Notice Archive

George Municipality wishes to inform all dog owners that to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all our beaches, it is imperative to enforce strict rules of NO DOGS ON BEACHES (SAND AREAS) that is in line with the Municipality’s By-law, Keeping of dogs, cats and animals.

Wilderness Beach, Herold’s Bay and Victoria Bay have full Blue Flag status and Leeintjiesklip has Pilot status for the 2026 festive season. Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. The Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) implements the programme in South Africa. The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 January 2027.

Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of our beaches – even if the dog poop excrement is picked up. Dog owners are therefore warned to keep dogs on a leash and off the sandy areas at the beaches. Law enforcement officers will not hesitate to act against those who do not adhere to the by-laws.

Further to this By-Law no dog or other animal may be in any public street or public space (any open public space the public has access to which falls under the George Municipal jurisdiction for example beachfronts, parks, sports fields and sidewalks) except on a leash and under control. This is unless the animal is in an area designated by the George Municipality as a free-running area.

A person is not allowed to walk a dog other than a guide dog, ON A BEACHFRONT, a public street, public place, without carrying enough plastic or paper bags or wrappers, to place the excrement into, in the event of the dog defecating. Please note that dogs are allowed on the sidewalk areas, (tarred, brick-paved etc.) of beachfronts, if these conditions are adhered to.

The beach areas under the control of the George Municipality include Herold’s Bay, Gwaiing River Mouth Beach, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip and Wilderness beach areas up until the NSRI (Salina’s Restaurant). The area to the left of Salina’s Restaurant (facing the sea) falls under Sanparks. The attached map indicates the areas on Wilderness Beach where dogs MAY be walked on the beach. The George Municipal By-Law may differ from that of other municipalities. Dogs must be muzzled in the dog-friendly zone otherwise a fine may be imposed.

Animal owners leaving on vacation should please ensure that their animals are cared for by a reliable person or at an animal boarding facility such as kennels or catteries.

We ask dog owners to familiarise themselves with the attached map of Sanparks to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where they are not.

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Honde op strande (sandgebied) is nadelig vir Blouvlagstatus – ons versoek u samewerking!

George Munisipaliteit wil alle honde-eienaars in kennis stel dat om aan die Blouvlag internasionale standaarde by al ons strande te voldoen, dit noodsaaklik is om streng reëls van GEEN HONDE OP STRANDE (SANDGEBIEDE) af te dwing wat in lyn is met die Munisipaliteit se Bywet, Aanhou van honde, katte en diere.

Wildernisstrand, Heroldsbaai en Victoriabaai het volle Blouvlagstatus en Leeintjiesklip het status vir die 2026-feesseisoen. Blouvlag is ‘n internasionale kusbestuursprogram wat strande akkrediteer wat aan standaarde van uitnemendheid in watergehalte, omgewingsbestuur, omgewingsopvoeding en inligting sowel as veiligheid en dienste voldoen. In Suid-Afrika word die program deur die Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) geïmplementeer. Die Blouvlagseisoen strek van 1 Desember 2026 tot 31 Januarie 2027.

Honde-ontlasting kan die water besoedel en die Blouvlagstatus van ons strande in gedrang bring – selfs al word die honde-afval opgetel. Honde-eienaars word dus gewaarsku om honde aan ‘n leiband en van die sanderige gebiede by die strande af weg te hou. Wetstoepassingsbeamptes sal nie huiwer om op te tree teen diegene wat nie by die Verordening hou nie.

Ingevolge hierdie Verordening mag geen hond of ander dier in enige openbare straat of openbare ruimte wees (enige oop openbare ruimte waartoe die publiek toegang het en wat onder die George Munisipale jurisdiksie val, byvoorbeeld strandfronte, parke, sportvelde en sypaadjies) behalwe aan ‘n leiband en onder beheer. Dit is tensy die dier in ‘n gebied is wat deur die George Munisipaliteit as ‘n vrylopende gebied aangewys is.

‘n Persoon word nie toegelaat om met ‘n ander hond behalwe ‘n gidshond, OP ‘N STRAND, ‘n openbare straat, openbare plek, te loop sonder om genoeg plastiek- of papiersakke of omhulsels te dra, om die ontlasting in te plaas, in die geval die hond ontlas nie. Neem asseblief kennis dat honde op die sypaadjie-gebiede, (geteer, baksteen geplaveide ens.) van strandfronte toegelaat word, indien hierdie voorwaardes nagekom word.

