Latest news with #CapeTownCollectiveRatepayers'Association
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town residents voice concerns over proposed budget hikes
The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers' Association (CTCRA) says over 10 000 residents signed a petition opposing the City's budget, but their concerns have been dismissed and meaningful engagement remains lacking. Image: Supplied Concerns are mounting among residents over the City of Cape Town's proposed 2025/26 budget and its impact on property rates. Bas Zuideberg, chairman of the National Property Ratepayers' Association has voiced concerns about the lack of engagement with residential ratepayers, highlighting a petition signed by over 10,000 residents opposing the hikes that was dismissed by the City. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As the deadline for budget approval looms, ratepayers are calling for transparency and fairness in the proposed changes, warning that rising costs could push long-term homeowners out of their properties. When asked whether public participation had been extended as requested, Zuideberg said the CTCRA had asked the City to extend public participation on the budget by 14 days, but this did not happen. According to him, the CTCRA has had no direct interaction with the City on the budget aside from discussions with ward councillors and press reports. While commercial ratepayers' groups were contacted, residential ratepayers were largely excluded from consultation. He also noted that the City made changes to the draft budget just days before the deadline without publishing details on how these changes would affect different homeowner categories. Regarding the City's relief measures, the CTCRA acknowledges the need for investment in infrastructure and support for vulnerable residents. However, Zuideberg argued the City did not consider spreading investments over a longer period or seeking alternative revenue sources before deciding on rate increases. The association points out inefficiencies in the City's budget and calls for fairer fixed charges that do not disproportionately affect certain homeowners. They also suggest the City explore new revenue options such as a tourist overnight tax, which could raise significant funds without burdening residents. Concerning residents' ability to afford the increases, Zuideberg warned that many long-term homeowners could be priced out of their properties as rates rise faster than incomes. Without changes, some may be forced to sell, exacerbating housing shortages and disrupting communities. The association also highlighted the impact of short-term rentals and called for policies to address this growing issue. Despite these concerns, Zuideberg expressed scepticism that the City would listen to residents' input. "The CTCRA is working with ward councillors to raise objections and is exploring legal challenges should the budget proceed unchanged," he said. In response, the City of Cape Town said that it would table expanded rates relief measures and other budget changes at the City Council meeting on Wednesday. The public will be able to comment on these amendments from Wednesday May 28 to Friday June 13. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: 'We aim to soften monthly bill increases even further, on top of the already significant electricity price relief for households.' He added: 'Cape Town's monthly bills remain the lowest of any major South African city, despite delivering better services and public value.' Addressing calls to shift the cleaning charge to electricity tariffs, Hill-Lewis said, 'Our modelling shows this would negatively impact households, so this option has been dismissed.' He also reassured residents that no non-urgent major infrastructure projects will be delayed. "We remain committed to maintaining Cape Town's high service standards," Hill-Lewis said. Cape Argus
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town residents rally against proposed rate increases with new petition
The graph was taken from a thorough analysis conducted by Jon Lijnes, Noordhoek resident. As the deadline for public participation on the City of Cape Town's draft budget for 2025/26 approaches on May 2, the Noordhoek Ratepayers' Association (NRPA) is urging residents to sign a petition opposing the proposed budget. Initiated by the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers' Association (CTCRA) — a coalition of more than 50 civic organisations — the petition has gained significant traction, particularly among communities in the Far South. The petition raises concerns over the City's proposed shift to fixed monthly charges for essential services such as water, electricity, sanitation, and cleaning. These changes are not only seen as unfair but may also be legally questionable. Both the NRPA and the Fish Hoek Valley Ratepayers' and Residents' Association raised the alarm earlier this month, warning that the budget's structural changes could result in monthly increases of up to 30% for many households — especially those in properties valued above R3 million. The NRPA is particularly concerned about the financial burden these increases will place on residents, especially pensioners and those already struggling with rising living costs. The petition highlights several pressing concerns regarding the City of Cape Town's proposed budget for 2025/26 including rate increases of up to 30%, driven by higher property values; the City's move from usage-based billing to property value-based charges for essential services like electricity, water, sanitation, and cleaning; and 11.4% increase to the City's budget; Mayco member for finance, Siseko Mbandezi, when announcing the budget, said the City is investing R39.7bn in infrastructure over the next three years for better water and sanitation, roads, electricity services, public transport and more. He said for every R1 in property rates, Cape Town residents fund Policing, Traffic, Fire and Disaster services (29 cents); infrastructure investment (14 cents); free and subsidised services to the poor (15 cents); customer care, IT and service delivery (15 cents); parks, public spaces, environment and libraries (13 cents); MyCiTi public transport (six cents); economic growth, tourism and informal trading programmes (four cents); city clinics and health services (four cents). "There are also material changes in the tariffs for water and sanitation and urban waste management in the way that it is calculated and how it will be displayed on accounts, but not necessarily in the cost impact. Importantly, all income from rates and tariffs go toward paying for service delivery. "In general, it must be pointed out that the City of Cape Town offers the lowest property rates for commercial, industrial, and residential properties, based on an analysis of the 2025/26 draft budgets tabled by each metro. The rate-in-the-rand is a statutory formula used by municipalities to calculate property rates. The formula shows how much a person would pay in rates for every rand of their property value," said Mbandezi. Cape Argus
