Notice Archive

The date of the planned water outage was changed due to rainy weather on the initial date.
Change of date: Planned water outage R102 area next to Marshmallow Café.

Transnet invites Black-owned Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to take advantage of a suite of development programmes designed to strengthen capability, unlock market access, and drive long-term business sustainability.

Whether your business operates in supply chain, maritime services, manufacturing, engineering, or quality management, these programmes are tailored to support your growth journey, from improving operational efficiency and technical expertise to enhancing export readiness and achieving internationally recognised certifications.

What you can expect across the programmes: – Business and operational capability development – Industry-specific technical training and support – Market access and growth opportunities – Compliance and quality standards alignment – Continuous mentorship and improvement guidance.

📅 Applications close: 22 April 2026 at 16:00. Scan the QR codes to explore each offering in detail, including full programme information, eligibility, and application links.

For more information, visit: https://url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/N_nhCMjKY1t2G6WPQCwfXT8Pb1O?domain=transnet.22onsloane.co

#TransnetESD #SMMEDevelopment #EnterpriseDevelopment #SupplierDevelopment

The Mobile Thusong Outreach Programme scheduled for 17 April 2026 at Lawaaikamp Community Hall has been postponed to 27 May 2026.
The postponement is due to a potential march in the Lawaaikamp/Borcherds area, following a request from stakeholder organisations, and is in the interest of public safety.
The next outreach session will proceed on 23 April 2026 at Rosemoor Community Hall. The programme offers access to Community Development services, EPWP registration and enquiries, business support, jobseeker database registration, and other services.
For enquiries, contact Community Development Offcies on 044 802 2000 or 072 692 1880.
The Municipality apologises for any inconvenience and thanks the community for its understanding.

George Municipality has an obligation in terms of Section 152 of the South African Constitution to promote a safe and healthy environment and reminds all property owners and developers that building plan approval must be obtained before construction begins. This aligns with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977).

1. Why Building Plan Approval Is Required

The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act requires submission of building plans to and approval by the Municipality before any construction work commences.

Approval is necessary to ensure:

• Structural safety of the building;
• Compliance with zoning and building line requirements;
• Protection of neighbouring property and assets;
• Proper drainage and stormwater management;
• Compliance with health, ventilation, lighting and fire safety standards (SANS 10400);
• Controlled and lawful development within the municipal area.

Construction without approved plans renders the owner of the property liable as it may result in unsafe structures, legal disputes, additional costs, and enforcement action.

1. How to Obtain Building Plan Approval

Step 1 – Prepare Building Plans

Building plans must be prepared in accordance with the National Building Regulations. Where required, a registered architectural professional must be appointed by the owner to prepare and submit the plans.  Your appointed architect is your advisor and shares the obligation to ensure compliance of your development with the requirements of the National Building Regulations.

Step 2 – Submit Application

The completed application, together with required drawings and supporting documents as prescribed in the Act, must be submitted to the Building Control Section via the prescribed submission process.Step 3 – Municipal Assessment
The Municipality assesses the plans to ensure compliance with:

• The National Building Regulations;
• SANS 10400;
• The Zoning Scheme Bylaw; and
• Other applicable municipal by-laws and legislation (including environmental law and heritage legislation).

Step 4 – Notify of Commencement

In terms of Regulation A22 of the National Building Regulations, the owner must notify the Building Control Office before commencing construction.  This serves to ensure that required inspections are carried out at the prescribed stages.  Failure to request inspections may delay the issuing of a Certificate of Occupancy and incur additional costs toward certification of compliance with the prescribed codes and standards.

1. Permissions

In terms of section 7(6) of the National Building Regulations, the local authority may grant provisional authorization to an applicant to commence or proceed with the erection of a building prior the approval of a building plan application.

This approval may be granted upon receipt of a written request of the applicant directed to the Manager Building Control and may be subjected to such conditions as the local authority may think fit.

In addition to the documents required for the standard building plan application, the following documents may be required for consideration of a request for commencement of construction:

• Land Surveyor Beacon and Placement certificates indicating the cadastral boundaries of the property as well as the placement of the buildings in relation to these boundaries.
• Structural Engineers rational assessment/report confirming the structural integrity of the “as-built” structures.
• Competent person’s rational assessment/report, confirming compliance in terms of the National Building Regulations of the “as-built” structure.

