MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Local archaeologist Dr Nic Walker has stressed the need to encourage the use of stone in building and to reinforce Mossel Bay's reputation of having notable historic buildings.
The municipality is currently replacing the badly damaged precast boundary walls of the Van Riebeeck Sports Stadium in town.
In the process it has exposed the "original, beautiful stone wall on Bruns Road", Walker notes.
He said: "The wall enjoys some protection through the Heritage Act, being more than 60 years old."
Walker was pleased that when he requested that the original stone that has been uncovered remain exposed, he "had a positive response from the municipality, which is now considering keeping the stone wall exposed".
He urged: "The municipality should encourage the use of stone in building, because the town was once famous for its historic stone buildings."
'Sense of pride'
Walker said this would help to restore the town's historic identity, help boost tourism and give Mossel Bay citizens a sense of pride.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser asked the municipality to comment on the importance of using stone in building.
The director: Planning and Economic Development, Carel Venter, said the municipality always encouraged the use of stone as a building material and indeed promoted this.
He said: "With the municipality's own buildings, if they are constructed with stone or any other material of heritage significance, the municipality maintains them with the same material, seeking professional advice, such as from architects or heritage impact professionals in doing so and making use of skilled artisans.
"Sometimes finding similar materials is difficult or not possible, in which case we are guided by professionals and Western Cape Province Heritage permits to use the best possible alternative materials or methods to continue protecting the heritage value of the building and still making it aesthetically and architecturally pleasing." Venter noted that the newly-renovated Arts and Crafts Centre, now called The Town's House, at Mossel Bay Tourism, was a good example of such works and members of the public were welcome to visit the building.
Building aesthetics
He said the society, Mossel Bay Heritage, played a critical role in advising the municipality on building aesthetics and that the society is a member of the municipal Aesthetic Committee, giving input on, among other, building plans submitted to the municipality.
"The municipality developed aesthetic guidelines for the old central business district area, to promote and protect stone buildings when redevelopments took place."
Venter said: "Private homeowners and developers are reminded of the unique stone building heritage of Mossel Bay, including areas such as Tarka and farm dwellings which are tourist attractions."
He advised residents to seek professional assistance from heritage building practitioners and architects when they planned to redevelop or renovate stone or any other heritage buildings.
"The municipality can also give advice and members of the public are welcome to contact the Building Management Department (044 606 5166) for assistance.
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
