Press Release Archive

Issued on 25 August 2020

Most George Municipality libraries have opened on Monday, 24 August and adopted new work strategies to ensure a smooth and safe reintegration of services for staff and library users.
According to Rachel Williams: Manager: George Municipal Libraries, as libraries are grappling to provide services in safe, harmonious environments, library users will have to adapt to new approaches and service delivery methods that will be implemented to better safeguard the health and safety of both the library patrons and staff members. The Library Service has already started with a phased-in process whereby book returns were encouraged and welcomed by George Library. Rural Libraries such as Waboomskraal and Haarlem are also accepting books.
As from the 24th of August 2020 George Library and other branches have started to issue books to patrons on an appointment basis. This ensures a controlled and focused library service. Books that are returned are quarantined for 72 hours and sanitised according to national and provincial agreed on standards and indications. Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu libraries remain closed until further notice.
Please take note any library can be closed in short notice, according to Covid-19 protocol.

To enhance a smooth, organised and safe working environment, library hours have been reduced and the following measures will apply:

Library Operating hours
Avontuur Library
Ou Bains Road, Avontuur, 6490
Tel: 044 752 3351
E-mail: avontuurbiblioteek@gmail.com
Monday, 12:00 – 15:00 Wednesday&Thursday
10:00 – 13:00 Tuesday
11:00 – 14:00 Friday

Blanco Library
George Avenue, Blanco, 6529
Tel: 044 870 7047
E-mail: gmblancobib@gmail.com
09:00 – 16:00 Monday – Friday

Conville Library
Cnr Pienaar Street & Nelson Mandela Boulevard, Conville, 6529
Tel: 044 801 9320
E-mail: Jrhode1@george.gov.za
09:00 – 16:00 Monday – Friday

George Library
Cnr David Road & Caledon Street, Camphersdrift, George, 6530
Tel: 044 8019288
E-mail: rwilliams@george.gov.za
09:00 – 16:00 Monday – Friday
09:00 – 12:00 Saturday

Haarlem Library
Hope Street, Haarlem, 6467
Tel: 044 763 1023
E-mail: shonisemichels@yahoo.com
12:00 – 17:00 Monday, Thursday & Friday (12h:00 – 14:00 is behind closed doors)
14:00 – 17:00 Tuesday & Wednesday (10:00 to 12:00 behind closed doors)

Noll Library
c/o Dieprivier Primary School, Noll’s Ha Halt , George,6462
Tel: 044 745 1014
Email: dieprivierprim@gmail.com
12:00 – 15:00 Monday & Wednesday
09:00 – 12:00 Saturday

Pacaltsdorp Library
Mission Street (near Post office),Pacaltsdorp, 6534
Tel: 044 803 9340
E-mail: Pacsbib@george.org.za
Closed until further notice

Thembalethu Library
Bacela Street, Thembalethu, 6530
Tel: 044 803 9260
E-mail: Xakortman@george.gov.za
Closed until further notice

Touwsranten Library
Besterstraat, Touwsranten, 6538
Tel: 044 803 9285
E-mail: Touwsbib@george.org.za
09:00 – 16:00 Monday – Friday

Uniondale Library
39 Voortrekker Street, Uniondale, 6460
Tel: 044 752 1024
E-mail: fortuinelton@yahoo.com
09:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday

Waboomskraal Library
Waboomskraal Thusong Centre, Waboomskraal , 6529
E-mail: angiefigeland@gmail.com
10:00 – 14:00 Monday – Friday

These services will be limited and will include the following
Issue and return of books;
Telephonic and e-mailed correspondence to assist with Research and Reference Services (bulk preparation of library
material)
Internet Services (2 people at any given time) – booking of Computer Stations is highly recommended and patrons
making use of this method will be given preference
No Children Services; Children Section closed at all Libraries. Adults
are allowed to take out books for children but no children under the age of 12 years old will be allowed in the libraries at this point.
Current awareness and educational displays
All staff and visitors must adhere to Covid-19 health and safety protocols (including wearing masks and cough
etiquette). Visitors who do not adhere to these will not be allowed to enter the library.

