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20 September 2023 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) handed over 55 jackets to Thembalethu neighbourhood watches

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) handed over 55 jackets to Thembalethu neighbourhood watches

For Immediate Release
20 September 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has donated 55 jackets to Thembalethu Neighbourhood Watch to support the Area Base Team (ABT). ABT, which consists of various community structures in Thembalethu, requested assistance from GRDM through a Neighbourhood Watch and Community Forum (CPF) Indaba due to the high crime rate in the area.

Jackets are funded through the GRDM in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety.

During the handover ceremony, GRDM Executive Mayor Ald, Memory Booysen thanked the representatives of the Thembalethu Neighbourhoods for the significant work they are doing in keeping community members safe.  Alderman Booysen, however, encouraged them to also invite young people to work with them, since safety is a concern for everyone.

Caption : In this photo is Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Alderman Memory Booysen, together with the leadership of the Thembaletu Neighbourwood Watch and his office

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20 September 2023 Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu

Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders collect nearly 500 bags of waste, including recyclable materials, in Thembalethu

Representatives from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE), with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning, Garden Route District and George Municipalities, Cape Nature and stakeholders from the Private Sector including John Dory’s and the Spur Foundation, embarked on a clean-up operation near the Schaap-kop River on 15 September in Thembalethu, George.

The clean-up operation included 65 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) members, including a Working-on-Fire Team from George. The programme formed part of the Clean-Up and Recycle – South Africa initiative and was also part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day that is celebrated in September each year. Approximately 100 participants, with the stakeholder representatives, rolled up their sleeves to clean up the littered area.

A few bags of waste collected at the site during the cleanup operation.

On behalf of CapeNature, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Thabiso Mokoena, said that with the initiative and the impact of pollution on the environment, he hopes that it will inspire the community to do better in terms of how household waste is disposed of.  Katt Perry, Senior Manager at John Dory’s, said that they have a vested interest in the project, and she stressed that “if waste comes through the river, it will end up in the oceans and eventually, we won’t be able to help the fish that are disappearing”. Perry thanked participants present for their hard work and said: “It takes that one person to make a difference”.

Dawid Adonis, Director for Community Services at George Municipality, during his remarks said: “We need to make sure that we keep the environment clean – we need communities to assist us to keep our environment clean and take responsibility”. In addition, he said: “Each and every one of us is an ambassador to make sure that our households use the bags and separate household waste as it will help the municipality to take less waste to the landfill facility”.

Before the groups went into different directions, each with refuse bags, GRDM’s Waste Management Officer, Innocentia Sikweyiya, explained the purpose of the various bags and what waste types are allowed in the different bags”.

At the end of the event, more approximately 320 black bags and nearly 50 recyclable bags were collected. Thank you to all stakeholders and participants who formed part of this initiative.

Stakeholders and members from the WOF and EPWP teams during the Cleanup operation in Thembalethu.

Did you know?

  • BLUE/CLEAR bags are used for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass etc.
  • GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings, leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
  • BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.

How do you recycle?

  • PAPER that CAN be recycled: office paper, newspaper and magazines, cardboard (boxes flattened), brown paper bags, take away containers (food removed and rinsed), milk and juice cartons (rinsed and flattened) and books (hard covers removed).
  • PAPER that CANNOT be recycled: napkins, tissue paper, paper towels, wax paper, laminated or waxy paper, punch confetti, carbon paper and stickers.
  • METAL that CAN be recycled: cooldrink and beer cans, food tins (rinsed clean), metal lids of glass, jars, aluminium cans, rusty cans can be recycled and recycled batteries (taken to correct depot).
  • METAL that CANNOT be recycled: batteries, motor oil cans, paint and aerosol cans, and tinfoil.
  • GLASS that CAN be recycled: all colours of glass bottles and jars, beer and wine bottles (rinsed).
  • GLASS that CANNOT be recycled: mirrors and windows, ceramic, crystal, drinking glasses and light bulbs.
  • PLASTIC that CAN be recycled: all plastics numbers 1-7 (rinsed), grocery and retail plastic bags (clean) and milk sachets.
  • PLASTIC that CANNOT be recycled: cling wrap, and polystyrene (is recyclable but no facility on Garden Route for now).

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18 September 2023 Media Release: The Garden Route and Klein Karoo – An Ideal Film Destination

Media Release: The Garden Route and Klein Karoo – An Ideal Film Destination

18 September 2023

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo, stretches from Witsand to Plettenberg Bay, right around to Oudtshoorn as well as Calitzdorp and Ladismith on the infamous R62. Situated about 280km from Cape Town, and is one of South Africa’s richest treasures, where you can lose yourself in nature, between majestic mountain ranges, breath-taking views, a natural garden of rich, colourful vistas, with valleys and lakes, rivers and forests, with miles upon miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches and a brilliant blue coastline.

