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Author: Herman Pieters

03 March 2022 Public Notice: Application for consolidation, rezoning and consent use: Erven 22494 and 22495, George

LAND USE APPLICATION ADVERTISEMENT

 GEORGE MUNICIPALITY

 APPLICATION FOR CONSOLIDATION, REZONING AND CONSENT USE: ERVEN 22494 & 22495, GEORGE

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the George Land Use Planning By-Law, 2015 that the undermentioned application has been received on Erven 22494 and 22495, George by the George Municipality, Directorate: Planning and Development.

Any objection(s) and/or comment(s) with full reasons therefore and how their interests are affected, should be lodged in writing via email to the responsible Administrative Officer (Primrose Nako – pnako@george.gov.za) or if no email facility is available, via SMS to the cellphone number of the said Official (only provided on request) and/or to the applicant, in terms of Section 50 of the George Land Use Planning By-Law, 2015, on or before 02 April 2022, quoting the application erf number, your property description, physical address and full contact details (email and telephone) of the person or body submitting the objection/comment, without which the Municipality/applicant cannot correspond with the said person/body.

Enquiries or requests for more information on the application may be directed to the Town Planning Department on Telephone: 044 801 9171 or email the responsible Administrative Officer (Primrose Nako – pnako@george.gov.za) or the applicant (details below). The application will also be available, on the Municipal Website (https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/land-use-applications/land-use-submissions) for 30 days. Any comments received after the aforementioned closing date may be disregarded.

Property Description

Erven 22494 & 22495, George

 Applicant

Garden Route District Municipality (Email: records@gardenroute.gov.za) (Tel: 044 803 1300)

Municipal reference number – 2198116

Nature of application

Application is submitted in terms of Sections 15(2)(e),(a) & (o) of the George Land Use Planning By-Law, 2015 for the following:

  • Consolidation of Erven 22494 & 22495, George.
  • Rezoning of the consolidated portion from Industrial Zone II to Utility Zone.
  • To allow for a Consent Use to accommodate an Authority Use (Fire Station and offices).

22 February 2022 Media Statement: Garden Route Municipalities not affected by Typhoid Fever

Media Statement: Garden Route Municipalities not affected by Typhoid Fever

For Immediate Release
22 February 2022

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Manager, Community Services, Clive Africa, also confirms that there are no cases of Typhoid Fever in the Garden Route.

Typhoid fever also known as enteric fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Typhoid Fever is caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning. It is highly contagious and an infected person can pass the bacteria through contaminated faeces. If someone else eats food or drinks water that has been contaminated they can become infected with the bacteria and develop typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever is most common in communities that have poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Municipal health services as defined in the National Health Act, 2003 do monthly water sampling of all municipal water sources in the Garden Region and potable water in the region is still safe for human consumption. Cases of typhoid in the Western Cape have also not been linked to municipal water sources. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) form part of the Garden Route District Response Team and will investigate any suspected cases.

SYMPTOMS
Typhoid fever symptoms include weakness, stomach pain, headache, diarrhoea or constipation, cough and loss of appetite. Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash of flat, rose-coloured spots.

PREVENTION

  • Proper hand hygiene, which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap.
  • After using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
  • After handling nappies.
  • Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
  • Ensure that household water from a safe source.
  • Safe disposal of human faeces and nappies.

Environmental Health Practitioners provide health and hygiene training on a monthly basis at crèche and schools in the district to illustrate and practice of proper handwashing techniques as well as the importance thereof.

For any further information, please contact us at the respective Regional offices within the Garden Route District Municipality:

Johan Compion
GRDM Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300

Mosselbay:
Sam Bendle
Chief: Municipal Health (Mossel Bay),
Tel:  044 693 0006
Address C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.

George Outeniqua:
Emmy Douglas
Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Tel: 044 803 1501
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530

George Wilderness:
Pieter Raath
Chief: Wilderness (George)
Tel: 044 803 1501
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George

Klein Karoo
Desmond Paulse
Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241
Cell: 083 678 6530
Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn

Knysna
James McCarthy
Chief: Knysna
Tel: 044 382 7214
Cell: 082 805 9417
Address: 26A Queen Street, Knysna

Bitou
Gawie Vos
Chief: Bitou
Tel: 044 501 1600
Cell: 083 557 1522
Address: 4 Virginia Street, Plettenberg Bay

Hessequa
Haemish Herwels
Chief: Hessequa
Tel: 028 713 2438
Cell: 083 678 6545
Address: 23 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670

Kanaland
George Hendriksz
Chief: Kannaland
Tel: 044 272 2241
Cell: 082 907 3492
Address: 15 Regent Street, Oudtshoorn

ENDS

22 February 2022 Media Release: Council unanimously agrees to reappoint Monde Stratu as Municipal Manager for Garden Route DM

Media Release: Council unanimously agrees to reappoint Monde Stratu as Municipal Manager for Garden Route DM 

For Immediate Release
22 February 2022

Yesterday, 21 February 2022, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council unanimously agreed, for the second time, to appoint Monde Stratu as the Accounting Officer of the GRDM. He is set to start his duties after all formal processes are finalised.

