Public Notice: Final Review of 2025/2026 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and 2025/2026 – 2027/2028 Multi-Year Budget
Notice number: 51/2025
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Final Review of the 2025/2026 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Multi-Year Budget for the period 2025/2026 to 2027/2028 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 adopted by the Garden Route District Municipal Council at a District Council meeting on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.
These documents will be available for public viewing at all main libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website.
Please contact the District IDP Manager (Ms. Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms. Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.
MG STRATU MUNICIPAL MANAGER GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Approves Final Budget for 2025/2026 Financial Year
28 May 2025
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has approved its final annual budget with a surplus on 27 May 2025 for the 2025/2026 financial year which is accessible from 1 July. Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel tabled the planned expenses and revenues of the GRDM which was unanimously adopted by Council.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all officials involved in the planning of this budget, and to the GRDM Council for its unanimous endorsement. This is not merely the Mayor’s budget, but a budget for the people, shaped by our shared priorities and values, said Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
“It is also important for me to mention that no new loans were taken out to fund this budget. The 2025/2026 budget is fully financed through existing and available resources. We remain committed to responsible and sustainable financial management.”
The total operating revenue for the GRDM is R557,4 million, while the capital budget is R108,9 million.
Where does the GRDM Funding come from?
The GRDM’s funding is primarily sourced from various grants.
RSC Levies Replacement: R164 101 000
Equitable Share: R23 925 000
Local Government Financial Management Grant: R1 000 000
Municipal Accreditation Grant: R1 500 000
Expanded Public Works Programme: R2 293 000
Municipal Fire Service Capacity Support Grant: R3 000 000
Safety Imitative Implementation: R1 000 000
Integrated Transport Planning: R982 000
Rural Roads Asset Management Systems Grant: R2 843 000
Turnaround Strategies for Revenue Enhancement
The properties not required for service delivery will be considered for leasing or alienation. A new tariff will be included for municipal resorts, in particular caravan/tent stands, whereby pensioners who choose to stay for one month up to three months out of season, will be charged R3300.00 per month (all inclusive). This should attract more visitors to our resorts and also boost tourism and spending along the Garden Route.
The GRDM remains committed to delivering quality services and maintaining fiscal discipline.
Feature image: Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel (right) next to the GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Ald. Vlancio Donson.
Media Release: Winter is upon us – keep warm and stay safe – caution when using an imbawula
23 May 2025
As winter is approaching and ambient temperatures begin to drop, communities across the Garden Route are turning to traditional heating methods to keep warm. While the use of the imbawula for the burning wood is practical and affordable, it can pose health and fire risks including air pollution.
What is an Imbawula?
An imbawula is a do-it-yourself heater made from a metal drum that is suitable for making fire inside. It is commonly used in rural homes in the colder regions all over South Africa to burn wood for heating and cooking purposes. The use of the imbawula indoor or in small space with poor ventilation can negatively impact a person’s health.
How can it impact your health?
The burning of wood produces gases such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter (fine dust particles) and volatile organic compounds. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas, which makes it particularly dangerous to detect before it is too late. The inhalation of these gases can cause headaches, lung infections, coughing, and worsening of asthma, bronchitis, obstructive pulmonary diseases, lung cancer or TB especially in children, elderly and those suffering from immune-compromised illnesses. It can even cause death.
In short, the harmful gases can cause:
Fire hazards
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Respiratory problems
The smoke from an imbawula, open fires, and the burning of waste does not disappear into the air. During cold nights and early mornings, a layer of cold air sits close to the ground while warmer air traps it from above. This also traps all the smoke, gases, and pollution near the surface, right in our breathing zone. The gasses only escape later in the day when the sun heats the ground, and the air starts moving again.
Safety tips when using an imbawula
For those considering to use a traditional imbawula during the colder months, here are a few tips for making use of the imbawula in a safe and responsible manner:
Always use dry untreated wood
Dry firewood burns cleaner and produces less smoke.
Treated wood when burned releases more toxic gases
Place the imbawula outside or in a well-ventilated space.
Never use it in a closed room or small shack.
Make sure there is sufficient airflow — open a window or door nearby.
Start your fire by making use of dry paper, dry twigs, or sawdust instead of using plastics or old motor oil.
