GEORGE NEWS - A few interesting items on the agenda of the last George council meeting on 31 January were approved by Council and might be well worth a mention.
Some of these matters are "in progress" and others are well on their way:
• Religious institutions who have occupied an erf zoned for religious purposes for more than ten years, will be given the first option to buy the erf at 25% of the current market value, subject to certain conditions.
One of the conditions is the erection of a permanent building within two years after the property has been registered in the name of the registered church. An open public tender process will be followed and churches or welfare institutions would be able to apply through the process.
Council has already approved the sale of six vacant erven for religious purposes; three in Rosedale, one in Pacaltsdorp, one in Touwsranten and one in Thembalethu.
• George Municipality does not have a tree management policy. The parks and recreation section of the community services department has drafted a tree management policy applicable to George Municipality to act as a guideline that facilitates a uniform approach in the management of trees, including removing trees, planting new trees and maintenance of trees.
The policy was approved by Council and will be advertised for public comment soon.
• The proposed alienation of a property in Rooirivierrif for the erection of a world-class tennis facility was advertised for public comments and counterproposals on 13 January and closed on 4 February.
The land is located at the corner of Plattner Boulevard and Barkhuizen Street, next to the Rooirivierrif Sport Field. The matter will be submitted at the next council meeting for final approval.
• The post for Director of Civil Engineering Services has been advertised for the third time.
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