Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay residents have less than a month to comment on another application by Plett Rage organisers over a proposed venue for the annual student festival to be held in December this year.
The Bitou municipality published a notice last week that organisers had submitted a temporary land use application for a portion of the Ganze Vallei farm just outside of the town centre, for activities between 1 and 7 December.
This follows after organisers of the event – which brings thousands of school leavers to the town every year and contributes about R50-million to the local economy over the period – submitted an occasional land use application to the municipality to host the festival along the town’s popular Central beach.
The application is for this year’s festival as well as for the next five years.
The request has drawn widespread criticism from various residents, organisations and businesses who believe the event could have a negative impact not only on marine life, but also residents and businesses in the area.
Bitou spokesperson Howard Swartz explained that the Central beach application is still ongoing and yet to be considered by council, and that the most recent application involves day-time activities.
“The recent application is for grounds where the festivities continue after the thousands of ‘ragers’ leave Central beach,” Swartz said.
He added that these activities would run from 20:00 to 02:00.
Huge numbers of school leavers enjoying the Rage in 2016.
Attempts to obtain more information about the application have been unsuccessful.
Assistant project manager Ashley Brown referred queries to the Plett Rage Facebook Page.
By the time of going to print no information in this regard was available on the page.
Swartz said the application is available for inspection at the municipal town planning office at Monks View in Church Street during office hours.
Telephonic enquiries can be directed to Bitou’s town planner Adel Stander on 044 501 3321.
Any objections to the proposal should be lodged in writing to reach municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu, Private Bag X1002, Plettenberg Bay, 6600.
It can also be faxed to 086 457 3270 or be hand-delivered to the municipal offices in Sewell Street.
The deadline for submissions is Monday 6 November. Submissions should include details, including the name and address of the person concerned.
Read a previous article: Where will Plett rage be happening?
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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