Author: Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe

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The Garden Route is again proudly participating again in the 2023 City Nature Challenge, which will run from 28 April 2023 to 01 May 2023 for the observation period, and the upload and identification period ending 08 May 2023.

And take part in this family fun, global event.
We call this area home. Let us showcase its beauty and biodiversity to the world.

Plan a few special trips with family and friends …. and enjoy!!!

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023-garden-route

George Local Municipality: https://www.inaturalist.org/places/local-government-george-municipality

The adopted Gwayang Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), 2015 identified the area between the Gwaiing River and George, south of the R102 and north of the N2, as an area which has the potential to be developed as a mixed-use precinct with the focus on commercial and industrial land uses. This precinct forms part of a cluster of existing and proposed nodes along the western access to the urban area and is situated along the western gateway route into George, along the R102.

“The Municipality, assisted by a service provider, has initiated technical processes, including geotechnical studies, environmental sensitivity analysis, traffic Impact evaluation, engineering service investigations and precinct designs, to confirm the site’s suitability for the envisaged mixed-use development.  In addition, an urban design- and optimal layout concept form part of the deliverables of this process,” said Lauren Waring, director for Human Settlements, Planning & Development and Property Management in the George Municipality.

“In addition to commercial and industrial parks modern manufacturing and other commercial functions on various scales, the concept envisages mixed residential typologies with the associated community facilities.  The Municipal Utility area and planned Alternative Energy facilities are included in the precinct plan and sensitive environmental features will be protected through an integrated Open Space system which will also aid storm-water management and provide functional open spaces to the users in and around the precinct,” Waring added.

“The technical studies and concept plans inform the final layout plan which is anticipated to be completed by July 2023. Thereafter the Environmental Impact and Land Use Management application processes will commence and the phasing for the installation of infrastructure will be determined.  The planning process is anticipated to be concluded by the end of 2024, whereafter the potential release of land for development will be submitted to the Council.”

This project constitutes infill development and supports objectives to ensure the optimum and efficient use of existing infrastructure and resources. The introduction of opportunities for industrial and commercial expansion will catalyze economic growth and is anticipated to yield new opportunities for employment and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) development.

ENDS.

The George Municipality in partnership with National Treasury initiated the Thembalethu Node 1 Development Project to create a vibrant sustainable community node in Thembalethu, which can attract new investment into the area and stimulate downstream economic activity.

The ward councillor of Thembalethu and Ward Committee for Ward 13 branded the precinct as “Ilisolethu”, meaning “Our eye” and supported a possible brand logo for the area.  The nodal area lies along Nelson Mandela Boulevard and includes the area referred to as the Thembalethu Central Business District (CBD).  Several workshops with councillors, the ward committee, municipal departments, and key stakeholders were held to identify potential projects and receive feedback.

“The node will be an asset of which the entire community can be proud,” says the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk. “This will transform the neighbourhood and be a catalyst for future growth.”

The planning for “Ilisolethu” has reached a stage where detailed plans for project implementation are being prepared. These include:

• An investment plan which includes a selection of possible project- and investment partners;
• A development plan which will place the identified projects on-site in an integrated manner and includes an analysis of the required engineering and road infrastructure to support a pedestrian-friendly Nelson Mandela Boulevard and an integrated node; and
• An area management strategy which will set the scene to mobilize the positive participation of all the role-players and ensure that the node will be managed sustainably.

Mayor van Wyk says the George Municipality has secured funding from the National Treasury through the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme to initiate the technical investigation stage of the project. The objective is to facilitate inclusionary economic opportunities, create high-quality public spaces and link funders to catalytic projects which will benefit the lives of the residents of Thembalethu.

A service provider was appointed in September 2022 following a tender process. Since then, consultation, surveys and technical work have been conducted, which will result in plans and strategies for “Ilisolethu” to be presented to Council.

“We are greatly encouraged by the positive feedback we have received from community structures, and for the leadership of the Ward Councillor Simphiwe Toto and his Ward Committee,” says Ms Lauren Waring, Director for Human Settlements, Planning and Development in the George Municipality. “There is significant interest in the project and the feedback and further engagements will help us to refine the proposals for ‘Ilisolethu’.”

The first draft plans will be finalized by the end of March 2023, upon which further input will be invited.  This will take us closer to confirmation of the processes we must follow toward project implementation. The draft proposals, timeframes and cost will be presented to Council once the project elements have been defined. This project will enable the George Council to forge partnerships with state and private benefactors and activate an area management structure that will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the project plan.

