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5 June 2024 Update 3: Garden Route Floods 15h00 update on 5 June 2024

Update 3: Garden Route Floods 15h00 update on 5 June 2024

Issued by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at 15h00

The GRDM’s JOC remains activated at its Head Office in George because of persistent rainfall experienced in parts of the Western, North and Eastern Cape since 1 June 2024. People in areas near rivers or those who are considering to cross low-water bridges or structures should avoid doing so at all costs. If a residence is prone to flooding, people should move to higher ground to ensure the safety of family members, pets, and livestock.

Do not attempt to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters, as these can be deeper and faster-moving than what is assumed.

According to Gerhard Otto, the GRDM Head of Disaster Management, “the peak of the floods have not yet reached all areas in the Garden Route district. For the southern parts of the district, it is expected to only peak in the early hours tomorrow (6 June 2024). SAPS Border Police is stationed in Oudtshoorn, with a team on standby in Mossel Bay for any emerging rescue or recovery incidents”.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANS

Before the GRDM JOC was activated, representatives from the National Department of Water and Sanitation informed several stakeholders about the anticipated floods. These stakeholders included the Water Users Associations, the National Water Resources Infrastructure Southern Operations Management, and downstream residents such as farmers and farm workers. “There is an Emergency Preparedness Plan for each dam in South Africa, which contains contact details of stakeholders and this greatly assists us in responding to emerging risks and disasters,” said Otto.

RESCUES, RECOVERIES & EVACUATIONS

The South African Police Services (SAPS) Diving Unit and the Red Cross Air Mercy Service are currently assisting with rescue operations of people in the region. To date, 17 people have been rescued.

* 11 People (3 women, 4 men and 4 children) rescued from Welgeluk in Oudtshoorn rescued with Pencil Duck.
* 6 People (1 woman, 5 men) rescued from the Meiringspoort Pass with a helicopter.

Calitzdorp Hot Springs has been evacuated because of the downflow of the Olifants River.

ROADS OPENED AGAIN

MOSSEL BAY

1) DR1532 Vleesbay Road (opened again before 15h00 on 05/06/2024)

ROADS REMAINING CLOSED

OUDTSHOORN

1) Meiringspoort (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
2) Swartberg Pass (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
3) N12 between Oudtshoorn and De Rust where the road crosses the Nel’s river – use the Langkloof route as an alternative (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
4) DR1713/R328 adjacent to the Raubenheimers Dam (enroute to Bergoord) (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
5) Volmoed Road due to rockfalls (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
6) The Cango Caves (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
7) Rooiheuwel Road (remains closed since 05/06/2024)

MOSSEL BAY

1) Geelbeksvlei Road (remains closed since 04/06/2024)

KNYSNA

1) Rheenendal Road off the N2 (remains closed since 04/06/2024)

GEORGE/WILDERNESS/UNIONDALE

1) DR1660 Joncksrust Road (or known as Kliprivier Road) (30km from Uniondale) due to rockfalls (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
2) Prince Alfred Pass between Uniondale and Knysna due to rockfalls and flooding (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
3) Haarlem access on the west side is restricted, access possible from the east turn-off (remains closed since 05/06/2024)

Stompdrift Dam is overflowing (Source: National Department of Water and Sanitation)

Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071.

Updates are posted to the GRDM Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm

The next update is planned for 18h00 today, 5 June 2024.

Feature Image: Photo of the damage to the road at Nels River (Oude Muragie) a few kilometers before De Rust. Provincial workers are already repairing the road (Source: Oudtshoorn Municipality)

11 April 2024 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) leads Community Dialogues to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Mossel Bay and Kannaland

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) leads Community Dialogues to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Mossel Bay and Kannaland

For Immediate Release
11 April 2024

On Tuesday, 4 April 2024, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Mossel Bay Municipality, convened a community dialogue to address the alarming rates of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Mossel Bay. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat GBV in high-risk areas within the Garden Route District, with a similar dialogue that took place on Friday, 5 April 2024 in Kannaland.

The purpose of these dialogues was to engage the community members and other stakeholders to identify contributing factors and assess the impact of GBV on these communities. Furthermore, the dialogues aimed to develop actionable plans or programs to effectively address this pervasive issue.

These two days brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including local councillors, representatives from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Neighbourhood Watches (NHW), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and various sector departments. This collaborative approach ensured that perspectives from different sectors and community groups were considered in developing comprehensive strategies to tackle GBV.

“As local governments and communities, it is essential that we come together to address Gender-Based Violence,” said Nkosiyabo Lose, GRDM’s Project Coordinator. “These dialogues provide a platform for open discussion and collaboration, enabling us to understand the root causes of GBV and collectively develop effective interventions to address it,” Lose concluded.

Building on the success of the Mossel Bay and Kannaland’s discussion, GRDM plans to implement similar sessions in other municipalities within the district. These initiatives are part of the broader GRDM Community Safety Strategy, with support from the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence requires a multi-faceted approach, and community engagement is at the heart of these efforts. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders and communities, GRDM are committed to creating safer and more inclusive environments for all residents of the Garden Route District.

