KNYSNA NEWS - The People's Movement for Change (PMC) has called on Knysna Municipality to immediately impose a moratorium on all new developments in the area as concerns grow over the town's deteriorating infrastructure.
Hendrias Morris said the municipality is struggling to cope with the demands of rapid development.
"Knysna, a town known for its natural beauty and charm, has seen significant growth in recent years, with numerous residential and commercial developments under way," said Morris.
"The PMC acknowledges the importance of economic growth and development, but we cannot ignore the crippling strain on our town's ageing infrastructure."
He said the municipality's failure to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure has reached a critical point. Roads are deteriorating, water and sewage systems are under pressure, and electricity supply is increasingly unreliable.
The PMC believes it would be reckless to continue approving new developments without addressing these fundamental issues.
Consequences
He said the PMC is not against growth and development. "However, growth must be sustainable and aligned with the capacity of our infrastructure.
We cannot continue to prioritise short-term gains over the long-term viability of our town."
The PMC is concerned that if the municipality continues to approve new developments without addressing the infrastructure crisis, Knysna will face catastrophic failures.
"The consequences will be dire, affecting not only residents, but also the local economy, environment and overall quality of life," said Morris.
The PMC demands that Knysna Municipality:
- Imposes an immediate moratorium on new developments
- Conducts a comprehensive infrastructure audit
- Develops a sustainable development plan.
The municipality's head of communications, Christopher Bezuidenhout, said the council has activated several contingency plans to address persistent dry conditions.
While water levels remain under pressure, Mayor Thando Matika has confirmed that a range of measures is already in place to safeguard supply.
"However, the success of these infrastructure and technical interventions ultimately depends on how responsibly every resident and business uses the available water," said Matika.
Matika has emphasised that Knysna "remains fully open for business".
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