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28 February 2023 Public Notice: 2022/23 Fourth Adjustment Budget – Approved 27 February 2023

Public Notice: 2022/23 Fourth Adjustment Budget Approved

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Fourth Adjustment Budget for the period 2022/2023-2024/2025, 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 Monday, 27 February 2023.

This documents are available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website at www.gardenroute.gov.za from 27 February 2023.

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 Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”.

For any enquiries, please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300.

Click here to open the official notice.

M G Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality

28 February 2023 Media Release: Garden Route DM to partner with Tacoma Sister Cities from the USA

Media Release: Garden Route DM to partner with Tacoma Sister Cities from the USA

For Immediate Release
28 February 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), recently hosted members of the Tacoma Sister City council Committee, who hail from the State of Washington in the United States of America. Delegates included the Deputy Mayor of Tacoma City Council, Pierce County Council Member and the Chair, Tacoma-George Sister City Committee.

The purpose of the visit was to start talks about future collaboration and subsequent partnering with the Tacoma Sister City Committee, known as a twinning agreement.

Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, boasted about the Sister City Committee’s achievements and the impact they’ve made in George over the past 25 years. GRDM Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu also said he is excited about the prospect of Tacoma City Sisters working with the entire Garden Route. “With the opportunity coming our way, the people of the Garden Route will reap the benefits,” said Stratu.

“I am encouraged and looking forward to the concretisation of the Garden Route and Tacoma Sister City partnership.”

Catherine Ushka (Deputy Mayor: Tacoma City Council) said that she particularly gravitated towards the warmth and kindness of the people of the region. She also stated that the partnership going forward would help the parties to find ways to move closer to the outcome of justice.

 

Caption: The GRDM Executive Mayor, Ald. Memory Booysen, Melannie Denise Cunningham, Chair, Tacoma-George Sister City Committee, and Ald. Gert van Niekerk, GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor. 

To date, Sister City has made significant strides in the George area, which include the following:

– Support the establishment of Phambili Refuge for Battered Women and Children in 2017;

– George-based student studied small business development in Tacoma, while a Tacoma intern studied community development in George;

– A container of 9071 kg of donated supplies was sent to Bethesda HIV/AIDS Hospice and orphanage;

– Container donated for a Grade 1 classroom at Tyholorha Primary School in Thembalethu, George;

– Textbooks and computers donated to Tyholorha Primary School;

– Supported the “Stepping Away from AIDS” project through the George HIV/AIDS Coalition;

– Sponsored a 30-minute video titled “Shattering Images” about common stereotypes of Africa and America;

– Participated in the U.S. State Department grant awarded to Tacoma Women of Vision NGO to reduce domestic violence in George;

– and more…

Feature image:

The GRDM Mayoral Committee, Municipal Manager and support staff hosted Tacoma Sister City Committee members from the USA. Pictured (from left to right): Adv. Nadiema Davids, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard (Mayco), Iona Kritzinger (Mayco), Monde Stratu (GRDM MM), Marty Campbell (Pierce County Council Member), Ald. Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Catherine Ushka (Deputy Mayor: Tacoma City Council), Ald. Gert van Niekerk (Deputy Executive Mayor), Melannie Denise Cunningham (Tacoma-George Sister City Committee), Siphiwe Dladla (GRDM), Jerome Lambaatjeen (Mayco) and Jannie Horn (George Community Leader).

ENDS

18 February 2023 Media Release: Measles Awareness Session Held at Rosemore Crèche in George to Promote Prevention Measures

Measles Awareness Session Held at Rosemore Crèche in George to Promote Prevention Measures

18 February 2023

A measles awareness session was held recently at Rosemore Crèche in George, where Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Community Services Department educated approximately 50 children and staff members on the importance of preventing the spread of this highly contagious viral infection.

Measles, which can have serious consequences for young children, typically exhibit symptoms 10 to 14 days after exposure. Those infected by it usually has a cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, and a red, blotchy skin rash. The session covered the transmission of measles, prevention measures, and the significance of consistent handwashing.

Measles spreads easily through the air via respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as through saliva, skin-to-skin contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, labour, or nursing.

Education was led by Ivy Mamegwa, an EHP from the Wilderness region, one of the eight areas served by the GRDM. The goal of the session was to increase community awareness of measles and to promote personal hygiene practices to prevent its spread.

