Metro consults with Benoni residents for IDP and budget

During the public meeting it was revealed that the metro is proposing to invest in the replacement and expansion of backbone infrastructure.

April 19, 2022

Ntombikayise Sibeko 3 minutes read

Seated in front at the Actonville Hall is Clr Sarah Mnisi (ward 110), Clr Nicola Da Silva (ward 24), Clr Mary Goby (ward 28) and Clr Lornette Joseph (ward 27). Presenting the IDP is MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Ruhan Robinson.

The Ekurhuleni metro presented its 2022/23 reviewed Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and 2022/23 and 2024/25 budget for the Benoni area during a public meeting held at the Actonville Hall on April 6.

The MMC of Corporate and Shared Services, Ruhan Robinson, said among others the IDP’s strategic objectives are to build a clean, capable and modernised local state as well to promote safer, healthy and socially empowered communities.

Priorities for the budget year 2022/23 include energy, water, water and stormwater, transport and fleet, environment and waste, deployment of EMPD officers, health and social
development and finance-debt rehabilitation programme. With regard to finance, the metro has proposed that all ratepayers who pay their accounts and keep them up to date for 12 consecutive months from July 22 onwards will get a 2% discount.

The metro is proposing to invest in the replacement and expansion of backbone infrastructure at a rate of at least 10km of cables per year.

There’ll be a 40% increase in capital expenditure allocation in the next financial year and an average of 12% over the outer years for expanded electricity supply. The metro will continue with the construction of water towers and reservoirs, with additional nine towers and reservoirs by June 2023.

There’ll be a replacement of 8 000 water meters and the replacement and upgrading of sewer pipes across the city. The municipality will tighten consequence management for illegal water connections and damage to services.

Also, 80km of roads in Benoni will be rehabilitated while in the next financial year they aim to complete the N12 interchange. In the transport sector, they aim to support phases
one A and one B of the Harambee Bus Rapid Transport Network. Some of the free basic services will include a R15 000 reduction in property value for assessments rates, additional rebates to pensioners and additional rebates to churches and NGOs.

During the presentation, it was revealed that the capital budget is R3.3-billion and the operating budget is R48.1-b. Robinson urged residents of Benoni to continue paying for the consumption of services because the metro’s debt by June 2021 was R844 636 905 and by February 2022 is at R1 012 022 899.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Ruhan Robinson presented the IDP and Budget for the Benoni area at the Actonville Hall on April 6.

The metro also revealed that its main sources of income are property rates (R7.6-b, electricity (R19.8-b), water and sanitation (R8.3-b), refuse removal (R1.7-billion) and other income totals of R5.1-b. According to the reviewed budget, some proposed tariffs include 11% increase in sanitation, 11% increase as per Rand Water, 7% increase and zero percent on new valuation implementation.

Sundry tariff increases: library and information services (4.8%), library auditorium (4.8%), cemetery and crematoria (4.8%), building plans (4.8%), arts, culture and heritage facilities (4.8%), sports and recreation fees (R4.8%), municipal bus services (average 3.68%) and hire of park facilities (4.8%).

2022/23-2024/25 capital projects
• For the current financial year a draft budget of R15 000 and R2 000 000 for the year 2023/24 will go towards the construction of the Benoni
Precinct (EMPD)
• R400 000 draft budget for 2022/23 and 2023/24 will go to Benoni lighting of wards 110, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 71, 72 and 73.
• The draft budget for the Benoni network enhancement is R3.3-m for the same wards as above.
• The draft budget for the Crystal Park substation (ward 24) is R15-m.
• Draft budget for 2022/23 is R10-m and R4-m for the year 2023/24 for the development and upgrading of cemeteries in the east (ward 73)
• The draft budget is R10-m and R20-m for 2023/24 for the upgrade of facilities and construction of facilities for ward 73.
• Draft budget for 2023/24 is R5-m for the Benoni depot (ward 28)
• Draft budget for the year 2022/23 is R15-m and R30-m for the year 2023/24 for the consolidation and replacement of all large water consumer meters for ward 29 and 30
• The draft budget for the construction of sewer and water mains in Farramere Gardens phase two (ward 28) for the year 2022/23 is R2-m and R10-m for the next financial year.
• The draft budget is R15-m and R20-m for the next financial year for the metering of all areas (60 000 stands)
• Draft budget is R10-m for the upgrading and replacing of water pipelines and the construction of new reservoirs and towers (ward 71) Human settlements
• Draft budget for 2022/23 is R16-m and R6-m for the next financial year for Apex Extension 12 (wards 29 and 30)
• The draft budget for the year 2022/23 is R20-m for Chief Albert Luthuli Ext (ward 110)
• Budget is R10-m for urban renewal at Wattville ERF 3130 (wards 29 and 30)
• Draft budget is R15-m and R38 909 000 for the next financial year for Watville Hostel bulk and link infrastructure (ward 29) Sports and Recreation Draft budget for year 2023/24 is R3-m for the rehabilitation of Actonville swimming pool (ward 31).