Municipalities across the Garden Route district have completed preliminary damage assessments following recent severe weather events. According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head: Disaster Management, “the estimated cost of repairs and recovery exceeding half a billion”.
The consolidated assessment, compiled by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), with information received from affected local identifies widespread damage to critical infrastructure, public facilities, water supply systems, roads, stormwater networks, community facilities and municipal buildings.
According to Otto, “the most significant damages have been recorded in George Municipality, followed by Knysna and Bitou Municipalities”. Several strategic infrastructure projects, including water supply systems, roads, bridges, public facilities and economic development assets, require urgent intervention to restore services and reduce future disaster risks.
The top eight rehabilitation projects for the region include:
- 124.6 million: George Municipality – Repairs to damaged roadways and associated -stormwater infrastructure in George, Haarlem and Uniondale.
- 97.3 million: Knysna Municipality – Surfaced Roads, Main Street/N2.
- 93.6 million: George Municipality – Uniondale Poort – damage to raw water diversion infrastructure and supply to the Uniondale Raw Water Storage Dam.
- R70 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated with electricity in Hoop and Baron van Reede, Buffelsdrift area, Dysselsdorp, Dokkraal area, Cango Caves, De Kombuys Plaas, Wilgewandle, Groot Kraal, Boomplaas, De Hoek, Matjiesriver, Muller Streer, and Nooitgedagt.
- 48.8 million: Knysna Municipality – Surfaced roads in Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Rheenendal and Karatara.
- 46.6 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated with street and storm water in an Der Riet Street, Kerk Street/ Church Street, Albert Street, Rademeyer Street, Pedestrian Low Water Bridge at Pick and Pay Shopping Centre / Mall and Cango Bergoord Bridges.
- 32.7 million: George Municipality sewer pump stations in George, Haarlem, Uniondale, Pacaltsdorp, Hansmoeskraal, and George Industria.
- 5.7 million: Oudtshoorn Municipality associated water and sanitation infrastructure in Greater Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp and KKRWSS.
The damage assessments indicate that thousands of residents have been directly or indirectly affected through disruptions to essential services, transport routes and community facilities. Municipal technical teams continue to conduct detailed assessments to refine cost estimates and prioritise emergency repairs.
GRDM, together with affected local municipalities, is engaging with provincial and national government structures to secure disaster recovery funding and support. The municipalities have also committed resources where possible to address immediate risks and restore critical services.
Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor, Ald. Marais Kruger said: “Municipalities have already begun emergency response and repair work, and external funding support will be essential to ensure full recovery and to strengthen infrastructure resilience for the future.”
Priority projects include the rehabilitation of water infrastructure, repairs to municipal buildings and community facilities, restoration of damaged roads and stormwater systems, and measures aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.
Further updates will be provided as additional assessments are completed and funding processes progress.