PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Robberg's last remaining ecological corridor may not remain intact for long - and residents, conservationists and visitors who treasure this iconic peninsula have only days left to object.
At the centre of the controversy is a proposed high-density coastal development in the Robberg Coastal Corridor, the final stretch of unbroken coastline linking the Robberg Peninsula to the Garden Route National Park.
Conservationists warn that if this corridor is lost, one of South Africa's most treasured biodiversity and heritage landscapes could face irreversible ecological damage.
The deadline for objections is this Friday, 15 May.
The proposed development includes plans for a large mixed-use coastal estate comprising more than 100 housing units, apartments and associated infrastructure on land near the Plettenberg Bay coastline and airport.
The development has been the subject of mounting controversy since 2024, drawing objections from environmental organisations, neighbouring landowners and conservation groups concerned about biodiversity loss, infrastructure pressure and the scale of the proposed urban expansion along one of the Garden Route's last remaining undeveloped coastal corridors.
Environmental groups previously warned that the Robberg Peninsula - internationally recognised for its ecological significance and archaeological heritage - could become increasingly isolated from adjoining wilderness areas if the corridor is compromised.
"Robberg is by far the most pristine and breathtaking natural place I have ever set foot in," said one concerned former Plettenberg Bay resident. "It is a biodiversity hub and heritage landscape where developments on this scale simply do not belong."
For years, conservation organisations and landowners have worked to keep the Robberg Corridor intact to prevent the peninsula from becoming ecologically isolated from the Garden Route National Park - something experts warn could have devastating long-term consequences for biodiversity in the region.
Earlier objections raised concerns over the density of the proposed development, the adequacy of environmental impact processes, and the pressure additional growth could place on Plettenberg Bay's already strained infrastructure.
Earlier this year, the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association called for a moratorium on new developments, warning that the town's water and sewage systems were already battling to support the developments already approved.
A citizen-led campaign, Save Robberg, is now urging the public to submit formal objections before the deadline expires.
The campaign's organisers describe the initiative as a non-political, community-driven effort aimed at protecting one of the Garden Route's last remaining untouched coastal corridors.
"Thousands of people across the Garden Route and around the world regard Robberg as something deeply special," a supporter said.
Members of the public can lodge objections or sign a petition here: Save Robberg (https://saverobberg.com). "It takes 30 seconds to sign or five minutes to object, or longer if you want to explain what this place means to you," the campaign states.
Knysna Plett Herald had previously covered the proposed Robberg Corridor development extensively on its 28 October 2024 edition's front page.
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