Rates & Charges

Rates and charges are annual payments made by property owners to help Council meet the costs of providing services and maintaining assets on behalf of the community. The rates and charges are determined through the Annual Budget.

Charges & Levies

Council has declared the rates and charges in five parts:

1. General Rates;
2. Municipal Charge;
3. Garbage Charge;
4. Recycling Charge; and 
5. Environmental Levy.

General Rates

The general rate charge is different for every property as it is calculated using the value of individual properties. General rate revenue is used to provide council services, maintenance and capital expenditure programs.

Municipal Charge 

The municipal charge is the same set rate for every property in the shire. The municipal charge revenue helps fund governance related services and helps spread the cost of providing Council services across all property owners.

Ratepayers can apply to Council for an exemption of the municipal charge following these conditions:

• The person/s must have more than one rate assessment;
• The properties must be a single farm enterprise;
• The properties must be occupied by the same person/s for the purposes of managing/running a single farm enterprise;
• The property must be in excess of two hectares; and 
• The property must contain only one residence.

If you are satisfied that all of the above conditions apply to your situation, an application form can be obtained by contacting the Council.  Applications must be lodged before 31 January each year.

Garbage and Recycling Collection

The garbage and recycling collection charges are set charges that only apply to properties with access to kerbside collection. They fully fund the cost of providing the kerbside collection. This includes waste disposal costs at the municipal landfill.

Environmental Levy

Revenue from the environment levy is used to meet the significant and growing costs of providing a range of waste management services (not including kerbside recycling and garbage collection). Council believes all ratepayers should contribute to these costs because everyone benefits from having access to landfill and transfer stations.

Farming enterprises may apply for an exemption of the Environmental Levy. Please contact Council for further information.