KNYSNA NEWS - The department of economic development at the Knysna Municipality hosted sector engagements on Tuesday 27 February, which was attended by just a handful of people in the separate sessions – who shared conflicting views on the success of such an initiative.
The sessions were held at the Knysna library and sector groups were divided as follows:
• Manufacturing and business services
• Hospitality, tourism and accommodation
• Property development and real estate
• Agriculture, environment and agri-processing
• General and other, and open session.
Chaired by the economic development manager Ilse van Schalkwyk, attendees were asked, among other things, to identify barriers that prevent business growth and investment, ideas that can be implemented to promote economic activity, and suggestions on how to maintain and nurture business opportunities.
The municipality emphasised the urgent need to attract funds into the local economy – essential to unlock key economic opportunities throughout Greater Knysna and the Garden Route.
During the engagement sessions a number of factors were discussed, including the implementation of a programme or college where young people could be trained in fields such as tourism and other locally relevant skills that are in shortage.
The high cost of living in Knysna, a shrinking industrial area in terms of space, access roads, ease of doing business with local government, associated rates and taxes, and issues relating to accommodation such as compliance by B&B's were all discussed in great detail.
Members of the public were asked to complete a form with suggestions – but this didn't go down well with everybody.
A resident and businessperson who attended one of the sessions, said it was a "pointless exercise".
“We don't want to know what can be done, what will be done and what should be done. We want to know what is being done,” said the resident, who asked not to be named.
“Every year we have these meetings but there's simply no movement forward. We are always discussing these ideas and giving suggestions, but nothing happens afterwards. In my opinion, this is just a waste of time.”
According to the municipality, the information garnered from these economic sector engagements will be collated and presented at the 2018 Garden Route Investment Conference at Oubaai Golf Resort in George on 7 and 8 March.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