To avoid any fire risks always extinguish the fire before going to bed. Set your alarm in case you fall asleep while it is still burning.
The GRDM urges the public to protect their health and safety by opting for safer heating and cooking methods, and always prioritise proper ventilation to prevent the build-up of harmful gases. Do not sleep with the imbawula still in your home – your life and the lives of your family depend on it.
23 May 2025 Update 6: Gwaiing Road Construction Works, George
The construction team has commenced activities on 1 April 2025, with the upgrading of the Gwaiing Road construction project that includes the processing and placement of the basecourse layer on the right-hand side (RHS) lane. This is the final layer before the bituminous surface gets applied – 2km of the basecourse has already been placed, and the construction of the remaining 2.4km is underway.
Once the RHS lane has been completed in full, the traffic flow will be relocated to the RHS lane, as the completion of the left-hand side lane will then commence.
Focus also remains on the improvement of the stormwater drainage network, as new concrete lined side-drains are being cast along various sections of the road shoulder.
“As mentioned before, the GRDM Road Services Department is upgrading this road entirely in-house without any external contractor assistance, and this is commendable,” said GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
Feature Image: The compaction process after processing the basecourse layer.
Media Release: Fire danger place Invasive Alien Plants in the spotlight
For immediate release 22 May 2025
Approaching winter fronts have the Garden Route on edge as fears of a repeat of the 2017 mega fire disaster looms as a clear and present danger”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
Regional environmental and disaster management agencies are in agreement that the 2017 conditions conducive to the worst fire disaster in South African history are again ready for the perfect storm.
Despite best efforts and collaboration between landowners affected by the 2017 fire disaster, Invasive Alien Plants (IAP’s) have made a comeback on the Knysna as well as the 2018 Outeniqua burn scars providing more fuel for a wild fire than ever before. Not only is Knysna and surrounds again in the path of danger, but many other areas including George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Great Brak.
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), George Municipality the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association and many other entities involved with – fighting has ramped up their collective strength to deal with an increasingly number of wild fires, but the core problem remains: Invasive Alien Plants on the Southern Cape landscape.
Garden Route landowners in the urban edge are especially exposed as they can only do so much in terms of safeguarding their properties by creating defendable zones, cleaning their gutters and prepare escape routes. All river systems, mountains and river corridors in the garden Route are infested with high density IAP plant growth.
Landowners are not unaware of the danger invasive plants pose, but more often than not lack the resources to do anything meaningful about it. Still, fire- proofing the Garden Route is important, and a collective effort u
Government efforts (e.g. The DFFE Working for Water Programme) to eradicate IAP growth has collapsed as a result of a lack of funding, no further investment in bio- control and limited capacity to enforce legislation.
GREF will be focusing on climate change and Invasive alien plant implications at the Annual Climate Change and Environmental Indaba in partnership with Nelson Mandela University on 27 June. At stake is not only fire risk, but hard hitting drought is looming in coming years and loss of critical bio diversity is negative for the region’s appeal as a world class destination.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and landowners, and a climate change think tank. (www.grefscli.co.za).
Public Notice in terms of Section 116(3) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) for the Proposed Amendment of Existing Contract
Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 116 (3) (a) and (b) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) that it is the intention of the Garden Route District Municipality to amend the following existing contract:
Tender No.
Description
Supplier Name
Amendment
GRDM/29/20-21
Provision of professional services for the design, drafting of tender documentation and contracts supervision for the new Regional Waste Management Facility and associated infrastructure to be established for the Garden Route District Municipality
Zutari (PTY) LTD
As per Council item F.3 which served at the Council meeting held on 23 April 2025.
The agenda is accessible here: https://tinyurl.com/8mzra9ek
Notice is hereby further given in terms of Section 21 and 21A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 nof 2000) that the local community and affected parties are invited to submit comments or representations on the proposed amendment and extension of the existing contract with Zutari (Pty) Ltd.
The reasons for the amendment and extension of the existing contract have been considered by the Municipal Council at its Council meeting held on 23 April 2025 under item F.3 of which a copy will be made available to all interested parties on request via the e-mail address indicated below.
Such comments or representations must be submitted by not later than 06 June 2025 at 12h00. Comments or representations must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly endorsed “COMMENTS ON NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF EXISTING CONTRACT” and be physically submitted at the Garden Route District Municipality Reception located at 54 York Street, George, or e-mailed to johang@gardenroute.gov.za.
