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George Municipal building going solar

The Main Municipal building in York Street will within the next three months have completed the installation of a 300 kilo-Watt Peak grid tied PV generating plant at the officials parking area. The service provider has already started with site establishment  and the project will be implemented in three phases ending June 2021.

The PV plant will reduce the peak load demand of the main building and reduce the amount of electricity purchased from Eskom. The plant will also enable the building to meet carbon emission reduction targets by powering most of the required load with energy generated from a clean and renewable source. The total savings in carbon dioxide emissions, would be in the region of 9027 tonnes of CO2 over the plants 25 year lifetime. In addition, the steel structures on which the PV modules will be mounted on will serve as covered carports for municipal vehicles.  500 000 kilo Watt Hours (kWh) of energy is expected to be produced by the PV plant annually, and the system is projected to pay itself off within 7 years of the 25 year estimated lifetime.

Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk noted the significance of this step towards self-sufficiency for the municipality. “The 500 000 kilowatt-hour of electricity that the PV plant will generate annually is the equivalent of the power consumption of 55 households using 25 kwh of electricity per day (or approximately 9000 kwh pa). In overall terms this represents just over 0,1% of the George Municipality’s total annual sales of almost 500 million kwh of electricity. This is nevertheless the first significant small step we are taking towards self-sufficiency in electricity supply. There will be more. We thank our dedicated officials for the work they are undertaking to help us learn more about this journey into new technology”, said Ald Van Wyk.

The project is funded by the Department of Energy under the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programme. The current public parking area located immediately in front of the municipal building will not be affected during the construction at all.

In the photograph on site at the municipal parking area are from left, Marlene Matthews, Senior Manager Administration Electrotechnical Services; Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz; Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk;  Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services, Nosicelo Mbete; Ben August, Senior Manager Electrotechnical Services and Candidate Engineer (Intern) for Electrotechnical Services, Thabo Yiga who was responsible for preparing the tender documentations, preliminary designs and will be managing the project.

Stormwater projects underway

Major stormwater upgrades are well underway, which will significantly reduce flooding in problem areas in George during normal rainfall events.

Four projects to the value of R23-million will in some cases include upgrading of sections of gravel road to paved streets to allow the effective operation of the stormwater system in these areas.

The current Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG)-funded projects in Thembalethu Zone 1, Thembalethu Zone 9, Pacaltsdorp (Andersonville) and New Dawn Park are the first to be targeted in what the municipality hopes to be an on-going government-supported programme to upgrade stormwater infrastructure across the municipal area. George Municipality counter-funded the MIG allocation with approximately R5-million.

George Municipality Deputy Director Streets and Stormwater Lionel Daniels said these four areas were prioritised by using the George Municipality Stormwater Area Master Plan, a tool that analysed the condition of existing stormwater infrastructure and determined what kinds of work were required to resolve existing problems and/or to accommodate the needs of increased development. “The master plans are developed per area and the most critical upgrades per area are then prioritised for funding.

“While the master plan may identify critical projects per area, other areas where existing stormwater problems persist will take priority, especially those where houses have been flooded in the past and urgent remedial work must be undertaken,” said Mr Daniels.

“We are pleased by the progress on the first four sites, especially since they had been approved a year ago in February 2020 but were halted in their tracks by the Covid-19 lockdown. Project roll-out was revised and construction finally restarted in December 2020. Completion is expected by 30 June 2021.”

Large diameter pipes, up to 1m diameter, are being installed in places and residents are advised to avoid the construction areas where possible. As construction is taking place in the road reserves this will impact on vehicular and pedestrian traffic. George Municipality apologises for any inconvenience and appeals to road users and residents to be patient, exercise caution near roadworks and adhere to traffic and construction signage.

The municipality continues to develop plans per area and setting out projects. Implementation is subject to the availability of capital funding on the annual budget. The municipality continues to pursue alternative funding and applies for MIG-funding where applicable. “We are confident that more of these upgrades will follow in the next few financial years, which will ultimately mean better overall stormwater systems of the entire municipal area,” said Mr Daniels.

Caption
The Thembalethu Zone 9 Stormwater project is one of four currently underway.

24 new flush toilets handed over to Kleinkrantz Informal Settlement

The Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk and senior Councillors from George Municipality were delighted to officially hand over 24 new flush toilets to residents of the Kleinkrantz Informal Settlement on Wednesday, 10 March.
Ald van Wyk noted that this was an important project where the municipality installed concrete slabs for the toilets, and the flush toilets were connected the existing water pipeline providing a positive change for residents who have used chemical toilets for many years.
Claudine van Staden and her husband, William, have been living in the Kleinkrantz Informal settlement for 26 years. Claudine, who runs a soup kitchen in the settlement says the flush toilets are more hygienic for her family and the rest of the residents.
Jonathan Miggels was so excited with his new ‘throne’ that he almost immediately painted it. “I am proud of the new facility and will keep it clean and maintain it. I’ve been a resident for 26 years in the settlement and this new toilet is definitely more convenient than the chemical toilets they used previously.”
Cllr Raybin Figland, Portfolio Councillor of Housing Settlements, says he is proud of the upgrade to a better facility and that this was a step in the right direction, to restoring the dignity of residents. Cllr Marlene Barnardt, Ward Councillor for Kleinkrantz, says she and the residents can hardly contain their excitement with the new facilities and together with the residents, she has many plans to make the toilet facilities even more attractive.
Edwin Herandien, Deputy Director: Human Settlements confirmed plastic doors have been used for the facilities to deter vandals from breaking the doors.
There are 66 families residing in the settlement. During the roll-out of the Informal Settlements’ masterplan, a total of 24 chemical toilets and 8 taps were provided to the inhabitants residing in this settlement. The toilets were provided from grant funding on a ratio of 1 sanitation facility for every 5 structures and 1 tap for every 25 structures as per the norm prescribed by the National Department of Human Settlements. The area where the settlement is situated is not level and the Municipality had to move toilets closer to structures where the elderly or disabled people live.
The George Municipality made funding available on the budget for the upgrading of informal settlements and this settlement was chosen due to the fact that water-borne toilets could easily be connected to the sewer system at a minimal cost. Existing toilet structures, harvested from another project, were upgraded (new toilet pots and cisterns installed) and utilised for this project which further reduced the cost. An additional 12 taps were also provided to the settlement.
Herandien said the service of 24 chemical toilets cost the Municipality an astronomical amount of around R18 000 per month. The project commenced at the end of January 2021 and the completion date of the project was February 2021.
Captions:
Hendriena Terblanche (50) has been living in the settlement for more than 30 years. Here she is with her grandchild, Lee-Ché Terblanche at one of the new toilets. At the back are Mayor Leon van Wyk and to the right is Cllr Raybin Figland.
Short Clip:
Jonathan Miggels was so excited with his new ‘throne’ that he almost immediately painted it. Miggels has been a resident for 26 years in the settlement. He is here with Mayor Van Wyk who officially handed over the facilities. – https://youtu.be/JW2PWLUGTZs

UPDATE MUNICIPAL SERVICES DURING COVID-19 – March 2021

 

Latest update: 16 March 2021 (current Level 1 amended)

George Municipality hereby confirms that it is open for business, services are being rendered and administration buildings are open except for halls, venues and sport facilities.

While in-person services are rendered where required, we appeal to the public to consider doing transactions and business online, per telephone or via email to avoid coming to the municipality in person and helping to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. During the Covid-19 crisis period, certain staff may be working from home or on rotation, which means contact details and office hours of some services may differ from usual operations. Please see below for more details per directorate.

Please note access to all municipal buildings by members of the public, when open, is subject to Covid-19 protocols which include registration, temperature-checking, sanitising of hands and always wearing a face mask.
Depending on the size of foyers and reception areas, the number of people allowed into a specific department or section may differ and you will be advised accordingly upon arrival. We kindly request the public to be patient and to allow for extra waiting time.

