As per current lock down Level 3 Advanced stipulations, Overstrand is managed as a hotspot area for COVID-19 infections and all Overstrand public libraries remain closed until further notice.

The library staff will however continue with the collection of books and other library material.

In the meantime, libraries are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of staff when they return, as well as securing library users’ safety when we open our doors.

As soon as an opening date has been confirmed, the municipality will inform residents.

Human Wildlife Solutions (HWS) has been appointed for the next three years to manage the Baboon Programme in towns in the Overstrand that are faced with human-baboon conflict.  This management programme includes the “Virtual Fence” technology and the use of baboon monitors.

The way forward:

HWS has two current programmes in the Overstrand, the Virtual Fence Programme in Hermanus and the Baboon Monitoring Programme in Pringle Bay.

The Virtual Fence Programme will expand in Overstrand East, including Vogelgat/Voelklip/Hamilton-Russell and Onrus troops and in Overstrand West, including Kleinmond/Betty's Bay/Pringle Bay and Hangklip troops. 

The final monitoring methods for Overstrand West have not yet been finalised and meetings with interested groups will guide the way forward for the management of baboon troops in the Western Section.

Hermanus Traffic is expected to open from Tuesday, 7 July 2020, as staff members who were in self isolation can report back to work.

The rest of the staff are still recovering from Covid-19 and we wish them a speedy recovery.

As the Hermanus traffic offices will work at a 50% capacity, they will be open from 8.30 till 13:00 and again from 13:45 till 16.30.

• Only 50 people per day will be allowed to renew motor vehicle licences discs for vehicles and/or the registration of vehicles.
• Only 50 people per day will be allowed to renew drivers’ licences and/or professional driving permits (PrDP).

The completed EIA for the suggested Hermanus By-Pass Road has been published for public comment.

This follows after the original EIA was referred back to the Environmental Consultants to rework certain sections of the document. This has again given rise to much speculation around the development of a By-Pass Road.

I wish to once again stress that the view of the Overstrand Council remains unchanged.

Namely, that the traffic congestion on the R43 leading into and out of Hermanus, from both the Hawston side as well as the Stanford side, must first be addressed before consideration is given to a possible road being built to allow through traffic to by-pass the town.