SOUTHBROOM NEWS - JUNE 2008

A SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS, CONSERVANCY & COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE.

This newsletter is intended for ratepayers & residents of Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  Click Unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive it, or click Subscribe if you did not receive it direct.

>> RATES ASSESSMENT: 2008/2009

The Hibiscus Coast Municipality has set the Rate Randage on Residential property at 0,670 c/R. Furthermore, the first R100,000 of your property value will be exempt from rates.

So, if your residential property is valued at R1,500,000, you will pay R9,380 in rates for the 2008/2009 municipal year. The calculation follows:

R1,500,000 - R100,000 = R1,400,000

R1,400,000 x R0.00670 = R9,380

Rates will be billed monthly unless application is made to pay on an annual basis.

Please note that Rate Randages for the various categories of property differ and are:

Residential - 0,670 c/R

Commercial - R1,340 c/R

Industrial - R1,340 c/R

Agriculture - bona fide use - 0,067 c/R

Agriculture - mixed use - 0,1675 c/R

Institutional - 0,335 c/R

Special Purpose - 0,335 c/R

Please also note that the Property Rates Supplementary Valuation Role, aimed at including properties which had been omitted from the initial roll and correcting certain valuations, has been released. Ratepayers should check whether or not their property appears on the supplementary role (it can be viewed on www.hcm.gov.za) and lodge any objections on the specified form by 30 June 2008.

>> CLEANING UP OUR ACT

Visitors to Southbroom have commented on how much better the village is presenting. And yes, it is, thanks to the collective efforts of our community initiatives, Southbroom Ratepayers Association and Southbroom Conservancy, and the Hibiscus Coast Municipality.

Driving around town, you can't help but notice the neat road verges and that potholes, estate agents signage, garden services signage, and litter has reduced substantially.

And, if you walk the trails and coastal forest, you would also have noticed that litter is at a minimum and that the ongoing problem of snares and alien invader plants is being actively addressed.

It is thanks to your support that so much is being achieved. Your subscriptions and donations make the difference and enable the following:

Southbroom Conservancy

Removal of alien invader plants - 3 employees

Removal of litter and snares - 1 employee

Southbroom Ratepayers Association

Maintenance: Public spaces & River Reserve - 1 employee

Headland: Riptide to Granny's Pool - 1 employee

Removal of litter - 1 employee

Please continue to support these valued initiatives. Banking details for subscriptions and donations are alongside.

>> BIKE SQUAD REDUCES THE INCIDENTS OF CRIME

A further 8 Police Reservists/Assistants have joined Southbroom Sector Policing which now boasts a full staff complement of 18 with one patrol vehicle and 8 mountain bikes.

Under the leadership of Sector Manager Inspector Welcome Shusha, the Bike Squad is making meaningful inroads in the fight against crime and in enforcing the municipal bylaws.

>> DONATIONS SPRUCE UP POLICE HOUSE

Sincere thanks to the generous folk who contributed in cash and kind to improve the living conditions of our SAPS reservists. The rented house at north entrance is much improved and now accommodates 16 personnel.

Grateful thanks are expressed to Gerald Myers, John & Maureen Moses, Louise Mohr, Althea Alford, and Paul Cole for the furniture, curtains and kitchen appliances & utensils kindly donated.

>> PLEASE LIGHT UP YOUR DRIVEWAY

Southbroom Urban Improvement Precinct has voted R100,000 for the installation of additional street lights. Around 20 will be installed at dark intersections to assist our Sector Police in the fight against crime.

The Municipal Budget has also recognised the urgent need for lighting and has provided a further R25,000.

Given the funding, many more points would be illuminated and ratepayers are urged to assist: Please illuminate your driveway entrances and, if you are not a permanent resident, please install a day/night switch to ensure that your lights are on every night.

Criminals do not enjoy being in the spotlight!

>> BLUE DUIKER RELEASED INTO BUSHBUCK TRAIL

The efforts of Southbroom Conservancy, in removing snares and alien invaders from the bushbuck trail, were rewarded last week when Craig Hoskins of Crags View Wild Care Centre released two rehabilitated blue duiker into the area.

Mention must be made of ratepayer Val Holtshausen and employee Rogers for the sterling work that they are doing in protecting Southbroom's wildlife. Rogers came on board recently and, following intensive training by Craig, he has already successfully found and removed numerous snares from the area.

Give wildlife, and especially the two new arrivals, a chance: If you think there may be snares in your area, click here to alert Val and Rogers. Sad but true, you need to know that:

Where there are builders, there will most likely be snares.