Rates Information
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Council levies rates and charges half yearly for the period 1 July - 31 December and 1 January to 30 June. Property owners should expect to receive their half yearly notices in July and January each year.
Council offers a 15% discount on the General Rate if rates and charges are paid on or before the due date, and has a 30 day period in which to pay rates. It is very important that ratepayers do not risk their discounts by leaving payment until it is too late.
Supplementary notices may be issued to property owners at various times during the year to take account of changes in respect to services (eg: water and sewerage services associated with building a new house on vacant land or commencing a garbage service) to their property or to unimproved valuation of their property (as advised by the Queensland State Government).
NB: Discount does not apply to water infrastructure and water consumption charges, sewerage infrastructure charges, waste collection charges, interest charged on overdue rates, legal costs, any property charge relating to the carrying out of Council works on or in connection with the property, rural fire levy and state emergency management fire and rescue levy.
General Rates
Council's general rates are calculated in the same way as other Councils throughout Queensland under the Local Government Act 2009. The formula is:
Valuation (issued by Department of Natural Resources & Mines) multiplied by Rate in the dollar, subject to a minimum charge (set by Council and varying depending upon what the land is used for and its services)
Councils throughout Queensland are required by the Local Government Act 2009 to use the valuation amounts (issued by Department of Natural Resources & Mines) as a basis for calculating general rates.
Should you wish to object to your valuation, or have any query regarding the land valuation, its calculation or land use, please contact the Department of Resources.
Information on the categories of rates and the current charges for each category are outlined in the Revenue Statement which Council adopts during the annual budget meeting.
Pensioner Rebate Scheme
A pensioner subsidy for Council's rates and charges is available through the State Government's Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme for eligible Centrelink card holders. The subsidy available is for 20% of rates to a maximum of $200 per annum.
To be eligible for the 20% Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme, you must be:
- A holder of a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Queensland Repatriation Health Card - For all conditions (Gold Card). No other cards are acceptable when determining eligibility);
- The owner or life tenant of the property which is your principle place of residence; and
- Legally responsible for the payment of local government rates and charges levied on that property.
Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Communities Website.
Water
Goondiwindi Regional Council levies rate notice (water) half yearly for the period 1 October to 31 March and 1 April - 30 September. Property owners should expect to receive their half yearly rate notice (water) in October and April each year. The notice includes an infrastructure charge and a water consumption charge.
NB: Discount does not apply to water infrastructure and water consumption charges.
Sewerage
Council will make and levy a sewerage charge on all relevant land within declared sewerage areas in the Goondiwindi Regional Council.
NB: Discount does not apply to sewerage infrastructure charges.
Waste Disposal Charges (Garbage Collection)
Council levies a waste collection and disposal charge for the provision of removal and disposal of refuse from all land in actual occupation or with a structure upon it, within the Council area that Council is prepared to provide a roadside collection to. The charge is based upon the weekly collection of a 240 litre wheelie bin and the fortnightly collection of a 240 litre recycle bin. Council will supply a 240 litre wheelie bin and a 240 litre recycle bin for all new services and will replace damaged bins on a fair wear and tear basis.
NB: Discount does not apply to waste collection charges.
Payment Methods
Please refer to the back of your rates notice for a detailed list of payment options available for your convenience
Discounts
Council offers a 15% discount on he General Rate if rates and charges are paid on or before the due date. Discounts will only apply if full payment is received, and no other monies are owing, in Council's office on or before the discount date, as printed on the rate notice (30 days from the levy date), regardless of date posted or transferred by electronic methods. If you choose to transfer payments into Council's account via the internet, it should be done well before the due date to avoid late payment. Your bank will be able to advise you of the time delays for such transfers, however if payment is not shown on Council's Bank Statement on or before the day of the close of discount, discount will not be allowed.
NB: Discount does not apply to water infrastructure and water consumption charges, waste collection charges, sewerage infrastructure charges, interest charged on overdue rates, legal costs, any property charge relating to the carrying out of Council works on or in connection with the property, rural fire levy and state emergency management fire and rescue levy.
Interest
Rates and Charges levied during the financial year and which remain outstanding for greater than 30 days, shall bear interest at the rate of 11% compounding on daily rests.
Rural Fire Levy
Council has levied a special charge on the rateable land contained within the Omanama, Bracker Creek and Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade Areas.
Forms
Need Help?
Goondiwindi Regional Council's rates are handled by our Corporate Services Department. If you have any questions about your rates, you can contact Goondiwindi Regional Council by phoning the contact number stated on your assessment notice or via email: mail@grc.qld.gov.au