MOSSEL BAY NEWS - There is much development in Voorbaai in Mossel Bay, which bodes well for the economy.
Most of the development is in the vicinity of Via Appie Way, on the hill above the vehicle dealerships and near Watson Street.
It comprises all types of businesses and some buildings are residential, in the form of flats.
Photo gallery: Voorbaai development
This growth appears to be a positive sign for Mossel Bay, especially considering the negative effect on the economy of Covid-19.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser enquired to the municipality regarding the new construction.
Director, Planning and Economic Growth, Gwynnefer Harding, said:
"The increased development in Voorbaai is a result of a combination of factors. The municipality changed the zoning of the Voorbaai area from light industry to mixed zone in 2018.
"The result was that the properties could be developed under either 'light industrial site' or 'business properties' without going through a rezoning process.
"The parking requirement in the area for business uses was also halved from four parking spaces per 100 square metre floor area to two parking spaces per 100m².
"This resulted in properties being developed for uses for which a demand existed.
"The municipal zoning changes, together with an influx of business owners who wanted to invest in Mossel Bay, resulted in a construction boom in the area."
Harding said Voorbaai was now a vibrant hub of a variety of businesses, which served the greater Mossel Bay area.
The Voorbaai area was almost fully developed and the municipality's Spatial Development Framework facilitated new mixed use areas in Aalwyndal and the Louis Fourie Road Corridor to ensure job opportunities close to new high density residential development.
The Advertiser asked SA Council of Business Women Mossel Bay branch chair Lorette Grobbelaar for comment on the construction growth.
She has been in business in Mossel Bay for 27 years and is a co-owner of Tyremart in Voorbaai. "More and more businesses are opening. We're thankful for this growth. People are streaming into Mossel Bay. It's good for the economy.
"The slice of cake is becoming smaller in business, but competition is always good.
"It was a great advantage to businesses to lessen the parking required in Voorbaai.
"Now there is a greater urgency to do something about the traffic congestion on Louis Fourie Road. Mascador Road, parallel to Louis Fourie, is just as busy.
"Entry to businesses in the streets near Louis Fourie Road is difficult, because of all the traffic and because of the layout of Voorbaai."
Grobbelaar is also the manager of Oliver Tyres and is on the committee of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber.
Two of the new business developments in Voorbaai.
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