Notice Archive

Due to the current wet conditions and overcapacity at the landfill site, the facility will be temporarily closed for four hours today for safety reasons.

This temporary closure will allow the bulldozer to clear the area and create safe access for both residents and vehicles.

The site will reopen at 12:00 pm.

We kindly request that residents return after 12:00 pm to help ensure:

* Safe access to the site
* Prevention of vehicles becoming stuck in the mud
* Safe operating conditions for all users and staff

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

George Municipality advises the public that some municipal services are still temporarily unavailable due to storm-related damage.

REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC
• Worker Collection Point – 12 Industrial Street
• BLANCO MVR – Open to the public
• Wilderness Tourism Offices
• EPWP Database Offices

INTERMITTENT TELEPHONE/ INTERNET SERVICE
The service provider is attending to all issues to ensure connectivity and telephone access to the following departments:

1. Social Development Offices – Telephone lines are active.
2. Landfill Site Transfer Station – Telephone lines are active.
3. Pacaltsdorp Library – No internet access. Telephone lines remain down.
4. George Library – No internet or telephone connectivity available.
5. Blanco Library – No internet access.
6. Touwsranten Library – Intermittent internet access.
7. Waboomskraal Library – No internet connection.
8. Haarlem – No internet connection.
9. Thembalethu Library – Internet connectivity restored; telephone lines remain down.

GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS
Switchboard: 044 801 9111 (07:45 – 16:30)
General public queries (non-emergency): gmun@george.gov.za

REPORTING MUNICIPAL ISSUES
Residents are encouraged to report non-emergency municipal-related issues via the My Smart City – George App or by emailing gmun@george.gov.za which provide a reference for your fault.

My Smart City – George App can be downloaded via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or via www.mysmart.city. Residents may also scan the QR code printed on their municipal statement.

George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during this challenging period.

The Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department exists to protect the public by making sure that buildings and land uses are safe and lawful in terms of national standards and code. Enforcement is not punitive but serves as a warning to owners and developers that their activities may present a risk to residents, their homes and municipal services and demands measure to safeguard against such risks. This can be achieved partly by ensuring compliance with national legislation and municipal by-laws, which apply equally to all property, whether private or public.

The process ensures that owners take measures to ensure that buildings are structurally sound and safe to occupy, that they comply with norms and standards, and that people do not damage services such as water, sewer and electricity lines. Unauthorised building can cause damage to a person’s own property, their neighbour’s property, and critical municipal infrastructure.

How enforcement works
Enforcement takes place in three main ways:
• Complaints received from members of the public
• Routine area inspections and surveys
• Monitoring compliance with approved building plans and land use approvals

When a contravention is detected, the matter is registered and assigned to a case officer for investigation which starts with a desktop investigation to confirm whether authorizations are in place and assess the potential risks based on digital data at their disposal.

If needed, an inspection is conducted. Inspections are conducted lawfully in terms of section 15(1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, which authorises officials to enter land or buildings at reasonable times to assess compliance. It is preferred that the owners are present during the inspection to engage about possible means to rectify the issue.

What happens if there is non-compliance?
If non-compliance is identified:
• The owner is informed; and
• A formal notice is issued explaining the contravention and the steps that can be taken to rectify.

The notice usually gives the owner options, which may include:
• Submitting the required application
• Removing the unlawful structure
• Stopping the unauthorised activity

The municipality does not impose penalties immediately. Several notices (typically up to three) are issued to give property owners reasonable opportunity to respond and make use of the available options. Property owners are encouraged to contact the department for guidance and assistance in resolving the matter.
Where an owner is clearly taking steps to rectify the issue, the municipality is open to granting an extension of time to comply, provided the activity does not pose a risk to life, property or essential services.

Fines, legal action and misinformation
Legal action is considered only as a last resort, after repeated failure to cooperate and remedy non-compliance. Litigation is not preferred, as it can be costly and time-consuming for both the municipality and the property owner.

If attempts to secure voluntary compliance are unsuccessful, a section 56 notice (which would include a fine and/or a requirement to appear in court) may be issued in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. This still provides the individual with a further opportunity to make representations to the court.

It is also important to correct misinformation. Contrary to statements circulating on social media, the municipality does not impose a blanket fine of R6 000 for structures such as tool sheds. Any fines or penalties are determined through the proper legal process and depend on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Why compliance benefits everyone
The municipality has a legal and ethical duty to ensure that development is safe, orderly and lawful, for the benefit of all residents. Unchecked and unsafe building work can overload services, damage infrastructure, increase the risk of fires or structural failure, and incur costs that must ultimately be carried by law-abiding ratepayers.

