George Municipality wishes to inform residents and members of the public that normal operations have been restored following the global Microsoft outage earlier today.
All affected municipal systems and services are operational again.
The Municipality apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for their patience and understanding.
George Municipality wishes to inform residents and members of the public that a maintenance project to address sunken grave plots at York Cemetery will commence towards the end of next week.
Over time, grave plots may sink or subside due to factors such as rainfall and insufficient soil coverage immediately after burial. The Municipality has received concerns from members of the public regarding the condition of certain grave plots at York Cemetery.
In response, a team of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers will be deployed to assist with the filling and levelling of sunken grave plots as part of this maintenance initiative.
Families who have queries or concerns regarding the planned work are requested to contact the Municipality as soon as possible, before work commences.
Please direct enquiries to Email bmketane@george.gov.za or Telephone 044 802 2900
Please note that this initiative is a once-off maintenance intervention and does not transfer or replace the ongoing responsibility of families to maintain individual grave plots.
George Municipality appreciates the understanding and cooperation of affected families as it undertakes this work to improve the general condition and appearance of York Cemetery.
George Municipality wishes to inform residents and members of the public of a temporary disruption to certain municipal services following a widespread global outage affecting Microsoft products and services, including Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and other Microsoft applications.
The outage may affect the Municipality’s ability to access and respond to emails, communicate internally, and process certain service-related requests that rely on these platforms. Consequently, members of the public may experience delays in communication, feedback and the processing of certain municipal enquiries and services.
The Municipality is aware of the situation and is monitoring developments while awaiting the restoration of the affected systems. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this disruption may cause and appeal to the public for patience and understanding during this period.
A further update will be communicated once normal operations have been restored.
In terms of Section 4(1) of the Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 2014) (LUPA), and section 15(1) of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013 (Act 16 of 2013) (SPLUMA), the Premier is required to compile a provincial spatial development framework for the province. Members of the public are invited, in terms of regulation 6(2)(a) of the Western Cape Land Use Planning Regulations, 2015, and section 15(6)(b) of SPLUMA, to submit written comments or representations on the draft WCSDF.
The draft WCSDF 2035 is the Western Cape Government’s primary spatial policy framework and seeks to promote an inclusive, spatially just and sustainable Province. It gives spatial expression to national and provincial development priorities and contains a spatial diagnosis of the province, a long-term spatial development vision, spatial policy priorities, and an implementation arrangement aimed at: strengthening coordinated spatial development and investment, addressing opportunities and challenges that extend across municipal boundaries, and facilitating resilient regional development.
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) will present the draft WCSDF 2035 in each district, discuss its implications and receive feedback from municipalities, members of the public and stakeholders.
The proposed engagement for the Garden Route District is as follows:
16 November 2026
10:00 – 13:00
Rosemoor Hall, George
The draft WCSDF 2035 will be open for public comment from 6 November 2026 to 29 January 2027. Comments must be emailed to psdf@westerncape.gov.za by 29 January 2027; enquiries may be directed to Mr Themba Mnisi, using the same email address or on 021 483 4796, weekdays 07:30–16:00. Hard copies are available by prior arrangement on weekdays 09:00–16:00 at the regional or district offices.
Garden Route District Municipality (DEA&DP George office)
4th Floor, York Park Building, 93 York Street, George, 6529
Mr Riaan Thomson
Tel: 044 814 2023/044 805 8611
Riaan.Thomson@westerncape.gov.za
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yavcj9yz
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:
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 9370 or email building.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.
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:
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:
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!
