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28 October 2021 Media Release: Wilderness Beach Awarded Full Blue Flag Status for the 2021/2022 Season

Media Release:  Wilderness Beach Awarded Full Blue Flag Status for the 2021/2022 Season

For Immediate Release
28 October 2021

Yesterday, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Practitioner, Dr Nina Viljoen, together with the Municipal Manager of the George Municipality, Dr Michelle Gratz, and Nosidima Vumindaba, Manager: Parks and Recreation, George Municipality, accepted a full Blue Flag status award for the Wilderness Beach. This prestigious award was presented to the GRDM and George Municipality by the Deputy Director-General: Tourism (Destination Development), Ms Shamilla Chettiar during the National 2021/22 Blue Flag Season Launch at the Grotto beach in Hermanus, South Africa, hosted by the Overstrand Municipality and Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

The Wilderness beach is one of 48 locations that achieved Blue Flag Status for the 2021/22 season nationally. A beach that has been awarded full Blue Flag Status means that it meets the highest standards of environmental management. Although the Blue Flag international award focuses on the environmental management of coastlines and coastal waters that aims to promote tourism and development, it is also a symbol for beach quality, as well as in terms of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and environmental management.

Dr Andrew Baxter, Chief Executive Officer of WESSA, Nosidima Vumindaba, Manager of Parks and Recreation at George Municipality, Dr Michelle Gratz, Municipal Manager of George, Shamilla Chettiar, Deputy Director-General: Tourism (Destination Development) and Dr Nina Viljoen, Head: Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Practitioner

According to a WESSA spokesperson, “The programme provides an excellent international standard for municipalities and tour operators to strive toward.  Sites flying the Blue Flag are showing their commitment to conserving our fragile marine and coastal environment, raising environmental awareness and increasing sound environmental practices.” A Blue Flag status, according to WESSA, is one of the world’s most acknowledged eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. Therefore, to qualify for the Blue Flag Status, a series of strict criteria must be met and maintained. These include:

  • Compliance with the Blue Flag criteria;
  • Information relating to local eco-systems;
  • Environmental management of beaches;
  • Beach facilities such as parking, access points, cleanliness;
  • Access for the physically disabled;
  • Safety services provided on the beaches; and
  • Water quality, environmental education and information.

The Wilderness Blue Flag beach application to WESSA was put on hold for the previous 2020/21 season due to the devastating impacts, and safety risks, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Viljoen said: “It was a difficult road due to the impacts of the virus, but we are excited that we can boast full Blue Flag status once again this coming season – a symbol of quality and excellence”.

The Wilderness beach is managed as a collaborative effort by the following key stakeholders, who all work together to make the full Blue Flag status possible: the Garden Route District Municipality, the George Local Municipality, and the South African National Parks: Wilderness Section, as well as other stakeholders who all play their part to ensure compliance with the strict Blue Flag standards, such as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Salinas Restaurant, George Law Enforcement, amongst others.

Congratulations to all stakeholders involved!

27 October 2021 Media Release: First case of Avian Influenza reported in the Garden Route

Media Release: First case of Avian Influenza reported in the Garden Route

For Immediate Release
27 October 2021

Yesterday, 26 October 2021, the first confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) bird death was reported in the Hessequa municipal area. Currently more than 13 000 birds in South Africa have died from this disease, of which most are Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis).

According to Gerhard Otto, Manager: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management, the epicentre of the outbreak is at Dyer Island, which is also the main breeding island of these specific species in our country. “A wide range of seabirds, including pelicans, gulls, and cormorants have been affected,” said Otto. “We are concerned about HPAI, as veterinarians from Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds recently indicated that the outbreak could wipe out an entire endangered species of cormorants.”

“HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease of birds with no curative or preventative treatment,” reported the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

Otto stated that “regular patrols are being conducted by Cape Nature and burial sites have already been identified for the region”.

To keep tabs on the spread of this outbreak, GRDM developed a standard operating procedure for call centre employees to follow when dealing with reports about bird deaths. The GRDM Disaster Management Centre urges the public to be vigilant and report unusual mortalities or abnormal numbers of sick birds to their local conservation authority, state veterinarian or the 24/7 GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071.

SANCCOB, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, CapeNature, SANParks, Garden Route District Municipality, Local Municipalities and local veterinarians are collaborating to monitor and manage the situation.