To prevent the spread of measles, it’s important to ensure proper ventilation and practice proper handwashing. The best defence, however, is to get vaccinated. Pamphlets were provided to the children and staff members to take home and share with others, including their parents, to further increase awareness and promote prevention measures.

Advice from EHP is to practice good hand hygiene. It continues to be one of the main strategies for stopping the transmission of pathogens.

ENDS

14 Febuary 2023 Media Release: Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy Implementation Plan now in place

Media Release: Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy Implementation Plan now in place

For immediate release
14 February 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Council approved the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy Implementation Plan on 30 January 2023. The implementation plan has been completed through consultation workshops with stakeholder groups for each of the seven priority focus areas in the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy (GRG&DS).

The Garden Route District Municipality in partnership with all spheres of government, the business community and key community organisations developed a Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GRG&DS) which was adopted by Council on 30 March 2021.

A formal partnership agreement was entered into with the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEP) to develop the GRG&DS, in collaboration with the GRDM. The agreement also includes the compilation of Cluster Implementation Plans, based on the following seven(7) strategic focus areas:

  • A Water Secure Future
  • A Circular Economy
  • Resilient Agriculture
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Supporting Wellbeing and Resilience
  • A connected economy: Transport and Rural-urban integration and ICT
  • Sustainable Local Energy Transition

Click here, to download the implementation plan here.
Click here, to download the Growth and Development Strategy.

By starting off the practical work, a range of workshops, facilitated by the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP), took place from 11 – 15 July 2022, to develop implementation plans for each of the seven strategic priorities as identified in the GRG&DS.

The Garden Route Economic Recovery Plan containing interventions, as well as initiatives identified in the GDS, were formed the basis from which the implementation plans were developed.

Dedicated clusters have been established through which catalytic projects, tasks and identified activities will be executed.

The GRDM in collaboration local B-Municipalities, National and Provincial Government, agencies and the private sector at a later stage, form part of these working clusters. Relevant stakeholders per strategic priority were also identified as key members of the specific clusters.

The implementation of the GRG&DS is crucial to ensure the impact it will have on the region, through partnerships and collaboration. The implementation of the plan will happen over the next 18 years and is linked to the performance agreement of the Executive Manager: Planning and Economic Development.

13 February 2023 Media Release: GRDM rolling out R67 million Gwaing Road construction project

Media Release:  GRDM rolling out R67 million Gwaing Road construction project

For immediate release
13 February 2023

As the roads authority for divisional roads in the Garden Route district, the Western Cape Government Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) recently commissioned the upgrading and construction project of Divisional Road 1618 in Gwaing, George. Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is contracted through an agency agreement to implement certain roads projects on DTPW’s behalf.

The Gwaing Road (DR1618) is situated just outside George, near Blanco and connects to the R404, a regional route that connects George with Herold’s Bay, and the R102, situated between the Glentana intersection and the George Airport.

During the project, a section of the road will be upgraded from its start at the R404 to km 4.44 at the R102. The existing 4.44 km gravel surface will be upgraded to a bituminous ‘tarred’ surface.

In addition, improvements will be made to the storm water drainage system, along with other activities. These include the construction of concrete lined side drains, the installation of concrete storm water pipes, and the realignment of certain sections of the road to improve drainage and road safety.

The project is estimated at R 67-million and will last 18 months, starting in January 2023. As part of the GRDM EPWP program, approximately 44 jobs will be created during the construction phase.

During the period of construction, temporary road signs, delineators, flag operators, and speed controls will be utilised to ensure safe use while under construction.

“Road infrastructure is a critical connector to economic, education, health and social opportunities,” said Tertuis Simmers, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure. “The Western Cape is known for the quality and great maintenance of its roads and we remain committed to this.  We take cognisance of the inconvenience this project will have on the lives of our road uses and profusely apologise for this inconvenience. We would like to thank our road users for their patience during this time.” Simmers concluded.

-END-

10 February 2023 Save the Date: Garden Route District Municipality to embark on an Illegal Dumping Campaign

Save the Date: Garden Route District Municipality to embark on an Illegal Dumping Campaign

Illegal dumping is a serious environmental and public health concern. This habit leads to pollution of air, water and soil, and can also attract pests and create unsanitary conditions. In addition, it can also decrease property values and negatively impact the overall aesthetic of an area. Raising awareness about the negative impacts of illegal dumping can help to reduce the incidence of this behaviour and promote more responsible disposal of waste.