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo comprise locations for TV, Film and Commercials, and is ideally placed to not only manage any overflows from other filming destinations but to become a major player in its own right in the industry. The Garden Route and Klein Karoo has a competitive advantage with their multiple localities and is able to package and offer a wide range of locations (forests, vineyards, mountains, farms, tree houses, tented camps, dams, rivers, beaches, airport, railway, game lodges, caves, heritage sites and buildings, industrial areas, which is broader than just its internationally recognised natural advantages). A range of services are available and on offer in the district to assist the industry in producing high-quality films in the Garden Route district.

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝗻, 𝗞𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼, 𝗞𝗻𝘆𝘀𝗻𝗮, 𝗙𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻, 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝘀𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗿, 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗣𝗮𝗱 𝗻𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺, 𝗗𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲.

𝗧𝗩 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗹𝘀: 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝟮, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝟮, 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗲, 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘆: 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀.

A policy framework and permitting system were developed and are in place to facilitate, regulate and standardise filming within the Garden Route district to provide for the issuing of film permits, filming in environmentally sensitive areas, the use of municipal services during filming and to provide for filming in public areas.

FIND OUT MORE: To explore the many film shoot options and locations in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo, get in touch today.

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Patric Walton (Chairperson of the board)
Tel: +27 79 554 5046
chairperson@gardenroutefilmcommission.com
rene@gardenroutefilmcommission.com
www.gardenroutefilmcommission.com

 

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18 September 2023 Invitation to Tender/Quotation Submission – Construction of New Regional Waste Management Facility and associated Infrastructure

Project: The Construction of a New Regional Waste Management Facility and associated Infrastructure

Contract Number: GRDM/24/21-22

For attention: Interested Local SMMEs in the Garden Route

The Contractor wishes to invite all interested SMMEs in the Garden Route District For the Following Packages:
1. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/FENCE-01 – Supply and Erect new Temporary Fence 3.92 km
2. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/FENCE-02 – Supply and Erect new PetroSA internal security fence – 5.328 km
3. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/SECURITY-03 – Security Services
4. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-04 – Training
5. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-05 – Cut and stockpile material (Supply all plant required, Excavators, FEL, Tipper trucks and Dumpers)
6. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-06 – Remove topsoil and stockpile
7. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-07 – Laboratory Testing Services
8. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-08 – Supply of Diesel
9. GRDM/TEFLA/21-22/TRAINING-08 – Supply of Plant (yellow machines)

  • Briefing Session: Compulsory

Tender Briefing Session
Date: 22nd September 2023
Time: 11h00
Venue: Site Camp, Next to Gourikwa Landfill (PetroSA), Mossel Bay NB!

Tender documents will be issued during the tender briefing as per the attendance register.

Click here to open the Official Advert

18 September 2023 Media Release: Future water security in the Southern Cape must include innovation and best practice

Media Release: Future water security in the Southern Cape must include innovation and best practice

For Immediate Release
18 September 2023

“Water scarcity, changes in rainfall patterns, climate change, potentially restrictive water license regulations and proposed water quotas with far reaching impacts are all reasons why farmers and other water users are pushing the limits in terms of building new storage dams or enlarging existing ones or channelling water courses, often doing so without obtaining the necessary official permission required, and in the process expose themselves to costly litigation,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI).

Globally agriculture is a major water user and so is mining, industry and human consumption which is rapidly on the increase and posing a complex water demand issue as urbanization world- wide accelerates along with changes in climate.

From an environmental perspective, ultimately ecosystems suffer the most as run- off water is dammed up for storage leaving rivers and streams starved of sufficient supply despite of legally determined minimum reserve flows to ensure their essential ecological survival, having dire impacts on estuaries, aquatic and marine life.

Technology plays a vital role in reducing water consumption on all fronts, and even if difficult to quantify exactly how much collectively it does make a huge difference as farmers invest in advanced irrigation technology, new generation taps and plumbing devices in new developments and permanent water restrictions in towns and cities across the board.

The impact of invasive alien plants in high value catchments is measureable and account for substantial water loss making their constant eradication and control vital. In addition, the prevention of water evaporation on a significant scale holds a key factor in stabilizing water levels in reservoirs globally, and although thus far not utilized on a grand scale, it is an exciting prospect to cover open water surfaces to suppress rapid evaporation rates as heat and drought waves takes effect.

Water management plans for industry designed to regulate, recycle and minimize water use, technology inventions in irrigation and public participation campaigns to reduce water use in cities all make a difference, and is bound to play a bigger role as water demand surges.

In recent times South African water conservation entities have developed floating panels designed for covering large reservoirs over life time periods and no doubt will become a standardized if not essential contributor to water management and preservation systems in years to come. Given the fact that water users dependent on storage dams require no EIA nor permission from water management entities to cover storage dam surfaces, it may well be an additional solution for water stressed entities globally.