Die strandgebiede onder beheer van die George-munisipaliteit sluit in Heroldsbaai, Gwaiingriviermondstrand, Victoriabaai en die Leentjiesklip- en Wildnerness-strandgebiede tot by die NSRI (Salina’s Restaurant). Die gebied links van Salina’s Restaurant (wat na die see kyk) val onder Sanparke.

Die George Munisipale Verordening kan verskil van dié van ander munisipaliteite. Snoer asseblief jou hond op ‘n menslike manier,om die hond onder beheer te hou, indien die dier as gevaarlik, boosaardig of wreed beskou word. Geen diere moet in ‘n onbewaakte en/of toe voertuig of oop bakkie in enige openbare straat of ruimte gelaat word nie. Indien hierdie verordening nie nagekom word nie, kan en sal ‘n boete van R500 en hoër opgelê word.

Diere-eienaars wat met vakansie vertrek, moet asseblief seker maak dat hulle hul diere deur ‘n betroubare persoon of by ‘n diere-instapfasiliteit soos honde-herberg of katte-herberg versorg word.

Ons vra honde-eienaars om hulself te vergewis van ‘n kaart van Sanparke wat aangeheg is, om te sien waar honde op strande toegelaat word en waar nie.

Residents, developers and building industry professionals are advised that the submission of Building Control-related applications and certain building control services will close temporarily during November and December 2026.

The temporary closures will affect the following services:
• Building plan applications and related submissions: The deadline for submitting new building plan applications for invoicing, requests for pre-checking, amended applications, proof of payment and any other Building Control-related applications is Friday, 20 November 2026. The service will reopen on Monday, 11 January 2027.
• A22 building inspections: Requests for A22 building inspections, including commencement, trench/excavation, demolition, drainage and building completion inspections, will close on Friday, 11 December 2026, and reopen on Monday, 11 January 2027.
• Certificates of Occupancy and Completion Certificates: Official requests received after Friday, 11 December 2026, will only be processed and finalised from Wednesday, 6 January 2027.
Technical staff will remain available for consultations up to and including Wednesday, 23 December 2026.
Please also note that Municipal Offices will close at 12:30 on Thursday, 24 December 2026, and reopen on Monday, 4 January 2027.

Residents and building industry professionals are encouraged to plan accordingly and submit applications and requests well in advance to avoid delays.
For queries, contact Town Planning on 044 801 9477 or email town.planning.complaints@george.gov.za

Public Inspection and Objection Period: 5 November 2026 – 8 January 2027

George Municipality informs all property owners and residents that the 2026 General Valuation Roll has been completed and is available for public inspection from 5 November 2026 until 8 January 2027.

The General Valuation Roll contains the municipal valuations of all registered properties within the Greater George municipal area. These valuations are used as the basis for calculating property rates payable to the Municipality.

CHECK YOUR VALUATION BY 8 JANUARY 2027
Property owners are encouraged to check their valuations and ensure that the information and values assigned to their properties are correct.

• Inspection period: 5 November 2026 – 8 January 2027
• Online access: George Municipality – Valuation Documents
• Objection submissions: george.objections@ddp.co.za
• Property owners can also visit the municipal offices for assistance.

WHY ARE PROPERTIES BEING VALUED?
The Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004 (Act 6 of 2004), requires municipalities to conduct general property valuations to ensure that properties are valued fairly and consistently.
The 2026 General Valuation Roll reflects the market value of properties as at 1 July 2026, regardless of when the valuation is inspected or published.
The valuation process covers approximately 57 000 properties across the Greater George area, including residential, agricultural and commercial properties.

HOW WAS THE VALUATION PROCESS CONDUCTED?
George Municipality appointed DDP Valuers (Pty) Ltd to undertake the general valuation process, using aerial photographs, available property information, physical site visits where required, neighbourhood inspections and an analysis of property market information and comparable sales. These methods were used to assess properties and ensure that valuations reasonably reflect market values as at 1 July 2026.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHECK YOUR PROPERTY VALUATION?
Property owners are encouraged to check their valuations to ensure that the information is correct and that the assigned value reasonably reflects what the property would have sold for on the open market as at 1 July 2026.
An increase in property values in an area does not automatically mean that every property’s valuation has increased correctly. If you believe your property has been incorrectly valued, you have the right to lodge an objection during the prescribed period.
A property’s valuation directly influences the amount of property rates payable. It is therefore important that property owners participate in the process to ensure that their properties are fairly and accurately valued.

