About Your Rates

How are rates calculated?

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.

For the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 the rates are as follows:-

What happens if I don’t pay my rates?

If your rates are not paid by the appropriate due dates then interest is charged at the rate of 10.5% per annum on any amount outstanding, dated back to the date the rates were declared by Council. If you are paying by instalments then interest will be charged on the late instalment from the date that the instalment was due.

Why do I pay so much interest when my rates are paid only one or two days late?

Council is bound by the Local Government Act to charge interest backdated to the date the rates were declared by Council, 11 July 2012, on any amount not being paid by instalments. The State Government administers the Local Government Act, as well as the Penalty Interest Rates Act under which the rate of interest is set. Council must comply with these provisions.

If I am unable to pay my rates either by lump sum or by four instalments what should I do?

All you need to do is contact Council's Revenue Office and arrange a weekly, fortnightly or monthly arrangement to suit your budget. Payments for arrangements made before 15 February 2013, will reduce your rate bill and therefore the amount of interest charged after that date.

What should I do if I change my address or sell my property?

If you change your residential or mailing address you must advise Council's Revenue Office in writing within one month of the change. 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.

Am I entitled to a rebate on my Rates?

If you are in receipt of a pension, you may be eligible for a rebate on your rates and charges.  In order to be eligible for a Pension Rebate you must meet the following criteria:

• You must hold a current Centrelink Pension or DVA Card (please note that Health Care Cards are not accepted);
• The property on which you are claiming the rebate must be your primary residence;
• You must not have claimed the rebate previously in the same financial year; and
• Your name must be on the Rates Account.  

Providing you meet the above criteria, you may be entitled to the State Rebate of $198 and Council's Rebate of $50, totalling $248.

Should you wish to apply for the Pension Rebate, please contact Council's Revenue Office on 5624 2411

Garbage Charges

The Council offers the following garbage collections:

• Household garbage, recycling and greenwaste collection;
• Additional 120L garbage bin;
• Additional 240L recycling bin;
• Industrial and commercial garbage and recycling collection;
• Industrial and commercial greenwaste collection;
• Tanjil Bren garbage collection; and
• Walhalla garbage collection.

For further information please call Waste Management on 5624 2411.