ENDS

Feature image: Cape Cormorant bird (iStock)

27 October 2021 Media Release: We are controlling alien invasive species on all our properties

Media Release:  We are controlling alien invasive species on all our properties

For Immediate Release
27 October 2021

Section 76 of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) requires that all “Organs of State in all spheres of Government”, develop an “Invasive Species Monitoring, Control and Eradication Plan” for land under their control. These plans have to cover all listed invasive species in Section 70(1) of the Act.

According to Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, “the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has complied with the required mandatory legislation to take responsibility for eradicating alien species on its properties to adhere to the above”.  Booysen stated that during 2019 Council already appointed a service provider to compile an Invasive Monitoring Control and Eradication Plan as outlined in the two sets of legislation that regulate the declaration and control of Invasive Alien Species in South Africa.

These include the :

  • Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1983, CARA); and
  • the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004, NEMBA).

GRDM, in 2019, submitted the Invasive Monitoring Control and Eradication Plan to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) for approval. After numerous engagements, including inspection of Council’s properties based on the submitted plan, on 05 August 2021, the GRDM received approval for the Plan. Following this, the GRDM Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Section was mandated to monitor and evaluate properties bi-monthly as part of a monitoring and management control plan.  This approach was established to mitigate the risks on Council properties and adhere to NEMBA. Therefore, the progress and status of the Council properties regarding invasive species control is regularly tabled in Council.

Other recommendations from the GRDM Council regarding the management and monitoring of invasive and alien species includes:

  • creating fire breaks on Council’s properties; and
  • regular clearing and the erection of fencing at all Council properties to avoid sanction as outlined by section 102 of the Act (NEMBA).

Some of Council’s properties are located on the coastal lines with where there is a vast range of biodiversity species. However, easy accessibility to these properties contributes to illegal dumping, which poses a high risk to the threatened species. Numerous cleanup actions were conducted and are continuously planned for these properties.

With the current GRDM Council that approved Invasive Species Monitoring, Control and Eradication Plan, as well as all the control plans with specified timeframes, it is evident that future invasion by alien species is and will be managed and reduced.  An aggressive approach will be taken to implement proposed solutions and controls, pending the budget available within the 2021/22 financial year.

GRDM Invasive Species Monitoring, Control and Eradication Plan

 

27 October 2021: Message of Support to the Class of 2021

To the Matrics of 2021 – Well done, you’ve achieved something extraordinary, amid the COVID-19 pandemic with all its disruptions and new norms of doing things. As you sanitize your hands, wear masks, and walk into the last stage of writing your final exams, I would like to encourage you with the following words.

Be focused and confident in your abilities, and concentrate intensely on your books. Prepare well for the exams, and remember; only hand work, commitment, and determination will help you succeed and achieve your full potential and dreams. Visualise your dreams and be willing to put in time, energy, and sacrifices to reach your goals. Manage your time well, and avoid “time wasters” such as social media, television, and late-night gallivanting, which might interfere with your state of readiness to write exams.  Focus on ticking off one subject at a time, and don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by looking at the whole list of papers you still need to complete.

To the parents, teachers and communities out there – thank you for being a pillar of strength to our learners in these unknown times.  Thank you for helping them to stay calm, confident and positive.  Evidently, the adage “it takes a village to raise a child” is still true in our society today.

As the Garden Route District Executive Mayor, I am incredibly proud of every Matric learner in our district.  For the past 12 years, you’ve been equipped with values and principles to make you a responsible member of society.  Work hard – be true to yourself and be part of a generation that will be recorded in history books for tackling the most crucial year of their schooling career at the height of a pandemic – what a feat.

Good luck to the Class of 2021!

I salute you.

Memory Booysen
Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor

25 October 2021 Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Yellow level 2: Damaging Winds

Impact Based Weather Warnings for Western Cape and Namaqua: Yellow level 2: Damaging Winds

Please find included the Impact Based Warning for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape

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.”

Hazard Alert Level Affected Municipalities Valid From (SAST) Valid To (SAST)
Damaging Winds Yellow(L2)
(High likelihood of Minor Impacts)		 M_Bitou, M_Cape Agulhas, M_Cape Agulhas, M_City of Cape town, M_George, M_Hessequa, M_Knysna, M_Mossel Bay, M_Overstrand 26/10/21 18h00 27/10/21 00h00

Discussion: Easterly to south-easterly winds are expected to increase reaching gale force (65-75km/h) off the coast between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay from Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday. South-easterly to easterly swells with wave heights between 4.0-4.5m are also expected along the south coast on Wednesday afternoon. This along with the strong winds will cause rough and choppy seas as well as propagating into normally sheltered areas, that are now exposed due to the south-easterly swell direction.

