The George Municipality launched an alien clearing initiative in the Katrivier catchment area, in a bid to improve water flow into one of the region’s sources.
Jackie von Brandis, the Executive Mayor of George, said the Municipality has the R1,115 billion BFI investment, (plus R300 million of municipal funding) in upgrading projects for water treatment works, reservoirs, and pumpstations to secure reliable water supply.
von Brandis also said a multidisciplinary Task Team was established to oversee the project, made up of municipal departments, including the Environmental Officer from the Department of Planning, who will ensure compliance with environmental regulations and conservation best practices.
The Task Team is expected to meet every week, to coordinate efforts, including controlled burns to reduce dense alien plant growth in several identified blocks, manual clearing—including hand-clearing of riverbeds to protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems—securing environmental approvals for conservation-sensitive zones and upgrading access roads to facilitate safe and efficient operations.
The first two controlled block burns were successfully conducted last week.
The Municipality also urges all households and businesses to continue to adhere to level 2 water restrictions.
Picture: Supplied