Rates
Rates were declared on the 25th June 2012 for the 2013 financial year.
Pursuant to Section 158 of the Local Government Act 1999, Council hereby fixed the sum of $700.00 as the minimum amount payable by way of rates in respect of rateable land within the area.
The District Council of Mallala has 6 differential rates for the 2012 financial year.
All rateable properties are classified as follows:
|
Centre Zones in Mallala & Two Wells & Industrial Zone (Two Wells): |
$0.573 |
|
Residential, Recreational & Country Town Zone: |
$0.441 |
|
Rural Living: |
$0.444 |
|
Coastal Township, Settlement Zones: |
$0.463 |
|
Horticultural: |
$0.388 |
|
General Farming, Industrial & Special Use, Future Urban, Coastal Zone, Commercial Bulk Handling, Regional Open Space System: |
$0.378 |
An overview of Council Rates
Council rates are governed by the Local Government Act 1999 (see Chapter 10 Rates and Charges) which can be found on the Parliamentary website: http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/
Council rates are the single biggest source of revenue for councils, as each financial year a council must adopt a budget and then set the rates according to the revenue needed.
Councils have a variety of rating options available and need to determine the fairest method to use for their local community.
Options include having a single rate apply to all properties or a different rate according to property uses and location.
Council uses capital value (land plus improvements) and differential rating for determining what share of the total rate revenue individual ratepayers are required to pay.
These valuations are provided by the State Valuation Office, however ratepayers may object to valuations if they consider them to be inaccurate.
These objections should be directed to: phone 1300 653 345.
To achieve a balanced budget, each council must determine every year what the rate in the dollar needs to be in order to generate the required rate revenue.
In simple terms, the amount of rates payable is determined by multiplying the property value by the rate in the dollar that is determined by the council, e.g. if the property value is $200,000 and the rate in the dollar is $0.00430 cents, the rates payable will be $860.00.
Payment of Rates
Each ratepayer must be given the opportunity to pay their rates in quarterly instalments.
The instalment dates for this financial year are:
7 September 2012
7 December 2012
1 March 2013
7 June 2013
Advance Payments
Ratepayers may choose to make fortnightly or monthly payments in advance towards their rates if this suits their budgetary circumstances. No interest is paid on these amounts due to the additional transaction processing costs associated with this service.
Postponement of Rates
Residential property owners with a Seniors Card may apply to postpone payment of rates until the property is sold. Postponed rates are a charge on the land. Statutory interest will continue to be charged on postponed rates but will be payable on sale of the property.
Late Payment of Rates
The Local Government Act requires Council to impose an initial penalty of 2% on any payment for rates, whether by instalment or otherwise, that is received late.
For each additional month that payments are overdue (including any previous unpaid fine) a further fine based on a prescribed interest rate is added.
Discretionary Rebates
The Local Government Act 1999 enables Council to grant discretionary rebates up to 100% for land used for the purposes of a community benefit. Council has adopted a policy concerning such rebates; further information can be obtained by contacting the Rates Officer on 8527 0200.
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Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to experience difficulty with meeting these payment dates is invited to contact the Rates Officer, on 8527 0200 to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Such enquiries are treated confidentially by the Council.
Disclaimer
A rate cannot be challenged on the basis of non-compliance with this policy and rates must be paid in accordance with the required payment provisions.
