Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality invites public comment on new Municipal Health By-law

 For immediate release
02 September 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) will publish its updated Municipal Health By-law for public comment, following approval by Council on 31 August 2026 to advertise the draft document for a 30-day period.

The By-law, which regulates municipal health services across the district, is being updated for the first time since 2018 to bring it in line with changes to the National Norms and Standards for Environmental Health.

It covers key health functions including water quality monitoring, food control, waste management, health surveillance of premises, communicable disease control, vector control, environmental pollution control, disposal of the dead, and chemical safety.

The draft by-law will be published in the Provincial Government Gazette and local media for a 30-day comment period.

The clear objective of this by-law, as adopted by Council, is to regulate matters within the municipality’s powers. “Activities that can create a risk to people’s health or create a public-health nuisance may be regulated. The By-law sets the rules for protecting public health in our communities,’ said Johan Compion, Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control at GRDM.

Residents across the district’s seven local municipalities namely George, Oudtshoorn, Kannaland, Hessequa, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Bitou, will also have the opportunity to form part of the public participation sessions held in towns throughout the district from 8 to 30 September 2026.

“Public participation is a vital part of this process. This by-law exists to protect the health and wellbeing of every resident in the Garden Route district, and we want communities to make their contributions before it is finalised,” said Compion.

The By-Law is still a draft and comments from the public will contribute to a final document that aim to:

• Protect public health;
• Promote safe business practices;
• Prevent environmental health risks;
• Ensure compliance with national standards;
• Improve quality of life; and
• Clarify responsibilities of owners and occupiers.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft by-law and submit comments during the consultation period.

Public participation dates (by town):

• George: Uniondale (8 Sept), Pacaltsdorp (18 Sept), Thembalethu (16 Sept), Conville (17 Sept), Blanco (22 Sept), Touwsranten (28 Sept)
• Oudtshoorn: Dysselsdorp (22 Sept), De Rust (28 Sept), Toekomsrus (21 Sept)
• Kannaland: Ladismith (29 Sept), Calitzdorp (30 Sept)
• Hessequa: Riversdale (15 Sept), Heidelberg (17 Sept), Slangrivier (22 Sept), Albertinia/Gouritsmond (25 Sept), Stilbaai/Melkhoutfontein (29 Sept)
• Mossel Bay: Mossel Bay: Great Brak River, KwaNonqaba (16 Sept)
• Knysna: Hornlee, Sedgefield, Rheenendal (all 15 Sept)
• Bitou/Plettenberg Bay: Kranshoek/Harkerville/Fisanthoek (21 Sept), Piesang Valley, Kwanonqutula/Bossiesgif/Queleni/New Horizons (22 Sept), Wittedrift/Green Valley/Keurbooms/Kransbos, Kurland/The Crags/Natures Valley/Cove (23 Sept)

The due date for comments is 2 November 2029, as public participation helps ensure that the final by-law reflects the needs and realities of our communities. All consultation sessions above will start at 09h00 at the respective venues and dates.

For more information, contact Mr Johan Compion.

JCompion@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: +27 (0)44 803 1525 | +27 (0)82 803 5161

Caption: GRDM IDP Manager, Mercy James, and Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control at GRDM, Johan Compion, during the council meeting.

Click to download the presentation.

Click to download the official notice.

Click to download the public participation dates.

Click to download the by-law document.

END