Notices

Due to a fire at the Tourism Office, the George Library is currently experiencing internet and telephone outages. The library’s internet and phone services rely on a server housed at the George Tourism Office, which has been affected by a fire. Consequently, all telephone lines at George Library are down, causing significant inconvenience for residents in Wilderness, Herold’s Bay, and surrounding farming communities.

Affected Services:

• Telephone Services: All lines are currently down.
• Telephonic Renewals and Reminders: Unable to process renewals, late book reminders, and interlibrary loans via phone.
• Itron Electronic Payment Machine: Fines payments are affected, and receipts are issued manually.

Unaffected Services:

• Public Internet and Wi-Fi: These services are running on the Provincial broadband and remain operational.
• Book Issuance and Returns: Staff can still issue and return books.
• SLIMS Online Catalogue and Information Retrieval: These functions are available.

Alternative Renewal Method:

To renew books, please use the following WhatsApp number: 066 289 2863

Library Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 18:00
• Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
• Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve these issues.

UPDATE WATER OUTAGE – Herold’s Bay and Oubaai
Issued George Municipality, 2 July 2024 @ 16:25

Water was restored to Oubaai, Breakwater Bay and Herolds Bay. George Municipality is aware of a few houses in Slaapplek which remain without water and a team is en route to investigate further.

Further water outages must be reported to the After Hours Call Centre at 0448016300. George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and apologises for the inconvenience.

Please be informed that the Western Cape Minister of Mobility has published the increased registration and licence fee tariffs in the attached Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 8924 dated 20 May 2024.

These new tariffs are effective from 1 July 2024, and applicable to motor vehicle licences that must be renewed from 1 July 2024 (those licences with a current expiry date of 30 June 2024) onwards.

Your attention is drawn to item 6 in the schedule of fees in the attached Provincial Gazette, which contains the increased fees for the certification of roadworthiness of motor vehicles.

Please refer to the link below for detailed information:
[Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 8924 – 20 May 2024] https://www.george.gov.za/finances-docs/wc-registration-licence-fees-2024/

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                                       97,69%

Rainfall for the previous days:                                                                         0 mm (Measured rainfall figures from 25 June 2024 up until 01 July 2024)

For water-saving tips please visit: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7

The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Water is restored and reservoir levels are increasing. Herold’s Bay reservoir is close to full and Oubaai reservoir is filling.
Herold’s Bay residents are expected to have water. Any households without water must please contact our Complaints Desk 044 801 9262/66.

Oubaai reservoir is still filling and needs to be full before Oubaai residents will receive water. A tanker is arranged for Oubaai and Breakwater Bay and will be stationed at the first circle on Oubaai Main Road. ETA 10.30

George Municipality thanks residents for their patience and apologises for the inconvenience.

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:
PORTION OF WILDERNESS
LAKE ROAD

NOTICE is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on THURSDAY 04 JULY 2024 FROM 09H00 TO 16H00 to do 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 circumstances prevent the work from being carried out during the abovementioned period; the work will be done on FRIDAY 05 JULY 2024 FROM 09H00 TO 16H00.

*

BEPLANDE ONDERBREKING VAN DIE ELEKTRIESE TOEVOER: GEDEELTE VAN WILDERNIS

DIE VOLGENDE AREAS SAL GERAAK WORD:
GEDEELTE VAN WILDERNIS
LAKE ROAD

KENNISGEWING geskied hiermee dat die elektriese toevoer onderbreek sal word op DONDERDAG 04 JULIE 2024 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H00 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 05 JULIE 2024 VANAF 09H00 TOT 16H00.

Unfortunately this line has failed again at the same position, the fourth pipe break.

Herold’s Bay Reservoir is empty. Parts of Herold’s Bay will experience a water outage within the next hour or two.

Oubaai and Breakwater only have a few hours of water supply left.

The public in these areas are urged to use water sparingly. Repairs will continue.

George Municipality regrets to inform residents and visitors that the George Tourism offices located in York Street are closed indefinitely following a structural fire in the early hours of Sunday morning, 30 June. The Fire Brigade responded this morning at 06:23 and was able to control the fire however extensive smoke damage has occurred. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this point.

The building control division which falls under the Directorate Human Settlements, Planning and Development will inspect the building due to its heritage status. Tourism officials will be accommodated in the main municipal building until further notice.

*Temporary Contact Number for George Tourism during office hours only: 081 412 9995*

*Wilderness Tourism Office*
Closed on Monday, 1 July 2024 due to maintenance and will re-open again on Tuesday, 2 July 2024 at 08:30.
_Office Hours 08:30 – 16:00 for 2 – 5 July_
Wilderness Tourism Office Number: 044 877 0045

Wilderness Tourism Office will be closed Monday, 1 July 2024 due to maintenance.
The office will re-open again on Tuesday, 2 July 2024 at 08h30.
For more information, the public can phone the George Tourism Office on 044 801 9295. The Wilderness Tourism Office number is 044 877 0045.

George Municipality urges the public and visitors to exercise extreme caution at all beaches under its jurisdiction, as there will be no lifeguards on duty until the end of November 2024. The affected beaches include:
• Wilderness Main Beach
• Wilderness Lagoon
• Wilderness Steps
• Wilderness Lientjiesklip
• Victoria Bay Beach
• Gwaing River Mouth Beach and Day Camp
• Herold’s Bay Beach and Tidal Pool

Beware of Rip Currents
Rip currents are strong, fast-moving flows of water running from the beach back to the open ocean, sea, or lake. They are one of the most dangerous natural hazards, capable of moving at speeds of up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) per hour and can be more than 45 meters (150 feet) wide.

How to Spot a Rip Current:
• Deeper and/or darker water.
• Fewer breaking waves.
• Sandy-colored water extending beyond the surf zone.
• A narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water flanked by areas of breaking waves and whitewater.
• A channel of churning or choppy water distinct from the surrounding water.
• A difference in water color, such as an area of muddy-appearing water due to sediment and sand being carried away from the beach.

For more information on how to identify rip currents and stay safe, please watch the following videos:

https://youtu.be/9GBUBDMENfw?si=Pe_EUU7qUaiWTqVS

Essential Phone Numbers:
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 23 at Wilderness Beach: 082 990 5955
George Fire Department: 044 803 6311
Toll-Free Disaster Number: 087 152 9999
George Municipality After Hours: 044 803 6300

Stay safe and vigilant when visiting our beaches.