Author: Nadine Payle

This video explains the roles of private and municipal town planners in South Africa and how they contribute to shaping communities. It describes private town planners as consultants who assist property owners and developers with planning applications, compliance requirements, and communication with municipalities to help projects move forward.

In contrast, municipal town planners work for local government and are responsible for assessing development applications, ensuring compliance with planning policies and by-laws, and guiding the long-term growth of towns and cities in the public interest.

The video highlights that while their responsibilities differ, both professions work together to promote sustainable, well-planned, and functional communities

Access more information on our municipal website: https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/ 

For enquiries or to submit ideas 044 801 9477 | cpetersen@george.gov.za

The Electrical Service Application form must be completed for all requests relating to:
* New electricity connections
* Service upgrades or downgrades
* Tariff changes
* Conversion from credit to prepaid metering
* Temporary connections or disconnections
* Other electrical service requirements

The application form can also be downloaded here:
https://www.george.gov.za/george-document/service-application-form-utility-services/

Please ensure that all required supporting documents are attached, including proof of property ownership, a copy of the applicant’s ID, approved building plans (where applicable), and the latest municipal account statement.

Completed application forms, together with the required supporting documents, may be submitted via email to nvnqumse@george.gov.za or delivered to, Brick Road, George Industrial, George, for further processing.

2026 marks the fourth year that the George Business Chamber, in partnership with ACSA, George Herald, Algoa FM, Nelson Mandela University (George Campus), AHI Western Cape, SANParks, BusinessFit360, Envestpro, and AP Business Coaching and Consulting, will be implementing the 2026 Entrepreneur Programme.

The Entrepreneur is a business accelerator programme that aims to identify entrepreneurial gems in George and the greater Garden Route and develop and support them to sustainable levels of growth. The 2026 Programme will run over a period of 10 weeks, during which competition finalists will be exposed to intensive business modelling through both tuition and practical application.

The 2026 competition aims to attract the best SME talent in our region, and 20 finalist SMEs will be selected to participate in the competition, with the top three winners receiving a total of R75 000 in prizes.

Apart from the business development funding and marketing collateral received by entrepreneurs, the competition provides an opportunity for finalists to gain critical business skills, receive mentorship and training, and prepare a comprehensive business plan that will enable them to grow and develop their businesses. Finalists will also receive mentorship from a selection of mentors representing a wide range of sectors and professions who will support the George Business Chamber in the programme’s roll-out.
Any registered business that has been operating in George or the greater Garden Route for more than a year and has an annual turnover of less than R6 million may enter. More details are available on the attached entry form, and entries must reach the Project Manager before 10 July 2026 to be eligible.

Download Entrepreneur 2026 Entry Form here
https://www.george.gov.za/george-document/the-entrepreneur-2026-entry-form-george-edition-fillable-form/

📌 Apply before 10 July 2026:
Scan and email your application to entrepreneur@georgechamber.co.za
OR
Drop off at George Business Chamber Offices, Room 111, 1st Floor, 101 York Street (corner of York & Langenhoven St), George.

For more information, contact Mr Paul Hoffman:
📞 entrepreneur@georgechamber.co.za

Please be advised that the municipal landfill site remains closed today due to adverse weather conditions.

Recent rainfall has resulted in wet and slippery conditions on the access road, creating a safety risk for vehicles and pedestrians using the facility. Conditions have not yet improved sufficiently to allow for the safe reopening of the site.

The landfill site will reopen as soon as conditions improve and it is safe to do so.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation.

***************************************************************

REFUSE REMOVAL OPERATIONS SUSPENDED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

All refuse removal operations have been suspended today due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions being experienced across the municipal area.

The decision has been taken in the interest of the safety of municipal staff and to prevent damage to vehicles and equipment operating in difficult conditions.

Refuse collection services will resume as soon as weather conditions permit.

A catch-up programme will be implemented to address the backlog, and residents and businesses will be informed of revised collection schedules once arrangements have been finalised.

Residents are kindly requested to retain their refuse on their properties until further notice and to refrain from placing additional refuse bags on sidewalks where they may obstruct stormwater systems or be washed into drainage channels.

