GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has announced the public participation process for a number of new by-laws and members of the community have 30 days to comment or object.

These include a Storm Water by-law and an Electricity Supply by-law.

By-laws are necessary to help municipalities address matters that are not covered by provincial or national law, in a way that is pertinent to the unique circumstances in their area of coverage.

Both draft by-laws will be available for review on the municipal website (find the link in the municipal press release at www.georgeherald.com), on municipal social media sites and at all public libraries in George. Residents are encouraged to read through the proposed by-laws and to provide input.

Once the input has been received from the public and addressed, the final by-law goes back to Council for approval.

Promulgated in Provincial Gazette

A municipal by-law may be enforced only after it has been published in the official gazette of the Western Cape Province on request of the local municipality. The promulgated by-law is then uploaded to the municipal website for easy access by the public.

Storm Water by-law

The new Storm Water by-law focuses on storm water drainage from domestic as well as trade (business and industrial) premises. This includes open areas discharging to the George Municipality storm water system and natural streams or rivers. 

Storm water management was previously dealt with under the George Municipality Water and Sanitation Services By-law and the By-law Relating to Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places.

The need for a separate by-law that deals exclusively with storm water management was therefore identified. The by-law is meant to regulate storm water management and activities that may have an adverse impact on the development, operation and maintenance of the storm water system.

Public participation: Comments and inputs can be emailed to Lionel Daniels at rldaniels@george.gov.za, phoned in to 044 801 9111 or submitted in person at the Civil Engineering Services Building, Corner of York and Market streets, George, 6530.

Electricity Supply by-law

The main purpose of this by-law is to supplement the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act 4 of 2006) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993) issued to regulate the supply of electricity within the George Municipality jurisdictional area.

The objective of the by-law is to improve organisational efficiency and articulate the rules concerning the processes and practices in the electricity supply that are otherwise not expressed in the Act, thereby providing additional clarity on the aspects addressed in the draft by-law.

The proposed by-law elaborates and provides clarity on the following aspects pertaining to electricity supply: approval required for all small-scale embedded generation; unauthorised connections and reconnections; notified maximum demand; offences and penalties; and appeals.

Public participation: Comments and inputs can be emailed to njikija@george.gov.za, phoned in to 044 801 9148 or submitted in person at the George Electrotechnical Services Offices, Brick Road, George Industria.

Enquiries can be emailed to Edward Nqumse Ennqumse@george.gov.za and copy Nolubabalo Jikija njikija@george.gov.za.

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