Outreach of mayor to discuss IDP and draft budget

Chriszanne Janse van Vuuren

The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality's 2022-2027 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and 2024/25 Draft Budget that was tabled on Tuesday 26 March is open for inspection until Tuesday 30 April. Both documents can be viewed at municipal offices and public libraries in Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Klipplaat, Nieu-Bethesda, Rietbron, Steytlerville and Willowmore, as well as on the municipal website, www.bnlm.gov.za.

To fund the 2024/25 operating budget, the following increases in property rates and service charges will be affected with effect from 1 July 2024:

Property rates - increase with 0%

Water, refuse, sewerage and sanitation will increase with 4,9%

Electricity - the tariffs for electricity will increase with 10,85%

This increase is subject to approval by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) and the percentage may vary towards the final adopted budget.

A mayoral outreach to the various towns within the municipal area to discuss the IDP and draft budget with residents commenced on Monday 15 April and will continue until Tuesday 30 April.

The schedule for the remaining outreach engagements is as follows:

Today, 18 April

Ward 12 - Steytlerville, community hall at 11:00

Ward 12 - Wolwefontein, community hall at 16:00

Tomorrow, Friday 19 April

Ward 2 - Nieu-Bethesda, Pienaarsig community hall at 11:00

Monday, 22 April

Ward 10 - Klipplaat, town hall at 12:00 Ward 11- Jansenville, Popoyi Mejane community hall at 17:00

Tuesday, 23 April

Wards 1 and 7- Thembalesizwe, community hall at 17:00

Wednesday, 24 April

Ward 7 - Koebergville, Graaff-Reinet Primary School at 17:00

Thursday, 25 April

Ward 3 - Asherville and Santaville, PPK Church at 17:00

Friday, 26 April

Wards 2, 4 and 7 - Horseshoe, Bergendal and Adendorp, auditorium at 17:00

Monday, 29 April

Wards 4 and 5 - Kroonvale, Alex Laing community hall at 17:00

Tuesday, 30 April

Wards 5 and 6 - uMasizakhe, uMasizakhe community hall at 17:00

Written comments/inputs on the IDP and draft budget are to be submitted by no later than Tuesday 30 April.

These comments/inputs must be addressed to the Municipal Manager, for the attention of the IDP Unit, Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, PO Box 71, Graaff-Reinet 6280, or can be e-mailed to dalav@bnlm. gov.za