GEORGE NEWS - As of 7 November, all new land use applications at the George Municipality must be submitted online and e-mail applications will not be accepted any longer.
The online portal will enable the public to interact electronically with the municipality and perform a selection of services.
The following statement by George Municipality explains why they made this move:
In mid-2021, the decision was taken to automate all processes within the built environment sections to expedite processes. These processes included the processing of Land Use Applications and an off-site portal for clients to submit and track their land use applications.
George Municipality already utilises several automated processes for the work required. One such automation was the process developed for building plan applications several years ago. This initiative was supported by DEDAT to great success. The implementation, roll-out and use of this process made a big impact on the effectiveness of service delivery.
The Directorate of Human Settlements, Planning and Development is tasked with creating, facilitating and promoting an environment for economic growth in George.
It is critically important to create and enable opportunities for progress and development for all residents and businesses in our town.
As part of the change in the management process, George Municipality is undertaking a principle to ensure the ease of doing business. Key to this is Red Tape Reduction.
Keep the following in mind:
• Individuals or companies can create a collaborator account whereafter they need to register as a partner on the portal and activate their required "services". For the submission and processing of land use applications, "Land Use Services" will need to be activated.
• All new land use applications will be directly uploaded and submitted to the collaborator portal. Applicants will be able to delete, amend or upload additional documents to an existing land use application via the portal. Applicants will also be able to track and monitor the progress and status of their application at any time. The portal notifies the applicant of the status whenever an action has been completed.
• Applicants may have peace of mind that the documents uploaded are immediately committed to the municipality's registry system, meaning there is minimal chance of a document being misfiled or lost.
• All uploaded applications will have two reference numbers, one for the applicant to track the application on his account and one internal reference number which the municipality will use to track the application internally. Applicants will receive both reference numbers.
• Should your application comply, you will receive your Section 38 and invoice simultaneously. At this point your application has not yet been circulated and is pending at finance.
• Proof of payment needs to be sent to Finance, Cheryl Langeveldt - Cplangeveldt@george.gov.za or Werner Joubert WCJOUBERT@george.gov.za, (see instruction in Section 38).
• Finance will clear the payment and the application will be automatically sent to the administrative officer and internal departments for comments.
• You should now receive either a SMS or email, confirming proof of payment and that the application is now formally being processed. The notification will also state that you may now continue with PPP (if required).
• Objections will still be sent to the applicant via email from the administrative officer and the reply thereon will also be sent back via email to the admin.
• Applicants will be able to track and view the progress and status of the application at any time.
• All other documents/additional documents must be uploaded by the applicant.
Please ensure that you register on the portal (create your profile) and familiarise yourself with the contents of the documents.
See the links below for the guidelines and portal for registration:
- Click for link to Online Portal Land Use Applications
- Click for How to Register on Online Portal Land Use Applications
Enquiries and complaints with regard to the online portal for land use application submissions, please contact cebester@george.gov.za.
The programme will be improved constantly and we welcome suggestions from users.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
