wcg_dea-dp_annual-report_17-september-2025-website.pdf

Summary

This document is the Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year for the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), summarising its activities across crucial environmental and spatial planning mandates. The report details departmental performance in areas such as air and waste quality management, biodiversity conservation (often implemented in partnership with CapeNature), and the compilation of major strategies like the new Western Cape Spatial Development Framework. Despite encountering persistent budget constraints that strained staff capacity and limited filling of vacancies, the Department successfully met over 90% of its planned targets, including timely finalisation of various environmental authorisations and enforcement actions. Regarding fiscal accountability, the DEA&DP showcased strong governance measures and received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General, though a small amount of irregular expenditure was recorded. Finally, the extensive sections on People Management outline workforce planning priorities and progress toward implementing the new Gender and Human Rights Equity Strategic Framework.