Please note that CAPITEC Bank clients may experience issues with payment to George Municipality via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).
CAPITEC Bank has recently corrected/updated their Public Recipients, therefore all CAPITEC account holders need to update their beneficiary status for George Municipality.

Please follow these steps to update George Municipality as a beneficiary:
1) Delete your current George Municipality beneficiary.
2) Create a new George Municipality beneficiary:
• search for George Municipality as the Institution name and click select,
• continue filling in the required information until the transaction is complete.

Should you require any assistance in updating George Municipality as a beneficiary, please feel free to contact our Finance offices on 044 801 9111/9002/9081.

********************

CAPITEC Bank-kliënte neem kennis!
Let asseblief daarop dat CAPITEC Bank-kliënte probleme ondervind met betaling aan George Munisipaliteit via EFT (Elektroniese Fondsoordrag).
CAPITEC Bank het onlangs hul Openbare Ontvangers reggestel/bygewerk, daarom moet alle CAPITEC -rekeninghouers hul begunstigdestatus vir George Munisipaliteit regstel.

Volg asb hierdie stappe om George-munisipaliteit as begunstigde reg te stel:

1) Skrap jou huidige George Munisipaliteit begunstigde.
2) Skep ‘n nuwe George Munisipaliteit begunstigde:
• soek na George Munisipaliteit as Instansie se naam en selekteer/kies,
• gaan voort met die invul van vereiste inligting totdat die transaksie voltooi is.

Indien u enige hulp benodig met die opdatering van George Munisipaliteit as begunstigde, kontak gerus ons Finansiële Dienste kantore by (044) 801 9111/9002/9081.

Please be advised that the service provider responsible for the servicing of the fire alarm system at the Main Building in York Street will be performing maintenance on the system today.

During the maintenance period, the fire alarm system may be activated intermittently. Staff and visitors are therefore requested not to be alarmed should the fire alarms sound at the Main Building in York Street until further notice.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

Please be advised that the service provider responsible for the servicing of the fire alarm system at the Main Building in York Street will be performing maintenance on the system today.

During the maintenance period, the fire alarm system may be activated intermittently. Staff and visitors are therefore requested not to be alarmed should the fire alarms sound at the Main Building in York Street until further notice.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

George Municipality warns residents and prepaid electricity users to remain vigilant against scammers advertising “cheap electricity units” on WhatsApp and social media platforms.
Fraudsters are currently circulating messages claiming to sell prepaid electricity units at unrealistic prices. These messages often advertise bulk electricity units for significantly reduced amounts and request payment via WhatsApp or private banking arrangements.

Examples of the fraudulent offers include:
* R350 – 1650 units
* R500 – 2500 units
* R600 – 3500 units
* R700 – 4500 units
* R800 – 5500 units
* R1000 – 7500 units
* R1500 – 10500 units
* R2000 – 12500 units

The scammers claim to provide electricity for all meter types, including:
* Eskom
* Conlog
* Municipal meters
* Citiq Prepaid
* MeterMate

Residents do not engage with these offers or make any payments to individuals advertising discounted electricity units via WhatsApp, SMS, social media, or phone calls.

Important to note:
* George Municipality does not sell electricity units via WhatsApp or social media.
* Electricity purchases must only be made through registered and authorised vendors or official municipal channels. See link for a full list of vendors: https://www.george.gov.za/financial-services/accounts/prepaid-electrical-meter/

* The Municipality will never request payment into private bank accounts for electricity purchases.
* Unrealistically cheap electricity unit offers are fraudulent and may result in financial loss or illegal token generation.
* Sharing meter numbers or personal information with scammers may compromise

Free Basic Water Allowance
Every residential account gets 6 kℓ of free water per month, this equates to (6kℓ x 12 months) = 72kℓ per year.
To make billing fair, and accurate the free water is now applied per day:
This means your free allowance depends on the number of days between meter readings, not just a fixed 6 kℓ per reading.

