Author: Marillia Veldkornet
Fencing Subsidies 2019 / 2020
Garden Route District Municipality gives subsidies for fencing on a yearly basis to assist landowners on neighbouring rural roads with fencing of their properties. This is subject to a budget as received from the Western Cape Government.
The funding will only be applicable on a subsidy basis. It effectively means that 60% subsidy will be contributed towards the cost of the fencing. The subsidy is determined by an average price for material. The material is deemed as 60% of total cost. Labour cost is deemed as 40% of the total cost and must be carried by the applicant. All initial costs must be carried by the applicant and subsidy will be paid out after the successful completion of the fence. For more information refer to the Fencing Subsidy Policy of Garden Route District Municipality.
The new fences must adhere to the specifications of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Roads Infrastructure Department. Minimum specifications will be made available to successful applicants.
Application process
1. Application forms can be obtained from Ms Alwina Gelderbloem or Mr Gert Verwey at the Roads Transport & Planning Department. Contact numbers at the office is 044 803 1500 or 1506 or email GertV@gardenroute.gov.za or alwina@gardenroute.gov.za.
2. Application period: 1 April 2019 to 31 May 2019.
3. Applications will be audited and evaluated according to risk analysis by a panel. Risk factors include:
Status of road, traffic count, operating speed of vehicles, type of farming, condition of current fence, etc
4. The panel outcome will be decided by 30 June 2019. All applicants will be informed. A fencing subsidy contract will be signed with successful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants can apply again in the next financial year.
5. All fences must be fully completed by 31 January 2020 for payment before 28 February 2020.
6. Payment will be done after an inspection and an approval for the fence has been made.
Closing date: 31 May 2019
Notice number: 51/2019
M STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Executive Mayor of GRDM donates 850 potable water containers to Zoar
The residents of Zoar in Kannaland will now be able to store their potable water in proper containers, after the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Cllr Memory Booysen, handed over 850 x 20 liter water containers to Kannaland on Friday, 15 March 2019 at the Library Hall in Ladismith. Assistance to Kannaland by GRDM was supported by the full Council of GRDM.
The potable containers were handed over to the Executive Mayor of Kannaland, Cllr Magdalene Barry, in the presence of the Western Cape Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Mr Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Ms Beverly Shafer, officials from GRDM and Kannaland Municipality, as well as farm owners and community members of the area.
Mr Gerhard Otto, Manager of Disaster Management of Garden Route DM, during the event, also sketched the dire situation of the dams in Kannaland and thereafter a farm owner raised concerns on how the situation resulted in job losses and affected food security. Mr Willem Burger from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, delivered a summary of how the Department assisted Kannaland through support programmes and projects rolled out in the area during the past years.
During his address at the handover ceremony, Mayor Booysen emphasised and specifically highlighted to all present about negotiations for a district wide developmental project, which the GRDM is currently busy with. Mayor Booysen said that the project will generate approximately R100 million for the Garden Route district. Although it will mostly affect the coastal areas, he added: “As soon as we receive the accreditation as water service authority, we will then be able to change the focus of the negotiations to address the needs of the Kannaland community, especially the drought and food security, amongst others”.
To the farming representatives and all officials present, Mayor Booysen said: “We will need your skills and knowledge to assist us in leading the negotiations into a direction required to address these challenges”.
During the event, Minister Bredell, also announced his plans and what his Department has in store for the community of Kannaland. Bredell admitted: “The only solution to address poverty is job creation”. He added: “With the resealing of the road between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn, as well as the building of a new clinic, jobs will be created – these projects amount to R 38 million.” To address the drought in the area, he added: “We plan to drill two boreholes (R3.4 million) and plan to rehabilitate the waste water treatment plant that will amount to R195 000”. The Zoar waste water treatment works (R745 000) and also the Calitzdorp waste water treatment works (R1.5 million) is also on the priority list. “Through these initiatives, it is important that we prioritise job creation as part of these projects,” Bredell added.
As part of their itinerary, the delegation then visited farms in the area to witness the current situation and affects of drought in the area. Ms Aletta Theron, Speaker of the Kannaland Council, directed the hand-over programme and extended a word of appreciation to the delegation and representatives who attended the ceremony.
Water sample results in the Knysna estuary show improvement
Results of water samples taken on the 18th March 2019 indicate the Knysna estuary is safe for recreational use in all sites except the Ashmead Channel, Queen Street, the Train station, and Bongani. The Ashmead channel is not safe for use for swimming, bait collection, fishing or wading at present. This extends from the areas adjacent to Loerie Park, Cathy Park and up to the area next to Monk’s Caravan Park. The Thesen island waterway on the Ashmead side is also not safe for use at present. Users of the estuary are encouraged to use compliant sites with the Department of Water Affairs guidelines including the Heads, Bollard Bay, the Point, Salt River, Crabs Creek, the Waterfront, the main channel and Belvidere. SANParks’ deepwater samples indicate areas are compliant and confirm that the deeper waters and main channel are safe for use.
