Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Author: Nadine Payle

UPGRADING OF GROENEWEIDE PARK BULK WATER PIPELINE

PROJECT: The upgrading of the Groeneweide Park bulk water pipeline will have an impact on residents, pedestrians, runners, cyclists and road users. Construction will commence in October 2023.

The estimated construction duration is 6 months.

DESCRIPTION:
The existing 200mm Ø bulk water pipeline has reached the end of its design life and must be replaced with a 400mm Ø bulk water pipeline. The new portion of pipeline is 1.1km long, starting at the corner of the George Showgrounds and constructed along the R102 in the direction of the airport, ending approximately 60m from the Gwaing River bridge.

PROJECT PERIOD:
End-October 2023 to approximately April 2024.

SERVICE DISRUPTION:
No Municipal services will be affected, and the road will be open to traffic. Short disruptions will occur when existing users are connected to the new pipeline.

WORKING HOURS:
Working hours will be from 07h00 to 18h00 Mondays to Fridays.

IMPACT:
The construction area will be fully closed to the public. No pedestrians, runners or cyclists may access the construction area throughout the duration of the construction period. Flag persons and temporary road signage must be adhered to at all times.

ACCESS TO SITE:
Access to the construction site will be strictly controlled. No member of the public will be allowed access to the construction area, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Events over the Festive Season – Take Note!

George Municipality encourages events to take place in the destination provided they are covered under the legal framework.

It is important that any events planned for the Festive Season 1 December 2023 – 30 January 2024, that require municipal approval as per the details below, must be applied for a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the event taking place; and the final deadline for submission of Event Applications for this season is 15 November 2023.

POPULATION CERTIFICATE
Please note that any event with more than 200 people attending, must apply for a Population Certificate, which is obtained from the Fire Department.  There is a fee applicable and a number of requirements which must be attended to well in advance.

This includes but is not limited to:

Fire Department Population Certificate application forms and proof of payment
All Events require SAPS Risk Categorization
1000 people or more Department of Health Western Cape medical approval
Engineering Certificates of Compliance (COC’s) for relevant structures involved – for example, tents and stages
Electrical Certificates of Compliance for any electrical boards and generators
Public Liability Insurance
Medical service provider’s registrations
Security service provider’s registrations
Appointment letter for Safety Officer
Permission letter from property owner

Events Safety Management Plan that addresses  the following:

Contact details of role-players, emergency services and authorities
Traffic Plan
Parking Plan
Public address system and backup system
Catering setup / use
Electricity setup / certificate of compliance for any temporary DV boards
Waste Removal Plan
Medical Plan
Evacuation Plan / Emergency Procedures
Security Plan
Site Plan / sketch

Any other documentation the Fire Department deems necessary to complete the application process.

OTHER COMPLIANCES
Please note that land use of your venue must be compliant and certain events with higher risk categorisations will require a Joint Operations Command (JOC).
Most events which have food vendors will have inspections by the Garden Route District Municipality Health Inspector.

Please contact Santa Sternsdorf, Station Commander  at George Fire Department on 044 801 6300 or ssternsdorf@george.gov.za

#QUICK FACTS: Approval of building plans

#QUICK FACTS: Approval of building plans
George Municipality has implemented an automated system for the submission of building plans.

This portal enables the municipality as well as the practitioner who submitted the plan to track to the minute when the plan was received, which Departments it has been circulated to and when it was returned to the applicant.

https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com

George Municipality receives on average over 2000 building plans per year.

The average time to process plans smaller than 500m² = 19.8 days
The average time to process plans larger than 500m² = 17 days

Administration related enquiries 044 801 9370 or 044 801 9438

Request of existing building plans pmlingani@george.gov.za or smoshani@george.gov.za or mdyakop@george.gov.za
Status on building plan approvals vnlaws@george.gov.za or agriessel@george.gov.za

***********************************************************

#VINNIGE FEITE: Goedkeuring van bouplanne

George Munisipaliteit het ‘n outomatiese stelsel geïmplementeer vir die indiening van bouplanne.

Hierdie kanaal stel die munisipaliteit sowel as die praktisyn wat die plan ingedien het in staat om tot op die minuut dop te hou wanneer die plan ontvang is, na watter departemente dit gesirkuleer is en wanneer dit aan die aansoeker terugbesorg is.

https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com

George-munisipaliteit ontvang gemiddeld meer as 2000 bouplanne per jaar.