Similar to 2017, the GRDM Accounting Officer position was advertised nationally. This time around 35 applicants applied, of which three (3) were shortlisted for the top spot.

According to Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor, “an extensive interview process took place with three (3) candidates undergoing a competency-based structured interview conducted by a selection panel”. With Stratu being a lawyer and having approximately 20-years of experience in local government, he unsurprisingly performed the best of those shortlisted.

Editor’s note: Section 57(6) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000, provides that an MM must be appointed on a fixed-term contract for no longer than five (5) years at a time. This contract may not exceed a period ending one year after the election of a new council.

Pictured: Monde Given Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager for the 2021/22 – 2026/27 term.

ENDS

 

21 February 2022 Media Release: Reported “Higher than usual” number of Enteric (Typhoid) Fever cases based on historical data

Media Release: Reported “Higher than usual” number of Enteric (Typhoid) Fever cases based on historical data

For Immediate Release
21 February 2022

Though cases of enteric fever (typhoid fever) are reported annually, the recently reported increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the Western Cape was interpreted incorrectly as new cases. The cases in the province were reported to be higher than in previous years. However, these reports are based on cumulative historical data as set out below. 

 The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded the following annual number of cases:

  • 31 in 2020
  • 48 in 2021
  • 7 in 2022

Since 2020 to date, three clusters were identified in the province which have now been reported by the NICD. In these clusters:

14 cases were recorded in the Metro with the first case reported in November 2020 and the most recent case in January 2022,

11 in Cape Winelands with the first case reported in July 2020 and the most recent case in May 2021, and

12 in the Garden Route with the first case reported in August 2020 and the most recent case in December 2021.

It is important to note that these reported clusters are based on historical data as per 2020 and 2021 data.

Whole-genome sequencing of enteric fever isolates, as part of the health responses, has identified specific ‘strains’ responsible for separate clusters in these districts, confirming that in those districts cases are linked and there is ongoing local transmission. 

These local outbreaks of enteric fever are amidst an annual surge of diarrhea, which occurs annually at this time. Cases of enteric are fever being managed by Department of Health in specific areas,  and we urge the public to be assured that there is no cause for panic.

Response teams activated

The response teams had been activated with guidance for further public health response and surveillance activities received from the National Institute for Communicable Disease, Enteric Unit.  

The identification and investigation of enteric fever cases and clusters involves ongoing surveillance, thorough case management, contact tracing and environmental investigations (food, water and sanitation), and health promotion activities. All recent single cases and clusters are currently under investigation.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to be alert for possible cases and have a low threshold for collecting blood cultures when investigating cases of acute febrile illness. 

Water safety

District Municipality Environmental Health Services officials are part of the response teams to address sanitation and water safety-related issues. They are responsible for the routine monitoring of municipal water supply to communities which involves routine sampling for indicator organisms. In areas where water samples were collected (municipal sources and untreated water) and tested at specific laboratories as part of the investigations, enteric fever could not be isolated.  There is currently no cause for water safety concern.

Healthcare provision: how is this done?

A healthcare worker will collect and send samples of blood or stool to a laboratory for testing. Enteric (typhoid) fever is treated with antibiotics as well as to treat carriers.

If you become very sick, you may need to be hospitalised.

 Prevention

District and sub-district services also conducts health promotion activities (as part of the diarrhoeal season) that includes general hygiene and handwashing.   

  1. Proper hand-hygiene which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap after using the bathroom/toilette, and before preparing or eating a meal.
  2. Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen when you are handling and preparing a meal.
  3. Household water and sanitation supplies is safe.
  4. Avoid water that may be contaminated (polluted) with sewage (wastewater that contains human waste etc.)
  5. Safe disposal of human feaces (stools/poo) and nappies.

 Symptoms

If you have enteric (typhoid) fever you may have mild or severe symptoms, which include:

  1. Fever
  2. Headache
  3. Feeling unwell in general
  4. Abdominal pain or cramps
  5. Nausea and vomiting
  6. Constipation or diarrhea
  7. A rash on the stomach
  8. Dry cough

 The symptoms may appear as early as 3 days to as late as 60 days after you were exposed to the bacteria. You usually start to get sick within 9 to 21 days after exposure. If you experience symptoms, seek health care immediately.

