Water-Saving messages on the move…The Refuse Removal services have joined the George Municipality’s awareness campaign on water saving by using their trucks to spread the word in and around George. All refuse trucks have been branded with decals containing the message of saving water. These trucks drive past all households and businesses in George collecting refuse weekly.

To witness the display of the branded trucks were, from left to right: Mr Allen Paulse (with the bag in hand) – Director of Community Services, Ms Karin Stoffels – Project Coordinator: Street Cleansing, Mr Sivuyile Mtila – Senior Manager of Environmental Services, Mr Wessel Robertson – Head Cleansing, and Councillor Jean Safers (at the Back of the truck) – Portfolio Councillor for Environmental Services.

Issued by George Municipality

30/3/2022

George Municipality continues to address the safety of the city of George in terms of fire management.  Our Fire and Rescue Services are faced with semi-desert, mountainous terrain on both sides and over the mountain, as well as large tracts of agricultural land, pine plantations, alien vegetation, coastal fynbos, indigenous forest and winding inaccessible roads connecting towns and villages over long distances.

The George Municipal Council a while back, approved a multi-faceted approach by the department to acquire key equipment and additional vehicles over a few financial years to systematically address different aspects of fire and rescue management.

The Fire Fighting team recently hosted a demonstration of the aerial capabilities of the acquired resources at the Garden Route’s first dedicated emergency firefighting airstrip located on municipal property above Denneoord and which opened in December 2017. The airbase consists of a runway, helipad, firebase, taxiway and a water refilling point. In collaboration with Kishugu, a demonstration was given with the helicopter doing precision pick up of water in a “bucket” using the George fire department portable dam.

Water drops were demonstrated according to wind directions and topography and a precision drop was done to demonstrate the versatility of the helicopters as a firefighting resource, as well as how they can assist with the supply of water to the portable dam. The 14 000-litre portable dam is used as an artificial water source from which a helicopter bucket can scoop water or fire vehicles can be filled.

Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk and Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz were given a brief overview of the Risk Assessment done regarding the Witfontein plantations and the collaborative plan to reduce this risk by the George Fire Department, Cape Nature, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) and other roleplayers.

The Mayor and MM were given a tour of the 10 km of Fire Breaks and paths that have been established on municipal property above Denneoord.  Fuel reduction controlled burns are planned for approximately 170 hectares of the veld around Denneoord /Garden route dam and 298 hectares of veld above the plantation in the SANPARKS area. The correct weather conditions are required for control burn conditions and the public is assured that more than adequate resources are available to conduct control burns safely with minimum risk. The first control burn was undertaken last week Thursday, 24 March on a 3-hectare block of veld above Denneoord.

Useful contact numbers:
Fire emergencies only: 044 801 6311
All after-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300
General enquiries (office hours): 044 801 6300
Uniondale (office hours): 044 752 1225

Explaining the functions of the portable dam to the Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk and Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz is Fire Chief, Neels Barnard with Kishugu helicopter pilot Niel Mostert (in blue flight suit) and Everett Montague, spotter pilot and Airbase Manager (yellow hazard jacket).

Issued: Monday 28 March 2022

After two years of restricted contact with learners, schools in George are slowly opening their doors to carefully planned visits from the GO GEORGE communications team and, of course, the popular mascot Georgie.

With all the necessary Covid-19 safety precautions in place, Georgie and his team set out on a wide tour of pre-primary classes and primary schools during March. They were welcomed with loud cheering and singing, and eager young minds ready to learn about public transport, that all-important Smart Card, pedestrian safety near the buses and how to behave on the bus. The topic of vandalism was also addressed in an age-appropriate manner.

The bus-shaped photo banner with windows to peep through is a firm favourite among the little ones – that is after first giving Georgie a hug, of course.

Any organisation or school interested in a visit from GO GEORGE can phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 to request contact from the communications team.

CAPTIONS:

Grade RR learners from George South Primary School flocking to greet and talk to the GO GEORGE mascot, Georgie. (The wearing of masks is not mandatory for children under the age of 6.)

The 4- and 5-year-olds at Joey’s Babies in Rosemoor were completely intrigued by Georgie and his friendly teammates who came to tell them more about the GO GEORGE buses. (The wearing of masks is not mandatory for children under the age of 6.)

A very safe ride on the bus! George South Primary School’s Grade 4 learners enjoyed peeping through the open windows of the GO GEORGE bus banner.

GO GEORGE has developed programmes to reach different ages of school learners with information about the bus service, how to behave on the bus and how to be safe around the bus. Mascot Georgie has become a favourite among the youngsters, with the bus banner also providing lots of fun, as can be seen with this group of Grade RR learners from George South Primary School. (The wearing of masks is not mandatory for children under the age of 6.)

The Grade 4 learners of Kretzenshoop Primary School listened with great attention to the information about the bus service. They were joined by acting principal, Mr Elton Titus (at the back), to pose for a photo with Georgie and the GO GEORGE bus banner.

The Grade Rs of George South Primary School enjoyed an outdoors visit with the GO GEORGE team, learning about the bus service and how to behave on and around the bus to ensure a safe ride. (The wearing of masks is not mandatory for children under the age of 6.)

Skole verwelkom Georgie terug

Uitgereik: Maandag 28 Maart 2022

Ná twee jaar van beperkte kontak met leerders, maak skole in George stadig hul deure oop vir noukeurig beplande besoeke van die GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan en natuurlik, die gewilde gelukbringer, Georgie.

Met al die nodige Covid-19-veiligheidsmaatreëls in plek, het Georgie en sy span gedurende Maart ‘n wye toer van preprimêre klasse en laerskole aangepak. Hulle is verwelkom met luide gejuig, sang en gretige jong breine gereed om te leer oor openbare vervoer, daardie allerbelangrike Slimkaart, voetgangerveiligheid naby die busse en hoe om jou op die bus te gedra. Die onderwerp van vandalisme is ook op ‘n ouderdomsgepaste wyse aangespreek.

Die busvormige fotobanier met vensters om deur te loer, is ‘n besliste gunsteling onder die kleingoed – dit is nou nadat Georgie eers ‘n drukkie gekry het.

Enige organisasie of skool wat belangstel in ‘n besoek van GO GEORGE kan die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel om kontak van die kommunikasiespan te versoek.

BYSKRIFTE:

George-Suid Gr RR (4):
Graad RR-leerders van Laerskool George-Suid drom saam om die GO GEORGE-gelukbringer, Georgie, te groet en te gesels. (Die dra van maskers is nie verpligtend vir kinders onder die ouderdom van 6 jaar nie.)

Die 4- en 5-jariges by Joey’s Babies in Rosemoor se aandag is vasgevang deur Georgie en sy vriendelike spanmaats wat hulle meer oor die GO GEORGE-busse kom vertel het. (Die dra van maskers is nie verpligtend vir kinders onder die ouderdom van 6 jaar nie.)

‘n Baie veilige rit op die bus! Laerskool George-Suid se graad 4-leerders het dit geniet om deur die oop vensters van die GO GEORGE-busbanier te loer.

GO GEORGE het programme ontwikkel om leerders van verskillende ouderdomme te bereik met inligting oor die busdiens, hoe om jou op die bus te gedra, en hoe om veilig rondom die bus te wees. Gelukbringer Georgie het ‘n gunsteling onder die jongklomp geword, met die busbanier wat deesdae ook baie pret verskaf, soos gesien kan word met hierdie groep Graad RR-leerders van Laerskool George-Suid. (Die dra van maskers is nie verpligtend vir kinders onder die ouderdom van 6 jaar nie.)

Die graad 4-leerders van Laerskool Kretzenshoop het aandag geluister na die inligting oor die busdiens. Waarnemende skoolhoof, mnr Elton Titus (agter), het saam kom poseer vir ‘n foto saam met Georgie en die GO GEORGE-busbanier.