 

GENERAL
Depending on the requirements of a specific department, staff are working on rotation or from home, and access by the public may be limited. Please phone or email as far as possible as per details below.

Switchboard: 044 801 9111
All after-hours George Municipality emergencies: 044 801 6300
General Public Email for all matters: gmun@george.gov.za
Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management emergencies: 044 805 5071 (all hours)

PROTECTION SERVICES
Protection Services administration offices are closed to the public.

Fire emergencies only: 044 801 6311 (all hours)

General fire department enquiries: 044 801 6300
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89
Anti-Land Invasion: 044 801 6310
GIPTN PTOO: 044 801 6345
All after-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300

Traffic Department Offices, Driving and Learners Licences:
Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp 044 878 2400
Open to the public Monday to Friday 8am-3pm unless otherwise announced as per Covid-19 measures.

The department is open for new appointments for driving and learner’s licences as per usual rules (see Driving and Learners Licence section under Protection Services at www.george.gov.za for details).

Pick-up times for newly issued driving licences from the Pacaltsdorp offices: Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm, except if your confirmation SMS indicates a Saturday collection opportunity. Please bring your ID document and show the pick-up confirmation SMS to the official at the entrance.

Please note that learner’s licences, driving licences, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits which expired from 26 March 2020 up until 31 December 2020 are deemed valid and validity is extended for a further grace period ending 31 August 2021.

Traffic fines
To pay your traffic fines online, use the account details below and use the traffic fine number printed on the fine as reference.
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Number: 62869623168
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ

Vehicle Testing Station
Hibernia Street (next to train station) 044 801 9312
Open to public Monday to Friday 8am-3pm, access control from gate at the street.

Motor Vehicle Registration and Licencing
Please note the email addresses for proof of payment of online payments has changed.
Hibernia Street (next to train station) 044 801 9310
Open to the public weekdays 8am-3pm, except Wednesdays when closed at 2pm due to compulsory training, or if otherwise indicated as per Covid-19 measures.

Access control is from the gate at the street, when necessary.

Please consider ONLINE RENEWAL of vehicle licenses as per details below instead of in-person renewals at the vehicle licencing centre as Covid-19 regulations significantly impacts on the amount of people that can be served in a day. Bulk transactions are being handled separately or after hours when required. Pregnant women, the elderly and disabled can pre-arrange preferential treatment by calling 044 801 9310.

While vehicle licence RENEWALS CAN be done online, the REGISTRATION of vehicles CANNOT be done online as RICA requirements stipulate that the owner of the vehicle must physically appear in front of the official and the documentation must be original – this is, among other things, a measure against fraudulent registration of vehicles.

ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF VEHICLE LICENCE RENEWALS
1. The customer starts by registering a profile online at https://online.natis.gov.za/#/ or download the RTMC mobile application for Android from Google PlayStore.

2. Choose between registering as an individual or business.
The following information will be required:
Individual: initial, name, surname, ID number, driving license number, contact details via mobile phone or email.
Organisation: name of business, ID number of proxy, driving license number of proxy, contact details via mobile phone or email.
3. A one-time pin will be sent to your email or mobile phone number, which you must enter online.
4. Go to the ‘View motor vehicle renewals’ section and verify the information of the vehicle for which you are renewing the licence.
5. Access and/or download your electronic motor vehicle license RENEWAL NOTICE (also known as a MVL2 notice).
6. If your licence disk is valid but near expiry or if it has expired but is still in the 21-day grace period after expiry, the amount for the renewal of your vehicle will be on the notice.
7. If your license has already expired beyond the grace period, it will not indicate an amount on the system and clients must please phone the George Motor Vehicle Licensing office at 044 801 9310 to confirm the amount due.
8. Pay the amount due into the George Municipality, FNB Public Sector Cheque Account, Number 62869623150 (Branch Code 210554). Use the relevant vehicle license number as a reference such as CAW ###### / Private number ##### WP.
9. Email the proof of payment to payments@george.gov.zaand mvr@george.gov.za. Please note the forementioned email addresses are no-reply addresses and are set up for proof of payments only and cannot be used for enquiries. Please phone 044 801 9310 for enquiries.
10. Keep a copy of your proof of payment in the relevant car until you receive your license disk but keep your expired disk on your window in the meantime. Traffic law requires officials to still issue you with a ticket for displaying an invalid disk, but you can appeal the fine and submit the proof of payment as part of your request to have the fine cancelled (details for the appeal process is on the back of the fine).
11. Once payment reflects on the municipality’s bank statement, the vehicle license will be processed, and you will be contacted to arrange collection. Please do not collect unless pre-arranged and notified via telephone – you won’t have to queue in the transaction lines when you collect.

If you want the licence posted to you, please give the person who phones you the address to which you require it posted.

Licences that have not been collected within two weeks from the notification phone call, will be posted to the address listed on the NaTIS system – onus is on the vehicle owner to ensure the correct address is logged on the national system.

The turnaround time for online license renewals is about two weeks.

 

CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Administration offices (old City Hall) and Customer Services (corner York and Progress Streets) remain closed to the public.
Urgent appointments that cannot be dealt with via online meetings on MS Teams or other electronic means will be attended to by prior arrangement. Please phone 044 801 9354 or 044 801 9277 to obtain relevant email address.
Report water leaks and burst pipes, sewerage blockages, leaks and spillages and urgent road and stormwater issues to:
044 801 9262/6 (7.45am-4.30pm)
044 801 6300 (after hours)
Estimated response times are 24-48 hours from recorded time of complaint at the above numbers.

 

ELECTROTECHNICAL SERVICES
Services continue as usual and the administration offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45-4.30pm.
Two people are allowed in the foyer at any given time and members of the public will be allowed into offices following screening at the security desk.
Planned maintenance continues and essential repairs for which planned outages are required will be communicated.
Please report power outages, broken street lights and faulty traffic lights to:
044 801 9222 (7.45am-4.30pm)
044 801 9202
044 801 6300 (after hours)
Estimated response times from recorded time of complaint at above numbers:
Low voltage electricity – within 24 hours.
High voltage electricity faults – can be longer than 24 hours depending on type of fault.
Street lights – three to four weeks.
Pre-paid electricity queries to Itron/Ontec: 044 873 5474 (8am-4pm).

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Services Administration, 82 Meade Street, is open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated as per temporary Covid-19 measures.
One person is allowed in the foyer at any given time. Visits to officials only on appointment. Please contact the specific person via telephone or email as listed below to arrange for online meetings if necessary.

Reception/all departments: 044 802 2900 ccunningham@george.gov.za or ykibido@george.gov.za
Office of the Director: 044 802 2904 and imlubbe@george.gov.za
Parks and Recreation complaints: 044 802 2921 and bmbondweni@george.gov.za
Uncollected BLACK bags 044 802 2900/20/27 or ymali@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za
Uncollected GREEN and BLUE bags: 044 802 2900/ mabotha@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za
Environmental Health: anontshikiza@george.gov.za / tabotha@george.gov.za
Transfer Station: edraghoender@george.gov.za

Landfill Site and Transfer Station, Airport Road, open to public weekdays 7am-6pm and Saturdays 7am-1pm. Covid-19 protocols in place, bring your own pen to sign in for extra safety. edraghoender@george.gov.za

Street cleaning crews continue to operate in and around the CBD and entrance roads to the city at selected hours, seven days a week.

Public toilets at the CBD taxi rank and Doneraile Square open every day, toilets at Shoprite open on weekends.

