Rates and Charges

Property owners in the Bega Valley Shire receive a annual rates notice at the end of July each year.

The annual rates notice is made up of your general rates and service charges.

The general rate is calculated in two parts; being a uniform base rate for each rating category and a rate in the dollar which is based on your unimproved land valuation that is provided to Council by Land and Property Information NSW (LPI). These two parts combined are your general rates. The service charges are for waste, water, sewer and stormwater. All these amounts make up your annual rates.

Payment

You can pay your annual rates in full or by instalment.

The full amount needs to paid by August 31 and instalments are to be paid by the following dates:

Instalment 1: August 31, 2012
Instalment 2: November 30, 2012
Instalment 3: February 28, 2013
Instalment 4: May 31, 2013

Payments can be made by paying in person at any post office or at the Council offices, by credit card, by direct debit, mail or BPay. read more »»»

Overpayments and Refunds – Rates and Water Accounts

If you have a credit on your rates or water account with the Bega Valley Shire Council, and require a refund, please download the Request for Refund from Rates or Water Account form, fill it out, sign and lodge the form with the Bega Valley Shire Council. When confirmed, the money will be paid directly into your account or dispatched to you as a cheque, as per your request on the form.

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Interest

If you are late with your payments, Council is required under the Local Government Act to charge interest on overdue balances at a rate of 10% per annum calculated daily. This interest rate is not set by Council, it is set each year by the Minister for Local Government and cannot be varied. read more »»»

Pensioner Rebates

If you have a pensioner concession card your may be eligible for a rebate. To be eligible the rateable property must be your principal place of residence. The maximum rebate each year is $425 if you receive water and sewerage services from Council. If you think you are eligible for a rebate and it is not shown on your rates notice please phone our customer service centre on 02 6499 2222. Please note that all pensioner rebate applications will undergo confirmation by Centrelink. read more »»»

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Payment Assistance

Bega Valley Shire Council understands that many people at different stages of their lives experience financial difficulties. Please let us know if you are unable to make your payments by the due date. Your situation will be treated in the strictest confidence and we will work with you to make suitable arrangements.

If you do not make contact with Council in relation to your outstanding levy you may be subject to debt recovery action, which could cost you additional fees and lead to court proceedings. Overdue rates incur interest on the overdue balance at a rate of 10% per annum. This interest rate is required to be charged under the Local Government Act.

Rating Model 2012/13

Structure of the ordinary rate

The rating provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 allow Councils to base their ordinary rates either on a system of minimum rates or base rates. Bega Valley Shire Council has chosen to employ the system of base rates as a means of levying rates on all properties throughout the Shire. In accordance with S.497 of the Local Government Act 1993 the structure of the Ordinary Rate must comprise:

a base amount (i.e. fixed charge required by statute to be no more than 50% of the total amount of the rate)
an ad valorem component (i.e. a rate levied on the unimproved land value).

Local Government Index Increase

Council was advised in December 2011 that IPART had determined that the Local Government Index (formerly known as rate pegging increase) for 2012-2013 was 3.6%, including a 0.4% allowance for carbon tax impacts (fundamentally on energy/fuel costs), and a -0.2% productivity saving . Council resolved to apply this index to the 2012-2013 budget and the resultant yield is approx $737,000.

Ordinary base rate

The philosophy behind the base charges is that the base amount should apply to all properties and the total income from the charge should approximate the general administration costs of the Council together with the cost of common services available to each property within the Council area. The uniform base charge reflects that these costs and servies are shared equally by the community.

The ordinary rates are applied to properties based on independent valuations supplied to the Council on all rateable properties within the Shire boundaries by the Land and Property Information NSW. The valuations used in the 2012-2013 rating period have a base date of 1 July 2009. The valuations are based upon the land value only of the property.

Any appeal against the property valuation should be lodged with Land and Property Information NSW, Valuation Objections – Customer Service PO Box 745 Bathurst NSW 2795 or by phone on 1800 110 038. Online objection lodgement is also available at http://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au

The base charge of $404.32 for properties in the residential, farmland, business and mining categories reflect the cost of providing the common services.

