GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Western Cape disaster management centre has applied for R194-million for aid needed by the fire affected municipalities in the Garden Route. 

This includes R50-million for asbestos removal and R37-million for environmental rehabilitation.

In a statement issued on 1 September by the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI), it is anticipated that invasive aliens will grow back more vigorously than before and landowners are encouraged to monitor this and to mitigate the risk. The Southern Cape Fire Protection Association can be contacted for advice.

Pertaining to the open session held by the Department of Labour on 31 August, emphasis was placed on the training lay-off scheme. This is a job-saving scheme provided by government to turn around distressed businesses by upskilling employees and paying them 75% of their salary for a fixed period to allow their employers to stabilise. Business owners interested in this initiative must contact the Department of Labour.

It was reported that 45 subsidised houses and 150 shacks were damaged or destroyed during the fires in the White Location area. Ten temporary housing structures have already been completed.

The provincial department of human settlements has contractors on site who are restoring the houses and installing services for 150 sites. It is anticipated that the projects will be completed by the new year.

For residents living in other areas, the Knysna and Bitou municipalities have provided financial relief through waiving building-related fees and revaluing destroyed properties as "vacant erven". Knysna municipality is providing a "rates holiday" of one year for affected residents (July 2017 to June 2018), as well as exemption from property rates for the month of June 2017. The total value of the relief provided by Knysna municipality is more than R16.5-million in respect of rates alone.

'We bring you the latest Garden Route news'