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04 July 2025 Public Notice: Access Control Measures for motorists using DR1618 – Gwaiing Road

Public Notice: Access Control Measures for motorists using DR1618 – Gwaiing Road

Notice Number: 67/2025

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipality will only permit access to residents residing along DR1618 to utilise the road which is under construction. Due to operational intensity and hazards/risks associated, only card holders and their Stakeholders will be considered. One way traffic flow with speed limit of 40km/h is enforced.

All questions and recommendations must be directed to the Site Safety Officer, Stenly Zambezi, at tel: 044-803 1414/ 078 981 0566 / Email: stenly@gardenroute.gov.za.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300

Notice number: 67/2025

Click here to download the Official Notice

04 July 2025 Media Release: Final GRDM Community Safety Forum Meeting for 2024/2025 Financial Year Focuses on Funding, Accountability, and Community Impact

Media Release: Final GRDM Community Safety Forum Meeting for 2024/2025 Financial Year Focuses on Funding, Accountability, and Community Impact

4 July 2025

Yesterday, 3 July 2025, the final quarterly Garden Route District Community Safety Forum (CSF) Meeting for the 2024/2025 financial year took place at Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Joint Operation Centre.  Stakeholders in attendance, some online, included GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel; Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard; the Acting Municipal Manager and Executive Manager of Community Services, Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu; and political and administrative representatives from the seven B-municipalities, South African Police Services (SAPS), the Western Cape Provincial  (WCG) Department Social Services, and the WCG Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS).

Acting Municipal Manager officially welcome all present at the quarterly meeting and thanked them for prioritising community safety in the district.  This was followed by the main discussion of the meeting, led by Vuyani Mbaqa from WCG POCS, which focused on the approval process for the 2025/2025 annual funding business plan. Feedback was provided on the six criteria that will be used as a tool to monitor and measure the effectiveness of Community Safety Forums (CSF) in local municipalities.  Mbaqa during his discussion emphasized the importance of ringfencing and streamlining funding, noting that grant allocations be made based on the six criteria outcomes, making sure that local municipalities used the fund strictly for the purposes identified in their respective business plans.

Local municipalities present were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the status of their Local Safety Forums, the scheduled dates of their next CSF meetings, and the progress made on projects and objectives identified in their previous business plans.

In conclusion, GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel delivered a word of support.  “Safety is not just about statistics or patrols; it’s about people feeling secure in their homes, children walking to school without fear, and families building their futures with peace of mind. It’s about love – love for our communities, our neighbours, and the places we call home,” Stroebel said.   He went on to thank all stakeholders, “From the SAPS officers to municipal officials, forum members, and community representatives. Your commitment, even when the work is tough, is truly inspiring”.

Following the formal programme, the GRDM Executive Mayor, the MMC for Community Services, and the Acting Municipal Manager handed over safety equipment and PPE to local municipal officials for use by their CSF members. The forum meeting was chaired by Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, with Gail Bekeer serving as secretariat.

Featured image and above: GRDM team with representatives from Hessequa Municipality.

-END-

03 July 2025 Media Release: Public-Private EV Charging Partnership Launched in Garden Route

Media Release: Public-Private EV Charging Partnership Launched in Garden Route

For immediate release
03 July 2025

The Garden Route’s green mobility future is charging forward with the confirmation of a landmark public-private pledge signed this afternoon at the François Ferreira Academy. The initiative commits land and infrastructure for the establishment of a new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in George – one of the first of its kind in the region.

As part of this pioneering initiative, the François Ferreira Academy has donated the site for the first EV charging station to be installed by Solar Energy Africa, a leading national provider of solar power solutions. The pledge signed by Mayor Stroebel and stakeholders includes the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and Africa Skills Private Training, both instrumental in the region’s economic and skills development.

This collaboration marks the first step in a broader rollout of EV charging stations strategically located along the N2 and in rural tourism nodes from Cape Town International Airport to Plettenberg Bay. The goal is to future-proof mobility in the Garden Route and beyond—supporting the transition to electric transport and enabling infrastructure for both locals and visitors.