Based in the Garden Route, the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) is a public platform for land owners and land managers focussing on invasive alien plant eradication, environmental management and water stewardship.

Cobus@naturalbridge.co.za

Feature Picture: Southern Cape coastal plateau

Caption: The Southern Cape coastal plateau is heavily farmed and dependent on vast volumes of water. Whilst the rate of urbanization in the Garden Route increasingly make demands on the same resource as agriculture, water demand managers must focus on enforced water restrictions, advanced technology options and improved water use management plans

14 September 2023 Media Release: GRDM Fire Services Public Education Interventions continue

Media Release: GRDM Fire Services Public Education Interventions continue

For immediate release
14 September 2023

The GRDM Fire Services visited various primary schools within our district over the months of August and September 2023.

Fire safety awareness and education interventions facilitated at schools play a crucial role in ensuring that whilst learners are in the learning environment, they are also exposed to information and educated on Fire Safety prevention at school, at home and outside in the environment.

Educators are also learning with the students. They all become aware of prevention and what actions to take within their immediate environment and share the message with family and friends at home. It is a three-step process, which includes Awareness, Prevention and how to deal with fire ignition and/or occurrence and/or how to escape and protect themselves in any specific situation, as well as alerting  the Fire Brigade Services about the incident.

Prioritising schools and in particular Primary Schools, is viewed as the most effective target audience in this regard.

Schools that were visited are as follows;

  • Avontuur Primary & Haarlem Primary – 03 August 2023
  • Herold Primary  – 10 August 2023
  • Geelhoutboom Primary – 29 August 2023
  • Hoogekraal Primary – 30 August 2023
  • Franken Primary – 5 September 2023
  • Diepkloof Primary – 7 September 2023

Some of the key learnings that students gained from fire safety education include:

Understanding Fire Basics:

  • The basic science of fire, including how it starts, spreads, and the elements necessary for combustion.

Unwanted Fire Prevention:

  • Common causes of fires, such as electrical faults, open flames, and flammable materials.
  • The importance of fire prevention measures, including proper storage of flammable materials, not overloading electrical outlets, and safe handling of ignition sources such as candles, stoves, etc., other appliances, e.g., gas heaters, electric heaters, leaving candles and cooking unattended.

Cautions with Matches and Lighters:

  • Not to play with matches or lighters and to immediately hand over to an adult if they find them.
  • Learning to recognise the early signs of a fire, such as the smell of smoke or the sound of a smoke detector.
  • Vegetation Fires: leaving ‘outside’ fires unattended that has the potential of starting vegetation fires, the dangers of starting vegetation fires, as well as how to make and confine fires in designated areas.

Dangers of Smoke(Carbon Monoxide Awareness)

  • The dangers of smoke, carbon monoxide inhalation, and in particular the dangers of ‘boma’ fires within the home.

Fire Safety Equipment:

  • Familiarisation with fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke alarms, as well as other measures that can be used, i.e., sand.
  • How to use a fire extinguisher properly and understanding its limitations.
  • Actions to take: Stop, Drop, and Roll.
  • Teaching the “stop, drop, and roll” technique in case of clothing catching fire.

Calling of Emergency number:

  • How to call emergency services in their immediate areas to report a fire.
  • Emphasising the importance of providing accurate information and remaining calm during the call and moving to designated safe places.

Fire safety education in schools not only imparts important life-saving knowledge but also instils a sense of responsibility and preparedness in learners and educators alike. It empowers them to take correct action in the event of a fire and to promote fire safe practices within their immediate communities.

Information supplied: Heinrich Leslie, GRDM Acting  Station Officer: Fire Services

ENDS

14 September 2023 Impact Based Weather Warnings and Advisory: Damaging Wings, Damaging Waves & Wet and Cold Conditions

Impact Based Weather Warnings and Advisory: Damaging Wings, Damaging Waves & Wet and Cold Conditions

The Cape Town Office has issued severe weather warnings for Damaging Winds, Damaging Waves and an Advisory for Very Cold, Wet and Windy conditions valid from Friday, 15 September to Sunday, 17 September 2023.

Areas affected by the damaging waves include Bitou, George, Hessequa, Knysna and Mossel Bay.Areas affected by the damaging winds include Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.Oudtshoorn will be affected by the very cold, wet and windy conditions.

Report weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.

13 September 2023 Media Release: Plans for Skills Centres in Knysna and George progressing

Media Release: Plans for Skills Centres in Knynsa and George progressing

For Immediate Release
13 September 2023

At the recent Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) highly successful Skills Mecca Skills Summit held on 13 July 2023 in Knysna, an innovative item on the programme allowed external stakeholders to present ideas on how to improve socio-economic circumstances for the unemployed, especially the youth, in their communities.  Two such proposals focused on skills centres in Knysna and George, although all local municipalities in the Graden Route expressed similar needs.

