Dam level: 100% (unchanged from last week)Rainfall since 6 February: 0mmDemand/usage: 29.916 megalitres(Please note the Garden Route Dam must be recalibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the spillway and dam wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous spillway and dam wall height.)SECTION 2B WATER RESTRICTIONS CURRENTLY APPLY IN GEORGE AND SURROUNDS:
• Handheld watering of gardens using a hose using municipal water: even-numbered households Mondays and Thursdays, 7pm-9pm AND uneven-numbered households Tuesdays and Fridays, 7pm-9pm.
• Mechanical irrigation of gardens (sprayers) using municipal water is prohibited.
• Watering sports fields using municipal water is prohibited, except for golf course greens, bowling greens and cricket pitches, daily 7pm-9pm.
• Filling up of swimming pools using municipal water is prohibited.
• Washing cars with a hose using municipal water is prohibited (buckets allowed, rainwater encouraged), except for commercial car washes.
• Cleaning of outside surfaces using a hosepipe with municipal water is prohibited (buckets allowed, rainwater encouraged).
• “OWN WATER” signage must be displayed where applicable and must be proven on request by municipal officials.
• Applications for exemption of some restrictions may be considered on merit.Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.
Report contraventions of water restrictions on 0800 424 277. Fines may apply.Foto: George Munisipaliteit
GO GEORGE will be making temporary changes to certain routes to accommodate the Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) on Saturday 15 February 2020.The impact of this annual event on the bus service is less this year, thanks to changes in the race route with the race village at Carpe Diem School in Lang Street. Following below is a summary of the affected routes.Route 9 Industrial Loop
All scheduled trips on this route, reverse trips included, will operate in the forward direction only, until 12:00. All stops on the side of the street serviced by the reverse route will be closed for the duration of the race.Route 13 City Loop F & R
Due to the closure of Union Street between Meade and York Streets until 12:30, 13 Forward will turn right into Meade Street from Union Street, left into Palgrave, left into York, and right into Plattner Blvd to continue as usual. Route 13 Reverse will follow the same rerouting, just in reverse. Routes 53 Rosemoor and 53B Rosemoor Express
Due to the partial closure of Park Road in front of Blue Mountain, these two routes will travel via Knysna Road when departing from the Garden Route Mall, turn left into the CTM servitude road and right into Park Road to continue the normal route. The same rerouting will apply to trips from town in the direction of the Mall. Park Road should be open by 10:00.Delays to be expected
Accommodating the start of the 21-km and 42-km races from the starting point in Lang Street, via Hope Street to the airport road circle, there will be delays on all routes passing through the circle, especially between 07:00 and 07:20.Due to single-lane traffic from 06:00 along the entire OCC route, from Carpe Diem School to the turning point behind Eden Meander, delays must be expected on all routes, with traffic officers controlling traffic to let athletes pass. York Street from the circle at Unity Park to Churchill Street should be back to normal by 10:00; from Churchill Street to Union Street, single lane traffic will apply until 11:30.Passengers are advised to take an earlier bus to ensure being on time for work, while GO GEORGE also calls on employers to be understanding and patient, should any workers arrive a little bit late.For more information, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for details.
