Payment Options and Key Dates for Payment.

1. Pay in full by the due date (28 August 2024)
2. Pay by two instalments (28 August 2024, 8 January 2025)
3. Pay by four instalments (28 August 2024, 29 October 2024, 8 January 2025, 14 March 2025)
4. Ease the burden by paying your rates on an ongoing basis through a fortnightly or monthly direct debit. Call rating services on 08 9377 8000

Please note options 2,3 & 4 incur fees and interest (pensioners/seniors are exempt)

What Are the Interest Charges on Overdue Amounts?

Under the Local Government Act, interest is charged on overdue amounts. Council has set this interest charge and it will be applied on a daily basis to amounts which are outstanding after 35 days from the date of issue of the rate notice. The rate set by Council for the 2024/25 financial year is 11% per annum which will accrue daily. The interest charge will continue to be applied daily until all rates and charges are paid in full. The interest charge is also applicable if you do not make an instalment payment on time and will apply to those ratepayers with special payment arrangements. An administration fee will apply to all special arrangements. Only eligible pensioners will be exempt from being charged the interest charge.

Are There Any Pensioner/Senior Concessions?

Pensioners who meet the following criteria may be eligible for a Concession on your rates, Emergency Services Levy and Underground Power:

1. Be the owner and occupy the property on the 1st of July of the New Financial Year
2. Hold a current Pensioner/Commonwealth Seniors health Card or Senior Concession card.

If you answered yes to both of these questions, please call the Water Corporation on 13 13 85 to register. The Water Corporation will notify the Town and an amended Rates Notice will be issued.

A pro-rata rebate may be available from the date of registration to Pensioners and Seniors that who become eligible after June 1^st, 2024.

If you are already registered, you do not need to re-register. However, if your circumstances have changed since your registration, you must notify Council immediately.

Entitled pensioners cannot defer payment of their Waste Service charge. To claim your Pension Rebate, your portion of the rates must be paid in full by the close of business before the end of the financial year, 30 June 2025.

Pension Rebate cap for 2024/25 - $750.00

Senior Rebate Cap for 2024/25 - $100.00

(As per the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992)

How Are My Rates Calculated?

Your rates are determined by multiplying the rate in the dollar struck by Council by the Gross Rental Value for your property.

For example,

Property has a GRV of $19,760 and the rate in the dollar is 8.1758 cents.

Rates Will be $19,760 x 8.1758 = $1,615.54

Gross Rental Value (GRV)

All properties are rated on the basis of their Gross Rental Value, which is the rental value that the property would be expected to realise if let on a tenancy in any year. Any improvements to your property eg: building a house on vacant land, additions to an existing house, are likely to increase the value of your property.

Fire and Emergency Services Levy

The Emergency Services Levy is forwarded to DFES to fund the Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Brigades, SES Units and DFES Units throughout Western Australia.

What If I Object to the Valuation of My Property?

If you feel that the valuation of your property is incorrect, you can lodge an objection against the valuation. This must be made in writing and received by the Valuer General, PO Box 2222, Midland WA 6936 or by Council within 60 days of the date of the issue of the rate notice. Please follow the link

https://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/

A person who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Valuer General in respect of the objection may, within 60 days of service of notice of that decision serve notice on the Valuer General requiring the objection to be treated as an appeal and referred to the Land Valuation Tribunal.

Section 6.76 of the Local Government Act 1995 provides the grounds on which, and the time and manner in which, individual objections and appeals to the Rate Book may be instituted. An objection to the Rate Book shall be made in writing to the Council within 42 days of the date of issue of this rate notice.

If you have lodged an objection, either against your valuation or the ratebook you must pay your rates in full by the due date. Refunds will be given where the valuation is reassessed.

2024/2025 Rating information

• Please refer to the Fees and Charges 2024-25 for all charges Fees & Charges

What If I'm Experiencing Financial Hardship?

The Town has developed a Financial Hardship Policy (6.29) to help people who are experiencing financial hardship and are seeking to enter into a payment agreement with the Town to pay off outstanding rates and service charges. Hardship applies if paying rates, charges or other debts due to the Town affects your ability to meet basic living needs such as a mortgage, rent, utility costs, food, clothing, medical treatment, education and other necessities. Hardship may arise from unemployment or under-employment, separation or divorce, caring for or supporting extended family, domestic or family violence, loss of a loved one, health problems, a chronically ill family member, business downturn, impact of natural disaster or a local, State or national emergency. Please find copy of the policy online, or you can pick one up in person or by phoning the Town on 9377 8000

To apply complete the Financial Hardship Application Form, or phone rating services on 9377 8000 to have an application mailed to you. Each application for financial hardship support will be considered on its merits and applicants will need to provide sufficient information, as outlined in the financial hardship policy, for the Town to assess their financial circumstances. Rates officers will discuss a payment agreement to clear the debt within three years, with administration fees and interest charges waived, subject to the application being approved and the payment agreement being adhered to.

Financial Hardship Policy

Financial Hardship Application Form

What If I Am Not Experiencing Financial Hardship but Need More Time to Pay?

The Town has developed a Recovery of Rates and Service Charges Policy (6.28) under which ratepayers who are unable to pay rates and service charges by the due date. You can apply by emailing [email protected] to enter into a payment agreement or phoning rating services on 9377 8000.

How Do I Apply for a Payment Agreement?

You will need to fill out a Payment Agreement Application Form, or you can pick one up in person or by phoning the Town on 9377 8000. A payment agreement will be structured to clear the debt due to the Town within a 12-month period and would normally require payments to be made by direct debit. Interest will continue to be payable on outstanding rates and service charges that are subject to a payment agreement with the Town.

Payment Agreement Application Form
Direct Debit Request Form

Additional Questions.

If you have any queries in regard to your rate notice, contact the Council’s Rates Section on 9377 8000 or visit the office between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays).

Statement of Objects and Reasons for the Levy of 2024/25 Differential Rates.

Please find the notice and Statement of Objects and Reasons for differential rates below.

Statement of Objects and Reasons for 2024/25 Differential Rates