 | IDP Open Days give the community an opportunity to shape the Drakenstein of tomorrow
30 March 2026 | Press Releases |
30 March 2026
It is that time of the year again when residents, businesses and other stakeholders in Drakenstein get the opportunity to give their input to help shape the Drakenstein of the future.
Drakenstein Municipality's Draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Draft Budget for the 2026/27 financial year, Budget-related policies and proposed tariffs, as well as its Draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF) were tabled at the Council meeting on Monday, 30 March 2026, and are now open for public comment.
Dr Johan Leibbrandt, City Manager of Drakenstein Municipality, says: “The Municipality's IDP is a strategic roadmap that guides it in delivering services, investing in infrastructure, and facilitating growth. The IDP is a community-driven process, and the goal is to plan in consultation with the community."
The IDP outlines progress on current projects, details new initiatives, and highlights how the Municipality plans to address crucial issues, such as public safety, service delivery challenges, infrastructure upgrades, illegal dumping, and social development.
The Municipality reviews and updates the IDP every year, asking the public to help refine and strengthen the plan.
Members of the public can also comment on the Draft Budget, Budget-related policies and the following tariff increases, which are proposed for the 2026/27 financial year:
- Electricity: 6.3%;
- Water: 7.7%;
- Sanitation: 4.5%;
- Refuse removal: 4.5%; and
- Property rates: 3.7%.
The Municipality further invites comments on its Draft SDF, a spatial map that shows how the needs and proposals identified in the IDP will be incorporated into long-term planning.
Drakenstein Municipality's Draft IDP can be viewed here, its Draft Budget here, and its Draft SDF here.
IDP Open Days
The Municipality encourages all residents, businesses and other stakeholders to participate in its annual public engagement series, which runs throughout April 2026. As in previous years, the IDP Open Days are presented across all 33 wards, where community members can:
- Highlight service delivery challenges unique to their neighbourhoods;
- Propose new ideas;
- Speak directly with municipal officials; and
- Find out how Drakenstein Municipality plans projects and allocates budgets.
The Open Days are scheduled from 16:00 to 19:00 on the following dates:
| No. | Town/Area | Venue | Date | Wards |
1.
| Paarl East 1 | Paarl East Thusong Centre | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 | 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 24, 32 |
2.
| Paarl East 2 | Paulus Joubert Primary School | Tuesday, 14 April 2026 | 25, 26, 27, 33 |
3.
| Wellington | Wellington Town Hall | Wednesday, 15 April 2026 | 2, 7, 10, 11, 18, 29 |
4.
| Mbekweni 1 | Mbekweni Community Hall | Wednesday, 15 April 2026 | 5, 6, 8 |
5.
| Mbekweni 2 | Mbekweni Thusong Centre | Thursday, 16 April 2026 | 9, 12, 16 |
6.
| Gouda | Gouda Community Hall | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | 31 |
7.
| Saron | Saron Community Hall | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | 30 |
8.
| Southern Paarl | Paarl Town Hall | Wednesday, 22 April 2026 | 4, 15, 23, 28 |
9.
| Northern Paarl | NG Kerk Paarlberg | Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 3, 17, 19 |
10.
| Simondium | Simondium Community Hall | Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 1 |
Help shape Drakenstein's future
Members of the public can submit their comments on the Draft IDP, Draft Budget, Budget-related policies and proposed tariffs via email to idp@drakenstein.gov.za, and input on the Draft SDF via email to customercare@drakenstein.gov.za on or before 30 April 2026.
After the public participation period closes, all feedback is carefully considered and incorporated into the final IDP, Budget and SDF, which will be tabled at the Drakenstein Municipal Council meeting at the end of May 2026.
[ENDS]
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
About Drakenstein Municipality
Located an hour's drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, Drakenstein Municipality encompasses Paarl, Wellington, Mbekweni, Gouda, Hermon, Saron and Simondium. It boasts the largest economy in the Cape Winelands and is home to 311 601 residents. Drakenstein Municipality is one of the country's most financially sound, well-governed, stable and sustainable municipalities - recognised specifically for its good governance and service excellence. The Municipality has been rated South Africa's number one secondary city and has, since 2011, achieved 11 clean audits.
Visit our website at www.drakenstein.gov.za or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