Golf Digest Magazine recently announced its new South African course rankings for 2020, and once again, George has come up tops, with 3 courses in the Top Ten.The Links at Fancourt remains at number 1, and Montagu at number 8, while George Golf Course jumped two places to number 10. This is indeed a prestigious award for a public course, and the ranking is testament to the commitment and dedication of the staff and the members, to present an immaculate golf course for their members and guests alike.“Golf remains one of George’s main attractions and one of the unique selling points. We are pleased to remain in the top of the rankings for another year. We wish to congratulate everyone who contributes to keeping the courses interesting and perfectly manicured, and thereby keeping George in the golf spotlight. It makes our job of promoting George as a premier golf destination that much easier” says Joan Shaw, George Municipality Tourism Manager.Other courses in the Garden Route that made the top 20 list include Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, Mosselbay (15th), Pezula Championship Course (18th) and Simola Golf Club (20th), both in Knysna. Add the St. Francis Links (5th) and our coastline offers 6 of the Top 20 courses in South Africa, making this a bucket-list golfing destination.Golf 6/12 George Golf Club
Photo Credit: George TourismFancourt: The Links
Photo Credit: Fancourt Hotel and Estate
George Municipality Department Environmental Services joined forces with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs to clean-up an illegal dumping hot spot next to the N2 in Rosedale. Workers from the Community Workers Programme (CWP) and Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) assisted in the clean-up while department officials took to the streets to educate locals about the negative impacts of illegal dumping and littering, and to promote and explain the municipality’s three-bag waste reduction programme. George Municipality provided refuse bags and pickers and arranged for the bags to be removed after the clean-up. A similar project is planned in areas of Blanco later this week.George Municipality cleansing department project coordinator Grace Notshokovu explains the municipality’s three-bag recycling programme to a community member in Rosedale.From left are George Municipality cleansing department project coordinator Grace Notshokovu, Community Workers Programme project coordinator Petrus Moller, municipality street cleansing foreman Annaline April, Environmental Affairs project coordinator Ethan Stoffels and municipality cleansing department administrative assistant Yolanda Mali.Community Workers Programme workers clean the entrance to pedestrian bridge over the N2 at Rosedale.Photo credit: Melanie Maré
The 18th OCC, hosted by the Disabled Road Race Foundation (DRRF), is back in its original slot and will take place on 15 February.Many of the race favourites who missed the 2019 race due to prior commitments, will once again be competing, giving locals the opportunity to see some of Africa’s finest para- & quad athletes in action right here in George.A venue and route change will see the race begin and end at Carpe Diem School while the new route will take competitors from Carpe Diem to York Street, up to the circle, into Courtnay Street, on to the Garden Route Mall and back again.Once again, the success of the event is made possible by the assistance of the sponsors, provincial and local government.The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the George Municipality and Lancewood continue their long-standing support of the OCC.New sponsors to come on board this year include the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, who will supply the medals and bottled water; and Cape Town Magazine.com who will provide R50 00 in cash and a R50 000 media contract after the OCC won the 2019 Western Cape Premier’s Office Pitching Competition for event funding. Staging the race would not be possible without the significant contribution of many individuals and organisations.A total of 250 officials, marshals, traffic officers, and route layout crew and registration staff; 400 volunteers who give of their time to push chairs and assist with other tasks; the OCC organising committee consisting of over 50 members under the leadership of event director, Alewijn Dippenaar; and more than 15 service providers who supply portable toilets, tents, food, medals, sound, stage and race timekeeping all make putting on the event possible.In addition, various community organisations make invaluable contribution including the Lions, Rotary, QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC), Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, Afrique Rehabilitation & Research Consultants NPC, South African National AIDS Council Trust, APD, the South African Society of Physiotherapy, and the George Business Chamber.Entries are available on the OCC Website and registrations will be open on 14 February from 8 am to 6 pm at the school where after the Opening Ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place.The 42.2 km race will start at 7 am and the 21.1 km at 7.10 am. Athletes competing in the 42.2 km race will complete the course twice, and the 21.1 competitors once.The 10 km at will start at 8 am and the 5 km fun event at 10.30 am. Athletes competing in the 10 km race will turn at the circle, completing the course twice while the 5 km fun event participants will complete the course once.The awards ceremony, which is also open to the public, follows at 12.30 pm.The organisers invite you to line the streets, cheer on the athletes and attend the race functions on Friday evening and Saturday midday. See you there!