Impact: Difficulty in navigation at sea due to rough and choppy conditions can be expected. Small vessels and personal water crafts (e.g. kayaks) are at risk of taking on water and capsizing in a locality. Localised disruption of small harbours for a short period of time may also occur.

Instruction: Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay. Ensure that all temporary structures are well anchored.

SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE
Cape Town Weather Office
2nd Floor: Oval Office Park
Cape Town Int airport
Freight Road
Matroosfontein
Cape Town

E-Mail: factfc@weathersa.co.za
Tel: 021 935 5700

20 October 2021 Impact Based Warning – Severe Thunderstorms

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following Impact Based Warnings for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape.

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

__________________________

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.”

19 October 2021 Media Release: Garden Route DM prioritises the long-term health and well-being of citizens

Media Release: Garden Route DM prioritises the long-term health and well-being of citizens

For Immediate Release
19 October 2021

The impact various businesses have on the health and well-being of communities, are closely monitored by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP). They conduct surveillance of premises to ensure that safe, healthy and hygienic conditions are the order of the day. EHPs, during their inspections, identify, monitor and evaluate health risks, nuisances and hazards. If the premises they’ve inspected is not up to standard, corrective actions will be taken.

GRDM Executive Manager for Community Services, Mr Clive Africa, says “the GRDM Municipal Health By-law, promulgated under the National Health Act, 2003 (61 of 2003), allows EHPs to take remedial action in instances where the conditions may create a possible risk to the health and well-being of the community”. “EHPs perform health inspections at various premises unannounced,” he said.

EHPs visit these types of sites on a routine basis:

  • Accommodation facilities
  • Barbers and hairdressers
  • Body piercing and tattoo parlours
  • Childcare facilities- tertiary and other educational institutions
  • Farms
  • Guesthouses or self-catering accommodation premises
  • Health care facilities
  • Hostels/backpackers
  • Informal settlements
  • Laundries
  • Night shelters
  • Nursing homes and retirement villages
  • Places of care
  • Premises where animals are kept
  • Public ablution facilities, beaches

When inspections are done, the following steps are required to be completed by each EHP:

  1. Inspection checklists are completed and captured for each inspection.
  2. Those in charge of premises will receive a full report on findings within 14 days following an inspection.
  3. While inspections are done, EHPs also educate and inform those in control of premises about immediate remedial actions required.
  4. The GRDM has a digital database of all premises in the region.
  5. In some instances, external stakeholders will form part of inspections (law enforcement, etc.)

A risk-based approach is followed by each EHP during inspections. Focus areas include ventilation, lighting, indoor air quality, food safety, water and sanitation practices, management of waste, pest control, disease transmission risk factors, hygiene practices and other conditions that are likely to pose a hazard or risk to human health.

For any information, contact the GRDM Municipal Health Services Unit of Garden Route District Municipality at 044 – 803 1300 or contact Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, on 083 803 5161.

ENDS

Caption: Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioner inspecting food products at a grocery store in the Garden Route.

18 October 2021 Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

Media Release: Garden Route Health Platform Update

For Immediate Release
18 October 2021

The Garden Route District has shown a decline in COVID-19 active cases per 100 000 population with 62 active cases per 100 000 this week compared to 89 cases per 100 000 population the previous week.

The situation for the district as a whole has improved. Although some district hospitals still see pockets of COVID-19 inpatients, decreased pressure is seen across the district.

All subdistricts are planning to start escalating services again that were either stopped or rendered with decreased capacity during the 3rd wave.

Vaccination teams are actively busy with outreaches to vaccinate as many people as possible. The Garden Route had a 1% increase in vaccinations for 18 years and older with at least one dose and stands at 45%.  The percentage of the total population for the Garden Route who have received at least one dose stands at 31%. This is also a 1% increase from the previous week.

The Garden Route District is slowly moving towards its target of 70% fully vaccinated persons above the age of 50 years and 70% partially vaccinated for the age group 18 – 49 years.

If you wish to fully vaccinate by Christmas, your first vaccine should be administered no later than 20 October. The Health Department appeals to all citizens to prioritise vaccination.

High-risk warning

If you are over 50 years, you are at high risk when contracting COVID-19. During the third wave, people aged 50 years and older made up 30% of cases, 60% of admissions, and 83% of deaths due to COVID-19.