In Knysna two more meetings were held and with excellent collaborative leadership from the Knysna Business Chamber, the Knysna Municipality and the South Cape TVET College, the process is well underway. At least two very suitable sites with existing buildings that could easily be converted into classrooms and workshops could be home to skills centres.  A formal process has now started for the stakeholders to move towards long-term agreements subject to approvals from the various governance structures.

In George a similar positive approach was adopted with significant collaborative leadership between the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the George Municipality, Mr Michiel Burger , the Bonnievale 418 Trust and Jakes Gerwel Teknies Skool in Bonnievale, considered the model collaborative school in South Africa. A highlight was a site visit to the Jakes Gerwel School on Tuesday 12 September 2023, by the various role players. This process will now be led into a task team, co-led by the George Municipality and WCED to also move towards more formal processes.

The excellent leadership at local and district municipal level and the cooperation-collaboration from other stakeholders are proving to be a significant force in moving these process forward. These initiatives are set to benefit the unemployed and youth in general. The Garden Route Skills Mecca team will continue to support both processes administratively and where necessary, explore extending partnerships to support these two processes.

Feature image caption: Home-based care practitioners with Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu (front) and other municipal representatives at the Garden Route Skills Summit.

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6 September 2023 Public Notice: Five (5) x 100 KVA Emergency Back-up Diesel powered Generators on order for the Garden Route District Municipality

Public Notice: Five (5) x 100 KVA Emergency Back-up Diesel powered Generators on order for the Garden Route District Municipality

After obtaining approval form both Provincial Treasury, as well as the Council of the Garden Route District Municipality for the rollover of the Emergency Municipal Loadshedding Relief Grant the Garden Route District Municipality could finally place an order to the successful bidder, AK Electrical Consultants, to supply and deliver five mobile 100 KVA diesel powered generators, to be used as back-up units during the current energy crisis.

These units will be placed at Garden Route District Municipal offices in the district to be available to assist as back-up power units in case of emergencies.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:   044 803 1300
Notice number: 122/2023

Click here to download the Official Notice

 

12 September 2023 Media Release: Garden Route monitoring station reporting live on SAAQIS

Media Release: Garden Route monitoring station reporting live on SAAQIS

For Immediate Release
12 September 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) procured a low-cost mobile sensor from Earthsense in the United Kingdom, called the Zephyr. This mobile unit can measure various pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide. The sensor is used throughout the district to identify air quality hot spots. These hot spots are based on historic complaints and air pollution activities. This unit has become an indispensable component of air quality management in the district.

“This is another achievement and further step in sharing important air quality information with the public, as these monitoring data have been reported on the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS),” said Dr Johann Schoeman, Manager: GRDM District Air Quality Control.

SAAQIS makes air information available to stakeholders, provides a common system for managing air quality in South Africa and provides uniformity in the way data, information and reporting are managed.  The SAAQIS aims to provide public access to air quality information. The availability of information facilitates transparency in processes, informs decision-making, and builds capacity. Through the SAAQIS, relevant information can be streamlined, tools are provided to assist in managing air quality, and stakeholders are made aware of air quality issues.

The SAAQIS presents real-time ambient air quality monitoring information together with the Air Quality Index on modern platforms. This information is available through the SAAQIS website (http//saaqis.environment.gov.za) and an innovative mobile application tool (available on Android and iOS mobile platforms).  Besides the Zephyr, the fixed air quality station in George, under the control of the Provincial Air Quality department, and the Eskom station in Mossel Bay are also reporting on SAAQIS.

Any member of the public can now access the website and monitor the air quality results of the George station, Mossel Bay station as well as the mobile station. The mobile station’s location is movable, depending on where it is utilised at that specific point in time. An air quality index is plotted on the site and indicates the state of the air on a scale from excellent to poor.

The reporting live on SAAQIS is a further enhancement of air quality management in the district and a way of open and transparent communication to its residents. It lives up to our vision of “having air quality worthy of the name Garden route”.

For more information, please contact Dr Johann Schoeman, District Air Quality Manager by e-mailing jschoeman@gardenroute.gov.za

Did you know: Air Quality ambient monitoring is a statutory requirement of District Municipalities, in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act 39 of 2004).

Click on https://saaqis.environment.gov.za/ – The map of South Africa shows three (3) green spots in our district. We have a mobile station between Mossel Bay and Herbertsdale (Mossdustria) on the far left. The other two are at Mossel Bay and at George’s. You will find the following information if you click on the homo ns mobile station.

Featured image caption : A low-cost mobile sensor from Earthsense in the United Kingdom, called the Zephyr.

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