Enforcement of bylaws is therefore a key element of good governance. It protects the rights and interests of all affected parties and is applied fairly and consistently, with multiple opportunities given to property owners to comply. It is not an instrument of “oppression”, but a regulated system designed to uphold the law, protect public safety and infrastructure, and allow residents the opportunity to regularise any non-compliance.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department directly at 044 801 9171 for assistance, clarification or support in regularising any structures or land use activities.
Report suspected activities to mhwelman@george.gov.za, smoshani@george.gov.za or use the MySmartCity app to log a complaint by downloading the app on www.mysmart.city

Please be advised that an unplanned power outage has occurred in the Hoekwil area after a resident cut down a tree which fell onto the main power line.

Technical teams are attending to the matter and work is underway to restore power as soon as possible.

Residents are kindly reminded to exercise extreme caution when cutting or trimming trees near electrical infrastructure.

SERIOUS DANGER OF CUTTING TREES NEAR POWER LINES
Cutting or trimming trees and shrubs near power lines is extremely dangerous and can lead to extended power outages for your area, fires, and serious safety risks for you and your neighbors.

Do not take any chances. Before starting any tree work or hiring a tree cutting service, always check for overhead electrical lines.

If power lines are in the vicinity of your planned work and could be affected, contact George Municipality Electrotechnical Services immediately during office hours at the numbers below.
An official will come out to inspect the area and determine if it’s safe to proceed. If the tree cutting is considered too risky, the municipality will arrange to shut down the electricity and handle the tree removal safely.

Please contact us at least 48 hours prior. Your call will be logged, and you will receive a reference number.

If you notice any trees or vegetation on municipal property that could pose a risk to electrical lines, report it right away. Provide your name, contact information, and the location of the potential hazard.

Your safety and the safety of others is our top priority. Thank you for taking this matter seriously and for your cooperation.

Contact Information:
Office hours: 044 801 9222 or 044 803 9222
After-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300

George Municipality advises the public that some municipal facilities and services are temporarily unavailable due to storm-related damage.

CLOSED FACILITIES
• Worker Collection Point – 12 Industrial Street – operating from 4th floor, Main Municipal Building.

REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC
• BLANCO MVR – Open to the public
• Wilderness Tourism Offices
• EPWP Database Offices

INTERMITTENT TELEPHONE/ INTERNET SERVICE
The service provider has resolved all known issues with regard to telephone system.
1) Landfill Site and Social Development Offices -currently no internet or telephone connectivity available.
2. Pacaltsdorp Library – No Internet Access.
3. George Library – No internet or telephone connectivity available.
4. Blanco Library – No internet
5. Touwsranten Library –Intermittent Internet Access
6. Waboomskraal Library – No internet connection.
7. Haarlem Internet – No internet connection.
8. Thembalethu Library – Internet connectivity restored. Telephone lines remain down.

GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS
Switchboard: 044 801 9111 (07:45 – 16:30)
General public queries (non-emergency): gmun@george.gov.za

REPORTING MUNICIPAL ISSUES
Residents are encouraged to report non-emergency municipal-related issues via the My Smart City – George App or by emailing gmun@george.gov.za which provide a reference for your fault.

My Smart City – George App can be downloaded via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or via www.mysmart.city. Residents may also scan the QR code printed on their municipal statement.

George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during this challenging period.

Please see progress on areas mentioned below as well as updates for the day:

Residents are advised that the Electrical Engineering Services Directorate is aware of additional areas and individual properties that are still without electricity. These will be attended to as resources become available.

Please take note: Residents are kindly requested not to report single-house complaints as area complaints in an attempt to get processed first.

Following the severe weather conditions experienced earlier this week, as well as flooding during the previous week, municipal electrical teams initially focused on restoring high-voltage and medium-voltage networks to ensure that critical infrastructure remained operational.
To date, more than 90% of George’s electricity supply has been restored.

The Electrical Engineering Services Directorate continues to operate in six operational zones, each under the supervision of a Senior Superintendent, to address multiple low-voltage outages.
Members of the public are urged to treat all power lines as live at all times.