Get vaccinated now to protect yourself.

 COVID-19 stats

Feature image caption: Vaccination teams did an outreach at Knysna taxi rank.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za 
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

15 October 2021 Update: Avian Influenza outbreak


Update: Avian Influenza outbreak

For Immediate Release
15 October 2021

Western Cape authorities continue to respond to an outbreak of Avian Influenza amongst wild seabirds, primarily along parts of the West Coast but also in parts of the Overberg. Clean up operations will continue over the weekend.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says it remains critical to conduct thorough clean up operations and to work hard and fast to prevent the spreading of the virus to other sectors of the province.

“Teams are still collecting dead and sick birds from areas where infection has been reported. We are keeping an eye on Dyer Island where clean up teams yesterday picked up 1595 dead birds. However, the situation in Bergriver Municipality area appears to be improving. From 1500 dead birds collected on Wednesday, we only collected 100 yesterday. In addition, our partners have reported no more carcasses have been found on Robben Island yesterday but they will check again today. We are hoping this trend continues dropping today and over the weekend.”

Bredell says a disposal site has been identified and prepared for the disposal of the infected wild bird carcasses. Veterinarians also continue providing assistance. Officials are following advice provided by Veterinary Services in terms of how to manage the sick birds.

“I want to thank all our workers and partners who mobilized rapidly to help and continue to work hard to stop the spread of this virus. I also want to repeat this critical message to the public: Please do not approach or touch any sick or dead birds. If you spot a bird behaving strangely, or a dead bird, please call the closest municipal office, conservation authority or your local vet.

Contact details for state veterinarians are available at https://www.elsenburg.com/services-and-programmes/veterinary-services-0#s=Animal-Health-and-Disease-Control

ENDS

Media enquiries:
James-Brent Styan
Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile:                   084 583 1670
Telephone:            021 483 2820
E-mail:                    James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

14 October 2021 Urgent Alert: Suspected outbreak of Avian Influenza

Urgent Alert: Suspected outbreak of Avian Influenza

For Immediate Release
14 October 2021

Western Cape authorities are responding to a suspected outbreak of Avian Influenza amongst wild seabirds in the Bergrivier Municipality on the West Coast as well as the Walker Bay area in the Overberg. All disaster nodes have been alerted and Bergrivier Municipality, both the Overberg and West Coast District Municipalities and CapeNature have already deployed teams of officials to collect the dead and sick birds. Veterinarians are on scene assisting and officials are following advice provided by Veterinary Services in terms of how to manage the sick birds.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, is urging the public to avoid the area and in particular not to collect or touch sick or dead birds. “It is critical to prevent the spread of the disease. This means people must not attempt to assist or transport any sick birds, even to take them to rehabilitation centres and veterinarians as this could spread the disease. It is critical to keep a controlled environment.”

At the moment, Bergrivier Municipality remains the hotspot area with reports of dead birds from Velddrif to Arniston. Neighbouring municipalities have been alerted and urged to be cautious and to keep an eye out for potential spreading of the disease. There are additional hotspots on Dyer island and Robben Island which are receiving attention. The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre is currently doing an assessment to determine if the outbreak constitutes a disaster or not.

“This is a serious situation. We note that the deaths are occurring currently amongst endangered wild birds including cormorants. Yesterday alone an estimated 1500 dead cormorants were collected in the region.”

The current virus strain was detected in wild birds in May 2021, mainly affecting gulls. The first cormorants were only diagnosed with the disease in mid-September and cases have increased rapidly over the past week.

“This is an incurable disease affecting birds, that is not preventative, cannot be treated and is highly contagious to birds,” says Bredell.

There is also currently no evidence that this virus poses any risk or threat to humans. However, humans can transmit the virus from sick birds to other birds if their clothes or hands gets contaminated. People are advised not to handle the birds at all unless it is absolutely unavoidable and in that instance to please use gloves and face masks.

The Disaster Management Centre urges the public to be vigilant and report unusual mortalities in any birds to their local municipality, conservation authority or state veterinarian.

Contact details for state veterinarians are available at:
https://www.elsenburg.com/services-and-programmes/veterinary-services-0#s=Animal-Health-and-Disease-Control

ENDS

Media enquiries:
James-Brent Styan
Spokesperson: Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs & Development Planning, Anton Bredell
Mobile:  084 583 1670
Telephone:  021 483 2820
E-mail:  James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za