Visitor Information:
1. Library services are limited to borrowing and returning of library materials.
2. Please note amended opening hours
3. Wearing of masks is compulsory when entering any Library;
4. Sanitising of hands is compulsory when entering Library premises;
5. Access to the computer area will be restricted in compliance with the National regulations
6. Where possible, small children should not accompany their parents to the library.
7. Children services remain closed in compliance with regulations.
8. The study area in the library will be limited in compliance with regulations.
9. Note signage explaining access conditions and behaviour protocols (such as maintaining social distancing) at the
entrance and throughout the facility;
10. All library patrons should have their temperature read prior to entering the library; Visitors with a temperature of
37.5 º C, or above or any of the known Covid-19 symptoms, will be denied entry into the library.
11. Some libraries will allow patrons to borrow up to ten books for a period of one month.
12. Please feel free to approach any staff member if uncertain about any of our services.

Issued George Municipality, 24th August 2020

The announcement that beaches have reopened under Covid Level 2 was met with great enthusiasm by the public. During the lockdown period, the Community Services Directorate has continued to work on improvements at the various facilities owned by the municipality. All of the beach ablution facilities which fall under George Municipality will have security gates installed in the new financial year, to prevent ongoing vandalism.

Beach goers are reminded that none of the beaches will have lifeguard services until 1 December when they will be on duty daily from 9 till 5. From the 15th of December they will be available from 7H00- 19h00 until the schools reopen in January 2021, there after they will be back to weekends only. All of these arrangements are COVID and Alert Level dependant and subject to change.

The Herold’s Bay tidal pool has received new stainless steel balustrades. Disabled toilets have been installed at Wilderness Beach which will allow for the application for full Blue Flag status to proceed prior to the December 2020 season.

Coastal plants have also been planted near the parking area to stop dune erosion and improve the aesthetics. Neat wooden huts have been installed at Victoria Bay and Gwaing Beach for municipal officials. A lean to with two picnic beaches has been erected to provide shade for beachgoers at Leentjiesklip, after the large milkwood tree there unfortunately fell over. The braai facilities at Gwaing Beach have also been upgraded.

Projects for the new financial year include upgrades to the caravan park at Gwaing that include the extension of the caravan site (which is subject to the Section 24 G application), the installation of wheelchair friendly ablutions, the upgrading of the wash-up and ironing facilities, the upgrading of the ablutions at the beach and the installation of access control boom gates for the caravan park. At Leentjiesklip the empty showers that are not operational will be converted into additional toilet facilities. The caravan park at Herolds Bay will have access control boom gates installed as well as palisade fencing around the caretakes cottage.

The next phase of municipal road upgrades in George impacting the GO GEORGE bus service will commence on Monday 24 August 2020. This resurfacing of Knysna Road between Fourth Street and Mandela Road as well as the intersection at Pine Lodge comprises an asphalt wearing course placed over all four lanes and is expected to be done by the first week of October.

As work will be done one lane at a time, no rerouting is expected. However, due to slower one-lane traffic in this area, delays should be expected all over the system and especially routes servicing the eastern parts of town. Passengers are advised to allow more time for their bus trips during this time, especially during peak hours.

Bus stops temporarily closed
Affected bus stops on the lane under construction will be closed for short periods at a time and temporary stops will be erected in close proximity for passengers’ convenience. The two bus stops in Knysna Road which will be affected intermittently are 709 Fourth B in front of PnP, in the direction towards the Garden Route Mall from the CBD, and 706 Saasveld, in the direction towards the CBD from the Garden Route Mall. Posters informing passengers about the situation are being erected at these stops.

GO GEORGE apologises for the inconvenience and appeals to road users to be patient and exercise caution near roadworks and bus stops.

