Notices

The George Tourism office telephone lines are temporarily out of order. The matter is receiving attention as technicians are investigating the cause of the downlines.

Issued by George Municipality
19 May 2023

Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Friday. Thereafter, various stages of loadshedding will be implemented over the weekend

George will be affected as follows:
Thursday 18/05/2023
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30 **

Friday 19/05/2023
00:00 – 02:30 **
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Saturday 20/05/2023
06:00 – 08:30
22:00 – 00:30

Sunday 21/05/2023
04:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Thursday 18/05/2023
17:00 – 19:30

Friday 19/05/2023
01:00 – 05:30 **
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Saturday 20/05/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

Sunday 21/05/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30

Consumers are reminded to use electricity sparingly after power returns especially after a 4-hour Loadshedding slot.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding. Consumers are urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

Please note that Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) office is situated on Hibernia Street closed unexpectedly immediately, until further notice. This follows a fumigation for pest control that was conducted at the building yesterday afternoon.

Even though all the necessary safety measures and cleaning after the fumigation were done as per the service provider’s instructions, staff members complained about allergic reactions and other symptoms suspected to have been caused by the fumes that remained in the building.

As a safety precaution, all officials have been released for medical checks and the building was temporarily closed, only allowing testing of vehicles, as this area is not affected.

The Municipality will keep you informed of any developments.

Issued by George Municipality, 17 May 2023

The Western Cape Provincial government has authorised a sum total of R88.185 million rand from the Provincial Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve Fund to assist municipalities with the unforeseen and immediate impact of prolonged load-shedding on water and wastewater services.

In terms of this allocated Funding, George Municipality has received the sum of R14 220 000 (VAT included) as a contribution toward the purchase and installation of back-up energy supply. This back-up supply can include generators, renewable power sources, batteries and all ancillary costs associated with the installation thereof for example,  switch gear, safe keeping, caging etc. for water and wastewater infrastructure.

This grant funding will assist the George Municipality in ensuring a healthy environment and to continue with the provision of basic services to our citizens and businesses during the current load-shedding.
The municipality is in process of purchasing emergency diesel generators that will be placed strategically as follows:

Water Treatment Works
Haarlem WTW  (+_ 150kVA diesel generator)
Uniondale WTW (+- 200kVA diesel generator)

Waste Water Treatment Works
Uniondale WWTW (+_ 200 kVA diesel generator)
Kleinkrantz WWTW (+_ 300 kVA diesel generator)
Outeniqua WWTW (+_ 1000 kVA diesel generator)

The municipality has to date (April 2023) completed the procurement of the contractors required to construct the Generators required for Haarlem and Uniondale water treatment facilities; and Uniondale and Kleinkrantz waste water treatment facilities.   Due to the size of the Outeniqua wastewater treatment facility`s backup generator a separate procurement process had to be followed and is underway.  A Professional Engineering Consultant was appointed to assist the George Municipality with the design, procurement and implementation of the backup generator units.

George Municipality has out of necessity already installed large generators at 30 Sewer Pump Stations and 5 at Water Treatment Works  at a cost of approximately R52 million, in order to keep water flowing and sewerage pumpstations operational during loadshedding.  A further 8 are in process of being procured at a cost of approximately R27 million rand and which includes the two 1250kVa for the Garden Route Dam.  The costs of running these generators are exorbitant and currently totals approximately R148 000 per day in fuel alone at Stage 4, with the fuel costs even higher when Stage 5 and 6 are implemented.

Link to further information on how George Municipality is trying to mitigate the impact of load-shedding for George. https://www.george.gov.za/what-is-george-municipality-doing-to-alleviate-eskom-loadshedding-and-other-renewable-energy-projects/

Municipal Plant of the Month – Bugweed, Luisboom: Solanum mauritianum.
Bugweed is a Category 1b invasive species which must be removed and destroyed. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.

Impacts: Robust, long-lived (up to 30 years) and fast-growing – easily reaching a height of 3-5m, shading out other vegetation. It can flower year-round but fruiting occurs in late spring to early summer. It is tolerant of many soil types and quickly becomes established around plantations, forest margins, scrub and open land. All parts of the plant are poisonous – in particular the unripe green berries. Birds, which are unaffected by the poison, act as seed dispersers.

Identification: A large untidy straggly shrub with distinctive large dull grey-green leaves that are velvety above with white felty undersides. The leaves have an off-putting scent. Clusters of purple flowers with yellow centres occur throughout the year. The fruits are borne in compact terminal clusters of berries of 10 mm across, turning yellow when ripe.

