New uMhlanga ratepayers’ body selected
The ratepayers’ association hopes to speak collectively on improving service delivery in the area.
LOCAL residents have reformed and revived the uMhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA).
At the beginning of March, Terri MacLarty, a resident and homeowner, held a public meeting in the area to test the appetite for a ratepayers’ association.
This, in turn, led to the formation of the URRA after its first general meeting in June.
MacLarty, who is chairperson of the association, said they have now registered the association as a non-profit company (NPC).
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“We already have 100 members in the URRA, and we’ve formed an executive body. The purpose of us reviving the association is to hold the eThekwini Municipality accountable. We want to ensure we go through the right channels to get them to do what is necessary. For us, as a body, it’s about getting the community together and speaking as a united front,” she said.
Deputy chairperson of the association Duncan Heafield echoed MacLarty’s sentiments.
“Having a ratepayers’ and residents’ association is paramount to the community. We have close to 10 000 households in the uMhlanga area, and I think it’s time we spoke collectively on improving service delivery in the area. We’ve identified key points in terms of infrastructure repair, assessed road conditions and identified illegal signage, as well as the sewage issues which have been the catalyst for the beach closures. Ultimately, we would love to see residents sign up as we want to improve public participation when it comes to developments in the area,” Heafield said.
Secretary of the association Aron Calo added it was easy for residents within the uMhlanga area to join.
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“We are in the process of setting up a website which we hope to have up-and-running soon. If residents would like to join the URRA, it costs R50 per month or R600 per annum, and all they need to do is fill out a form. Our collective hope is to grow our membership as the more members we have, the bigger our voice will be,” Calo said.
To join or for more information, contact Terry on 083 635 3539 or Aron on 061 884 8487.
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