Environmental Health Practitioners from Garden Route municipalities together with stakeholders will this week embark on a campaign to educate communities on the health effects of illegal dumping.

Members of the public are invited to follow us on social media from Monday, 13 February 2023 or tune into Eden FM (Monday, 13 February 2023 from 7:40) to learn more about the negative impact of illegal dumping on the environment. Various slots will also be used by local municipalities throughout the week to speak about illegal dumping.

“Let’s be the change within our communities and let’s curb illegal dumping together”.

8 February 2023 Media Release:  Construction of the new Garden Route District Municipality Fire Station underway

Update 1 Construction of the new Garden Route District Municipality Fire Station underway

For immediate release
8 February 2023

On 2 February 2023, the construction of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire Station commenced.

Due to several compliance matters, the construction of the site was delayed over December and reschedule to start last week. Locally based building contractor, Khubeka Construction CC, has officially commenced work on site and it is all systems go for the project.  This exciting GRDM project will be overseen by a local engineering consultant, Kantey and Templer (Pty) Ltd.

Bearing in mind the delays in the project, a new completion date is set for the 30th of November 2023 with the official handover of the Fire Station envisaged for the 01st of December 2023.

Related article:  https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2022/11/04/4-november-2022-media-release-state-of-the-art-regional-fire-station-expected-by-june-2023/ 

-END-

7 February 2022 Media Release: Garden Route DM continues to assist local municipalities with loadshedding impacts

Garden Route DM continues to assist local municipalities with load shedding impacts

For Immediate Release
7 February 2023

South Africa experienced a staggering 133 days of power outages in 2022, with November 2022 hitting a peak of 27 days of outages for the entire month. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently again engaged on a platform with the Western Cape Government (WCG) Head of Department for Local Government to discuss the load shedding crisis. It was confirmed that stages 4-6 of load shedding would become the norm for South Africa in the foreseeable future.

In response to this dire situation, GRDM has assisted George Municipality in applying for an exemption from load shedding above stage three for the municipality’s water purification plant and main domestic water pump stations. Eskom has approved this exemption until June 2023. “We have also assisted Oudtshoorn Municipality in applying for an exemption above stage three for the operation of their water infrastructure. This includes providing water to the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme, which includes boreholes in Dysselsdorp. This particular approval is pending the construction of a short feeder line, which is currently required,” said Gerhard Otto, Head of Disaster Management at GRDM.

Below are a few images of the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme boreholes in Dysselsdorp

According to Otto, GRDM has also been providing bulk domestic water storage tanks (5000-litre tanks) to ensure that water is available to residents in Kannaland and Oudtshoorn in high-lying areas. “ Since the start of January 2023, the GRDM Fire Services has provided approximately 102 000 litres of water to water-stressed communities in the Klein Karoo.

GRDM has also applied to the WC Provincial Government for funding towards the rental or purchase of backup generator units. These will assist local municipalities where they experience challenges due to extended periods of load shedding. Unfortunately, this will place a severe strain on the operational budgets of municipalities because of the high cost of diesel required to keep the generators running.

GRDM has contacted the Provincial and National Disaster Management Centres to determine if it would be possible to declare the Garden Route district as a local disaster area due to the current load shedding challenges. This would enable local municipalities to access disaster grant funding as well as to implement emergency measures to be able to address financial, as well as operational challenges, due to the current prolonged periods of load shedding.

The Premier of the Western Cape will be requesting the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, to declare a national state of disaster. If this is not approved, the National Disaster Centre will alternatively be requested to classify the Western Cape as a provincial disaster area.

ENDS

31 January 2023 Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipality telephones offline

31 January 2023 Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipality telephones offline

Members of the public, please be informed that all telephone lines of the Garden Route Municipality (GRDM) are currently offline due to technical problems. Only the switchboard number (044 803 1300) is working, however no calls can be transferred.

If you need to contact an official urgently, we kindly advise that you alternatively send an email to the relevant official or contact him or her on a cell phone number until the problem is resolved.

Thank you for your patience in this regard.

Issued: GRDM Communications