Swakopmund Municipality

::NEWS ITEMS 2004

15 December 2004 09:01

Updated Strategic Action Plan

Council resolved that the following projects receive priority for the next year and that they are considered during the budgeting process:
(i)Multi-purpose Centre.

(ii)Public Toilets at the Long Distance Taxi Rank and Shinedima Soccer Field.

(iii)Regulation of Shacks.

(iv)Meeting with Investors to Swakopmund, placing the emphasis on investments in Tamariskia and Mondesa.

(v)HIV/Aids: Increase Council’s Involvement.

(vi)Outsource pre-paid metering.

(vii)Establish a Liaison Committee between Council and the Public.

13 December 2004 09:48

2004 Annual Mayoral Report

Please click here to view the Mayor's 2004 annual report.

10 December 2004 14:11

Application for Quarry Rights

Council approved the application of Messrs Quarry Ventures to operate a quarry to north of the existing Dumping Site for the purpose of braking dimensional rock to be used for the construction for the breakwater for the yacht harbour of the Waterfront Development.
The final route for the flow of traffic from the proposed quarry to the Waterfront Development be determined in consultation with the Traffic Section and the Town Engineer’s Department.

Due to the possible benefits to Council, the Town Clerk, Town Engineer and Town Secretary be tasked to negotiate the period and the cost of the lease of the site with the applicant, with report back to Council. Benefits to Council would be cheaper crusher run for the construction of tarred roads. Aggregate for concrete would also be available at a much cheaper cost. Once the quarry is mined the cavity can be used by Council as a future landfill site.

The lease shall further be subject to the following conditions, which will serve as a guideline for the intended agreement:

(i)The applicant to provide all the infrastructural services to the area for its own account and to the specifications of the civil- and electrical engineers.

(ii)The applicant shall be responsible for the hygienic disposal of all sewerage and wastewater to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer and Town Health Officer.

(iii)That the applicant contributes to the adequate maintenance of the roads he intends to use and that any damage caused to the road surfaces by vehicles transporting stone from the quarry be for his account.

(iv)That the requirements regarding the lease of immovable property as prescribed in the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992, be dealt with successfully.

(v)That all costs related to this transaction (advertising- and any legal costs, etc. that may arise from this transaction) shall be borne by the applicant.

(vi)That the applicant indemnify and keep Council indemnified from any damage caused due to either blasting or transporting stone to the Waterfront.

10 December 2004 13:15

Request to Operate Pub Approved

Council approved the application of Messrs Doubles Sports Bar to operate a Place of Amusement (a bar, pool table and TV Monitors) on erf 228(E), as no objections in response to the notice placed in the media have been recieved.
They must register with the health department and the standard health regulations will apply.

Consent use will be subject to the following:
That Council reserves the right, to cancel a consent use should there be valid complaints.
That they must operate within the Town Planning Regulations.
That operating hours be Monday to Saturday until 24h00 and Sundays until 22h00.

10 December 2004 12:45

Request For Film Locations

Council approed the application for shooting of the film Endless Horizons in Swakopmund from 12-25 November 2004.
A Location fee of N$8000 will be charged in advance for the use of Municipal premises for 2 days.

1 November 2004 12:01

Local Tender Board

In terms of the TB regulations the term of office of the Public Representation members lapses after three years. Only one secunda was replaced due to the non-availability of the previous secundi. At the same time all officials serving as Board Members have been re-appointed.
The Board is constituted as follows:

Town Clerk (Chairperson)
Town Engineer (Vice Chairperson)
Deputy Town Electrical Engineer
Town Treasurer
Community Services Manager
Two Members of the Public

1 November 2004 11:38

Public Private Partnership

After approving the PPP policy, Council has now resolved that initially 4 groups will be accommodated under the Street Cleaning Project.
Individuals wishing to participate in a PPP will have to register with the Town Health Officer, whereafter the PPP Committee will verify the applications and identify suitable applicants.

1 November 2004 11:33

Odours at Sewerage Works

Recently obnoxious odours emanating from recycled water have been experienced. After investigating the matter it was found that the sludge pump in the Primary Settlement Tank was not pumping settled sludge due to a telemetric switching fault.
The matter has in the meantime been attended to and the water quality should be back to normal soon, i.e. no more obnoxious smells should be experienced.

If members of the public experience bad smells emanating from the Sewerage Works or the Purified Effluent, they are kindly requested to contact the Town Engineer’s office.

1 November 2004 11:25

Implementation of 2% Tourism Levy

Council noted the requirements of the Namibian Tourism Act and resolved to implement the 2% tourism levy as laid down in the Act with effect from 1 November 2004. This will affect the tariffs accordingly as from 1 November 2004.

