About Your Rates
Council rates are a property-based tax. Therefore, the rates you pay are based on the value of the property you own. The Capital Improvement Value of the property is multiplied by the rate in the dollar set by the Council.
Watch the video below to find out what rate capping is and how rates are calculated.
Rating Differentials
Each year when we set the budget, we set what is called a rate in the dollar. We have a number of different rating categories, which are listed below. The Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property, which is determined by an independent valuer, is used to calculate your rates by multiplying it by the relevant rate in the dollar.
Below are examples of rates calculations based off a median house price of $695,000 for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. The examples do not include waste or fire service levy charges.
| Rating Category |
Rate in $ |
Total (based on CIV of $695,000) |
|
General Rate
|
0.00253571 |
$1,762.32 |
| Commercial/Industrial |
0.00329642 |
$2,291.01 |
| Vacant Land |
0.00456428 |
$3,172.17 |
| Farm |
0.00202857 |
$1,409.86 |
| Urban Living |
0.00228214 |
$1,586.09 |
| Residential Development |
0.00329642 |
$2,291.01 |
| Commercial/Industrial Vacant Land |
0.00608571 |
$4,229.57 |
Councils have significant powers to enforce the payment of rates and charges. The Local Government Act 1989 empowers Councils to charge penalty interest for late payment of rates and charges (s.177) to recover outstanding monies as a debt (s.180).
If your rates are not paid by the appropriate due dates then interest is charged at the rate of 10 per cent per annum on any amount outstanding. If you are paying by instalments then interest will be charged on the late instalment from the date that the instalment was due.
Rates and Charges are payable by four instalments. Instalment notices will be issued for the second, third and fourth instalments.
Payment for the four instalments can be made by direct debit or one of the other payment methods listed on the notice. You must complete a direct debit form and return it to Council for this option.
If you anticipate that you may have difficulty paying this account by the due date, please visit Paying Your Rates for more information. Arrangements can be made via weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments.
If you change your residential or mailing address you must advise Council's Revenue Office in writing as soon as practicable. You must also notify the Australian Electoral Office of your change of address as Council uses these details when it prepares the Voter's Roll.
If you sell your property, a Notice of Disposition must be lodged within one month of the date of the settlement. If you have engaged a Solicitor or a Conveyancing Agent, then they will normally attend to this on your behalf.