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NOTICE OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON 25 March 2025 AT 11:00 Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 25 March 2025 at 11:00. |
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/9yMkAOpuePE?si=-g63b12t3ht70r65
6 March 2025
Earlier this week, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services attended the Road Incident Management Systems (RIMS) Training Workshop. This was hosted in George by the National Department of Transport and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).
“The safety of road users and emergency responders remains a priority for us at the GRDM. This training is important becausee it strengthens our region’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively to incidents. I commend all participants for their dedication and commitment to keeping our roads safe,” said GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
The workshop was attended by emergency responders, including GRDM Disaster Management and Fire Services, Oudtshoorn Municipal Traffic and Law Enforcement, George Municipal Fire Department and Traffic Management, METRO Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Attendees from George, Mossel Bay, and Ladismith rescue technicians, as well as other private role players, including a breakdown service, also attended.
The objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the necessary skills to coordinate and implement standardised procedures for incident response. This can help to ensure a more efficient and safer roadway environment.
Some of the key elements covered in the training included:
The one-day workshop was well received by attendees who also were also exposed to numerous real-life incident examples and ways to mitigate them.
According to GRDM Fire Station Commander Heirich Leslie, the training provided the necessary knowledge to equip attendees with the appropriate steps toward building a more efficient and coordinated road incident management framework. To this end, it ensures that South Africa’s roads remain safe and accessible in the face of unforeseen incidents.
Feature image and images above showcasing emergency personnel from the district who attended the RIMS Workshop.
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Notice is hereby given that a 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 13 March 2025 at 14:00.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape as follows:
Hazard: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: FDI above 75
Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Breede Valley, Cederberg, Drakenstein, Hantam, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Khâi-Ma, Laingsburg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert, Swartland
Valid From (SAST): 03/03/25 – 08h00
Valid To (SAST): 04/03/25 – 19h00
Discussion: The hot temperatures along with dry conditions and strong winds can result in the development of runaway and veld/bush fires.
Impact: Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
Instruction: All personnel and equipment should be removed from the field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full stand-by. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time. All available aircraft are to be called for without delay.
Legal notice:
“This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town
Twenty five years ago the United Nations declared 3 March as International Wildlife Day dedicated to the celebration of fauna and flora, as well as marine life, globally.
South Africa is the custodian of some of the world’s most unique fauna and flora and has over decades invested heavily into conserving our very special habitats and bio- diversity from over- exploitation and extinction.
The good news is that there are today perhaps more land under conservation and official protection than fifty years ago, but despite these obvious goals there are many problems of which the most prominent is the near extinction of South Africa’s black and white rhino population due to relentless and violent poaching, and perhaps not as conspicuous there are several other plant and wild life species facing a similar fate country wide.
The conservation and protection of fauna and flora has to face many challenges in a South Africa that looks vastly different from what it was fifty years ago.
Some of the biggest challenges include a fast- growing population with an insatiable quest for land to be developed and supporting infrastructure, as well as the more recent impact of a changing climate and changing rainfall patterns which are proving to be substantial in its detructive impact.
Perhaps the single biggest threat to conservation in South Africa is invasive alien plants (I&AP’s) which found a very fertile home for themselves in millions of hectares covering the full extent of the South Africa in one degree or another depending on climate, rainfall and soil types.
Almost impossible to eradicate I&AP’s has rendered large sections of the South African landscape unusable for agriculture and conservation, and is spreading at an alarming rate putting ever more of the country’s sensitive eco- systems under threat of irreversible destruction.
Due to negative land management practices and invasive alien plants in primary catchments and rivers systems, South Africa has already lost more than two thirds of our precious wetland systems sustain an array of eco- systems found nowhere else on the planet.
The conservation of South Africa’s fauna and flora rests on the shoulders of all its citizens, whether it includes not dumping rubbish in undesignated spaces, by not contaminating or over extracting water resources or clearing your land from invasive alien plants, let us unite in conserving our beautiful land and celebrate our natural heritage.
