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Public Notice: Closure of Offices on Thursday, 2 April 2026 at 12h00

CLOSURE OF OFFICES: THURSDAY, 2 APRIL  2026

Notice is hereby given that all the offices of the Garden Route District Municipality will be closed on Thursday  2 April  at 12:00 and re-open on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 07:30.

All emergency services will continue to be rendered during this period. The number 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (WhatsApp too) can be contacted at all hours for such services.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530

Tel:   044 803 1300
Notice number 27/2026

SLUITING VAN KANTORE: DONDERDAG,2 APRIL  2026

Kennisgewing geskied hiermee dat die kantore van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit op Vrydag, 2 April 2026 om 12:00 gesluit sal wees en op Dinsdag 7 April 2026 om 07:30, sal heropen.

Alle nooddienste sal steeds gedurende die tydperk gelewer word.  Indien nodig, kan die nooddiensnommer 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (WhatsApp ook) te enige tyd geskakel word.

MG Stratu
Munisipale Bestuurder
Yorkstraat 54
Posbus 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Kennisgewing nommer 27/2026

UKUVALWA KWEEOFISI: NGOLWESINE, 2  APRIL 2026

Kunikwa isaziso sokuba zonke iiofisi zeGarden Route District Municipality ziza kuvalwa ngoLwesine, umhla wesi-2 kuApril 2026 ngo-12:00 kwaye zivulwe kwakhona ngoLwesibini, umhla wesi-7 ku April 2026 ngo-07:30.

Zonke iinkonzo zongxamiseko ziya kuqhubeka zinikezelwa ngeli xesha. Inombolo 044 805 5071 / 081 709 5193 (nakwi-WhatsApp) inokuqhagamshelwa ngamaxesha onke ukuze ufumane ezo nkonzo.

MG Stratu
UMphathi kaMasipala
54 York Street
P.O. Box 12
GEORGE
6530

Umnxeba: 044 803 1300
Inombolo yesaziso 27/2026

1 April 2026 Public Notice: Draft Amended 2022-2027 IDP, Draft 2026/2027 Medium Term Revenue & Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget – Open for Comment

Notice 20/2026

Draft Amended 2022-2027 IDP, Draft 2026/2027 Medium Term Revenue & Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget

Open for Comment

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Amended Integrated Development Plan for the period 2022-2027 and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2026/2027-2028/2029, were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were considered by the Garden Route District Council at a Council meeting held on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

These documents will be available for public inspection and comments at all main local libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website.

All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za

Persons who are unable to read or write are encouraged to contact the Garden Route District Municipality during ordinary office hours, where they will be assisted to formulate their written comments/objections.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on/or before 30 April 2026.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Ms Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za with any enquiries.

M STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER

Click here to download the following documents:

31 March 2026 Public Notice: GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) open for public perusal

Public Notice: GRDM Top Layer Service Delivery & Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) open for public perusal.

31 March 2026

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipality’s SDBIP is available for public perusal.

All questions and recommendations must be directed to:
GRDM Manager: Performance Management, Ms Ilse Saaiman
Tel: 044-803 1300 / E-mail: pms@gardenroute.gov.za.

Click here and download the document

31 March 2026 Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality concludes Human Settlements Unit after delivering key housing milestones

Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality concludes Human Settlements Unit after delivering key housing milestones

31 March 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) formally concluded the work of its Human Settlements Unit today, 31 March 2026.

According to Lusanda Menze, the GRDM Executive Manager for Integrated Planning and Economic Development: “The Unit was established in 2021 through a Memorandum of Agreement with the provincial government to strengthen the delivery of affordable housing programmes across the Garden Route district. Over its operational period, the GRDM was able to strategically coordinate and support seven local municipalities, focusing on long-term planning, partnerships, and unlocking housing opportunities.”

Over the past five years, the Human Settlements Unit achieved several important milestones that will continue to benefit the region:

  • The development and adoption of an Integrated Human Settlements Strategic Plan, including annual reviews and alignment across municipalities.
  • Approval of the Human Settlements Sector Plan, providing a comprehensive pipeline of housing programmes and projects across the district.
  • Submission of an Accreditation Business Plan aligned to national frameworks, supported by several local municipalities.
  • Development and Council approval of an Incentives Policy Framework to support affordable housing delivery by local municipalities.
  • Contribution to the review and amendment of the district’s Spatial Development Framework.
  • Creation of a district-wide housing demand database, with over 1 500 applicants registered for social housing and home ownership opportunities.

Transition and continuation of work

“The Human Settlements Sector Plan and Incentives Policy Framework will be handed over to the WCG DOI to ensure continued implementation. The Spatial Development Framework will remain with GRDM as part of its ongoing planning mandate,” said Menze.

Commitment to sustainable human settlements

According to Mayor Marais Kruger, the establishment of the Human Settlements Unit marked an important step in positioning the Garden Route as a proactive partner in addressing housing challenges, particularly within the affordable housing market segment, which has historically been under-served.”

