The 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 lease has sparked public concern, particularly at a meeting held on 3 November, where 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, as access would be monitored and controlled.
According to Wisane Mavasa, national spokesperson for the 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.”
She 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 told Paarl Post that BRDATC began its lease application in 2020 and “started executing [their] lease condition March of this year.”
The broader development around the Berg River Dam is branded as “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,” Mavasa said, “and provide access to the dam for the purpose of picnicking, participation in water sports and recreation.
Development plans
Goussard said progress was ongoing across multiple fronts on the land around the Berg River Dam. Key activities include:
- Repair of existing fencing and access control infrastructure;
- Restoration and repurposing of gates and security installations with closed-circuit television (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 (DPW) assistance.
According to Mavasa the lease did not go through a public-participation process, being 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 said.
He told Paarl Post that the BRDATC had not yet finalised entrance fees for the area that is currently being fenced off.
Goussard added the company “did not apply for the lease of the land to make profit,” but added that accommodation plans would likely help sustain the project financially.
Currently access to the area is still unregulated, but “there will come a day” when it changes as BRDATC is currently in the process of finalising access control.
Community involvement
The project has already created employment for 12 local residents from Mooiwater with the aim of expanding to 20 by November 2025 through the “Community Participation Programme (CPP)” outlined in the lease addendum between DWS and BRDATC, Goussard said.
Aditionally, 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 Berg River Dam. Goussard is the founder of this NPC.
“Trail infrastructure such as signage, trailheads, rest points and accessibility upgrades will also be undertaken,” according to Goussard, “while the trail design will prioritise water conservation awareness and biodiversity education. Alien vegetation clearing and ecological rehabilitation work will also be undertaken. Long-term ecological monitoring of the area will be undertaken under Cape Nature’s oversight.”
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SA Trails Network expects to create eight to 15 full-time jobs in trail management and about 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.
The Franschhoek Wine Valley (FWV), the local tourism organisation, has 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 Ruth Mccourt, the chief executive officer of the FWV.
“Our support is conditional on mutual agreement and ongoing alignment with community interests, as outlined in our recent communication with the leaseholder. FWV has committed to serving as a communications bridge, ensuring clear, consistent messaging and fostering trust across all stakeholder groups.”