Rateable land categories

Categorisation of all rateable land in the Council area has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of chapter 15 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Council has used the following categories of rateable land:

Residential: The Local Government Act 1993 identifies this land as property used for residential accommodation, or in the case of vacant land, property zoned for residential use under an environmental planning instrument (hotels, motels, guesthouses, boarding houses or nursing homes) are specifically excluded from this category. This category also includes rural residential land.
Farmland: Land used genuinely for primary production. The dominant use of the land must be for the business or industry of grazing, dairying, the growing of crops etc. The activities must have a significant and commercial purpose or character and be engaged in for the purpose of profit on a continuous or repetitive basis. Rural residential land will not be categorised as farmland.
Business: The Local Government Act 1993 identifies property within this category as land, which cannot be categorised in any of the other categories of farmland, residential or mining.
Mining: Land is to be categorised as mining if it is a parcel of rateable land valued as one assessment and its dominant use is for a coal mine or metalliferous mine.

Ad valorem rate

Council has adopted a system of ad valorem rates that will apply to each property valuation to develop a variable charge on each rate notice. The ad valorem charge is multiplied by the land valuation supplied by Land and Property Information (LPI) to determine the ad valorem charge. LPI can be contacted on 1300 052 637 for any queries relating to land values.

The ad valorem charge differs for the residential/farmland and business/mining categories. The ad valorem rates are:

Residential: $0.003352
Farmland: $0.003352
Business: $0.006055
Mining: $0.006055

Future special rate variation

Subject to consideration and implementation of Councils Long Term Financial Plan and taking into account any unforeseen expenses, Council may consider a long-term rate pricing path which may include future Special Variation Applications. These are scheduled for a 2% variation to general rate income in 2013 and 2015 for asset renewals, and the retention of the special variation for sports and recreation infrastructure renewals, expiring in 2014.

Water supply

Water access charge

The base access charge is related to the cost of providing access to a water connection. The access charge is designed to cover some of the costs incurred by Council in providing infrastructure such as reservoirs, pump stations and reticulation systems. Because of the fixed nature of the costs incurred by Council in operating the infrastructure, the access charge applies to all properties able to connect to the system regardless of whether or not a connection is in place. All properties falling within the defined water supply boundaries are subject to compulsory water access charges.

Water usage charges

The water usage charge for 2012-2013 is set at two dollars and thirty five cents ($2.35) per kilolitre.

The water consumption charges are designed to meet the fixed and variable operating costs related to the provision of water supply.

Particulars	Volume factor	Access Charge	Charge per KL $
20mm Water Connection	1.00	$186.75	$2.35
25mm Water Connection	1.56	$291.33	$2.35
32mm Water Connection	2.56	$478.08	$2.35
40mm Water Connection	4.00	$747.00	$2.35
50mm Water Connection	6.25	$1,161.19	$2.35
65mm Water Connection	10.56	$1,972.08	$2.35
80mm Water Connection	16.00	$2,988.00	$2.35
100mm Water Connection	25.00	$4,668.75	$2.35
Strata Title Units (per unit)	1.00	$186.75	$2.35
Unconnected properties which are able to connect (ie vacant land)		$186.75

Sewerage services

Residential charges

The access charges are designed to cover most of the costs incurred by Council in sustainably managing assets such as pump stations, reticulation systems, treatment facilities and disposal and beneficial reuse systems.

The residential sewerage charge is based on a series of flat charges for all residential properties connected to Council’s sewerage service network as set out below:

A flat charge for all residential or farmland properties of $1,0450 (other than strata and non-strata units);
A flat charge for all residential strata title units of $1,045;
A flat charge for all residential non-strata title units of $1,045 for each unit;
A flat charge of $522.50 for all properties that are able to connect to the Council’s sewerage service network and remain unconnected. (Unconnected sewer charges relate to vacant land within 75 meters of the sewer main.)

Non-residential charges

Non-Residential sewer charges are calculated using a formula prescribed by the NSW Department of Water Best Practises guidelines.

The formula is:
Access = Base Access Charge * Volume Factor * Discharge Factor
Consumption = Consumption Rate * Discharge Factor

* If a ratepayer elected to meter their sewer, Council reserves the right to charge the relevant discharge factor.

Small town sewer schemes special rate

Council has recently constructed sewer schemes in the Wallaga Lake area, Cobargo, Wolumla, Candelo and Kalaru.

