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25 January 2024 Media Release: Climate innovation catches the eye of corporate finance

Media Release: Climate innovation catches the eye of corporate finance

For Immediate Release
25 January 2024

Changes in rainfall patterns, floods, and droughts brought on by climate change coupled with unreliable energy supply leave citizens with little choice but to independently adjust and look for technology options to ensure sustainability,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

As technology options bring much-needed relief in terms of water and energy supply, they become part of general asset registers and are increasingly attracting the attention of finance institutions like Nedbank, Hortfin and others who are willing to finance green energy, water conservation and circular economy initiatives.

The use of alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind, has become a permanent fixture in South Africa in recent years. Not necessarily because of a changing climate and a move away from fossil fuels, but because of the erratic and unreliable power supply caused by mismanagement, a lack of skills and planning and timeous implementation of energy alternatives by central government and SOE’s.

Over time, water resource management in South Africa also had to adapt to compensate for crumbling infrastructure and erratic supply.  Consequently, urban water harvesting, covering swimming pools, and a general reduction in water use following the dreaded Day Zero crisis in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, as well as the current challenges in Gauteng, have become common practices.

Through modern technology, South Africa has developed evaporation prevention measures for stored water reservoirs and storage dams. It will soon become more popular as global temperatures rise and evaporation rates take their toll on stored waters, and will follow the same trajectory as energy alternatives in terms of implementation.

As a result of a lack of suitable sites and catchments, timelines to build, and exorbitant construction costs, the construction of new dams for agricultural, mining, and rural and urban water development is complicated. Considering the downstream impacts of free-flowing rivers on ecosystems and river health, all measures aimed at maintaining and conserving existing water sources are critical.

Dams supplying fast-developing towns such as George and Riversdale are rapidly approaching a point where it can no longer provide adequate supply to the increased demand and alternatives must be found. Oudsthoorn on the other side, is already extracting water from an underground aquafer to augment water security.

Agricultural practitioners need to continue taking measures to significantly reduce water use to ensure that groundwater supplies do not become depleted as a result of overexploitation and consider crops that are less dependent on constant watering to maintain sustainability over time.

GREF is a public platform for conservation and environmental management entities in the Southern Cape.

Featured image caption: Pivot irrigation – Water security in South Africa pose a bigger threat to South African communities than the energy crises.

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22 January 2024 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality provides ongoing support to the Kannaland Municipal area

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality provides ongoing support to the Kannaland Municipal area

For Immediate Release
22 January 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to deliver a comprehensive list of services to the Kannaland municipal area. For example, from October to December 2023, the following services were rendered – inspection of food premises, health surveillance of premises, water sampling, advice in terms of the upgrading of the Zoar Sewage Pump Station and Oxidation ponds, air quality monitoring and disaster management support.

111 Inspection at Food Premises: A total of 111 inspections were conducted by GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) across various food establishments, including restaurants, informal food traders, dairy farms, supermarkets, soup kitchens, butcheries, spaza shops, and others.

457 Health Surveillance of Premises: GRDM EHPs conducted 457 inspections at locations including waste facilities, water treatment plants, illegal dump sites, old age homes, childcare facilities, and more to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

34 Water Samples taken: EHPs took an additional 34 water samples, encompassing drinking water, river water, and final sewage effluent.

Routine Water Quality Sampling: EHPs routinely assessed water reticulation systems and wastewater treatment works, ensuring compliance with national standards and addressing non-compliance promptly to protect public health and the environment.

Zoar Sewage Pump Station and Oxidation Ponds: GRDM assisted with the upgrading of the Zoar sewage infrastructure, significantly reducing pollution in the Nels River.

Air quality monitoring of Ladismith Waste Water Treatment Works: Following an offensive odour complaint, GRDM’s Air Quality unit initiated an investigation leading to several interventions.

Calitzdorp Water Treatment Works: GRDM assisted in identifying and rectifying non-compliance issues at the Calitzdorp water treatment plant, which led to improved drinking water quality.

Disaster Management Interventions for Water Crisis: In response to the current water crisis in Calitzdorp as well as rural areas provided with water from the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme (KKRWSS)  the GRDM Disaster Management Services provided 28 X 5500L water tanks to ensure accessible potable water for communities in these water-stressed areas. This was reported earlier in December 2023.  