This collaboration follows the Garden Route EV Seminar, hosted last week at Africa Skills GeorgeTech, where the growing demand for skilled artisans to support the EV sector took centre stage. The seminar explored South Africa’s evolving EV market and its impact on training, artisan development, and job creation.

The EV pledge was formally signed by:

  • Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Andrew Stroebel
  • Jessica van der Merwe, Managing Director of Solar Energy Africa
  • Phillip Harmse, Director: New Business Development of UXi Artisan Development

The Western Cape Government is actively transitioning its public transport and fleet vehicles to electric alternatives. In alignment with this, Africa Skills has already introduced EV-relevant artisan training through its work-integrated learning model and accredited electrical apprenticeships.

“This shift to electric mobility is more than just an infrastructure change – it’s a skills revolution,” said Phillip Harmse. “From battery technology and EV maintenance to solar integration and charging installation, Africa Skills is equipping young artisans to meet this fast-growing demand.”

Speaking at the seminar, Anthonie Janse van Rensburg, Acting Chief Director of the Western Cape Department of Mobility, confirmed the rollout of new EV infrastructure. “Our vision is to establish fast, efficient EV charging hubs across the N2 corridor and urban centres. This is part of our broader EV fleet migration strategy for provincial and local government.”

Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel reaffirmed the municipality’s vision: “As a global tourism hub, the Garden Route must be EV-ready. We’re embracing innovation and partnerships to make this happen.”

As demand for EV adoption increases and the national government explores limitations on internal combustion imports, the Garden Route stands poised to become a leading green mobility destination – powered by solar, driven by skilled artisans, and supported through strong public-private collaboration.

Issued by UXi Artisan Development

Enquiries Images, Soundbites or Interviews:  Jan Greyling – 082 556 8778, jan@uxi-ad.co.za

Feature Image:

FLTR: Alex Engelke (Corporate Services: UXi Artisan Development & Africa Skills, Phillip Harmse (New Business Development: UXi Artisan Development), Jessica van der Merwe (CEO: Solar Energy Africa), Andrew Stroebel (Executive Mayor: Garden Route District Municipality), Johan du Plooy (Operations Manager: François Ferreira Academy & Apprentice) and Lizelle Wessels (Corporate Services: UXi Artisan Development).

ENDS

27 June 2025 Public Notice: Garden Route & Klein Karoo (GR&KK) Tourism Strategy is open for public perusal and comment

Public Notice: Garden Route & Klein Karoo (GR&KK) Tourism Strategy is open for public perusal and comment

Notice Number: 65/2025

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism Strategy is available for public perusal and comments for 14 days closing on 10 July 2025.

All questions and recommendations can be directed to Raylene Meyer at tel: 044-803 1405 / E-mail: raylene@edendm.co.za.

Click here to download the Official Notice.

Click here to download the Tourism Strategy

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice number: 65/2025

26 June 2025 Public Notice: Third Adjustment Budget 2024/2025 Approved

Third Adjustment Budget 2024/2025 Approved

Notice 66/2025

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Third Adjustments Budget for the period 2024/2025-2026/2027, was compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

This document was approved by the Garden Route District Municipality at a District Council meeting held on Thursday, 26 June 2025.

This document will be available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za from 27 June 2025.

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or representations to the municipality in respect of this document. All comments and inputs must be directed to:
The Acting The Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
54 York Street
George
6530

Please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.

N Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality

Click here to download the Official Notice

Click here to download/view all documents

24 June 2025 PUBLIC NOTICE: APPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (SDBIP) 2025/2026

APPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (SDBIP) 2025/2026

NOTICE NR 64/2025

Notice is hereby given in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (56 of 2003), Section 69(3) and 53(1)(c)(ii), (iii) and MFMA Circular  No.13 that the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) for 2025/26 was approved by the Garden Route District Municipality’s Executive Mayor on 22 June 2025.

Full details regarding the approved SDBIP is available on the municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za under the heading: Documents/Performance Management.