Mc Carthy (Health Officer for the Garden Route District Municipality) explains ‘sampling will be done weekly by the District Municipality and in line with tidal flow. We are expecting a flush in 2-3 days and will definitely continue to sample thereafter.’
SANParks has erected signage at four (4) spots around the Knysna estuary warning recreational users not to fish, collect bait or swim there. Notices have been issued to tourism establishments around the area of concern so that they can warn guests not to use the unsafe area of the estuary. SANParks has also sent out regular ranger patrols to the affected area to warn people about the dangers of using the water.
Investigation into the causes of oil and grease that have entered the Waste water Treatment Works (WWTW), causing bacteria to die off and the WWTW to release high loads of E.coli into the estuary has led the Knysna Municipality and Garden Route District’s Health division to sample and check all pump stations. James McCarthy of the District’s Health division says ‘we physically checked all the pump stations to find the cause. We have also sent notices to establishments closest to the stations found to have high levels of oil and grease to request proof of proper disposal of oil stores.’
Apart from this joint investigation, Knysna Municipality has tackled the problem at the WWTW by introducing an oil-eating enzyme into the system while regularly dosing the WWTW with beneficial bacteria from the Brenton-on-Sea waste water works.
A pre-directive was issued by the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) to the Knysna Municipality subsequent to the spill from the WWTW. The Municipality will be given an opportunity to provide further action plans to rectify the situation. According to the Knysna Municipality, the good news is that oil and grease counts in the WWTW are a lot lower since the investigation into the matter two weeks ago.’
The BGCMA has also undertaken to do more regular chemical samples including pH levels, ammonia, nitrates, phosphates levels in the water and others. SANParks has also committed to continue with deepwater samples although they’ve come out positive. Park Manager for Knysna, Megan says ‘in addition, we’ve committed to reviving and chairing the Knysna Estuary Pollution Committee to meet on a weekly basis to tackle this and any future incidents so that we protect the Knysna estuary’s unique biodiversity and tourism value.’
Boilerplate: SANParks has also taken deepwater samples and results look positive which means animal and plant life in those areas were not affected by the spikes, such would include the Knysna seahorse, the Knysna Gobi and others. Independent researchers declared the Knysna estuary as number 1 in the country in terms of biodiversity significance back in 2005.
Issued by: SANParks
Notice – Long-term lease to manage and operate De Hoek and Calitzdorp resorts
Notice is hereby given in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act (No 56 of 2003), read with the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (R878 of 2008), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (No 3 of 2000) as well as the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of 2000) that the Council of the Garden Route District Municipality in terms of Resolution H.2 intends to enter into a long-term lease agreement (50 years) with LEN24 (Pty) Ltd to manage and operate De Hoek Mountain Resort and Calitzdorp Spa. The lease agreement is the cornerstone of a key social-entrepreneurial venture which will have an immense socio economic and environmental impact on the region. The lease will attract a multi-million rand investment into the local economy, boosting job creation and reducing unemployment, investment in relevant and quality skills development which increases employee earnings, an investment in green technology at the resorts including solar energy and water desalination plants which will be integrated with municipal pipelines, thus bringing water security to the Kannaland Municipality. The district will attract fiscal revenues from tourism and hospitality generated from the resorts.
The resorts will be developed to include Uber Chalets, Luxury Chalets, Deluxe Chalets, Golf Course, Restaurant, Clinic, Staff/Management Chalets, Kids Playground, Virtual Reality Arcade, New Parking Area for Guests and, Resort Golf Carts and Busses, Water Management and Desalination plant, Railway System and Trains for Kids and Adults to view resort attractions, Beauty and Health Spa Building and Facilities, Walkways to chalets, New Roads for access to Chalets, Bird Sanctuary, Create a Lake, re-introduction of ecologically friendly flora and fauna and future developments to enhance the resort as required
The Applicant will also be responsible for all the costs involved. The property is, in terms of the provisions of section 14 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) not required for the purposes of providing minimum basic municipal services.
Any comments and/or objections to the proposed long-term lease, with your reasons for such objection(s), must be submitted in writing and addressed to: The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, P O Box 12, George, 6530, by no later than Monday, 20 May 2019.
Any comments and/or objections which are received after the abovementioned closing date, may possibly not be taken into consideration. In terms of section 21(4) of the Systems Act, notice is hereby given that people who cannot write, may approach the Economic Development Department during office hours, where a member of staff will assist them in converting their comments or objections in writing.
Any enquiries may be directed to Mr L Menze, Planning & Economic Development, at telephone number (044) 803 1398 or email properties@grdm.gov.za.
Notice Number: 46/2019
MONDE STRATU
MUNICIPAL MANAGER