HOW WILL THE NEW VALUATION AFFECT MY PROPERTY RATES?
The new General Valuation Roll will be implemented with effect from 1 July 2027 and will be used as the basis for calculating property rates for the 2027/2028 financial year.
Property rates are calculated by multiplying the rateable value of a property by the applicable rate-in-the-rand (cent-in-the-rand) tariff determined by Council.
When the new valuation roll is implemented, the Municipality will consider the overall increase or decrease in property values across the Greater George municipal area when determining the applicable rate-in-the-rand tariffs.

An increase in an individual property’s valuation does not automatically mean that its property rates will increase by the same percentage. Therefore, the property tax payable will not increase by the same percentage as the valuation of the property – the final rate in the Rand is yet to be determined – and will be adjusted to balance the overall impact on property owners.

For example, if a property’s valuation increases by 20%, the rate-in-the-rand tariff may be adjusted to moderate the impact of the higher valuation. However, the actual adjustment will depend on the overall valuation changes, the Municipality’s revenue requirements and the approved annual budget.

The final rate-in-the-rand tariffs for the 2027/2028 financial year have not yet been determined. These will be considered as part of the Municipality’s annual budget process in 2027,  and will be subject to Council approval and public participation.

The actual rates payable by individual property owners will depend on:

• The new valuation assigned to their property.
• The applicable rate-in-the-rand tariff approved by Council.
• The property category and applicable rates policy.
• Any rebates, exemptions or reductions for which the property owner qualifies.

Property owners should therefore note that the new valuation alone does not determine the final monthly rates payable. The approved tariff, together with the new property valuation, will determine the actual amount charged from July 2027.

The Municipality will communicate the approved tariffs and their financial implications once the budget process has been finalised.

HOW LONG WILL THE NEW VALUATION REMAIN IN EFFECT?
The 2026 General Valuation Roll will take effect on 1 July 2027 and remain in force for the prescribed three-year period, subject to supplementary valuations as provided for in the Municipal Property Rates Act.
The rate-in-the-rand tariff, however, is reviewed annually through the Municipality’s budget process. Property rates may therefore change from year to year, even if a property’s valuation remains unchanged. 

WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH MY PROPERTY VALUATION?
If you believe that your property has been incorrectly valued, you have the right to lodge a formal objection during the public inspection and objection period.
An objection should be lodged if you believe that the valuation does not reasonably reflect the market value of your property as at 1 July 2026.

 Objections must:

• Be submitted within the prescribed period, ending 8 January 2027.
• Relate to a specific property and its valuation.
• Clearly state the reasons for disputing the valuation.
• Be submitted via email to george.objections@ddp.co.za.

Supporting evidence, such as comparable property sales, an independent valuation, relevant property details or other information, may be included to substantiate the objection. Objections must relate to an individual property and cannot be lodged against the General Valuation Roll as a whole. Late objections will not be considered, so property owners are encouraged to submit their objections before the closing date of 8 January 2027.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN OBJECTION IS SUBMITTED?
All objections received within the prescribed period will be investigated and considered in accordance with the Municipal Property Rates Act.
Following consideration, the property’s valuation may be confirmed, reduced or increased, and the outcome will be communicated to the objector. Property owners who remain dissatisfied with the outcome may lodge an appeal in accordance with the prescribed legislative process.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?
For assistance or further enquiries regarding the General Valuation Roll and the objection process, please contact:

George Municipality – Valuations Section
Telephone: 044 801 9111
Website: www.george.gov.za

YOUR PROPERTY. YOUR VALUATION. YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.
George Municipality encourages all property owners to take an active interest in the General Valuation Roll. By checking your property’s valuation and raising any concerns within the prescribed period, you contribute towards a fair, accurate and equitable property rating system for the Greater George area.

Make sure you check your valuation before 8 January 2027!

