City invites public comment on proposed sale of Stikland land for long-distance bus hub

The City has called on the public to have their say on the proposed sale of City-owned land in Stikland, Bellville, which could soon be a place for a long-distance bus terminus and mixed-use commercial development.

Members of the public have until Wednesday, December 3, to comment.

The 2.2-hectare portion of Remainder Erf 13601, located at 21 La Belle Road in Stikland, has been identified as a strategic site for transport infrastructure and economic development, according to the City’s Economic Growth Directorate.

The property, currently zoned Open Space 2: Public Open Space, offers direct access to the R300 freeway via Strand and Bottelary Roads and is bordered by Stikland Industria, the Access City retail complex, and Stikland Cemetery.

If approved, the sale will allow the private sector to develop a permanent long-distance bus terminus (LDBT) to serve Bellville and nearby communities, the City said in a statement. The project would include passenger facilities, bus holding bays, and on-site amenities, as well as retail and commercial components designed to activate the area and improve commuter experiences.

James Vos, the mayoral committee member for economic growth, said the development aligns with the City’s goal of releasing underutilised public land to support service delivery and job creation.

“This well-located site offers an opportunity to improve long-distance public transport while catalysing local business growth. The development of a formal LDBT in Bellville will not only enhance commuter safety and convenience but also contribute to the area’s regeneration and integration into the wider metro economy. Funds generated from this sale will also support city-wide service delivery,” he said.

The Bellville South Residents Association opposed the land sale proposal, advocating for its use for residential housing.

“This proposal is distressing given that the housing waiting list has grown exponentially and currently stands at over 600 000. In Bellville South, we have been affected by the inability of the local government and the City to prioritise affordable housing. 

“In many poor and working-class communities, back-yarding has become a norm and an option of making money of desperate families who have been forgotten on the housing waiting list - some for almost 40 years. This crisis has become generational and has also added to the moral and social decay we see, where there is overcrowding,” said Michael Graayenstein, the chairperson of the association.

He also said the current traffic flow through Stikland “has been a huge issue for many years, and will be beyond chaotic for any proposed development of that nature.”

Residents can review details of the proposed sale and submit comments via the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/immovableproperty, by emailing development.stikland@capetown.gov.za. For more information, contact Anathi Dywili at 021 400 9825 or Anathi.Dywili@capetown.gov.za.