Please report illegal dump sites to 044 802 2900 or aapril@george.gov.za or kvstoffels@george.gov.za. The municipality appeals to communities to remain safe and to not dump waste, which is illegal and can be hazardous to their health.

Attendance of funerals is limited to 100 persons or less provided that no more than 50 percent of the capacity of a venue is being used. Attendees must observe a distance of at least 1.5m, wear face masks and adhere to all health protocols. Night vigils and ‘after-tears’ are not allowed.

Visitation to cemeteries by small groups are allowed at weekends provided that all Covid-19 protocols are observed.

Municipal sport facilities and public swimming pools are open to Sport federations and associations with approved ministerial plans, but NOT the general public. Most of the Municipal sporting facilities are multi code facilities being utilized by a variety of codes and clubs and this should be factored in when compiling the safety plans for the respective venues.

Take note that neither the compliance nor the policing of compliance to the conditions set out for the return to sport is the responsibility of the George Municipality and includes, but is not limited to the amount of people allowed on the premises, screening and sanitation of those involved, the wearing of masks etc.
Enquiries Gerald de Villiers on gdevilliers@george.gov.za or 044 801 9488.
This measure does not apply to municipal sport facilities rented out to clubs and sports bodies, such as tennis and squash courts. Please contact relevant clubs in this regard.

Community Development offices behind the Main Building are open on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm. Contact 044 802 2000 or ejcorner@george.gov.za
The municipality continues to support 129 municipal soup kitchens. Strict social distancing and hygienic practices apply. Emergency essential social services enquiries 072 693 3488.

The Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) unit is open to the public by appointment only, weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm. Contact 044 802 2010 or gesau@george.gov.za to arrange appointments or phone 072 070 7234 for emergencies only.

All libraries are open with protocols in place. Opening hours remain reduced and admittance to the George Main Library remains by appointment only, while the community libraries will be access-restricted based on the amount of people inside the library according to the size of the facility.

A new service is available in which patrons can select books via the online library portal (see details below) and email a list of materials they want to loan. Librarians will make up piles of available materials and arrange a time for collection. You can also phone your librarian to inquire about a book-by-phone service.

Library services remain limited as follows:
Issue and return of books.
Ten books per library member for lending period of a month at a time.
Admittance to adults and children older than 12.
Children’s section is closed to children, but adults can take out books on behalf of children.
Research and reference services arranged by phone and/or email.
Internet services – preference given to pre-booked patrons, maximum two people at any given time.
Study area limited in compliance with regulations.
Wearing of masks and sanitising of hands are compulsory.
Your temperature will be taken before entering the library area, no admittance if it is 37.5C and higher.
Library materials handed in will be quarantined for 72 hours as per national and Western Cape safety standards and plastic covered materials wiped with sanitiser before being made available for loan.

Avontuur Library: 044 752 3351 avontuurbiblioteek@gmail.com – Monday 12pm-3pm, Tuesday 11am-2pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm.
Blanco Library: 044 870 7047 gmblancobib@gmail.com – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Conville Library: 044 801 9320 Jrhode1@george.gov.za – Monday 9am-4pm
George Library: 044 801 9288 mluyenge@george.gov.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 9am-12pm
Haarlem Library: 044 763 1023 shonisemichels@yahoo.com – Monday, Thursday and Friday 2pm-5pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 2pm-5pm
Noll Library: 044 745 1014 dieprivierprim@gmail.com – Monday and Wednesday 12pm-3pm, Saturday 9am-12pm
Pacaltsdorp Library: 044 803 9340 pacsbib@george.org.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
Thembalethu Library: 044 803 9260 xakortman@george.gov.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
Touwsranten Library: 044 803 9285 touwsbib@george.org.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Uniondale Library: 044 752 1024 fortuinelton@yahoo.com – Monday to Friday 10am-4.30pm
Waboomskraal Library: angiefigeland@gmail.com – Monday to Friday 10am-2pm

George Municipality library portal link: wc.slims.gov.za/desktop/desktopwcgeplge
You can search online according to author, title, subjects, keyword, publisher or ISBN number.
Type in your library number on your card to check your library materials status including due date and opportunity to renew your books yourself.

 

CORPORATE SERVICES
Records are open to the public weekdays 8am-4pm unless otherwise announced as per temporary Covid-19 measures.
Central Records Main Building:  044 801 9286/9431/9125/9178
Building Plan Records (corner York and Progress Streets) 044 801 9367
Emergency Records Queries Only: Timothy Craak  0824594522

Area offices are open to the public on weekdays 8am-3pm and contactable by phone until 4.30pm as per below list unless otherwise announced as per temporary Covid-19 measures. After-hours emergencies to 044 801 6300.

Covid-19 protocols are in place and thresholds apply as to how many people are allowed into each applicable building.

Services available at area offices and service points include reporting essential services faults such as water and electricity problems, all other municipal complaints, account inquiries, indigent applications, housing waiting list enquiries, property valuation roll queries and general inquiries.
Blanco: 044 803 9275
Conville: 044 803 9261
Pacaltsdorp: 044 803 9286
Protea Park: 044 801 9111 ask for extension 2796 (Tuesday, Thursday)
New Dawn Park: 044 801 9111 ask for extension 2797
Rosedale: 044 803 9295
Rosemoor: 044 801 9379 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Touwsranten/Wilderness/Kleinkrantz: 044 803 9280
Thembalethu: 044 801 9448

 

Thusong Centres reception are open weekdays 8am-3pm, but other departments’ tenants are open as per their usual individual office hours.
Waboomskraal Thusong Centre: 044 886 0040
Thembalethu Thusong Centre: 044 801 9448

After hours emergencies: 044 801 6300

Community halls and venues are closed to the public. Enquiries to Rozendra Thysse on 044 8019111/5 or rsthysse@george.gov.za and Alwyn Joseph 044 801 9005.
Acting Superintendent Halls: 060 823 3607 (on rotation with Maintenance)
Acting Superintendent Maintenance: 083 418 4588 (on rotation with Halls)

Human Resources offices are closed to the public unless otherwise arranged, HR functions continue. Enquiries to HRAdmin@george.gov.za

 

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Human Settlements administration offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm. Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.

For basic services (water and sanitation in informal areas) queries and complaints in informal settlements please contact 044 802 2003.
For assistance with emergency structures following disaster (fire, flooding etc) please phone 044 802 2029.
Queries and complaints for water leakages and sewerage complaints (indigent cases) can be reported at the office on above times, but preferably by phone on 044 801 9210/9994/9453 or pshelane@george.gov.za or ddlouw@george.gov.za

Existing Housing Offices
Existing Housing offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.
Enquiries: 044 801 9113 or 044 801 9078

New Housing
New Housing Department (St Johns Street) offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.
Please note only the person making the enquiry will be allowed access.
There may be a waiting period and/or the person can leave their contact details and enquiry on the form provided at the security point where after an official will make contact.
Enquiries: 044 802 2003

 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Please note Town Planning, Building Control and Property Management offices are closed until further notice but officials can still be contacted by phone or email or can arrange a virtual Zoom or Microsoft Teams appointment with the relevant official to discuss any matters.

Town Planning General enquiries: 044 801 9477

Property Transfer Certificates: Marina Welman mhwelman@george.gov.za / 044 801 9171
Zoning Certificates: Lorraine Malangeni lxmalangeni@george.gov.za / 044 801 9477
Zoning Rectifications: Jeanne Fourie jfourie@george.gov.za / 044 801 9138 and Ilané Huyser ihuyser@george.gov.za / 044 801 9550
Illegal Land Use Complaints: Robin Hector rlhector@george.gov.za / 044 801 9475 and Mawethu Bonga mbonga@george.gov.za / 044 801 9520
Neighbouring property owner address details: Marisa Arries 044 801 9473 marries@george.gov.za

Land use applications
Please note new email address for the submission of land use applications: town.planning.application@george.gov.za

Land use applications can be submitted as per instruction sheets on website. See ‘Covid 19 Level 1 Land Use Applications Submission Guidelines – March 2021’ and ‘Public Participation Instructions Covid 19 Level 1 – March 2021’ on the link https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/land-use-applications/land-use-submissions/

Enquiries land use applications as below:
Erven and farm portions ending with an even number (i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Primrose Nako 044 801 9416 pnako@george.gov.za
Erven and farm portions ending with an odd number (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Marina Welman 044 801 9171 mhwelman@george.gov.za

Building Control
Building plans can be submitted online. See https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/building-control/ for more information.

