Rates and Charges for 2008/2009

The following contains information about the rates and charges for 2008/2009. Please note that the rates and charges are subject to change each rate year. Please click on the following highlighted links:

The following is an example of how rates will be calculated on a residential property with a land value of $300,000:

Residential Rates (Ad Valorem)* 0.001520 x $300,000 = $456.00
*(Land Value multiplied by Rate in $)
Residential Rate (Base Charge) = $375.00
Environment Levy (Ad Valorem) 0.0000679 x $300,000 = $20.37
Standard Domestic Waste Service - 240 Litre Bin = $261
Stormwater Management Service Charge - $25.00

Calculation of business rates

The following is an example of how rates will be calculated on a general business property with a land value of $300,000:

Business Rate (Ad Valorem)* 0.004765 x $300,000 = $1429.50
*(Land Value multiplied by Rate in $)
Environment Levy (Ad Valorem) 0.0000679 x $300,000 = $20.37
Stormwater Management Service Charge - $25.00

The rating category or subcategory is shown on your rates notice. If you don't agree with the category we have given your land, you or your agent can ask for a review. Applications must be submitted in writing.

Of course, if the category of your property is different to that shown on the rates notice, it is your obligation to notify Council of the correct category.

If you are dissatisfied with Council's declaration of the category of your land after it has been reviewed, or the date the category of your land is to take effect, you may appeal to the Land and Environment Court within 30 days after the declaration is made under Section 526 of the Local Government Act, 1993.

but because of its zoning or permitted use, the land is valued for rating purposes in a way that reflects its zoning or permitted use, rather than its actual use.

The rates postponed relate to the portion of the value that the Valuer General determines is related to its zoned or permitted use.

If you wish to discuss whether you are eligible to receive the benefit of postponed rates or would like an application form to be sent to you, please call Council's Rates Section on 9821 9236.

In general, mixed development rating allows a property to receive a combination of residential and Business rates (providing a form of rating relief in most cases) due to the property having dual usage. For example, a residential property may also double as a pre-school, or doctor's surgery, or solicitors office, etc. Therefore, the residential and business rates will be levied, according to the proportion that each usage has to the whole of the property.

Previously, mixed development land was categorised according to its dominant use. So if a property was used for dual purposes, for example a residence and a preschool, and the pre-school was determined to be the dominant use, the property would have been categorised and business rates would apply.

The Local Government Act, 1993 was amended during 1997 by the Local Government Amendment Act, 1997, which provided for mixed development rating and took effect from 1 July 1997.

This amendment allows a parcel of land occupied, or used solely as one building comprising a residence and a business, to be considered for mixed development rating if it can be separately occupied for both business and residential purposes. If it is not currently occupied or used it must be constructed, or adapted, or designed, so that it can be separately occupied for both residential or business purposes.

The Valuer General's Department supplies Council with a Mixed Development Apportionment Factor (MDAF). For land subject to mixed development rating, the MDAF is determined by calculating the proportion that the rental value of the business part, bears to the rental value of the land as a whole. The result is expressed as a percentage.

Rates and charges are apportioned according to the MDAF. If, for example, a parcel of mixed development land has an MDAF of 60 per cent, rates and charges would be apportioned as Residential 40 per cent and Business 60 per cent.

Any additional information you may require regarding mixed development rating can be obtained by contacting Council's Rates Section on 9821 9236.

Change of name

If you have changed your name, a copy of your Marriage Certificate or change of name by Deed Poll must be sent with your written notification or faxed to 9821 9333.

If your current postal address is different from the address shown on the front of the rates notice please notify us immediately in writing by fax, post, phone or email.

Other errors

If there are any other errors regarding your details on your rates notice, please notify us immediately in writing by fax, post, phone or email.

If you have an agent managing your property, they may advise us directly in writing on your behalf.

Council must levy a separate charge for domestic waste management services. The costs of these services cannot be financed from ordinary rates and the charge must be sufficient to recover the reasonable costs of providing the services.

Domestic waste management charges include garbage, clean-up and recycling services.

The current annual domestic waste management charge for a regular service is $270.00 (per dwelling or unit).

Domestic waste management charges are exempt from Goods and Services Tax (GST), under Division 81, determination entitled A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) (Exempt Taxes, Fees and Charges) Determination 2001.