Overstrand will once again take part in this year's annual bioblitz of the City Nature Challenge (CNC) from 28 April to 1 May 2023.

The purpose of this bioblitz worldwide event is to record as many living species as possible within designated areas across the globe, as well as to engage the public in citizen science and nature learning - to increase biodiversity awareness and encourage citizens to actively contribute to the understanding of where plants, animals, and fungi occur as well as pin-pointing invasive or threatened species.

According to Sandy Immelman, Overstrand Bioblitzing Facilitator, "we will need everyone on board to photograph living creatures and plants in our area over the four days and load the photos to the iNaturalist app (there are plenty of easy videos to watch if you’re new to this app).”

In response to the many posts regarding the Hermanus Country Market that are circulating on social media, it is prudent for the Municipality to address the matter, which we do here without prejudicing any of our rights.

At the public meeting, which was held on 6 February 2023, the Mayor clearly stated that "Unfortunately laws and regulations cannot change.

The market is not compliant; they do not have a lease, no approved building plans, no fire certificate, no population certificate and no evacuation plan and the insurance expired last year. We need to get the representative around the table to decide a plan of action with timelines on the way forward".

Overstrand Traffic Services in Hermanus will be open for the following two consecutive Saturdays, 15 and 22 April 2023, from 08:30 - 12:00 for:

• Renewal of a motor vehicle license
• Motor vehicle registration
• Roadworthy testing
• Car license renewals
• Learner's and driver's license bookings
• Public driving permits

Traffic Services open during the week:

The traffic offices in Hermanus will be open Mondays - Fridays from 08:00 - 15:15 and alternative Saturdays from 08:30 until 12:00.

The prolonged high stages of Eskom load shedding that we are currently experiencing has a major effect on our water and sanitation service operations.

Drinking water quality is not currently an issue. Overstrand’s tap water in all the towns is safe to drink.

Generators at critical pump stations have helped the Overstrand Municipality to deal with power outages, but they cannot supply electricity to all pumpstations, with the result that the Municipality has experienced sewage spillages related to load shedding.

Only 15 of the 51 sewerage pump stations are fitted with on-site generators and can stay operational during load shedding. These stations will only overflow in the event of an unforeseen breakage and early warning alarm not received.