Outdoor advertising and signs remain a challenge throughout the Overstrand and estate agents especially risk being caught on the wrong side of the law unless they familiarise themselves with the Municipality’s advertising and signage by-law.

No sign may be put up within a traffic circle or within the road reserve thereof.  In addition, outdoor advertising and signs should not compromise the functioning and safety of traffic and/or pedestrians. Posters are also not allowed on any kind of traffic related pole, i.e traffic light or stop streets.

We urge business people – but especially estate agents -to respect and abide by the Municipality’s by-law relating to outdoor advertising and signage for the correct advertise procedures.

The Overstrand Municipality’s Disaster Management Department recently held an information sharing session with a delegation from the international refugee agency UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and other stakeholders, including the Department of Social Development.

Also attending the event was refugees living within the Zwelihle community.

UNHCR’s Head of Field Office, Kavita Belani, encouraged the refugees to organise themselves into a structure or association to deal with emergencies, such as during the recent unrest where houses were burnt and shops looted.

She also encouraged the Disaster Management team to set up proper communication channels between existing organisastions within communities in time of emergency to avoid confusion and spreading of rumours.

According to her it is of the utmost importance to convey verified messages from a reliable source.

TAKE NOTE!!! New Water Restrictions from 1 June 2018

The diminishing levels of the De Bos dam (Hermanus’ main water source apart from the boreholes), have been a cause of concern. Unfortunately, despite a good response to the call to use water sparingly, rainfall over the past couple of months did little to alleviate the situation.

The introduction of Level 2 water saving measures for the Greater Hermanus area has been announced by the Overstrand Executive Mayor, Ald Dudley Coetzee, at a Council meeting on Wednesday, 30 May 2018.

Level 2 water restrictions will be implemented in the Hermanus area from 1 June 2018.

These saving measures predominantly affect the use of municipal water to water gardens.

Residents may only water their gardens for ONE HOUR per day, before 09:00 or after 17:00, ONE DAY per week. The day per week will be in accordance with street numbers. For residents with even numbers, it will be Wednesdays ONLY, and for those with uneven numbers, Tuesdays ONLY. The use of irrigation systems is still allowed, but remember not more than one hour.

In a time marked by violent unrests regarding land claims, an agreement was reached on Wednesday evening, 23 May 2018, between Overstrand Municipality and the Overhills Community representatives which will at least ensure that the destitute will not be denied shelter whilst both parties work on formulating a proper agreement regarding the illegal occupation of land bordering the informal settlement of Overhills.
 
At the same time, community leaders representing the Overhills and Proteadorp communities also agreed to prevent the erection of any further illegal structures in the area and to do their utmost to ensure that informal settlements are kept in check.