Featured image caption: A Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, often seen at the lakes all around the Garden Route region.
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For immediate release
28 February 2025
The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), which forms part of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has officially launched its new Tourism and Hospitality Project, a significant initiative funded by the National Skills Fund (NSF), with a series of comprehensive induction workshops held across the Garden Route. The sessions commenced on 24 February 2025 and today the last session is held in Hessequa at the Riversdale Civic Centre.
Areas where workshops were already conducted include Bitou, Knysna, Mossel Bay, George, Calitzdorp, Ladismith and Oudtshoorn.
A packed hall of participants in attendance at the Workshop conducted in Knysna.
These workshops, facilitated by Reginald Salmons, Coordinator for Skills Development at GRDM, marked the commencement of a valuable opportunity for Work Integrated Learners (WIL) and Cooks to acquire essential skills and to contribute to the region’s vibrant hospitality industry.
Portfolio Chairperson for Corporate Services, Ald. Nompumelelo Ndayi said: “The sessions brought together learners and host employers from local businesses, with the GRDM team playing a pivotal role in guiding the participants and providing crucial insights”.
The Induction Workshop conducted in Mossel Bay on 25 February 2025.
Each morning, participants were welcomed by a representative of the respective municipality, fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere, followed by a detailed overview of the GRSM’s background. Salmons further emphasised the importance of the GRSM in the local community and its contribution to regional skills development.
Following an opportunity for attendees to network and engage with one another, these workshops also explored the core components of the program, including:
“Discussions are designed to ensure that all participants have a clear understanding of their obligations and expectations, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the program,” said Ndayi.
Presentations made by the GRDM and NSF teams during the Induction Workshop in Oudtshoorn.
A dedicated question and answer session was built into the programme that provided learners with a platform to address any queries or concerns, fostering open communication and ensuring clarity. The induction concluded with a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the learners for their participation.
The launch of this NSF-backed Hospitality Project represents a significant investment in the future of the Garden Route’s workforce. By providing learners with essential skills and practical experience, the project aims to enhance their employability and contribute to the continued growth of the region’s thriving hospitality sector.
According to Mayor Andrew Stroebel, the GRSM’s commitment to skills development is “evident in the comprehensive nature of the induction workshops, laying a solid foundation for the success of the project and its participants”.
“This initiative promises to empower individuals and strengthen the local hospitality industry, ensuring a brighter future for the Garden Route,” he concluded.
More Induction Workshops conducted across the district.
ENDS
Vir onmiddelikke vrystelling
27 Februarie 2025
Vanoggend, 27 Februarie 2025, het Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) begin om hulp te verleen aan die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap in die Klein-Karoo, met die verskaffing van ‘n 10 000 liter water.
Die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap ontvang water nadat tien duisend (10 000) liter vanoggend deur TDM in hul area afgelewer is.
Volgens Burgemeester Andrew Stroebel is die versoek gerig nadat die area probleme ondervind het met ‘n kabel wat beskadig was weens die onlangs kragonderbrekings (loadshedding) in die gebied. “Ons spanne het spoedig gereageer en het vanoggend die 10 000 liter water na die Dysselsdorp gemeenskap Vervoer”.
“TDM sal in noue samewerking met Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit verseker dat die water by die nodige gebiede afgelewer word.”
Die Oudtshoorn Munisipaliteit se Tegniese Afdeling het hul dank uitgespreek teenoor die TDM se Rampbestuurseenheid vir die hulp in ‘n tyd van nood aan die gemeenskap van Dysselsdorp. Indien die pyp nie spoedig herstel word nie, sal verdere hulp vanaf die TDM aan hierdie gemeenskap volgende week voortgaan.
EINDE
27 February 2025
The Gwaiing Road (DR1618) construction project when completed by the Garden Route District Municipality will see a 4.4 km stretch, between the R404 (Blanco side) and the R102 (George Airport side), upgraded from gravel to a tarred surface. The project has previously been halted when teams were redeployed to areas impacted by heavy rains.
