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OVER R3 million could be generated annually from new levies, and used to make Observatory a more pleasant place to live in, provided that residents and business owners collectively agree to establish a Central Improvement District (CID) in the area.

The Observatory Civic Association (OCA) has begun mobilising efforts to establish the Observatory Improvement District (OID). The organising committee has until May to acquire support (by way of signatures) from 25% of the area's business owners and residents to advance the process.

A CID is a body that is established in an area to provide top-up services on those already provided by council, such as street cleaning. CIDs also assist local policing authorities to improve safety and security in the area. To pay for these added services, a levy must be deducted from ratepayers every month by the City of Cape Town.

Outlined in the OID business plan - to be submitted to council for analysis and appro?val - are about 2 000 residential properties currently in existence in Observatory, va?lued at about R 1,666 million, along with 574 commercial properties valued at R857 million, that will provide the proposed OID with R3,3 million annually.

A Section 21 company will be established to carry out its tasks and, in so doing, attract more economic growth to the area.

The levy is expressed as a cent in the rand of the rate value of every property in the area.

Brian Amery, a member of the OID organi?sing committee, warned residents of Obser?vatory fast becoming a "soft target" for criminals and other undesirable elements. Su?burbs such as Woodstock, Claremont and Sea Point have already established CIDs that work well.

"It works out that the average household in Observatory will be expected to pay around R80 per month to have these services, which is not that expensive," he says.

Pensioners who cannot afford to pay can apply for a special exemption.

Amery maintains that the key focus would be on ensuring that municipal regulations are adhered to, particularly relating to clea?ning, littering and dumping. The problems relating to homeless people would be holistically addressed. Crime is also a key focus area for OID.

This is not the first time residents have attempted to establish a CID in Observatory, and Amery suggests previous attempts failed as a result of lukewarm responses from residents and businesses. "... This time, I'm confident - we've got to get this thing right," he says.

While ratepayers can access the OID business plan on the internet, Amery also called for volunteers to help distribute pamphlets to inform residents of the proposal and hopefully secure their support.

After a support base of 25% has been achieved, a public meeting will be held to inform residents of the case and a written application made to council. The application must be advertised to allow for the receipt of possible objections. "We are under increasing pressure as we want to get this done by the end of May - before the end of council's current financial year - so that the whole process can be completed in time for the next financial year," says Amery.

Copies of the OID business plan can be viewed at the Observatory library, or on the website: www.orbz.org.za.

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