Councillor’s Corner: Rates increase looms

This week, the question is:

Are there any preparations we as residents need to make before the next financial year starts? How much more on average are we looking at paying and by when?

Tim Truluck, Ward 117 councillor, answered:

The new rates and tariffs will start on 1 July. Some have gone up quite a bit, notably, the water tariffs which increased from 6 per cent for low water use to 20 per cent for high water use.

Another big increase on the water side is the doing away with the free 6kl allowance. This will increase the cost of water by about R48. The new demand side levy of R22 will also be added.

The sewer charges are up by 12 per cent.

Other more modest increases include power (2.2 per cent), trash collection (6.3 per cent) and rates (6.2 per cent)

As the bulk of most household charges are rates and electricity the increase in the overall bill for a normal household should be between seven and eight per cent.

In the past, there were glitches when the new charges were implemented. Hopefully, the changeover will be smooth this time.

Do you have a question for a ward councillor?

As a local newspaper, the Randburg Sun provides a platform for residents to learn about, understand and follow local government. As an extension of this, there is a weekly column called Councillor’s Corner which is a platform for you, our readers, to voice your concerns or questions to which ward councillors can respond.

E-mail your questions to aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.

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