MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay’s Municipal Council unanimously supported the development of a township tourism and business hub in Asla Park.
An item providing details about the development formed part of the open council meeting agenda at the end of June.
The hub is expected to cost about R6m. The municipality will apply for R3m co-funding from the Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility, a support measure from the Department of Small Business Development.
According to the council item, the Mossel Bay Municipality made land available in Asla (Erf 6739 on the corner of Mzathi and Crotz streets) for business development.
“A need was identified by the community for tourism development, therefore the need for the establishment of a township tourism hub,” the item read.
It further stated that tourists have also identified a need for cultural township experiences, saying Asla Park would have a safe township tourism hub, and it would give opportunities to local businesses.
“Township tourism in Mossel Bay is not growing with enough products to market and to give a township tourism experience to tourists. Various requests were received, because most of the tourism products are outside the township and the community wants to tap into the tourism economy.”
The facility will make provision for accommodation, local arts and crafts, traditional restaurant and foods, informal trading, storytelling and entertainment around an open fire.
According to the item, the goal for the hub is to create township tourism products in a safe environment in which tourists can experience township life and culture, advancing economic growth and attracting locals and travellers to town.
The hub will consist of one rondavel as a local economic development unit with concrete slab and seating area, small business trading units, covered informal trading and braai area, ablution facility, three merchandise storage units and parking area.
The municipality will operate the hub in line with the Business Park Allocation Policy. It will be used to generate income, making provision for 10 or 15 small businesses and informal traders.
Click here for the Business Park Allocation Policy.
According to the item, the hub will generate a minimum of R15 000 in monthly rental income and the tenants will buy electricity directly from the municipality. The maintenance of the facility will be R10 000 per month; major maintenance will be done in line with the Municipal Maintenance Plan.
Recommendations made too council include:
- That a budget be made available through the municipal budget process to build the hub.
- That the Local Economic Development Department actively apply for co-funding.
- That the Directorate for Planning and Economic Development, Local Economic Development Unit, facilitate formal discussions with community leaders, ward committees, ward councillors and entrepreneurs to take the process forward.
- That the hub will be used in the same way as the business parks guided by the Business
Allocation Policy and the Municipal Tariff Policy.
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