Western Cape Government unveils R9.86bn infrastructure budget to enhance delivery
Western Cape Infrastructure Minister Tertuis Simmers tables a R9.86bn budget focused on accelerating delivery, expanding roads and housing, and unlocking new funding partnerships.
Image: Murray Swart/ Cape Argus
The Western Cape Government has set aside R9.86 billion for infrastructure in the 2026/27 financial year, with plans to accelerate delivery, unlock new funding streams and expand housing and road projects across the province.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers tabled the budget on Tuesday, outlining what he described as an “acceleration” agenda anchored on four pillars, partnership, finance, delivery and innovation.
At the centre of the plan is a long-term R132 billion Western Cape Single Infrastructure Project Pipeline, aimed at coordinating major projects and supporting sustained investment over time.
The push for faster delivery follows a broader shift in provincial policy toward improving planning, coordination and maintenance, amid mounting pressure to deliver infrastructure more efficiently while operating within tight fiscal constraints.
A key intervention is the proposed Western Cape Infrastructure Facility, designed to reduce reliance on national government grants and attract alternative funding, including private sector investment. The province said the facility would help fast-track shovel-ready projects and reduce exposure to national fiscal constraints.
Significant allocations include R4.56 billion for transport infrastructure, focused on upgrading and expanding the provincial road network, and more than R2 billion for human settlements.
Provincial authorities have previously warned that delayed maintenance, particularly on the road network, can significantly increase long-term costs and disrupt service delivery, placing additional pressure on already constrained budgets.
The Department of Infrastructure is also moving to establish a Provincial Housing Advisory Panel, bringing together public and private sector expertise to improve planning and support faster implementation. Work is under way to advance regulations linked to the Western Cape Housing Development Act, 2018, aimed at improving how land is acquired, released and used for housing.
Authorities have acknowledged that housing delivery is often slowed by misalignment between land release, planning approvals and service provision, contributing to long waiting times for beneficiaries.
Previous provincial infrastructure spending has also been closely linked to job creation and small business participation, with thousands of work opportunities generated through road and construction projects.
Simmers said the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 would guide spending decisions, aligning long-term planning across housing, transport and economic development.
“This R9.86 billion budget is about more than just infrastructure, it is about the acceleration of dignity and opportunity for every citizen of the Western Cape,” he said.
“Through the establishment of the Western Cape Infrastructure Facility and our commitment to strategic partnerships, we are ensuring that every rand spent today builds a resilient, prosperous province for tomorrow. We are not merely managing the present, we are actively constructing our 2050 vision.”
The department is also introducing new technology to improve service delivery, including the Roads4U reporting app and a planned EVE chatbot, aimed at improving responsiveness and infrastructure management.
Following the budget speech, Simmers attended a title deed handover event in partnership with First National Bank. The initiative uses housing subsidies to settle outstanding loan balances for homeowners, enabling the transfer of full ownership.
Provincial officials said the programme highlights a broader focus on restoring dignity through secure tenure, alongside the delivery of new housing.