Die Graad R’s van Laerskool George-Suid het ‘n buitelugbesoek van die GO GEORGE-span geniet en baie geleer oor die busdiens en hoe om jou op die bus te gedra om ‘n veilige rit te verseker. (Die dra van maskers is nie verpligtend vir kinders onder die ouderdom van 6 jaar nie.)

29 MARCH 2022

On 1 April, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements will open applications for its Individual Subsidy. Applications only open once a year, in April, and close as soon as the subsidy allocation limit has been reached.  The Individual Subsidy is aimed at residents with a household income of between R0 and R3500, and allows one to: buy an existing house; buy a house on a plot-and-plan basis, or to finish an incomplete house. The subsidy amount is just over R200,000 and is paid directly to a seller, conveyancer, financier or contractor, depending on the case. Successful applicants will receive this subsidy only once.

There are various housing subsides available from the Department that does not require citizens to wait for a government housing development in your area. Assistance provided via the Individual Subsidy allows residents to, for example, identify a house for sale for the subsidy amount, or use it as a top-up, to purchase a home. As there is a limited budget, assistance with this subsidy is only provided once a year and is allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Priority will be given to applicants who are elderly or have special needs (ie. disabled).

“The Individual Subsidy is one of the subsidy programmes that can assist Western Cape residents with a housing opportunity, without waiting for a specific government housing development to be built in an area. The subsidy can be used to purchase an existing house or to build a house on a vacant plot owned by the applicant” commented Ms Phila Mayisela, Acting Head of Department.

To qualify for this subsidy residents must :

• Be registered on the housing demand database (ie. waiting list)  at your nearest municipality;
• Must have been on the housing database for a minimum period of 10 years in Cape Town, and 5 years in areas outside of Cape Town;
• Be a South African citizen or have a permanent residency permit;
• 18 years or older;
• Be married or living with a partner;
• Be single or divorced, and have proven financial dependents living with you permanently;
• Not have owned a property before;
• Earn a monthly household income of R3500 or less, before deductions;
• Not have received a housing subsidy from government before.

Western Cape residents who are still on the waiting list, meet the qualification criteria, and are interested in applying for the Individual Subsidy, are urged to submit their applications from 01 April at the Department of Human Settlements offices in Cape Town. More information, including application forms, for this subsidy can be found on the Department’s website.

-End-

Media Enquiries:

Mr. Nathan Adriaanse

Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations

Nathan.adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

OR

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

At present, George is fortunate in attracting many visitors who are participating in numerous sporting and other events. Over the recent long weekend a major provincial swimming gala has taken place at the Conville swimming pool.

Over the next few weeks we will be welcoming thousands of school learners who will be participating in different events that have attracted entries from across the country who will be utilising our various facilities.

Following the successful Cape Town Cycle event, a comment was made that we should be hosting a similar event here in George. This comment echoes our philosophy to regularly hold events in George that will generate tourism spend for our local economy and add to employment levels. In pre-Covid times, we experienced a trend whereby many businesses generated possibly 25-30% of their annual turnover over the traditional December-January holiday months. This would imply that 70% of turnover would flow over the remaining 10 months of the year at an average of 7% per month. Imagine if we could increase that 7% to an average of 8% per month resulting in boosting turnover for the year by 10%.

Recent events and activities ranging from the Dimension Data Pro-Am golf tournament, horse riding, the Old Car Show to paragliding, swimming, school rugby and other sports to bowls over Easter will all contribute to the economy ensuring that accommodation, restaurant and food establishments benefit from the additional visitors to George spending a few nights here. Many of these events attract not only the participants but also family members. It is vitally important that all our citizens extend welcome our visitors to ensure that they become repeat visitors who spread the word of their memorable experience to their friends elsewhere in the country. George needs to offer first class signature meals in restaurants, great guest house stays and improve our entertainment offering (uniquely we have a theatre and symphony orchestra). Over the recent summer holidays, the Municipality consciously invested millions of rands in setting a high standard of service delivery so that visitors could enjoy their holidays.

We wish to encourage events to be held in George over every weekend of the year to attract visitors to help build tourism occupancy rates. George already hosts many cycling and running events. With some imagination we could turn some of these events into iconic annual events of national significance through some tweaking. Many of our citizens are passionately involved in diverse activities or hobbies that could be developed into regular events or learning experiences, e.g. for crafts, artists, bridge, winter schools.

Some thoughts and ideas on more events and how to progress tourism can be forwarded to supportbusiness@george.gov.za

George Municipality recently partnered with the Africa Business Network of the Finland Chamber of Commerce, the German-South African Chamber of Commerce, the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership to host a webinar on 15 March to explore aspects of smart energy, smart building, smart infrastructure and smart mobility.

A smart city uses information and communication technology (ICT) to ensure operational efficiency, share information with the public and provide a better quality of government service and citizen welfare. The main goal of a smart city is to optimise city functions and promote economic growth while also improving the quality of life for citizens by using smart technologies and data analysis. The value lies in how this technology is used rather than simply how much technology is available.

Executive Mayor Alderman Leon Van Wyk formally opened the Webinar hosted on 15 March and the event attended by 80 persons, was moderated by Mr Jens Hauser HOD Competence Centre Sustainable Energy, German -South African Chambers of Commerce and Mr Paul Hoffman, Project Manager, Garden Route Development Partnership.

In his opening comments, the Executive Mayor provided a scene-set of George as an intermediary and magnet city in South Africa utilising its natural attractions and relaxed lifestyle in the Garden Route to position itself as a growing business centre. He sketched the key economic sectors and George’s 40% share of the Garden Route’s economy. Some examples of how George already embraces elements of smart city concepts: it aims to secure 20-30% of its electricity from renewable sources within 3-5 years, the city is already fibre optic cable connected, utilises CCTV cameras for safety and security monitoring for public transport bus service, and a mobile app for service delivery complaints and communication. A significant national insurer operates a large online contact centre, thousands of milk-producing cows have SIM cards monitoring their health, the fire services utilise drone technology and increasing use is being made of smart meters and telemetry in the electricity and water networks. It is hoped that these examples will help in facilitating interest and investment from the Germany and Finland.

Ms Lauren Waring, Director Planning and Development noted that the webinar intended to explore the aspects of smart energy, smart building, smart infrastructure, and smart mobility; and to establish meaningful international learning networks which will be key for the economic development of George and which are aligned to the strategic goals of the George Municipality.

International, national as well as local speakers covered topics which included: An overview on Smart Cities – the cities of the 21^st century; Mobility as a Service – The End of Car Ownership? (MaaS Global); Technologies for a smarter built environment (Siemens);  Creating value out of municipal solid waste (Anaergia Africa) as well as case studies on Kone and the City of George.

The George Municipal Spatial Development Framework, 2019 (MSDF)is the spatial representation of the Integrated Development Plan and coordinates and directs growth in the short, medium and long term.  (https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/spatial-development-framework/municipal/ and fully embraces the Smart City concept.

Smart City Growth is one of the strategies supporting the spatial planning approach in George and various policies and development guidelines are set to facilitate a compact, legible urban form, including a mix of land uses, a range of housing- and transportation opportunities and walkable neighbourhoods, whilst preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty- and critical environmental areas.  The MSDF policies and guidelines are further intent on strengthening and directing development towards existing communities and fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.  Processes relating to land development are designed to involve the community in decision-making and to support integrated and considered development.

The process to review the current George MSDF (2019) commenced in 2021 and the use of smart technologies is crucial in collating inputs received from various involved government departments and agencies and interested and affected parties. Data layers, such as the environmental zones (per example the Coastal Management Line, Critical Biodiversity areas, climate change indicators and many others), Transportation Routes and Planning, Human Settlement development, commercial and industrial development, social- and community facility planning, engineering services planning are coordinated via a Geographic Information system(GIS) to aid spatial planning and to advise land use planning decisions.

