Newcastle Municipality announced the start of Phase 1 of its Smart Prepaid Meter Roll-out Programme this week.

According to them, this is an initiative aimed at modernising service delivery, improving billing accuracy, strengthening revenue management and helping residents better manage their utility consumption.

The project forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to implementing innovative and sustainable solutions that address community concerns around billing accuracy, consumption monitoring and efficient service delivery.

Digital technology aims to improve transparency

The introduction of smart prepaid metering technology marks a significant shift from conventional meter-reading methods to a modern digital system.

The new technology will provide real-time monitoring, improved consumption management, greater billing transparency, and fewer opportunities for illegal connections and meter tampering.

The municipality said it has appointed Isandiso Pipelines & Engineering as the service provider responsible for implementing the project.

Phase 1 will begin in the Hospital Precinct and will cover the following streets:

• Bird Street
• Beardall Street
• Crawford Street
• Haste Street
• Upper Montague Street
• Oldknow Street
• Talmage Street
• Earl Street
• Boulden Street
• Holmes Street
• Voortrekker Street
• Greaves Street
• Dunton Street
• Kemp Street
• Upper Sutherland Street

Residents encouraged to co-operate during installations

Mayor Xolani Dube said the project demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to addressing service delivery challenges raised by residents and implementing practical solutions to improve the customer experience.

“The implementation of smart prepaid metering is a direct response to concerns raised by our communities regarding billing accuracy and consumption management. Through ongoing engagement with residents and stakeholders, we have identified smart metering technology as an important intervention that will promote fairness, transparency and accountability in municipal billing systems,” said Dube.

He added that the municipality is committed to ensuring that the implementation process is seamless, transparent and inclusive.

“Comprehensive public awareness and consumer education initiatives will be undertaken to ensure that affected residents are fully informed and supported throughout the transition process,” he said.

Before installations begin, municipal officials and appointed technicians will engage directly with affected property owners and residents to explain the project and installation process.

“Residents are encouraged to co-operate with authorised municipal representatives and technicians to help ensure a smooth implementation.”

The Smart Prepaid Meter Programme is expected to improve service delivery efficiency, enhance revenue collection, support better resource management and increase customer satisfaction.

Newcastle Municipality said it remains committed to building a responsive, financially sustainable and service-oriented municipality that delivers quality services to all residents.

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