OCC 2020 PRIZE MONEY
CATEGORY (MALE & FEMALE)
1’ST
2’ND
3’RD
10 KM JUNIOR
R1000
R800
R500
10 KM SENIOR
R1500
R1000
R500
21 KM SENIOR
R2000
R1500
R1000
42 KM SENIOR
R10 000
R8 000
R7 000
The Outeniqua Chair Challenge attracts athletes from all nine provinces as well as from the rest of Africa and abroad. Thousands of visitors descend on the Garden Route, not only having a significant economic impact (estimated to be in the region of R3 million) but also raising awareness of the needs of disabled persons. As a result, the Garden Route has become a premier destination for the disabled. There is a need to assists athletes with costs related to accommodation and transport and acquiring chairs for participants competing in a wide range of racing chairs and hand cycles. In conclusion Dippenaar said, “The event is about Ubuntu – making a difference in the lives of others. Sponsors invest in people’s lives (persons with disabilities) and together we strive to restore the dignity of those wheelchair-bound person’s lives”.For more information contact Alewijn Dippenaar, 082 457 5675, dyndev@mweb.co.zaPress release on behalf of the Road Race Foundation:
interface by gojimimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144
The Director of the African Centre for Disease Control, Dr John Nkengasong, says this is not the time to panic, but to put public health measures in place.What you need to know to prevent Coronavirus
The heavy rainfall of the past few days has raised the level of the Garden Route Dam but at the same time highlighted the complications caused by the ongoing illegal dumping of material into stormwater drains. Following a flood of calls regarding storm water drains overflowing this weekend, it was found that 95% of the drains were blocked by illegal materials and rubbish dumped directly into the drain causing damage and misery to the households further down the line whose yards were flooded.Please help reduce blocked drains and how to report illegal dumpingOne of the main reasons for blocked drains and sewerage spills is the wrong stuff being flushed down toilets or thrown into manholes. Items that should not be flushed down toilets include baby nappies, sanitary pads and tampons, newspaper, cloth and fabric, fatty food or fat. Regular items that municipal staff have to clear from manholes include branches, tyres, rocks and other solid items which is suspected to be dropped in there by mainly children getting up to mischief. The municipality appeals to communities to NOT flush unsuitable items down the toilet, and to help prevent people from throwing stuff down manholes. Report sewerage complaints to Civil Engineering Services on 044 801 9262/66 during office hours or 044 801 6300 after hours.Please spread the news in your community that dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on waste removal days. Builders rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road). If you can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged perpetrators and are willing to make a statement in this regard, please report illegal dumping to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za. You don’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but it will strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued. If you notice dumped waste, please report for collection to 044 802 2900.
Persistent solid rainfall from last week Wednesday (15/01) to today (Monday 20/01) has led to the dam level for today reading 89% with a total rainfall of 148mm recorded.The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.(Please note the Garden Route Dam needs to be re-calibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous dam wall height)..
WhatsApp users in various countries – including South Africa – reported a partial outage in the service on Sunday afternoon.Users found it impossible to upload photos and videos, or voice notes, while a smaller number said they could not send text messages either.The Facebook-owned company did not immediately respond to the outage, which rapidly trended on Twitter under the tag #whatsappdown.Reports of the problem have come in from the United Kingdom and Europe, India, the Middle East, and elsewhere.After what appeared to be an initial total outage on media files for at least one hour, some users started to report the intermittent ability to send photos.The WhatsApp glitch appeared entirely unconnected with broader problems South Africans have recently had connecting to the global internet due to breaks in undersea fibre optic cables, with bad weather holding back repairs.Previous outages on WhatsApp, in mid-2019, appeared to be associated with US cybersecurity firm Cloudflare.That outage – which also affected media files – lasted some 9 hours, and also affected Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram.The company also had sever trouble in March 2019, which caused its apps to be unavailable or troublesome for more than eight hours.WhatsApp has been downloaded more than 5 billion times for Android devices.* This is a developing story. **BusinessInsider
The Links at Fancourt remains at number 1, and Montagu at number 8, while George Golf Course jumped two places to number 10. This is indeed a prestigious award for a public course, and the ranking is testament to the commitment and dedication of the staff and the members, to present an immaculate golf course for their members and guests alike.“Golf remains one of George’s main attractions and one of the unique selling points. We are pleased to remain in the top of the rankings for another year. We wish to congratulate everyone who contributes to keeping the courses interesting and perfectly manicured, and thereby keeping George in the golf spotlight. It makes our job of promoting George as a premier golf destination that much easier” says Joan Shaw, George Municipality Tourism Manager.