Die gemiddelde tyd om planne kleiner as 500m² te verwerk = 19,8 dae

Die gemiddelde tyd om planne groter as 500m² te verwerk = 17 dae

Administrasie Administratiewe-verwante navrae 044 801 9370 of 044 801 9438

Versoek van bestaande bouplanne pmlingani@george.gov.za of smoshani@george.gov.za of mdyakop@george.gov.za

Status opvan bouplangoedkeurings vnlaws@george.gov.za of agrissel@george.gov.za

My Smart City App – Register and Pay your Account!

My Smart City App – Register and Pay your Account!
Simplify how you communicate and transact with the George Municipality. Pay your account on the My Smart City – George App.
Get Your Account Registered/ Verified
1.    Go to your Apps home screen
2.    Tap on My Municipality
3.    Tap on the Municipal accounts icon
4.    Tap the Add Account
5.    Complete all relevant fields. (Please note that you can only proceed once you have selected your location under your profile.)
6.    Verification of your Account details may take 1-2 days and thereafter you are able to pay your account
7.    Once your Account Icon has turned green (i.e it is verified) select the municipal bill you would like to pay or select the All icon to settle your bills in one settlement.

Paying Your Account
1.    Once your Account has been verified,
2.    Tap on the bar and click on Pay Account
3.    Fill in the amount you would like to pay
4.    Click Pay Account
5.    Complete all relevant fields under Card Details
6.    Tap Pay Now
7.    Select the municipal bill you would like to pay or select the All icon to settle your bills in one settlement
8.    Confirmation of payment will be received via the APP.

The My Smart City – George App simplifies Service Delivery for the Resident:
•     Log municipal faults;
•     Receive local alerts and notifications;
•     Chat to an Agent during office hours;
•     Access and pay your municipal bill;
•     Submit self-read meter readings;
•     Have the opportunity to complete Customer Satisfaction Surveys;
•     and let you contribute to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) without needing to attend meetings;
•     and gives you Access to Business listings/ Events for George and surrounds.

George Municipality has partnered with My Smart City to bring a tailored one-stop solution to your service delivery needs.

Watch Video on paying your account via the APP
https://youtu.be/dU0mGaZCzH0

Download NEW My Smart City – George APP via the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store or via the My Smart City website www.mysmart.city or Scan the QR Code which can also be found on your current municipal statement! Should you have any issues with registering please contact support@mysmart.city

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVIVAL SWIMMING PROGRAM

George Municipality in collaboration with the National Sea Rescue Institute,
is proud to roll out the Survival Swimming Program. Schools in the George Municipal area are invited to participate in this program.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Days: Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays
  • Times: 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm & 4:30pm or lessons can be arranged during your Life Orientation periods.
  •  The learners we are targeting will be roughly 7 – 18 years old.
  • Prior to their first lesson, all learners will be required to complete an indemnity form and photographic permission form.
  • Interested Schools will be responsible to arrange OWN TRANSPORT for learners to and from the facility.
  • Such training program usually consists of 13 lesson plans.

Principals of interested schools MUST reply via e-mail on or before 31 OCTOBER 2023

For attention the Sport Development Officer,
Ms. Leveinia Botha at lybotha@george.gov.za
Contact number 044 801 9488

What are our Water Restrictions and how do they affect your household?

Every household is limited to using 15 kilolitres of water per month.
Emergency tariffs will be charged for any household which uses more than 15kl as per the 2023/24 tariff list.
Businesses dependent on municipal water, including commercial car washes must reduce their use of water by 15% of their past 6-month average.

Large industry must reduce their use of municipal water by 10% of their past 6-month average.
Gardens can be watered any time of the day but ONLY with watering cans or buckets, no hosepipes are allowed.

The Irrigation or watering of ALL sport fields using municipal water is prohibited.
Washing of vehicles with a garden hose is prohibited. Only buckets are allowed.
Cleaning of any outside surface areas using a hosepipe is prohibited.
Filling up of swimming pools with municipal water is prohibited.
Flow-reducing devices will be installed where limits are exceeded.
Applications for exemption can be submitted to the Deputy Director Water for consideration.
Those making use of their own water must display a visible sign stating, “Own Water”.

