YOUR RATES

The rates you pay are based on the value of the property you own. They help pay for a broad range of services, programs, facilities and infrastructure across the whole Shire – provided for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Rate Revenue

General Land                                        $12,606,267

Farm Land                                  $5,014,672

Commercial Land                             $2,085,445

Industrial Land                                   $1,113,964

Cultural/Recreation Land              $42,208

Total Rates Raised                      $20,862,556

PAYING YOUR RATES

Due Date for Payment

Rate notices are usually forwarded to residents in August each year.  If you do not receive your rate notice by early September, you should make enquiries to the Revenue Unit on (03) 5481 2200.

Rating Year

1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010

Rate Payment Dates

In Full               15 February 2010

Instalment Dates

            1st        30 September 2009

            2nd       30 November 2009

            3rd       28 February 2010

            4th        31 May 2010

Quarterly Instalment Option

Provision is made for the payment of rates by four quarterly instalments. A ratepayer may elect to utilise this method by paying the first quarterly amount shown on the annual rate notice on or before 30 September 2009.  Thereafter, a single reminder notice comprising three payment slips with due dates and amounts for the remaining three quarterly instalments, is forwarded in October each year.

Payment Options

Rates can be paid through any of the following methods:

In person at any customer service centre;

At any Post Office or Agency;

Internet: www.campaspe.vic.gov.au;

By BPay;

By credit card;

By mail;

By the direct debit payment scheme.

Pensioner Assistance Scheme

Pensioners who have been issued with a Pensioner Concession Card by Centrelink or Veteran Affairs may be entitled to a reduction on their rate account. All pensioners seeking assistance under the scheme must complete an application form available at Echuca Headquarters and Service Centres unless a form has been previously lodged and assistance obtained.

For further information please call the Revenue Department at the Echuca Service Centre on 1300 666 535.

GARBAGE CHARGE

The spiralling costs of waste management and inequities within a flat garbage charge necessitated a review of the garbage charge. The garbage charge has been split into three separate components.

Kerbside Garbage Collection (urban)                       $160.60  (for 140 litre bin)

Kerbside Garbage Collection (commercial)              $302.50 (for 240 litre bin)

Kerbside Recycling Collection                                 $  51.00 (for 240 litre bin)

Infrastructure Charge                                                $  20.40

Funds collected from the garbage charges fully fund the cost of providing all waste services including the operating costs of landfills and transfer stations across the Shire.

The Infrastructure charge funds the capital development needs of Council’s landfills and rehabilitation works on past landfills.

With the continuing emphasis on the environment, it is important that our facilities are continually being upgraded and made environmentally sound for future generations.

PROPERTY VALUATIONS

Councils use property values as the basis of their rate collection. This rate revenue helps fund the services Council provides to you and other ratepayers and residents.

Because property values change, Council is required to carry out a general revaluation on all properties every two years under the supervision of the Valuer General. The process of assessing the value of all properties is on the same date.  For the 2009/10 year valuations are as at 1 January 2008.

Only qualified valuers - professionals holding recognised tertiary qualifications and with the required practical experience – can perform municipal valuations. They operate under the highest standards of professionalism and ethics – for example, all valuers must declare impartiality before undertaking valuations and undertake to perform all valuations to the best of their ability and judgement.

Supplementary Valuations

In certain circumstances, valuations must be performed between general valuations. These are known as supplementary valuations.

For example, they are required when properties are:

physically changed – for example, when buildings are altered, erected or demolished; or

amalgamated, subdivided, portions sold off, rezoned or are affected by road construction.

CALCULATING YOUR RATES

Council’s rates are calculated using Capital Improved Value (CIV) – the total market value of the land plus buildings and other improvements.

Council has four rate bases:

General Rates;

Farm Rates;

Industrial and Commercial Rates; and

Cultural and Recreation Rates.

The rate in the dollar for the 2009/2010 year for Council’s four rate bases is as follows:

General Rate                                                     0.38460

Farm                                                                 0.34613

Commercial/Industrial                                        0.44613

Cultural/Recreation                                            0.19229

The rate in the dollar is determined by Council as part of its budget process for the forthcoming year.

The formula for calculating general rates, excluding any additional charges or arrears, is:

General Rates =

Valuation x Rate in the Dollar

The calculation for a property valued $150,000 would be:

                              Capital Improved Value                   $150,000

                                               x

                              Rate in the Dollar                             0.0038460

                              $150,000 x 0.0038460                      = $576.90

OBJECTING TO A VALUATION

You may object to a valuation. The objection can be made in relation to the value of a property or on other grounds specified in the Valuation of Land Act. An objection must be made within two months of the date of the rate notice.

An objection should be lodged on the prescribed form, available from Council offices.

After receiving an objection, a valuer must discuss the matter with the objector, then make a decision within two months of the objection. If not satisfied with the decision, the objector may appeal to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), or to the Supreme Court.

If you object to a valuation, you still must pay rates on the original notice by the due date 15 February 2010. Failure to pay rates by the required date results in interest being imposed.