A host of major development projects, set to boost the economy of Kouga, will be implemented in the region in the next three years. These were announced by Kouga mayor Horatio Hendricks in tabling the municipality’s budget last week.
While he did not elaborate on the details of how many jobs the projects would bring, Hendricks said they would be job creators.
The projects include a five-star hotel at the St Francis Links, a private hospital in Jeffreys Bay, a 250-unit holiday resort, three envisioned schools, a new head office for the Co-op, and the Ocean View 1 500 housing project.
Hendricks said job creation would be a high priority throughout his term.
“This municipality cannot be a job-giver, but must be a job-driver,” he said.
“Therefore, creating a stable economic environment, maintaining sound financial practices and ensuring political stability and a culture of good governance, with an overarching adherence to the rule of law, fosters the environment needed for external investment.”
The municipality’s R864-million budget was approved by the council last week.
Tariff hikes of 7.5% for property rates, 11% for water, 9% for sanitation, 8% for refuse, 7.57% for electricity and 6% for environmental management fees will be implemented from next month.
Among the priorities for the year ahead were infrastructure maintenance and development, Hendricks said.
“The biggest capital project is the multi-year upgrade of the Sea Vista waste water treatment plant, where we will be spending R18.5-million in the 2018-19 financial year.
“The upgrade will put in place the bulk infrastructure needed to unlock the building of new RDP houses in the area.
“Rolling out basic services to informal areas has further been prioritised.“Several vehicles, which will include service delivery trucks and new traffic vehicles, will be procured in the new financial year,” he said. Other highlights in the budget are: ý 700 wheelie bins will be distributed in informal areas to improve refuse collection;
ý R6.5-million will be spent on replacing the fleet that is no longer functional;
ý R2.3-million will go towards the eradication of bucket toilets;
ý R500 000 has been allocated for extra stand pipes and roads;
ý Two cemetery sites are planned for Loerie and Thornhill;
ý R1.5-million will be spent on boreholes;
ý R3-million has been set aside for fencing the Loerie pump station, the Jeffreys Bay and Kruisfontein reservoirs, cemeteries, caravan parks and camping sites;
ý Repairs and maintenance are budgeted at R37-million; and
ý R4.3-million has been budgeted for the upgrading and fencing of sports fields, with the emphasis on Wards 1 and 2.
“My plan over the next three years is to transform townships into urban areas through first giving it a name, adding street lights, paved roads and storm water drainage,” Hendricks said.
“Of course, this will need external investment as well as own generated revenue. “I am fully committed to this project.” In a bid to cut costs, Hendricks has reduced the mayoral committee from six members to five.
“We intend to remain prudent and cut on lavish spending.
“Therefore, the mayor will drive his own car, the speaker will drive his own car, and [there will be] no bodyguards.”