Follow this link for Water Saving Tips and details on Restrictions

https://www.george.gov.za/civil-engineering/water/water-saving-tips/

Treated Effluent and Raw Water for irrigation or construction purposes is available and details can be requested from the Directorate: Civil Engineering Services (gvanniekerk@george.gov.za)

Report contraventions of the current Water Restrictions on 0800 424477 – fines apply.

Report all water leaks on 044 801 9262/66 or A/ h 044 801 6300 or at your nearest Area Office or Thusong Centre, email to gmun@george.gov.za  or via the My Smart City App.

Steps to check for leaks on the property:

Step 1: Stop all water use.  Close all the taps on the property and do not flush the toilet.
Step 2:  Check and record the water meter reading.
Step 3: Wait for at least 15 minutes and take another reading.  Make sure that nobody has opened a tap or flushed the toilet since the meter reading was taken.
Step 4: If there is a difference, then the leak will have to be fixed. If the number on the meter has increased, then it means that a leak has been detected and fast action will need to be taken.
Step 5: Unless it is a simple DIY job, residents are encouraged to call a plumber to fix the leak.

Three simple tests to detect a toilet leak:

  • Listen for the water trickling into the toilet bowl.
  • Press a piece of toilet paper against the inside back surface of the bowl.  If it gets wet, you probably have a leak.
  • Put 15 drops of food colouring into the toilet cistern. If after 15 minutes the water in the toilet bowl has changed colour, then there is a leak.

If you cannot afford to call a plumber to fix a serious toilet problem, use the little stopcock/angle valve tap at the base of the toilet to keep it turned off between flushes.

My Smart City App DYK#6 One-on-One Chats

Did you know that you can now chat directly to an Agent at the George Municipality by using the My Smart City George App?

If you need assistance and cannot get through to our landlines, chat One-on-One with our friendly Agents, on weekdays between 07h45 – 16h30 and they will be able to assist you with your Municipal query.

Download NEW My Smart City – George APP via the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store or via the My Smart City website www.mysmart.city or Scan the QR Code which can also be found on your current municipal statement

#didyouknow
#cityofopportunities
#cityofgeorge

1 MWp Solar Farm for George Progressing

From left: Jandré van Zyl (VE Reticulation – Electrical Contractors), Deon Esterhuysen (Electro-Technical Services: Manager Project Execution), Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George) Councillor Nosicelo Mbete (Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services & Fleet Management), Danie Greeff (Electro-Technical Services: Deputy Director – Planning & Design) and Jacques van Zyl (Lyners Consulting Engineers)

The completion date for the commissioning of the 1 MWp solar farm located in the George Industrial area has been set at January 2024. The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk accompanied by the Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services and Fleet Management Nosicelo Mbete officially celebrated the start of construction at the 1ha open land in April this year.

The Municipality is investigating various options to get the city and its residents freed of at least one stage, that is two hours of loadshedding. The implementation of this three-pronged operational approach to significantly reduce our reliance on energy supply from Eskom has three focus areas: one being Energy Efficiency, another Own-Build Programme, and finally the procurement of energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). George uses at peak times up to 85MVA per day. This 1MWp PV Plant is the first phase of Solar PV plants for George that will feed directly into the Municipal grid.

The Solar plants being installed in George will provide own generation and reduce Eskom energy consumption. This will also serve as large-scale generation to keep future dispatchable Battery Energy Storage Systems charged. This will also assist us in achieving our goal of reducing internal electricity costs and increasing sustainability.

The renewable energy power that will be generated through this plant, will be connected to the grid to reduce the municipal bulk purchases and will only support the immediate George area. The 1MWp PV plant will consist of approximately 1728 PV Panels & 10 x 110kW inverters at a total cost of R 24 843 090.36. The plant is expected to generate in the order of 1780 MWh per year.

 

MAYOR’S NEWSLETTER FOR GEORGE HERALD OF 12 OCTOBER 2023

Alderman Leon Van Wyk, Executive Mayor of George Municipality

In recent weeks the Western Cape has experienced a period of unusual weather events with heavy rainfall causing substantial damage to infrastructure, agricultural crops and other assets particularly across the Overberg region.

In Overstrand, damage to their main water pipelines resulted in no piped water being available for almost a week.