Building Control General enquiries: 044 801 9019 / 044 801 9370 / 044 801 9166
Request for existing building plans (Registration Department):
Phindiswa Lingani: 044 801 9370 pmlingani@george.gov.za
Sinazo Moshani: 044 801 9019 smoshani@george.gov.za
Musa Dyakop: 044 801 9166 mdyakop@george.gov.za
Status on building plan approvals: Vasti Laws: 044 801 9509 vnlaws@george.gov.za
Andrea Griessel: 044 801 9502 agriessel@george.gov.za

Please contact Building Inspectors directly during office hours:
James Vollenhoven: 076 823 0412
Fuzisa Siguba: 083 949 8651
Illegal activity: Nolan Noemdoe 083 757 3717

Property Management
Donald Gelderbloem: Manager Property Management 044 801 9073 dmgelderbloem@george.gov.za
Leasing of properties: Josephine Mpembe 044 801 9190 jmpembe@george.gov.za
Sale of properties: René Hendricks 044 801 9472 rehendricks@george.gov.za
General enquiries: Monique Isaks 044 801 9375 misaks@george.gov.za

Economic Development
Cathedral Square office is open to the public 9am-4pm, strict protocols apply.
Business queries: Joan Shaw 081 412 9995
Other queries: 044 801 2820 bduplessis@george.gov.za

IDP Office
Closed to the public but contactable during office hours.
Ronel le Fleur: 044 801 9075 / 071 870 7887 rlefleur@george.gov.za

Ward committee operations
Closed to the public but contactable during office hours.
Paulina Saaiman: 044 801 9074 / 060 579 6829 pasaaiman@george.gov.za

George Tourism
Open to the public weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm, strict protocols apply.
044 801 9295 info@visitgeorge.co.za

Wilderness Tourism
Open to the public weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm, strict protocols apply.
044 877 0045 info@visitgeorge.co.za

 

FINANCE
The Finance Hall in the Main Building is open to the public weekdays from 8am-3.30pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only six people are allowed inside the Finance Hall at any given time.
Estimated waiting time is 20 minutes depending on the type of queries of the customers ahead of you in the queue.

While electronic payments are recommended (see details below), the Finance Hall is open for account payments in addition to municipal account queries, opening of accounts, new connections, duplicate accounts, arrangements on arrears, indigent applications etc.

Printed municipal accounts are being issued every month. If you have not received your account by the due date of the 15th of each month, please contact us to forward an email copy or pay your monthly average amount. Online accounts via email have not been affected by lockdown. If you want to receive your account via email please mail a request to accounts@george.gov.za.

Ratepayers are requested to use one of the below-mentioned methods to make payments.
Accounts can be paid via electronic transfer (EFT – see details below), via pay@ mobile applications (see details below) and at Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, USave and SPAR.
Please take your most recent available account statement with you so that the shop can access the bar code that connects your payment to your GRG account number.

Meter readings
Online submissions of water meter readings are welcomed and can be provided via the below email address along with the accountholder’s name, contact details and GRG account number.

Please note that meter readings are done per area at different times of the month and it is important that your meter reading email is submitted around the same time as your area’s reading time. Please check the date of the previous reading at the bottom of your account to determine your meter reading slot. A new service provider, Electro Cuts, has commenced water meter reading services for George Municipality

Consumers must please note the change in email address  to meterreadings@george.gov.za.
Enquiries: accounts@george.gov.za

Bank Details for electronic payment (please note bank details changed 1 December 2020)
The old account is being phased out so please amend as soon as possible. For now it is still active and payments made so far will have been received.

If you have a debit order on your account, details will automatically be updated. If you have created an account for online banking, please delete the old account and create a new one with the details as below.

First National Bank (FNB)
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: your GRG account number
Proof of payment to be sent to payments@george.gov.za

pay@ mobile applications
Download Masterpass, Snapscan or Zapper application on your mobile phone and complete your profile.
Load your credit or debit card.
To pay the account, open ‘Wallet’ inside the App you have downloaded and scan the QR code (the black square with the little squares inside it on the bottom right of your account).
Enter the amount you are going to pay and complete the transaction.
The App will confirm your successful, secure transaction.

You can also use the following link for payment of your account:
https://payat.io/qr/11413
Click on the link and enter the Pay@ reference number (number starting with 11413) which appears on your account. Your customer information will appear with payment options to choose from.

Prepaid electricity purchases
www.prepaid24.co.za
https://home.ontec.co.za
www.ipay.co.za
The electricity token is automatically sent to the client via SMS or email.
Mobile apps belonging to banks also have a pre-paid electricity purchase function.
For prepaid enquiries please contact 044 873 5474.

General enquiries to accounts@george.gov.za or 044 801 9111.
Please provide your GRG account number with all enquiries.
Please note that limited assistance is available as personnel may be working offline.

Credit Control enquiries: 044 801 9111

MUNICIPAL COURT
The George Municipal Court is open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated due to temporary Covid-19 measures.

Please note the office of the Clerk of the Court is closed every day 1pm-1.45pm for representations and other transactions.
Enquiries: 044 801 9400

UNIONDALE/HAARLEM
Offices are open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm (not open over lunch 1pm-1.45pm) unless otherwise indicated due to temporary Covid-19 measures.

Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard and fault reporting: 044 752 1024
Tourism: 044 752 1076
Haarlem: 044 763 1013
After hours: 044 801 6300

 

 

REPAIR UPDATE: GENEVAFONTEIN REPAIRS COMPLETED

The area remains a construction site and residents are urged to please stay well clear.

George Municipality confirms that repairs to the 600mm diameter raw water pipeline and the 800mm diameter Eastern water pipeline concluded just after 18h30 on Monday, 15 March 2021. Both pipelines were backfilled with sand to ensure they are bedded, i.e. secure in a place, and safe to open valves for water supply to both the Water Treatment Works and residential areas to resume.

The Eastern Water pipeline (drinking water) is currently supplying at full capacity as of 22h00 last night, with most of the affected areas being supplied of drinking water, with the exception of the Blue Mountain Development (BMD). The raw water line will be recommissioned today .

Teams are currently investigating the cause of the disruption to BMD and we trust this will be resolved as soon as is possible. A water tanker has been sent to the area for the use of the residents. All other water trucks have been withdrawn..

George Municipality urgently requests that residents stay well clear of the repair site which is still regarded as a construction site. The heavy rainfall of the past few days together with the side walls being unstable pose a danger and only experienced personnel are allowed within the vicinity.

The clearing of the site and reinstatement of the 450mm diameter Stormwater Pipeline and the roadway will start today, Tuesday, 16 March 2021. Heriot Road between Stander and Spreeu Streets remains closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic control remains in place. The residents of the houses in the repair zone must please continue to proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible.

We thank all residents for their patience and goodwill during this unforeseen challenge.

Repairwork at Genevafontein almost completed

Heavy rainfall throughout the day has created several delays and made the repairwork on the watermain pipe at Genevafontein very challenging. However,the private contractor has completed the dropping in of the replacement pipe, the couplings have been installed successfully and a bobcat is on site to  ensure that a  minimum layer of soil is placed, to support and cover the pipes before water flow can be entirely restored.

