Knysna - already considered one of the most popular tourist and lifestyle destinations in South Africa - now has its eye on the global market for both tourism and investment. As new multi-million rand projects bloom on the surrounding hills of this charming seaside town, plans for economic upliftment and socio-commercial development are following close behind.
Among a new generation of luxury resorts nearing completion, or partially open such as Pezula and Thesen Island, a spectacular new development has been announced that will put Knysna very much on the international tourist route: the R800-million Knysna River Reserve (see story on opposite page).
And as part of the municipality's local economic development programme, two key projects are underway: the Knysna Business Initiative (KBI) and the "Hotspot" project (see opposite page) to turn Knysna into a "wireless" town with free and low-cost access to the Internet from with the municipal hotspot.
On the upliftment front the Knysna Municipality has started a poverty alleviation study,which will identify priority areas for poverty intervention initiatives and generate an Integrated Poverty Strategy. The use of preferential procurement as an instrument to effect socio-economic change is one of the central strategies of the LED plan.
According to municipal Operations Manager, Richard Martin, the Capital Budget for 2003/2004 is nearly R38, 4 million, an increase of 14,3% over last year (2002/2003). Most of this expenditure will be on housing (32%) and new services and infrastructure (29%).
" This reinforces Knysna Municipality's commitment to addressing the needs of the poor and disadvantaged communities. As much as the municipality encourages development we have a responsibility to address poverty. Developments such as the big golfing estates and resorts bring employment and custom to local business.
A Youth and Gender Desk has been established to work with and assist community youngsters. The desk will be run by ANC Councillor Eleanor Bouw.
Council will also be spending some R7,4 million (20,5%) on repairs and maintenance of council assets. Without this targeted expenditure Council's asset base will deteriorate to the point where it is rendered useless and will become unaffordable to replace.
Council will spend some R9,1 million out of its own reserves. In recent years Council has concentrated on building those reserves but our overall policy is to have assets in the ground rather than in the bank and we need to maintain a happy balance in this regard.

Poverty Alleviation Strategy
Some objectives of this strategy include:
o Generate indicators to measure poverty rates within Knysna.
o Compile a poverty database, which could identify areas according to poverty rates and to monitor poverty alleviation methods.
o Identify opportunities, programmes and projects which could be utilised to address poverty.

Knysna Procurement Policy
The preferential procurement policy objectives of the municipality are to utilise procurements and disposals where appropriate to promote:
o the redressing of business ownership patterns along racial and gender lines;
o employment to skilled workers residing within the jurisdictional area of the Municipality;
o businesses located within the jurisdiction of the Municipality primarily; but also including the Eden District Council boundaries, and
o increase in the market share of small businesses.

CBD Improvement
Knysna Municipality will shortly commission a CBD Improvement study to upgrade the CBD area. This will be done in partnership with local businesses.
The study will focus on:
o Transport and traffic related aspects
o Parking and public transport
o Pedestrian and vehicular movement
o Land use/zoning patterns
o Informal trading
o Safety and Security
o Urban design : signage, landscaping and street furniture
o Waterfront drive corridor