We were requested to provide assistance by making available our large 35000 litre fire tanker and a second tanker to the Hermanus community to transport water to certain areas to fill water tanks that the municipality had to urgently acquire and to assist the local Medi-Clinic hospital. Our deployed teams proudly undertook these tasks working non-stop with very little sleep. We extend our thanks to them for their dedication to serve George and the communities in need.

In the meantime, in George, we have experienced a spate of water pipeline bursts in recent weeks after being fortunate to have a period with relatively few breaks.

It is useful to occasionally reflect on the extent of George. Our tarred road network is 450km with a further 100km of gravel roads and almost 1000km of pipelines for each of the water and sewer networks. To put this in perspective, the operational extent of George is equivalent to roughly the road distance between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town with water and sewer pipelines on both sides of the road.

On a network of this size, there are pipe breakages and sewer blockages that occur in the respective networks on a daily basis. Over the past two years, increasing efforts have taken place to create zones across the municipality to manage the water network through the inclusion of meters and valves to improve the management of the water network. This process has already yielded positive results. The nature of such a network is that there are different sizes of pipelines, connections and fittings that have been constructed over decades as George has grown.

During a recent pipe burst it was discovered that the breakage occurred on a non-standard size pipe diameter that differed by a few millimeters from the available replacement and fittings. Modifications were needed which then delayed the repair.

The wet weather often delays the repairs that are being undertaken. Potholes on roads materialise during wet weather and can only be effectively repaired during dry and warm weather conditions.

Our electricity repair teams are being kept busy due to the damage to infrastructure that results from loadshedding and the overload of networks when power is being restored.

In closing, we thank all our repair, standby and other municipal teams for regularly being prepared to work long hours as they strive to maintain a high level of services across George.

GMUN: Westbound N2 Lane Closure

SANRAL is undertaking work underneath the Thembalethu Bridge tonight, 11 October and the Westbound N2 lane (Direction Mossel Bay) will be closed to traffic from approximately 19h00 – 24h00 (Midnight).

Motorists will be able to use the off ramps at the bridge, to gain access to the N2 on the other side, in order to continue their journey.

The Westbound lane closure will remain in place until midnight tonight. The night-time closures are required to paint the cages on the bridge.

The work is being undertaken at night to minimise the inconvenience to road users. All motorists are requested to reduce speed in the construction area and to remain patient.

Updated Water Outage in Kraaibosch: More Areas Will Be Affected

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE POTABLE WATER SUPPLY

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, BALLOTSVIEW, CONVILLE, DORMEHLS DRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, LAWAAIKAMP, MARAISKAMP, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMOOR, THEMBALETHU EAST, AND ALSO ADJACENT AREAS

NOTICE is hereby given that the potable water supply will be interrupted from TUESDAY EVENING 10 OCTOBER 2023 FROM 20H00 TO WEDNESDAY MORNING 11 OCTOBER 2023 AT 06H00 for the purpose of doing alterations to the Kraaibosch potable water bulk supply pipeline. Consumers are requested to please use water very sparingly during this period and for a few hours afterwards to allow the network to stabilise.

**********************************************

KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE GESUIWERDE WATER TOEVOER

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:

BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, BALLOTSVIEW, CONVILLE, DORMEHLS DRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, LAWAAIKAMP, MARAISKAMP, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMOOR, THEMBALETHU EAST, ASOOK OMLIGGENDE AREAS

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die gesuiwerde water toevoer onderbreek sal word vanaf DINSDAG AAND 10 OKTOBER 2023 om 20H00 TOT WOENSDAG OGGEND 11 OKTOBER OM 06H00 met die doel om veranderings aan die Kraaibosch gesuiwerde water hoofpypleidings te maak. Verbruikers word versoek om water baie spaarsamig te gebruik gedurende hierdie tydeperk, en vir ‘n paar ure na die tyd sodat die netwerk kan stabiliseer.

 

UPGRADING OF SEWER NETWORK MEENT STREET

The upgrade of sewer infrastructure servicing Meent Street, Heather Park will have an impact on residents and road users for the estimated period from 11 September 2023 to 15 December 2023.

DESCRIPTION:
To accommodate current and future sewage flows a section of sewerage reticulation in Meent Street must be upgraded. The scope of works consists of trench excavations for the construction of a 400m gravity sewer pipeline.