The George Municipal GIS Public viewer contains some of the information and can be accessed on the Municipal Website. https://gis.george.gov.za/portal/home/

Dr Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director Economic Development noted that the direct beneficiaries of the webinar were public service officials, local government officials and private sector individuals responsible for digital transformation and SMART cities. Four private sector companies presented SMART city solutions to participants:

MaaS Global:
MaaS Global is the world’s first mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) company with a vision and mission to offer a more attractive alternative to a privately owned car. Its Whim mobility app allows for the consumer to plan, book, and pay for their trips in one mobile app.

KONE
KONE is a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, and their focus is to make the world’s cities better and more sustainable places to live.

Anaergia
Anaergia is a global leader in the production of clean energy, fertilizer, and recycled water from virtually any waste stream, offering the widest range of maximizing resource recovery solutions for the municipal, industrial, commercial, and agricultural markets. Anaergia’s integrated solutions create value for its customers in the forms of renewable energy, quality fertilizers, and clean water, while dramatically reducing the cost of waste management.

Siemens
Siemens is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, they create technology with purpose adding real value for customers.

George Municipality has initiated a programme to resolve traffic complications during loadshedding or any other planned power outages. Several Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units have been installed at selected major traffic intersections in the city to power the traffic lights during outages.

George Municipality Director Electrotechnical Services Bongani Mandla said the municipality hoped to install such units at 40 pre-identified sites at major intersections across the city as soon as capital budget for it was made available. “The measure is one of several sustainable energy solutions the municipality is introducing to reduce the impacts associated with loadshedding, including traffic congestion and human resources such as traffic pointsmen.”

The project which will cost approximately R2.5 million, makes use of batteries that are charged via our electrical supply. The UPS automatically kicks in and operates the traffic lights should the electrical supply be interrupted for any reason with an average duration of 4 hours, before the battery needs recharging. This will be a game changer at the major traffic intersections in George during peak hour loadshedding. The UPS housing is IP65 rated which allows it to be water and dust proof.

Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk paid a quick visit to the team working on site last week to review the technology. In the photograph the Mayor is seen with from left Gerrit Carolus, Superintendent Streetlights; and to his right is Thomas Scheepers, Specialised Electrician Streetlights and Edward Nqumse, Action Senior Manager Services.

Mr Mandla commended the relatively small traffic lights team, who with a specialised skills set and commitment to service delivery address ongoing faults and maintenance at all traffic light intersections in the George area.

MEDIA RELEASE: City of George, proud hosts of hundreds of swimmers from the province

Issued by the George Municipality, 23 March 2022

One of the highlights in the sports and tourism this past long weekend, of which the City of George is proud, was the successful hosting of the SA Regional Level 3 Swimming Gala at the Conville Swimming Pool from 17 – 20 March 2022, with 350 participants from all over the Western Cape.

The City of George embraces the honour to be the host of several great sporting events, of which the Swimming Gala has recently joined in.  The executive mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk, officially opened the Swimming Gala, welcoming hundreds of participants, and visitors to George. Mayor van Wyk was accompanied by the members of the executive mayoral committee and the acting municipal manager, Dr Michelle Gratz to the Swimming Gala.

“At present, George is fortunate in attracting many visitors who are participating in numerous sporting and other events, such as this major provincial swimming gala,” said Ald van Wyk. “We are looking forward to hosting many more events of this calibre, and we are committed to ensuring that our sports facilities are of a high standard.”

“We would like to congratulate our staff for having risen to the occasion when George had to jump in to be the host of the swimming gala’s, especially considering that the Municipality had a very short time to prepare for the events,” mayor Wyk added.

“Over the next few weeks, we will be welcoming thousands of school learners who will be participating in different events that have attracted entries from across the country who will be utilising our various facilities,” he said.

“Following the successful Cape Town Cycle event, a comment was made that we should be hosting a similar event here in George. This comment echoes our philosophy to regularly hold events in George that will generate tourism spending for our local economy and add to employment levels.”

In his conclusion, mayor van Wyk encouraged sports federations to make George a place of choice for events, every weekend to attract visitors to help build tourism occupancy rates. “George is already hosting many cycling and running events. Nothing stops us from turning some of these events into iconic annual events of national significance through some tweaking. Many of our citizens are passionately involved in diverse activities or hobbies that could be developed into regular events or learning experiences, such as crafts, artists, bridge, winter schools.”

Ends.

George Municipality launched the first of its ongoing Operation Cleanup’s for 2022 with 4 days dedicated to Kleinkrantz, Hoekwil and Touwsranten last week. This operation was meant to have taken place in November 2021 but was postponed following the severe flash floods experienced in George.

Ward 4 Councillor, Marlene Barnardt expressed her gratitude towards the various directorates who participated in the 4 days operation last week.  “ I visited Kleinkrantz several times during the operation and would like to commend the whole of Community Services who did a great job of clearing and cleaning streets, pruning trees and so on. I was very pleased to see the areas being given the necessary attention they deserve,” said Cllr Barnardt.

Community Services: Cleansing, Social Services, Parks and Recreation
 A number of illegal dump sites were cleared as well as streets cleaned of weeds and swept by a team of EPWP workers together with a JCB.  Social Services together with the Department of Health and South African Police Services (SAPS) visited the area to provide information on available services. Residents were assisted with referrals to the relevant government departments for their needs. Discussions were held with residents around the dangers of illegal dumping as part of George Municipality’s ongoing awareness campaign.

Kleinkrantz Creche and Sonneblom Creche in Touwrantanten  are two of the 28 creches that are assisted by the George Municipality. Our officials visited last week to review their daily activities with the toddlers, to look at maintenance issues and equipment requirements. Where possible the George Muncipality will assist and/or refer the matter to Early Childhood Development section of Basic Education Department for further action.

Parks and Recreation cut grass in municipal open spaces, sprayed herbicide on pavements for weeds. Parks and Recreation staff spent some time clearing and cutting grass around Sonneblom Creche. Another team focused on trimming trees in Kleinkrantz area.

Planning: Building Control
Directorate for Planning and Development sent two assistant Building Control officers, Eddie Koeberg and Mkhululi Nkeya to review the areas and a number of illegal advertising boards were removed.

Civil Engineering Services
Civils teams updated roadmarkings and signage in all three areas. The sewer teams walked the main sewer lines to inspect for any spillage or leaks.

Electrotechnical Services
The Client Services team for Electrotechnical worked their way through the Kleinkrantz informal settlement,  addressing complaints and checking prepaid meters and ready boards. The streetlights team repaired a number of street lights in Kleinkrantz, the informal settlement, Kerk Street in Hoekwil and Touwsranten.

Protection Services: Traffic
Traffic Officers patrolled the area of Kleinkrantz, Hoekwil and Touwsranten and did speed enforcement in Hoekwil. The drunk driving kit was set up in Kleinkrantz and local residents were encouraged to test goggles that simulate the effects of drunk driving.

Issued: 28 Feb 2022

A recent bus trip to the Garden Route Mall was as could be expected an enjoyable outing for the young adults with disabilities who attend activities at the Optima Centre of the George Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Pacaltsdorp, but at the same time a most informative feedback opportunity for the GO GEORGE bus service.

As part of ongoing engagement with the disability sector, GO GEORGE accompanied the group of 22 Optima attendees and two staff members on a scheduled bus trip, departing from a bus stop close to the centre. Some of them have never been on the bus before.

Even the wait at the bus stop brought a smile to many faces, listening to Robin Mouton, an inspiring and resourceful blind passenger motivating one of the communication team members to pursue a passion for music – a topic of which he has a vast knowledge and understanding.

This time was also used constructively to educate the youngsters about the facilities aimed towards universal accessibility such as the tactile paving at the bus stop, the elevated platform to reduce the step-up into the bus, audio alerts that the ramp is being deployed and not ready yet for boarding by either blind passengers or people using mobility devices. General tips on using the service included where to look for the right bus and route, how to scan the Smart Card and the use of the priority seats for passengers with special needs, as well as using the button to request the bus to stop.

