KOUGA – Kouga residents and holidaymakers can anticipate a secure and enjoyable festive season, as all major stakeholders have pledged to working together to implement an all-encompassing strategy – ensuring an unforgettable holiday experience for all.
This strategy places a specific focus on infrastructure, crime prevention, and law enforcement.
All hands on deck
“We are thrilled about the upcoming bustling festive season,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman. “As Kouga Municipality, we are fully prepared and have taken all necessary steps to ensure the success of the season.
“While we eagerly anticipate the influx of visitors, the following information require your kind attention to make our summer a resounding success.”
Infrastructure
With the expected increase in visitors, it is anticipated that the demand on local infrastructure will be severely tested.
“Recent weeks have seen us deal with major sewage pipe failures in Jeffreys Bay, primarily due to aging asbestos pipelines supplying sewage to our wastewater treatment plant,” said Bornman. “The harsh reality of deliberate sabotage, with items like clothing, bricks, blankets and so forth, being thrown into our sewerage systems, has compounded the challenges.
“The replacement of these pipelines is currently in the planning stage, with anticipated completion by 2024. Until then, the likelihood of pipe failures and unfortunate sewage spills remains.
“We assure residents that these issues well be addressed with the utmost and prioritised attention.”
To proactively tackle these challenges, additional sewage suction tankers have been rented and are on standby to ensure prompt and careful mitigation of any sewage spills.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to report any sewage spills and water leaks immediately, allowing the municipality to react promptly and minimise the impact on both residents and visitors. Sewage spills and water leaks can be reported at the Kouga Call Centre at 042 200 2200 (option 5) or 081 760 9183.
Essential services
The municipal technical team will be on high alert to ensure the provision of all essential services during the festive season.
“Standby generators have been installed at the Jeffreys Bay Water Purification Plant and at the Jeffreys Bay Sewage Treatment Plant, offering significant relief during load shedding,” said Bornman. “The municipality has also appointed additional skilled and qualified engineers and millwrights to address any arising issues.”
Safety
The municipality has employed additional safety and security personnel to ensure the overall safety of residents and visitors. This encompasses the deployment of law enforcement officers and traffic officers who will be working in shifts around the clock.
In addition, members of the public have received training and appointments to form part of the Boots on the Ground team, playing a vital role in maintaining the safety of Kouga. These individuals will conduct patrols in various hotspot areas.
Moreover, via Kouga’s Integrated Control Centre, vigilant monitoring of activities will be maintained using numerous cameras across the region.
The municipality has also equipped the preferred car guards with new jackets – making them easily identifiable. This is to minimise the risk of other unpreferred car guards using the specific uniform.
“While the preferred car guards will continue operating independently and are not officially employed by the municipality, there will be better coordination, and they will be monitored closely to ensure they are sober and presentable. If any of them step out of line, they know they will lose their uniforms immediately, said Bornman.
Lifeguards
Lifeguards will be stationed at every swimming beach to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Twelve lifeguards will be stationed daily at Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay, a favourite among surfers and sunbathers alike. They will be operational from 01 November 2023 to 30 April 2024 from 08:00 to 17:00.
Similarly, Cape St Francis Beach will offer a safe and enjoyable environment for beachgoers from 1 December 2023 to 30 April 2024, with eight lifeguards on duty daily from 08:00 to 17:00 daily.
Additional seasonal lifeguards have been appointed to look after the other swimming beaches from 01 December 2023 to 14 January 2024.
“We advise swimmers not to venture into areas where lifeguards are not present,” said Bornman.
Water restrictions
Despite the welcome heavy rains, the large Impofu Dam, the region’s largest catchment, is still less than 50% full, and the eight-year drought in Kouga is not yet broken.
With this dam still low, the 70% restrictions on Churchill and Impofu will remain in place, while the restrictions on the Kouga subsystem have been lifted by the Department of Water and Sanitation earlier this month.
This is extremely good news for residents of Thornhill, Loerie, Hankey and Patensie who receive water from the Kouga Dam.
However, we are still waiting anxiously for more rain to increase the level of the Impofu Dam as the rest of the Kouga region (Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and the Greater St Francis Area) relies on the Churchill Dam and Impofu Dam for water.
We urge residents and visitors to continue to use water sparingly and with great care, to avoid dam levels from dropping to critical level again.
Potholes
The municipal pothole team will continue to address road repairs and potholes according to the weekly maintenance schedule, which is communicated weekly to the public.
Bornman emphasised, “Priority will be given to critical and hazardous sections of our roads.”
Waste Collection
Waste collection will continue as normal throughout the season, including public holidays.
“Embracing a bustling summer season is not just a joy for our local economy, but a celebration of community,” said Bornman. “Let us persist in supporting our local businesses and organisations, fostering the growth of our shared prosperity.
“The municipality is dedicated to catalysing local economic development by actively promoting tourism. By showcasing the unique cultural, historical, and natural assets of our community we aim to attract visitors, stimulate business growth, and create a thriving, sustainable local economy for the benefit of residents and businesses alike – creating a sustainable future for all.
“Together, we are committed to a thriving and vibrant community.”
Bornman concluded, “As you relish this time with family and friends, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. We are deeply appreciative of the tremendous support we have received in our collective endeavour to transform Kouga Municipality into a model of excellence among all municipalities in the country.
“Warmest holiday greetings and blessings for a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.”
Recent Comments