Control: Felling and treating the stump with the herbicide Timbrel or Kaput easily kills bugweed. Alternatively, the stump can be frilled and the frill treated with the same herbicide. Any clearing must have a follow-up program to address the inevitable seed germination.

References: www.invasives.org.za : www.sanbi.org : www.gpwonline.co.za/ Gazettes/Gazettes/37886_1-8_EnvAffairs.pdf – p.29 : www.george .org.za/page/environmental_affairs (search under COMMUNITY SERVICES and NEWS tabs.
#alieninvasiveplantsawareness

UPDATE ON PLANNED NOTICE FOR THE INTERRUPTION OF THE POWER SUPPLY!

PORTION OF AIRPORT LINE, SKOUGRONDE, GWAING SEWERAGE, & A. DE SWART

THE BELOW PLANNED INTERRUPTION TO THE POWER SUPPLY HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHOULD THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BE FAVOURABLE, THE WORK WILL COMMENCE ON THE 19TH OF MAY 2023.

Issued on the 18th of May 2023

NOTICE OF THE INTERUPTION OF POWER SUPPLY

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED: PORTION OF AIRPORT LINE, SKOUGRONDE, GWAING SEWERAGE, & A. DE SWART

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on Thursday 18 May 2023 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30 for the purpose of doing alterations to the electrical mains. Consumers are warned to treat the installation as being live for the full duration as the supply may be resumed at any time within the notified period.

Should any circumstances prevent the work being carried out during the abovementioned period, the work will be done on Friday 19 May 2023 FROM 09H00 TO 16H30.

Issued by George Municipality on 16 May 2023

KENNISGEWING VAN DIE ONDERBREKING VAN ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD: GEDEELTE VAN LUGHAWE LYN SKOUGRONDE, GWAING RIOOL & A. DE SWART

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word op Donderdag 18 Mei 2023 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30 met die doel om veranderings aan elektriese hoofleidings te maak. Klante word gewaarsku om die installasie as lewendig te beskou vir die volle periode aangesien die toevoer enige tyd gedurende die periode aangeskakel mag word.

Sou omstandighede verhoed dat die werk gedoen kan word gedurende bogenoemde periode, sal die werk gedoen word op VRYDAG 19 MEI 2023 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H30

Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit op 16 May 2023

Issued by George Municipality, 16 May 2023 @08:30

There is an accident on Nelson Mandela Boulevard between a Taxi and a Bakkie carrying passengers. Both lanes towards the Thembalethu direction are temporarily closed. The Municipal Traffic officers are at the scene and are diverting traffic.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – Water Restrictions remain in place
Issued 15 May 2023, George Municipality

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 87.67
Rainfall for previous 7 days: 54.80 mm (Measured up to and including 14 May 2023)

The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
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 Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Monday.Thereafter, Stage 4 and 6 will be implemented during the week.*

_*Issued by George Municipaplity Communication Department, Office of the Municipal Manager on behalf of Eskom*_

Receive Eskom loadshedding notifications by downloading the free EskomSePush app from Google Play Store at https://sepush.co.za/

*George will be affected as follows:*

Sunday 14/05/2023

16:00 – 20:30 **

Monday 15/05/2023

00:00 – 04:30 **

08:00 – 10:30

16:00 – 18:30

Tuesday 16/05/2023

00:00 – 04:30 **

08:00 – 10:30

16:00 – 18:30

Wednesday 17/05/2023

06:00 – 08:30

14:00 – 18:30 **

22:00 – 00:30

Thursday 18/05/2023

06:00 – 08:30

14:00 – 18:30 **

22:00 – 00:30 **

Friday 19/05/2023

00:00 – 02:30 **

06:00 – 08:30

14:00 – 16:30

22:00 – 00:30

*Uniondale will be affected as follows:*

Sunday 14/05/2023

11:00 – 13:30

19:00 – 23:30 **

Monday 15/05/2023

03:00 – 05:30

11:00 – 13:30

19:00 – 21:30

Tuesday 16/05/2023

03:00 – 05:30

11:00 – 13:30

19:00 – 21:30

Wednesday 17/05/2023

01:00 – 03:30

09:00 – 11:30

17:00 – 21:30 **

Thursday 18/05/2023

01:00 – 03:30

09:00 – 11:30

17:00 – 21:30 **

Friday 19/05/2023

01:00 – 05:30 **

09:00 – 11:30

17:00 – 19:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOAD SHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!

Residents of George must please note that with the extended load shedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour load shedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Load shedding

Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after load shedding (especially a 4-hour slot). The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the load shedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load shedding

Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages

Please do not phone the afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after load shedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.