Saldanha Bay
Saldanha Bay Local Municipality is one of the three local municipalities participating in Phase 1 of the RSEP Programme.
The town of Vredenburg forms part of RSEP Phase 1 and the town of Saldanha forms part of Phase 2 of the RSEP Programme.
RSEP Focus Area:
The neighbourhoods of Wesbank, Ongegund/George Kerridge, Witteklip,and Louwville
Background:
As the town of Vredenburg becomes increasingly populated and develops further away (eastward) from the CBD, the settlement becomes more spatially inefficient for lower income groups who have to travel further to public and private sector facilities.
Prior to RSEP engagements and in response to the inefficient settlement morphology of the town, the municipality planned to relocate the municipal building (and other government buildings/services) closer to the previously segregated communities - within the identified integration zone. This is still ongoing and is known as the Vredenburg Urban Revitalization Project.
Using RSEP and other co-funding from private and government sectors, Saldanha Bay Municipality elected to implement 5 large-scale projects in Vredenburg using a phased approach. The projects include the Wesbank Gateway project which is in the integration zone, a splash park in Louwville along Kooitjieskloof Road, the restoration of the former Vredenburg station building (in the government precinct for the Westcoast Tourism organization), the development of the George Kerridge (Ongegund) node and the Witteklip Box Park development (ship containers for shops and related activities). The George Kerridge project and the Witteklip Box Park development is still under construction while the other three projects have already been completed.
Vredenburg Reconstruction Framework
Featured Project:
The upgrading of the Wesbank Gateway project includes the construction of formal and informal trading units, an active box for security, live-work units, paved pedestrian walk ways, landscaping and beautification and safe lighting. The project was constructed in a phased approach between 2015 and 2019 (Phase 1 & 2). The final Phase 3 is still under construction.
Vredenburg Wesbank Gateway Project 2018 
Vredenburg Informal Trading Stalls 
Vredenburg LED units 
Vredenburg Wesbank Project _Before 
Vredenburg Wesbank Project _After
Focus area:
The neighbourhoods of Middelpos and Diazville
Background:
Saldanha has seen an increased influx of people with the majority settling in the neighbourhood of Middelpos, leading to a rapid expansion of the settlement within a short period of time. This informal settlement has high densities with little basic services. Near Middelpos, is the neighbourhood of Diazville, which used to be a thriving fishing community but now exhibits a sense of decay. These suburbs are located on the outskirts of the CBD and parts of Diazville and the entire Middelpos even some kilometres away, with limited economic opportunities or transportation and space for urban expansion.
Through various contact sessions with the municipality and community it was decided that RSEP projects must support the lack of facilities and services and safety in the two areas. The Diazville areas has a dire need for sport and recreation facilities, whereas the Middelpos area requires an expansion of business activities at the existing LED node.
Saldanha Reconstruction Framework
Featured project:
Cottager Park is located within the identified Saldanha town integration zone and situated in Diazville (Hopland area). The design for a recreation park includes a 5-a-side soccer field, benches, lighting, cricket pitch and outdoor gym equipment. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.