The introduction of these schemes has been assisted by special subsidies from the NSW State Government provided under the ‘small country towns water, sewer and drainage scheme’ but the cost to Council is still significant.

Note that the special contributions outlined below only pertain to premises already connected to the pressure sewer system as part of the Bega Valley Sewerage Program. The property owners of all new residential premises to be connected to pressure sewer systems will be required to pay Section 64 charges and other on-premises costs required to allow connection. The property owners of all new non-residential premises to be connected to pressure sewer systems will be required to pay connection charges, Section 64 charges and other on-premises costs required to allow connection. Where such non-residential properties are assessed by Council as being larger than 20 Equivalent Tenements (20 ET), the pumping systems shall be constructed by and remain the operational responsibility of the property owner. Where such non-residential properties are assessed by Council as being smaller than 20 ET, the pumping systems shall be constructed by and remain the operational responsibility of Council.

Special residential capital contribution

Council has a capital contribution of $100.00 per year on all residential properties that were sewered under the small towns’ sewer schemes. The charges were introduced by a special charge over a period of 10 years.

Special non-residential sewer contribution

Council has a capital contribution by way of a special contribution over a period of 10 years on all small non-residential properties that were sewered under the small towns sewer schemes. The following table sets out the capital contributions for smaller commercial properties.

Particulars Commercial Properties	Factor	Total capital contribution
20mm Water Connection	1.00	$1,000.00
25mm Water Connection	1.56	$1,560.00
32mm Water Connection	2.56	$2,560.00
50mm Water Connection	6.25	$6,250.00
Unconnected	1.00	$1,000.00
Strata Title Units (per unit)	1.00	$1,000.00

Larger non-residential properties do not pay a capital contribution but are responsible for all onsite works required to deliver sewage to Council’s system. This applies to non-residential properties that are assessed to place greater than 20 equivalent domestic tenement loadings onto the sewer system. Council will contribute to the onsite works in accordance with Procedure 2.3.1 (k) adopted by Council on 22 March 2007.

Council has commenced a review of non-strata sewer charging, exploring alternate means to equitably reflect a charge that can be distributed amongst owners of single unit stratas in single owned, ,multi unit developments. Those charges may be adjusted from 2013.

Liquid trade waste

Liquid trade waste usage charges will commence during the 2012-13 financial year.

Non-residential liquid trade waste fees and charges are designed to recover the costs for transporting and treating liquid trade wastes discharged to Council’s sewerage systems by industrial, commercial or other non-residential customers. Liquid trade wastes can exert a greater demand on sewerage systems than domestic sewage and if uncontrolled, can pose significant problems to public health, worker safety, the sewerage system and the environment.

Non-residential liquid trade waste dischargers are divided into three categories for appropriate management and charging purposes:

Category 1: liquid trade waste dischargers requiring nil or minimum pre-treatment
Category 2: liquid trade waste dischargers with prescribed pre-treatment
Category 3: large or industrial liquid trade waste dischargers

Examples for each category are provided in Council’s Liquid Trade Waste Policy 2.3.1(j).

Liquid Trade Waste Usage Charge: to recover the additional cost of transporting and treating liquid trade waste from Category 2 dischargers. It is calculated by multiplying the total water consumption (from the water meter reading) by the sewerage discharge factor (in the sewer industry classification table above) by a liquid trade waste discharge factor (in Appendix G of the Liquid Trade Waste Management Guidelines, 2005 Department of Water and Energy) by one dollar ($1.00) per kilolitre.

Liquid Trade Waste Usage Charge: Liquid Trade Waste Usage Charge: to recover the additional cost of transporting and treating liquid trade waste from Category 2 dischargers. It is calculated by multiplying the total water consumption (from the water meter reading) by the sewerage discharge factor (in the sewer industry classification table above) by a liquid trade waste discharge factor (in Appendix G of the Liquid Trade Waste Management Guidelines, 2005 Department of Water and Energy) by one dollar ($1.00) per kilolitre.

Band	Discharge Factor
1	0%
2	0%
3	10%
4	20%
5	30%
6	50%
7	60%
8	80%
9	90%
2S	N/A

Category 2 dischargers that have not installed or maintained appropriate pre-treatment facilities and not complied with a notice to install or maintain pre-treatment facilities may incur a penalty charge of 9 times the usage charge.

