R25 billion budget tabled
THE City of Cape Town has approved a record R25 billion budget. The capital budget of R5,5 billion includes R2,2 billion for electricity infrastructure, and R1,7 billion for water and sanitation infrastructure. The operating budget has been increased to R18,8 billion.
Media enquiries: Ald Ian Neilson, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730
Mike Richardson, Finance, Tel: 021 400 3265 or Cell: 083 629 1236
Council tariffs stay in line with inflation
A 33% increase has been proposed for the electricity tariff, which is subject to Eskom increases. Proposed tariff increases of other utility services are below the current inflation rate. A 10% increase for water and solid waste fees and a 7% increase for sanitation tariffs have been approved by Council.
Media enquiries: Ald Ian Neilson, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730
Mike Richardson, Finance, Tel: 021 400 3265 or Cell: 083 629 1236
Two model libraries for Khayelitsha
Council has approved the construction of a model regional library in Kuyasa and a model community library in Harare at a cost of R5,6 million. Construction will be funded through the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) programme. The City will submit an application for a $3 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York for the book collections, furniture and equipment.
Media enquiries: Cllr Gerhard Ras, Tel: 021 400 1298 or Cell: 083 235 3732
Ninnie Steyn, Community Services, Tel: 021 400 3782 or Cell: 084 211 2119
City sells 172 serviced plots for affordable housing
The City of Cape Town is to sell 172 serviced plots in Belhar, Fairdale and Ocean View to provide ‘gap housing’ for households earning between R3 500 to R10 000 per month. Depending on the size of the plot, prices will range from R40 000 to R120 000. There are 105 stands in Fairdale, 51 in Belhar and 16 in Ocean View.
Media enquiries: Cllr Shehaam Sims, Tel: 021 400 1375 or Cell: 073 115 444
Jens Kuhn, Housing, Tel: 021 400 4217
R1 million for health and hygiene education
In an effort to improve health and hygiene education in informal settlements, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has granted R1 million to the City of Cape Town.
Media enquiries: Dr Ivan Bromfield, City Health, Tel: 021 400 2100 or Cell: 084 629 5364
City raises Housing indigent grant limit
The City of Cape Town has increased the upper limit of its indigent grant for rental and selling schemes to R3 000 - to ensure that monthly housing charges remain affordable. The City will also, as a once-off review, adjust the arrears of all housing indigent grant beneficiaries thereby allowing these housing debtors the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves whilst also noting that, going forward and following this initiative, stringent debt management actions will follow non-payment of housing charges.
Media enquiries: Ald Ian Neilson, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730
Wayne Muller, Finance, Tel: 021 400 5122 or Cell: 084 368 8755
City invests extends R300 000 salvage package to Philippi
The City of Cape Town has approved a R300 000 ‘salvage package’ to the Philippi East Development Initiative. The money will be used to pay for a turnaround manager for Eisleben Business Park, which is home to 110 businesses. With a completed turnaround strategy the park will be prevented from further arrears to the City and will assist it in repaying outstanding debt.
Media enquiries: Ald Felicity Purchase, Tel: 021 400 1229 or Cell: 083 629 0829
Stanley Visser, Economic Development, Tel: 550 1201 or Cell: 084 554 5785
Mobile school for Wallacedene
The Western Cape Education Department is to establish a much-needed school in Wallacedene after the City of Cape Town granted permission for the sale of Council land. The department may erect a mobile school on the land with immediate effect. The site has already been zoned for educational purposes.
Media enquiries: Ald Felicity Purchase, Tel: 021 400 1229 or Cell: 083 629 0829
Kobus Coetzer, Economic Development, Tel: 021 590 1619 or Cell: 084 628 9691
City approves second bond issue of R1,2 bn
The City of Cape Town has approved a second bond issue of R1,2 billion for approved capital projects. The bond issue will take place on 12 June.
Media enquiries: Ald Ian Neilson, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730
Roger Davis, Finance, Tel: 021 400 5211 or Cell: 084 627 3444
Council approves by-law for Special Rating Areas
The City of Cape Town has approved a by-law and policy for Special Rating Areas, which will include the establishment of City Improvement Districts (CIDs).Comments received during the public participation process were incorporated in the final draft.
