Council to decide how to utilize R 30 Million drought funding
9 October 2018
Oudtshoorn Municipality has been allocated R 30 million by the National Treasury and the National Disaster Management Centre for drought alleviation. This funding is part of a R 974 million allocated to the Western Cape Government towards disaster recovery programmes in the Province.
The funding came after the Municipality sought help from the Western Cape Provincial Government to alleviate water crisis the town is currently facing. The town's main water resource, the Koos Raubenheimer dam level is 44% full. The Municipal Council declared a local state of disaster due to critical water shortages early in August 2018 when the dam level was just above 30%.
"The Council welcomes the funding with great gratitude, and I believe the community of the Greater Oudtshoorn is as appreciative for this much needed relief," said the Executive Mayor, Cllr. Colan Sylvester.
"The onus is now of the Council to explore the different options that are available to appropriate the funds within the next three months," Mayor Sylvester added.