MEDIA RELEASE: George Municipality’s Proactive Approach to River Management
In the photo: Meulen River. Images by Zutari
The George Municipality is taking proactive steps to protect its watercourses and critical infrastructure through the development of River Management Plans (RMPs). The RMPs are being developed to guide the Municipality’s actions to ensure the sustainable management of its most vulnerable river systems.
The RMPs have two objectives:
3. To facilitate efficient maintenance of existing infrastructure along the watercourses; and
4. To improve the ecological functioning of the waercourses and enhance the ecosystem services benefits that the watercourses provide through targeted interventions.
The RMPs are being developed for the Gwaing, Schaapkop and Meulen Rivers, with plans to expand to other rivers in the future. An important component of the RMPs is the Maintenance Management Plan (MMP), which is a regulatory document established to comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations of 2014, as amended. The MMPs document the actions the George Municipality will adhere to when undertaking maintenance of existing infrastructure in the watercourses to mitigate negative environmental impacts.
Acting Director of Human Settlements, Planning and Development in the George Municipality, Delia Power, highlighted the importance of these plans in managing municipal infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and stormwater systems, which are located within these watercourses.
“The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations require extensive assessments, which can be time-consuming and costly and can delay the maintenance and replacement of municipal infrastructure in these watercourses. The RMPs provide a structured framework that allows the municipality to undertake specific maintenance activities without the need for a full EIA in respect of applicable listed activities,” said Power.
She further explained that holistic RMMPs will help maintain and improve the condition of the subject rivers by reducing negative environmental impacts, preserving ecosystem services, and preventing further degradation.
Infrastructure and Implementation
The successful implementation of the RMPs will require interdepartmental collaboration within the Municipality. The following responsibilities have been identified for each Directorate:
• Civil Engineering Services: Planning and maintenance of municipal infrastructure within the watercourses.
• Human Settlements, Planning and Development: Provide support to technical departments to ensure compliance with the MMPs. Undertake project preparation and implementation of river health improvement projects. Secure river buffer zones from incompatible development and act on transgressions.
• Community Services: Implement invasive species management. Maintain open spaces and support ecosystem restoration efforts.
Environmental Officer Lauren Josias confirmed that applications for the adoption of RMMPs in the three watercourses have been submitted to the Competent Authority, with a public participation process set to begin soon. “Internal workshops will also be conducted with key departments, and efforts are underway to coordinate responsibilities, identify priority areas, and explore potential funding sources for implementation,” Josias said.
The George Municipality remains committed to proactively managing its watercourses while balancing infrastructure and environmental needs. “The River Maintenance Management Plans will ensure that George remains proactive in protecting its rivers to ensure the continued and improved provision of ecosystem services in a changing landscape and climate,” said Josias.
