Unplanned power outage in Heatherlands due to a damaged pole. Part of Forest, Plantation Road and Plane Roads are affected. Electrician on site to mount a new pole. The estimated time of power supply restore is approximately 00:00 tonight.
Issued by George Municipality
14 Feb 2022 @ 21:25
We could not access our Facebook page earlier today due to a technical error. The accessibility issues have not been fixed; we are back
Issued by the George Municipality
14/02/2022
Please note that we are unable to post on our Facebook page at this moment due to a technical error relating to accessibility to the page. We are attending to this issue, please use other George Municipality’s communication platforms to access the latest communication. These communication platforms are:
Website: www.george.gov.za
Twitter: @George_mun
George APP: https://george.comunity.me/d/george/
Issued by the George Municipality
14/02/2022
Please note that there are currently technical difficulties with the National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS). The George Municipality’s Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) is experiencing a slow service from this system. The work can be carried out, but not at normal capacity, as the system is currently very slow. Will keep you posted on any developments.
Issued by the George Municipality
14 Feb 2022
12:10
New Machinery…The George Municipality received a brand-new grader machine on Friday, 11 February 2022. The new grader truck will be used as the front-end loader at the landfill site, and at the waste transfer station for the maintenance of the facilities. The benefit of procuring this machinery will cut down on hiring costs and improve proper management and maintenance of the facility.
FLTR: (Standing): Mr. Allen Paulse (Director: Community Services) and Dr. Michele Gratz (Acting Municipal Manager)
Sitting below: Cllr Jean Safers (Chairperson: Community Services Portfolio which includes Cleansing and Environment) and Ward 1 councillor.
Sitting on top: Ald. Leon van Wyk ( Executive Mayor of George)
Issued by the George Municipality on 14 February 2022
Over recent weeks there have been photos of the recent floods in Tshwane and elsewhere where rivers have flooded their banks, into towns and settlements seriously damaging infrastructure and property. This summer season has seen a deluge of rain that has unfortunately wreaked much damage to infrastructure across our country.
These floods come as a reminder of the rain and floods witnessed in George over November and December. The Council will shortly be considering how to undertake the rebuilding, repairs and maintenance of damaged infrastructure, the timing, and the funding thereof.
The damage in George and surrounding areas runs into hundreds of millions of rand with claims being made for disaster relief funding. Until such funding is made available, it is essential that repairs are undertaken. There is much damage to roads, sidewalks, river courses, water, sanitation, and associated infrastructure. Ideally, repairs should be undertaken as soon as possible to prevent further damage from taking place, for example, potholes that remain unrepaired cause further damage to the road surface.
Municipalities prepare their annual budgets by March for the year ahead of July based on projects and spending categories already identified the year ahead of that budget. The damage from the recent storms will therefore place strain on municipal budgets in the last few months of the current financial year as efforts are made to prioritise this spending within the current financial year. These repairs will also impact planned projects in the new financial year. Even though George’s finances are sound, careful consideration will be required on the timing of incurring this expenditure.
The refurbishment of ageing infrastructure is one of the major challenges facing local government. Over the past few decades, too little has been spent on maintaining water, sanitation, electricity, and roads infrastructure. The expectations of core and unfunded services to be delivered by municipalities has strangled their budgets leaving insufficient funding for repairs and maintenance.
The recommendation of the National Treasury is that municipalities should annually budget and spend 8% of their recorded value of property, plant and equipment on repairs and maintenance. In practical terms, this level of spending has proved to be unaffordable for municipalities as it would have resulted in considerable increases in service charges and tariffs for consumers.
The local government has argued for many years that this sector should be receiving considerably more by way of grants which could inter alia have contributed to infrastructure maintenance.
In George, we recognise that infrastructure is ageing, and the emphasis is now on ensuring that annual expenditure is increased to maintain and refurbish infrastructure. We are aware that investment will be undertaken where the infrastructure is maintained to a high standard.
Cllr. L van Wyk
Executive Mayor
George
Issued by George Municipality, 9 February 2022
To help alleviate the demand for potable water, the George Municipality is putting the words, “charity begins at home” into action when it started with two water demand reduction campaigns: the installation of 2litre plastic “coke” bottles in its toilets flushing systems in its facilities and replacement the traditional taps in beaches with push-down taps.
The crisis on water supply became serious to an extent that the City of George had to urgently implement water restrictions and water throttling in George. The reservoirs are drying up, due to high water demand versus water supply. The water treatment works cannot meet the current potable water demand and cannot ensure adequate reservoir storage volumes to meet the emergency storage volumes required.
