George Municipality plans to develop a massive waterfront housing, commercial and university compound on the edge of the iconic Garden Route Dam.

Major concerns surrounding this mammoth development of 118 ha (the size of about 118 rugby fields) include the very real risk of large-scale pollution of the city’s main water resource, insufficient municipal funds to upgrade civil infrastructure, and the destruction of the sense of place and natural beauty of the picturesque Garden Route Dam and Katrivier Nature Reserve for evermore.

If the municipality and its developers have their way, the people of George will lose:

1. One of their most loved and well used recreational facilities on the Garden Route
2. Uninterrupted mountain views from Saasveld Road which is an extension of the Seven Passes Road, a Provincial heritage resource as well as the vistas from the site itself.
3. There is presently a firm line between the urban development of the suburbs to the west of the site and the rural areas around the Dam. This development will blur the lines between rural and urban and have a negative impact on both.
4. If this piece of unspoiled land is to be used by the citizens of George, it should be the natural environment that should determine how it is used. It should remain a public asset for the use of the public and not be exploited and destroyed for private gain.
5. This development will shift the centre of gravity from the CBD of George and impoverish the heart of the city. The only winners will be the property developers.
6. The decentralisation of the CBD will lead to further destruction of heritage resources as they become obsolete. 
7. There are many ways in which the area could be used to further promote local tourism and create a mega safe multi-recreational space for everyone to enjoy.  

In Conclusion:  Heritage has both tangible and intangible dimensions. The open spaciousness around the dam, the ambience there, access to the mountains and forests, the ability to listen to the birds, to watch the kingfishers and fish eagle hunt, the unspoilt natural surroundings, add intangible value to George as a pleasant place of human habitation.  Georgians ride mountain bikes there, families picnic and walk their dogs. Members of different communities and residential areas interact. People of all communities have become accustomed to having the recreational area at the dam. It forms part of their sense of place and should not be taken from them and future generations without their consent.’ 

This petition is fully supported by The George Heritage Trust and The Simon van der Stel Foundation, registered local Heritage organisations.                         The petition also has the full support of WESSA Eden and The Landmark Foundation.

If you don't want further destruction of our natural areas, please sign this petition.

                                 Keep the GARDEN in the Garden Route!

                               Photo credit: Chris Daly - https://southafrica.co.za