Newcastle residents may need to prepare for potential increases in their utility bills in the upcoming 2025/2026 financial year, as revealed during the Newcastle Municipality’s Mayoral Roadshows for its 5th Generation Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Review.
The event, held on Monday evening, 5 May 2025, at the Newcastle Town Hall, provided a platform for open dialogue between local leaders and residents.
Newcastle Mayor, Councillor Dube, took centre stage to present an overview of the Municipality’s proposed budget and strategic priorities for the forthcoming financial year. Cllr Dube’s address highlighted both ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Newcastillians, while also shedding light on the financial framework that will support these initiatives.
A key focus of the presentation was the proposed tariff adjustments for the 2025/2026 financial year, which could impact households across the town.
The proposed increases are as follows:
• Property Rates: 6%
• Electricity: 13%
• Water: 7%
• Sanitation: 6%
• Refuse: 6%
These adjustments, if approved, will contribute to the Municipality’s revenue streams, which are projected as follows:
• Electricity Service Charges: R1.015 billion
• Water Service Charges: R249.7 million
• Sewer Service Charges: R164.0 million
• Property Rates: R455.8 million
• Grants Equitable Share: R651.9 million
• Other Revenue: R1.436 million
Furthermore on the subject, the Municipality emphasised that the draft budget for 2025/2026, approved by the Council on 28 March 2025, had been submitted to both Provincial and National Treasury for further consideration.
With residents facing the daunting task of tightening their budgets even further, the Municipal Manager, Zamani Mcinecka highlighted that the electricity tariff had not yet been approved, and the Municipality wanted residents to provide their input into the proposed budget, although the National Energy Regulator Of South Africa (NERSA) and Eskom had the final say.
As the Newcastle community prepares for these proposed changes, the Municipality encouraged residents to share their perspectives and contribute to the ongoing dialogue. According to the entity, the Mayoral Roadshows serve as a testament to the Municipality’s dedication to fostering collaboration and ensuring that the voices of Newcastillians are heard.
With numerous households’ budgets already stretched, what are your thoughts on the proposed tariff increases and the Municipality’s plans for the 2025/2026 financial year?
Be sure to share your views in the comment section below.
6 Responses
Fruitless, nothing comes to fruition anyway.
Moneys are wasted anyway,look at our town.Roads and all. Things are already hard now they want to increase everything no man. How much more must we pay.I don’t agree.
Do these people in power ever think of how hard our lives are, we hardly afford nothing, I am battling even now with the municipal bill, with these proposed tarrifs of 6, 7 and 8% surely we are not being considered. It’s nice for them as they are sitting in glass offices and so decide willynilly about our lives
If the municipality collected all the money due from unpaid and arrear accounts, collected revenue diligently every month and stopped fruitless and wasteful expenditure there would be sufficient funds in the municipal coffers.
Totally agree. Especially our single parent homes that are barely making it every month. Bread winners are getting sick due to the stress and it’s one thing then the next. Our mental health is very important but who cares about you except yourself. Unfortunately our basic needs are taking a nose dive. It’s getting to a point where by one will only live for the day and hope for the best.
Ho
What what craziness is this…look at the roads in and outside town and the fillthy town especial in the CDD all these are the issues for some years. Monies for the residents is being wasted by the municipality officials and is amongst those municipaliies with no clean audit