“Firstly, I extend my sincere gratitude to the residents and road users who have shown remarkable patience during the construction delays,” said Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
“During April, in line with the new budget cycle for Provincial Government, the Gwaiing road is planned to commence. The project should take a minimum of 10-months to be completed”.
The construction of tarred surfaced roads, like the Gwaiing one, consists of various underlying gravel layers, finished with a sealed (tarred) surface layer.
The layer works specific to the Gwaiing project are:
Of the five layers, the base course is next in line to be prepared and completed. Surfacing (tarring) is the final step and is anticipated to be completed two weeks after the curing phase of the base course has been done. The GRDM therefore anticipates having one fully completed lane ready by the middle of the 2025 calendar year. Keep in mind again that every step of the process is dependent on the weather.
The second lane has been completed up to the SSG layer. Materials for the remaining layers will be procured and delivered over a 30-day period per layer, once the first lane has been successfully completed. This phased approach is designed to minimize traffic disruptions for residents, as traffic will be shifted to the completed lane, allowing for construction to take place on the last lane. As material is being delivered, processing, compaction, and testing will be done continuously on the remaining layers.
Mayor Stroebel also shared that “the entire project is done by GRDM. Fully in-house with our permanent staff, and with the utilisation of the Expanded Public Works Programme where we appoint labour on a contract basis for developing their skills”.
Feature image: Processing and compacting of a subbase layer previously done on the 4.4km Gwaiing Road (DR1618) between the R404 (Blanco side) and the R102 (George Airport side).
ENDS
Notice 14/2025
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Second 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 Tuesday, 25 February 2025.
This document will be available for public inspection and comments on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za.
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”.
Please contact the Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300 with any enquiries.
Click here to open the Official Notice
M G Stratu
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality
26 Februarie 2025
Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) het vinnig opgetree om ‘n waterkrisis in Ladismith te help verlig nadat fase 6-beurtkrag die afgelope naweek onverwags ingestel is.
Op Sondag, 23 Februarie, om 20:00, is die Tuinroete Rampbestuursentrum ingelig dat verskeie areas in Ladismith sedert die oggend sonder water was weens ontwrigtings in die watervoorsiening. As gevolg van die ernstigheid van die situasie, het die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van TDM, Andrew Stroebel, die onmiddellike ontplooiing van watertenks goedgekeur om inwoners van noodsaaklike water vir huishoudelike gebruik te voorsien.
Die TDM Brandweerstasie in Ladismith het onmiddellik reageer en ‘n 5 000 liter water tank gestuur om verligting te bring, terwyl die Rampbestuursentrum ‘n bykomende 10 000-liter en 6 000-liter watertenk vanaf George versoek en laat ontplooi het. Hierdie pogings was nie net daarop gemik om inwoners in nood te voorsien nie, maar ook om die dorp se hoofwaterreservoirs, wat tot kritiek lae vlakke onder 5% kapasiteit gedaal het, aan te vul.
Om die krisis verder te verlig, het die Rampbestuursentrum ‘n 100 KVA diesel-aangedrewe rugsteunopwekker beskikbaar gestel om waterpompbedrywighede tydens uitgebreide beurtkragperiodes te ondersteun.
Vanaf 14:00 gistermiddag het die gesamentlike pogings tussen Kannaland Munisipaliteit, TDM Brandweerdienste en TDM Rampbestuur die situasie aansienlik verbeter. Die hoofreservoir in Ladismith het gestyg tot bo 35%, terwyl die Jan F. Le Grange- en Government-damme herstel het tot vlakke tussen 25% en 30%.
Die Distriksmunisipaliteit sal voortgaan om die situasie noukeurig te monitor en voortdurende hulp aan die Kannaland Munisipaliteit en ander wat hulp nodig het, te verleen.
Vir verdere opdaterings word inwoners aangemoedig om Kannaland Munisipaliteit se amptelike kommunikasiekanale te volg.
Inwoners van Ladismith besig om water by die watertenks te haal.
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