Once this has been completed, the valves will be reopened slowly and it is expected that it will take an additional few hours for water to have filled up the network sufficiently to restore full water pressure throughout the system. Please note the system will have to be flushed out to remove any dirt and initial water that comes out of the taps may be discoloured. This will diminish fairly quickly.

 Most areas do however currently have water albeit at low pressure following the recommissioning of several old water lines over the past few days.

 All of the water trucks have been withdrawn from sites, barring those listed below:

1 x Water Truck Zone 3 (Imizamo Yethu Secondary School)
1 x Water Truck Zone 9 (Community Hall)
1 x Water Truck Zone 6, Ramaphosa (Lingelehtu Street)
1 x Water Truck Zone 5, Pelindaba
1 x Water Truck at Azazani

The water supply for Thembalethu will continue to be monitored and when no longer required the water trucks will be withdrawn here as well. Please note water remains available for collection at the Fire Department, Mitchell Street and the Fire Station, Thembalethu, Fourways.

Heriot Road between Stander and Spreeu Streets remains closed to traffic and pedestrians. Traffic officials will remain on site after hours and during the night.  Residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible.

A final update will be provided by tomorrow morning. Should any resident experience no water again during the evening, please report to(A/h)  044 8016300 with address details.

Photo courtesy of Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering Services, Jacqulique Von Brandis

George Libraries celebrating Library Week from 15 – 20 March and World Poetry day

George Libraries celebrating Library Week from 15 – 20 March and World Poetry day

Issued by George Municipality on 15 March 2021 for immediate release

 

This year Water Week (15 to 22 March) and Human Rights Month will form part of Library Week and the George library will make water and human rights information part of its displays.

 

The Thembalethu Library will arrange an online story reading for the age group that still may not enter the library and will hold a poetry reading tomorrow, 16 March with local poet, Nkosinathi Meziwa, that launched his poetry book, Lolani izikrwege, at the Thembalethu Library recently. The eclectic poetry book which has a bit of everything is in English and isiXhosa.
Archie Swanson, a local author, will record a discussion on poems from his latest anthology and a podcast of a radio programme and poem readings will be part of a poetry evening tomorrow, Tuesday 16 March  at 18h00.

National Poetry Day on the 21st of March falls on a weekend this year and activities at the libraries will be held earlier.

Biographical information of local authors in George will be displayed at the George Library in honour of Kippie van Straaten, a senior librarian of George Library, who started the files and who passed away during 2020. The library will have an outreach to the Up with Downs organisation and  have a virtual storytelling of Dr. Seuss.

 

Blanco Library will be distributing bookmarks and library bags and posters at different community points during the week. The library will be donating books to the friends of the library and focus on promoting the importance of reading as a key to human wellbeing. On the 19th of March they will be visiting local schools in celebration of Library Week.

 

At Haarlem Library they will have a digital show and tell activity to make animals out of recycled material for children. The show will be pre-recorded on video and loaded on the George Municipality YouTube channel during the Week.

 

Pacaltsdorp Librarians will be visiting different institutions to speak about Library Week.

Caption: Annette Kortman of Thembalethu Library.

 

GO GEORGE schedules on upcoming Public Holidays

GO GEORGE SCHEDULES ON UPCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Issued Monday 15 March 2021

 

With several public holidays coming up, GO GEORGE calls on passengers to take note of the schedules that will be followed on these days.

With Human Rights Day (21 March) falling on a Sunday this year, Monday the 22nd of March will be a public holiday with the buses operating according to the Saturday schedule.

Over the Easter weekend, Friday the 2nd of April will see the buses run according to the Sunday schedule, and on Monday the 5th of April, the Saturday schedule will apply on all routes.

For any enquiries or assistance with trip planning, phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the latest news.

 

GO GEORGE-SKEDULES OP KOMENDE VAKANSIEDAE

Uitgereik Maandag 15 Maart 2021

 

Met verskeie openbare vakansiedae voor die deur, vestig GO GEORGE passasiers se aandag op die skedules wat op hierdie dae gevolg sal word.

Met Menseregtedag (21 Maart) wat hierdie jaar op ‘n Sondag val, is Maandag 22 Maart ‘n openbare vakansiedag en sal die busse volgens die Saterdagskedule ry.

Oor die Paasnaweek sal die Sondagskedule gevolg word op Vrydag 2 April, en Maandag 5 April sal die Saterdagskedule op alle roetes geld.

Vir enige navrae of hulp met ritbeplanning, skakel die GO GEORGE-inbelkantoor by 0800 044 044, of besoek die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad vir die jongste nuus.

Update on repairs to Genevafontein Site

GEORGE MUNICIPAL WATER UPDATE: 15 March 2021 @ 14h15
The repairs on site at the Genevafontein watermain burst are continuing today, 15 March,  with all of the specialised parts and required equipment having arrived timeously. Work is expected to continue for the rest of the day, with the hope that water will be restored by tonight. Upon completion of connections, the waterlines will be tested for leaks. A minimum layer of soil must support and cover the pipes before water can be entirely restored. It will take an additional few hours for water to have filled up sufficiently to restore full water pressure throughout the system.

The recommissioning of all of the old water lines this morning is slowly allowing the system to keep water flowing and a number of areas have had water restored albeit at low water pressure. Please continue to use water sparingly as the old raw water pipes are smaller and cannot handle full capacity.

Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz today thanked all of the officials and service providers for their hard work under such trying circumstances. “This type of challenging repair is unforeseen and takes a huge commitment from all of our officials with everyone pulling together to assist. I would also like to thank the residents of George for their goodwill and understanding of the situation. The municipality understands the inconvenience of not having water and is taking all steps to restore the supply as soon as is possible, “ she said.

PLEASE NOTE: Water is also available for COLLECTION @ Fire Department, Mitchell Street and @Thembalethu Fire Station (Fourways)

Please see list of trucks to supply water at points most affected, we continue to address the positioning of the trucks as the need arises and will inform residents accordingly:

1 x Water Truck @ Bergsig, Pick and Pay (4th Street)
1 x Water Truck Levallia (Bizzy Corner)
1 x Water Truck, Denneoord (Bergville Retirement Home, cnr of 8th Street and Wellington Street)
1 x Water Truck, Rosemore (Old Age Home/Clinic)
1 x Water Truck Zone 3 (Imizamo Yethu Secondary School)
1 x Water Truck Zone 9 (Community Hall)
1 x Water Truck Zone 6, Ramaphosa (Lingelehtu Street)
1 x Water Truck Zone 5, Pelindaba
2 x Water trucks on their way to Groenkloof and Kraaibosch Frailcare
1 x Water Truck at Azazani (Tabata St, provision for Silvertown and Zone 4)
1 x Water Truck Protea Park (Park Str )

Heriot Road between Stander and Spreeu Streets remains closed and the public is warned to not visit the area on foot and to stay well clear of the entire area as it may be unsafe. Traffic officials are on site and residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible.

 The municipality will update residents as repairs progress with a further update expected by 6pm tonight.

GEORGE MUNICIPAL WATER UPDATE: 15 March 2021

Repairs at the Genevafontein site has been further delayed following further heavy rains, with more rain predicted for early morning.
The site will be prepared once again while the municipality awaits parts from Cape Town following damage to sealing rubbers during repairs in the rain yesterday.

The specialized parts are only expected to arrive from Cape Town by midday today and work is expected to continue most of today, with the hope that water will be restored by tonight. Upon completion of connections, the waterlines will be tested for leaks. A minimum layer of soil must support and cover the pipes before water can be entirely restored. It will take additional few hours for water to have filled up sufficiently to restore full water pressure throughout the system.

