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Author: Debra Sauer

Public NOTICE: Let’s help Carpe Diem by recycling your tins!

Public NOTICE: Let’s help Carpe Diem by recycling your tins!
Issued George Municipality, 18 May 2022

 

Carpe Diem School for Physically Disabled Children in George has experienced many difficulties over the past few years due to Covid. The school relies on fund-raising activities which have not been able to take place and their government grant does not cover all of their daily expenses. Learners are provided with a cooked meal every day as well as a food parcel to take home with them.

 

George Municipality would like to urge the entire community of George, our Businesses, Churches, Hotels, restaurants, B&B’s,  gyms and outdoor facilities to join us in an intervention to help Carpe Diem School. We want you to collect your empty used tins, clean them first please and then drop them at your nearest Area Office; OR at our Social Services Offices (Cnr of Varing and St John Street)  OR contact our offices on 044 802 2000/2001/2009 and we will arrange to collect from you.

 

The collected tins will be handed over to local recycling companies and any funds received will be donated directly to Carpe Diem School.

 

Carpe Diem is a school that provides for physical-, learning- and intellectually impaired learners between the ages of 6 and 18 years, that cannot be accommodated in mainstream education. The school also serves a few hearing-impaired learners capable of functioning in a normal class situation with the help of hearing aids and/or FM systems (this excludes learners who are deaf). In the autistic unit the school also provides for learners on the autistic spectrum.

Since February 2020 the school has accommodated deaf learners between the ages of 3-8 years in the Unit for Deaf learners. The school serves all towns and farming communities along the Southern Cape coastal region, which include Riversdale, Albertinia, Mossel bay, Hartenbos, Klein Brak, Groot Brak, George, Hoekwil, Sedgefield, Karatara, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and The Craggs. At the moment there are 385 learners in the school, 84 of these learners are also being cared for in the hostels.

Further details please contact Ejustley Boshoff, Gender and Disability Co-ordinator for George Municipality on telephone  044 802 2001/9 or email eboshoff@george.gov.za

Public Notice: Hansmoeskraal Veldfire

Public Notice: Hansmoeskraal Veldfire Update
Issued 18 May, @ 08h25

George Fire Brigade is actively addressing a veldfire in the Hansmoeskraal area which started yesterday. Firefighters with all required resources are on the scene.

Report veldfires to GRDM Emergency Call Centre 044 805 5071
George Municipal Fire and Disaster Services 044 801 6311 for fires only.

Issued George Mun

Engagements with the public to take the Integrated Development Plan forward

The IDP and Budget Office held several engagements with the different ward committees last week. The purpose of the IDP and Budget engagements is to engage with communities on the key service delivery issues and the budget allocation for the budget .
 
The Municipal System Act; 2000 prescribes that all municipalities develop an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The IDP is a single inclusive plan of a municipality. The plan links, integrates and co-ordinates service delivery. The IDP is formulated in order to ensure that integrated service delivery and development goals are achieved in a municipality.
 
In terms of legislation a municipality is supposed to develop a new IDP every five years. However, due to the impact of Covid-19 the Local Government Elections for 2021 were delayed. Municipalities thus did not have enough time to develop a new five year IDP. In terms of the Systems Act Municipalities are allowed to adopt its predecessor’s IDP with or without amendments. The George Municipality decided to adopt the IDP of its predecessor and the new IDP process for the new term of office of council will commence in August 2022.
 
The Municipality however has set out a plan to engage with communities to solicit their inputs for the budget for the new financial year.
The draft budget reflects key policy decisions and priorities, rates increases and indicates where money will be spent on programmes and services. It is important to note that only ward committees were engaged for this round of public participation. And the final meeting for this round will be held on 19 May 2022 in Pacaltsdorp Community Hall at 18h00. However, a comprehensive public participation process will commence in August 2022 for the new IDP.
 
Communities and organisations will be given an opportunity to provide inputs for the new four- year IDP.
 