Other courses in the Garden Route that made the top 20 list include Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, Mosselbay (15th), Pezula Championship Course (18th) and Simola Golf Club (20th), both in Knysna. Add the St. Francis Links (5th) and our coastline offers 6 of the Top 20 courses in South Africa, making this a bucket-list golfing destination.Golf 6/12 George Golf Club
Photo Credit: George TourismFancourt: The Links
Photo Credit: Fancourt Hotel and Estate
The Links at Fancourt remains at number 1, and Montagu at number 8, while George Golf Course jumped two places to number 10. This is indeed a prestigious award for a public course, and the ranking is testament to the commitment and dedication of the staff and the members, to present an immaculate golf course for their members and guests alike.“Golf remains one of George’s main attractions and one of the unique selling points. We are pleased to remain in the top of the rankings for another year. We wish to congratulate everyone who contributes to keeping the courses interesting and perfectly manicured, and thereby keeping George in the golf spotlight. It makes our job of promoting George as a premier golf destination that much easier” says Joan Shaw, George Municipality Tourism Manager.
Other courses in the Garden Route that made the top 20 list include Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, Mosselbay (15th), Pezula Championship Course (18th) and Simola Golf Club (20th), both in Knysna. Add the St. Francis Links (5th) and our coastline offers 6 of the Top 20 courses in South Africa, making this a bucket-list golfing destination.Golf 6/12 George Golf Club
Photo Credit: George TourismFancourt: The Links
Photo Credit: Fancourt Hotel and Estate
Many of the race favourites who missed the 2019 race due to prior commitments, will once again be competing, giving locals the opportunity to see some of Africa’s finest para- & quad athletes in action right here in George.A venue and route change will see the race begin and end at Carpe Diem School while the new route will take competitors from Carpe Diem to York Street, up to the circle, into Courtnay Street, on to the Garden Route Mall and back again.
Once again, the success of the event is made possible by the assistance of the sponsors, provincial and local government. The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the George Municipality and Lancewood continue their long-standing support of the OCC. New sponsors to come on board this year include the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, who will supply the medals and bottled water; and Cape Town Magazine.com who will provide R50 00 in cash and a R50 000 media contract after the OCC won the 2019 Western Cape Premier’s Office Pitching Competition for event funding. Staging the race would not be possible without the significant contribution of many individuals and organisations.A total of 250 officials, marshals, traffic officers, and route layout crew and registration staff; 400 volunteers who give of their time to push chairs and assist with other tasks; the OCC organising committee consisting of over 50 members under the leadership of event director, Alewijn Dippenaar; and more than 15 service providers who supply portable toilets, tents, food, medals, sound, stage and race timekeeping all make putting on the event possible.In addition, various community organisations make invaluable contribution including the Lions, Rotary, QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC), Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, Afrique Rehabilitation & Research Consultants NPC, South African National AIDS Council Trust, APD, the South African Society of Physiotherapy, and the George Business Chamber.Entries are available on the OCC Website and registrations will be open on 14 February from 8 am to 6 pm at the school where after the Opening Ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place.The 42.2 km race will start at 7 am and the 21.1 km at 7.10 am. Athletes competing in the 42.2 km race will complete the course twice, and the 21.1 competitors once.The 10 km at will start at 8 am and the 5 km fun event at 10.30 am. Athletes competing in the 10 km race will turn at the circle, completing the course twice while the 5 km fun event participants will complete the course once.The awards ceremony, which is also open to the public, follows at 12.30 pm.The organisers invite you to line the streets, cheer on the athletes and attend the race functions on Friday evening and Saturday midday. See you there! 
