Council Rates

2012/2013 Rating Strategy Summary

In setting the 2012/2013 financial year rates we have considered our Strategic Plan, the current economic climate, the specific issues faced by our community, imposed legislative change and the need to manage, maintain and improve the community's physical infrastructure assets for future generations.

The fundamental principle of equity within the community and assessment of the impact of rates across the area forms the criteria for annual rates modeling which is then used to develop a planned review of the basis of rating each year. 

Method Used to Value Land

All land within a council area, except for land specifically exempt (eg. crown land and Council occupied land), is rateable. The City of Tea Tree Gully has decided to continue to use capital value as the basis for valuing land within the council area. The Council has adopted the valuations made by the SA Valuer General as provided to the Council on 26 June 2012. If you are dissatisfied with a property valuation then an objection may be made to the Valuer General in writing (refer to the reverse side of the rate notice). It is important to note that the lodgment of an objection does not change the due date for payment of rates.

Differential Rating

Council has adopted a differential rating system to apply to the capital value of a property.

The differential rating system is applied as per the table below.

The minimun rate remains at $980 - the same level as last financial year.

Service Charge

The Council provides a Community Waste Management System to a number of properties within the Council area. Costs are recovered through a service charge of $455 for each connected property unit and $315 for each unconnected property for which the service is available. Where the service is provided to nonrateable land, a service charge is levied against the land.

Separate Rate

A program to convert a series of specified properties from Community Waste Management System (CWMS) to the SA Water sewer, approved by the Minister of Local Government, commenced in 2000/2001. The separate rate for those properties for the 2012/2013 financial year is $300.

Natural Resources Management Levy

Council collect a regional Natural Resources Management (NRM) Levy on all rateable properties on behalf of your regional NRM Board. The NRM Board invests this levy in managing and protecting priority water, land, marine and biodversity assets. For general NRM Levy enquiries please call the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board on (08) 8273 9100.

Payment of Rates

The Council has decided that the payment of rates will be due on 1 September, December, March and June. Council provides a broad range of payment options for the payment of rates. Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to, experience difficulty with meeting the standard payment arrangements are invited to contact the Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444 to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Such enquiries are treated confidentially.

Late Payment of Rates

The Local Government Act provides that councils impose an initial fine of 2 per cent on any payment for rates that are received late. A payment that continues to be late is then charged a prescribed interest rate on the expiration of each month that it remains outstanding. The Council issues an overdue account for payment of rates when rates are unpaid by the due date. Should rates remain unpaid more than 30 days after the issue of the overdue account then the Council refers the debt to a debt collection agency. The debt collection agency charges collection fees that are recoverable from the ratepayer.

Rebates

The Local Government Act requires councils to rebate rates payable on some land. Specific provisions are made for land used for health services, community services, religious purposes, public cemeteries, the Royal Zoological Society and educational institutions. Council has discretionary powers to provide further rebates, remissions or postponements on rates payable for a number of specific situations. Further information on policy, guidelines and criteria can be obtained by contacting the Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444.

Postponement of Rates

Recent changes to the Local Government Act provide the option for State Seniors Card holders to apply to postpone, on a long-term basis, part of their Council rates. The deferred amount is subject to a monthly interest charge, with the accrued debt being payable on the disposal or sale of the property. However, the debt may be paid at any earlier time at the ratepayer's discretion. A ratepayer who holds, or is in the process of applying for a State Seniors Card may apply for postponement of a portion of the Council rates payable on property they own or are buying. This applies if it is their principal place of residence. It is also a requirement that no other person other than their spouse has an interest as owner of the property. Please telephone the Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444 to discuss your application and lodge your application form. This will provide an opportunity for you to obtain more information about the Postponement of Rates Scheme and the conditions that will apply, and for any questions or concerns you might have to be discussed.

Postponement of Rates for State Seniors Card Holders - Information Sheet(140 kb)

Postponement of Rates for Seniors - Application Form(135 kb)

Maximum Rate Increase / Rate Capping

If you are in receipt of a State Government funded concession on your Council rates and your rates have increased more than 7 per cent this year, you may be eligible for a rate cap and would have received a rebate on your rates notice. Rate capping will not be applied where there have been capital improvements on the property, or where the ownership of the property has changed in the last 12 months. Please telephone the Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444 to make enquiries if you feel that you are eligible for a rebate and it has not been included on your account.

Sale of Land for Non-payment of Rates

The Local Government Act provides that a council may sell any property where the rates have been in arrears for three years or more. The Council is required to notify the owner of the land of its intention to sell the land if payment of the outstanding amount is not received within a given period, and provide the owner with details of the outstanding amounts. Except in extraordinary circumstances the Council enforces the sale of land for arrears of rates after four years - a copy of this policy is available from the Council.

Summary

Method of Payments

Payment of rates are due on the 1st working day of September, December, March and June.

• Telephone & Internet banking -BPAY
• Direct Debit - Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly and annually - see below
• Via Council's Online Services 
• Credit Card - Call Council on 8397 7444
• Centrepay
• Australia Post: http://www.postbillpay.com.au/
• Australia Post Billpay on 131816
• At any Post Office
• In person, at the Council offices, (EFTPOS facilities are available)
• By mail, cheque or money order to Council. 

"Set and Forget" - Direct Debit Your Council Rate Payments

Take the worry out of remembering to pay your Council Rates by arranging direct debit payments. You can arrange to have weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly payments debited from either your cheque or savings account. Please download a Direct Debit Request Form or contact Council's Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444 for further information.

Please note: any request for changes/additions to direct debit arrangements must be made within two clear working days before the next direct debit date to allow for processing.

Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to, experience difficulty with meeting the standard payment arrangements are invited to contact the Rates Department on (08) 8397 7444 to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Such inquiries are treated confidentially.

Further Details

Please go to the Public Documents webpage to access a copy of the Annual Business Plan.