The recommissioning of an old raw water pipeline to the Water Treatment Works has ensured that water supply does not run out to other parts of George. Please continue to use water sparingly as the old raw water pipes are smaller and cannot handle full capacity.

Extreme low pressure continues to affect properties in eastern and north-eastern suburbs today.

Please see list of trucks to supply water at points most affected, we continue to address the positioning of the trucks as the need arises and will inform residents accordingly:
1 x Water Truck @ Bergsig, Pick and Pay (4th Street)
1 x Water Truck Rosemore/Levallia – will circulate between two areas
1 x Water Truck, parked in Meyer Street, Van Kerwel Skool
1 x Water Truck, Genevafontein, Corner Herriot and Stander Street
1 x Water Truck Zone 3 (Imizamo Yethu Secondary School) (Private vehicle hired in, not marked George Municipality)
1 x Water Truck Zone 9 (Community Hall)

Water is also available for collection at the Fire Department, Mitchell Street in the CBD

Water has been steadily filling the pipes in Thembalethu, but pressure continues to drop as water is used before it can build up in the reservoir.

Heriot Road between Stander and Spreeu Streets remains closed and the public is warned to not visit the area on foot and to stay well clear of the entire area as it may be unsafe. Traffic officials are on site and residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible.

The municipality will update residents as repairs progress

Potential water crisis managed, please keep saving water

POTENTIAL WATER CRISIS BEING MANAGED, PLEASE KEEP SAVING WATER
The potential city-wide water crisis is being managed following the recommissioning of an old raw water pipeline to the Water Treatment Works. Please continue to use water sparingly as the old raw water pipes are smaller and cannot handle full capacity and there is still no drinking water supply to reservoirs east of the city.

Water trucks are roaming in Thembalethu Zones 1-8 where reservoirs have run dry. Zone 9 still has water for now but will be monitored and supplied if required. Thank you to Mossel Bay Municipality for continued assistance with a large water truck to help supply to these areas.

Eastern suburbs of George, Kraaibosch and Victoria Bay will be experiencing extreme low pressure and still runs the risk of running dry. Water should be used for essentials only.

Please note that in high lying areas of eastern suburbs water pressure may be insufficient at the moment to supply water to taps. Nonetheless the entire network is systematically being checked and the necessary adjustments made.

Work is going well at the site in Genevafontein where a major raw water pipe burst under the tar in Herriot Street caused a large sink hole. The pipe supplies the town’s main water treatment works, which meant that water could not be pumped into the facility’s holding dams.

A traffic incident delayed work at the site, which was referred to the SAPS. It was later discovered that the drinking water pipe that runs parallel to the raw water line has also been damaged.

Civil engineering teams worked through the night excavating the sink hole site to safeguard it for workers, after which repairs commenced. Priority was given to the drinking water line which should be completed late afternoon and water supply reinstated thereafter. It will take additional few hours for water to have filled up sufficiently to restore full water pressure throughout the system.

The raw water line repairs are being done in tandem when possible, and is expected to be complete this evening, a few hours after the drinking water line.

We are concerned that heavy rains expected later today may hamper repairs, and all efforts are being made to finish works as soon as possible.

Herriot Road below Stander Street remains closed and the public is warned to not visit the area on foot and to stay well clear of the entire area as it may be unsafe. Traffic officials are on site and residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible. Spreeu Street is being monitored and may be closed if necessary.

The municipality will update residents as repairs progress.

ENDS
Issued George Municipality on 14 March 2021 at 9.50am.

Potential WATER CRISIS – use water for essentials only

George Municipality makes an urgent appeal to all residents of George and surrounding areas to use water for essentials only, following the major raw water supply line damage in Genevafontein. The pipe supplies the town’s main water treatment works, which means that water cannot be pumped into the facility’s holding dams at the moment.

It has now been established that the drinking water pipe that runs parallel to the raw water line has also been damaged. The line is the main drinking water supply line to Kraaibosch area, Victoria Bay and Wilderness as well as Thembalethu.

Water is already running extremely low in Thembalethu and roaming water trucks will soon be deployed to Zones 1 to 8. Zone 9 still has water for now but will be monitored and supplied if required. Thank you to Mossel Bay Municipality for assistance with a large water truck to help supply to these areas.

Details of trucks to other areas will be confirmed should it become necessary.

Water reservoirs across the city is running low and the remaining water can only be managed with the cooperation of residents.

In the meantime, the municipality is doing everything it can to repair the lines as quickly as possible.

Civil Engineering teams will be working through the night on repairs to both lines. Priority will be given to the drinking water line. Extreme low pressure water is most likely to be experienced in affected areas – we ask that you use this as a reminder to use water for absolute essentials only.

The municipality will update residents as repairs progress.

ENDS
Issued George Municipality, 13 March 2021 (7pm update)

Pipe burst Genevafontein – stay away and save water

Issued George Municipality, 13 March 2021 (3.30pm update)

Residents urged to use water sparingly and stay away from major pipe burst in Genevafontein

George Municipality urges all residents of George to use water sparingly and to stay away from the area where a water supply pipe burst is being attended to in Genevafontein.

A section of Herriot Street, north of the Geneva Café intersection, collapsed following an underground pipe burst. Water has been gushing from the site for several hours but has started subsiding as pipes above the site are starting to run clear following the closure of the relevant valves.

The pipe supplies the town’s main water treatment works, which means that water cannot be pumped into the facility’s holding dams at the moment. The municipality appeals to residents to use water sparingly to ensure that potable water supply is sufficient while the supply line is disrupted. Properties in the eastern suburbs of George, including Kraaibosch and surrounds, may experience some drop in water pressure.

Civil engineering teams are on site and will be working the rest of today and through the night to make the necessary repairs. A traffic incident earlier in the day has delayed repairs and has been referred to the SAPS (nobody was hurt in the incident).

Herriot Road below Stander Street is closed and the public is warned to not visit the area on foot and to stay well clear of the entire area as it may be unsafe. Traffic officials are on sight and residents of the houses in the repair zone must proceed with extreme caution and only if alternative access is not possible. Spreeu Street is being monitored and may be closed if necessary.

Sandbags have been placed above private properties to assist with water run-off and a stormwater team is ensuring that drains are kept clear.

The municipality will update residents as repairs progress.

Construction of satellite fire station in Wilderness going well

Construction of the satellite fire station in Wilderness, 14km outside George, is going well. George Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard said construction was currently ahead of schedule and should be roof height by the end of the month (March 2021). “We look forward to serving Wilderness from a local base, which is currently being addressed from the main fire station in the George CBD.” Situated near the Caltex The Waves traffic circle on the N2, the station will ensure quick access and faster response times to road accidents and fires east of the Kaaimans River Bridge. The station is expected to be ready for occupation in July 2021 and will be manned around the clock by four firefighters.
Wilderness will be the municipality’s third satellite station in addition to Thembalethu and Uniondale.

 Mayor hands over green and blue bags in celebration of the recycling service restarting

Mayor hands over green and blue bags in celebration of the recycling service restarting

Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk and Portfolio Cllr for Community Services, Sean Snyman met up with the new recycling contractor, LGE Waste, in Pacaltsdorp on Thursday, 4 March while busy with clearing of backlog and handing out new bags to the public.

The mayor gave a local resident, Charmaine Stols, a blue and green bag to start with recycling and green waste disposal in the correct manner. Van Wyk said he came out with the contractor to see how they follow the route in Pacaltsdorp and how the service is being rolled out. “It is of outmost important to get the service up and running. It will take the contractor  a few weeks to get back up to full speed and to work in the backlog. We ask the public to please remain  patient and to phone in their complaints to the Cleansing Department. We hope that all residents will participate in the recycling and proper waste disposal and that illegal dumping will eventually become something of the past,” Van Wyk said.

