Author: Nadine Payle

A section of Cradock Street in the central business district is next in line for upgrades as part of the extensive infrastructure improvements currently underway across George. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday 10 November and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.

Cradock Street at Hub to be closed for six months
The section of Cradock Street between Market and Hibernia Streets will be closed for six months during construction. This will affect 13 bus routes that currently use stops around the Transport Hub, as well as the GO GEORGE Info Kiosk and the Smart Card kiosk located inside the Hub. Repairs of facilities and paving within the Hub will also be carried out during this time but will not start immediately. Details of the kiosks’ repositioning will be announced when the time comes.

Affected routes will be rerouted via alternative streets in the CBD, making use of both existing and temporary stops.

Detailed route information available

According to Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE Manager, passengers will be kept well informed about the temporary route changes.
“We aim to minimise inconvenience by making rerouting details easily accessible,” he said. “Our communication champions will be stationed at affected stops ahead of the closure to assist passengers, and posters will guide them to the nearest alternative stop. Throughout the construction period, a Trip Tips flyer with route maps and descriptions will be available on our website at www.gogeorge.org.za.

For help with trip planning, passengers are welcome to phone our Call Centre on 0800 044 044 or follow updates on our Facebook page.”

CAPTION:
The section of Cradock Street passing the George Transport Hub will be closed for six months to accommodate road upgrades.

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Padopgraderings in middedorp sal talle busroetes beïnvloed

‘n Gedeelte van Cradockstraat in die sentrale sakekern is volgende in die ry vir opgraderings as deel van die uitgebreide infrastruktuurverbeterings wat tans regoor George aan die gang is. Konstruksie is geskeduleer om op Maandag 10 November te begin en sal na verwagting teen einde April 2026 voltooi wees.

Cradockstraat by vervoerkern gesluit vir ses maande
Die gedeelte van Cradockstraat tussen Mark- en Hiberniastraat sal vir ses maande gesluit wees tydens konstruksie. Dit sal 13 busroetes beïnvloed wat tans haltes rondom die vervoerkern (Transport Hub) gebruik, sowel as die GO GEORGE-inligtingskiosk en die Slimkaartkiosk wat binne die vervoerkern geleë is. Herstelwerk aan fasiliteite en plaveisel binne die vervoerkern sal ook gedurende hierdie tyd uitgevoer word, maar sal nie onmiddellik begin nie. Besonderhede van die kiosks se herposisionering sal aangekondig word wanneer die tyd aanbreek.

Geaffekteerde roetes sal via alternatiewe strate in die middestad herlei word, deur gebruik te maak van beide bestaande en tydelike bushaltes.

Gedetailleerde roete-inligting beskikbaar
Volgens Morné Lakay, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, sal passasiers goed ingelig gehou word oor die tydelike roeteveranderings.
“Ons poog om ongerief te verminder deur herleidingsbesonderhede maklik toeganklik te maak,” het hy gesê. “Ons passasiersdiensbeamptes sal voor die sluiting by geaffekteerde haltes gestasioneer wees om passasiers by te staan, en plakkate sal hulle na die naaste alternatiewe halte lei.

Gedurende die konstruksietydperk sal ‘n pamflet met roetekaarte en beskrywings op ons webwerf by www.gogeorge.org.za beskikbaar wees. Vir hulp met ritbeplanning is passasiers welkom om ons inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel of die nuutste gebeure op ons Facebook-blad te volg.”

BYSKRIF:
Die gedeelte van Cradockstraat voor die George-vervoerkern sal vir ses maande gesluit wees om padopgraderings te akkommodeer.

Three refurbished Honda motorbikes have been added to the George Fire Department’s fleet to support rapid response during controlled burns and veld fires. The bikes, previously part of the department’s older fleet, were restored and repainted to extend their service life and improve mobility during firefighting operations in rough terrain. The restoration included a full mechanical overhaul, respraying of panels, and the installation of compact black storage boxes for carrying small equipment or helmets.

According to Fire Chief Neels Barnard, the bikes will be used by firefighters with valid motorcycle licenses for quick access in the field. “We’re still exploring whether we’ll need to expand their carrying capacity, but for now they’re ideal for reaching areas that are difficult for larger vehicles,” he said. The bikes will receive new decals before being fully commissioned for use.

Seated from left Godfrey Louw, Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor of George Jackie von Brandis and Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie address business owners located around Unity Park, York Street.

Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis, together with Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw and Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Recardo Mackenzie, met with local business owners whose businesses are located around Unity Park in York Street last week, to discuss logistics and road closures for the upcoming George Festival 2025, taking place from 13 to 16 December.

The meeting formed part of the George Municipality’s commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with local stakeholders and ensuring minimal disruption to business operations during the festival. Businesses were briefed on planned road closures, alternative access routes, and opportunities to participate in the celebration.

