MALKERNS FREEZES TARIFF FOR ACTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND

MBABANE – In a bid to ensure that Malkerns remains an agricultural town, the Board has also considered not to increase rating tariffs for active agricultural land.

This is as per the Malkerns Town Board 2019/20 annual report. Malkerns has existed as a predominantly agricultural area for many years, with pineapple cultivation and fruit canning as the major activities.

In the report, the Board stressed on the importance of ensuring that Malkerns remained an agricultural town and no agricultural land was to be used for other purposes. 

consideration

“In ensuring that, the Board has also taken consideration not to increase rating tariffs for active agricultural land which still remains sat 0.2 per cent,” reads the report .

The Board further committed to broaden revenue base so as to reduce burden from property owners and central government. 

Meanwhile, Malkerns’ economic activities are largely derived from agricultural activities within the town boundary.

 The activities comprises mainly of farming which has a wide range of activities including agro business farming (diversified into arable farming, pastoral farming and mixed farming), retail outlets, township development, two filling stations, offices and public transport services (passing through). 

By the close of the financial year under review, the town had managed to realise 61.2 per cent of total operating revenue. Total budgeted expenditure stood at 62 per cent.

“A larger part of this expenditure went towards operational costs while a lesser amount towards development initiatives,” reported the town.

gratitude

Chairperson of the Board Councillor Fitzpatrick extended their gratitude to all stakeholders for their continued participation and interests of the town.

“Through your participation, we have been able to complete the development of our Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2020-2025. This tool provides a guiding framework for the development in the town.

 We have properly interpreted your submissions and came up with a comprehensive implementation plan which we have already started implementing,” said the chairperson.

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