Plans under way for Uvongo urban improvement precinct
The main objective of the SRA is to increase the safety and security for the benefit of Ward 19 residents and visitors, with the SRA being able to fund major safety and security initiatives managed by the Uvongo CPF.
The Uvongo Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA) is establishing a Special Ratings Area (SRA) for Ward 19 that will focus on enhanced safety, security and to reduce crime.
According to the chairperson of URRA, Hardus Coetzee they embarked on the Uvongo Urban Improvement Precinct in 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic had affected their plans.
He said the URRA and the Uvongo Community Safety Forum partnered on the joint project, to establish a SRA which will raise the quality of the residents’ livelihoods, promote tourism, and contribute towards increased property values.
Coetzee said the main objective of the SRA is to increase the safety and security for the benefit of Ward 19 residents and visitors, saying that the SRA will be able to fund major safety and security initiatives managed by the Uvongo CPF.
“That includes the installation of vehicle recognition tracking devices, mobile CCTV cameras at strategic points (monitored by a 24/7 control room), purchasing of radio equipment, safety gear, funding a petrol allowance for the CPF block watch members, sourcing of security guard patrols at the main beaches and security vehicles on standby. The Uvongo SRA, which follows examples of neighbouring areas such as Ramsgate, Southbroom, Trafalgar and Umtentweni which have all successfully introduced SRAs in their areas, aims at setting the SRA levy for Ward 19 at R40 per month per ratepayer/property owner that will reflect as a separate charge on their municipal accounts,” he said.
He added that they require 50% or more votes in favour of the SRA from registered ratepayers/property owners for it to be established.
Coetzee said: “We have received consent from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to proceed with establishing an SRA. Now we need your vote to establish the project. The SRA will be managed by a board elected by its members and operated by a management team appointed by the board. Ratepayers/property owners must sign up for membership to allow them to participate in SRA’s affairs.”
He added that an SRA is governed by the Companies ACT (71 of 2008), manages its own finances and appoints its own auditors.
The chairperson said RNM will collect additional rates on behalf of the SRA over a period of 10 months, saying that the additional rate appears as a separate item on the monthly rates account of each ratepayer/property owner liable to pay the SRA additional rates within the SRA.
“Members definitely have a say in the SRA. There is an AGM every year where a board of directors is elected to manage the functions. Individual ratepayers/property owners can enjoy the collective benefits of a well-managed area relating to safety and security, and later prioritised objectives,” he said.
For more information, contact 083 453 6687 or email hardusc@intekom.co.za
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