Back at Optima after the outing, the G0 GEORGE team conducted an informal feedback session with the group to evaluate their experience and to inform future support and guidance regarding their use of the bus service.

“Time spent with our passengers who have special needs always leaves us with much to think about,” says James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager. “The system has been designed to be as user friendly as possible for all our passengers, but it would be presumptuous to assume that we have thought of everything and that all needs are being addressed. GO GEORGE values and encourages feedback from all categories of bus users and continually aims to improve the service accordingly where possible.”

Anyone needing more information about the bus service is welcome to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, visit the website www.gogeorge.org.za, or follow the Facebook page to stay up to date with the latest bus news and service notifications.

CAPTIONS:

Walking to bus stop 2:

The group departing from the Optima Centre in high spirits – the more experienced passengers very eager to share their superior knowledge.

Q and A at bus stop:

Waiting for the bus was the perfect time to answer questions and share user information with the less experienced passengers.

Khadija with new passengers 2:

Khadija Luangula (GO GEORGE communications champion) took time to explain to the three first-time passengers how to use the bus. They are from the left, Shannon Fielies, Lubabalo Langbooi and Nigel Makenna.

Ice cream at Mc D:

The one-hour trip validity gave the group from Optima just enough time to have a quick ice cream at Mc Donald’s before getting on the bus back to Pacaltsdorp without having to pay again.

Wheelchair docking:

Xavier Esterhuizen is an old hand at travelling with the bus and needed no assistance to dock and fasten his wheelchair in the dedicated space.

PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE verkry insig van passasiers met gestremdhede

Uitgereik: 28 Februarie 2022

‘n Onlangse busrit na die Garden Route Mall was soos verwag kon word ‘n aangename uitstappie vir die jong volwassenes met gestremdhede wat aktiwiteite by die Optima-sentrum van die George Vereniging vir Persone met Gestremdhede (APD) in Pacaltsdorp bywoon. Dit was egter ook ‘n uiters insiggewende terugvoergeleentheid vir die GO GEORGE-busdiens.

As deel van voortgesette betrokkenheid by die gestremdheidsektor het GO GEORGE die groep van 22 Optima-deelnemers en twee personeellede vergesel op ‘n geskeduleerde busrit wat van ‘n bushalte naby die sentrum vertrek het. Sommige van hulle het nog nooit voorheen bus gery nie.  

Selfs die wag by die bushalte het die groep laat glimlag by die aanhoor van Robin Mouton, ‘n inspirerende en vindingryke blinde passasier wat een van die kommunikasiespanlede wou motiveer om sy passie vir musiek na te streef – ‘n onderwerp waarvan hy ‘n uitgebreide kennis en begrip het.

Hierdie tyd is ook konstruktief gebruik om die jongmense in te lig oor die busfasiliteite wat gemik is op universele toeganklikheid vir passasiers, soos die tasbare plaveisel by die bushalte, die verhoogde platform om die instap in die bus te vergemaklik, klankwaarskuwings dat die skuins loopvlak ontplooi word en nog nie gereed is vir blinde passasiers of mense wat mobiliteitstoestelle gebruik om in te klim nie. Algemene wenke oor die gebruik van die diens het ingesluit waar om te kyk vir die regte bus en roete, hoe om die Slimkaart te skandeer en die gebruik van die prioriteitsitplekke vir passasiers met spesiale behoeftes, asook om die knoppie te druk om die bus te versoek om te stop.

Terug by Optima ná die uitstappie het die G0 GEORGE-span ‘n informele terugvoersessie met die groep aangelê om hul ervaring te evalueer en inligting in te samel wat toekomstige ondersteuning en leiding oor die gebruik van die busdiens kan rig.

“Tyd saam met ons passasiers wat spesiale behoeftes het, laat ons altyd met baie om oor na te dink,” sê James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder. “Die stelsel is ontwerp om so gebruikersvriendelik as moontlik vir al ons passasiers te wees, maar dit sal vermetel wees om aan te neem dat ons aan alles gedink het en dat alle behoeftes aangespreek word. GO GEORGE waardeer en moedig terugvoer van alle kategorieë busgebruikers aan en poog deurlopend om die diens dienooreenkomstig te verbeter waar moontlik.”

Enigiemand wat meer inligting oor die busdiens benodig, is welkom om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel, die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za te besoek, of die Facebook-blad te volg om op hoogte te bly van die jongste busnuus- en dienskennisgewings.

BYSKRIFTE:

Walking to bus stop 2:

Die groep vertrek in vrolike luim by die Optima-sentrum met die meer ervare passasiers baie gretig om hul “verhewe” kennis te deel.

Q and A at bus stop:

Die wagperiode by die bushalte was die perfekte tyd om vrae te beantwoord en gebruikersinligting met die minder ervare passasiers te deel.

Khadija with new passengers 2:

Khadija Luangula (GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeampte) het aan die drie onervare passasiers te verduidelik hoe om die bus te gebruik – dit was hul eerste busrit. Hulle is van links, Shannon Fielies, Lubabalo Langbooi en Nigel Makenna.

Ice cream at Mc D:

Die een-uur ritgeldigheid het die Optima-groep net genoeg tyd gegee om ‘n vinnige roomys by Mc Donald’s te geniet voordat hulle terug op die Pacaltsdorp-bus moes wees sonder om weer te betaal.

Wheelchair docking:

Xavier Esterhuizen is ‘n ou hand as dit by busry kom en het geen hulp nodig gehad om sy rolstoel in die aangewese ruimte te parkeer en vas te maak nie.

On Friday, 04^th March 2022, George Library received a valuable collection of William Shakespeare’s books from David Viviers, who plays the role of Liam Vorster in the South African soapie, Binnelanders.

The late Bishop Derek Damant gave the Shakespeare books to David, during his studies and whilst receiving the Brett Goldin Bursary. David is now donating this collection to George Library. David grew up in George on his grandmother’s farm.

The books are on display at George Library, and will be used continuously during the month of April when libraries in George celebrate World book and Copyright Day which this year, falls on Saturday, 23 April 2022. This is a symbolic date for world literature as is marks the death of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

On Saturday, 23 April 2022 George Libraries will be celebrating World Book and Copyright Day.

This is a world-wide celebration whereby literacy, books and authors are celebrated.

Issued George Municipality, 9 March 2022

George Municipality is aware of concerns raised on social media and in petitions pertaining to the proposed development at the GRD, namely the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED TERTIARY AND MIXED-USE PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT AT THE GARDEN ROUTE DAM AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON A PORTION OF THE REMAINDER OF ERF 464, GEORGE (reference DEA&DP Ref: 16/3/3/2/D2/19/0000/22). These concerns have also been recorded as part of the extensive public participation process.

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (DEIAR) has been made available by the relevant Environmental Assessment Practitioners (Sharples Environmental Services), for comment, following the consent of the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning:  Environmental Impact Management Services (DEADP) to proceed with the second round of public participation. The Draft EIA for the proposed development has been sent to all registered Interested and Affected parties for comment, but anyone is welcome to submit comments before 11 March 2022.

INITIAL APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATIONS COMMENCED IN 2006

The current EIA is the second round of processes to attain land rights for Erf 464, situated at the Garden Route Dam. In the mid-2000s the Council sought to attain zoning rights for residential and business. After several years, in 2014, DEADP granted partial environmental authorization in support of a hotel business, tourism elements allowing for the appropriate management of the conservation areas; and open space and access from Stander Str. Conditions were imposed regarding environmental management; the use of specialists needed during construction; and the use of gravity sewer systems were proposed to reduce risk of contamination of the water course.

