GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,
GOOD George Councillor
24 June 2025
While many residents in George live without shelter and face daily service delivery failures, the Municipality has chosen to invest tens of millions in refurbishing a single building for administrative use, without clear public justification or proper consultation. The R31 million renovation of the historic York Hostel Building appears to prioritise luxurious office space for municipal staff over the urgent and unmet needs of the broader community. This substantial expenditure of ratepayer money raises serious questions about municipal priorities, transparency, and accountability.
GOOD notes that this building, which holds heritage status, was acquired through a property exchange with the Western Cape Provincial Government. However, the terms of this exchange, including which municipal property was offered in return, its value, and the strategic merit of the swap, remain unclear to the public. GOOD calls on the Municipality to disclose all relevant details of this transaction.
The total project cost, already at R31 million funded by an external loan, may not reflect the final expenditure. We demand a cost breakdown, including professional services, legal fees, and interior fittings. If high-end or luxury items have been included, the Municipality must explain how such expenses are justifiable in the current economic climate.
It is particularly alarming that this level of spending appears to have gone ahead without robust public participation or a clear financial plan for the building’s ongoing maintenance, a critical oversight given the complexities and costs associated with preserving heritage infrastructure.
Equally troubling is the apparent dismissal of alternative proposals for the use of the York Hostel Building. GOOD understands that suggestions were made by civil society to convert the space into a homeless shelter, a move that could have addressed one of the most visible and urgent issues in George. If these proposals were formally submitted and rejected, the public deserves to know why.
As it stands, this project represents a missed opportunity to align municipal resources with the real needs of the people.
Media Enquiries:media@forgood.org.za