GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has invited members of the public to participate in its Adopt-a-Spot programme through which some open pieces of land can be adopted by individuals, businesses or organisations to maintain the properties at their own cost.
The programme is intended to encourage local communities to participate in managing and beautifying their open spaces.
"The draft policy has been very favourably received and there has been much interest from businesses and individuals throughout George wanting to find out how they can participate once the policy is approved," says Lauren Waring, director of planning and development.
The idea originated from within the municipality. "It will assist the municipality in the management of open spaces to prevent illegal dumping through the activity on the land. Beautification of open spaces through the development of gardens and planting of flora will also be boosted."
She says all open land that is not identified for development can be adopted for a period of three years. "Land which is identified for development is not included. The policy sets out the sites which can be adopted, and applicants are welcome to identify specific sites which they wish to adopt and maintain."
The comment period on the draft policy ends on 10 April, after which the matter will be taken back to Council for the policy to be finalised.
"Once finalised, we will again advertise the policy and call for interested parties to apply."
The formal application will be available on the municipality's website and applications will be assessed according to the criteria set out in the policy. The municipality has started advertising to invite applications.
Ward committee member for ward 18 (Denneoord), Janke van der Merwe, has welcomed the policy.
"Our green space is very important. If something negative happens on an open space, it causes the public to avoid it and then it becomes a shunned space, so this is a wonderful idea. One successful example of a public space that has been upgraded for public use is the pump track in Van Riebeeck Park."
Van der Merwe says the policy should be changed to make provision for public representation on the committee or group that adjudicates applications for an open space.
"The ward committee, Community Police Forum (CPF) and neighbourhood watch should be able to comment on an application in their own neighbourhood. It should be a public participation process, even if it is just the ward committee that can give input."
In response to Van der Merwe, Ward says any proposals would go to the ward councillor for information.
According to the draft policy, sites that can be adopted include illegal dumping sites; recreational parks and facilities; public squares and parking areas; rivers, wetlands, flood plains, ridges and mountains; any dilapidated area zoned for such purposes; unused road reserves and road medians; and public / municipal servitudes.
The applicant will be expected to hand in an operational plan which details what they wish to do with the identified adopted spot. They will not be reimbursed by the municipality for any expenses and will not be granted exclusive rights or any other right over the property.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed between the applicant and the municipality.
The municipality will ensure that there is a project manager for the Adopt-A-Spot programme to assist with the application process and form an Adopt-a-Spot committee to evaluate applications.
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