Caption: At one of the engagements with Ward Committees from various Wards are from left Dr Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director: Strategic Growth and Development, Cllr Donovan Gultig (Ward 18), Clr Marlene Barnardt (Ward 4), Cllr Sean Snyman (Ward 28), Cllr Browen Johnson (Ward 23), Cllr Stag Cronje (Ward 2) and Cllr Iona Kritzinger (Ward 19).

Planned power outage: portion of Hoekwil

Planned power outage: portion of Hoekwil

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:
PORTION OF HOEKWIL
DUIF STR, BITOU ROAD, HOEKWIL ROAD

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on WEDNESDAY 18 MAY 2022 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains. Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.

Should circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on THURSDAY 19 MAY 2022 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30.
KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER.

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:
GEDEELTE VAN HOEKWIL
DUIF STR, BITOU LAAN, HOEKWIL LAAN

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word op WOENSDAG 18 MEI 2022 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30 met die doel om veranderings aan elektriese hoofleidings te maak. Klante word gewaarsku om die installasie as lewendig te beskou vir die volle periode aangesien die toevoer enige tyd gedurende die periode aangeskakel mag word.

Sou omstandighede verhoed dat die werk gedoen kan word gedurende bogenoemde periode, sal die werk gedoen word op DONDERDAG 19 MEI 2022 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30

Rehabilitation of Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp

Rehabilitation of Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp
PLANNED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AT MISSION STREET:
The Works comprise rehabilitation of Mission Street between Beach Road and Church Street as indicated in the layout sketch.
The work will entail milling and removal of the existing bituminous surface layers and placing of new bituminous base and surfacing.

PROJECT PERIOD:
17 May to 31 May 2022.

SERVICE DISRUPTION:
Traffic deviations and congestion can be expected, with unplanned municipal services disruptions during the construction period.
Daily 8h30 – 12h30
One-way traffic in Mission Str towards Beach Road.
Traffic in direction of Traffic Department to use Church Street as an alternative
Flag persons in place at Church and Beach Road Intersection to direct traffic.
Daily 12H30 – 17H15

One-way traffic in Mission Str towards Traffic Department.
Traffic heading in direction of Beach Road to use Church Street as an alternative
Flag persons in place at Church and Beach Road Intersection to escort traffic.
Road Signs will be erected that in close proximity of the construction site that read : MISSION ROAD CLOSED. DETOUR VIA CHURCH ROAD

TRAFFIC ACCOMMODATION:
The road will be re-constructed in half-widths, with Mission Street operated as one way in the direction of travel, alternating depending on the lane being constructed, while access
will be restricted to property owners within the lane being constructed. Drivers are requested to make use of Chruch Street as an alternative route during the construction period.
One way traffic flow will be West Bound (to Beach Road) from 08:00-12:30 and East Bound (from Beach Road) from 12:30-17:15.

DRIVING COMFORT:
There will be height differences along the road while construction work is in progress. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians must exercise extreme caution especially during wet conditions,
when visibility is poor and at night. Vehicles with low profile tyres and motorcyclists must take extra care.

Mayor’s Newsletter for George Herald of 12 May 2022

MAYOR’S NEWSLETTER  FOR GEORGE HERALD ON 12 MAY 2022

 

In reflecting on how we are getting things done, I thought it would be worthwhile reporting on current efforts to improve living conditions for the broader community. This is in contrast to the publicity that is given to councillors who regularly expend energy in attempting to disrupt Council meetings approving these projects.

On a recent oversight visit to view construction activity in Thembalethu, we visited a new sewer line being constructed towards the south-west following the contour line in one of the valleys that will flow towards a main sewer pump station in Pacaltsdorp. There are numerous stormwater projects underway in Thembalethu that will also result in roads being improved. In Parkdene and Maraiskamp an end of life waterline is being replaced. In New Dawn Park, the stormwater drainage system is being upgraded. This will improve the lives of the residents who received houses in the 1990s. At the time, the focus of grants received was on the delivery of houses without sufficient funding being made available for infrastructure that should have been constructed at the time.

I recently did a television interview for SANRAL relating to the commencement of the R200 million bridge construction project to double the Nelson Mandela Boulevard bridge over the N2 into Thembalethu. This project will provide for much skills development and contract experience for local contractors.

