GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A new custom has been established at Garden Route District Municipality. At the council meeting last Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Stroebel announced that he will only be giving a quarterly speech in council, and not at every council meeting as expected. Stroebel said this will be far more efficient. "We can't have council meetings for too long; these councillors also represent the B-municipalities and the sooner we conclude our meeting, the sooner they can be back in their constituencies."

In addition, he has his sights on social media as a platform to communicate with the public. "Every month I will do an online social media post with what is going on and share it with the public. I think we will reach way more people."

Knysna's sewerage

Municipal Manager Monde Stratu noted during his communication to Council that GRDM is aware of the sewerage problems in the Knysna central business district. He said their department and government are working with the colleagues in Knysna to address the challenges. "We are doing our part; it is ultimately an issue that needs to be resolved by Knysna Municipality."

Stratu said the annual audit has begun, and GRDM had their first session with the Auditor General the week before last. "We are ready to submit," said Stratu.

Delays and licensing

In his address to Council, Stratu mentioned a report on the Regional Waste Facility, informing Council about interventions from the National Department of Environmental Affairs regarding the licensing of the site. "As we are pushing for construction we are also pushing for any authorisation that might delay us," said Stratu.

The contractor is currently 24 weeks behind schedule with the construction. Non-compliance issues and a lack of supervision on site were mentioned in a report of 2 August, and forms part of the summary in the council agenda.

Tefla Group (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the contractor and Zutari (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the professional service provider to assist GRDM with the design, drafting of tender documentation and contract supervision.

GRDM is currently in talks with Mishelle Govender, the chief director for hazardous waste management and licensing at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, regarding the licensing of the site. Petro SA unofficially gave GRDM an extension of two weeks, until 15 September.

The Regional Waste Management Facility will not be operational by 2 September, as was envisioned.

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