PROCESS FOLLOWED WHERE TREES HAVE FALLEN ON POWER LINES
The line is isolated.
The tree is cut and removed.
Damaged poles are replaced.
Conductors are restrung and secured.
The line is re-energised.
Please note that the restoration and re-energising process can take several hours.
George Municipality is aware of a high number of low-voltage complaints affecting individual houses and streets. These are being attended to systematically by the various teams.
Residents who have reported outages and received reference numbers can be assured that their complaints are receiving attention. Unfortunately, no estimated times of restoration (ETRs) can be provided for all individual complaints.

RESTORATION PLAN FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW – 17 May and 18 May
Heatherlands: Myrtle Street between Erica str and Langenhoven – planned restoration tomorrow
Heather Park: Western side of Cypress, David Murry and Fir Streets progressing well – work is ongoing – planned restoration tonight
Heather Park – Eastern side of Cypress to attended to in the week
Blanco, Montagu Street between Maitland and Voortrekker Streets – repairs ongoing
Rosemoor: Miller Street (9 houses affected) – planned restoration for tomorrow
Saasveld line: medium voltage line – repairs ongoing
Wilderness Mainline: Portions of Wilderness Heights, Heights Road delayed yesterday, will be restored today
Wilderness Heights Taaibos Road affects (40 customers) and Remskoen Street and Map of Africa (restoration has started this evening). Once this area is energised, the team will move to Hoekwil and restoration is expected tonight
Hoekwil – Bitou Road – restoration expected tonight
Hoekwil – Seesig – restoration expected tonight
Victoria Bay: M. Lammers Antiques, Vodacom tower and Overdale B&B. Excavation and medium-voltage repairs in progress. No ETR available.
Geelhoutboom area: Modderrivier line switched off for reconnecting back to the main feeder line. Etr is around 20:00. Strawberry Farm(small portion of cold storage affected) will also be fully restored tonight.
Herold’s Bay line: Elvis blue farms and other farming areas still progressing but delayed to unforeseen circumstances – repairs still ongoing
Pacaltsdorp: Beach Street to Hayden Street and parts of Heather Street. Teams still on site – Work progressing
Thembalethu: Bhushwa Street – repairs to continue tomorrow
Thembalethu: Ndyawa Street – no access where fault is – work to continue in week

FULLY RESTORED
New Dawn Park: Portions of Primrose
Sandkraal Road (Nelson Mandela Boulevard), Gongo Street, Hendricks Street, Dube Village and Silvertown
Thembalethu: 15th Street
Blanco, De Rus
Blanco, Golden Valley – Robyn Crescent
Tshona Khona Informal Settlement
Thembalethu: Zone 5 and Vukhuthu Street restored
Thembalethu Zone 3
Bo Dorp: Pollie Gerber
Pine Dew: Entire area
Rosemoor: Spandiel Street
Rosemoor: Canary Street
Blanco: Maitland Street
New Dawn Park: Aaron Street
Glenwood line behind the school, Saasveld, Nelson Mandela University
Zone 8, Thembalethu: Endameni, affecting approximately 470 households, including 14th and 16th Streets, as well as Hendricks Street
Thembalethu: France and Johannes Street
Parts of Hoekwil: Touw River Road, Duif Street, portions of Hoekwil Main Road, Church Road, Denne, Outeniqua, Bergsig, and portion of Hoekwil Main Road and Duiwerivier Ave – 13 customers
Heatherlands: George Road and Witpeer Street
Blanco:Napier Street
Vloksie and Violet Streets
Hammanskraal
Beukes Pump Station
Cornish Street
Arum area
Heatherlands

CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone lines are currently experiencing exceptionally high call volumes. If your call is not answered immediately, please remain patient. The system operates on a call-waiting basis. Calls may also drop occasionally due to broader network congestion affecting the George area.
Members of the public are encouraged to report power outages or live cables via the following channels:
Email: gmun@george.gov.za
(a reference number will be issued)
After-hours and emergencies: 044 801 6300
Customer Care: 044 801 9202 / 044 801 9258 / 044 801 9222 / 044 803 9200
My Smart City App
George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation while teams continue to restore electricity supply across the municipal area.

All repairs done in De Rus, Blanco today and energised.

Main line being pulled and strained in Pacaltsdorp between Beach Road and Haydn Streets and parts of Heather Street. Work is progressing.

Teams working in Montagu Street, Blanco

Teams working in Montagu Street, Blanco