The second draft of the municipality’s 2009/2010 budget promises residents housing, electricity, water treatment, sewage upgrades and social services.
The second draft of the municipality’s 2009/2010 budget promises residents housing, electricity, water treatment, sewage upgrades and social services.
Presenting highlights of the budget and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) at community meetings this week, Makana Mayor Pumelelo Kate said money has been set aside for housing developments in certain wards.
The second phase of the Mayfield development project, which will see the construction of 1 647 houses, has been approved by the provincial government. Eluxolweni has been allocated R6.2 million to build 173 houses.
Transit Camp has been allocated R15.8 million for 440 houses while R5.1 million has been allocated for 577 houses in Fingo Village. The agri-villages in Seven Fountains will be allowed R8.5 million for 235 houses while Fort Brown will receive R9 million for 250 houses.
The contentious issue of disaster relief housing has been addressed and plans have been made to assist victims of last year’s tornado with R6.5 million. The continuation of project Faki’Tar and roads infrastructure in general, has been has been given R4 million for the financial year ahead.
The budget has also considered the aging municipal vehicles, which will be replaced using R1 million.The proposed Bathurst Street bus terminal, in all its controversy, has been alloted R2.5 million for both the terminal and underground toilets.
Kate said the municipality was keen on the development despite the "amadla-gusha [white community]" objecting to it. While R1.7 million will be used to improve water quality and flow in Makana, the Alicedale wastewater treatment works will be given R5.5 million.
The installation of bulk water services in the Mayfield Phase 2 area will cost R4.5 million and R3.6 million has been designated to the Seven Fountains bulk water supply.The refurbishing of the Sugar Loaf substation will be given R6 million and R1.6 million has been allocated to upgrade the municipality’s maintenance capacity.
While plans to erect street lights in Vukani, Transit Camp, Lingelihle and Extension 9, Eluxolweni and Alicedale will cost R3.3 million. R6 million has been set aside for the ongoing construction of the Ward 5 community hall in Extension 9 and R137 900 for upgrading existing halls.
The municipality has become aware that Makana’s townships are in need of rehabilitation and through the Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant the following amounts of money have been budgeted for: R10.3 million for the upgrading of Mandela Street taxi route; R4.5 million for the recreational park in Lavender Valley; and R5.8 million for the upgrade of the Raglan Road/ Albert Street intersection.
The Economic Development Strategy in Alicedale and Riebeeck East has also been allocated R1.7 million.
Within the Human Resources sector R3.5 million has been allocated for staff vacancies in priority areas, while R200 000 has been set aside for training and development of employees.
An integrated IT system with upgrades will cost R783 500.The Makana youth have also been assigned funds: R50 000 for external bursaries and R210 000 for youth programmes.
The municipality also hopes to keep the youth active, assigning R940 000 for a new soccer field and R169 000 towards maintaining sports facilities.