These two campaigns are taking the efforts of reducing the water demand further and putting the George Municipality in a position of leading by example. The Municipality has so far collected more than 1000 2litre plastic bottles to install in its 54 facilities ranging from municipal buildings, offices, recreational facilities, community halls and libraries. Thanks to a recycling company, based in the George Industrial area, Henque Waste, for sponsoring the Municipality with more than 800 bottles. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Henque Waste for its contribution to this campaign.
The installation of these bottles started at the beginning of February this year with two teams of workers from the Municipal auxiliary services accompanied by plumbers. These teams are going all over George installing these bottles in Municipal facilities. Some of the toilet flush systems are built small and do not accommodate the size of the 2litre bottle; in such cases, we adjust the flush system itself to flush less water.
Some spin-offs that this campaign yielded is that it turned out that some of these ablution facilities had leaks that otherwise could have not been immediately detected; and as the installations of the plastic bottles happen, problems in the ablution facilities are being detected and repaired.
Push taps replace conventional in Municipal facilities to save water
Another initiative that is aimed at reducing water demand from George’s reservoir is the replacement of traditional taps with push down taps in George facilities, including beaches. Push taps switch off automatically, this takes away the possibility that someone may leave the tap running. Push taps offer more control over the flow of water as users wash their hands for less time, impacting less water consumption in a long run.
The taps replacement campaign started on the ablution facilities of beaches in the George municipal precinct. Areas covered so far are Leentjiesklip, Gwaiing, Herolds Bay and Victoria Bay beaches.
The Municipality challenges the community of George to explore more creative ways to save water to ensure that all of us get a fair share of this very scarce commodity. We also continue to encourage the consumers to follow the water restrictions.
Any person who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine as published in the annual tariffs list, or six months imprisonment. Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477 and will be followed up by George Municipal Law Enforcement. Report all water leaks to our Civil Engineering Department on 044 801 9262/66 or after hours 044 801 6300.
Ends.
We are aware of a broken fire hydrant at corner Merriman and Mitchell Streets in the George CBD, which causes water leaks. Our team is busy repairing the fire hydrant.
Issued by George Mun
9 Feb 2022
@16:00
Public Notice: Traffic flow changes Market Street
Issued George Municipality, 8 February 2022
Traffic flow
Certain lane changes in Market Street will be brought into effect on Monday 7 February 2022. The attached diagram indicates the lanes that will be open to traffic and the direction of flow.
One way traffic only in the direction of York Street. Both entrances to the Van der Stell parking Square will open, but access to Donarail Square will only be possible from York or Meade street access.
Two-way traffic will continue on this section of Market Street. The Go George bus stops currently situated in the section of Market Street between Mitchell and Cradock Street, will be temporarily relocated to the section of the road between Cradock and Meade Street as indicated on the diagram.
One way traffic only in the direction of Cradock Street.
Programme for Completion
The current programmes for completion of Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Market Street reconstruction projects are as follows.
Upgrade of Remainder of Market Street
Temporary repair to a section of Market Street will be done on Wednesday 9 February 2022, however, the Municipality is awaiting additional funding to complete the rehabilitation of Market Street in March 2022.
Issued by George Municipality on Tuesday, 8 February 2022
The Finance office will be temporarily closed on Friday, 11 Feb from 12:00 until the remainder of the day, due to an internal event. Electricity blocking and unblocking will be done at the Credit Control Section Ground Floor Finance Department.
The address of the ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT POINT is Nico Smit Attorneys situated at 77 Victoria Street, George.
RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
Ratepayers are requested to use one of the below-mentioned methods to make payments.
Accounts can be paid via electronic transfer (EFT – see details below):
First National Bank (FNB)
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: your GRG account number (please enter your account number without the GRG in front and without any spaces in-between)
Proof of payment to be sent to payments@george.gov.za
THE FOLLOWING OUTLETS MAY ALSO BE USED FOR PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
Please take your most recent available account statement with you so that the shop can access the bar code that connects your payment to your GRG account number.
PAY@ MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Download Masterpass, Snapscan or Zapper application on your mobile phone and complete your profile.
You can also use the following link for payment of your account:
https://payat.io/qr/11413
TO PURCHASE PRE-PAID ELECTRICITY ONLINE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE LINKS:
Prepaid electricity purchases
www.prepaid24.co.za
https://home.ontec.co.za/EnergyInsight/index.html
METER READINGS
Online submissions of water meter readings are welcomed and can be provided to meterreadings@george.gov.za along with the accountholder’s name, contact details and GRG account number.