“The conclusion of the Unit’s operational phase does not mark an end, but rather a transition,” he said. “The solid foundation built by the GRDM with regards to strategic planning, strong partnerships, and progressive policy development, will continue to guide and support housing delivery across the Garden Route.”

Kruger added that GRDM remains committed to working hand-in-hand with provincial and local stakeholders to expand access to housing opportunities and build more inclusive communities for all residents.

ENDS

30 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future

Media Release: Garden Route Mountains Key to SA’s Water Future

30 March 2026

During a recent workshop hosted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), South Africa has once again highlighted the importance of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains as critical water-producing landscapes for the Southern Cape.

These mountain catchments form part of South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas (SWAs) often called the country’s “natural water factories”. Although these areas cover less than 10% of the country’s land surface, they generate around half of the water that ends up in rivers and dams.

“For farmers, the message is clear: without healthy mountain catchments, there is no long-term water security,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

According to GREF, almost every catchment in the Garden Route is negatively impacted by invasive alien plants. These invasives reduce streamflow, damage soil health and weaken the ability of rivers to recover after drought.

The situation is made more challenging because of geography. Most coastal catchments in the Garden Route are short and flow quickly from the mountains to the Indian Ocean. This means there are very few opportunities to build large dams, making the protection of natural catchments even more important for agriculture.

South Africa is already a water-scarce country, and climate change is expected to bring hotter and drier conditions to many farming regions. However, the country still has a major advantage: a well-defined network of SWSAs that, if protected, can secure water supply for the future.

Over decades, South African engineers built world-class dams and inter-basin transfer schemes. But infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem. Without healthy mountain ecosystems, the system simply cannot function optimally.

The focus now is on cooperation between farmers, municipalities, conservation organisations and landowners to protect these vital catchments before further damage is done.

For the Garden Route and the wider agricultural sector, the message from the workshop was simple: protecting water source areas is not only an environmental priority – it is an economic one.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think- tank – www.grefecf.co.za  

Picture Caption: A view of the Outeniqua Mountains (Photo: Herman Pieters)

ENDS

25 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route land restoration

Media Release: Garden Route land restoration

25 March 2026

An enormous number of farms along the Garden Route drylands have over time become barren due to drought, over grazing, climate change and historical negative land use practices.

Persistent drought is forcing farmers off the land as it is no longer feasible to farm in dry areas. Degraded soils and large scale sheet erosion have had a massive impacts on the carrying capacity and water security on farms in the Klein-and Groot Karoo over past decades, and it is on the increase.

On a positive note, many farmers are using tried and tested methods of land restoration to great effect. “One of the most effective ways to bring back life to barren soil is through a practice named ponding”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Shallow ponds scattered throughout barren zones where no grass nor plants can take root, forms very effective water and soil retention traps. Multiple ponds allows plant recovery and surface water to soak into the earth and replenish the water table below. In the rain shadow of the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains, land restoration is a painfully slow process, but eventually it does yield positive results from a resilient environment and nature bounces back spectacularly.

Thunderstorms and floods over the Garden Route and Karoo interior presents much relief to farmers and towns alike. Still, episodic rains inflict much harm to the land where degraded surface areas cannot retain top soil and run-off water, leaving behind ever more erosion and further degradation. Through interventions such as ponding these rainfall events can make a huge difference in land restoration and water security.

As the changing climate brings about uncertainty in terms of rainfall and rainfall patterns, it is more important than ever that land managers adapt and allow land recovery initiatives to their own benefit and in the process create a high quality environment.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and serves as a climate change think tank. For more information visit grefecsf.co.za and info@hiveenergy.co.uk.

Picture: Ponding on barren landscapes is a simple but very effective method to allow barren land to recover and replenish water tables.

ENDS

25 March 2026 Media Release: Blitz Operation by GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners, Hessequa Law Enforcement and Police

Media Release: Blitz Operation by GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners, Hessequa Law Enforcement and Police

25 March 2026

A coordinated joint operation between Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Municipal Health Services, Hessequa Municipality’s Municipal Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) resulted in the inspection of 38 spaza shops over a two-day period, on 19 and 20 March 2026.

The operation formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure public health, enforce applicable by-laws, and address any illegal activities. Officials conducted thorough inspections focusing on food safety standards, including the monitoring of expired goods, hygiene practices, storage conditions, and the verification of valid Certificates of Acceptability.

Compliance issues were identified and addressed during the operation. Unsafe food products were confiscated while certain establishments may face further enforcement action. Hessequa Municipality’s Municipal Police also addressed matters relating to fire safety and relevant bylaws, with SAPS providing support to ensure the safety and security of all officials involved.

Officials carrying out inspection activities during the operation.

Cllr Hoogbaard, MMC for Community Services at GRDM, during the session reiterated that the operation demonstrated the commitment from all role players to protect public health and ensuring that all businesses operate within the legal framework and that similar operations will be conducted to promote compliance.