However, the residential components were not authorised and DEADP indicated that they would not support an extensive residential development. The reasons for not supporting the full proposal included uncertainty about the imposition of long-term management provisions; the integration of social, economic, and environmental factors was not adequately demonstrated in the application; there was concern over visual impacts; the demand for residential erven was questioned; and the proposal did not redress segregated communities.

Based on the EIA outcome, Council elected not to take the matter any further, except for requesting (and receiving) approval for the extension of the approvals granted in 2014. In 2019 the rights were extended to 2024 by DEADP.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

In and around 2018 Council received several queries from the private sector requesting access to land to establish a tertiary education or research institution. After careful consideration Council took a decision instructing the administration to investigate the use of Erf 464, adjacent to the Garden Route Dam as a site for such a development. Council also resolved that there be a process to attain the environmental approvals and the town planning or land rights. Finally, Council resolved that once the latter processes were completed, the matter must revert to Council for further consideration.

At no time did Council indicate any intent to undertake such a development itself. The unfortunate and misinformed contentions that Council is acting in the interests of any business or individual is rejected with the contempt it deserves. Council land is a valuable asset and, as any landowner will know, ensuring that property is correctly and appropriately zoned maximises the value of the property.

The Municipality went ahead and appointed consultants to undertake these two processes.  This process has taken the better part of three years and the two applications will soon have to be adjudicated by the relevant authorities, namely the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (to assess the EIA) and the Eden Municipal Planning Tribunal (to assess the town planning application).

CURRENT STATUS: THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPLICATION

The Environmental Impact Assessment application has now been completed and is accompanied by specialist reports including case studies, an urban design report, heritage impact and recommendations, a visual impact assessment, engineering report, stormwater management plan and traffic impact assessment. There were also extensive discussions with Cape Nature and SANParks whose input was that a butterfly study was required.

The document is available for download from the Sharples Environmental  Services (SES)website (www.sescc.net) under the “Public Documents” section. The other process- and technical documentation relating to this project is available on www.sescc.net, Public Documents.

Besides making the document available to all who have registered as Interested and Affected Parties, notices inviting comment were placed by Sharples Environmental Services (SES) as required by DEADP. Anyone may comment on the report. Any additional comment on the DEIAR document and proposed activity must be submitted in writing to SES: Betsy Ditcham on or before 11 March 2022 by means of the following: Fax: 086-575 2869, email: betsy@sescc.net or postal address: PO Box 443, Milnerton, 7435.

FINAL OUTCOME

There are two interrelated, legislated processes relating to the proposed development, both inviting public participation/input and support. These are the current Environmental Impact Assessment (SES EIA process), to be assessed by DEADP and the town-planning application, which will be independently evaluated by the Eden Municipal Planning Tribunal.

DEADP has about 5-months for comment and to make a final decision. Thereafter the town-planning application will be considered by the Tribunal. Neither the George Council nor any official will undertake any authorisation at all.

It must be noted that BOTH authorisations have to be in place for any development to go ahead. If either one of the applications are refused, then the other cannot succeed. The town planning application will only be submitted to the Tribunal for consideration once DEADP has issued their decision.

Once the decisions have been made, both processes allow for a 21-day appeals period.

Irrespective of the ultimate outcomes of both processes, the matter must revert to Council. This is in terms of the 2018 Council decision. If the outcomes are in favour of any form of development Council will have to decide if it wishes to further proceed to act upon the rights – whether in full or only elements of the approved development. For example, Council may decide to only proceed with the residential development, and Council may impose certain restrictions on any development opportunity. Council will also need to resolve as to whether the matter must go to tender or call for proposals. The latter will depend on what Council ultimately elects to do with the land in question.

PUBLIC COMMENT AND MISINFORMATION

Unfortunately, the public comments and petitions made on social media and other platforms about this application are not necessarily accurate nor representative of the type of development envisioned. Please guard against misinformation.

Aspects of the projects which may impact on the environment have been studied by qualified professionals and the required adjustments were made to the initial project proposal (footprint). Points raised in the Public Participation process thus far and responses thereto are noted in the Appendix E of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report.  All concerned residents are invited to read the relevant studies, view the adjusted development proposal, and review the responses compiled in project documentation. A hard copy of the report DEIAR has been made available in the George Public Library.

Should this project come to fruition, specifications include more than 75ha of the 118ha (64%) to be open space conservation area. Of the remaining 36%, only 5ha (4%) will be commercial, and the rest (32%) will be educational and residential. The intention is that all future users become custodians of the space and the site be managed by firm rules in terms of an Environmental Management Plan.

It is important to note that although the land is owned by Council and the Municipality contracted the required applications, Council will not have any role in the authorisations or approvals at all. Furthermore, as stated previously, Council has no intention to develop the property itself. It is noted that assumptions have been placed in the public domain which contend that the development has been earmarked for a potential developer (s). This is refuted in its entirety.

LAYOUT OF THE SITE

Aurecon (now Zutari) was appointed by George Municipality to design the precinct for the proposed university and to prepare a rezoning and subdivision application. The Zutari team included professional town planners, urban designers, and civil engineers and the team worked closely with the Municipal officials in the planning department as well as the civil and technical departments.  The Zutari team also collaborated closely with the environmental consultants appointed by the municipality to apply for the environmental authorisation (Sharples Environmental Services), as well as other professional service providers such as traffic engineers, electrical engineers, geotechnical engineers, socio economic specialists etc. when the layout plan was designed.

The planning of the layout plan went through an iterative process before it was finalised and submitted as part of the rezoning and subdivision application. After a visioning workshop and a study to indicate sensitivity areas, concept development workshops were held where several stakeholders took part in developing three development concepts.

The three development concepts were then workshopped to work through the pros and cons of each concept and to select a preferred concept.

A draft site plan with the buildings displayed below is the campus proposal that was prepared by the urban designer and is the preferred concept that was developed through inputs from the various specialists and the outcomes of the concept development workshops. 

This urban design concept is a way to illustrate to IAPs what the final product could potentially look like (illustrative purposes) and provides an indication of the scale and height of the proposed buildings in the development. The preferred development concept as above (Urban Design Site Plan – Campus Proposal) was used as the basis for the preparation of the subdivision layout drawing that is required as part of the town planning application and was submitted with the rezoning and subdivision application. 

Through the process, the layout was amended and refined as more information became available (civil engineering, traffic impact study, visual impact study, environmental studies, etc.). All areas that were deemed not to be suitable for development (steep slopes, flood lines, environmental sensitive areas, etc.) were excluded from the areas planned for development and extensive buffers were added to further protect environmental sensitive areas before a final layout plan was developed that was submitted with the rezoning and subdivision application.

The final layout drawing that was submitted with the rezoning and subdivision application is below.  This drawing for the town planning application shows the erven that are planned with the respective zonings that will create erven with the appropriate zonings that will enable a campus to be developed as per the development concept prepared by the urban designer.  A subdivision layout such as this is a requirement for the town planning process, as it needs to show the technical details of the proposed erven and applicable zonings etc.

Once the layout plan is approved, Architects will design buildings according to the development restrictions imposed by the town planning process such as height, coverage, FAR, density, building lines etc.  Building plans will need to be submitted for approval for each building that is planned in the development before construction can start. The final placement of buildings on the individual erven or the final design of buildings are not yet available as this is something that comes only much later in the process.

With regards to roads and access: there are new roads that are proposed in the layout plan of the proposed development (see layout plan above).  Those are all public roads that will be accessible by the public. There are also plenty of open spaces incorporated in the layout where hiking and mountain biking routes will continue to exist.  Access to the dam wall and all the other trails on the other side of the dam wall will continue to be open to the public and will be made easier and safer by the proposed development.

Large picnic areas are planned next to the water’s edge in the northern part of the layout, so the current fishing and recreational activities that take place next to the dam will continue once the proposed development is constructed.

The idea of the proposed waterfront business site (which was first proposed in 2006) is to provide some small convenient shopping, some restaurants / coffee shops and parking facilities where sports enthusiast can gather before and after their sporting excursions in the nature areas.

