 Signage Policy BCT wants to see solid steps taken towards attractive well maintained and integrated advertising signage consistent with being an "Eco-Heritage Town". To this end Tony Ferrar reported to the Board on signage at the February meeting. A Draft Policy and Bylaws for Outdoor Advertising Signage was presented by the BCT to Umjindi Municipality. This was accepted by the Town Council in November last year. The Council now needs to promulgate the policy and bylaws, which requires publication in the Provincial Government Gazette. Money will be allocated for this purpose, if not this financial year then next financial year which begins in June.Before promulgation there is a period for comments. Businesses, product owners and other interested parties (THIS MEANS YOU) are asked to make their inputs on the signage policy and bylaws so that Council and sign owners can work together to improve the present chaotic signage situation in Barberton. Copies of the policy and bylaws are available from Tony Ferrar by email:
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or call Astrid Christianson at the Tourism Office for a printed copy, a total of 34 pages. Written comments must be returned to Astrid before the end of May. Advertisements will be placed in The Lowvelder and the Barberton Times for the public to take the opportunity to make comments. Keep an eye out for them. The large signage hoarding recently erected at the Bulembu crossroads is a result of a Town Council decision taken several years ago. BCT and others are currently in discussion with the Council regarding this surprise move and how it could be integrated with the new approach. Tourism and our Eco Heritage Town BCT is assisting various players to motivate for World Heritage Site nomination for the Barberton and Komati Valley region. This is a combined effort between BCT, Umjindi Municipality, the Provincial Government Department of Arts & Culture and national bodies such as the National Heritage Council.The situation at present is somewhat confused due to the number of agencies being involved, and an apparent absence of either resources or the expertise to take the matter forward. However recent meetings in Barberton have helped return the process to the right track and signs of cooperative effort are now evident. This is going to be a long and complex process to which BCT will continue to contribute and support to the best of our ability. In addition to supporting the WHS initiative, the Umjindi Municipality is committed to a process of transformation in the local tourism industry. To this end they have appointed Ms Fortunate Ngomani as the municipality’s Tourism Development Officer. While Fortunate works for the municipality’s LED/IDP section she will work closely with Astrid Christianson and the BCT Board to develop Township Tourism. Township Tourism Development A meeting was held by the LED/IDP section to establish what the municipality could do for Township Tourism. The aim of the meeting was to inform people of the council's pledge for a Tourism Development Plan for Umjindi Municipality with the underlying objective of bringing about economic transformation.The chair of the meeting, Fortunate Ngomani, organised a Task Team which would further the plans in a smaller forum. Astrid Christianson and Anne Morgan will contribute to this and work alongside the Municipality initiative. Membership BCT membership has passed the magical 200 number. Below diagram is a breakdown of membership per category.  BCT Membership Composition General meeting General Meetings of BCT are held quarterly. The next BCT General Meeting will be held on 23 May 2007 at 14h00 at the Umjindi Gallery Espresso Bar, Bias Building, Pilgrim Street. Tourism Indaba 2007 BCT will be going to the Tourism Indaba in Durban between 12th - 15th May. Astrid is currently preparing our stall and all the publicity materials required so bring your brochures for her to distribute and get yourselves some publicity. Please make sure that your brochures are at the office no later than the 25 April. Thanking you all for your support. World Cup 2010 BCT has been working with MATCH the company which arranges all the accommodation, transportation and so on which is required for the 2010 football World Cup. We are engaging with them to make Barberton a satellite town for the events taking place in Nelspruit. Meetings with MATCH were held on the 15th and the 22nd of February. Nicky Krugel, the MATCH representative, described the arrangements that will have to be in place well in advance of the World Cup.If Barberton is to be a satellite town we need to have at least 200 graded beds. Nicky recommends product owners to go for 3 star grading rather than 4 star as this is seen to be adequate, but clearly product owners can aspire to whatever they want. One year’s grace is allowed for accommodation owners to arrange this. (Our own Board Member, Scola Wankya of the Grading Council, assures us that she can help with preparations for the World Cup and can answer any queries about Grading including visiting you for a preliminary chat. Those who have already been graded say that it is painless and easy, and advice is given on how to bring your accommodations up to standard if it is not already acceptable.) Everyone who has subscribed to the agreement will feature in the MATCH Catalogue. Of course the beds need to be free and available over the 11th June to 11th July period in 2010 when the World Cup matches are being played in Nelspruit. Cancellations will be compensated for according to a formula. MATCH arranges for transport of visitors to Nelspruit for the matches or for flight to another centre. Product owners who would like to register with MATCH and contribute to this town becoming a qualified tourist destination must sign their contract. New contracts are available in the Tourism Office. As soon as MATCH receives your completed contract, your accommodation will be put into the MATCH Catalogue which will afford you free advertising world wide. Another follow up meeting is to be held in the near future – date and venue yet to be announced. If you missed the previous meetings come to this one for further discussion and information. If you wish to get in touch with Nicky Krugel her contact details are:
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; cell 082 570 0413; land line 036 631 2829. However before you try to speak to her try Scola Wankya or Astrid Christianson at the Tourist Office who will be able to answer most of your queries. Website Members and business are agasin reminded to make sure that their information is up to date for the Barberton Website including more pictures and info. Visit the site at http://www.barberton.co.za/ . Congratulations to:Tony Ferrar on his appointment as Environmental Control Officer on the Bulembu Road project. Nice to know one of our local people is there to keep an eye on things. Marjory Nuns and the Umjindi Environmental Committee for cleaning up the atmosphere in this town by persisting in reporting smoke emissions and other detractions to the environment. Well done, Marj, keep up the good work! Barberton Chamber of Business who celebrated their 120th Anniversary on 2nd February this year. In 1887 the Barberton Goldfields News reported the first chamber meeting. A member spoke from the floor suggesting that another member be excluded on the grounds that he was a minor and that all minors be henceforth excluded. One of the newly elected board claimed that many successful business's had been well managed by minors and that the motion be rejected. The motion to exclude minors was therefore not passed. Events Jock of the Bushveld Marathon 5th May Applications available at the Tourism Information Office. Online entries can be done at http://www.sa-active.co.za/ . BCT will do a water point for the third year now, and we’d love to have you join us. Speak to Astrid if you’d like to join in the fun from the sidelines. Mini Moto and Pit-Bike weekend 27th & 28 April. Venue Pick & Pay centre and General street in front of Barberton Chalets. Contact Elna Teles 013 712 5482 or the info office 013 712 2880 for more details. If you know of any events taking place or items of interest, be sure to let Astrid know or get in touch with Anne Morgan, our newsletter compiler, on 013 712 5418 or 082 255 3233 or simply go and load the events on the website calendar at www.barberton.co.za . We will be happy to provide advance publicity in this newsletter. Please make this newsletter yours by becoming involved and letting us know what you want to hear, or what you want others to hear. |
