Notices

On 25 March 2021 Council approved the new policy for rental of Davidson Court Rental Units, summarised as follows:

– Only new applicants with a joint monthly income of less than R15 000 per month will be considered;
– The rental amount will be calculated based on a sliding scale as per the Social Housing Policy (based on joint monthly income);
– The period of lease will only be for one year (12 months);
– Only two (2) individuals will be allowed in a one-bedroom unit and four (4) individuals in a two-bedroom unit;
– Allocations will be done according to date of application (first come first serve basis);
– There will only be one waiting list for both officials and non-officials of George Municipality; and
– No applicants who currently own property will be considered.

Current occupants will be contacted by the Section: Existing Housing regarding the way forward.

All individuals who have previously applied on the waiting list for Davidson Court Rental Units are requested to complete the attached form (see link below) to update their details before Friday, 30 April 2021. Please ensure that the complete form, with the necessary documents, is handed in at the Section: Existing Housing (Housing Offices next to the Clinic). If not possible to hand deliver, please forward via email to one of the following officials:

WILLENE DARIES – wjdaries@george.gov.za
PETRO BOTHA – pbotha@george.gov.za
SHEEN-WAYNE KIEWITZ – skiewitz@george.gov.za
DOMINIQUE OTGAAR – dotgaar@george.gov.za

For new application forms, please contact Cyrildene Fredericks or Siyamthanda Soga at 044 801 9113/9078 or download from here.

View the full policy and access the data base update form here.

Die konsep begroting vir die 2021/22 finansiële jaar is verlede week ter tafel gelê en het die nuwe tariewe vir elektrisiteit ingesluit. Ek verduidelik hieronder hoe hierdie tariewe bepaal word.

Nersa (“National Energy Regulator of South Africa”) bepaal die verhoging van elektrisiteitspryse wat Eskom aan verbruikers mag deurgee. Die prys waarteen elektrisiteit aan Munisipaliteite (“Muns”) verkoop styg met 17,8%. ‘n Formule word deur Nersa gebruik om die prysstyging wat Muns aan verbruikers kan deurgee, te bepaal. Bedrae vir onderhoud, salarisse en die netto toelaatbare marges op elektrisiteit word in hierdie jaar se verkoopsprys-styging van 14,59% ingereken.

Eskom verskaf dus elektrisiteit aan Muns teen die grootmaat-prys. Muns is dan verantwoordelik om hul eie verspreidingsnetwerk en substasies in stand te hou om hulle huishoudelike- en besigheids- verbruikers van krag te verskaf. Die kostes om elektrisiteit te versprei sluit onder andere die volgende in: onderhoud op kraglyne, transformators, substasies, onderhoudspanne, waardevermindering op toerusting, asook die interne gebruik van krag (vir pompstasies, straatligte, geboue) en behels ongeveer 30% van die totale aankope.

Daar is verskillende tariewe waarteen Eskom krag aan Muns verkoop afhangende van “piek” of “nie-piek” tye vir “winter” en “somer”. Die totale bedrag vir aankope vir die jaar is dus die kilowatt-ure teen die verskillende tariewe. Die Muns moet gevolglik daagliks statistiek hou van hulle aankope en verkope teenoor die verskillende tariewe en wie die verbruikers is.
Om die verkoopspryse te bepaal moet elke Mun die verbruikspatroon ontleed. Nywerhede word teen “time of use” tariewe gehef; “piek”-tariewe is dus baie duurder as ander tye. Die tarief vir verkope aan huishoudings word teen ‘n gemiddelde prys vir die jaar bepaal wat laer is as die hoë “winter-piek” pryse (maw die Mun verkoop teen ‘n verlies) maar wat ook die laer “somer”- en “nie-piek” tye in ag neem.

Ons Mun gebruik tans (2020/21) nog ‘n eenmalige tarief van 206,4 sent per kilowatt-uur sonder BTW (237,3 sent BTW ingesluit) vir alle verkope aan huishoudelike verbruikers (deernis-gevalle betaal minder vir ‘n getal eenhede). Sommige van ons naburige Muns het alreeds ‘n basiese beskikbaarheids-heffing begin toepas waar huishoudings ‘n bedrag van byvoorbeeld R50 (of R100) per maand betaal voordat hulle kilowatt-uur eenhede aankoop. Die aanvanklike blok eenhede wat aangekoop word sal dan goedkoper wees as die eenmalige tarief wat George hef maar daarna styg die tarief soos addisionele blokke aangekoop word. Hierdie stelsel word ook die “inclining block tariff” stelsel genoem. George moet nog die besluit neem of die laasgenoemde stelsel in die toekoms ingestel gaan word.

