The Western Cape department of environmental affairs and development Planning has granted environmental authorisation for the expansion of Cape Winelands Airport in Fisantekraal, Durbanville.
The authorisation, issued on Monday 27 October, was granted to Capewinelands Aero, represented by Deon Cloete, under the National Environmental Management Act of 1998 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014.
Development details
The approved project involves the phased development of approximately 883 ha into an expanded airport facility. The development will include several precincts: agricultural areas, air-side operations, terminal facilities and general aviation zones.
Infrastructure plans encompass construction of stormwater systems, security measures, sewage systems, electricity supply, access roads and solar photovoltaic installations for renewable energy.
The authorisation includes specific conditions that must be met:
• Appointment of an environmental control officer;
• Submission and implementation of an environmental management programme;
• Defined construction and operational timelines;
• Implementation of mitigation plans for biodiversity, noise, air quality, and visual impacts.
The development will result in wetland loss on the site, which will be addressed through a biodiversity offset programme. Specific measures are required to protect botanical and faunal species, along with bird and aviation risk management to address potential bird strike hazards.
Public participation
A public-participation process was conducted as part of the environmental assessment, including notifications to Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), focus group sessions, public meetings and extended comment periods.
Additional requirements
The project requires separate regulatory approvals including water-use licences, air-quality licences, compliance with Civil Aviation Authority requirements and land-use planning amendments.
Several detailed studies accompany the environmental authorisation, including noise-impact assessments, airspace studies for aviation compliance, socio-economic assessments and visual-impact assessments.
Ongoing commitments include biodiversity conservation monitoring, noise and air-quality monitoring, annual compliance audits, and visual impact management.
Appeal rights
Registered interested and affected parties have the right to appeal the decision under the National Appeal Regulations of 2025. Appeals must be submitted within 20 calendar days from the decision notice date, which was 30 December.
A prescribed appeal form, responding statement form, as well as assistance regarding the appeal processes, is obtainable from the website of the appeal authority at http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eadp or the office of the minister at 021 483 3721 or by email to DEADP.Appeals@westerncape.gov.za. A copy of the appeal must be send by e-mail to d.cloete@capewinelands.aero and amanda@phsconsulting.co.za.
The Environmental authorisation document can be accessed on te consulting company’s website at or viewed in hard copy at the Fisantekraal Public Library.
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