ENDS

22 January 2023 Public Notice: Special In-closed Council Meeting, 26 January 2024 at 10:00

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL IN-CLOSED COUNCIL MEETING ON 26 JANUARY 2024 AT 10:00

Public Notice, Notice Number 03/2024

Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL IN-CLOSED COUNCIL MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the CA Robertson Council Chambers, 54 York Street, George, on 26 January 2024 at 10:00.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:   044 803 1300
Notice Number: 03/2024

Click here to Download the Official Notice

18 January 2024 Media Release: Touw River remains a lifeline for the Garden Route

Media Release: Touw River remains a lifeline for the Garden Route

For immediate release
18 January 2024

“All river systems in the Garden Route are important in terms of water security and the sustainability of terrestrial and aquatic life and the preservation of biodiversity in the region, and the Touw river flowing through Wilderness is a prime example”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

The Touw River, with its headwaters high up in the Outeniqua mountains, is a vital freshwater resource to Wilderness and surrounding areas, and its estuary and river mouth is very a popular attraction to holidaymakers, recreational activities and form a significant part of the Greater Wilderness Lakes system. The Kingfisher Hiking Trail following the Touw river up the waterfall is one of the most scenic and frequently used regional destinations with literally thousands of visitors per annum.

SANParks, the Garden Route and George Municipalities along with a number of Wilderness conservancies such as the Touw River Conservancy, play a vital role in protecting the ecological integrity of the Touw River, and it truly represents the full bouquet of natural beauty offered by the Garden Route, to those visiting and residing in Wilderness.

As population growth in Wilderness and surrounding areas dramatically increases pressure on the availability of making the Touw River an essential part of natural infrastructure to those dependent on its well-being. As most river systems in the Garden Route, development, agriculture, land degradation and invasive alien plants in the upper catchment of the Touw River all impact negatively on the environmental integrity and well-being of the Touw River.

Risks associated with climate change, including changes in rainfall patterns, drought and floods play havoc with river systems, contributors and wetlands, which in turn affect all life dependent on them. It is for this reason that private landowners in the Garden Route increasingly have to play a role in protecting and conserving the environment to ensure that they retain a high quality of life and environment if the Garden Route is increasingly under threat of losing much of its splendour and biodiversity.

GREF will be placing focus on water security in the Garden Route in the build-up to its Annual Climate Change and Environmental Seminar to be hosted in June 2024 in partnership with NMU and the Garden Route and Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserves.

GREF is a public platform for conservation and environmental management entities in the Southern Cape.

Feature Image: The Touw River is a lifeline to the Garden Route
Photo: Pieter du Preez

ENDS

16 January 2024 Media Release: Public Red Tide Advisory Against the Consumption of any Shellfish or Washed-Up Marine Species along the Garden Route District Coastline

Media Release: Public Red Tide Advisory Against the Consumption of any Shellfish or Washed-Up Marine Species along the Garden Route District Coastline

For Immediate Release
16 January 2024

Public reports were received regarding a red tide phenomenon in the coastal waters along the Garden Route district coastline. Reports received from residents at various coastal locations, indicates that the following areas along the coast are affected:

Storms River Mouth, Plettenberg Bay, Swartvlei Beach, Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Glentana, and Vleesbaai situated in Mossel Bay.

As a precautionary measure, the Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre is advising the public to refrain from consuming any shellfish or washed up marine species due to the emergence of this red tide.

Marine water samples have been taken by the George Municipality to identify the species of microscopic algae that is causing the red tide, but for now it looks like the species Noctiluca scintillans, which is a planktonic dinoflagellate that can cause bioluminescence at night and taint surface water reddish-orange.

Residents along the Garden Route district coastline are advised against consuming any shellfish or washed-up marine life due to the recent emergence of a red tide phenomenon. Image: iStock

What are red tides?

Red tides are a natural phenomenon in coastal waters and are caused by a dense accumulation of microscopic algae. The algae species Noctiluca scintillans are not thought to be harmful to humans, but it is advisable to avoid eating any washed-up marine life and to avoid collecting bivalves (oysters, clams, and mussels) until the strain has been identified. The presence of algae blooms is linked to eutrophication, which is a process involving the enrichment of water with nutrients, often stemming from agricultural runoff during rainy periods.

The current red tide display is anticipated to persist for several days. Ongoing analysis and monitoring of the situation is prioritised to ensure public safety during this natural event. Further information will be available once the water sample test results are released.