Die verkope van elektrisitiet vir 2021/22 word op R875m beraam (teenoor aankope van R616m) wat 54% van George se inkomste uit kerndienste en belasting verteenwoordig. Hierdie inkomstebron is dus uiters belangrik vir ons hele samelewing.

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The draft budget for the 2021/22 financial year was tabled last week and included the new tariffs for electricity. The Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk, explains below how these rates are determined.

Nersa (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) stipulates the increase in electricity prices that Eskom may pass on to consumers. The price at which electricity is sold to Municipalities (“Muns”) increases by 17.8%. A formula is used by Nersa to determine the price increase that Muns can pass on to consumers. Amounts for maintenance, salaries and the net allowable margins on electricity are included in this year’s sales price increase of 14.59%.

Eskom therefore supplies electricity to Muns at the bulk price. Muns is then responsible for maintaining their own distribution network and substations to power their domestic and business consumers. The costs of distributing electricity include the following: maintenance on power lines, transformers, substations, maintenance teams, depreciation on equipment, as well as the internal use of power (for pump stations, street lights, buildings) and comprises approximately 30% of total purchases .

There are different rates at which Eskom sells power to Muns depending on “peak” or “non-peak” times for “winter” and “summer”. The total amount for purchases for the year is therefore the kilowatt hours at the different rates. The Muns must therefore keep daily statistics of their purchases and sales against the different tariffs and who the consumers are.

To determine the selling prices, each Mun must analyse the consumption pattern. Industries are charged at time of use rates; “Peak” rates are therefore much more expensive than other times. The tariff for sales to households is determined at an average price for the year which is lower than the high “winter-peak” prices (ie the Mun sells at a loss) but which also includes the lower “summer” – and “not peak ”times.

Our Mun currently uses (2020/21) another one-off rate of 206.4 cents per kilowatt hour without VAT (237.3 cents VAT included) for all sales to domestic consumers (indigent consumers pay less for a number of units). Some of our neighbouring Muns have already started applying a basic availability levy where households pay an amount of, for example, R50 (or R100) per month before purchasing kilowatt-hour units. The initial block of units purchased will then be cheaper than the one-time rate charged by George but thereafter the rate will increase as additional blocks are purchased. This system is also called the “inclining block tariff” system. George has yet to decide whether the latter system will be introduced in the future.

Sales of electricity for 2021/22 are estimated at R875m (compared to purchases of R616m) which represents 54% of George’s revenue from core services and taxes. This source of income is therefore extremely important for our entire society.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has confirmed that renewal notices for driving licences and professional driving permits (PrDPs) will no longer be printed and posted, but from 8 March 2021 an online system will activate SMS and email reminders.

This means all driving licence holders whose correct contact details are on the NaTIS online system will in future receive a SMS or email notification on the 1st of the month for a driving licence or professional driving permit that expires at the end of that month (so, if your driving licence or PrDP expires 31 May, you will receive a notification on 1 May).

There will not be a follow-up SMS and no SMS or email will be sent if a driving licence or PrDP has already expired.

An SMS notice will read: Dear XXXXX, Your current Driving License Card expires (expiry date inserted). Visit/contact your nearest DLTC for further assistance. NaTIS Online, kindly visit https://online.natis.gov.za Brought to you by RTMC.

An SMS notice for PrDP will read: Dear XXXXX, Your current PrDP expires (expiry date inserted). Visit/contact your nearest DLTC for further assistance. NaTIS Online, kindly visit https://online.natis.gov.za Brought to you by RTMC.

If there are any outstanding tickets or fines against your name, you will not be able to renew your driving licence until the Enforcement Orders are resolved, which will be so indicated on the SMS or email notification.

An email notification is an electronic version of the Driving License Renewal notice (the one that was previously printed and posted to you) which can be downloaded and printed if need be, and then presented to the cashier to renew your driving license.

Please note YOU DO NOT NEED THE NOTICE TO BE ABLE TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE, it is just a convenient reminder. Your driving license expiry date is indicated on your current driving license card and it is recommended that you diarise the license expiry date in advance to ensure timely renewal. Driving licences are valid for five years from the date of renewal and the owner has three calendar months from the date of expiry on the card to renew the license – however, it is highly recommended that you renew sooner rather than later.