29 September 2004 12:25

Recreational Facilities on Beach

New recreational facilities on the beach area south of the Waterfront have been approved by Council of which the first phase should be completed by December 2004.
An amount of N$1 000 000,00 have been budgeted for this purpose.

29 September 2004 12:10

Sports Complex Information

The SFC Inline Skating Club approached Council to consider the possibility to obtain ground for their own Indoor Sports Facility. As this is in line with Council's proposed Indoor Sports Facility for a number of sporting disciplines, Council in principle approved making available land between the two grass fields of the Central Sports Grounds for a joint Indoor Sports Complex.
The Community Service Manager is now tasked to arrange a meeting with all stakeholders, including the Swakopmund Sports Committee to discuss the creation of such a sports facility with feedback to Council for final consideration.

29 September 2004 12:17

Petition on Negative Building

A Petition was received on 9 August 2004 from residents concerning the alleged negative results of the recent "reckless building activities" in Swakopmund.
As Council on 10 august 2004 already resolved that another initiative be taken by the Swakopmund Residents Heritage Committee should be supported and they were invited to submit their proposal to Council, Council now subsequently resolved that the petitioners give their input to the Heritage Conservation Committee in Swakopmund.

27 August 2004 8:42

Renovation of the Jetty

Council provided funds to the amount of N$2 000 000,00 for the renovation of the Jetty in its current budget. Some developers have approached Council to consider negotiating directly with them for the renovations of the Jetty. Council resolved rather call for tenders for the renovation of the Jetty.
The development includes the construction of a steel beam structure with a timber deck and hand rails, or similar and equal to, over the first section of the Jetty.

26 August 2004 9:05

Dissaproval of Ext. Appearance - Erf 128

The much publicly debated proposed development on erf 128 was discussed at Council on 24 August 2004.
Council did not approve the external appearance of the proposed development as it does not fit into the architectural surroundings.

26 August 2004 8:55

Mayoral Media Release On Crime

Please click here to read the Mayoral media release about crime.

26 August 2004 8:47

Swakopmund to host 54th ALAN Congress

Council resolved that it will host the 54th ALAN Congress in Swakopmund from 16 - 17 September 2004 at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre, which includes a Mayoral Dinner for the expected 300 delegates to the value of N$55 000,00.
Accommodation will be provided at the Swakopmund Restcamp and arrangements will be made to offer a breakfast as well.

26 August 2004 8:45

Quarrying rights on Swakopmund Townloads

Council considered the application for sole quarrying rights in Swakopmund Townlands. Council in principle approved the establishment of quarry mining however not on the basis of sole rights.
The applicant shall identify a suitable area and submit an environmental impact study to Council for final approval.

10 December 2004 12:01

Updated Strateic Action Plan

Council resolves that the following projects recieve priority for the next year and that they are considered during the budgeting process.
Multi-purpose center
Public toilets at the long distance taxi rank and shinedima soccer field
Regulation of shacks
Meeting with investors to Swakopmund placing the emphasis on investments in Tamariskia and Mondesa
Increased involvement in HIV/AIDS
Outsourcing pre-paid metering
Establish a liason committee between the council and the public

26 August 2004 8:39

Budget 2004/2005 Financial Year

In Council's running budget Council did not fully pass on the bulk water tariff increase to its consumers. The lower tariffs were not increased at all and the higher consumers were only subjected to a 5% increase.
However, the Ministry of Regional, Local Government & Housing informed Council that water tariff increases should be in line with the Namwater increase of 12%. Council resolved that water tariff subsequently be increase that various between 6% and 10%.

19 February 2004 8:12

Electronic Payment of Consumer Accounts

Problems are still being experienced with consumers who are under the impression that electronic payment of consumers' accounts will be reflected on Council's bank account on the same day that payments are made.

It was confirmed by all local banks that it can take up to 3 days before payments made from one bank to another will be reflected on the beneficiary's statements.

Due to the fact that receipts can only be issued once the payments are reflected on Council's bank account, you are kindly requested to make electronic payments at least 3 days before the due date quoted on your consumer's account.

Please note that confirmation of such payments, as well as any other direct deposits, must still be faxed to our office (for the attention of Ms M Bester) in order to facilitate with identifying deposits on the bank account. Also, it will ensure that the electricity supply will not be discontinued due to default payment.

Details of Council's bank account and fax facilities are as follows:

Bank - Bank Windhoek
Branch - Swakopmund
Account no. - 1042788135
Branch code - 481772

Fax no. - 064 - 4104209 (Attention: Ms M Bester)