For more information, please contact the GRDM Manager: Performance Management, Ms Ilse Saaiman, at: Tel: 044-803 1300 / E-mail: pms@gardenroute.gov.za.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530

Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice number: 64/2025

24 June 2025 PUBLIC NOTICE: DRAFT PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS FOR 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

DRAFT PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS FOR 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

NOTICE NR 63/2025

The Draft Performance Agreements for the GRDM Municipal Manager and Executive Managers are made public in terms of Section 57 (1) (b) of the Municipal Systems Act for the 2025/2026 final year.

The following Draft Performance Agreements are available for public perusal and due for signature by 31 July 2025.

Municipal Manager

Chief Financial Officer

Executive Manager: Community Services

Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development

Executive manager: Roads and Transport Planning Services

The documents are available for viewing on the municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za under the heading: Documents / Performance Management.

For more information, please contact the GRDM Manager: Performance Management, Ms Ilse Saaiman, at: Tel: 044-803 1300 / E-mail: pms@gardenroute.gov.za.

Click here to access and download the agreements.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530

Tel: 044 803 1300
Notice number: 63/2025

Floods in the Garden Route

23 June 2025 Media Release: Another intense cold front is expected to hit the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape from Wednesday to Friday, 25 to 27 June 2025

Media Release: Another intense cold front is expected to hit the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape from Wednesday to Friday, 25 to 27 June 2025

For immediate release
23 June 2025

An intense cold front is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, over the south-western parts of South Africa, bringing a significant shift in weather conditions across the region. The system is expected to result in the following impacts:

For the public:

  • Heavy rainfall with a risk of localised flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas on Wednesday into Thursday (25-26 June 2025).
    Wet and slippery roads may result in dangerous driving conditions. Motorists should exercise caution and adhere to safety measures.
  • Strong and gusty winds over the interior may cause localised damage to structures and uproot trees.
  • Cold to very cold conditions can be expected, along with possible snowfall over the western mountain ranges of the Western Cape, spreading into the south-western interior of the Northern Cape.

For Maritime:

  • Gale force winds and very rough seas, with wave heights between 5,5 to 7,5 metres, along the coastlines of the Northern Cape and Western Cape, will lead to disruptions to fishing and port operations, an increased risk of vessels capsizing, accidents at sea, and hazardous shoreline conditions. Coastal residents and beachgoers are urged to exercise caution.
  • As the system progresses eastwards, it will affect the Eastern Cape, a region already vulnerable to weather-related impacts. The key concern is the strong damaging winds expected across most parts of the province on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
  • Interior winds are expected to pick up and spread over the remainder of eastern provinces on Thursday and Friday, 26 and 27 June 2025, with daytime temperatures dropping to the cold category.

The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required. Furthermore, intermediate updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms.

Compiled by: Tokelo Chiloane, Henning Grobler and Wayne Venter
Edited by: Jacqueline Modika
Approved by: Mr Rudzani Malala
For technical and weather enquiries:
National Forecasting Centre: Tel: 012 367 6041

Media enquiries: Mr Oupa Segalwe, Senior Manager: Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Cell: 0722643273; e-mail oupa.segalwe@weathersa.co.za /or
Ms Hannelee Doubell: Manager, Communications
Tel: (012) 367 6104; Cell: 072 222 6305; e-mail: hannelee.doubell@weathersa.co.za
USSD: Dial *120*7297# 

23 June 2025 Media Release: Garden Route estuaries monitored

Media Release: Garden Route estuaries monitored

23 June 2025

“From Witsand to Nature’s Valley, the Garden Route is custodian to some of the most unique estuarine and marine eco-systems on the African continent, and their well-being is closely monitored”, says Chairperson of the Garden Route Marine and Coastal Committee, Cobus Meiring.

Estuaries are known for the vital ecological functions they perform in terms of nurturing marine and riverine ecology. Serving as barometers to measure overarching environmental matters, the waters estuaries contain and release into the ocean closely reflect what is happening in upper catchments. Negative factors would typically include reduced fresh water flow as a result of upper catchments and rivers infested by invasive alien plants as well as urban and agricultural extraction .

The water quality of sensitive estuarine systems is further affected by pesticides and fertilizer flowing from commercial agriculture, as well as bad quality water emanating from surrounding human settlements.

