The Overstrand Municipality will be drilling two new boreholes to expand its groundwater capabilities, in order to meet growing demand for water in the town.

If all goes according to plan, drilling is scheduled to start next week.

These boreholes are on municipal land, within the vicinity of Mountain Drive, across the R43 from the Gateway Shopping Centre (Borehole no. GWP 16), and ± 100 meters North of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness (borehole no. GWP 17)

The boreholes will be drilled to a depth of approximately 300 meters and are designed to target the deeper Peninsula Formation aquifer and will therefore not affect the shallower aquifers from which most households abstract their groundwater.

Stanford Spar in Queen Victoria Street, Stanford, was burnt down completely in the early hours of Monday, 20 May 2019.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

According to Overstrand Fire Chief, Lester Smith, the Overstrand Fire Department responded to a call received at approximately 04:00 of a fire occurring at the Stanford Spar. The on-duty member as well as the Senior Standby Officer was immediately informed and dispatched to the area concerned. Due to the nature of the call, Gansbaai and Hermanus Fire Stations were activated and deployed to the scene.

The first arriving vehicle, a light duty vehicle, arrived on scene at approximately 04:14 and found Stanford Spar well-alight. Due to the limited equipment on the vehicle, the on duty member requested major pumpers and water tankers from Hermanus and Gansbaai.

Once again we appeal to Overstrand gardeners to watch out for the shot hole borers in trees.

If you observe any symptoms in trees that suggest the PSHB, please take photos and report it to Overstrand Municipality's Horticulturist Lauren Rainbird (028 313 8972) or the Environmental Management Services Department (028 316 3724) or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Awareness of the symptoms and spread of the infestation could save thousands of trees. Read more below:

Beetle threat to trees on the rise

The City of Cape Town urges all residents to help stop the spread of the tree beetle fungus by reporting all sightings of infected trees.

Dudley Coetzee, Executive Mayor of the Overstrand, hosted the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe, on Wednesday, 16 May 2019.  She visited Overstrand as part of her Garden Route and Klein Karoo tour.

Her local visit included a guided tour to Gansbaai Academia, African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, Grootbos, a meal at La Pentola hosted by Chef Shane, a visit to the Zwelihle Youth Café, Pebbles School in the Hemel-en- Aarde Valley with a final stop at Creation Wines before leaving Hermanus.

The Deputy Minister is no stranger to this region and confirmed that visitors to the Overstrand are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to go and sights to visit with their families and friends.