The controversial Property Rates Bill was saved from delays last night when the select committee for local government relented and asked the department to investigate further the amendments it wanted to make.

Changes to the bill would have blocked its passage into law until the new Parliament had been elected, or incurred the huge expense of recalling the full National Assembly for a few hours of work.

In its report to the National Council of Provinces, the select committee said that it would have liked to propose amendments to clauses 17 and 18 of the bill.

However, it conceded that the mooted amendments would need further assessment and investigation before a specific proposal could be formulated.

The committee wanted to increase the bill's stipulated R15000 limit on the value of properties exempt from municipal rates.

The provincial and local government department has now been asked to investigate the appropriateness of the R15000 threshold , with a view to increasing the amount, and to report back to the committee within 12 months.

The full council of provinces was due to debate the bill today.