During the April Council meeting, we approved acceptance of a R1m grant for micro-enterprise facilities being made available in Pacaltsdorp, R26,6m to assist in upgrading the road infrastructure for Go George and R4,25m for the electrical reticulation at the Metrogrounds housing development.

Numerous other reports were received that relate to improvements for our citizens. In Uniondale we are commencing the planning of micro-enterprise facilities. Progress is being made by the Cremhog NPO in their project to assist the homeless in the CBD, while land is being made available to applicants providing creative training in Thembalethu, a day care centre in Groeneweide and for a vegetable garden in Rosemoore.

A draft town planning policy to regulate house taverns, places of leisure and places of entertainment in low-income single residential neighbourhoods was also received by Council. This policy will now follow the route to final approval and thereby provide remedies for the various stakeholders who live in the vicinity of these establishments.

The Adopt A Spot Policy was approved following a public participation process. The objective of this policy is to permit the public (citizens or organisations) to approach the Municipality to take care of pieces of land to ensure its beautification, cleanliness or to prevent illegal dumping or degradation that could otherwise occur. The intention is to build a social partnership with the public to preserve and benefit our environment.

Thembalethu Bulk Sewer system upgrade for future developments

 Thembalethu Bulk Sewer system upgrade for future developments

Issued by George Mun 10 May 2022 for immediate release

 

The Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk, visited the R3.8 million Thembalethu Bulk Sewer project recently that will upgrade the sewer network for future growth and Upgraded Informal Settlement (UISP). The next phase of the proposed Upgraded Informal Settlement Programme (UISP) projects is specifically Area 1.  This UISP project’s civil services tender is expected to be advertised as soon as the current Bulk Sewer Project is completed, according to Mr. Lionel Daniels, Acting Director: Civil Engineering Services.

 

Ald Van Wyk said, “This is an important piece of infrastructure. What we are seeing here at this project is how gravity gets used in an area where stormwater lines run along the rim of the valley to ensure that water runs through. The design being used here will result in more efficient handling of the wastewater from the sewer line. Once completed, this work will be able to replace four smaller pump stations by using the gravity flow.”

 

Project Details

The current project consists of the laying of approximately 600m of 315mm diameter sewer pipeline and 600m of 355mm diameter sewer pipeline and associated sewer manholes.  Currently, most of the excavation of trenches is being undertaken mostly by labor-intensive methods to assist with job creation, with the work platform being created by machine.

The Thembalethu Bulk Sewer upgrades will continue to cater to future developments within the Thembalethu area. The next phase will be the upgrading of the Thembalethu No.6 sewerage pump station to cater to the future housing phases.

 

Employment opportunities

Currently, approximately seventeen people are being employed out of the community with accredited training to be rolled out through several municipal projects to increase the capacity of the communities served by the projects to enhance their employment potential going forward.

 

Project timeline

The approximate five-month contract is currently just approaching the halfway mark in terms of time, with a due completion date expected in early August 2022.  There have been some delays in the recent past with the rainfall experienced in the region, but the project is currently on track, due to efficient progress on various aspects of the project.

 

Captions:

_WA0000 Trenches being started.

_WA0003  Site clearance work to create work platform for pipe trench.

_WA0004  Laying of bulk sewer in newly excavated trench, with alignment being checked to achieve acceptable tolerances.

_WA0006 New trench being trimmed.

_WA0008 New trench intersection where new manhole will be constructed.

_WA0009 View out of trench as work progresses.

Mayor: Ald Leon van Wyk, George Mayor, (right) on-site with Portfolio Cllr for Planning and Development, Henry Hill(left) and Adrian van Molendorff from Civil Engineering Services.

George Munisipaliteit vier Vryheidsdag

George Munisipaliteit vier Vryheidsdag

Uitvoerende Onderburgemeester van George, Rdl. Raybin Figland, Portefeuljeraadslid van Gemeenskapsontwikkeling, Rdl. Brendon Adams, nog raadslede, amptenare van die Gemeenskapsontwikkelingafdeling, asook lede van die LGBTQIA-gemeenskap, het Dinsdagmiddag 26 April ‘n demonstrasie voor George-stadsaal gehou ter viering van Vryheidsdag. Die inisiatief was ter bewusmaking van die vryheid en menseregte vir alle lede van die samelewing. 

