Understanding levies and charges

Councils help local communities run smoothly. They administer services including community services, sporting and recreation services, environmental planning, public health, environmental protection and waste collection, treatment and disposal.

The rates you pay helps councils to fund these services.

Types of rates

Your rates are made up of several categories of fees. 

Ordinary Rates

All rateable land is liable for an Ordinary Rate. The type of Ordinary Rate depends on the rating category (or sub-category) applied to your property.

For Residential and Farmland Categories - the Ordinary Rate is calculated in two parts:

  1. the Base Amount, which is the same for everyone, and the
  2. Ad Valorem amount, using a rate per dollar multiplied by the property's land valuation.  

For Business Categories (or sub-category) 

The Ordinary Rate is calculated using a rate per dollar multiplied by the property's land valuation (a minimum applies).

Visit the Valuer General of New South Wales website to get more information about your land valuation

Special Rate - Environmental

The Environmental Special Rate applies to all rateable land. 

The rate is calculated in two parts:

  1. the Base Amount, which is the same for everyone, and the
  2. Ad Valorem amount, using a rate per dollar multiplied by the property's land valuation. 

The Environmental Special Rate provides funding for environmental projects.  

The determination of projects is based on the assessment of public and council submissions by an advisory committee of Council which includes members of the community. 

For further information on our Environmental Levy Program (along with other projects and activities to be undertaken by Council) please see our Operational Plan on our Planning and Reporting page.

Sewer Access Charge (Residential)

This charge applies to all land (including vacant land) that is within 75 metres of a sewerage main and able to be connected to City of Coffs Harbour's sewerage system (whether connected or not). 

Residential Sewer Access (Annual) Charges for occupied land are based on the number of occupations on the property. 

Sewer Access Charges (Non-Residential)

This charge applies to all land (including vacant land) that is within 75 metres of a sewerage main and able to be connected to City of Coffs Harbour's sewerage system (whether connected or not).

Non-Residential Sewer Access (Annual) Charges are calculated using the following components:

  1. The number and size of water meters servicing the property
  2. The Sewer Discharge Factor (SDF) allocated to these meters.

The SDF, in simple terms, is a percentage of your water usage deemed to be discharged into the sewerage system.

Water Access Charges (Residential)

This charge applies to all land (including vacant land) that is within 225 meters of a water main and able to be connected (whether connected or not). 

Residential Water Access (Annual)

Charges for occupied land are based on the number of occupations at the property. 

Water Access Charge (Non-Residential)

This charge applies to all land (including vacant land) that is within 225 meters of a water main and able to be connected (whether connected or not). 

For non-residential properties the charge is based on the number and size of water services at the property.

Waste Management Charges

Waste charges apply to properties serviced by the kerbside collection service or, in the case of vacant land, if the property is able to be serviced.  

Charges are generally calculated on the number of 3-bin services provided to the property. 

Non-Residential premises are charged a minimum of one waste charge for each premise.   

If the property is vacant land you are charged an annual vacant charge until a service is commenced. 

Effluent Charges

This charge applies to properties that are subject to effluent pump-out by Council's licensed Contractor.  

Additional charges (billed by the Contractor) apply for actual effluent removed.  

The annual charge is calculated on the number of pump-out outlets at the property. 

Onsite Sewage Management Fees

Apply to properties where onsite sewage management systems are installed. 

The fee is calculated on the number of systems multiplied by the unit price. 

Unit prices vary depending on whether the system has been deemed high, medium or low risk.

Trade Waste Annual Charges

This charge applies to properties that discharge trade waste into the sewerage system.

The annual charge is calculated on the number of trade waste generators at the property. 

Stormwater Management Charge

This charge applies to properties that are situated within  City of Coffs Harbour's stormwater catchment areas.  

Residential properties pay a flat annual charge while non-residential properties pay an annual charge based on land area.  

Further Information

For further information on our rating structure please see Statement of Revenue Policy within City of Coffs Harbour Operational Plan on our Planning and reporting page