GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Just as winter arrives with a vengeance, residents will have to dig deeper in their pockets to keep warm, as the annual electricity price increase takes effect.
In accordance with NERSA, electricity prices have risen by 7% in all towns in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality.
This seems steep after last year's modest increase of less than 2% and will see a household with metered electricity using 700kwh paying about R100 more than last year. The increase in VAT from 14% to 15% also plays a small part in the increased cost to the consumer.
In the former Camdeboo area, there is a block system in place, whereby each unit of electricity used is not charged at the same rate. The more electricity that is used, the higher the price charged per unit.
In Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Nieu Bethesda, looking at the new rates for domestic metered consumers in town, the first 50 units (block 1) are charged at R1.09 per unit (including VAT).
From 51 to 350 units, the charge is R1.38 - an increase of 27% per unit over the block 1 price. A further hike of 28% applies for the next 250 units in block 3 used (R1.76 per unit), and if a household uses more than 600 units, each unit is then charged at R2.05 - a massive 88% more per unit than the first fifty units.
It obviously pays to try to use as few units in these top blocks as possible.
Water rates are calculated on a sliding scale, and the concession which many remember of getting the first 10 kilolitres free was discontinued in Camdeboo two years ago. Customers who use a large amount of water will pay dearly for the extra kilolitres used, as the rate per kilolitre with high consumption is considerably higher - almost three times the basic rate.
This should serve as a clear reminder to fix any water leaks as soon as possible. Water rates have increased for the former Camdeboo by 6%. The first 15 kilolitres are charge at R5.09 each, then block 2, from 16kl-25kl, cost R7.04, and the top rate of R12,68 per kilolitre is charged for usage over 25kl. The refuse tariff has been standardised across the whole municipality and increased to the highest tariff currently on the tariff structure according to a notice published from the Municipal Manager recently.
This means an increase for Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda from R57 to R95. Sanitation costs increase to R95.24 per month, just over R6 more than before.
Property rates have increased again this year, with the new rate for the former Camdeboo being 0.76c for every rand value of the property for residential properties.
The first R15 000 of the property's value is exempt. As an example, a property valued at R800 000 will be liable for R5966 per year, or just under R500 per month.
Although tabled as being effective from 1 July, in practice the new tariffs apply from the date of the June reading (usually around the middle of the month).