Examples
• 29-day reading: 29 × 0.197 kℓ ≈ 5.7 kℓ free
• 32-day reading: 32 × 0.197 kℓ ≈ 6.3 kℓ free
Small amounts on your bill (e.g., R2–R5) simply reflect water used above the free allowance.
• No extra charges
• No loss of free water
• Billing is now accurate and fair

System Estimates Reversal
When your meter reading is estimated and an actual reading is later obtained the system will automatically reverse all estimated charges from the date of the last estimate and recalculate your water consumption using the per-day method.

In this case, the system will reverse the December and January estimates and recalculate your total consumption from 15/10/2025 to 19/01/2026.

If we estimated that you used 44 (22+22) kilolitres, but the real reading later shows you actually used 62 kilolitres between the previous and current reading dates:
· The estimate is reversed.
· The system recalculates the period based on the actual 62 kilolitres.
· The difference appears on your next bill.
Previously, this correction was done manually via back-end journals. The new system automates it, making your billing more accurate, transparent, and fair.

Additional Information:
Customers may receive a statement that reflects water charges in line with the current tariff structure:
• George Emergency Level 3 tariffs: Up until 11 May 2026
• Haarlem and Uniondale Emergency Level 3 tariffs: Up until 11 May 2026

Please note that the Municipality is currently on Normal Water Tariffs effective from 12 May 2026.

Billing Implications
Residents and consumers are advised that the lifting of the Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs may not result in a substantial reduction in the municipal water charges reflected on the May 2026 accounts. This is due to the fact that a number of meter reading routes had already been closed and processed prior to the effective implementation date of 12 May 2026.

Consequently, portions of the May 2026 billing cycle were still calculated in accordance with the previ-ously approved emergency water tariffs. Consumers are therefore expected to observe a more signifi-cant reduction in the water tariffs charged on accounts issued during the June 2026 billing cycle, when the revised tariffs will be fully incorporated across all billing routes.

Read the May 2026 edition of the George Municipal Newspaper online for the latest municipal news, community projects and important information affecting residents across George.

📖 View the newspaper here:

https://tinyurl.com/2shseytt

George Municipality would like to sincerely thank residents and the broader community for their patience, understanding, and support following the recent storm surge and its impact on the town.

A special word of appreciation is extended to all residents, volunteers, community organisations, and stakeholders who came out on Saturday, 16 May, to assist with the clean-up efforts across the town. Your willingness to give your time and contribute towards restoring our community reflects a strong spirit of unity and civic responsibility, and your efforts are greatly valued and appreciated.
Municipal teams are continuing with the removal of hazardous and overhanging trees, as well as the clearing of storm-related debris across affected areas. The Municipality would like to assure the public that all areas where municipal trees have fallen will be attended to. Tree removal operations will continue according to the scheduled programme, subject to weather conditions and operational considerations.

Ongoing Clean-up Operations and Waste Disposal Appeal
The Municipality further appeals to residents to refrain from disposing of garden refuse and other waste on municipal pavements and in public spaces. Residents are encouraged to continue making use of the designated landfill facilities and to follow the established waste disposal procedures to assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment for all.
George Municipality thanks all residents for their ongoing cooperation and support as restoration efforts continue.

The table below outlines the planned programme for the removal of trees and storm-related debris across the affected areas.

Due to the current wet conditions and overcapacity at the landfill site, the facility will be temporarily closed for four hours today for safety reasons.

This temporary closure will allow the bulldozer to clear the area and create safe access for both residents and vehicles.

The site will reopen at 12:00 pm.

We kindly request that residents return after 12:00 pm to help ensure:

* Safe access to the site
* Prevention of vehicles becoming stuck in the mud
* Safe operating conditions for all users and staff

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

George Municipality advises the public that some municipal services are still temporarily unavailable due to storm-related damage.

REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC
• Worker Collection Point – 12 Industrial Street
• BLANCO MVR – Open to the public
• Wilderness Tourism Offices
• EPWP Database Offices

INTERMITTENT TELEPHONE/ INTERNET SERVICE
The service provider is attending to all issues to ensure connectivity and telephone access to the following departments:

1. Social Development Offices – Telephone lines are active.
2. Landfill Site Transfer Station – Telephone lines are active.
3. Pacaltsdorp Library – No internet access. Telephone lines remain down.
4. George Library – No internet or telephone connectivity available.
5. Blanco Library – No internet access.
6. Touwsranten Library – Intermittent internet access.
7. Waboomskraal Library – No internet connection.
8. Haarlem – No internet connection.
9. Thembalethu Library – Internet connectivity restored; telephone lines remain down.