CLOSING

 In closing, George Municipality agrees that the dam must remain accessible to all citizens and believes that responsible, sustainable, mixed land use development will not only celebrate the qualities of this extraordinary site but also address some of the negative issues which residents are experiencing associated with large tracts of densely vegetated land – such as illegal occupation of land, sheltering of vagrants and criminals, cost of vegetation management and fire risk. Council has to seek ways in which to protect its assets and sweat its assets in order to provide for the development and the protection of the city and its environment.

The GO GEORGE Smart Card kiosk next to the Civic Centre in York Street was closed at the end of February due to the building having changed owners and the rental agreement for the premises not being renewed.

The top-up and enquiry services previously provided at this kiosk have temporarily moved to the ground floor of the main George municipal building while more permanent facilities are being prepared. Passengers will have easy access to the dedicated GO GEORGE counter (counter 5) in the finance hall during business hours, 08:00 – 15:30 on weekdays.

Outside of business hours and on Saturday mornings, kiosk services will be provided at a mobile Smart Card kiosk parked in front of the old kiosk premises in York Street. This will be from 06:00 – 08:00 and from 16:00 – 19:00 on weekdays, and Saturdays from 06:00 – 12:00. Since the demand for service in this area has proved to be very low on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays, the mobile kiosk will not be deployed to this venue at these times.

GO GEORGE is working very hard towards establishing convenient kiosk facilities close to the old venue in order to minimise disruption and inconvenience to passengers.Wayfinding signage is in place on the pedestrian route from the old kiosk to the municipal building, but anyone feeling uncertain about how to get to the temporary facility can phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.

CAPTIONS: The dedicated GO GEORGE counter in the municipality’s finance hall is manned by GO GEORGE cashiers who know the process and protocol.
A Smart Card mobile kiosk parked in front of the old kiosk premises in York Street outside of municipal office hours serve passengers from 06:00 until 08:00, and from 16:00 until 19:00 on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.

GO GEORGE Slimkaartdienste tydelik beskikbaar by munisipale kassieretoonbanke

7 Maart 2022

Die GO GEORGE Slimkaartkiosk langs die Burgersentrum in Yorkstraat is einde Februarie gesluit omdat die gebou van eienaar verwissel het en die huurooreenkoms vir die perseel nie hernu is nie. Die herlaai van ritte en navraagdienste wat voorheen by hierdie kiosk verskaf is, het tydelik na die grondvloer van die hoofgebou van die George-munisipaliteit verskuif terwyl meer permanente fasiliteite voorberei word.

Passasiers sal gedurende werksure, 08:00 – 15:30 op weeksdae maklike toegang tot die toegewese GO GEORGE-toonbank (toonbank 5) in die finansiële saal hê. Buite besigheidsure en op Saterdagoggende sal kioskdienste verskaf word by ‘n mobiele Slimkaartkiosk wat voor die ou kioskperseel in Yorkstraat parkeer.

Dit sal van 06:00 – 08:00 en van 16:00 tot 19:00 op weeksdae en Saterdae van 06:00 tot 12:00 wees. Aangesien die vraag na diens in hierdie gebied Saterdagmiddae en op Sondae baie laag was, sal die mobiele kiosk nie op hierdie tye na die perseel ontplooi word nie. GO GEORGE werk baie hard daaraan om gerieflike kioskfasiliteite naby die ou lokaal te vestig om ontwrigting en ongerief vir passasiers te verminder.Padaanwysings is in plek op die voetgangerroete van die ou kiosk na die munisipale gebou, maar enigiemand wat onseker voel oor hoe om by die tydelike fasiliteit uit te kom, kan die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel.

BYSKRIFTE: Die toegewese GO GEORGE-toonbank in die munisipaliteit se finansiële saal word beman deur GO GEORGE-kassiere wat die proses en protokol ken.
‘n Mobiele Slimkaartkiosk wat buite munisipale kantoorure voor die ou kioskperseel in Yorkstraat parkeer, bedien passasiers van 06:00 tot 08:00, en van 16:00 tot 19:00 op weeksdae en op Saterdagoggende.

George (Garden Route) – February 2022 Being on the road in and around the Southern Cape centre of George in the days leading up to its favourite gathering of special cars and their proud proprietors, can only be described as petrolhead heaven.

The influx of beautifully preserved old cars, motorbikes, bakkies, tractors and military vehicles was evident as these machines converged upon the Garden Route from near and far. Vintage cars were joined on the N2’s George approaches by hot-rods, street-rods, modified cars and other lightning-fast representatives of modern fleets, either making their way on own steam or the back of humongous car carriers, all roads leading to the meticulously laid out showgrounds at Eden Technical High School.

The Southern Cape Old Car Club’s flagship annual event, George Old Car Show (GOCS) celebrated its 25th anniversary with great fanfare in perfect weather for an outdoors affair of such magnitude. The Silver Jubilee milestone featured 2,000 engines of an incredible variety, also including stationary engines and model cars. During the two show days on February 12 and 13, around 8,000 visitors entered through the gates for their tasty, racy slice of the action.

Entry tickets were sold for different time slots of the day, which meant that the organising committee and their army of helpers were always on top of crowd control and that everyone inside the school’s vast grounds could enjoy the displays, stalls, demonstrations and drive-bys while keeping a safe distance from fellow motor fans.

And for latecomers who missed the boat once tickets were sold out, a great consolation was that the event was streamed live, from the official opening on Saturday morning through to general pans of displays and a multitude of interviews with special car owners being broadcast to an appreciative online audience.

Among those who welcomed the Saturday’s first set of show-goers were Waldo and René Scribante of George Old Car Show premier partners, SCRIBS BENZeum, that served as venue for social events leading up to and during the weekend. Among the gatherings hosted at this unique venue was a spit braai to conclude the Zesto’s Café Vet Tour, participants of which had joined their Kalk Bay colleagues for a memorable road trip in the week preceding the show.

Along with SCRIBS BENZeum as premier partner, the success of GOCS 2022 is also due to the contribution of supporting partners Protea Hotel by Marriott King George, SAB, ClickOnIt, George Municipality, en George Herald.

In his opening address, GOCS chairman Alewijn Dippenaar thanked not only his 35-strong committee of Southern Cape Old Car Club members, but also the gents and ladies who had fulfilled that role during the past quarter century of shows presented with aplomb.

From the first gathering in the late 90s on Paul and Leonora Fick’s farm overlooking Victoria Bay, the show had grown exponentially each year. And this year’s fully subscribed event would not have been as successful without the groundwork done by previous generations of old car lovers.

Kudos are due to Dippenaar and his crew and all of those who preceded them, so contributing to the roaring success of this weekend’s George Old Car Show. Visit www.scocc.co.za for details of the Southern Cape Old Car Club, click on https://bit.ly/3sGV6LN for coverage of the weekend’s GOCS, and follow them on Facebook for more photos and feedback.

GEORGE MUNICIPALITY
FROM INAUGURAL COUNCIL MEETING ON 22 NOVEMBER 2021

Background
While a “First 100 Days” programme is a reflection of intentions and achievements in the period of coming into office after elections, the success of the Action Plan is determined by the synchronisation of the leadership, management and teamwork of the Administration with the political manifesto for the future vision of the municipality.

The George achievements to date represent the continuous improvements flowing from the Turnaround that commenced on 22 May 2020 with the election of a new Mayor. The initial impetus to effect changes gained impetus with the introduction of Dr Michele Gratz as acting municipal manager on 1 January 2021 (month 1 of phase 2) and new directors who have significantly contributed to the mindset shift and the resultant strategic and systemic changes within the organisation that requires the ongoing development of cultural and work ethic changes over a longer period of time.

The ”First 100 Days” broadly represent the snapshots over months 12 to 14 since the Turnaround commenced under new management.

