Update
GEORGE NEWS - In a surprise move, the Victoria Bay Home Owners Association withdrew a letter this afternoon, Wednesday 12 August, that lists their intended improvements at Victoria Bay.
It happened at a meeting between the association and representatives of the community, who have been questioning the goings-on at Vic Bay over the past weeks.
After several members of the community expressed their dissatisfaction with the letter and the plans, Virgill Gericke, member of both the George and the Garden Route District municipal councils, who acted as chairperson of the meeting, asked what the status of the letter was, to which a member of the association replied it would be withdrawn in the next 24 hours.
Allegations and rumours
Developments at Victoria Bay were much in the news lately. Allegations were heard that some residents were planning a form of access control, such as a boom gate. Construction work at the main entrance fuelled the rumours. These were denied by the residents' association, which promised to engage with concerned Georgians about the matter.
On 4 August they released the letter, addressed to the municipal manager of the Garden Route District Municipality, containing the proposed measures and steps to be taken at Vic Bay.
Improvements
The letter refers to "improvements" which, according to the association, will provide a safe, secure and pleasant environment for the public and the homeowners. The association said that, as the proposed improvements will have no financial impact on the GRDM and only advantages, they were looking forward to the municipality's positive consideration of their proposal.
The proposed improvements are:
* Provide the current manual gate with a motorised sliding mechanism at own cost;
* Provide bollards as indicated to protect the beach from runaway vehicles;
* Provide unhindered safe access 24/7 to pedestrians;
* Provide security guards at a guardhouse to control alcohol consumption on the beach;
* Provide direct wheelchair- and pedestrian-friendly access away from the road;
* Provide CCTV cameras at strategic points for security purposes; and
* Opening the view of the sea from the parking area.
The association says it is imperative that this very important cultural and heritage site be preserved and maintained to enable the general public to feel safe, secure and comfortable whilst spending time at the beach.
It was decided that a follow-up meeting will take place on 26 August at Victoria Bay.
Related article: Follow-up meeting after protest at Vic Bay
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