Notice Archive

https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PUBLIC-PARTICIPATION-MEETINGS-IN-RESPECT-OF-THE-NEW-5-YEAR-IDP_OCTOBER-2022_NEW-2.pdf

PUBLIC NOTICE: THE ART OF PITCHING “how to communicate your business”
The George Municipality, Economic Development in collaboration with SEDA
are hosting Art of Pitching Bootcamp.

Interested entrepreneurs are requested to register to Ongeziwe Mthongwana by RSVP by
Friday, 21 October 2022 on 044 801 9462 or email omthongwana@george.gov.za .
24 -25 October, 08h30 daily

Banqueting Hall, Civic Centre, York Street in George
This intervention will capacitate the entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge in the following areas:
• Develop a winning Business Model Canvas.
• Present business cases effectively.
• Conduct pitching event searches.
• Access finance.
• Improve deal flow for investors.
• Conduct persuasive pitches for potential funders, and
• Use of digital tools such as Facebook business, Instagram and WhatsApp Business.

George Municipality is concerned with the increase in building and residential fires over the past few weeks. Although the reasons are not yet determined there is always a possibility that it could be because of a combination of wear and tear on electrical equipment related to the impact of Loadshedding. Business and building owners have installed generators and batteries etc to keep their businesses functioning, which is understandable, but our concern lies with the safety implications. Business  and building owners are to note that the municipality will implement a combination of Fire, Building Control and Electrical compliance inspections throughout George over the next few weeks. These inspections will all be undertaken as walk-ins and appointments are not required.

George Fire Brigade and Disaster Management:
The George Fire Brigade will be implementing checks on various buildings throughout George over the next few weeks to inspect Fire Safety Equipment which includes hose reels, fire extinguishers, relevant Signage, Emergency Exits and Fire Safety Certificates.

The Fire Department will issue a written warning with a 14 or 21d ay notice to rectify the problem. Should the issue not be rectified a fine will be issued in Terms of Section 57 of the Criminal Procedures Act 1977 (ACT 51 of 1977). Fines range between R500 and R1500 and are issued by the George Fire Department.

Should there be any queries in this regard please contact Johann Crouse 044 801 6300.

Building Control:
Our Building Control offices will be sending inspectors out to implement  the following compliance checks in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977.

• A visual inspection will be conducted to determine whether the structural integrity of the building/s has been compromised. Should there be evidence that the structure has been compromised, a Structural Engineer to be appointed to investigate and confirm the extent of the structural damage and to provide guidance as to the remedial action to be taken by the property owner/s.
• Determine the possibility of any hazardous asbestos materials on site. Should any hazardous asbestos be found, a registered asbestos removal contractor to be appointed to dispose thereof. Confirmation that the asbestos has been disposed of at a registered asbestos waste site to be submitted by the property owner.
• To determine whether building plans are available for the affected  structures on the property.
• To determine whether a certificate of occupancy has been issued for the affected structures on the property.
• The general health and safety of the inhabitants/users are of utmost importance and therefore all buildings must comply with the requirements of the legislation.

Fines which can be imposed could be imposed will be charged as per the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act and the approved municipal tariffs until such time as the proposed fine list has been approved by the Magistrate.

Extract from George Municipal Tariff List 2022

2. Additional fees- Subject to change as per approved contravention levies

2.1 Building Plan tariff payable where building work has started on a property without prior building plans approval.

2.1.1      5 X Additional standard building plan fees are payable before the building plan application will be approved in all cases without exception (with a minimum charge of R10 000,00), except for the cases as provided for in 2.1.2 hereunder.

2.1.2      In cases of minor building work (as stipulated in the NBR) 5 x additional standard building plan fees are payable before the building plan application will be approved, including swimming pools, carports, shade ports, boundary walls, internal/external alterations, irrespective the square meters.

2.2. Tariff for certificate of occupancy payable where building has been occupied without the prior issuing of a Certificate of Occupation. New buildings only. A total of 50% of the applicable building plan fee with a minimum charge of R5 000,00.

The Manager Building Control can be contacted on 044 801 9176 with any queries in this regard.

Electrotechnical Services:
The Electrotechnical Services department will be carrying out compliance inspections in terms of the Municipal Electrical Supply By-laws and SANS10142-1 and will review premises for the following:

• Identify possible electric shock or fire hazards.
• Highlight any overloaded or faulty electrical installations.
• Find out whether any earthing or bonding is necessary.
• Check for outdated installations and advise accordingly
• Any immediate dangers must be inspected and Electrical supply is switched off immediately should a building/premises not be compliant.

The municipality is entitled to issue any tamper fees should they be applicable and further noncompliance will be reported to the Department of Labour  who will exercise the relevant fines applicable.

For any queries regarding Electrical related compliance please contact Eddie Nqumse or Thulani Ntintelo on 044 8019222.

Public Notice: Georgians be part of the solution to people living on the streets

Issued by George Mun,  12 October 2022 for immediate release

George Municipality appeals to Georgians to become a part of the solution of People living on the Streets by rather giving donations to organisations such as the George Night Shelter or Kidstop than giving money or handouts to adults or children begging at streets intersections, as this has increasingly become a concern.

According to Estelle Fredericks from the Municipality Social Development department, there has been an increase in new arrivals of People living on the streets following the Covid lockdown period and exacerbated by the current economic situation. She said that giving such persons money or handouts on the streets, will only encourage them to keep living on the streets and has negative long-term effects.

