Latest news with #NoordhoekRatepayers'Association
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
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Community voices lead to Noordhoek padel court plans being shelved
Residents' concerns about noise, safety, and rural impact led to the withdrawal of proposed padel courts at the Noordhoek Garden Emporium, with new plans for a sports hub under discussion. Pushback from residents has led to the shelving of plans to build three outdoor padel courts at the Noordhoek Garden Emporium. The developer, Brendhan Kannemeyer, announced on Monday that he would no longer pursue the project, which had drawn concern over noise, safety, and incompatibility with the area's rural character. In a letter to residents dated April 13, Kannemeyer acknowledged the controversy surrounding the padel courts, saying it was never his intention to divide the Noordhoek community. 'Whilst I strongly believe that padel courts meet the criteria of providing services that Noordhoek residents want and need, it has become a controversial matter that has divided the community,' he wrote. 'This goes against my intentions.' Instead, Kannemeyer said he would focus on alternative enhancements to the site, including additional retail space, a restaurant, a wellness centre, and a small office park. He also unveiled plans to lease a portion of land adjacent to the emporium to construct a broader 'sports hub' featuring indoor padel courts, a pump track, a small astro field for soccer, hockey and netball, and a clubhouse. 'I will engage with the community regarding such development with the hope of securing the support for such,' Kannemeyer said. The reversal comes after weeks of vocal opposition from residents and civic groups. An online petition against the original plan, by Kelly Burke, gained over 420 signatures. Opponents argued that the open-air courts — operating from 6am to 10pm and located just metres from homes — would bring disruptive noise and light pollution and worsen traffic in an already congested area. 'This is a peaceful rural part of Noordhoek, home to families, horses, and a strong community culture,' Burke wrote in the petition. 'The impacts on our quality of life would have been enormous.' Noordhoek Ratepayers' Association (NRPA) had also raised concerns, saying it supported the majority of upgrades to the Garden Emporium and even the idea of padel courts — provided they did not result in noise or light pollution or create traffic problems for neighbouring properties. The City of Cape Town had previously acknowledged that it mistakenly approved the building plans before the required land use application process had been completed. Construction was halted, and the project was referred back to the public participation phase. Now, with the developer's pivot toward a community-oriented indoor facility, the conversation appears to be shifting. The NRPA and other local groups have signalled that they remain open to development that aligns with the Noordhoek Local Area Spatial Development Framework (LASDF), which calls for low-impact, rural-style planning that integrates with the community. Burke welcomed the withdrawal of the original plan and expressed cautious optimism about what may come next. 'I think it's a win,' she said. 'I think it's great that he's listened to the community. That means a lot, especially with all the development pressures happening in Noordhoek. I don't want to call it a victory for the small people — that sounds wrong — but it's nice to know our voices were heard and respected. That's awesome." Cape Argus
