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Event Support

CONTACT
Claudine Carelse ● +27 44 801 9099 ● ccarelse@george.gov.za

George Municipality facilitates and encourages events to take place in the destination, covered under the legal framework. Please contact the Tourism Office well in advance to alert us to your event so that we can:

  • Add your event to the tourism website and events calendar distributed in the tourism stakeholder’s newsletter and at the Visitor Information Centres.
    Book a space and drop off an A3 poster at the George Tourism and Wilderness Tourism Visitor Information Centres.
  • Add your event to the Events Steering Committee agenda, to be discussed by all municipal role players, such as the Fire Department, Law Enforcement and Traffic, Cleansing, Electro-tech and other relevant sections.

Click here for GM Event Application Form

POPULATION CERTIFICATE
Please note that any event with more than 200 people has must have a Population Certificate, which is obtained from the Fire Department.  There is a fee applicable and a number of requirements which must be attended to well in advance.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • Fire Department Population Certificate application forms and proof of payment
  • All Events require SAPS Risk Categorization
  • 1000 people or more Department of Health Western Cape medical approval
  • Engineering Certificates of Compliance (COC’s) for relevant structures involved – for example, tents and stages
  • Electrical Certificates of Compliance for any electrical boards and generators
  • Public Liability Insurance
  • Medical service provider’s registrations
  • Security service provider’s registrations
  • Appointment letter for Safety Officer
  • Permission letter from property owner

Events Safety Management Plan that address the following:
Contact details of role-players, emergency services and authorities

  • Traffic Plan
  • Parking Plan
  • Public address system and backup system
  • Catering setup / use
  • Electricity setup / certificate of compliance for any temporary DV boards
  • Waste Removal Plan
  • Medical Plan
  • Evacuation Plan / Emergency Procedures
  • Security Plan
  • Site Plan / sketch

Any other documentation the Fire Department deems necessary to complete the application process.
For sporting events, the federation sanction of game may be required.

OTHER COMPLIANCES
Please note that land use of your venue must be compliant and certain events with higher risk categorisations will require a Joint Operations Command (JOC).
Please complete this CHECKLIST to determine if a land use application is required in terms of the Land Use Planning By-law for George Municipality (2023). If a property may as primary right host an event, then no land use application is required (on all properties other than residential – refer Addendum A).

HEALTH INSPECTIONS
Most events which have food vendors will have inspections by the Garden Route District Municipality Health Inspector.

ANNUAL EVENT FUNDING
Annual event support and applications take place in February each year.
Please complete your applications online at https://zurl.co/JHY0e by the deadline of 6 March 2025

EVENTS POLICY
Find the George Municipality events policy here.

ONLINE FILM AND EVENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS
https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF BEACHES, PUBLIC OPEN SPACES AND BOTANICAL GARDENS FOR EVENTS
George Municipality hereby advises members of the public, event organisers, and interested parties of the procedures and requirements relating to the use of municipal beaches, public open spaces, and the Garden Route Botanical Garden for events and gatherings.

George Municipal Beaches
Members of the public may apply to host events on any beach within the jurisdiction of George Municipality.
Bookings must be made through the Community Services: Environmental Services Office by contacting Ms Noluvuyo Mankayi on email at nmankayi@george.gov.za or Ms Celeste Africa at cpafrica@george.gov.za or 044 8022900.

Events on beaches are subject to the payment of applicable tariffs.
See link for tariffs https://tinyurl.com/5h226wnw

Please note the following rules and conditions apply:

  • No disturbance to sand dunes.
  • No nuisance to the public or other beach users.
  • No exclusive use of any section of the beach.
  • Compliance with noise control regulations.
  • No littering; all waste must be removed after the event.
  • All rules displayed on regulation boards at the beaches must be adhered to.
  • Large events (e.g., sporting events) that extend beyond municipal staff working hours require the organiser to arrange for their own post-event clean-up services.

Public Open Spaces
There is currently no tariff for the use of public open spaces.
However, all users are required to:

  • Request permission in advance.
  • Complete and submit the Indemnity and Compliance Form, which outlines all conditions of use.
  • The form includes important guidelines regarding public conduct, safety, environmental protection, and event responsibilities.

Garden Route Botanical Garden
Bookings for events at the Garden Route Botanical Garden must be made directly with the Garden management. The Municipality does not manage this venue.

Population Certificate Requirement (for Larger Events)
In terms of George Municipality’s by-laws and applicable national safety regulations, larger events—including those involving temporary structures, staging, or expected attendance above normal usage thresholds- must obtain a Population Certificate (also referred to as a Temporary Population Certificate).

This certificate is:

  • Issued by the George Fire Department.
  • Required to ensure the event complies with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA) and other local legislation.
  • A condition for approval when applying to host events on public amenities, especially where crowd capacity, infrastructure or safety considerations are involved.
  • Event organisers are urged to engage early with the relevant municipal departments to ensure all compliance requirements are met well in advance of the event.
  • Contact via telephone on 044 801 6300

For further information or to make a booking, please contact the Environmental Services Office on 044 802 2900.
General event queries can be directed to George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism, the official Tourism Bureau of George Municipality, via events@visitgeorge.co.za.
George Municipality thanks you for your cooperation in maintaining safe, clean, and accessible public spaces for all residents and visitors.