GENERAL CONTACT DETAILS
Switchboard: 044 801 9111 (07:45 – 16:30)
General public queries (non-emergency): gmun@george.gov.za

REPORTING MUNICIPAL ISSUES
Residents are encouraged to report non-emergency municipal-related issues via the My Smart City – George App or by emailing gmun@george.gov.za which provide a reference for your fault.

My Smart City – George App can be downloaded via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or via www.mysmart.city. Residents may also scan the QR code printed on their municipal statement.

George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during this challenging period.

The Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department exists to protect the public by making sure that buildings and land uses are safe and lawful in terms of national standards and code. Enforcement is not punitive but serves as a warning to owners and developers that their activities may present a risk to residents, their homes and municipal services and demands measure to safeguard against such risks. This can be achieved partly by ensuring compliance with national legislation and municipal by-laws, which apply equally to all property, whether private or public.

The process ensures that owners take measures to ensure that buildings are structurally sound and safe to occupy, that they comply with norms and standards, and that people do not damage services such as water, sewer and electricity lines. Unauthorised building can cause damage to a person’s own property, their neighbour’s property, and critical municipal infrastructure.

How enforcement works
Enforcement takes place in three main ways:
• Complaints received from members of the public
• Routine area inspections and surveys
• Monitoring compliance with approved building plans and land use approvals

When a contravention is detected, the matter is registered and assigned to a case officer for investigation which starts with a desktop investigation to confirm whether authorizations are in place and assess the potential risks based on digital data at their disposal.

If needed, an inspection is conducted. Inspections are conducted lawfully in terms of section 15(1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, which authorises officials to enter land or buildings at reasonable times to assess compliance. It is preferred that the owners are present during the inspection to engage about possible means to rectify the issue.

What happens if there is non-compliance?
If non-compliance is identified:
• The owner is informed; and
• A formal notice is issued explaining the contravention and the steps that can be taken to rectify.

The notice usually gives the owner options, which may include:
• Submitting the required application
• Removing the unlawful structure
• Stopping the unauthorised activity

The municipality does not impose penalties immediately. Several notices (typically up to three) are issued to give property owners reasonable opportunity to respond and make use of the available options. Property owners are encouraged to contact the department for guidance and assistance in resolving the matter.
Where an owner is clearly taking steps to rectify the issue, the municipality is open to granting an extension of time to comply, provided the activity does not pose a risk to life, property or essential services.

Fines, legal action and misinformation
Legal action is considered only as a last resort, after repeated failure to cooperate and remedy non-compliance. Litigation is not preferred, as it can be costly and time-consuming for both the municipality and the property owner.

If attempts to secure voluntary compliance are unsuccessful, a section 56 notice (which would include a fine and/or a requirement to appear in court) may be issued in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. This still provides the individual with a further opportunity to make representations to the court.

It is also important to correct misinformation. Contrary to statements circulating on social media, the municipality does not impose a blanket fine of R6 000 for structures such as tool sheds. Any fines or penalties are determined through the proper legal process and depend on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Why compliance benefits everyone
The municipality has a legal and ethical duty to ensure that development is safe, orderly and lawful, for the benefit of all residents. Unchecked and unsafe building work can overload services, damage infrastructure, increase the risk of fires or structural failure, and incur costs that must ultimately be carried by law-abiding ratepayers.

Enforcement of bylaws is therefore a key element of good governance. It protects the rights and interests of all affected parties and is applied fairly and consistently, with multiple opportunities given to property owners to comply. It is not an instrument of “oppression”, but a regulated system designed to uphold the law, protect public safety and infrastructure, and allow residents the opportunity to regularise any non-compliance.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Land Use Development and Regulatory Compliance Department directly at 044 801 9171 for assistance, clarification or support in regularising any structures or land use activities.
Report suspected activities to mhwelman@george.gov.za, smoshani@george.gov.za or use the MySmartCity app to log a complaint by downloading the app on www.mysmart.city