GOOD Speech by Rosa Louw
GOOD George Municipality Councillor
4 December 2025
This speech was delivered during the George Council Meeting
The GOOD Party notes with concern the handling of the Platner Boulevard project. Proper inspection should have been carried out, yet the engineering firm SMEC delivered incomplete work. Despite this, the firm received full payment for an impact study that failed to identify critical issues with the sidewalk and road.
Now, an additional R10 million is being requested from the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG), a fund intended for upgrading roads and infrastructure used by the Go George bus service. This diversion of funds is unacceptable.
It is important to highlight that the PTNG was not fully spent in the previous cycle. The Mayor requested a rollover to complete outstanding projects, but National Treasury rejected this request, as confirmed during last month’s special council meeting.
The proposed allocation of R10 million for Platner Boulevard does not fall within the scope of the PTNG. Using these funds would undermine other essential projects that rely on the grant. Therefore, the project must be financed from the Council’s own resources, not from national grant funding.
The GOOD Party’s position is clear:
• Accountability for incomplete work: Contractors must not be rewarded with full payment for half-completed studies.
• Protection of PTNG funds: These grants must be safeguarded for their intended purpose, strengthening public transport infrastructure.
• Responsible financial management: The Council should fund the Platner Boulevard project from its own budget, ensuring transparency and fairness.
We call on the Council to act responsibly and protect the integrity of public transport funding.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za