Rates and Charges 2009/2010

Council's increase in Ordinary Rate income for 2009/2010 is the allowed 3.5% (set by the State Government).

Due to the new land valuations a review of Council's rating structure for 2009/2010 was undertaken. The rates structure for 2009/2010 maintains the same percentage of rate yield contributed (collectively) by both the Residential / Farmland and Business sectors to those levels from 2008/2009.

This structure endeavours to reduce the impact on a number of ratepayers who would otherwise be significantly disadvantaged by rate increases associated with the new valuations.

Council applies a base amount and a rate in the dollar (ad valorem rate) on the land value for Residential and Farmland Ordinary Rates.

Council applies the ad valorem rate with minimum system for the Business Rate and the City Centre Business Rate Ordinary Rates.

The Environmental Special Rate is calculated with a base amount to raise approximately 50% of the levy with the balance raised as an ad valorem rate applied to land values.

A charge structure applies to water, sewerage / sewage, stormwater, trade waste and waste charges.

Click on the following link for Council's complete schedule of Fees and Charges 2009-2010 (684KB) (updated 09/09/09).

Impact on Residential Ratepayers

With a 3.5% rate variation, a typical residential ratepayer can expect a total rate increase (including annual and usage charges) of approximately $134.95 per annum (or $2.60 per week), which is a 5.7% increase from 2008/2009.

In this instance, the impact upon the typical residential ratepayer's rate notice and annual water usage accounts is as follows:

Rates and Charges	2008/2009	2009/2010	Increase
	$	$	Amount ($)	%
Residential Ordinary Rate	847.69	872.91	25.22	3
Environmental Levy	34.27	35.00	0.73	2.1
Sewerage Access Charge	630.00	676.00	46.00	7.3
Water Access Charge	113.00	124.00	11.00	9.7
Water Usage (200kl pa)	392.00	428.00	36.00	9.2
Domestic Waste Service	314.00	330.00	16.00	5.1
Stormwater Management	25.00	25.00	0.00	0.0
Total	2,355.96	2,490.91	134.95	5.7

The following comments should be considered in conjunction with the previous table:

The average residential land valuation in 2008/2009 was approximately $197,000. In 2009/2010, following the revaluation, the average residential land valuation has increased to approximately $205,000. These land valuations have been used in the determination of both the residential ordinary rate and environmental levy in the above table.
Water usage charges have been averaged at 200 kilolitres per annum.
Water, sewerage, stormwater management and domestic waste service charges are not subject to rate pegging restrictions.

Impact on Non-Residential Ratepayers (Farmland, Business or City Centre Business)

With a 3.5% rate variation, the average non-residential ratepayer can expect an increase to the ordinary rate component of their rate account as shown in the table below:


Ordinary Rate Component ONLY	2008/2009	2009/2010	Increase
	$	$	Amount ($)	%
Farmland Ordinary Rate	1,243.67	1,375.20	131.53	10.6
Business Ordinary Rate	2,995.73	2,935.56	-60.17	-2.0
Business City Centre Ordinary Rate	5,556.48	6,402.99	846.51	15.2

The following comments should be considered in conjunction with the above information:

The average farmland land valuation in 2008/2009 was approximately $327,000. In 2009/2010, following the revaluation, the average farmland land valuation has increased to approximately $373,000. These land valuations have been used in the determination of the average Farmland ordinary rate in the above table.
The average business land valuation in 2008/2009 was approximately $354,000. In 2009/2010, following the revaluation, the average business land valuation has increased to approximately $424,000. These land valuations have been used in the determination of the average Business ordinary rate in the above table.
The average business city centre land valuation in 2008/2009 was approximately $473,500. In 2009/2010, following the revaluation, the average business city centre land valuation has increased to approximately $661,500. These land valuations have been used in the determination of the average Business City Centre ordinary rate in the above table.

Please do not hesitate to contact Council's Rate Section on (02) 6648 4444 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) if you have any further questions concerning rates and charges.