With the commissioning of the new Preekstoel bio-filtration plant on Tuesday 19 August 2014, the Greater Hermanus bulk water supply system is now fully operational. Work on this project commenced in 2010, with new plant and infrastructure being commissioned in stages from early 2013 onwards.

Referred to by Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie as Overstrand’s “flagship capital works project”, the Preekstoel bio-filtration plant is the first full-scale plant of its kind in South Africa and has been specifically designed to remove the high iron and manganese content from groundwater by means of a natural process.

Generally acknowledged as being much more environmentally friendly, this type of water-treatment technology requires fewer chemicals, saves on electricity and reduces water loss in the treatment process, earning Overstrand an award for innovation as one of the Western Cape’s greenest municipalities in 2013.

On Wednesday, 20 August 2014, Executive Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie congratulated six young men who had completed a 3 month course at Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town. The course was arranged by the Department of Community and Safety, together with Overstrand Municipality and the SAPS. The Director: Protection Services, Mr Neville Michaels, and Mr Zingani Tshefu of Law Enforcement, were the driving force behind the initiative in our area.

The training introduced the group to different courses such as Youth Leadership Development and Skills Training Program and Outdoor Adventure Leadership Development Programs.

These dynamic young men came back ready to showcase the skills they obtained to the people of the Overstrand. They will rotate in the Directorate of Protection Services of the Municipality for the duration of 9 months.

Talking to the group, Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie expressed her appreciation to these young people who are motivated for a challenge and change in the area. These young men were identified to take part in this life changing training to plough their newfound knowledge back in their respective areas.

Changes to sewerage charges make maintaining watertight conservancy tanks a must
With effect from 1 July 2014, single residential properties will no longer be granted an unlimited number of free-of-charge tanker callouts per month. In future, owners of these properties will have one of two options:

1.    Either opt to pay a basic fee of R70 plus the infrastructure levy of R10,94 per month only (tariff code SE9A), with the understanding that every time a tanker service is requested, this service will be charged at R478 (office hours, i.e. weekdays before 15:00) or R956 (after hours) per removal of up to 5/6kℓ of sewerage per call; or

2.    Pay a monthly fee of R103.90 plus R11,70 per kℓ of water used per month, based on a maximum of 35 kℓ per month (70% of 50 kℓ), plus the infrastructure levy of R10,94 per month (tariff code SE7A1), which will entitle you to a maximum of two tanker service callouts during office hours at no additional charge per month. As per option 1 above, all additional service requests will be charged at either R478 (office hours, i.e. weekdays before 15:00) or R956 (after hours).

At the launching of the employability and enterprise development programme and commissioning of the upgraded gymnasium facility which took place in Gansbaai on Wednesday, 16 July, hope was given to young people of the area by speakers of the day.

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie outlined a few things about the project.  In her speech she welcomed everyone and acknowledged the fact that the Gansbaai sport facility has hosted several visits by former Ministers of Sport in the Western Cape over the past eight years of its existence.
 
Mayor recalled visits by Minister Whitey Jacobs who did the sod turning with the former Mayor, Cllr Theo Beyleveldt in November 2006.  “He also opened the first Under 16 soccer tournament for boys and girls of the Western Cape on 7 December 2007.   Mr Cameron Dugmore attended the official launching of the project during April 2008.  Minister Ivan Meyer supported the facility by means of financial contributions for developmental programmes and other infrastructural upgrades”, said Mayor.