Much emphasis was placed in the first 11 months in undertaking capital expenditure on time; improving service delivery through continuous improvements; removing incompetent officials and employing skilled officials in key positions; applying for and accessing grants including the ground-breaking BFI (Budget Facility for Infrastructure) facility.

The highlighted milestones are grouped in Categories to differentiate from ongoing daily service delivery functions. The credit and gratitude for these achievements are attributed to the Acting Municipal Manager, Directors and staff in the various Directorates who have worked tirelessly to ensure completion of the projects aided by the diligence, enthusiasm and inputs of the Mayco team and councillors.

Operations (inclusive of Strategic, Financial Sustainability and Internal):

1. Council constituted on 22/11 and Mayco appointed on 26/11;
2. Dealt with (22 Nov 2021) flood damage and major repairs to infrastructure;
3. Application of R270m has been submitted for Disaster Funding after flood of 22/11 was declared a disaster;
4. BFI (Budget Facility for Infrastructure) projects of almost R1,2bn were approved and 1st tranche was gazetted in November;
5. Obtained clean audit for year ended 30 June 2021;
6. In process of reviewing Municipal Spatial Development Forum;
7. Adjustment budget approved to cater inter alia for changes flowing from the BFI project and flood damage;
8. Held a strategic session with Mayco and Administration where focus was placed on discussing critical changes and how they would benefit the municipality, communities and future prospects for George; followed by a strategic foresight session with Prof Morne Mostert;
9. Vandalism remains a huge problem and we are looking at technology (with suppliers providing presentations) to address this;
10. Discussing plans to extend CCTV camera system and to appoint additional Law Enforcement officers;
11. Reviewing need to improve Revenue generation, enhancement, collection, use of technology and data analytics to better fund expenditure needs;
12. In process of reviewing macrostructure to ensure a more efficient and “leaner” structure;
13. Approved Disaster Management Plan;
14. Post of Municipal Manager has been advertised;
15. Immovable Property Policy has been reviewed;
16. Adopt a Spot Policy has been submitted to Council and been workshopped;
17. Informal Traders policy is being reviewed;
18. Working on a new economic growth and development strategy;
19. In negotiation with Western Cape Government  to take over “York Hostel” building to create more office space in CBD with Council scheduled to approve by March and property transfer earmarked for end June;
20. Service charter booklets are being printed to inform each resident about what services they can expect from municipality and timelines for attending to complaints  (Western Cape Government have printed 30 000 now followed by further 30 000 after April);
21. Delegations are in the process of being reviewed;
22. George is booming and we are experiencing an influx of semi-gration residents from elsewhere in search of a better quality of life;
23. Ongoing communication with stakeholders including fortnightly Mayor’s newsletter in George Herald;
24. By-laws and applicable fines are being reviewed;
25. Street naming policy being reviewed;
26. For the first time in years all the Directors and MM were assessed mid-year;
27. Neighbourhood Development Programme Grant application for Thembalethu has been approved and planning is underway.

Infrastructure focus:

1. 20Ml WTW tender awarded. Civil works alone valued at R 263m. Also awarded tenders for upgrading of sewerage pump stations. In the process of upgrading the Old WTW;
2. 4 stormwater projects completed: Conville, Parkdene, Thembalethu, Borcherds/Lawaaikamp with the next 4 due to commence on 01/03 as part of significant expenditure in under-developed areas;
3. Construction of Outeniqua 10Ml WWTW is proceeding well that will significant upgrade waste-water treatment capacity for both public and private sector housing;
4. Street upgrade of Market St to the value of R 30m which is major route for many Go George buses continues to proceed well;
5. Request for Proposals was advertised for renewable energy from independent private producers which closed on 24 Jan 2022;
6. 300kW solar panel PV plant already operational at the main municipal building and have now appointed consultants to commence with further project which will be a large solar panel plant which can produce 10MW. We are also looking at hydroelectric power. Have received a grant from Municipal Energy Resilience Fund and study is underway to plot a “roadmap” for renewable energy projects;
7. Retrofitting of traffic lights and streetlights has commenced to convert to more efficient LED;
8. Delivery of 10MV Protea Transformer has taken place with commissioning soon;
9. Intensive maintenance programme for electrical infrastructure has commenced to improve reliability of the electricity network;
10. High mast lighting in Thembalethu which has not been operational for many years has been fixed;
11. Preparations done to enable Request for Proposals for electrification of informal settlements to be advertised in early March;
12. Tender for 400kW PV plant for Outeniqua WWTW will be advertised in early March;
13. Provision for generators at major sewerage pump stations to deal with load shedding included in Adjustment Budget;
14. Approved provisions for formal electrification of Thembalethu Area 8C as part of UISP.

Impact on Economy and Jobs:

1. Conscious season preparedness programme resulted in a very successful holiday season with businesses reporting excellent turnover and vast improvement on previous year. 1 Blue Flag beach and 2 pilot Blue Flags. Strict control at beaches with confiscating of alcohol. Tried to assist businesses with permitting applications for pavement trading, free vehicle 10-point safety checks and pointsmen to regulate traffic;
2. Hosting of successful social sporting and lifestyle-oriented George Tens festival over 3-5 December;
3. Approval of Film Policy to introduce framework for filming at locations across George;
4. Approval of land sale for construction of World Class Tennis Facility;
5. Held 1st competition standard swimming gala in 10 years at Conville swimming pool; have secured further gala events including a 5-day provincial event in March which will attract many visitors to the town;
6. Old Car Show was once again a huge success and attracted over 11000 visitors and exhibitors, broadcast internationally on YouTube;
7. Planning underway for hosting major school sports events for 6000 participants including Barefoot Champs, over end-March, early-April;
8. An Events Policy has been drafted;
9. Economic Recovery Plan strategy has been completed;
10. Memorandum of Uunderstandings or Service Level Agreements: Garden Route Film Commission, George Business Chamber (focus on communication, mentorship and skills development, red tape reduction, unlocking opportunities for collaborative growth) and ongoing relationship engagements with Wesgro and WC Economic Development Partnership;
11. Grant funding received for development of an enterprise development node in Pacaltsdorp;
12. Grant funding received for automation of various processes to ensure ease of business. Once these are fully implemented, they will be replicated to other municipalities;
13. Sweating Council assets/ properties for development and economic growth: Council approved Safari Braai land alienation to allow them to double their footprint, establishment of the only clay court tennis courts in SA;
14. Increased capacity in Land Use Planning three-fold to accommodate developments and growth of city;
15. Building Control outputs within legislated times frames 97%.

Improving life for citizens:

1. Have installed 1st Uninterrupted Power Supply for traffic light at Mall and in next few months, 40 traffic lights will have uninterrupted power supply to alleviate traffic congestion during load-shedding;
2. Construction for additional facility for motor vehicle registrations in Blanco has commenced and should be finished by end of June 2022, in addition to earlier establishment of bulk, motor dealer registration facility;
3. Ward committees for the 2021-26 term have been established;
4. George continues to run 123 soup kitchens and has just increased the allocation by R1m at the Adjustment Budget to improve the service to those in need; also facilitated collaboration of food/relief donors to make supplies available to regional food pantry based in George;
5. Tender for the construction of the Compost facility has been awarded and construction will commence within the next month which will deal with all green waste;
6. Electrification of some informal structures within limited budget availability;
7. 124 houses handed over to beneficiaries in Thembalethu, Blanco and Pacaltsdorp during this period;
8. Drafting the Human Settlements Sector Plan;
9. Received funding to do a feasibility study for the development of Social Housing;
10. Continued electrification of housing projects in Erf 325 (Eden Park) and Golden Valley;
11. Installation of solar lights at Wilderness beach to improve public safety; and
12. Festive lights upgraded by internal staff.