GO GEORGE VENDOR CONNECTIVITY ISSUES RESOLVED – TOP-UP SERVICES UP AND RUNNING AGAIN

GO GEORGE VENDOR CONNECTIVITY ISSUES RESOLVED – TOP-UP SERVICES UP AND RUNNING AGAIN
Sunday 1 May 13:40

We are happy to announce that the issues experienced by the top-up vendor network this morning has been resolved and that vendors are online again.

We want to thank our passengers for your patience and once again apologise for the inconvenience.

💡SMART CARD TIP: Top up before you have no trips left – if possible, keep at least two emergency trips on your card at all times.

GO GEORGE SERVICE ALERT: TOP-UP VENDORS OFFLINE – KIOSKS OPERATIONAL

GO GEORGE SERVICE ALERT: TOP-UP VENDORS OFFLINE – KIOSKS OPERATIONAL
Sunday 1 May 2022, 10:20

Top-up vendors all over town are currently experiencing connectivity issues with Standard Bank – this is unfortunately out of our control and the matter is receiving highest priority attention.
In the meantime, mobile kiosks will be roaming in Pacaltsdorp between Hypersave and Belair to service passengers in that area.
We hope to restore full top-up service as soon as possible and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.

ROAD UPGRADES TO MARKET STREET – Phase 4

ROAD UPGRADES TO MARKET STREET

Major upgrades to Market Street, George will impact on road users
for the next 7 months, until 30 November 2022, with construction
commencing on Phase 4 of 5 phases on 03 May 2022

PROJECT:
Market Street – Phase 4

DESCRIPTION:
Reconstruction of Market Street (Phase 4) from Mitchell to
Merriman Street as indicated in the figure.

PROJECT PERIOD (Phase 4):
03 May 2022 – 30 November 2022

SERVICE DISRUPTION
Municipal services may be disrupted during construction.
Advance notification of planned temporary disruptions will
be sent out via social media.

TRAFFIC IMPACT:
The road (Phase 4) will be re-constructed in half-widths,
with sections of Market Street operated as one way in
the direction of York Street. Access may be restricted to
property owners, delivery vehicles and Go GeorGe busses.
Extra care is to be taken by road users and pedestrians
throughout the duration of the entire construction period.
Adherence to temporary road signage and markings will be
required.

LABOUR:
The project will utilise EPWP registered labour, in terms
of the EPWP policy and in strict compliance with the
relevant requirements in terms of the applicable COVID-19 Regulations.

The George Municipality realises the impact of road works, apologises for the inconvenience, and appeals to road users to be patient and exercise
caution during the upgrade. Please look out for and adhere to temporary road signage and be aware of roadwork personnel.
Details of more road upgrade projects to follow shortly.

Public Notice: George and Noll libraries internet down currently due to technical fault at Western Cape government

Public Notice: George and Noll libraries internet down currently due to technical fault at Western Cape government

Issued by George Mun 29 April 2022

 

George and Noll libraries currently have no internet connection. This is due to technical difficulties experienced by Library Services, Western Cape that manages the internet connection at the libraries in our area.

We cannot give an estimation of the time it will take to repair the fault at this stage. We apologise for any inconvenience due to these circumstances out of our control.  For more information contact

George on 044 801 9288 / 9289 / 9292 / 9393 and
Noll library on 072 6758 745.

UPDATE PUBLIC NOTICE: NATIS SYSTEM DOWN AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES, MVR AND VEHICLE TESTING STATION

UPDATE PUBLIC NOTICE: NATIS SYSTEM DOWN AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES, MVR AND VEHICLE TESTING STATION
Issued George Mun, 28 April 2022 at 08h50

Please take note the Natis system is currently offline at George Traffic Department in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp, MVR and Vehicle Testing Station next to the train station due to technical difficulty.
The public can still pick up finished card licenses and those that have appointments can still go ahead with the passing out tests for driving licenses. No other transactions can be done currently.