The PLOTS (People Living on The Streets) forum was established in 2018 by George Municipality to holistically address the many factors associated with homeless people. The forum includes representatives from George Municipal Social Development Services, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Kid Stop (focuses on children living on the Streets), People Against Substance Abuse (PASA), Smoking & Alcohol Harms Alleviation & Rehabilitation Association (SAHARA), Christian Rehabilitation Ministries to the Homeless of George (Cremhog) and the National Departments of Social Development and Health.

The PLOTS Forum aims to eradicate the issue of homelessness. Night outreaches take place to quantify the number of persons currently living on the streets and these surveys also serve as a tool to identify the needs of the individuals, and to assess how they can be assisted going forward.

George Municipality continues to provide clothing and toiletries to persons living on the street. The toiletries include soap, facecloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, roll-on and sanitary pads. The municipality maintains a clothing bank where residents of George donate clothing for this purpose. Many of the homeless ask for clothing or toiletries to be presentable and a register is kept for this purpose. It would really assist the Municipality if more residents could donate clothing and toiletries for this purpose as no funding is available for this purpose.

The Municipal Social Development division runs a job seekers programme where we motivate the homeless to seek jobs, even if it is in the informal market. The department assists with the drawing up of CV`s and registering of the homeless on the EPWP database for job opportunities. Through other stakeholders, reunification services are also planned for those individuals who indicate that they want to reunite with their families. The issue of homelessness is a vast challenge and assistance from all spheres is needed to address the issue properly.

Living on the streets is not a crime and therefore these people cannot be arrested or moved without their consent. Our Social Development and Law Enforcement department’s mandate is limited as the bulk of the functions to assist people living on the streets, falls under SAPS and the National Department of Social Development.

George Residents, Business Owners and organisations, who want to help the homeless and or submit innovative ideas on how to help the homeless are invited to join the PLOTS monthly meeting. You can contact Estelle Fredericks on 044 802 2000, ext 2015 during office hours for more information.

The public may also contact these organisations: Freddy Trout, PASA (People Against Substance Abuse) on 068 487 4848, Jonathan Gelderbloem, YFC Kidstop on 044 874 2624/044 875 1794, Department of Social Services on 044 814 1920 or Andre Olivier from Cremhog on andre.olivier1962@gmail.com

MAINTENANCE ON THE STANDBY GENERATOR & THE UNINTERRUPTABLE POWER SUPPLY (UPS) FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (03) YEARS FROM DATE OF APPOINTMENT

Notice is hereby given in terms of section 116(3) of the Local Government Act: Municipal Finance Management, Act 56 of 2003, that at a Council meeting to be held on 27 October 2022where Council will consider approving the extension, for the maintenance on the standby generator & the uninterruptable power supply (ups) for a period of three (3) years from date of appointment.

The agreement to extend will be valid until a new service provider has been appointed. Tender ENG009/2022 is in the process of being finalized to appoint the new service provider.

Any comments or representations must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Municipal Manager, PO Box 19, George, 6530 or via email: whannes@george.gov.za by no later than Friday, 04 November 2022 at 12:00.

Section 116 Notice

Percentage storage at old unraised dam wall height: 76.11%
Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height : 60.90%
Rainfall for the month of September 2022 (George Witfontein Weather Station): 45.4mm
Demand/usage per day: 31.3 megalitres

(Please note the dam level indication is based on the spillway and dam wall height before it was raised, the latter is the new unofficial estimation based on preliminary calculations ahead of re-calibration of the dam. Re-calibration has commenced and is dependent on several factors. Adjusted official readings will be implemented and reported once new capacity has been confirmed, the time period of this is unknown).

Section 2B water restrictions for Uniondale and George remain in place as per Council decision.
Uniondale and George water restrictions details on https://www.george.gov.za/civil-engineering/water/

The immediate measures to be adhered to are as follows:

• Mechanical or automatic irrigation/watering devices or sprinkler systems for gardens are prohibited. Gardens may only be watered with a handheld hose from 19h00 – 21h00 (September – April) and 17h00 – 19h00 (May – August)
• Mondays/Thursdays: Even-numbered households ONLY
• Tuesdays/Fridays: Uneven numbered households ONLY
• The irrigation or watering of all sports fields is prohibited.  Exemption applies only for golf course greens, bowling greens, and cricket pitches daily between 19h00 – 21h00.
• The washing of vehicles using a handheld/garden hose, except by a commercial enterprise, is prohibited.
• Cleaning of any outside surface area using a hosepipe/mechanical means is prohibited. The use of a bucket is permitted.
• Filling of swimming pools is prohibited.
• Where own water from a borehole or reservoir is used, “OWN WATER” signage must be displayed.
• Exemption can be applied for and considered, please contact 044 801 9354.

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477. Fines will apply and/or six months imprisonment.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

*Eskom Loadshedding Wednesday, 12 October 2022: Due to the persistent shortage of generation capacity, Stage 2 loadshedding will continue tonight and Thursday at 16:00 – 00:00. Stage 1 loadshedding will then be implemented on Friday at 16:00 – 00:00. To the extent possible, Eskom will endeavour to limit loadshedding to night-time to have minimal impact on the economy and population. Eskom will publish a further update on Friday afternoon, or as soon as any significant changes occur.*

*George will be affected as follows:*

Wednesday 12/10/2022

None

Thursday 13/10/2022

16:00 – 18:30

Friday 14/10/2022

None

*Uniondale will be affected as follows:*

Wednesday 12/10/2022

None

Thursday 13/10/2022

19:00 – 21:30

Friday 14/10/2022

None