George Municipality Driving Licencing Department:
044 878 2400
Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp
Open weekdays 8am to 3pm
(all people in building by 3pm will be assisted)

The first recorded invasion by Kunzea ericoides in South Africa was recently discovered in Van Riebeeck Gardens, Camphersdrift, George by a Nelson Mandela University research team.

The find was reported to the early detection and rapid response team of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), who arranged for its quick removal. The team also investigated up and downstream for more infection sites but found none so far.

The origin of the infestation is uncertain but is most likely from a nearby residential garden.

Kunzea ericoides, also known as Burgan, kanuka or white teatree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 5m high, and native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand where it grows in a wide range of habitats. It is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The bark is grey and flaky; leaves are aromatic, quite thick, soft, typically 4-12mm long and 1-2mm wide. It can be distinguished from similar species in South Africa by its clusters of flowers and fruits which are borne on long stalks and stamens which are much longer than the petals. Burgan easily invades any habitat containing open forest complexes and proceeds to out-compete other young trees and shrubs, shading out ground layer plants.

It is not currently legislated in South Africa as invasive, but environmental organisations are pushing for its ban from the nursery trade and prioritised for eradication (category 1a under CARA).

Please report presence of Kunzea ericoides in natural areas to the early detection and rapid response team of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Details at www.sanbi.org

Caption: Ashley Baloyi from the early detection and rapid response team of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) on site in Van Riebeeck Gardens where Kunzea ericoides have been detected and eradicated.

Link to George Municipal Ordinary Council 25 March 2021

Construction work is currently taking place on the 4th floor of the Main Municipal Building, 71 York Street and we encourage Building Control customers to please use the online portal, email and or telephone details listed below to make contact until further notice. Updates will be provided on the status of construction

Building plans can be submitted online. See https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/building-control/ for more information.
Building Control General enquiries: 044 801 9019 / 044 801 9370 / 044 801 9166
Request for existing building plans (Registration Department):
Phindiswa Lingani: 044 801 9370 pmlingani@george.gov.za
Sinazo Moshani: 044 801 9019 smoshani@george.gov.za
Musa Dyakop: 044 801 9166 mdyakop@george.gov.za
Status on building plan approvals: Vasti Laws: 044 801 9509 vnlaws@george.gov.za
Andrea Griessel: 044 801 9502 agriessel@george.gov.za
Please contact Building Inspectors directly during office hours:
James Vollenhoven: 076 823 0412
Fuzisa Siguba: 083 949 8651
Illegal activity: Nolan Noemdoe 083 757 3717

PUBLIC NOTICE: DIRECTORATE PLANNING – New email address for Town Planning Complaints

In continued efforts to improve service delivery and promote ease of doing business  the Planning Section of the Directorate: Planning and Development  is pleased to announce that a dedicated, centralised departmental email address has been created in addition to the other official enquiry portals of the municipality where complainants may file their complaints and enquiries regarding suspected illegal land use activities.

The e-mail address, town.planning.complaints@george.gov.za is monitored by designated officials who are tasked with ensuring that complainants receive acknowledgement of their complaint or enquiry and that the complaint is duly uploaded to the centralised electronic complaints register of the municipality, during which process a reference number and case officer will be assigned.

Town Planning information is available at https://www.george.gov.za/town-planning/. The George Municipal mobile application which can be downloaded from https://george.comunity.me/d/george/ to your desktop or cellphone.

Clients are encouraged to only make use of these official portals and refrain from lodging complaints of this nature directly to the e-mail addresses of municipal officials.  The above will take effect and commence as from 01 April 2021.

PUBLIC NOTICE: DIRECTORATE PLANNING – New email address for Building Control Complaints

In order to effectively address complaints lodged with regards to the Building Control Section of the Directorate: Planning and Development, the department has set up a new email address
building.control.complaints@george.gov.za where illegal building activity complaints and complaints related to building plan applications can be lodged. Officials have been designated to monitor the emails received and upload these to the electronic complaints register.

The above is in addition to the complaints / enquiry portals available on the George Municipal mobile application which can be downloaded from https://george.comunity.me/d/george/ to your desktop or cellphone.

The above will take effect and commence as from 1 April 2021. It is requested that no complaints of this nature are lodged directly to municipal officials as of this date.

Building Control information is available at https://www.george.gov.za/planning…/building-control