GO GEORGE PAS AAN VIR OPGRADERINGS IN KNYSNAWEG

Die volgende fase van munisipale padopgraderings in George wat ‘n uitwerking op die GO GEORGE-busdiens sal hê, begin op Maandag 24 Augustus 2020. Hierdie werk aan die padoppervlak tussen Vierdestraat en Mandelaweg asook die kruising by Pine Lodge in Knysnaweg behels ’n asfalt-sluitlaag bo-oor al vier bane en sal na verwagting teen die eerste week in Oktober voltooi wees.
Aangesien die werk in een laan op ’n keer gedoen sal word, word geen herleiding van roetes verwag nie. Weens stadiger enkelbaan-verkeer moet vertragings egter te wagte wees oor die hele stelsel en veral op roetes wat die oostelike dele van die dorp bedien. Passasiers word aangeraai om meer tyd toe te laat vir hul busritte, veral gedurende spitstyd.

Bushaltes tydelik gesluit
Bushaltes wat hierdeur geraak word, sal vir kort periodes op ’n keer gesluit word en tydelike bushaltes vir passasiers se gerief sal in die nabye omgewing opgerig word. Bushaltes in Knysnaweg wat met tussenposes geraak sal word is 709 Fourth B voor PnP, in die rigting van die Garden Route Mall uit die middedorp, en 706 Saasveld, in die rigting van die middedorp vanaf die Garden Route Mall. Plakkate wat passasiers bedag maak op die situasie word by hierdie bushaltes aangebring.

GO GEORGE maak verskoning vir die ongerief en doen ’n beroep op padgebruikers om geduldig en versigtig te wees naby die konstruksiegebied en bushaltes.

Knysna Road Phase 2 roadworks: Road resurfacing project in Knysna Road, George  Phase 2
Issued by George Municipality
For immediate release: 21 August 2020

George Municipality would like to advise the residents of George that road resurfacing will be done in Knysna Road between 24 August to 2 October 2020.

Physical construction for the complete section between 4^th Street and Madiba Drive(Pine Lodge), the repair of base layerworks and resurfacing of Knysna Road will be done.

Sections of Knysna Road will be closed to traffic from 07:30 to 17h00 daily. The road will be open to two-way traffic for the construction period but will be limited to one lane per direction.

Site access will be managed and communicated with residents and businesses to ensure that minimum disruption is caused. Extra care is to be taken by road users throughout the duration of the entire construction period. Adherence to temporary road signs and markings will be required. Herewith the current planning  and  execution programme of the contractor:

All work will be done on the slow lane  from 4^th street to Pine Lodge (Madiba Drive) – milling and other works from 24 – 28 August 2020 and again from 31 August to 4 September. The overlay process will start from 14 to 17 September 2020.

There will be height differences occurring in the road where repairs are being constructed. Caution will be required when driving or walking in the area, especially under wet and dark conditions. Low profile vehicles and motorcycles to take extra care.
There might be more delays and inconveniences, but we will keep the public up to date regarding unforeseen changes that can happen on site.

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.

Please note that access to site will be strictly controlled. Any member of the public who enters the site will have to comply with the relevant requirements in terms of the National State of Disaster: COVID-19 Regulations.

PROJECT ENQUIRIES: iX Engineers Representative – 082 944 3654

Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha expressed his shock following the death of a  municipal official, who tragically lost her life in a road accident yesterday in George.
Mr Botha on behalf of the municipality and its officials, offered his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Elizabeth Mathenjwa. Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk expressed his sorrow at the tragic loss of life, on behalf of the George Council.

Ms Mathenjwa worked at the Corporate Services Directorate in the position of HR MANAGER: RECRUITMENT AND ADMIN.

Hamba Kahle Leah

VALIDITY PERIODS OF LICENCES
All learner’s licences, driving licence cards,
temporary driving licences
All learner licences, driving licence cards temporary driving licences,
PRDPs and professional driving permits that expired during 26 March
2020 up to and including 31 August 2020, are deemed to be valid and
their validity period is extended for a further grace period ending on:

GRACE PERIOD ENDING
31 January 2021

Motor vehicle licence discs
All motor vehicle licence discs, temporary permits and roadworthy
certificates that expired during 26 March 2020 up to and including 31
May 2020, are deemed to be valid and their validity period is
extended for further grace period ending on:

GRACE PERIOD ENDING
1 August 2020

Motor trade number licences
Motor trade number licences that expired during
26 March 2020 up to and including 31 May 2020, are deemed to be
valid and are extended for a further grace period ending on:

GRACE PERIOD ENDING
30 November 2020

The George Municipality regrets to inform the public that due to unforeseen delays the collection and delivery of blue and green bags will only recommence from the 1st September. The municipality remains committed to waste reduction and recycling, and believes that its efforts will soon regain momentum. Collection of green and blue bags will start on Tuesday 1st September 2020, and will be collected in neighbourhoods on the same day as the black bag refuse removal.

