Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
Attention: News/Tourism Editor
NEW TOURIST DEVELOPMENT ON THE CARDS FOR GAUTENGESE
Three sites have been identified by the Gauteng Government for development as holiday resorts - with the potential to bring in millions of "tourist rands" every year.
The sites are:
All three sites are currently managed by the province's Department of Conservation & Agriculture. But the Cabinet decided at its meeting in Johannesburg today that development consultants should be approached to look at the developing them into fully-fledged tourist centres - if possible, as joint ventures between government and the private sector.
The western shore of Roodeplaat has three recreational areas, with capacity for 450 campers and 250 day visitors. Only one of these recreational facilities is being used at the moment, because the province's Department of Conservation & Agriculture could not afford to maintain the full site.
The Bronkhorstspruit and Vaal Dam sites are both under-utilised. Bronkhorstspruit has facilities for approximately 300 visitors, along a 10 kilometres shoreline. The reserve is run by a small staff, on a shoestring budget.
A similar situation applies at Vaal Dam, where the entire entire facility - 364 camp sites and 840 picnic sites - is being maintained on a small budget.
The Department of Conservation & Agriculture does not have sufficient funding to improve facilities at the reserves, or to increase the number of staff running these areas.
The present facilities, even when run at 30 to 40% capacity, have the potential to generate up to R15-million a year. Under experienced visitor management control and an adequate maintenance budget, the potential earnings can be doubled.
We are convinced that, with the involvement of the private sector, these reserves can be developed into economically viable outdoor recreation centres.
The reserves will continue to be run by the Department of Conservation & Agriculture for the next six months. In the meantime, development consultants will be asked to investigate various options for the three areas.
Issue by: Chris Vick, Communications Director, Office of the Premier Telephone: (011) 240-1641 Pager: (011) 457-1111 code 7320 14 February 1996