OUDTSHOORN NEWS - The Oudtshoorn Municipality issued a formal statement today, 23 October, addressing the concerns raised by the local business community regarding significant changes in refuse billing for October 2024.
The issue stems from the implementation of a new refuse count conducted in May 2024, which was designed to improve billing accuracy. However, the delayed implementation of the new count until October led to confusion and a noticeable rise in the bills for many businesses.
According to Aurelia Mle, liaison officer for the municipality, the Executive Mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn, Johan Allers, alongside Senior Management, has announced the following steps to resolve this issue :
1. Suspension of the New Refuse Count
The implementation of the new refuse count will be temporarily suspended until November 2024. As a result, the refuse billing for October will revert to the previous system, alleviating the financial pressure on affected businesses.
2. Business Notification and Opportunity for Appeal
The municipality will formally notify all affected businesses of the new refuse count through multiple communication channels. Businesses that are dissatisfied with the new calculations will have the option to appeal. Complaints must be submitted via the Collab customer care system to the Refuse Manager or the Superintendent of Refuse. The deadline for submitting appeals is set for 15 November 2024.
3. Correction of July–October Billing
The refuse billing for the period from July to October 2024 will be adjusted to reflect the old count system. The municipality will ensure that accounts are corrected accordingly.
4. No Extra or Retrospective Charges
When the new refuse count comes into effect in November 2024, businesses will not face any retrospective charges. The new billing will only apply to future billing cycles starting in November.
5. New Refuse Count Starts in November 2024
The revised refuse count will officially be implemented with the November 2024 billing cycle, and businesses can expect the changes to reflect from that point onward.
In the statement, Mayor Allers apologized for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the implementation of the new refuse count and encouraged businesses to engage with the municipality should they have any further concerns or questions.
‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’