We apologise for the inconvenience and regret the situation which is out of our control. For any queries please contact the department on 044 878 2400 or visit the offices in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp.

Outeniqua Marathon op hande en George Munisipaliteit borg R50 000

Outeniqua Marathon op hande en George Munisipaliteit borg R50 000

Issued by George Municipality 25 April 2022

 

Caption: George se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Rdh Leon van Wyk (regs) oorhandig ‘n tjek van R50 000 aan Duppie du Preez, President van Outeniqua Harriers ten bate van die jaarlikse Outeniqua Marathon wat die naweek plaasvind.

 

George se Uitvoerende Burgemeester, Rdh Leon van Wyk het ‘n bielie van ‘n tjek van R50 000 ten bate van die Outeniqua Marathon die eerskomende naweek oorhandig.

Duppie du Preez, President van Outeniqua Harriers, het die tjek in ontvangs geneem. Outeniqua Harriers bied jaarliks die marathon aan en word gebord deur die Munisipaliteit en ander borge. Die marathon vind plaas Saterdag, 30 April 2022. Volgens Du Preez word dié wedloop beskou as een van die heel mooiste wedlope in Suid-Afrika en vind al meer as 30 jaar plaas.

 

Die wedloop bestaan uit die drie sub-wedlope.

Die 42,2km marathon begin by die George Sportklub om 07h00. ‘n

Gedeelte van die marathon beweeg om die Tuinroete dam verby die Nelson Mandela Universiteit op met die Sewe Passe na Whitesweg, waarna die hardlopers ‘n asemrowende uitsig op die see en Wildernis-mere het wat voor hulle lê, voordat dit eindig by die Commonage.

Die halwe mararthon,  21,1km begin by die Tuinroete Dam om 08h00  en die 10km wedloop begin by die Wilderness Commonage om 08h00. Al die wedlope eindig by die Wilderness Commonage (die oop vlak oorkant die Wilderness Hotel).

 

Inskrywings kan nog Vrydagaand vanaf 16h00 tot 21h00 by die George Sportklub , Langenhovenweg gedoen word.

 

Vir navrae bel vir Eileen de Jager 084 404 2695 of Esme Boshoff by 084 499 7753.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE: DLTC EYE TEST MACHINES AND NATIS SYSTEM RESTORED AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES

PUBLIC NOTICE: DLTC EYE TEST MACHINES AND NATIS SYSTEM RESTORED AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES
Issued George Mun, 22 April 2022 AT 10H00

All services are restored at the George Traffic Department in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp. The Natis system and the eye test machines that gave problems are now fully repaired.

We apologise for the inconvenience. For any queries please contact the department on 044 878 2400 or visit the offices in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp.

PUBLIC NOTICE: DLTC EYE TEST MACHINES RUNNING SLOW AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES

PUBLIC NOTICE: DLTC EYE TEST MACHINES RUNNING SLOW AT GEORGE TRAFFIC SERVICES
Issued George Mun, 14 April 2022 at 09h40

Please take note that only one eye test machine at the George Traffic Department in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp is working properly currently. Technical issues are experienced with the other machines.
However, transactions are still going ahead but at a slower pace.
We apologise for the inconvenience and regret the situation which is out of our control. For any queries please contact the department on 044 878 2400 or visit the offices in Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp.

Saasveld road construction is nearing completion

Saasveld road construction is nearing completion
12 April 2022*
Good progress is being made on repairs of Madiba Drive, also known as Saasveld road. Months of earth-and foundation work have been done by the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services. Ten Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract workers are appointed to assist with the project. The work is performed using in-house resources, personnel, and EPWP contract workers. The Saasveld road has been inaccessible since November’s flash flood last year.
Earlier this year, the old Armco structure under the road was removed, and the work area was accessed.
Approximately 600 m3 of material had to be excavated to reach the bottom of the pipe and to lay the 200 mm diameter pipe in order to prevent the trench from flooding.
On Tuesday, 1 March 2022, a further 600 mm was excavated due to the wetness of the in-situ material. The GRDM Construction Team had sourced more materials to strengthen the bedding before they could lay off the 1.8 m concrete pipe.