PROJECT PERIOD:
11 September 2023 to 15 December 2023

SERVICE DISRUPTION:
Municipal services may be disrupted during construction. Advance notification of planned temporary disruptions will be sent out via social media. The contractor will communicate directly with residents regarding access to properties.

WORKING HOURS:
Working hours will be from 07h00 to 17h00 Mondays to Fridays and 07h00 – 14h00 on Saturdays as may be needed.
TRAFFIC IMPACT:
Residents, road users and pedestrians need to exercise caution throughout the duration of the construction period. Please adhere to flag persons, temporary road signage and road markings.
ACCESS TO SITE:
Access to the site will be strictly controlled. No member of the public will be allowed access to the construction area, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

PROJECT ENQUIRIES: – WJ Civils attention Mr. Markus Du Plessis on 044 871 0414.

George Municipality 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 roadworks personnel.

Did You Know? My Smart City App: George Municipality Vacancies

You can now view all the latest George Municipality Vacancies directly from our new My Smart City George App!

Here’s how
On the home screen of the App, click on the Vacancy option on the App’s home screen, and get a full list of all our current Vacancies including the George Municipality’s Application forms.

Download the NEW My Smart City – George APP NOW via the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store or via the My Smart City website www.mysmart.city or Scan the QR Code which can also be found on your current municipal statement

#CityofGeorge
#CityofOpportunities
#SmartCity

Planned Power Outage: Schaapkop Station Shutdown, George Outage on 11 October 2023

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

Glenwood, Lavallia, Protea Park, Loerie Park, Bergsig, Denver Park, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Welegelegen, Gardan Route Mall, Eden Meander Mall, Garden Route Dam, Wilderness Central, Constantia Kloof, Kaart van Africa, Remskoen Avenue, Saasveld, Nelson Mandela University, Victoria Bay, Victoria Bay Heights, Blue Mountain Village, Twee Rivieren, Bo-dorp, Denneoord, George East/ Genevafontein and Eden,

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2023 FROM 09H00 TO 16H00 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
WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2023 FROM 09H00 TO 16H00

**********

KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:

Glenwood, Lavallia, Protea Park, Loerie Park, Bergsig, Denver Park, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Welegelegen, Gardan Route Mall, Eden Meander Mall, Garden Route Dam, Wilderness Central, Constantia Kloof, Map of Africa, Remskoen Avenue, Saasveld, Nelson Mandela University, Victoria Bay, Victoria Bay Heights, Blue Mountain Village, Twee Rivieren, Bo-dorp, Denneoord, George East/ Genevafontein and Eden,

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word WOENSDAG,11 OKTOBER 2023 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H00 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
WOENSDAG,18 OKTOBER 2023 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H00

GMUN: Planned Interruption of Water Supply: Kraaibosch Pipeline, 10 October 2023

NOTIFICATION OF THE INTERRUPTION
OF THE POTABLE WATER SUPPLY

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED: BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, DORMEHLSDRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMORE, THEMBALETHU EAST

NOTICE is hereby given that the potable water supply will be interrupted from TUESDAY EVENING 10 OCTOBER 2023 FROM 20H00 TO WEDNESDAY MORNING 11 OCTOBER 2023 AT 06H00 for the purpose of doing alterations to the Kraaibosch potable water bulk supply pipeline.

Consumers are requested to please use water very sparingly during this period and for a few hours afterward to allow the network to stabilise.

*******************************

KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING
VAN DIE GESUIWERDE WATER TOEVOER

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD: BORCHERDS, BLUE MOUNTAIN, DORMEHLSDRIFT NORTH, GROENKLOOF, LA VALIA, KRAAIBOSCH, PARKDENE, ROSEMORE, THEMBALETHU EAST

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die gesuiwerde water toevoer onderbreek sal word vanaf DINSDAG AAND 10 OKTOBER 2023 om 20H00 TOT WOENSDAG OGGEND 11 OKTOBER OM 06H00 met die doel om veranderings aan die Kraaibosch gesuiwerde water hoofpypleidings te maak.

Verbruikers word versoek om water baie spaarsamig te gebruik gedurende hierdie tydeperk, en vir ‘n paar ure na die tyd sodat die netwerk kan stabiliseer .