Comment invited over city’s draft budget

THE creation of a town centre at Umbumbulu is under consideration in this year’s eThekwini budget.

eThekwini residents are urged to participate in the budget public consultation process to be held in April.

The R35.2 billion draft budget for the 2014/2015 financial year was unanimously adopted for public consultation at a full council sitting at the Rotary Stadium in KwaMashu on Wednesday, 19 March.

The budget consists of an operational budget of R29.6bn and a capital budget of R5.6bn.

Mayor James Nxumalo urged residents to participate in the public hearings as their contribution is vital. “It is because of these consultations that we discover what the community needs. We are electrifying and building ablution facilities in informal settlements and rural areas because we have listened to comments from our communities. We want to hear the voices of the people,” he said.

Presenting the budget to councillors and members of the public, city manager Sibusiso Sithole said the budget marks the continuation of the municipality’s achievements over the past two decades. Sithole highlighted some of the key achievements.

The 2014/15 budget is focused on implementation of a number of flagship projects, job creation and the maintenance of existing infrastructure. “We have set aside a sizeable portion of the budget for infrastructure maintenance because it is important that we do not allow our infrastructure to deteriorate as this would be more costly for the city in future,” said Sithole.

Some of the focus areas include the regeneration of the Durban inner city with plans in to turn the CBD into a cultural village. “We are building state of the art facilities like the museum in Cato Manor and a Central Library. The major beneficiaries are young people who will have access to information and job searching. It will be a significant improvement.”

Sithole said announcements will be made soon regarding further development of the Point area and the creation of a town centre at Umbumbulu to attract investment into the area.

The draft budget also proposes tariff increases that have been set at realistic percentages.

• Rates – 6.9%

• Electricity – 7.39%

• Water – 9.9% (residential) and 12.9% (business)

• Refuse removal – 7.9%

• Sanitation – 7.9%

Mayor Nxumalo said the consultation process on the budget will be rolled out in different regions of the municipality and councillors will be encouraged to call ward meetings to discuss the budget.

The final budget is expected to be approved by council on 29 May.