Maintenance shouldn’t be an effort

Look at the growth of Ballito over the past 20 years. Most of developments have been in estates and the infrastructure was put in by the developers. They also paid huge “bulk infrastructure contributions” for sewer, water and electricity. We are talking tens, if not hundreds, of millions.
Council only really has to maintain the old infrastructure of Ballito and Salt Rock areas as the estates do the internal. If council would only use the annual increase of the rates derived from this area for the next 5 years (R300m at 8% increase = R 24 mil), resurface two roads per year, fix and extend the promenade 500 metres per year (from Zimbali to Salt Rock), employ traffic/security staff in the area and keep the town in tip top shape (verges, parks, beaches and other). It really does not take that much effort.
We ratepayers would save the R6m on the UIP levies (or 17 percent on top of next year rates).
Siza Water also has received the above and has not even managed to build any new reservoirs (or replace old asbestos pipes). They must be receiving tens of millions a year, derived from basic sewer and water and the profits on water sales.
However the info from the “water wise” website shows that the average consumption in the “white” household is made up of 50 percent garden and pool which doesn’t go through the sewer. But you pay the sewer charge on the full water consumption. They should have built a number of reservoirs to have at least 10 day’s supply.
Hope we can shower during the festive season.
All the best for 2015.
TOM RUIJTER
Ballito

You say “It really does not take that much effort,”  yet it hasn’t happened, has it? – Editor.