Rates - your rates explained
Rates are a form of local taxation, based on the value of the property you live in.
Revenue from rates, along with other income, for example from state government funding, is used to fund services and facilities such as road construction and road works, rubbish collections, street lighting, street cleaning, libraries, parks and community care services.
Rates and Revaluations
Under state government legislation, councils are required to revalue properties every two years. The purpose of the revaluation is to update the Council’s measure of how much your property is worth. The value at January 2012 will be used as a basis to determine rates.
Revaluations do not generate extra revenue for the Council, they simply redistribute the existing rate revenue across the city. The Council sets a ‘rate in the dollar’ which is then multiplied by the capital improved value (CIV) of the property.
The Council has increased the rate by an average of 6.3 per cent.
Reading Your Rates
The value of your property is listed on your rates notice as capital improved value (CIV). The residential rate in the dollar this year is set at 0.2428 cents. Multiplying these two figures will give you your rates charge.
There is a separate amount listed for waste. Adding this amount to your rates charge gives the total amount payable.
Paying Your Rates - Installments
Rates are paid in four installments:
- 30th September 2012;
- 30th November 2012;
- 28th February 2013; and
- 31st May 2013.
The installment amounts are listed on your rates notice.
If you make a payment of the full amount on the first installment date, no further notices will be issued until the 2013-2014 financial year.
All payment options are listed on your rates notice and include EFTPOS, cash, cheque, credit card, B-PAY and direct debit.
Pension Concessions
If you have made an application and a rebate was given for the previous year, you will receive a concession of $220.00 on this year’s notice.
Any ratepayer who holds a Centrelink Blue Pension Card or a Veteran Affairs Gold Card entitlement as TPI or War Widow and who has not received a rebate on the rate notice, should call the Council on 9932 1000.
An additional rebate of $20.00 is applicable to Veteran Affairs Gold Card TPI and War Widow entitlement holders.
Objections
If you do not agree with the valuation or the rate amount you may lodge an objection with the Council by calling 9932 1000.
If you are still unsatisfied you can lodge a formal objection in writing. Please note that your objection must be lodged within two months of receiving the notices.
General Queries
If you have a query about rates, including difficulty in paying rates, please see Frequently Asked Questions.