GEORGE NEWS - The planning and environment section of the George Municipality's Directorate for Human Settlements, Planning and Development and Property Management recently hosted the George Environmental Management Stakeholders Forum on a virtual platform to discuss topical issues in the environmental sector that affect George.
This engagement was the first of what the directorate intends to host bi-annually to share knowledge, create awareness and keep participants abreast of planned projects, investigations and challenges relevant to the environmental sector.
According to Deputy Director for Planning and Environment Delia Power, the forum, which took place on 27 March, was well attended by a spectrum of environmentalists and related stakeholders from George and surrounds.
Participants were informed of the quarterly municipal outreach engagements held between the municipality and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP).
The George Municipal Planning and Development team led a presentation on the amended Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), a core component of the Integrated Development Plan.
Power says the city's MSDF is to develop George as a resilient, regional development anchor of excellence for prosperity, inclusive and smart growth. It furthermore comprises six key themes which are: infrastructure, economic growth, growth management, integrated housing, natural assets and resilience, and heritage.
The discussion focused on the mechanism applied to ensure environmental sustainability in everyday planning and development practices, a task which becomes increasingly difficult as our community and economy grow. With many newcomers to our area, it is essential that environmental awareness is raised and strategies to protect natural resources and improve resilience are embedded in our legislation.
To this end, the link between the MSDF and the Zoning Scheme By-law was explained.
Operating instruments and programmes
• An overview of the OSCA/E Portal which was launched in 2022 to promote ease of doing business and enable applicants to track their applications. Environmental practitioners were advised that all applications are now being processed via this portal and are encouraged to report any challenges experienced, as the system is constantly being improved to ensure its efficiency.
• An overview of new environmental layers added to the Municipal Geographical Information Systems (GIS), which may be accessed under the Public Viewer tab of the municipal GIS portal. Participants were made aware that these resources are applied by decision-makers over the course of deciding on new applications.
• The Directorate for Community Services outlined the municipality's alien clearing programme and the Adopt-a-spot policy and shared information relating to coastal management practices.
• Participants were informed of efforts to conserve threatened vegetation through approved offsets, management of conservation areas and proposed development of environmental management plans for riverine areas.
The George Municipal Planning and Development team led a presentation on the amended Municipal Spatial Development Framework.
Protected area management
Progress relating to the development of protected area management plans for the Kat River, Van Kervel and Fort Koppie local conservation areas was shared by the service provider and the initiative was well received by CapeNature.
The next engagement will be held in the next semester where more participants will be added to the list of speakers.
Continued updates will be provided on the progress of projects and investigations undertaken by the respective sector departments of the municipality.
The municipality thanks each of the participants for their contribution to the meeting and looks forward to forging sound partnerships with practitioners and stakeholders in the environmental sector.
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