Showcase your products and services at the George Festival 2026 – Culture, Art, and Sport! Businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a stall at selected festival venues on 12, 15 and 16 December 2026. Applications close on 13 November 2026.

Contact Kevin Abrahams on 044 801 9149 or 044 801 9443 for more information.

Please click the link to download the application form:
https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/George-Festival-Application-Form.pdf

George Municipality reminds the public that, due to the high fire risk, the setting off and possession of fireworks, firecrackers, flares, paper lanterns, and other such paraphernalia in the George municipal area is not allowed.

Strict Fireworks Legislation
George has strict firework legislation, and according to the Bylaw on Community Safety, Section 58(13), no person may discharge fireworks outside a designated Fireworks Area. No fireworks area has been designated in George. If someone is caught discharging a firework, a flare, or lighting a Chinese lantern, an immediate fine of R1000 is applicable, as well as a potential charge of arson.

Confiscation Notices
Law Enforcement Services, together with other Role players, would start with the compliance campaign by conducting continuous inspections at shops in all areas.  Confiscation notices and Fines will be issued to non-compliant shops, and confiscated fireworks will be handed over to the SAPS Explosives unit for disposal.

Marine Flares
Setting off marine rocket flares for fun is hugely dangerous and irresponsible. NSRI is compelled to log and investigate every incident in case it is a real emergency, which, of course, takes up their time and valuable resources and, more seriously, could detract from genuine flare sightings. It is also hugely dangerous for those setting off the flares, which, as they are quite costly, we suspect are also probably out of date. Marine guidance notes explain that all old flares need to be disposed of correctly.

Rocket flares degrade with time, and there have been cases where the rocket propellant separates from the parachute, and you are left with an uncontrolled flare, which then comes back down and hits the person who has fired it off.

Enforcement
George Municipality will firmly enforce the applicable by-laws, and Law Enforcement officials will be deployed at various areas and beaches throughout the season to attend to fireworks complaints.

Pets and fireworks
This will hopefully assist in reducing the noise levels and allow people (and their pets) to plan for “noisy” periods, thus allowing for a quieter, safer environment for all concerned. For some pets, especially dogs and cats with particularly noise-sensitive ears, the sound of fireworks can cause intense fear responses. Some pets will go to extremes to hide, others get startled and run away, and general anxiety caused by unexpected loud sounds can have long-lasting effects on animals.

Other impacts of fireworks- did you know?
Bees become so disorientated that they don’t go back to their hives.
Birds have panic attacks at night, causing mass deaths.
Fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris.
Companion animals have anxiety and panic attacks.
Fireworks can also trigger post-traumatic stress Disorder in people.

Please report the illegal setting off of fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report the illegal trade in fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.

FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

TOLL FREE DISASTER NUMBER: (24/07) 0800 424 477
The Safer City Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to receive and log safety-related complaints and incidents.

☎️ 24-Hour Safer City Call Centre Numbers:
044 801 6350
044 801 6310
044 801 6389
Residents are encouraged to report safety-related concerns through the Call Centre, where complaints can be registered and referred to the appropriate service for attention.

📱 Safer City WhatsApp Service
Residents may also submit complaints via WhatsApp.
When submitting a complaint via WhatsApp, please provide:
✅ Full name and surname (anonymous complaints cannot be accepted)
✅ Contact telephone number
✅ Brief description of the complaint or incident
✅ Full address or exact location of the incident
✅ Any relevant photographs or videos

Once all the required information has been received, the complaint will be logged and a reference number will be issued.

⚠️ Please note:
WhatsApp calls are not accepted and cannot be answered.
Voice notes are not monitored and cannot be processed.
All complaints must be submitted in writing via WhatsApp text message.
Complaints will be attended to as operationally feasible and according to operational priorities.
Matters falling under another Municipal Department will be referred to the relevant department.

🚨 FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

The Safer City Call Centre Calls and WhatsApp lines must be used for;
• Law Enforcement-Related Complaints
• Anti-Land Invasion Complaints
• Non-Emergency Safety-Related Complaints
• Municipal Service Delivery Complaints

George Municipality wishes to inform residents that refuse collection services will continue as normal on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, despite the day being declared a public holiday for the Local Government Elections.

Residents are requested to place their refuse out for collection as usual.

The Municipality thanks residents for their cooperation.