1. Tariffs and Penalties

Building plan application fees are determined annually and approve by Council in accordance with the approved Tariff Policy.  Where construction commences before plans are submitted and approved:

• The applicable application fee will include an additional tariff.
• This is not a fine, but an approved municipal tariff.
• The purpose of the additional tariff is to discourage unlawful commencement of construction.

1. Reduced Fees and Waivers

The Municipality recognises that many households are affected by financial constraints. Therefore:

• In subsidised housing areas, or where the owner qualifies as indigent, application fees are reduced in accordance with Council policy.
• Verified indigent households may qualify for a waiver of the penalty tariff.
• Owners may approach the Building Control Office for guidance on how to apply for such relief.

Each case is assessed in accordance with its unique merits and guided by Council policy.  Note that if acted on poor advice by your builder, architect, political leaders, friends or unauthorized officials to proceed within out approved building plans, this will not be regarded as sufficient merit for a waiver.

1. Important Reminder

Owners and developers are strongly advised not to commence with construction prior to obtaining building plan approval.

Starting construction without approval compels the Municipality to act in accordance with the prescripts of the NBR and may result in:

• Stop-work orders;
• Compliance notices;
• Additional costs;
• Reporting of unscrupulous contractors and architects to their oversight bodies; and
• Delays in occupation.

Plan your project well in advance to allow for sufficient time for the preparation and approval of the building plans.  Commence with the construction within 12 months from the date of approval to prevent lapsing of the approved plan.

1. Legislation determines:

Whether property owner, citizen, employee of state, contractor or politician – we are all subjected to the legislation of our Country.  With regards to construction activities, specific reference is made to:

• A25(9) of the National Building Regulations determines that – Where any building is being or has been erected and any contravention of these regulations other than those relating to matters referred to in sub-regulation (4) or (5) has been committed, the local authority shall serve a notice on the owner of such building.
• In terms of the Architectural Profession Act 44 of 2000, Architects are required in terms of rule 6.3 of their code of conduct to – comply with the National Building Regulations and Standards Act 103 of 1977, Town     Planning Schemes, National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 and any other built environment laws or any other applicable law governing the works.
• In Section 119. (1) of the Municipal Systems Act that – A councillor who attempts to influence the municipal manager or any other staff member or an agent of a municipality not to enforce an obligation in terms of this Act, any other applicable legislation or any by-law or a decision of the council of the municipality, is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.

The responsibility to ensure development on property conforms with safety standards starts with the property owner and the Municipality has an obligation to hold the owner accountable for their actions.  Owners are encouraged to consult with the Building Control office before following advice that will result in non-compliance with the legislation of the Country and Municipal Bylaws.  The George Municipality seeks to work with property owners to ensure their construction project  remains a source of excitement and accomplishment and invite owners to visit us at our offices at 46 Market Street George or contact us at Email: jjlabuschagne@george.gov.za / ekoeberg@george.gov.za

Telephone: 044 801 9370

The official Western Cape fire season will end on 30 April 2026 and landowners and custodians in possession of controlled burn permits are allowed to perform burns with the usual safety requirements as of 1 May 2026.

Permit applicants are requested to contact the department by phone or email (information below) to make the necessary arrangements. The last allowable date for controlled burns this year will be 30 November 2026. Please note that this date is subject to change.

The municipality would prefer that only controlled burns for agricultural purposes – such as clearing fields for re-growth – take place and request landowners who are using fire to reduce biomass to consider alternatives such as chipping.

• A controlled burn permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue but may not be used during the official fire season which is determined by Western Cape Disaster Management.

• On the day of the planned controlled burn, the permit holder must phone the fire station for permission to light the controlled burn. Permission may be withheld if the Fire Index for the day is too high.

• Controlled burns must occur Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays, and all fires must be extinguished by 16h00 daily.

• Permits will not be issued inside the urban edge (among residential areas).

• The municipality appeals to the public to always be fire aware, no matter the time of the year.

• Please always exercise extreme caution, make fires in protected and designated areas only, and dispose of cigarette butts safely.

• Burning of garden refuse in residential areas is illegal.
Fire Emergencies must be reported to 044 801 6311.

For enquiries phone 044 801 6360
Email: Acting Fire Chief Johan Brand at jbrand@george.gov.za