MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Residents in Great Brak River have signed a petition against proposed billboards in and around the village.
Seven billboards are proposed for Mossel Bay and Voorbaai, one in Hartenbos and three in and around Great Brak.
In the petition an example of the billboards, which will measure up to 40 square metres in size, is shown.
Mossel Bay municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux says the need for commercial advertising on billboards was identified during the past few years.
"Council approved the proposed locations and allowed the municipality to follow due processes, which include an Advertising Impact Assessment process for all of the 11 potential sites in terms of the by-law relating to outdoor advertising.
"The assessment addresses aspects such as the environmental impact, visual impact, road safety, traffic assessment, illumination of the advertisement, compliance to the by-law, and other legislation."
The reports are available for public scrutiny and the cut-off date for comment is 12 October, 2020.
Le Roux says all comments and objections received will be considered and tabled before the council for a final decision. The three sites in Great Brak River are on the corner of Long and Sandhoogte streets, Station Road and the N2 in the vicinity of De Dekke restaurant.
Concerns
"This could detract seriously from the character of our village. The billboards are visual pollution and uncalled for in this picturesque village of ours. The town is about its heritage and natural beauty, such as the river and mountains surrounding it. Also, the beauty is in the small scale of the village environment, which will be negatively affected by these structures," reads the petition.
Le Roux says the size of any of the billboards may vary from small to medium and the intention is to proceed with a bidding process using an open tender for renting out commercial advertising space.
"The successful bidder will, therefore, construct, install and maintain the billboard. The municipality is considering using two sites for tourism marketing purposes."
She urged residents to consult the advertising impact report before submitting comments and or objections. "The municipality cannot comment on the content of a petition that is as yet unknown." If approved, the billboards will be implemented within the first six months of 2021.
The report is available for inspection at the Outdoor Advertising Section, 3rd Floor, Montagu Place Building, 111 Montagu Street, Mossel Bay.
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