Author: Herman Pieters
Notice of a Special Council Meeting on 3 July 2026 at 12h00
NOTICE OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON 03 JULY 2026 AT 12:00
Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George, and via Zoom on 03 July 2026 at 12:00.
YouTube: Join the Live Broadcast here
MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice Number: 62/2026
02 July 2026
Download the official notice here. Notice – Special Council meeting
Public Notice: Transfer of Prescribed Burning Regulation Function to Garden Route District Municipality Fire and Rescue Services
PUBLIC NOTICE: TRANSFER OF PRESCRIBED BURNING REGULATION FUNCTION TO GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Notice No.: 57/2026
Notice applicable to Hessequa, Kannaland, George, Knysna, Bitou and Greater Oudtshoorn.
Notice is hereby given, in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read together with the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003, that the function relating to the regulation and control of prescribed burning is hereby assigned to and will vest in the Garden Route District Municipality Fire and Rescue Services.
This transfer is undertaken in alignment with local government matters listed in Part B of Schedule 4 of the Constitution, including firefighting services-specifically specialised services such as mountain, veld, and chemical fire services—as well as Part B of Schedule 5. The purpose of this assignment is to promote integrated service delivery, enhance fire risk management, ensure coordinated veldfire mitigation, and improve operational efficiency within the district.
The assignment further gives effect to the district municipality’s mandate to provide specialised firefighting services across the district, including veldfire prevention, control, and management, as contemplated in applicable legislation and intergovernmental frameworks.
Accordingly, all functions, responsibilities, and administrative processes relating to the authorisation, monitoring, and enforcement of prescribed burning activities within the Garden Route District Municipal area will, with effect from 1 July 2026, be performed by the Garden Route District Municipality Fire and Rescue Services.
- Download the notice in all three official languages of the Western Cape here: Public Notice (Afrikaans, English and Xhosa)
- Prescribed Burn Permit Application: Application – Prescribed Burn and Permit
All residents, landowners, and stakeholders are hereby advised to direct applications, notifications, and enquiries relating to prescribed burning to:
Deon Stoffels
District Chief Fire Officer
Tel: 044 878 1000
Cell: 083 941 1994
Email: rekords@gardenroute.gov.za / deon@gardenroute.gov.za
Monde Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
11 June 2026 Media Release: Garden Route Municipalities identified more than half a billion in infrastructure and facility damages following severe weather events
Media Release: Garden Route Municipalities identified more than half a billion in infrastructure and facility damages following severe weather events
11 June 2026
Municipalities across the Garden Route district have completed preliminary damage assessments following recent severe weather events. According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management, “the estimated cost of repairs and recovery exceeding half a billion”.
The consolidated assessment, compiled by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), with information received from affected local identifies widespread damage to critical infrastructure, public facilities, water supply systems, roads, stormwater networks, community facilities and municipal buildings.
According to Otto, “the most significant damages have been recorded in George Municipality, followed by Knysna and Bitou Municipalities”. Several strategic infrastructure projects, including water supply systems, roads, bridges, public facilities and economic development assets, require urgent intervention to restore services and reduce future disaster risks.
The top eight rehabilitation projects for the region include:
- 124.6 million: George Municipality – Repairs to damaged roadways and associated -stormwater infrastructure in George, Haarlem and Uniondale.
- 97.3 million: Knysna Municipality – Surfaced Roads, Main Street/N2.
- 93.6 million: George Municipality – Uniondale Poort – damage to raw water diversion infrastructure and supply to the Uniondale Raw Water Storage Dam.
- R70 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated with electricity in Hoop and Baron van Reede, Buffelsdrift area, Dysselsdorp, Dokkraal area, Cango Caves, De Kombuys Plaas, Wilgewandle, Groot Kraal, Boomplaas, De Hoek, Matjiesriver, Muller Streer, and Nooitgedagt.
- 48.8 million: Knysna Municipality – Surfaced roads in Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Rheenendal and Karatara.
- 46.6 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated with street and storm water in an Der Riet Street, Kerk Street/ Church Street, Albert Street, Rademeyer Street, Pedestrian Low Water Bridge at Pick and Pay Shopping Centre / Mall and Cango Bergoord Bridges.
- 32.7 million: George Municipality sewer pump stations in George, Haarlem, Uniondale, Pacaltsdorp, Hansmoeskraal, and George Industria.
- 5.7 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated water and sanitation infrastructure in Greater Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp and KKRWSS.
The damage assessments indicate that thousands of residents have been directly or indirectly affected through disruptions to essential services, transport routes and community facilities. Municipal technical teams continue to conduct detailed assessments to refine cost estimates and prioritise emergency repairs.
GRDM, together with affected local municipalities, is engaging with provincial and national government structures to secure disaster recovery funding and support. The municipalities have also committed resources where possible to address immediate risks and restore critical services.
Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor, Ald. Marais Kruger said: “Municipalities have already begun emergency response and repair work, and external funding support will be essential to ensure full recovery and to strengthen infrastructure resilience for the future.”
Priority projects include the rehabilitation of water infrastructure, repairs to municipal buildings and community facilities, restoration of damaged roads and stormwater systems, and measures aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.
Further updates will be provided as additional assessments are completed and funding processes progress.
Picture caption: An image supplied by George Municipality of damage to one of the roads in Haarlem.
ENDS
8 June 2026 Media Release: Reflection Summit to Focus on Climate Resilience, Sustainability and Regional Collaboration
Media Release: Reflection Summit to Focus on Climate Resilience, Sustainability and Regional Collaboration
8 June 2026
The Garden Route has experienced some of South Africa’s most damaging climate-related disasters in recent years, from the devastating June 2017 Knysna fires to recurring floods, severe storm damage, and increasing threats to infrastructure and communities.
Most recently, the region endured severe wind, flooding and coastal damage during May and June, once again highlighting the vulnerability of communities, businesses, agriculture, infrastructure and ecosystems to extreme weather events. “As climate risks continue to intensify, the need for coordinated action and improved preparedness has never been greater,” says GREF convener Cobus Meiring.
Against this backdrop, the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), together with its partners and in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University (NMU), will host the 2026 Extreme Weather Reflection Summit at the NMU George Campus on Thursday 2 July.
The Summit will provide a platform for experts, decision-makers, disaster management agencies and stakeholders to reflect on lessons learned from recent events and identify practical solutions that can strengthen resilience and support sustainable development in a changing climate.
The event will be preceded by training activities for disaster management teams, focusing on chainsaw operation and the clearing of biomass in areas affected by extreme weather events.
Through expert presentations, panel discussions and stakeholder engagement, participants will explore climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water security, biodiversity conservation, environmental restoration and sustainable economic development. The Summit has received strong support from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and George Municipality, both committed to strengthening regional resilience and fostering partnerships that address the realities of a changing climate.
Representatives from government, academia, business, agriculture, environmental organisations and civil society will participate in discussions aimed at developing practical recommendations to inform future planning, investment and disaster preparedness initiatives.
GREF believes that collaboration between institutions, communities and the private sector is essential to building a more resilient and sustainable future. Through the Annual Climate Change Indaba, GREF has developed a long-standing partnership with Nelson Mandela University, further strengthening the Summit’s ability to connect research, innovation and practical implementation.
Further details regarding speakers, programme content and registration will be announced shortly.
RSVP essential: louisamare@gmail.com
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think tank dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability, resilience and collaboration throughout the region.(www.grefecsf.co.za)
Issued by:
Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University.
Feature Image: One of the drop-off and chipping sites for storm-damaged tree branches and green waste in George
4 June 2026 Media Statement: Public urged to stop from spreading false information about food safety and shops operated by foreign nationals
Media Statement: Public urged to stop from spreading false information about food safety and shops operated by foreign nationals
4 June 2026
The rendering of Municipal Health Services by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP’s) within the district remains the responsibility of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). Food control includes the regular inspection of food premises, sampling of foodstuffs offered to the public, and the monitoring of compliance with legislation.
EHPs must ensure that food sold and distributed within the district are fit for human consumption. Food is sold at both formal and informal establishments, such as supermarkets, restaurants, food stalls, spaza shops, street vendors, and other informal food outlets operating within the municipality’s area of jurisdiction. These facilities are routinely monitored and inspected to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
In recent years, social media has become a significant platform for the sharing of information and opinions, including matters related to food safety. While these platforms can play an important role in raising awareness, they can also contribute to the rapid spread of misinformation and unverified allegations.
The GRDM is therefore making a serious appeal to members of the public to refrain from circulating unverified information, rumours, or allegations regarding the distribution of food and, more specifically, claims that foodstuffs are being deliberately poisoned by foreign nationals operating within our communities. Such statements are not only irresponsible but can also create unnecessary fear that can lead to xenophobia.
EHP’s are actively present in communities and conduct ongoing inspections and investigations throughout the district. Any concerns regarding food safety, food-related illnesses, or suspected non-compliance should be reported directly to the to the Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality on 082 803 5161or e-mail jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za. Reports received through official channels are investigated thoroughly and objectively in accordance with established procedures.
Over the years, the municipality has received several complaints relating to alleged foreign objects found in packaged food products, including chips, biscuits, and similar food items. Each complaint was subjected to a comprehensive investigation, including inspections of premises and the sampling and examination of the products concerned. To date, no evidence has been found to substantiate claims that foreign objects were intentionally placed in food products at the locations where complaints were reported.
Public cooperation is essential in maintaining community trust, promoting social cohesion, and safeguarding the health and well-being of all residents.
ENDS