Many of the race favourites who missed the 2019 race due to prior commitments, will once again be competing, giving locals the opportunity to see some of Africa’s finest para- & quad athletes in action right here in George.A venue and route change will see the race begin and end at Carpe Diem School while the new route will take competitors from Carpe Diem to York Street, up to the circle, into Courtnay Street, on to the Garden Route Mall and back again.
Once again, the success of the event is made possible by the assistance of the sponsors, provincial and local government. The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the George Municipality and Lancewood continue their long-standing support of the OCC. New sponsors to come on board this year include the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, who will supply the medals and bottled water; and Cape Town Magazine.com who will provide R50 00 in cash and a R50 000 media contract after the OCC won the 2019 Western Cape Premier’s Office Pitching Competition for event funding. Staging the race would not be possible without the significant contribution of many individuals and organisations.A total of 250 officials, marshals, traffic officers, and route layout crew and registration staff; 400 volunteers who give of their time to push chairs and assist with other tasks; the OCC organising committee consisting of over 50 members under the leadership of event director, Alewijn Dippenaar; and more than 15 service providers who supply portable toilets, tents, food, medals, sound, stage and race timekeeping all make putting on the event possible.In addition, various community organisations make invaluable contribution including the Lions, Rotary, QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC), Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, Afrique Rehabilitation & Research Consultants NPC, South African National AIDS Council Trust, APD, the South African Society of Physiotherapy, and the George Business Chamber.Entries are available on the OCC Website and registrations will be open on 14 February from 8 am to 6 pm at the school where after the Opening Ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place.The 42.2 km race will start at 7 am and the 21.1 km at 7.10 am. Athletes competing in the 42.2 km race will complete the course twice, and the 21.1 competitors once.The 10 km at will start at 8 am and the 5 km fun event at 10.30 am. Athletes competing in the 10 km race will turn at the circle, completing the course twice while the 5 km fun event participants will complete the course once.The awards ceremony, which is also open to the public, follows at 12.30 pm.The organisers invite you to line the streets, cheer on the athletes and attend the race functions on Friday evening and Saturday midday. See you there! 
Please help reduce blocked drains and how to report illegal dumping
One of the main reasons for blocked drains and sewerage spills is the wrong stuff being flushed down toilets or thrown into manholes. Items that should not be flushed down toilets include baby nappies, sanitary pads and tampons, newspaper, cloth and fabric, fatty food or fat. Regular items that municipal staff have to clear from manholes include branches, tyres, rocks and other solid items which is suspected to be dropped in there by mainly children getting up to mischief.
The municipality appeals to communities to NOT flush unsuitable items down the toilet, and to help prevent people from throwing stuff down manholes. Report sewerage complaints to Civil Engineering Services on 044 801 9262/66 during office hours or 044 801 6300 after hours.
Please help reduce blocked drains and how to report illegal dumping
One of the main reasons for blocked drains and sewerage spills is the wrong stuff being flushed down toilets or thrown into manholes. Items that should not be flushed down toilets include baby nappies, sanitary pads and tampons, newspaper, cloth and fabric, fatty food or fat. Regular items that municipal staff have to clear from manholes include branches, tyres, rocks and other solid items which is suspected to be dropped in there by mainly children getting up to mischief.
The municipality appeals to communities to NOT flush unsuitable items down the toilet, and to help prevent people from throwing stuff down manholes. Report sewerage complaints to Civil Engineering Services on 044 801 9262/66 during office hours or 044 801 6300 after hours.
Please spread the news in your community that dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on waste removal days. Builders rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road). If you can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged perpetrators and are willing to make a statement in this regard, please report illegal dumping to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za. You don’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but it will strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued. If you notice dumped waste, please report for collection to 044 802 2900.
The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.
The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.
(Please note the Garden Route Dam needs to be re-calibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous dam wall height)..
