MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At the monthly meeting on 30 November, the Mossel Bay town council approved a recommendation to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP) to support the South Cape Economic Development Partnership (SCEP) initiative.
The SCEP has achieved a number of successes in stimulating the greater Eden district's economy, most notably the development of a detailed South Cape film strategy, and a South Cape filming locations catalogue and website to entice both local and international filmmakers to consider using local facilities.
The website, www.grkk-filmoffice.co.za is set up to assist with filming location research, queries, bookings, and related arrangements.
Accommodation and other related tourism offers will be published along with the film locations in due course.
The proposed memorandum of agreement will result in the municipality contributing towards the operational expenses of the WCEDP initiative in the Southern Cape and an initial amount of R50 000 has been earmarked in this respect.
This amount may increase to R100 000 per annum for the next two financial years.
The contribution is in line with the municipality's aim of stimulating and enhancing local economic development.
At the special council meeting on Tuesday, 5 December, council agreed that Mossel Bay would provide a centralised office in a conducive environment without monthly rental or basic services fees for the first 12 months to facilitate the set-up of the film office in Mossel Bay.
The municipality proposes that office space be made available at the Hartenbos municipal building for the film office.
It is envisaged the office will provide a one-stop, centrally located and accessible facility for the industry to interface with the related service providers and the public.
The office will also play an operational role to facilitate logistical support, assistance with location selection, procuring and issuing of permits and licences, community relations and other related issues.
The executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, said a budding film industry in the Southern Cape would benefit the local economy hugely and provide job opportunities to artisans and the accommodation industry, to name but two beneficiaries.
It is proposed the office will be rented on a year-to-year basis. The project may commence upon the signing of a service delivery/rental contract.
The ANC Chief Whip, Councillor Jovan Bruinders, supported the municipal manager enthusiastically in this proposal, saying the party would support efforts to grow the local economy wholeheartedly.
The executive deputy mayor, Councillor Dirk Kotzé added that SCEP worked closely with Wesgro. Also the speaker, Alderman Petru Terblanche, called on all councillors and the community to work hard to make the film office a reality in Mossel Bay.
"Municipal manager, you have our full support; chase the dream; make it a reality."
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER NUUSREDAKTEUR
'Ons bring jou die nuutste Mosselbaai, Tuinroete nuus'