The municipality would like to encourage residents to continue recycling and to store their blue and green bags for collection OR Green bags can be taken to the TRANSFER STATION – PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR RECYCLING AND/OR GREEN BAGS OUT FOR COLLECTION AGAIN UNTIL 1 SEPTEMBER 2020 AS COLLECTION WILL NOT TAKE PLACE. Our municipal trucks will not collect the recycling and green bags and ONLY pick up your black bags. We apologize for the inconvenience.

CONTACT
Black bags, blue and green bags, dumped waste collection:
George Municipality Environmental Services
82 Meade Street, George. Phone 044 802 2900

GENERAL
Households may put out seven black, three green and an unlimited number of blue bags.
Additional tied bundles of branches are allowed if they are shorter than a metre in length and can be picked up by one person.

BLUE bags are for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, card board, glass etc.
GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in the green bags.
BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.

All refuse bags must be put out by 7am on removal day.
Please don’t put bags out the day or night before removal.
Please wrap broken glass in newspaper before placing in bags to prevent injuries to workers.
A pack of 26 black bags are distributed to households quarterly.

Blue and green bags are collected on the same day as black bag refuse removal, but by different trucks – before or after the black bag collection and may be hours apart.
Collected full blue bags will be replaced with the same colour on the same day. If you do not receive the same amount of replacement blue bags and want more, please phone 044 802 2900 during office hours.
While you can put out three green bags at a time, a maximum of two new replacement green bags are issued per collection.
Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional green or blue bags, can collect from the municipal Environmental Services offices at 82 Meade Street.

REFUSE REMOVAL DAYS
MONDAY: Blanco, Riverlea, Heatherpark, Heatherlands, Glen Barrie, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Blue Mountain Village, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay
TUESDAY: Levallia, Rosemoor, Conville, Protea Park, Parkdene, Ballotsview, Borchards, Lawaaikamp, Thembalethu, Wilderness (excluding Wilderness Heights), Touwsranten, Constantia Kloof
WEDNESDAY: Camphersdrift, Fernridge, Denneoord, Bo-Dorp, Blommekloof, Tweerivieren, Hoogekraal, Hoekwil
THURSDAY: Wilderness Heights, Dormehlsdrift, George South, Le Grand, Bos en Dal, Groeneweidepark, Sinksabrug, Herold, Geelhoutboom, Eselsjacht, Hansmoeskraal, Jonkershoek, Rooirivierrif, Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale, Waboomskraal
FRIDAY: Glenwood, Loerie Park, Eden, Genevafontein, Denver Park, Bergsig, Eastern Extension
BUSINESSES: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

High cost of illegal connections: George Municipality asks Thembalethu communities to report illegal connection activities
Issued George Municipality, 6th August 2020

George Municipality continues to battle with ongoing illegal connections which most recently have caused approximately R65 000 worth of damage to a mini-substation in Asazani, Thembalethu this past week with the power remaining off from the 3rd August and only due to be reconnected by Thursday 6th August.

In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, George Municipality has a responsibility to maintain a safe electrical network and for that reason a service provider has been appointed to clear illegal connections, on an as and when basis. Municipal officials are unable to work on, or maintain the network unless all illegal connections on the line have been cleared. The repairwork to the mini-substation in Area 4 started on Monday 3rd August.

“We ask that law-abiding citizens take it upon themselves to report illegal connection activities to SAPS as soon as they see them taking place. The delay in repairwork means that each time, paying consumers are left without electricity for days while we try to secure and make safe the lines to work on them,” said Acting Director Electrotechnical Services, Paul Gerber.