“The George Festival will transform our city into a vibrant celebration of light, culture, and community. From dazzling illuminations to music, art, and sport — every corner of George will come alive with energy and pride,” said Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis. “This is more than a festival; it’s a historic moment that showcases who we are as a city — creative, united, and full of potential.

We know there will be temporary changes to roads and routines, but the opportunity this festival brings to our businesses, residents, and visitors is extraordinary. Together, we can turn this event into a lasting legacy for George — one that boosts our local economy, celebrates our people, and puts our city firmly on the map as the heart of the Garden Route.”

The George Festival 2025, hosted by the George Municipality in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, promises four days of family-friendly entertainment, performances, and community pride.

Further updates will be available on the George Municipality and DCAS websites, as well as on their official social media platforms.

DCAS Facebook: www.facebook.com/culturalaffairssport X: www.x.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas) Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcgovcas (@WCGovCas)
GEORGE MUNICIPALITY https://www.facebook.com/george.municipality: https://x.com/george_mun : https://www.instagram.com/municipality_george_insta/: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRHVS9HAdNXTJPKis3k

Something big is coming to George – don’t miss it!

Alien invasive plants may look harmless – some even attractive – but they pose a serious threat to George’s water security, biodiversity, and fire safety. These plants are not native to South Africa, spread uncontrollably because they have no natural predators, and compete with indigenous plants for water and nutrients. The Kat River Alien Vegetation Management Project, led by George Municipality’s Task Team in collaboration with stakeholders, is at the heart of efforts to clear these species in the Kat River and Upper Kat River catchment areas. This work is essential to safeguarding the Garden Route Dam, the city’s main water source.

Alien vegetation consumes large amounts of water, reducing dam levels and threatening the city’s water security. It also increases fire risk by creating dense, dry stands of vegetation that fuel wildfires. At the same time, these species threaten biodiversity by displacing indigenous plants, animals, and local ecosystems.

Alien invasive plants are non-native species introduced into a new environment and which without natural checks and balances, spread aggressively, causing harm to the environment, human well-being, and the economy.
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has listed invasive plants under four legal categories. Category 1a species must be eradicated immediately, while Category 1b species must be controlled. Category 2 species require a permit for restricted use, and Category 3 species are subject to certain exemptions, although if they occur in riparian areas they are treated as Category 1b.

Common Alien Invaders in George
Some of the most problematic alien species in the George area include Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), a fast-growing tree classified as Category 2. Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), a spreading shrub or tree, is a Category 1b species. Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), which was introduced for timber, falls under Category 2. Bluegum (Eucalyptus spp.), tall evergreen trees, are listed as Category 1b in riparian zones. Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum), a shrub or small tree, is classified as Category 1b. Pine species (Pinus spp.) are considered Category 2 in plantations but Category 1b everywhere else. Lantana (Lantana camara), an ornamental flowering shrub, is a Category 1b species, and Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana), a large tussock grass, is also Category 1b.

How Residents Can Help
The Municipality encourages residents to inspect their properties regularly, particularly near rivers, slopes, or disturbed land, and to remove alien plants where possible. To identify alien vegetation, residents should pay attention to leaves, bark, seed pods, and flower types, as well as signs of rapid spread or dense growth.

For small-scale removal, homeowners can pull out seedlings by hand or with garden tools. Adult trees should be cut and felled, and the stumps treated with herbicide immediately to prevent regrowth. Plants should be disposed of carefully to avoid seed dispersal by bagging seeds, removing flowers before they mature, and cleaning tools after use. In some cases, safe chemical treatment is necessary for species such as bugweed, lantana, and pampas grass. Guidance on herbicide use is available at www.invasives.org.za/herbicides.

Through the Kat River Alien Vegetation Management Project, the Municipality is committed to ongoing removal efforts and will continue to combine control burns, manual clearing, and public participation to restore balance to our natural ecosystems. The multidisciplinary Task Team established continues to meet weekly to coordinate activities, including controlled burns (three blocks already addressed), manual clearing of riverbeds to protect aquatic ecosystems, securing environmental approvals for sensitive zones, and upgrading access roads for safe operations.

While the Municipality acknowledges that smoke and disruption may cause discomfort for residents, controlled burns remain one of the most effective tools to reduce invasive vegetation and long-term fire risks. Advance notices are shared across all official channels, and the Municipality sincerely apologises for any inconvenience.

Stay Informed
The Municipality will continue updating residents on project progress and urges all households and businesses to adhere to the Level 2B water restrictions currently in place.

Stay connected via official George Municipality platforms:
• Facebook: @george.municipality
• X (Twitter): @george_mun
• George Municipal App: mysmart.city
• Website: www.george.gov.za
• WhatsApp Channel: George Municipality WhatsApp