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EDEN DISTRICT NEWS - Sixteen years ago Eden District Municipality changed its name from the Garden Route/Klein Karoo District Municipality. Eden Council is now considering another name change, this time to the Garden Route District Municipality.

At the meeting last Wednesday, Eden Council decided to obtain the input from local B-municipalities on the matter and to table the item again for the council meeting in November.

It became clear that much debate will still take place, since Oudtshoorn, Hessequa and Kannaland are not considered part of the Garden Route, but rather the Klein Karoo.

Opposition parties expressed their concern regarding the proposed name change. Councillor Virgill Gericke said that although they are not against the decision, they are concerned that the change may impact businesses financially.

To market Eden internationally in the most efficient way possible is the main incentive for this request from the office of the mayor, Memory Booysen. Background to the proposal listed in the agenda reasons that, when one searches for 'Garden Route' on the internet, a great variety of information is available. Compared to this, when one searches for 'Eden', the information is very limited.

The financial implication on business was noted: "Should Council decide to change the name, it will also affect sports councils, businesses, local organisations and sport associations, especially those who are named in terms of districts."

Approval from the various local municipalities must still be obtained and a public participation process will follow before the item serves before Council in November.

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ARTICLE & PHOTOS: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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