Cllr Snyman said that George is definitely moving in the right direction with the appointment of the new service provider. He said the Municipality had struggled for half a year to resolve the service issues and  that it should be much better from now onwards.  Stols said she is very happy and thankful for the service because she wants to live in cleanliness.

The contractor confirmed that they have been handing out bags already to a lot of areas in George and will continue issuing blue and green bags as they work away the backlog.

 

George Acting Director Community Services, Allen Paulse previously said the municipality was relieved to make an appointment after the previous service provider Interwaste had closed its regional offices in George and ended its contract with the municipality in July of last year.

 

LGE Waste  takes up the service as per the previous schedule and will be collecting green and blue bags from all areas that have a recent history of recycling. These include most suburbs of George – incorporating more recent participating areas Ballotsview, Borcherds, Conville, New Dawn Park, Delville Park, Pacaltsdorp, Parkdene, Protea Park, Rosemore and Sea View – as well as the outer areas of Wilderness, Kleinkrantz, Hoekwil, Victoria Bay and Herolds Bay.

 

Two green and two blue replacement bags will be issued to every household in the above-mentioned areas and thereafter to households in exchange for bags placed out.

 

Implementation in Haarlem and Uniondale is currently being investigated to ensure the most effective service, details of which will be announced to the affected communities as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

 

Service to Lawaaikamp and Thembalethu will, for now, be handled on request via the ward councillor or office numbers as listed below. The municipality and service provider hope to commence awareness campaigns in these areas as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow, with the intent to roll out a more extensive service as more households participate.

 

Residents can put out four green bags and unlimited number of blue bags together with up to seven black bags on their scheduled removal day. Blue and green bags will be collected on the same day as black bags, but by different vehicles.

 

“While we expect the switch-over to go relatively smoothly from the first round, we appeal to residents to remain patient a little while longer should there be any hiccups. We thank residents who have kept the faith with us in these challenging times and hope that others will join our efforts as the service gains momentum once again,” said Mr Paulse.

 

Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional green or blue bags, can collect from George Municipality Environmental Services or LGE Waste (details below).

 

ENQUIRIES:

Green and blue bags:

LGE Waste

Physical address: 10 Extension Road, Pacaltsdorp Industrial Area. Phone: 044 878 0688 Email: lgewaste@gmail.com

Black bags:

George Municipality Environmental Services

Physical address: 82 Meade Street, George. Phone 044 802 2900

 

Caption: Mayor Leon van Wyk (middle) hands over a green and blue bag to Charmaine Stols from Back Street, Pacaltsdorp in celebrating the rollout of the service again after seven frustrating months. With him are members from the new Service provider, LGE Waste. From left are Wendy Gelderblom,  Simone Baardman, Muneer Mapoli, Stols and the Mayor, Lorenze Gelderblom (Director: LGE Waste), Faried Follentine and Cllr Sean Snyman, Portfolio Councillor for Community Services.

 

Poetry book launched

A local poet from George, Nkosinathi Meziwa, that also works for the department of Correctional Services, launched his poetry book, Lolani izikrwege, at the Thembalethu Library recently. The eclectic poetry book which has a bit of everything is in English and isiXhosa. He donated 20 copies of his book to the local libraries. Meziwa will do a poetry reading on National Poetry Day on the 21st of March.
In the picture are Meza (right) with Rachel Williams and James de Waal from George Libraries. Williams has a copy of the book in her hands. The book was published in September 2020 during Covid-19 lockdown.

Thembalethu Bridge upgrade will boost Southern Cape economy

Thembalethu Bridge upgrade will boost Southern Cape economy
Issued on behalf of SANRAL and George Municipality, Tuesday 9 March 2021

Western Cape, 9 March 2021 – With road infrastructure being prioritised in South Africa’s economic recovery plan in a post-COVID environment, the upgrade of the Thembalethu Bridge in George, bodes well for the Southern Cape economy. This project is a collaborative venture between SANRAL and the George Local Municipality, with the Department Transport having provided R82,127 million towards the funding of the project. SANRAL is the Implementing Agent working closely with the George Municipality.

 

The total construction period is between 24 and 30 months, which should create project participation opportunities for SMMEs as well as both direct and indirect jobs for the local community.

 

The scope of works involves the widening of the Thembalethu Bridge across the N2 from a single carriageway to accommodate two lanes in each direction, with additional turning lanes as well as extra space for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

“A new bridge will be constructed on the Western side. Once completed, the existing bridge will be raised and stitched to the new bridge, to ensure that the upgraded structure complies with the minimum bridge clearance of 5.2 metres,” explained Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

 

Detailed design works is currently being finalised and the tender for a contractor will be out by June 2021. Taking the procurement processes into account, the contractor should be appointed by November 2021.

 

All SANRAL projects are guided by a 14-point plan that sets the tone for project liaison, sub-contracting and labour sourcing, as well as a commitment to its transformation policy that seeks to prioritise economic empowerment of black businesses in South Africa.

 

“With 30% of the project value being committed to targeted enterprises for subcontracting, there are huge opportunities for start-ups and emerging SMMEs to benefit from project participation,” said Thembinkosi Mosobela, SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator in the Western Region.

 

A process of engagement with relevant stakeholders, is already underway and SANRAL, together with the George Local Municipality will explore opportunities to provide training and development of SMMEs in the road construction sector, to ensure that they are equipped, capacitated and ready to tender for work packages that become available on this project.

 

“These information-sharing and training sessions are of cardinal importance to ensure we broaden the scope of economic opportunities to businesses in the surrounding communities. Our transformation objectives are particularly aligned to facilitate participation of persons with disabilities, women-owned business as well as youth-owned operations,” continued Mosobela.

 

 

//ends

 

Issued on behalf of SANRAL by FTI Consulting. 

SEDA invites female entrepreneurs to a webinar

Are you a female entrepreneur trading locally or internationally?
Are you ready to become part of an international network with over 3
million women in markets across the world?
Seda in partnership with DSBD (Department of Small Business
Development) and ITC (International Trade Centre) would like to invite
you to the SheTrades Awareness webinar, targeting the following
provinces: (Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Western Cape)
25th March 2021 • 11:00 – 12:30 • Zoom – online
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://seda-pta.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__
lpp05HMRaGC7SSqlkAMxA

Come join this phenomenal and unique platform which allows women
owned businesses to connect with diverse businesses, learn various
news business skills through free e-learning materials, participate in
exhibitions and stay up to date with ITC’s SheTrades news and activities.

Support available to help businesses stay open and keep operating safely  

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 03 March 2021

Release: immediately

Support available to help businesses stay open and keep operating safely 

 

With the move to Alert Level 1 this week we appeal to all employers and employees to please continue to adhere to the critical safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.

 

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to help businesses in the Western Cape to open safely, and most recently the Department of Economic Development and Tourism have secured the services of an occupational health & safety (OHS) agency to assist businesses at no cost.

 

Through our engagements with businesses, we have heard how many are struggling to implement the necessary workplace safety protocols and so the OHS support is available to assist businesses to ensure compliance. This includes assistance such as completing Covid-19 risk assessments, developing risk mitigation plans and implementing relevant sector-specific Covid-19 health and safety measures.

 

Businesses that are in need of this support may contact the OHS service provider Afro Centric Fast Pulse Employee Benefit Solutions directly at Covid19.ohas@afrocentric-ics.com. (Please note that this support is only available until 23 March 2021)

 

Working together we can ensure that businesses remain open and more people get back to work so we can save jobs and save the economy in the Western Cape.

