality Resources

Overstrand Municipality Stakeholder Map

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Overstrand Municipality

Overstrand Municipality Background

Overstrand Municipality Resources

Overstrand Municipality Stakeholder Map

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