Feature Image Caption: In Kannaland, the community dialogue on Gender-based Violence was well attended.

–End–

03 April 2024 Draft 2024-2025 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Draft 2024/2025 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget

DRAFT 2024-2025 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2024/2025 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Open for Comment

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Integrated Development Plan for the 2024/2025 financial year and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2024/2025-2026/2027, were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were considered by the Garden Route District Council at a District Council meeting held on Wednesday, 27 March 2024.

These documents will be available for public inspection and comments at all main local libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za.

All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”,  rekords@gardenroute.gov.za

Persons who are unable to read or write are encouraged to contact the Garden Route District Municipality during ordinary office hours, where they will be assisted to formulate their written comments or objection.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on or before 30 April 2024.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Mrs Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za with any enquiries.

Click here to download the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Amended IDP

M STRATU
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality

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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14 December 2023 Media Release: GRDM’s Victoria Bay Caravan Park now has new offices

Media Release: GRDM’s Victoria Bay Caravan Park now has new offices

For Immediate Release
14 December 2023

In a momentous occasion yesterday, Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDMS) Victoria Bay Caravan Park celebrated the official opening of its new office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newly established office, situated within an old, but renovated house on the property. The building was vacant for the past decade.

Renovations, including the roof replacement, tiling, painting, and cupboard construction were completed by GRDM’s own maintenance team. The culmination of these efforts resulted in a revamped space that is now equipped to serve as functional and modern offices. The signage and interior of the office, were arranged and designed by the Communication Unit of GRDM.

During a very intimate gathering attended by councillors and staff members, just as the festive season begins, Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard welcomed everyone present. He extended a special word of welcome to the maintenance team and staff of Victoria Bay Caravan Park.

Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the team, Councillor Hoogbaard commended their commitment to improve and upgrade the facilities at Victoria Bay Caravan Park.

Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development, provided a brief background on the project and articulated the vision behind the transformation of the old house into a functional office space. In his remarks, he explained the battered state the property and building were in and highlighted the extent to which the maintenance team went to breathe new life into it.

GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, expressed his surprise at discovering the hidden gem on the property. Covered with trees and bushes, the building had gone unnoticed until its recent transformation. Mayor Booysen referred to the offices as a pleasant surprise and extended his congratulations to the maintenance team for a job well done.

Victoria Bay Caravan Park’s new offices will play an essential role in enhancing the park’s operational capabilities, providing a welcoming and efficient space for visitors seeking peace, quiet, and nature-based activities. As the holiday season approaches, the unveiling of these offices adds a touch of renewal and modernisation to the beloved caravan park, promising good services and experiences for all.

Featured Image Caption:  The GRDM Maintenance Team with the Executive Mayor who was in charge of renovating the new office.

Pictures from Victoria Bay Caravan Park’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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07 November 2023 Media Release: GRDM Roads team praised for excellent work on major projects

Media Release: GRDM Roads team praised for excellent work on major projects

For immediate release
07 November 2023

Over the last few months, the Garden Route district experienced severe weather conditions which left a few roads in a poor state for use by road users.  Some roads were closed due to the severity of the damage and other roads were repaired and are in use again. These roads are managed and maintained by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Roads Services Department, as agent of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.

In support of Transport Month that was celebrated across the country in October last month and due to the progress of the repair work by GRDM Roads Services, councillors, management and staff, last week, 30 October 2023, visited two sites to view the progress made. One of the roads is the Saasveld road, where an armco failure on the Madiba Road occurred that collapsed the road to 8 metres deep. The road is now completed and fully repaired. The team further visited the Gwaiing road (DR1618), situated near the George airport to witness the road works of the upgrade project.

Visit to Saasveld Road

During the visit to the Saasveld Road, GRDM Manager for Maintenance, Construction and Mechanical Services, Japie Strydom, explained that the steel pipe that was constructed during the 1950s failed because steel on its own was not successful. GRDM in 2021 then constructed a new pipe with a combination of concrete and steel.  Strydom further explained that the road serves as detour for the national road and is frequently used by students, tourists and cyclists. During construction, the detour was via the N2 and Wilderness to Saasveld, leading to NMU. This is a 20km longer road to travel compared to the Madiba Drive route. The GRDM is now keeping the road safe for the students at Nelson Mandela University. For this reason, “students would not need to use the Wilderness Road anymore, when they need to get into town,” Strydom said. Brand new guardrails were also installed. This project cost was R5.6 million.

Strydom further explained that future projects similar to this project, which is 0.6, 1.2, 2.9 and 3 km in distance from this project, as well as a site in Wilderness, are still in design phase and said: “It is envisaged that those projects will commence in August/September next year”. He concluded by echoing the words of the Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu who said: “As a collective, we are stronger”.  In addition he said: “We don’t do this just for us and to make it safer, but we are doing this for the future”.

GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Roads, Ald. Petru Terblanche, praised the Roads team and said: “Every one of you are winners, leaders, the first on the road as well as the last one on the road”. With these words he commended the team for their dedication in realising the objectives of their road construction projects. Terblanche furthermore summed up a few challenges experienced by GRDM, such as a lack of gravel. Consequently, after discussions with the MEC of Infrastructure in the Western Cape, he said that the total of borrow pits increased from three to 13 borrow pits. Terblanche also complimented the team for managing and handling the yellow fleet well. When he referred to the neatness and the overall condition of the vehicles, he highlighted: “I feel proud of the team when I see our machines and vehicles on the road and because of your excellence I’m am very proud to be part of GRDM’s Roads Services Department”.

Visit to Gwaiing Road Project

On arrival at the Gwaiing Road, Strydom and the GRDM Senior Roads Engineering Technician, Chesney Roelf, explained the type of upgrade work that has been done so far.  Strydom said: “Proper drainage has been put in, as well as proper layer works and a permanent bitumen road surface. These will change the traffic flow on the road”, he explained. In total 4km of the road will be upgraded with the cost of R16.5 million per kilometer.

The project also created learning and skills development opportunities for final cutters. In explaining his statement, he said: “Across the world there are only a few final cutters that can work with a grader that is capable of cutting a road surface to a final level, to proceed with construction”. Additionally, Strydom also mentioned that 44 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers were appointed to assist on the project of which 24 already underwent accredited NQF training funded by the Trisano program. One (1) EPWP has now been permanently appointed by the GRDM Roads Department. This is evident that apart from creating a new road, Strydom said “we are also creating opportunities for people to develop themselves”.

Monde Stratu, during the visit, praised the team for their excellent work ethic and dedication. Stratu used the South African rugby team who was crowned at the 2023 World Cup champions as an example when he said that results can only be achieved by team members that work together as one.

In closing, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, GRDM’s Portfolio Chairperson for Property Management and Development, shared his words of appreciation to the Roads Department and their Executive Manager John Daniels, Ald. Terblanche and the Municipal Manager for continuously delivering outstanding work and for allowing them as councillors to witness roads projects that bring significant improvement to the lives of those affected by the road damages.

The project with an overall project cost of R69 million has a duration of 18 months and the road is envisaged to be opened by mid-year to the end of next year.

Feature Photo: GRDM Councillors, Management and staff during the site visits to Saaveld and Gwaiing roads.

ENDS

03 October 2023 Media Release: ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ Competition turns to Mossel Bay again this week!

Media Release: ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ Competition turns to Mossel Bay again this week!

For Immediate Release
3 October 2023

The excitement is building as the eighth South African ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ (TFA-SA) Competition is set to take place at De Bakke Beach in Mossel Bay from 5 to 7 October 2023. As the flagship event of the World Firefighter Games (WFG), the TFA-SA Challenge will see more than 240 firefighters participating.

Once again, the TFA-SA 2023 competition brings together the nation’s best firefighters to demonstrate their fitness levels and skills.

This year, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) will, as usual, be represented by some of their best Firefighters.  Twenty-three brave men and women from the GRDM will compete in the various individual, team, and relay events. Their names are: Emile Conrad, Heinrich Leslie, Deon Stoffels, Kervin-Lee Gericke, Elana Basson-Coetzer, Bonita Conrad, Odri-Ann Booysen, Jivika Balram, Branville Abrahams, Petrus Jordaan, Jan Wolmarans, David van Niekerk, Luciano James, Edwin Lottering, Allistair Windwaai, Janu Minnie, Martino Jacobs, Grant Gericke, Jonathan van Vuuren, Jarret Olivier, Derick Wessels, Bradley Shangela and Mawango Nelani. 

The GRDM would like to welcome the different firefighting teams from the various institutions from all over South Africa to our beautiful region. Community members, including the little ones, are invited to join view the firefighters competing for the top spots.

Feature image caption: Firefighters and officials from GRDM with the Executive Mayor during last year’s TSA.

-End-

Did you know?
What sets this year’s competition apart is its significance in the selection of South Africa’s representatives for the upcoming World ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ championship, scheduled to be held at the WFG in Denmark in 2024. The top-performing firefighters from this week’s event will earn the honour of representing South Africa on the global stage, and their dedication and determination will be on full display as they vie for this prestigious opportunity.

Here’s a video showing the GRDM firefighters preparing for this weekend’s Toughest Firefighters Alive competition.

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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18 August 2023 Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipal EPWP Unemployment Database Drive

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY EPWP UNEMPLOYMENT DATABASE DRIVE

Notice no: 114/2023

Garden Route District Municipality is fully committed to Employment Equity.

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites all unemployed people in Touwsranten Area to come and register on our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) database on 25 August 2023.

Required documents:

  • A concise 2-page Curriculum Vitae.
  • Certified copy of Identity Document.
  • Certified copies of qualifications.
  • Completed application form.

Application forms and further information:

  • Application forms will be provided at the drive /or can be obtained at the offices of GRDM /or on the GRDM website at: gardenroute.gov.za.
  • The applicants must come and submit their completed application form together with supporting documents. They will also be required to sign a register when submitting their application form.
  • Applications must be submitted between 09h00 – 13h30 on Fridays.

Contact Persons:

Closing date: Friday, 25 August 2023 before 13:30

M Stratu
MUNICIPAL MANAGER

Click here to download the official Notice.