 

Our workplace safety programme team have responded to over 4 200 complaints by customers and employees of non-compliance by businesses in the Western Cape. Where we can assist and advise businesses to implement these necessary safety measures, we have done so, but where there are serious violations of the safety measures these are reported to the Department of Employment and Labour with a request for immediate action which may include temporary closure of the business.

 

Employers and employees are also encouraged to make use of the valuable Covid-19 workplace safety resources which can be found on the Western Cape government’s website:

The move to Alert Level 1 is a welcome relief for businesses across the Western Cape who have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, and provides an opportunity to breathe new life into the economy. We will continue to work hard to support businesses and save jobs, focusing with urgency on the rebuilding of our economy in the Western Cape.

Unique fire management for George

Massive wildfires in the Garden Route in recent years have highlighted the varied needs of an area with some of the most diverse biomes in the country.

There are few municipalities that deal with the combination of fire and rescue challenges faced in the George municipal area.

From hot and dry conditions in Uniondale and Haarlem north of the Outeniqua Mountains to windy seaside environments in the south, the George Fire and Rescue Services address fire management for 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.

In addition, two major national roads and several provincial roads go through the area, which require the fire department’s response at vehicle accidents and transport related hazardous material incidents. The city’s industrial node has also significantly grown over the past decade, which increased factory and hazardous materials fires.

Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard said the devastating wildfires in the neighbouring town of Knysna in June 2017, which took place outside the Western Cape’s traditional summer fire season, was a huge wake-up call for municipalities everywhere. “The George Municipality council 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.

“We wanted to be smart and use resources wisely, so we did the research, consulted with colleagues and role players and came up with practical, sustainable solutions for a variety of fire-fighting situations,” said Mr Barnard.

Denneoord fire base
The establishment of the Garden Route’s first dedicated emergency firefighting airstrip on municipal property above Denneoord in December 2017 proved a gamechanger during the month-long wildfires around George less than a year later.

The project between George Municipality, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, Working on Fire and Garden Route District Municipality meant firefighting planes could respond much faster than they would have been able if they were stationed at a commercial airport where they would have had to wait in line for a runway along with other aircraft. This is especially applicable during the summer fire season which coincides with the very busy holiday season when thousands of flights are scheduled at commercial airports.

Five aeroplanes and a chopper are stationed at the base during the fire season, and usually at least one plane and a chopper out of season. Municipalities in the Garden Route district use the facility on a call-out basis as services are required. The airbase consists of a runway, helipad, firebase, hangars, taxiways and a water refilling point.

First-of-its-kind fire tanker and portable dam
The municipality’s capacity to deal with fires in remote and dry areas received a significant boost with the delivery of a large capacity water tanker and portable dam in September 2019. The tanker is the first of its kind to be used for firefighting in South Africa.

The 35 000-litre stainless steel water tanker is a movable water source that can be driven to a suitable site from where all kinds of fire vehicles can refill. The tanker is fitted with a pump that can extract water from sources such as farm dams and can deliver 2200 litres per minute at 10 Bar. On the road the 18-metre (13-metre tanker pulled by a five-metre truck), 22-wheeler vehicle it is an impressive site and requires an advanced EC-driver’s licence for articulated vehicles, which most of the city’s firefighters have.

The 14 000-litre portable dam is one of only three in the country and the first for a local municipality (the others are at West Coast District Municipality and City of Cape Town). The dam is intended as an artificial water source from which a helicopter bucket can scoop water or fire vehicles can be filled. The dam in turn can be filled by the new water tanker or by other fire trucks, depending on where the portable dam is set up. Manufactured from high grade poly-yarn industrial material that can be folded up and transported inside an ordinary trailer, the portable dam’s equipment includes a portable pump, hard suction pipes and valves for filling or emptying the dam water. The water pushes the walls up and the dam readjusts as water empties out (it is not an inflatable). Any water that is not used can be pumped from the dam back into the tanker and reused elsewhere.

“The tanker and dam now become part of a streamlined system in which water can be brought much closer to a fire, and therefore significantly reduce the turnaround time. Instead of having to drive several kilometres to refill one truck, or wasting valuable fuel and water refilling time for choppers, the tanker and portable dam is a sustainable combination solution that will make a significant difference in the first hour of a fire. In firefighting, the first hour is crucial to bring a runaway fire under control, which ultimately increases the chance to save people and property,” said Mr Barnard.

Eyes in the sky
Drone technology is being used for multiple applications, most notably for reconnaissance during fires and rescues in areas that are difficult to access in dense vegetation, mountains, sand dunes and seaside cliffs.

The municipality’s high-tech drone also enables extensive fire risk assessment across the municipal area including footage of naturally inaccessible areas, much of which is on private agricultural and residential land. The department can then take steps to address issues highlighted by assessments such as the issuing of notices to landowners reminding them of their legal responsibility regarding alien vegetation and fire management.

Bush-clearing tractor
A big part of ongoing fire management is the maintenance of permanent firebreaks, which in the 2018 George fires proved very effective in safeguarding residences at the foot of the mountain. George now has a specialised multi-use 4×4 tractor for the clearing of firebreaks, designed to access rugged terrain. It is fitted with a specialised blade in front to scrape roads and a brush cutter (bossiekapper) at the back for cutting grass and fine brush.

Dealing with hazardous materials
A mobile decontamination unit and two hazardous materials suits were introduced in mid-2020 to support the department’s handling of hazardous materials at vehicle accidents and factory fires. The new equipment has the added benefit of protecting firefighters in the unknown possible contaminate situations that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may be associated with.

George Fire Department is often the first responder to vehicle accidents in which trucks had spilt dangerous contents. “The hazmat suit is fire retardant and has its own air supply to protect the firefighter from dangerous fumes and chemicals, which is also very necessary at chemical fires at factories and businesses.

“The decontamination unit is mobile and can be set up at the site to decontaminate personnel attending to the situation, which increases the safety of everyone at the site and reduces the chances of transference.”

Mobile command centre
The municipality is expecting the delivery of a mobile command unit that will be used to manage administration and support on the scene of a crisis, disaster or rescue situation.

The custom-built minibus will be set up with two computerised works stations, radio frequency transceivers and internet access, an electric generator and solar panels, and a fixed camera with live footage capability to allow remote monitoring.

Wilderness fire station
Construction of a satellite fire station in Wilderness, 14km outside George, has commenced. “A satellite station here will ensure quick response to areas characterised by dense vegetation and agricultural land with high fire risk and is close to higher risk structures such as hotels and fuel stations. It is located next to the N2-highway to reduce response time to motor vehicle accidents and is near the Wilderness beach for quick response to beach and water incidents.”

Mr Barnard said the fire department was very grateful to its council for recognising the diverse challenges of firefighting in the George municipal area and for supporting an ongoing plan to address as many aspects as possible in a practical and cost-effective manner. “We continue to see the significant difference it makes in the field every day, which ultimately means the more effective protection of people and property.”

GEORGE FIRE AND RESCUE FLEET
The George Fire and Rescue Fleet currently comprises:
Two major pumper fire engines for structural and vehicle accident fires.
One medium pumper fire engine for structural and vehicle accident fires.
One 7000-litre water tanker for back-up water during firefighting operations.
One 34 000-litre water tanker for extended water supply where there are no hydrants.
Two 4×4 bakkie skid unit with 500-litre water tank for quick response to small fires.
Two 4×4 Unimog 2000-litre bush pumpers for tough terrain and fires in informal areas.
One 4×4 Iveco 3000-litre bush pumper truck for tough terrain and fires in informal areas.
One dedicated rescue bakkie for vehicle accidents and other rescue situations.
One response vehicle bakkie for command response for officers.
One service bakkie and a sedan for personnel transfer and general use.

(Article published in Estate Living platform for luxury estates in Autumn 2021.)