Thank you to everyone who has rescued turtles so far and for bringing them to the South African Shark Conservancy at the Old Harbour in Hermanus for treatment.

If you find a tiny turtle on the beach, please do not attempt to put them back in the water. Sea turtles are reptiles and as such are cold blooded which means they gain their body heat from their environment, in this case, the surrounding seawater.

Overstrand’s Environmental Management Services (EMS) team is appealing to the public to rather take the sea turtles to the following drop-off points where they will be taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town to be rehabilitated.

The Municipality encourages all residents to keep their neighbourhood clean and think before they dump.

PLEASE do not dump household rubbish next to dustbins on commonages, pavements and play parks.

The refuse collection schedule for GANSBAAI is as follows: MONDAY: Pearly Beach • TUESDAY: De Kelders, Masakhane, Beverly Hills • WEDNESDAY: Franskraal • THURSDAY: Kleinbaai, Baardskeerdersbos  • FRIDAY: Gansbaai, Perlemoen Bay, Masakhane, Beverly Hills

The refuse collection schedule for STANFORD is as follows: TUESDAY: North of De Bruyn Street  • THURSDAY: South of De Bruyn Street

The refuse collection schedule for HANGKLIP-KLEINMOND is as follows: MONDAY: Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Rooi-Els, Kleinmond • TUESDAY: Proteadorp, Extension 6, Overhills, Mountain View

Even the heavy clouds and slight drizzle did little to dampen the spirits of the Provincial Minister of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo and Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee at the sod-turning event, marking the start of construction of the R21 million project, which took place at the Gansbaai Clinic on Thursday, 4 April 2019.

Also present was Overberg Deputy Mayor Archie Klaas, Overstrand Mayoral committee members, councillors, healthcare professionals and a host of health officials.

Proceedings kicked off with a warm welcome by Sr Dorothea Jacobs. This was followed by an overview of the building plans and an artist’s impression of the new clinic to be built next to the existing one.

In her address, Minister Mbombo stated, “The project will certainly improve the current services that are offered to our patients. This will allow more patients to be treated at this facility, and will ensure better patient flow, in a bigger and better facility with a more comprehensive health service package.”

The project entails the construction of a new wing linked to the existing Gansbaai Clinic, as well as upgrades to, and refurbishment of the existing facility.

The 2019/20 draft budget was tabled at the March meeting of Council. Now councillors, residents and stakeholders have some time to review and digest the proposed budget.

The draft annual budget as well as the 2nd Review of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Draft Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) for the 2019/20 financial year is available to the community for representations and comment.

Residents can peruse copies of these documents at the municipal offices and libraries, or download it from Overstrand Municipality’s website (www.overstrand.gov.za).

The closing date for written representation from the public is set for 30 April 2019. The Municipality will take concerns and comments forward before the adoption of the budget on 29 May 2019.