Account related enquiries may be e-mailed to: accounts@george.gov.za
The countdown to the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s flagship annual event is now down to mere days, and cars from all corners of the country have started their respective journeys to reach George in time for this weekend’s display of classic, vintage and even ultra-modern engines.
National media has been abuzz over the past weeks, not only reporting updates on the remarkable variety of cars, tractors, and bikes to be displayed at Eden Technical High School (formerly PW Botha College) this weekend, but also lauding the fact that 2022 hails the 25th anniversary of George Old Car Show. SCRIB BENZeum is the event’s premier partner for the second time running.
The Silver Jubilee gathering is made all the more special since last year’s lockdown regulations prevented its staging. So GOCS chairman Alewijn Dippenaar and his 35-strong team have ensured an even bigger show terrain this year, with different time slots allowing as many visitors as possible to enjoy the spectacle with all Covid protocols in place.
“About two thousand engines will grace our 6,500 square metre showgrounds this year. The three most important components are old cars, of course; then secondly modes of transports such as tractors, bikes, and military vehicles; and finally, the hot rods, built up, and modern models displayed by 15 different traders,” says Dippenaar.
The old car (pre-1975) display is so well supported by clubs and private owners from all over South Africa that a big percentage of the 930 entries date back to before 1939, with the 1913 Benz of Waldo and René Scribante of SCRIBS BENZeum fame being one of the jewels in this display’s crown.
Fans of these beautifully restored machines can look forward to famous marques representing most every letter of the alphabet, from Anglias to a Ford Zodiac Sport built in England back in ’64. The Borgward Club turned 60 last year and with no fanfare allowed at the time, chose to grace GOCS 2022 with the presence of 40 Borgwards to fête the occasion.
“An old car is not just an old car,” explains Dippenaar. “The restoration to its former glory of any classic car is an art, and it takes lots of research to ensure that original parts are procured, and all specs are exactly the same as when the car was originally manufactured.
“Collectors across the globe cooperate to promote the preservation of these motors, and the chance to display the result of years of labour doesn’t come around every day. Come show day, each model – be it a vintage lady, quirky tractor or the latest Gelandewagen – will be oiled and polished and looking as impressive as the day it rolled out of the factory,” he says.
Dippenaar and his SCOCC clan invite you to be moved by everything that George Old Car Show will have to offer on February 12 & 13. Book tickets through Computicket beforehand to avoid disappointment if sold out at the gate. Timeslots for Saturday (8-11am, 11am-2pm, 2-5pm) cost only R50 per slot and Sunday’s show times are 8am to 1pm.
Bring the family to enjoy displays and drive-bys by classic and modern fleets, an auction and refreshment tent, plus food and bric-a-brac stalls. You can also visit bit.ly/gocs2022 to view the show online.
THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:
PORTION OF HEROLDS BAY
KUYLER FARMS, VODACOM TOWER, NEL LINE, SEWERAGE PUMP STATION
NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on TUESDAY 08 FEBRUARY 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 from being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on WEDNESDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2022 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30
ENQUIRIES: DA SILVA Tel: 044 874 3917
Date Issued: 04\02\2022
THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:
Portion Of Pacaltsdorp Industrial
Pioneer Str
NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on SATURDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2022 FROM 09H00 TO 11H00 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 SUNDAY 06 FEBRUARY 2022 FROM 09H00 TO 11H00
For enquiries contact: R Jacobs on Tel: 044 874 3917
Date Issued: 02\02\2022
Issued George Municipality on 1 February 2022
The Conville public swimming pool has been opened for the public, as of 31 January 2022. The Uniondale public swimming pool will be opened to the public with effect from 4 February 2022.
OPERATION DAYS, TIMES & SAFETY AT BOTH, CONVILLE AND UNIONDALE:
ADHERENCE TO COVID19 PROTOCOLS AT THE SWIMMING POOLS:
Conville Swimming Pool:
Uniondale Swimming Pool:
THE TARIFFS FOR ENTRY INTO BOTH CONVILLE AND UNIONDALE SWIMMING POOLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Non-Sporting events:
Sporting events:
Hire of Conville Swimming Pool:
• Galas for Adults: R1 235,00 / day
• Swimming: R 133,00 / hour
• Galas for Schools: Monday to Friday: R193,00 /hour Saturday to Sunday &Public Holidays: R293,00/hour
• School competitions:
PLEASE NOTE: Entry fee to the Swimming Pools is VAT INCLUSIVE
For enquiries/bookings: Conville Swimming Pool
Tel: 044 801 9488
Contact persons:
G de Villiers Email: gbdevilliers@george.gov.za – Sport Development Assistant
LY Botha Email lybotha@george.gov.za – Sport Development Officer
Riaan Swart Email rswart@george.gov.za
Enrico Engelbrecht Email eengelbrecht@george.gov.za
For enquiries/Bookings: Uniondale Swimming Pool
Tel: 044-8019020 / 044 7521024 (Uniondale Office)
Please note that there are currently delays in the switching on and off, of streetlights in the eastern suburbs of George. This is due to vandalism to the George Municipal fibre infrastructure.