Algae blooms which recently detrimentally affected Island Lake near Wilderness led to the poisoning of water fowl and fish, and the event was a direct result of an overload of chemicals used in agricultural practices in the upper catchments of the rivers and streams all feeding into Island Lake. Similarly, water quality in the Knysna Lagoon, flood plains and estuary are markedly deteriorating as a direct result of untreated sewage and run- off from illegal dumping sites and countless informal settlements.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Forestry (DFFE), Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), regional local municipalities, SANParks, CapeNature and numerous conservancies all play a vital role in monitoring the state of all regional estuaries. All these entities provide quarterly feed- back the Garden Route Estuaries Forum and the Marine and Coastal Committee.

Coastal communities are encouraged to report sewage spills and illegal dumping in estuarine areas to their local authorities, SANParks or CapeNature.

ENDS

Photo: Knysna sea horse: The critically endangered Knysna sea horse is endemic to the Knysna and Sedgefield estuaries

 

20 June 2025 What You Need to Know About Emission Licensing and the GRDM

What You Need to Know About Emission Licensing and the GRDM

20 June 2025

“GRDM’s Air Quality Management Unit regulates, amongst others, industrial emissions to maintain a healthy environment. Atmospheric Emission Licences (AEL) are issued by the GRDM team to industries operating on the Garden Route (Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland), said Dr Johann Schoeman, GRDM Manager: District Air Quality Control.

“Local municipalities have a role to play by enforcing air quality laws, regulating small pollution sources (like fuel-burning appliances), and managing air quality nuisances outside their jurisdictions.”

Industries that require an AEL are referred to as ‘Listed Activities’, classified under Government Notice 893 of November 2013 (as amended). The law recognises industrial activities that could harm the air you breathe, impact public health, disrupt environmental and cultural heritage, and possibly impact social and economic conditions.

To make sure air quality is managed sustainably, the GRDM has an Air Quality Management Plan. It was recently unanimously adopted by the GRDM Council after extensive consultations. The document is available at tinyurl.com/4vpskzy7 or via the municipal website at www.gardenroute.gov.za.

Which activities are listed on the Garden Route?

There are 10 broad categories of listed activities, each with subcategories of industries that need licensing. GRDM has 24 Section 21 Listed Activities and three Controlled Emitters, regulated under Section 23 of the Air Quality Act. Here’s what they include:

  • Combustion installations (Power stations and industrial boilers that burn fossil fuels for energy)
  • Petrochemical Industry where fuels are produced and stored by refining and processing crude oil, coal, gas, and biomass.
  • Coal gasification and carbonization (the process of converting coal into gas or solid carbon-based products) or tar processes in which creosote or tar is heated or distilled in any manufacturing process.
  • Metallurgy (Processing and refining metals like steel, aluminium, and iron)
  • Handling, storing, and processing minerals (crushing, screening, and transporting mined materials) The clay brick making process is also part of this category.
  • Organic chemical industry which covers the manufacturing of organic chemicals and compounds.
  • Inorganic chemical industry where specific inorganic chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen cyanide, etc., are manufactured or used.
  • Treatment of Hazardous and General Waste (incineration of waste materials, including hazardous and medical waste; crematoria, etc.)
  • Pulp and paper manufacturing activities including by-product recovery such as lime recovery kilns, chemical recovery furnaces, etc.
  • Animal matter processing plants such as bone or fishmeal processing plants and tanneries.

A couple of fixed and mobile air quality monitoring stations keep an eye on these activities:

  • George – Located at the Roads Depot (Mission Street)
  • Mossel Bay – Located at the MHS offices

The Earthsense mobile analyser of the GRDM is moved around in the district to check specific potential air quality hot spots.

Data from these stations goes to the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), accessible at saaqis.environment.gov.za.

Global air pollution poses risks to both human health and the environment, so the GRDM Air Quality Management Unit, Local Municipalities and the National Government remain committed to regulating industrial emissions.

Feature image: The Earthsense mobile analyser of the GRDM is moved around in the district to check specific potential air quality hot spots.

Ends