Economic – Development
Context: A robust and growing local economy underpins the revenue streams of George society and, given a balanced framework, should be encouraged. By encouraging targeted investment, fostering innovation, and supporting local business ecosystems, George can create long-term stability, generate high-quality employment, and enhance the overall standard of living for all residents. Members with an interest […]
Planning & Development
Context: The participation and contributing to planning within local government is absolutely key in ensuring the sustainability of George & the Garden Route. Lodging complaints against developments outside the parameters of guiding documents is, at best, a rear-guard action. The principal planning processes are; 1: The Spatial Development Framework (SDF), guiding spatial utilisation and land […]
Governance – Trust Failure
Context: It is clear that the level of service delivery & sound governance by local authorities is directly corellated to the quality of engagement by civil society resulting in joint accountability for the sustainability of our communities. This ideal, however, largely depends on effective public participation processes, which are currently ineffective, as acknowledged by all […]
Environmental – Degradation
Context: The increasing level of urbanization of George is impacting the quality of life, and while several initiatives/groups are active in this space, GRRA will support and consolidate these initiatives if so requested. Rapid population growth poses a direct threat to local biodiversity, green open spaces, urban infrastructure, and overall liveability. By acting as a […]
Waste Disposal – Solids & Sewage
Context: The disposal of waste in the most economical and environmentally sustainable way needs to be secured, given an increased population and existing sites reaching capacity. Rapid urbanization and demographic shifts are placing unprecedented strain on municipal waste infrastructure. Addressing this challenge requires transitioning from traditional dumping methods toward an integrated waste management strategy. Members […]
Property – Valuations
Context: The methodology applied by the valuation contractors employed by GM is still not clear, with large sections of property owners deeply unhappy. Equally worrying are the tariffs being applied and the associated increased cost to citizens with fixed incomes. Previous Membership Concern Rating 0 % Current Membership Concern Rating 0 % The following graphs […]
Safety & Security
Context: Increased crime levels are reported in the media on a regular basis (incidents in nature areas and vagrants in public areas). The concern is the apparent lack of law enforcement, with large variations between wards. Previous Membership Concern Rating 0 % Current Membership Concern Rating 0 % Outcomes: A request for information—Fire Risks in […]
Electricity – Municipal Tariff Structures
Context: The alignment of electricity supply with population & industrial growth is key to the standard of living and future economic survival of George communities. However the decline in consumption of electricity via the municipal grid ( load shedding, alternative power generation) has an increasingly negative effect on the municipal main revenue stream. This has […]
Municipal Powers – Encroachment
The recent publication of some 23 Bylaws and the associated inadequate publicparticipation (short notice, number of bylaws, lack of acknowledgement re submissions) assign powers of access to private property, imposing penalties etc plus ill & under qualified & resourced municipal staff. The concerns raised in submissions were in the main municipal authority creep with little […]
Water – Resources
Context: Raw water sources & associated purification facilities aligned with projected population is absolutely key to all current & future activity within George as demonstrated during the recent drought, resulting in water restrictions & associated penalties. Concerns regarding the quality of raw water sources will be addressed through the environmental focus area. Previous Membership Concern […]