Technicians are working to get this service restored.
REMEMBER: The George Municipality offers a reward for information that leads to the successful conviction of electrical theft and /vandalism in a court of law. The witness will have to go on record to the authorities, giving his/her name and contact details to testify, but his/her identity will be protected. Report to 0860 044 044
George Municipality is aware that the High mast lights are off in Thembalethu. An electrician has been sent out to investigate. We’ll keep you updated of any developments.
28 January 2022
The newly appointed district health council for the Garden Route District was introduced by the Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, on 24 January 2022.
‘Community involvement in health is a crucial part of a good health system functioning. It is also an integral part of Primary Health Care, that is why I am committed to meaningful engagement with communities and civil society. This is critical because it gives the district mayors and councillors representing local municipalities an opportunity to interrogate our Annual District Health Plan checking to see whether their local health priorities are considered,’ said Minister Mbombo.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, together with councillors reviewed the Annual District Health Plan to confirm whether their local priorities have been considered.
‘This collective approach to health in the Garden Route works because it raises the bar on health service standards,’ said Ald. Booysen. ‘Over the years, GRDM also extended its expert advice about municipal health services and will continue doing so in future.’
Councils represent their respective districts and ensure the coordination of health services with their respective municipalities. The appointment of the district health council is in accordance with the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) which stipulates the establishment of district health councils.
A district health council consists of:
Members of the council are:
Members of the public are requested to make use of the channels available to them, such as the district health council, to voice any matters that might need attention.
Caption:
From left: Ms Rita Kayster ( District Council on Aids and TB), Cllr Melvin Roelfse (George), Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, Cllr Betsi Van Noordwyk (Hessequa)
, Western Cape Provincial Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo, Cllr Mavis Busakhwe (Bitou), Cllr Ruiters representing Mossel Bay in the absence of cllr Janse van Rensburg, Mr Zee Brickles(district director: Garden Route and Central Karoo) and Simo Sithandathu(Provincial Council on Aids and TB Civil Society representative).
END
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
A truck overturned on the N2 near the Herolds Bay turnoff, direction Mosselbay, earlier this morning.
The N2 Highway has been temporarily closed for approximately 1hour, as follows:
Mop-up operations are in progress, emergency workers are still on the scene removing the truck from the road.
Please continue to drive cautiously as traffic became slow due to a detour to the alternative route.
Issued George Mun
***
A truck overturned on the N2 near the Herolds Bay turnoff, direction Mosselbay, earlier this morning.
The N2 Highway is partially open as follows:
Emergency workers are still on the scene removing the truck from the road. Our disaster management warns that the N2 will be temporarily closed later this afternoon as the mop-up exercise will get more complex.
We will issue a warning as soon as that is about to happen.
Issued George Mun
UPDATE: Media Alert, 27 January @ 09h00
Truck has overturned on the N2 near the Herolds Bay turnoff.
The road has been temporarily closed from traffic moving from West to East (Cape Town to George), for approximately an hour. Motorists are advised to take the turnoff to the George Airport R 404, then into R 102 into York Street in George then turn right to join the N2 on the Pacaltsdorp intersection.
All emergency role players are currently on the scene, trying to remove the truck from the road.
Motorists are requested to proceed with caution.
Issued George Mun
A portion of Hanmoeskraal is experiencing an unexpected power outage. Affected areas are Silvertown, Thembalethu and 28 farms on the Hansmoeskraal side. Electricians are attending to the complaint. We’ll keep you updated about any progress made.
Issued by George Municipality
27 Jan 2022 at 10:40
Power supply has been restored in parts of Wilderness. The affected streets were Louis, Cedric & The waves.
Issued by George Municipality
27 Jan 2022 at 09:35
Power is currently off in parts of Wilderness. Affected streets are Louis, Cedric & The waves. Electricians are out to investigate the cause of the power outage.
Issued by George Municipality
27 Jan 2022 at 07:40