Persons who are physically disabled or unable to write but need to participate in the process may present themselves during office hours at the offices of the Municipality listed above where a staff member will assist them to transcribe the relevant comments or representations.
For any information about the above, please contact Mr. Johan Gie via e-mail: johang@gardenroute.gov.za or at telephone number 044 693 0006.
MG Stratu Municipal Manager Closing date: 06 June 2025
Media Release: Reinforcing the Garden Route & Klein Karoo’s place in Domestic & International Tourism
20 May 2025
The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism (GR&KK) Regional Tourism Office (RTO) exhibited at Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI), last week from 13 – 15 May. This year’s ATI was hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.
The RTO secured space alongside the Cape Town and Western Cape platform – a space provided by the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the Western Cape (Wesgro). GR&KK was joined by three Local Tourism Offices (LTO); George, Wilderness & Uniondale, Iconic Mossel Bay and Visit Knysna.
Lindi Harley (Tourism Officer George Wilderness & Uniondale Tourism) engages one of the visitors at the ATI
Visit Knysna Tourism Officers, Keagon Borchards and Thozeka Sikali also marketed their area to domestic and international role players
Monique Le Fleur (Tourism Officer Iconic Mossel Bay Tourism) with a tour operator
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing platforms on the annual African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. The platform provided representatives from the region the opportunity to engage with domestic and international tour operators, travel agents and travel media. In time, more visits would therefore be directed to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo.
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel highlighted: “This region is one of the top destinations in South Africa, attracting tourists and holidaymakers from our continent and the six others. It is therefore critical that, as part of our mandate as the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), we continue to actively market our region on both national and international platforms”.
“Our presence at the ATI shows our commitment to supporting tourism businesses, including guesthouses, hotels, golf courses, shark cage diving operators, and more to excel, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. That is why, as a Mayor, I consider it a priority to strengthen our region’s visibility and appeal through every available platform.”
Exhibitors included, above and beyond the travel trade and media partners, also provincial authorities and products and African countries, accommodation, game lodges, transport providers, online travel, luxury products, hidden gems, publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors focused primarily on transport, camping and safari companies.
Denver Johnson (GR&KK Tourism Officer), Richard Dyantyi (GR&KK Tourism Manager), and Zama Mcambi (Assistant Director National Department of Tourism)
Throughout each day, panel discussions and networking sessions for tourism industry practitioners took place where experts exchanged insights, explored emerging trends, shared best practices
To date, the GR&KK RTO has participated in ATI since 2004. However, it is important to note that several global events have disrupted the consistent hosting of ATI, of which the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a three-year suspension. The event resumed virtually in 2022 and made its full physical return in 2023.
For further enquiries contact the GR&KK Tourism Officer, Denver Johnson.
Feature image: Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, with GRDM Tourism Officer, Denver Johnson at the GR&KK exhibition space.
Media Release: GRDM Municipal Health Services awarded a ‘Gold Certificate of Recognition’
20 May 2025
The Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) held an award ceremony earlier today, 19 May 2025, at the Lentegeur Hospital in Cape Town, for several categories relating to Health and Wellness. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)’s Municipal Health Unit received a Gold Certificate for its performance coined “the technological advancement of environmental health and outstanding performance and adherence to Municipal Health Norms and Standards”. The Central Karoo District landed 3rd position with the City of Cape Town in 2nd position.
In his congratulatory message, GRDM Mayor Andrew Stroebel said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) on this remarkable achievement. Receiving a Gold Certificate of Recognition reflects every EHPs dedication, innovation, and excellence that define the GRDM’s approach to environmental health.”
Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, who is the MMC for Community Services also shared a word by mentioning: “As the MMC for Community Services, I am excited and I want to congratulate the team on the excellent work they keep doing. I’m pleased that the residents of the greater Garden Route remain safe through the services delivered, especially in terms of food safety and water quality. We will continue to prioritise these efforts and put the safety of residents first.”
GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu also shared a word on behalf of the GRDM administration to the Municipal Health Unit by saying: “Your hard work sets a benchmark for service delivery across the province. Well done!”
Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu, the Executive Manager for Community Services, said: “During the audit done by WCG, we achieved a compliance rate of 96.7%. For me, it is evident that we are making substantial progress and that my team of 32 EHPs are moving in a positive direction. I am proud of every EHP in my Department”.
Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM, who received the award on behalf of all the EHPs, has been heading the Unit since 2006 and is one of the longest-serving employees of the GRDM.
The following municipal health-related key performance indicators and administration processes were audited:
client rights;
operational management;
facility and infrastructure;
leadership;
corporate governance;
vector control;
environment pollution control;
waste management;
water quality monitoring;
law enforcement;
health surveillance of premises.
Image caption: Simon Kaye, Deputy Director: Corporate Services; Johan Compion, Senior Manager of Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control at GRDM; Stanley Nomelo, Program Manager: Environmental Health Services, WCG Health and Wellness; and Laura Angeletti-du Toit, Chief Director: Integrated Facilities Management.
Editors’ Note:
Municipal Health Services is defined in the National Health Act of 2003 and include the following Key Performance Areas: Water Quality Monitoring, Food Control, Solid Waste Management, Health Surveillance of Premises, Supervision and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Vector Control, Environmental Pollution Control, the Disposal of Human Remains and the Safe handling of Chemical substances. The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.
Mediaverklaring: Die Son sal weer Skyn oor Calitzdorp Warmbron
19 Mei 2025
Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) beplan om nuwe lewe in die ikoniese Calitzdorp Warmbron oord te blaas, geleë sowat 25 km buite Calitzdorp. Al het die fasiliteit onlangs sy deure vir die publiek gesluit, beteken dié besluit geensins die einde van die oord nie; inteendeel, dit dui die begin aan van ’n opwindende nuwe hoofstuk deur middel van ’n voorgestelde langtermyn-huurooreenkoms.
Volgens Dzivhuluwani Mashila, Bestuurder: Projekte, Eiendomme, Fasiliteite en Oordbestuur by TDM:
“Die TDM het verskeie interne werkswinkels gereël om die kwessie aan te spreek voordat die Oord se deure gesluit is. Dit is gedoen om ’n volhoubare plan vir die oord se toekoms te ontwikkel. Die voorlopige plan behels die bewaring en instandhouding van die terrein terwyl die grondslag gelê word vir die Raad om ’n potensiële langtermyn-huurooreenkoms met ’n vennoot te oorweeg (die proses sal na afloop van die TDM-Raad se finale besluit, kan afskop). Hierdie benadering sal verseker dat die oord beskerm word en strategies geposisioneer is vir toekomstige ontwikkeling. Daar word beoog om Calitzdorp Wamrbon se volle ekonomiese, omgewings- en toerismepotensiaal te ontsluit. Dit hou groot voordele in vir Calitzdorp, sy inwoners en die breër streek.”
’n Juweel wat wag om te skyn
Calitzdorp Warmbron kan beskryf word as ’n ongeslypte diamant wat, met die regte belegging en visie, in ’n ware toerismejuweel omskep kan word.
Met moontlikhede vir spa en welstand-behandelings, eko-toerisme en kulturele ervarings, het hierdie natuurlike warmbron die potensiaal om veel meer te bied as slegs akkommodasie en kleiner ontspanningsaktiwiteite soos reuse-skaak, vlugbal en staproetes. Die realiteit is egter dat die munisipaliteit, weens huidige begrotingsbeperkings, nie in staat is om alleen aan die vereistes vir formele stergradering of grootskaalse opgraderings te voldoen nie.
Grondeise en ontwikkeling
Die eiendom is tans onderhewig aan ’n grondeis, wat reeds die aandag van die Grond-eise Kommissie geniet. Verskeie onderhandelinge is reeds gevoer, en die TDM benader die proses op ’n billike en inklusiewe wyse. Enige voorgestelde oplossings sal aan die TDM-Raad voorgelê word vir oorweging voordat daar met enige tender- en verhuurprosesse voortgegaan word.
Terwyl langtermynplanne oorweeg word, gaan die munisipaliteit voort om die oord se infrastruktuur in stand te hou – met een duidelike boodskap:
Die son sal weer skyn oor Calitzdorp Warmbron – helderder en mooier as ooit tevore.
Notice is hereby given that an MPAC MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George,
on 21 May 2025 at 14:00.