“This is a ground-breaking initiative which will be a valuable community asset and benefit to the entire region,” says Ms Waring.

Iliso Lethu Before

Iliso Lethu After

ENDS.

The National Treasury, accompanied by the representatives from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme and Provincial Treasury visited the George Municipality on a two-day programme as part of the Mid-Year Budget and Performance Assessment for Municipalities.

The George Municipality in these engagements was represented by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, Portfolio Councillor for Financial and Strategic Services Dirk Wessels, Municipal Manager for George Dr Michele Gratz, the Chief Financial Officer Riaan du Plessis, the directors of the George Municipality, some senior managers, and managers.

“Twice a year we have engagements with the National Treasury that assess and review our finances. We are one of the privileged intermediate cities in the country that are a non-delegated Municipality, in other words, we report directly to the national Treasury,” said Mayor van Wyk. “Our engagements with them are always valuable as we can discuss our infrastructure needs, various financing needs and the biggest challenges we face, the load shedding and electricity. We, therefore, value these engagements enormously and it is then we have that opportunity to engage directly with them and bring the major challenges that we face as Municipalities to their attention.”

On Thursday, 16 March 2023, which was day one of the two days, the George Municipality presented the following to the delegation:

• Current Institutional Arrangements
• Municipal standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) implementation
• Financial performance for 2021/2022, 2022/2023 Mid-Year and the 2022/2023 Adjustments budget proposals
• Financial Governance and
• Performance as per the 2021/2022 annual report and the 2022/2023 Mid-Year performance assessment report.

On day 2, Friday, 17 March 2023, the delegation visited Infrastructure projects from the Municipality’s Electrotechnical Services Departments and Civil Engineering. One of the sites they visited, is the new 66/11 kV 40 MVA electrical substation which is currently under construction in Thembalethu. This substation is set to be amongst the largest of its kind in the Southern Cape, and a major bulk infrastructure milestone for the city of George. It will improve reliability and provide an adequate capacity of electrical supply to the area, alleviate the load on the substations that are currently supplying Thembalethu and will serve as an important catalyst for investment funding from both the state and business.

Another site the delegation visited was the 20 Ml/d extensions to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW). George Municipality received a Budget Facility for Infrastructure Funding (BFI) grant to the value of R1.107 billion from the National Treasury in the 2021/22 financial year. The BFI project with its various components has shown significant progress and expenditure to date in the 2022/23 financial year. George Municipality is actively working to keep our economy on the go – by ensuring adequate long-term planning and investment in our resources – that is water, sewerage, and electricity.

The National Treasury expressed its overall impression of their visit to George Municipality.  “We are here to conduct the Mid-Year visit with the Municipality. We are very impressed with the municipality’s handling of its finances. One of the good things that other Municipalities are struggling with is paying creditors, but George Municipality has consistently shown its ability to pay its creditors. The Municipality is on a sustainable path; one of the other things that the municipality is doing well is the appropriateness to cushion their communities and businesses through load shedding by fast-tracking the implementation of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) projects,” said Mandla Gilimani, director in the National Treasury who is responsible for George Municipality.

Gilimani also praised the Municipality for its well-maintained infrastructure. “Service delivery is clearly visible with well looked after roads network and cleanliness of the town. This will go a long way in attracting investments into the city.” The Auditor-General advised late last year that George Municipality achieved a clean audit for 2021/22, this, according to the Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz is “a testament to the hard work being put in by the administration to continuously improve service delivery whilst also maintaining the highest quality in our administrative processes”.

Ends.

CAPTION:

Sitting in front from left: Riaan du Plessis (Chief Financial Officer of George Municipality), Dr Michele Gratz (George Municipal Manager), Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George), Councillor Dirk Wessels (Portfolio Councillor for Financial & Strategic Services from the George Municipality) and Mandla Gilimani (Director from National Treasury responsible for George Municipality)

At the back: Senior officials from Georg e Municipality, National Treasury, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme and Provincial Treasury.

Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk welcomes the National Treasury visit delegation

Day 1 of the 2-day National Treasury programme of Mid-Year Budget and Performance Assessment for George Municipality.

The delegation visited was the 20 Mld extensions to the New Water Treatment Works

The delegation visited the new 6611 kV 40 MVA electrical substation which is currently under construction in Thembalethu