Constantia and Bergvliet residents petition against levy

Residents of two southern suburbs will petition against the introduction of a Special Rating Area (SRA) in their neighbourhoods, saying the additional 30 percent levy on rates would impose a severe financial burden on them.

Several Constantia and Bergvliet residents objected to an SRA that will fund 31 CCTV cameras, five patrol vehicles and 10 foot patrols to cover an area stretching from Dreyersdal farm to Doordrift Road.

"The effectiveness of these just evaporates over such an extended area which is already well covered by commercial security services," William Robb of Constantia said.

In a letter to the Cape Times, Robb said the SRA wanted to "cleanse and beautify" the area, but the city did a good enough job paid for by current rates.

The retired Robb said that "a group of property owners are attempting to impose a surcharge of 30 percent".

His wife Brenda Robb said a steering committee had decided to set up a section 21 company to form the SRA in Constantia. The city's SRA by-law replaced a by-law governing city improvement districts.

Robb said safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith had said SRAs were meant to address "sleaze, crime and grime" when he visited the area last week.

Brenda Robb said: "We don't have that here. We see to our own gutters and lawns. We've got ADT Security and pay them. And the SRA (patrols) can't come on to private property."

She said the SRA levy meant homeowners would pay R151 for every R1 million of the value of their houses monthly.

She said residents had already started a petition.

Resident Peter Mercer was "bitterly" opposed to the SRA.

Last year the ANC vehemently opposed the formation of the two first residential SRAs, saying the districts would widen the wealth gap and were undemocratic.

"I can understand where they (ANC) were coming from. We are affected by crime, but nowhere (near as much as) less advantaged areas," said Mercer.

Eddie Scott, the manager of inter-service liaison in the finance department, said 22 SRAs had been established in the metro since 2000 with about 40 interest groups on record enquiring about SRAs.

At least 17 were displaying serious intent to establish SRAs within the next two years.

"Should a property owner receive even partial rates relief they are fully exempted from the SRA levy," Scott said.

He said the SRAs were achieving desired results.

Cape Times

Posted at 10:26AM Aug 30, 2010 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[2]