The dangers of illegal connections have consistently been re-emphasized to the communities of George, with such actions having cost several lives in 2019. Since February 2020, several charges have been laid against individuals caught making illegal connections. In terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty (30) years can be given, as the interference with, and damage to Municipal property, can be regarded as sabotage.
George Municipality will continue to act decisively in such matters and it is well-known that the practice of illegal connection puts the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death to themselves as well as the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing can easily be electrocuted.
An electricity connection is considered illegal when it is connected to the George Municipal network without the organisation’s permission. Wires are connected to pole-mounted transformers, pole kiosks and overhead lines. The forms of electricity theft include illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes and meter tampering and bypassing. These illegal electrical thefts are mostly in areas where illegal informal structures are built.
Illegal connections should be reported to 044 803 9222 or 044 801 9222 or after hours on 044 801 6300 or to the nearest SAPS office.

The George Municipality confirms that as of the 11^th August, the collection and delivery of blue and green bags will be handled in-house. Following the announcement of the unfortunate closure of Interwaste, the appointed service provider, discussions were held to try and extend the service by one month. Unfortunately these discussions were not successful and the Community Service Directorate requests the patience of the public for one week to afford them the opportunity to put everything in place for a smooth collection process to start on 11^th August.

The municipality remains committed to waste reduction and recycling, and believes that its efforts will soon regain momentum.  Collection of green and blue bags will start on Tuesday 11 August 2020, and will be collected in neighbourhoods on the same day as the black bag refuse removal. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR RECYCLING AND/OR GREEN BAGS OUT FOR WEEK MONDAY 3/08 – FRIDAY 7/08 AS COLLECTION WILL NOT TAKE PLACE.

Municipal trucks will collect the black bags, while blue and green bags will be collected by different trucks on the same day – before or after the black bag collection, and can be hours apart. Every week on the same day as collection, blue bags will be replaced and two green bags will replace those put out. The areas currently serviced by recycling include all suburbs of George as well as the outer areas of Wilderness, Kleinkrantz, Hoekwil, Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay, Haarlem and Uniondale.

CONTACT
Black bags, blue and green bags, dumped waste collection:
George Municipality Environmental Services
82 Meade Street, George. Phone 044 802 2900

GENERAL
Households may put out seven black, three green and an unlimited number of blue bags.
Additional tied bundles of branches are allowed if they are shorter than a metre in length and can be picked up by one person.

BLUE bags are for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, card board, glass etc.
GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in the green bags.
BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.

All refuse bags must be put out by 7am on removal day.
Please don’t put bags out the day or night before removal.
Please wrap broken glass in newspaper before placing in bags to prevent injuries to workers.
A pack of 26 black bags are distributed to households quarterly.

Blue and green bags are collected on the same day as black bag refuse removal, but by different trucks – before or after the black bag collection and may be hours apart.
Collected full blue bags will be replaced with the same colour on the same day. If you do not receive the same amount of replacement blue bags and want more, please phone  044 802 2900 during office hours.
While you can put out three green bags at a time, a maximum of two new replacement green bags  are issued per collection.
Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional green or blue bags, can collect from the  municipal Environmental Services offices at 82 Meade Street.

REFUSE REMOVAL DAYS
MONDAY: Blanco, Riverlea, Heatherpark, Heatherlands, Glen Barrie, Kraaibosch, Groenkloof, Blue Mountain Village, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay
TUESDAY: Levallia, Rosemoor, Conville, Protea Park, Parkdene, Ballotsview, Borchards, Lawaaikamp, Thembalethu, Wilderness (excluding Wilderness Heights), Touwsranten, Constantia Kloof
WEDNESDAY: Camphersdrift, Fernridge, Denneoord, Bo-Dorp, Blommekloof, Tweerivieren, Hoogekraal, Hoekwil
THURSDAY: Wilderness Heights, Dormehlsdrift, George South, Le Grand, Bos en Dal, Groeneweidepark, Sinksabrug, Herold, Geelhoutboom, Eselsjacht, Hansmoeskraal, Jonkershoek, Rooirivierrif, Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale, Waboomskraal
FRIDAY: Glenwood, Loerie Park, Eden, Genevafontein, Denver Park, Bergsig, Eastern Extension
BUSINESSES: Monday, Wednesday and Friday