Feature Image: Residents along the Garden Route district coastline are advised against consuming any shellfish or washed-up marine life due to the emergence of a red tide phenomenon. 

ENDS

15 January 2024 Media Release:  Garden Route District Municipality’s Roads Services improves diesel infrastructure to ensure operational continuity

Media Release:  Garden Route District Municipality’s Roads Services improves diesel infrastructure to ensure operational continuity

For Immediate Release
15 January 2024

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Roads Services have successfully addressed decades of challenges related to diesel and infrastructure procurement. Last year, the GRDM embarked on a tender process for the procurement of diesel, however, complications arose as the existing diesel tanks and infrastructure were owned by the previous service provider, who declined access to the new appointee to use their storage facilities.

To overcome this obstacle, the Roads Services Department temporarily used diesel bowsers for fuel storage. Later, the municipality conducted a second tender process for the installation of above-ground diesel tanks at its four largest depots, in George, Oudtshoorn, Riversdale and Ladismith.

In George, above-ground diesel tanks are currently being installed at the depot on Mission Street.

The tender, valued at 5.9 million for the tanks, was approved by the Western Cape Department of Transport and was allocated from the Roads Services budget. The above-ground tanks, each with a capacity of 23,000 liters, are currently being installed and are expected to be commissioned by the end of January 2024.

Once operational, the George depot will receive two (2) tanks with a combined capacity of 46,000 liters, sufficient to fuel the different depots for three weeks. The other deport will each be equipped with one (1) 23,000 liters above-ground tanks.

This initiative is part of phase 1 of the GRDM’s plan to upgrade and install diesel storage infrastructure, with future rollouts planned for the smaller depots as well. The decision to replace the more than 30-year-old Total diesel tanks, which were decommissioned due to leaks, brings several advantages. The above-ground tanks are cost-effective, have a longer lifespan, are easy to monitor, versatile, safer, and environmentally friendly.

Feature image caption: George will have two above-ground diesel tanks, while the other three depots will have one each.

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11 January 2024 Media Release: By Minister Anroux Marais: Work experience opportunities for Youth

Media Release: By Minister Anroux Marais: Work experience opportunities for Youth

For immediate release
 11 January 2024

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, through its Youth and After School Programme Office, is calling for unemployed youth, aged 18-25, to apply to be part of the YearBeyond youth service programme for 2024.

Applications for the education programmes are now open for youth living in the Western and Eastern Cape who meet the criteria. All the education programmes require a matric certificate, and some require minimum marks for Language or Maths.

The YearBeyond programme offers young people the opportunity to get a year of hands-on working experience and build their work readiness competencies, while also giving back to their communities. Commonly known as YeBoneers, successful applicates will be placed either at a school or community hub where they will assist learners and parents.

The Eastern Cape programme is run with funding from the National Government and facilitated by the Western Cape YearBeyond team. The opportunity to provide youth in the Eastern Cape with this experience is an important part of skills development beyond the Western Cape.

The success of the programme is evident as seen from the feedback received from previous years. A total of 96% of participants believe the experience helped them to get to know themselves better and 95% feel the programmed prepared them better for the world of work and study. Encouragingly, between 75% and 78% of Yeboneers have progressed to becoming economically active in the world of employment or study, or a combination of the two, upon finishing the programme.

Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, said: “I encourage our young people to apply for this opportunity. It is a great programme for our youth which equips them with skills for entering the world of work or study. We want to give our youth a hand up to become successful and active members of society who contribute not only to the economy, but also serve their communities.”

Applications and further information on the education streams are now open via the website: https://www.yearbeyond.org/apply. Applications close on 18 February 2024.

Media enquiries:

Jan-Jan Joubert
MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Mobile: 083 303 9238
Email: Jan.Joubert@westerncape.gov.za

Issued by Corporate Communication, Department of the Premier

ENDS

11 January 2024 Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality successfully defends Atmospheric Emission Licence Decision in Court

Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality successfully defends Atmospheric Emission Licence Decision in Court

For immediate release
11 January 2024

During 2021, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Air Quality unit received an application for an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) from Rooikat Recycling (Pty) Ltd for a proposed waste-to-energy pilot plant in Great Brak River, Mossel Bay district. The granting of the licence was also subjected to Environmental Authorisation (EA), with the competent authority being the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Waste Directorate. The Environmental Authorisation and atmospheric emissions licencing processes ran concurrently. Two public participation processes were conducted, one for the EA and one for the AEL process. Sharples was appointed by the Applicant (Rooikat Recycling (Pty) Ltd to facilitate the applications as well as the public participation process, as required by legislation.

