The City of Windhoek Council has approved a property rates framework aimed at bringing clarity and resolving a long-standing matter affecting property owners in Brakwater and other areas incorporated into the city through boundary extensions.
The Brakwater residents expressed concern over paying the same property rates as other Windhoek residents, despite receiving different levels of municipal services.
After reviewing prior Council decisions and relevant legislation, the Council determined that property rates should not be directly tied to the specific services provided to individual property owners.
Instead, property rates are a municipal tax used to fund services and infrastructure that benefit the city as a whole, including roads, parks, street lighting, stormwater systems, and other public facilities, the City explained.
To promote fairness and provide certainty, Council has established that uniform property rate factors will apply to all rateable properties within Windhoek’s municipal boundaries, inclusive of Brakwater and other areas affected by boundary extensions.
Additionally, the Council has approved a 75% rebate for farms and small holdings primarily utilized for agricultural purposes.
This means that qualifying properties will only be responsible for paying 25% of the standard property tax and solid waste management tariffs.
Source: The Villager Newspaper
