Before National and Provincial Elections (2024), the municipal boundaries of any local municipality may change, subject to certain criteria.
The Municipal Demarcation Board – MDB – is considering proposals received, among others, that Ward 13, be split up with Hibberdene, Woodgrange, Stickfarm and Itaba be taken away from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality – RNM – and incorporated into Umzumbe Municipality – UM. Fairview and Umzumbe Village will still remain within RNM boundaries.
UM lacks the capacity to deliver municipal services to ratepayers who currently receive the services of Roads, Stormwater, Open Space, Public Lighting and other services, paid for through their rates.
The impact on existing ratepayers in RNM will be further increases in a declining economy with a reduced tax base, to bear the costs. The impact to the ratepayers moved into UM will be to foist a greater burden on them to carry the costs of the much greater area that is not paying rates. The proposal will burden a diminishing number of ratepayers who are already showing significant signs of not being able to afford existing tariffs.
Our Blue Flag beach will not be maintained and will be lost as UM does not have the resources to uphold the standard required by WESSA, thus impacting on the tourism industry.
Written objections needed to be lodged by April 28, 2023 on their prescribed form. However by lunchtime on Friday, their mailbox was full and submissions were bouncing back from the only email address given by the MDB. Numerous objections were sent in regarding Ward 13 and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to do this.
MDB must now consider all views and representations. Public meetings will be held between June and August 2023 and I will keep residents informed of dates and venues, once announced. Final decisions must be made between November 2023 and January 2024.
CLLR TESSA PERRYMAN
Ward 13 Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
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