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Mediclinic George – preserving strong roots from the past for a positive future
Mediclinic understands that being an active participant in any community means that our commitment to preserving the environment, history and heritage is an important element of any project.
The new Mediclinic George is a prime example of hard work and commitment to these principles. The site previously belonged to the George Tourist Centre before it was subdivided and earmarked for development. The George Tourism Centre included a tourist camping ground consisting of grassed campsites, braai areas, and ablution blocks. However, these facilities had not been used for many years, and the site had fallen into disrepair.
Roots in the past
The property boasted a large number of trees (mostly exotic), among which were approximately 24 large Outeniqua Yellowwood trees positioned in an avenue of sorts. It is uncertain whether this avenue was planted as part of the historical parent farm or as part of the establishment of the camping ground.
As part of the design planning for the new hospital, a detailed tree survey was undertaken, which identified approximately 90 trees. Most of the targeted trees were exotic, including several Pine, Tipuana, Oak, Plane, Camphor, Syringa, Beefwood, Eucalyptus and Turpentine trees. Several indigenous trees were also identified, including several large Outeniqua Yellowwood, Cape Ash, and Wild Plum trees.
Included in the preservation efforts on site, all endeavours were made in the design to retain as many of these indigenous trees as possible. A Forestry Licence was obtained from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment for the responsible removal of only 6 of 24 Yellowwood trees, as well as the trimming of remaining trees to ensure they were not damaged by moving construction vehicles. Several hundred tree saplings and other indigenous plant species were also rescued.
“For our animal (or reptile lovers), we are happy to say that there was also a live House Snake and Cape Terrapin were safely relocated to the Garden Route National Park within the process,” explains Kobus Jonck, GM: Infrastructure.
“We appointed an Environmental Control Officer (ECO) to provide input on and to supervise the demarcation of trees, plant and animal rescue; tree felling and trimming operations; control of alien invasive plant species; storm water management and erosion prevention; pollution control and waste management. With this in mind, construction of the new Mediclinic George has been undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner, and the contractor should be commended for their efforts to date,” Jonck notes.
Before site clearance and tree felling on the property, the ECO and the appointed landscaper undertook several site inspections to identify and demarcate the trees to be preserved and mark those earmarked for destruction (mostly exotic trees). To indicate the level of detail put into these plans, all trees were inspected for bird nests before site clearance. It is encouraging that well over 600 plants were rescued from the site and donated to various environmental organisations, as an additional expansion of various rehabilitation projects.
Growing for the future
Mediclinic has committed to planting 67 new Indigenous trees on the property to replace the 63 trees lost as part of the site clearance and development activities. These trees will be planted at regular intervals along the perimeter together with additional indigenous trees that were required in terms of the forestry licence that was granted. Using a variety of indigenous trees will increase biodiversity on site and enhance the natural setting. It is well-documented that increased access to nature can support healing and improve the experience of hospital patients and visitors.
Outdoor seating areas in courtyards offer functional outdoor rooms that provide a break from intensive hospital activities for staff and visitors. Robust site furniture will provide seating to improve the experience of being surrounded by nature. These areas will be enhanced with water-wise planting groups of shrubs and ground covers, many of which occur naturally in areas in and around George. Plant choices were made to consider microclimate and reduce the need for supplemental irrigation once planting has been established.
Care was taken to provide year-round colour and interest in the landscape as the site will be in constant use and must provide aesthetic appeal at all times. Spring and summer flowering bulbs such as Watsonia, Chasmanthe, Agapanthus and Tulbaghia species will be used alternating with winter flowering Aloes and fynbos Protea and Leucadendron species. Green foliage plants such as Restios and leafy ground covers will provide a restful backdrop to seasonal flowering species.
“We are excited not only for what the new Mediclinic George facility can offer our community but with the assurance that the build was done with the environment and the community at the forefront of our plans,” concludes Jonck.
Mediclinic George is expected to open its doors in the new location in the second quarter of 2026.