Residents are encouraged to report any concerns related to food safety or non-compliant issues to this department businesses to the municipality.

Johan Compion
jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161

Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)
haemish@gardenroute.gov.za
028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale

 

Opsomming in Afrikaans

’n Gekoördineerde gesamentlike operasie tussen die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) se Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns, Hessequa Munisipaliteit se Munisipale Polisiediens en die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPS) het gelei tot die inspeksie van 38 spaza-winkels oor ’n twee-dag tydperk, op 19 en 20 Maart 2026.

Die operasie vorm deel van TDM se voortdurende pogings om openbare gesondheid te beskerm, toepaslike verordeninge se implimentering te verseker, en enige onwettige aktiwiteite aan te spreek. Amptenare het deeglike inspeksies uitgevoer wat gefokus het op voedselveiligheidsstandaarde, insluitend die monitering van vervalde produkte, higiënepraktyke, bergingstoestande en die verifikasie van geldige Aanvaarbaarheidssertifikate.

Oortredings is geïdentifiseer en aangespreek, onveilige voedselprodukte is gekonfiskeer, en sekere besighede kan verdere afdwingingsaksie verwag. Hessequa Munisipaliteit se Munisipale Polisiediens het ook brandveiligheid en toepaslike verordeninge aangespreek, terwyl SAPS die veiligheid van alle betrokke amptenare verseker het.

Soortgelyke operasies sal in die toekoms voortgaan om voldoening aan verordeninge te bevorder.  Inwoners word aangemoedig om enige bekommernisse rakende voedselveiligheid of nie-nakoming aan die munisipaliteit te rapporteer.

-Einde-

24 March 2026 Media Release: Strengthening the Local Food Supply Chain: Spaza Shop Training in Riversdale

Media Release: Strengthening the Local Food Supply Chain: Spaza Shop Training in Riversdale

24 March 2026

In a proactive move to support community health and support local businesses, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) planned targeted education sessions for spaza shop owners and their managers in the Hessequa area.

On 17 March 2026, EHPs from the GRDM Hessequa sub-office, provided essential training on food safety, hygiene standards, and regulatory compliance to spaza shop owners from Riversdale, Albertinia and Melkhoutfontein. The session was well attended by 36 owners and/or managers, who collectively oversee the operations of close to 60 spaza shops across these areas.

The training session was also attended by Cllrs Hoogbaard and Jansen. During his opening remarks, Cllr Hoogbaard, also the MMC for Community Services, reiterated that spaza shops are the heartbeat of local communities, often serving as the primary source of daily essentials. He emphasised that maintaining clean and safe environments is not only a legal obligation, but also critical for protecting community health and building customer trust.

This initiative highlights the EHPs’ commitment to ensuring that even the smallest retail outlets meet the high health standards required to protect the public.

The training focused on several critical pillars of environmental health:

  • Structural and Hygiene Requirements;
  • Pest Control Management; and
  • Food Labelling.

GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Hoogbaard, was one of the speakers during the spaza shop owners’ education session.

Participants were encouraged to actively engage, ask questions, and share their day-to-day challenges. This interactive approach ensured that the training was practical, relevant, and directly applicable to their business operations.

The GRDM will continue to monitor compliance through routine inspections, while also providing ongoing support and guidance to shop owners. This ensures that the high standards introduced during the training are consistently maintained.

This session forms part of a broader, ongoing initiative by EHPS from Hessequa to reinforce the importance of food safety and strengthen the local food supply chain at grassroots level.

-END-

23 March 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Celebrates Global Recycling Day with Young Innovators

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Celebrates Global Recycling Day with Young Innovators

23 March 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Mossel Bay Local Municipality, celebrated Global Recycling Day on 18 March 2026 at Herbertsdale Primary School, embracing the theme “Don’t Waste, Think Opportunity.”

This celebration brought creativity and environmental awareness together as learners participated in a unique activity where they designed garments using recyclable materials. Others transformed waste into imaginative fashion statements, demonstrating that recycling can be both innovative and inspiring.

In a show of inclusivity and encouragement, every learner was recognised as a winner, while the top five participants were highlighted for their exceptional creativity and innovative use of recyclable materials. This approach not only celebrated excellence but also motivated broader participation among learners.

The initiative successfully linked recycling to real-world creativity, spreading the message that waste can be transformed into opportunity. To ensure the sustainability of these lessons, the school was also equipped with four colour-coded recycling bins, promoting proper waste separation as part of daily school activities.

Highlights of activities from the Global Recycling Day celebration held on 20 March 2026 at Herbertsdale Primary School.

GRDM further acknowledged the valuable support of its partners, including POLYCO, Aquelle, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. Their collaboration played a key role in making the event impactful and sustainable.

This initiative forms part of GRDM’s ongoing commitment to environmental education and community awareness, empowering young people to adopt responsible waste management practices and to see opportunity in what is often discarded.

-END-