ENDS

21 February 2022 New Whip for Council elected

New Whip for Council elected

21 February 2021

The Garden Route District Municipality Council elected its Whip, Cllr Betsie van Noordwyk (multi-party coalition), today during an Ordinary Council meeting. In terms of Section 41A of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Act, 2021, Council may elect a Whip for its Council.

Cllr van Noordwyk is also a DA Ward Councillor at Hessequa Municipality.

 

Cllr Betsie van Noordwyk has been elected as Whip of Council on 21 February 2022.

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has entered into a collaborative strategic partnership with Wesgro to promote tourism,  investment and trade across various areas and economic sectors

17 February 2022 Media Release: Wesgro enters into a contract with Garden Route District Municipality to drive economic growth

Media Release: Wesgro enters into a contract with Garden Route District Municipality to drive economic growth

17 February 2022
For immediate release

The Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro) recently entered into a three-year partnership agreement with Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to accelerate the region’s economic growth, investment, trade and tourism. Clear targets and deliverables are set out in this agreement.

According to Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development, “Wesgro has committed to attracting local and international investors and will use the GRDM investment prospectus to do this”.

“They are, amongst others, required to develop a database of businesses per strategic sector, a list of local and international stakeholders, potential investors they engaged and provide a report of the potential leads they generated,” he said.

Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans signs the partnership agreement
Speaker of GRDM, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans signs the partnership agreement, with her is Yaw Peprah, Wesgro Chief Business Officer.

The agreement also states that one-on-one mentorship of 30 companies across the region has to happen. Exporters in the Garden Route shall be given practical guidance on how to implement business processes to become export-ready. Targeted export promotion of Garden Route companies to international clients is also required at international trade exhibitions where companies will be matched to potential buyers, distributors and importers.

The final part of the agreement will require Wesgro to promote tourism promotion by creating awareness of attractions, properties and itineraries in the Garden Route. Fifteen (15) participants from the travel and trade media companies from Gauteng and Western Cape will be invited to the Garden Route to place a spotlight on the region’s domestic leisure market. The focus will be primarily family- and budget-friendly activities and accommodation such as caravanning, mountain biking, watersports, high-adrenalin and nature-based tourism.

Feature image: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has entered into a collaborative strategic partnership with Wesgro to promote tourism,  investment and trade across various areas and economic sectors. Pictured (fltr): Joshua Palm (Wesgro Assistant Export Manager), Towfiq Hendricks (Wesgro Head of Investment Promotion), Germaine Habiyaremye (Wesgro Administrator: Agribusiness Investment Unit), Sibylle Pfeiffer (Wesgro District Portfolio Manager), Yaw Peprah (Wesgro Chief Business Officer), Ald. Georlene Wolmarans (GRDM Speaker), Melanie Wilson (GRDM Manager: Economic Development and Tourism), Lusanda Menze (GRDM Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development) and Passmore Dongi (GRDM Manager: Projects, properties, facilities and resort management).

Save The Date: Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum to Be Held on 25 February

Save The Date: Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum to Be Held on 25 February

For Immediate Release
14 February 2022

The first quarterly Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Forum for 2022 will be held on 25 February 2022 from 09:00-12:00 virtually. This setting gives Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and its stakeholders a chance to collectively work towards achieving Skills Summit resolutions.

Tshepo Manyama, Regional Manager of National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Western Cape, will be the keynote speaker. He will talk on matters of skills development plans, opportunities, and needs that support youth development in the Garden Route. Joining Manyama will be Clyde Lamberts from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Lamberts will focus on similar matters, but with a focus on the resilient Agriculture sector of the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy. The chairperson of the Education and Training Committee of GRDM will chair the session.

Stakeholders who wish to attend the webinar can register here.

Profiles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members

Get to know the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor, Speaker and Mayoral Committee Members of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

A biography of the following Councillors are available for you to read:

Ald. Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/executive-mayor/

Adv Gert van Niekerk, Deputy Executive Mayor
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/deputy-executive-mayor/

Ald. Georlene Wolmarans, Speaker
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/speaker/

Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi, Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/community-services-3/

Ald. Iona Kritzinger, Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/corporate-services-3/

Cllr Anco Barker, Portfolio Chairperson: Financial Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-financial-services/

Ald. Rosina Ruiters, Portfolio Chairperson: Planning and Economic Development
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-planning-and-economic-dev/

Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, Portfolio Chairperson: Property and Asset Management
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/property-and-asset-management/

Ald. Petru Terblanche, Portfolio Chairperson: Roads and Transport Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/mayco-roads-and-transport-planning/

Cllr Jerome Lambaatjeen, Portfolio Chairperson: Strategic Services
https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/strategic-services/

The rest of the full council include the following members