Newcastle Municipality: A year in review and ambitious future plans

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26-01-2024
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New Castillian News
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With the New Year well underway, the Newcastle Municipality has stated that it is steadfast in its commitment to restore the town to its former glory following the challenges and triumphs of 2023.

Discussing the past year, the Municipality is now opening up about the steps taken to enhance service delivery and address lingering issues within the community.

Reflecting on their work, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit outlined several key achievements during 2023. The Municipality successfully settled the substantial R264,826,022.53 Eskom debt and allocated relief funds to local businesses affected by the flood aftermaths. Additionally, it settled a R9 million debt owed to the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

In addition to this, the municipality entered a payment arrangement with uThukela Water, where a payment plan to service the existing debt has been signed between the Newcastle Municipality and uThukela Water.

It should be noted that as reported by Newcastillian News, the Newcastle Municipality owed uThukela Water a staggering R225 710 616.80 in September 2023.

Furthermore, the Municipality also initiated financial assistance programs, including incentives for businesses and households, reducing debts by 50%.

“These programmes which includes deceased incentive and old debt incentive schemes were approved by council and are being implemented as part of improving debt collection and reducing debtors’ book. We further strengthen our outreach programs at strategic points around Newcastle where our staff members assist consumers with billing queries, payment methods, incentive schemes, meter related queries, municipal bill, and indigent applications,” said the Communications Unit.

While working away at the inherited debt from the previous administration, the Newcastle Municipality also worked on improving service delivery.

“We constructed and completed various construction projects both in Newcastle East and West. Completed road projects include the upgrade of MA23,26 and 25 in Ward 22 Madadeni, Construction of ME26 & ME27 roads in Ward 28 Madadeni, Upgrade of OC44, OC22 in Ward 8 at Osizweni, Construction of OB 1 link stormwater in ward 12 in Johnstown and Staffordhill waterborne sewerage refurbishment in ward 14, 18, 19,27,29 and 31,” explained the Communications Unit.

Additionally, the Communications Unit stated that the Newcastle Municipality also prioritised water supply by implementing and completing the Newcastle Extension and Upgrade of water pipelines in the Mndozo Stage 2 rural settlements project.

Then there was the long-awaited Siyahlala-la Electrification project in Ward 25, which was officially handed over to the contractor in November 2023 seeing over 500 units benefiting from the project.

The Communications Unit also explained that the water pipe replacement projects in Ward 5, 2 and Ward 34 were also handed over to the contractors, and all the projects have eliminated water issues that were haunting residents residing in those wards and surroundings.

The Municipality further embarked on an aggressive and tactful campaign which includes the completion of the following projects:

• Refurbishment of the Ayliff pump station
• Refurbishment of Ncandu and Tweefontein pump station
• Refurbishment of Newcastle number one and two pump station

“The completion of the projects was for the Municipality to actively respond to the sewer spillages that were affecting business operations in the CBD in Newcastle West and surrounding areas, as well as Newcastle East. Storm water management operations also began with the intention of unblocking storm water drains to eliminate any future flooding in the CBD and surrounding areas,” stated the Communications Unit.

To further strengthen service delivery, in January 2023, the Newcastle Municipality bought bakkies for the technical services team and is now planning to purchase additional vehicles for the Technical Services Department and yellow equipment for both the Community Services and the Technical Department.

However, the Municipality’s work did not end with just addressing debt and service delivery. “Our youth was not left behind, in the beginning of 2023, the office of the Mayor assisted over 200 students with their Tertiary registration fees and together with our Mother Municipality (Amajuba District Municipality), the Newcastle Municipality held a two-day NSFAS application program drive and 3-day successful Career Expo from 31 of July to 3 of August 2023, which is still the biggest Career Expo in Northern KZN.”

Having achieved a substantial amount of work during 2023, and now looking ahead, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit said, “Our goal as the Municipality, to mention but a few is to see the Municipal financial situation improving due to the revenue enhancement initiatives which are all aimed at improving the cash position of the municipality.”

Moreover, the Municipality also aims to purchase their own vehicles, as well as equipment to improve service delivery and reduce costs on contracted services.

The Communications Unit stressed it will continue working on enhancing its financial situation, and see the improvement of revenue collection from businesses and individuals in Newcastle especially in Newcastle East. This will improve the financial stability of Newcastle Municipality and see it in a position to further deliver services to the community.

Currently, Newcastle West owes R178,816,647.14, while Newcastle East owes an astonishing R1,568,960,777.64.

As reported by Newcastillian News, the COGTA appointed service provider is currently on-site assisting with debt collection in Newcastle East. The Newcastle Municipality is also considering appointing a debt collector to assist them improve collections.

As the Newcastle Municipality reflects on its achievements in 2023 and outlines ambitious plans for the future, community members are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comment section below.