Media enquiries: Cllr Ian Neilson, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730
Eddie Scott, Finance: Inter-Services Liaison, Tel: 021 400 1872 or Cell: 084 244 5824
Public have their say over Newlands pool
The City of Cape Town is to conduct a public participation process with regard to the proposed development of an aquatic centre at Newlands Swimming Pool by Swimming South Africa.
Media enquiries: Neil Eybers, Economic & Social Development, Tel 021 400 3605
City donates R150 000 for Rietvlei project
The City has approved a grant of R150 000 for the management of the Diep River fynbos corridor project, which links the Rietvlei Wetland Reserve to the Blaauwberg Conservation Area.
Media enquiries: Julia Wood, Environmental Resource Management, Tel: 021 514 4155 or Cell: 084 464 9153
Cape Town joins hands with environmental bodies
The City of Cape Town has confirmed its partnership with the Working on Fire programme, which was started as a job creation scheme by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry with the aim of helping landowners in fire suppression activities. The City has also confirmed its partnership with the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust, which among others, employs 33 staff on City nature reserves.
Media enquiries: Julia Wood, Environmental Resource Management, Tel: 021 514 4155 or Cell: 084 464 9153
Biodiversity on Cape Town’s green agenda
As part of its Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB), the City of Cape Town has identified five priority projects. These comprise the Green Goal 2010 Programme, the City Parks Conservation Status Project, the Diep River Fynbos Restoration Project, Cape Flats conservation projects, and the Invasive Alien Species Co-ordination Programme.
Media enquiries: Julia Wood, Environmental Resource Management, Tel: 021 514 4155 or Cell: 084 464 9153
R435 000 for ‘smoke room’
The Bellville Fire Station has accepted a contribution of R435 000 from the Cape Fire Fighters Association to convert the existing ‘smoke room’ into an urban search and rescue facility.
Media enquiries: Cyprian Cairncross, Safety & Security, Tel: 021 534 1739
Public input needed for flood management policies
Members of the public will be invited to comment on the City’s draft policies dealing with the management of urban stormwater impacts and the management of flood plains and river corridors within the Cape Metropole.
Media enquiries: Cllr Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater 021 400 1221 or Cell: 084 616 0497
Henry du Plessis, Roads & Stormwater, Tel: 021 400 3720 or Cell: 084 220 0227
CIDs approved for Zwaanswyk, Vredekloof and Observatory
The City of Cape Town has approved applications and business plans to establish City Improvement Districts in Zwaanswyk, Vredekloof and Observatory.
Media enquiries: Runan Rossouw, Economic Development, Tel: 021 400 5148 or Cell: 084 233 0715
Cape Town prepares for next general valuation
The City of Cape Town has approved the preparation of the next general valuation with 1 July 209 as the date of valuation. The valuation roll is to be implemented on 1 July 2010 and supplementary valuation rolls will be prepared from 2010 to 2014. The last general valuation was implemented on 1 July 2007.
Media enquiries: Chris Gavor, Valuations, Tel: 021 400 1345 or Cell: 082 899 3308
Extra payment for shark ‘spotters’
The City has approved an additional payment of R57 600 towards the shark spotters’ programme to reduce the risk of Great White shark attacks on bathers at the City’s beaches. This is additional to its annual grant of R840 000.
Media enquiries: Cyprian Cairncross, Safety & Security, Tel: 021 534 1739
R1,2 million for youth arts project
The City has approved a R1,2 million grant for the Performing Arts working for Youth at Risk and Street Children Project. The funds will be used over the next two years to train 200 children to take part in a ‘junk orchestra’, dance groups, circus arts, and technical skills.
Media enquiries: Monica Cleinwerck, Economic & Social Development, Tel: 021 400 9521
City gives R440 000 for arts and culture
Twelve non-profit organisations are to benefit from the City’s arts and culture grant-in-aid programme.
Media enquiries: Albert Webster, Economic, Social Development, Tel: 021 483 9026 or Cell:084 555 5730