About Council Rates

Rates cover the financial year from 1 July to 30 June and are generally issued by mid August. GST is not applicable to Council rates.

How are rates calculated?

Rates are based on the capital improved value (CIV) of each property calculated by the rate in the dollar (set annually by Council) together with a base component being the Municipal Charge.  The Council currently uses a differential rating system. This means there is a different rate in the dollar assessed for each different property type or category. Information on Council's differential rate definitions, objectives and rates can be located in "Appendix B : Statutory Disclosures" section of the Annual Budget. Below are details of the rating structure for the 2012-2013 rating period.

General Rate

0.00336262 rate in the dollar;
plus $225.00 municipal charge;
plus $236.00 waste charge including green waste per service (where applicable); or,
        $217.00 waste charge excluding green waste per service (where applicable).

Farm Rate

0.00302636 rate in the dollar;
plus $225.00 municipal charge (unless exempt);

plus $236.00 waste charge including green waste per service (where applicable); or,
        $217.00 waste charge excluding green waste per service (where applicable).

Commercial/Industrial Rate

0.00487580 rate in the dollar;
plus $225.00 municipal charge.
Waste Service is not available to commercial/ industrial properties.

Council uses revenue from rates to fund services within the shire. The annual Council Budget sets a rate-in-the-dollar value, which is multiplied by the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property to determine your rates.

What do I get for my rates?

Your rates help to fund a wide range of services including libraries, community centres, kindergartens, school crossings, playgrounds, sports grounds, skate parks, health programs, immunisations, recreation centres, swimming pools, public toilets, animal control, mosquito control, planning and building, the Livestock Exchange, aerodromes, boat ramps, jetties, marinas, roads, bridges, footpaths, street lighting, the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub, grants to the community, food safety, waste collection and management, events, festivals, tourism promotion, and Meals on Wheels.

Waste Management Costs

Council’s waste service includes kerbside waste collection (where applicable), street litter bins and public place recycling, waste disposal site management and environmental compliance, transfer trailer operation and payment of the State Government landfill levy.

The cost of waste management has increased again this year.

State Government requirements relating to the rehabilitation of many Shire landfills that closed over 10 years ago are further compounding waste service cost increases. These rehabilitation costs are expected to cost the Shire around $14 million over the next five years.

This increase is largely attributable to a 10.0% rise in the State Government landfill levy of an additional $2.20 per tonne for domestic waste and $3.90 per tonne for commercial waste.

In order to reflect the increasing costs associated with waste services across the Shire accurately, your Rates Notice contains a specifically itemised waste management costs component.