The non-residential liquid trade waste usage charge for Category 2 dischargers will be charged quarterly on their Water & Sewer notice.

Liquid Trade Waste Excess Mass Charge: to recover additional costs of accepting and treating substances of particularly high concentration. This is applied to Category 3 dischargers in lieu of the liquid trade waste usage charge for those substances discharged in excess of the deemed concentrations specified in Council’s Liquid Trade Waste Policy 2.3.1(j).

Liquid Trade Waste Non-compliance Excess Mass Charge: applies to Category 3 dischargers for substances discharged in excess of the concentrations specified in Council’s conditions of approval.

Waste Management Charges

Council has merged all waste charges into one charge for all services with the exception of the organics service. The value of this one charge is the equivalent to the sum of the four individual charges. The changes were made to reduce the complexity of Councils rate notices for the ratepayers.

This replacement Waste charge is used to meet the costs associated with the collection, disposal and maintenance of the ratepayers General Waste and Recycling Waste. This charge is levied under Section 496 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Charge	$
Domestic Waste Management	$370.58
Domestic Garden Organics	$50.74
Domestic Waste Mangement - Vacant Land	$75.00
Additional General Waste Bin (140Ltr)	$192.75
Additional Recycling Bin (240Ltr)	$101.57
Commercial Waste Management	$509.63
Commercial Organics	$50.74
Additional General Waste Bin (240Ltr)	$213.52
Additional Recycling bin (240Ltr)	$150.61

Domestic Waste Management Charge

An annual domestic waste management charge of $370.58 that meets the costs of the once-weekly 140-litre domestic waste collection and once-fortnightly 240 litre recycling service and the associated waste disposal or treatment. In the serviced areas, each service entitles the user to a once weekly kerbside collection service from one (1) 140-litre mobile garbage bin and a once fortnightly kerbside collection service from one (1) 240-litre mobile garbage bin on the specified collection day.

Each residential dwelling on a serviced residential rate assessment will be charged one Domestic Waste Management Charge.

If further capacity is required, residents can request a second service, which will attract an additional charge of $192.75 per annum.

Domestic Garden Organics Charge

An annual domestic organics collection charge of $50.74 meets the costs of the monthly 240-litre domestic garden organics collection service and the associated transport and processing.

Each service entitles the user to a monthly kerbside domestic garden organics collection service from one (1) 240-litre mobile garbage bin on the specified collection day.

Commercial Waste Charge

An annual commercial waste charge of $509.63 meets the costs of the once-weekly 240-litre domestic waste collection and once-fortnightly 240 litre recycling service and the associated waste disposal or treatment.

In the serviced areas, each service entitles the user to a once weekly kerbside collection service from one (2) 240-litre mobile garbage bin (being General Waste and Recycling) on the specified collection day.

If further capacity is required, residents can request a second service, which will attract an additional charge of $213.52 per annum.

Commercial multi-unit accommodation including motels, nursing homes, retirement villages etc. are charged one Commercial Waste Management charge per rate assessment by default. It is up to the ratepayer to request additional services or indeed to reduce their current services.

On-Site Sewer Management (OSM)

As provided in Section 608 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council charges an annual charge for the administration of the shires On-Site Sewer Management network. In 2012-2013 Council has chosen to amend this annual charge to allow one (1) charge for all On-Site Sewer Management processes. As a result, Council will “roll in” both the inspection charge and administration charge into one (1) annual charge. Accordingly, Council will no longer levy an inspection charge for On-Site Sewer Management inspections.

Category or OSM System	Quantity	Charge $
Low Risk (10 year cycle)	4,036	$30.00
High Risk (3 year cycle)	1,043	$55.00
Critical Risk (1 year cycle)	170	$120.00

Total estimates income for On-Site Sewer Management in 2012-2013 is $197,103.

Urban Stormwater Charge

As provided in Section 496A of the Local Government Act 1993, Council introduced a Stormwater Charge in 2007/08. A further review of charges for commercial properties was undertaken in 2008/09. The charge applies to all developed lots that benefit from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural with expenditure of the funds collected recorded and reported annually.

The funds are used to improve the performance of Council’s stormwater management services by upgrading and providing infrastructure to:

reduce stormwater inundation on private property
improve stormwater quality discharge points into waterways
Implement methods of stormwater harvest and reuse on public land.