The Rooikat (PTY) Ltd Recycling Plant in Great Brak River.

From the onset, the application drew a lot of public attention. Several Great Brak River residents were concerned about the effect of the facility on their health and well-being.

The decision to grant the licence was based on various factors as guided by Section 39 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act 39 of 2004).  The effect of the facility on the health and well-being of the residents were, amongst others, guided through an air quality impact report done by Lethabo Air Quality Specialists. This study indicated the emissions to be negligible and within the minimum emission limits of the specific licence categories and not exceeding the South African Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The Department granted Environmental Authorisation to Rooikat Recycling (Pty) Ltd after which the GRDM granted the Provisional Atmospheric Emissions Licence. Both these authorisations were, however, suspended due to two appeals lodged, one appeal by the Great Brak River Ratepayers Association.  The appeals were rejected by the Western Cape MEC and the GRDM Municipal Manager (the respective appeal authorities).

The issuing of the Provisional Atmospheric Emission Licence to Rooikat Recycling (Pty) Ltd then took effect.

A resident of Great Brak River, Mr Evert de Lange (refer to Mossel Bay Advertiser article of 29 July 2022 (Munisipaliteite en Wes-Kaap MEC voor hof gedaag oor Rooikat) then lodged a case, case 254/22, on 12 July 2022 at the High Court in George against, amongst others, the Garden Route District Municipality (First Respondent). There were multiple complaints, but in essence his complaint was that the GRDM did not follow due process in terms of Public Participation.

Stadler and Swart was appointed to represent the GRDM with its defence.

The Municipality’s issuing of the AEL to Rooikat was an administrative decision.  Although not articulated as such in the Plaintiffs Particulars of Claim (POC), the Plaintiff’s challenge to the public participation process leading to the AEL is, in substance, a review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (PAJA).

Section 7(1) of PAJA requires reviews of administrative action to be instituted within 180 calendar days.  Here the Plaintiff did not exercise internal remedies before instituting PAJA application and the lapse of time between the Municipality’s appeal decision and the date of summons exceeded 180 days.

Section 38(2) makes section 24 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) applicable to applications for atmospheric emissions licenses.  Similarly, section 24(1A)(c) of NEMA places the sole responsibility for the public participation process on the applicant.

The Plaintiff’s averments that the Municipality failed in a duty to conduct the public participation process, is also legally unsustainable.  The Municipality plays no role in the public participation process; it evaluates the process as part of an atmospheric emissions license application.

On 28 November 2023 in the High Court of South Africa, Eastern circuit, local division, George, Honourable Judge Erasmus ordered that:

  1. The Plaintiff withdraws its claim against the Defendants.

  2. That the Plaintiff pays the First Defendant`s (GRDM) cost on a party-to-party scale, either taxed or as agreed.

  3. Third Defendant (MEC) did not seek an order for cost.

This order closes the Rooikat case. The ruling was in essence based on the fact that the Judge had insurmountable problems with Mr De Lange`s locus standi. The case should not have been referred to the court as Mr de Lange did not exhaust the internal remedies to address his concerns. That is: did not partake in the public participation process, did not object or appeal within these processes and, also, did not use the PAJA process within the 180 days.

It is also important to note that the Air Quality unit followed all the correct procedures to deal with the application.

District Manager for Air Quality Control at GRDM, Dr Johann Schoeman, highlighted: “The project is operational –  all start-up tests have been concluded and an official commission date was determined and communicated to the Air Quality unit in terms of its Provisional Atmospheric Emissions Licence”.

Schoeman further stated that “a continuous emissions monitoring system is recording their emissions, and the monitoring reports are submitted to the Air Quality unit. There are no exceedances at this stage. All relevant conditions are being complied with. Complaints in the Great Brak River area are not attributed to the Rooikat Recycling project and the conclusion is that the Rooikat Recycling Project does not have a detrimental impact on the environmental and the health of the receptors”.

ENDS

27 December 2023 Impact Based Weather Warning: Level 3 for disruptive rain from 30 December until 31 December 2023

Impact-Based Weather Warning: Level 2 for disruptive rain

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued a level 3 disruptive rain warning for Saturday, 30 December and Sunday, 31 December 2023.

Areas in the district affected by the level 3 disruptive rain warning include Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Bitou.

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