Inauguration date: 22 November 2021 to 1 March 2022 (= 100 Days)
Leon van Wyk, Executive Mayor, 1 March 2022

Issued George Municipality, 3 March 2022

George Municipality is aware of concerns raised on social media and in petitions pertaining to the proposed development at the GRD, namely the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED TERTIARY AND MIXED-USE PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT AT THE GARDEN ROUTE DAM AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON A PORTION OF THE REMAINDER OF ERF 464, GEORGE (reference DEA&DP Ref: 16/3/3/2/D2/19/0000/22). These concerns have also been recorded as part of the extensive public participation process.

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (DEIAR) has been made available by the relevant Environmental Assessment Practitioners, for comment, following the consent of the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning:  Environmental Impact Management Services ( DEADP) to proceed with the second round of public participation. The Draft EIA for the proposed development has been sent to all registered Interested and Affected parties for comment, but anyone is welcome to submit comments before 11 March 2022.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION
In and around 2018, Council received several queries from the private sector requesting access to land to establish a tertiary education or research institution. After careful consideration Council took a decision instructing the administration to investigate the use of Erf 464, adjacent to the Garden Route Dam as a site for such a development. Council also resolved that there be a process to attain the environmental approvals and the town planning or land rights. Finally, Council resolved that once the latter processes were completed, the matter must revert to Council for further consideration. At no time did Council indicate any intent to undertake such a development itself.

The Municipality went ahead and appointed consultants to undertake these two processes.  This has taken the better part of three years and the two applications will soon have to be adjudicated by the relevant authorities, namely the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (to assess the EIA) and the Eden Municipal Planning Tribunal- (to assess the town planning application).

CURRENT STATUS: THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPLICATION
The Environmental Impact Assessment application has now been completed and is accompanied by a 75-page motivating memorandum that includes five specialist reports including case studies, an urban design report, heritage impact and recommendations, a visual impact assessment, engineering report, stormwater management plan and traffic impact assessment. The document is available for download from the Sharples Environmental  Services (SES)website (www.sescc.net) under the “Public Documents” section.  The other process- and technical documentation relating to this project is available on www.sescc.net, Public Documents.

Besides making the document available to all who have registered as Interested and Affected Parties, notices inviting comment were placed by Sharples Environmental Services(SES) as required by DEADP. Anyone may comment on the report. Any additional comment on the DEIAR document and proposed activity must be submitted in writing to SES: Betsy Ditcham on or before 11 March 2022 by means of the following: Fax: 086-575 2869, email: betsy@sescc.net or postal address: PO Box 443, Milnerton, 7435.

FINAL OUTCOME
There are two interrelated, legislated processes relating to the proposed development, both inviting public participation/input and support, being the current Environmental Impact Assessment (SES EIA process), to be assessed by DEADP and the town-planning application, which will be independently evaluated by the Eden Municipal Tribunal.

DEADP has 108 days for comment and to make a final decision, hence there is a 5-month period until there is an environmental outcome and thereafter the town-planning application can be considered by the Tribunal. Neither the George Council nor any official will undertake any authorisation at all.

It must be noted that BOTH authorisations must be in place for any development to go ahead. If either one of the applications are refused, then the other cannot succeed. The town planning application will only be submitted to the Tribunal for consideration once DEADP has issued their decision.

Once the decisions have been made, both processes allow for a 21-day appeals period.

PUBLIC COMMENT AND MISINFORMATION
Unfortunately, the public comments and petitions made on social media and other platforms about this application are not necessarily accurate nor representative of the type of development envisioned. Please guard against misinformation.

Aspects of the projects which may impact on the environment have been studied by qualified professionals and the required adjustments were made to the initial project proposal (footprint). Points raised in the Public Participation process thus far and responses thereto are noted in the Appendix E of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report.  All concerned residents are invited to read the relevant studies, view the adjusted development proposal, and review the responses compiled in project documentation. A hard copy of the report DEIAR has been made available in the George Public Library.

Should this project come to fruition, specifications include more than 75ha of the 118ha (64%) to be open space conservation area. Of the remaining 36%, only 5ha (4%) will be commercial, and the rest (32%) will be educational and residential. The intention is that all future users become custodians of the space and the site be managed by firm rules in terms of an Environmental Management Plan.

It is important to note that although the land is owned by Council and the Municipality contracted the required applications, Council will not have any role in the authorisations or approvals at all. Furthermore, as stated previously, Council has no intention to develop the property itself.

CLOSING
In closing, George Municipality agrees that the dam should remain accessible to all citizens and believes that responsible, sustainable, mixed land use development will not only celebrate the qualities of this extraordinary site but also address some of the negative issues which residents are experiencing associated with large tracts of densely vegetated land – such as illegal occupation of land, sheltering of vagrants and criminals, cost of vegetation management and fire risk.

Issued George Municipality, 1 March 2022 – for immediate release

George Municipality today acknowledged the findings of the Public Protector Report as issued on Monday 28 February 2022 on an investigation into allegations of improper conduct and maladministration by George Municipality related to the alleged irregular investment of public funds with Old Mutual Limited.

Dr Michele Gratz, current Acting Municipal Manager, confirmed that as per the Public Protector report municipal funds were irregularly invested by a senior municipal official during 2017/2018 in terms of the processes followed,  which did not follow legislative requirements as set out by the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2000 and the Municipal Investment Regulations regarding the investment of funds.  

“The Council and administration of George Municipality has done everything in its power to prevent a recurrence of this very unfortunate incident which took place four years ago under the previous Municipal Manager and previous Mayor. Remedial steps commenced in 2019 and were completed in 2021 which were most in line with those indicated by the Public Protector.”

Executive Mayor, Ald Leon van Wyk has confirmed that the Audit Committee has been reconstituted and is operating efficiently. None of the current members of the Audit Committee served during 2017/2018 when the incident took place. The chairperson of Council also investigated the matter, and the Council sanctioned the Councillor concerned.

Dr Gratz emphasised that all officials involved in this irregular investment process in 2017 were disciplined and the then Chief Financial Officer was dismissed. A second official is no longer working at the George Municipality. The Municipal Manager at the time is also no longer in service. The full sum of R350 million invested, was retrieved with no loss of interest income to the George Municipality. A report on any additional remedial matters will be included in a report to the Council in May 2022.

About two weeks ago, four parks and recreation workers from the George Municipality went beyond the call of duty and assisted in saving a stray dog that ran into Courtney Street.

A George resident, Desire Minaar tried to catch the little dog, which was running down Courtney Road near the Garden Route Mall but could not catch it. Thanks to Valdon Muller, Marshall Pedro, Awie Michaels and Renaldo Melville from the parks and recreation team little Paige was successfully rescued.

In a letter of appreciation to the Municipality, Minaar expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the “four heroes who made a massive effort to help catch this dog, which was very scared”. In a team effort to try and rescue the dog, it was eventually caught and taken to a place of safety. The dog had not just been taken to good care but also got a new name, Paige.

“It may not seem like a big thing to many, but to me, it was more special than I can possibly explain,” said Minaar. “Just when I have lost all faith in human beings, God shows me that there are good people out there and they live here in our midst.”

“Paige has had a terrible life but because of these men’s heroic efforts, she is now in a safe place, has been sterilised and is on the mend to a better life. We hope to have her adopted by people who recognise the value of her life. Whoever had owned her before, clearly abused her.”

As a token of appreciation, Minaar presented the four heroes with a small gift.

Dr Michel Gratz, the acting municipal manager also commended four workers for their assistance. “I am so proud of these colleagues, going the extra mile and helping a member of the public to save a stray animal. Exactly the commitment and culture we want to foster at our municipality. Well done to Valdon, Awie, Marshall and Renaldo! We are proud of you.”

Caption: FLTR: Valdon Muller, Marshall Pedro and Awie Michaels (Renaldo Melville could not be present for the photo session. Please note that Masks were removed for the purposes of the photograph.

Ends.

Issued by George Municipality

1 March 2022