Small billboards ‘may be helpful’

On Friday, 8 October, the Great Brak Residents' Ratepayers' Association handed over a list of objections against the Mossel Bay Municipality's intention to put up three billboards in and around the village.

Seven billboards are proposed for Mossel Bay and Voorbaai, one in Hartenbos and the three in and around Great Brak. In the petition an example of the billboards, which will measure up to 40 square metres in size, is shown.

Chairperson of the ratepayers' association, Ronald Hacquebord, says the objections were delivered to the outdoor advertising department at the council offices.

"Many of these objections were supported by written reasons and motivations, with several of them sent in by descendants of [respected Great Brak families] the Searles and Franklins."

He says the message received is clear from both these lists, as well as verbal statements made, that "the residents and ratepayers of this town do not need or want large billboards for outside commercial advertising".

Hacquebord says smaller, wellplaced and aesthetically designed boards for local businesses would be far more helpful.

"Great Brak residents form a proud and happy community and we are very close to the natural beauty and charm of our village."

Mossel Bay municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux says the need for commercial advertising on billboards was identified during the past few years. "Council approved the proposed locations and allowed the municipality to follow due processes, which included an Advertising Impact Assessment process for all of the 11 potential sites in terms of the by-law relating to outdoor advertising.

"The assessment addresses aspects such as the environmental impact, visual impact, road safety, traffic assessment, illumination of the advertisement, compliance to the bylaw, and other legislation."