My Property & Neighbourhood / Rates & Charges / Rates explained
The water access charge is calculated using a volume factor dependent on the square of the size of the meter connection. The access charge is shown on the annual rate notice and is independent of water usage. The base access charge is related to the cost of providing water access to a 20 millimetre (mm) water connection. Access charges for larger water connections are based on increments of the base charge according to the volume factor.
| Meter Size | Volume Factor | Access Charge | Charge per KL $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mm Water Connection | 1.00 | $239.50 | $3.02 |
| 25mm Water Connection | 1.56 | $373.60 | $3.02 |
| 32mm Water Connection | 2.56 | $613.10 | $3.02 |
| 40mm Water Connection | 4.00 | $957.90 | $3.02 |
| 50mm Water Connection | 6.25 | $1,496.80 | $3.02 |
| 65mm Water Connection | 10.56 | $2,529.00 | $3.02 |
| 80mm Water Connection | 16.00 | $3,831.80 | $3.02 |
| 100mm Water Connection | 25.00 | $5,987.10 | $3.02 |
| 150mm Water Connection | 56.25 | $13,471.00 | $3.02 |
| 200mm Water Connection | 100.00 | $23,948.50 | $3.02 |
| Strata Title Units (per unit) | 1.00 | $239.50 | $3.02 |
| Unconnected properties which are able to connect (ie vacant land) | 1.00 | $239.50 | $3.02 |
The water access charge is designed to cover the cost of providing water supply infrastructure such as pipelines, reservoirs and pump stations. The access charge applies to all properties able to connect to water in designated water supply zones because of the fixed nature of costs to maintain and operate water supply infrastructure. For land that is exempt from water access charges, see section under general rates.
Water usage charges
The water usage charge for 2019-2020 is set at $3.02 per kilolitre.
The water usage charge is designed to meet the fixed and variable operating costs related to the provision of water.
Total Income
The total estimated income yield in 2019-2020 from water charges derived is $11,614,250 comprising of:
Water charge allowances Council elects to deem exempt the following:
An allowance may apply to home dialysis and home care medical patients (refer to water usage charges procedure). Home dialysis and home care medical patients require certification by a medical practitioner and registration with Council for this allowance to apply.
Fire services
No water access charge applies to properties with an approved dedicated fire service. If metered water usage occurs outside of emergency use, this exemption will be forfeited.
Water charges – pension rebate
In accordance with S.575 (3)(b) of the Local Government Act 1993 Council provides a reduction of 50 per cent of water supply charges levied up to a maximum of $87.50 for each individual charge. Of this reduction, the NSW Government reimburses 55 per cent.
The estimated amount of the pension rebate in 2019-2020 is $240,430.
For more detail on the rates and charges, please view the Revenue Policy (Section 3 of the Delivery Program/Operational Plan). read more...
The residential sewer charge is based on a series of flat charges for all residential properties connected to Council’s sewerage network as set out below:
| Residential Sewerage | Charge |
|---|---|
| Residential Swerage | $1,214.40 |
| Residential Strata Sewerage | $1,214.40 |
| Residential Unconnected Sewerage | $607.20 |
| Non-Strata Sewerage Rsidential | $1,214.40 |
| Non-Strata Sewerage Additional | $1,214.40 |
| Residential Sewerage Pump Up | $1,214.40 |
Non-residential charges
Non-residential sewer charges are calculated using the methodology prescribed by the NSW Department of Water, Best Practice Management Guidelines.
The methodology is:
Non-Residential Sewer Availability Charge ($) = Base Availability Charge ($) x Volume Factor x Sewer Discharge Factor (%)
Non-Residential Sewer Usage Charge ($) = Water Usage (kl) x Sewer Discharge Factor (%) x Sewer Usage Charge ($/kl) 1
For a list of Non-Residential sewer discharge factors see the Revenue Policy (Section 3 of the Delivery Program/Operational Plan).
Volume Factors1
| Non-Residential Sewerage Meter Size (name of charge) | Charge |
|---|---|
| 20mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $1,214.40 |
| 25mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $1,894.46 |
| 32mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $3,108.86 |
| 40mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $4,857.60 |
| 50mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $7,590.00 |
| 65mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $12,824.06 |
| 80mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $19,430.40 |
| 100mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $30,360.00 |
| 150mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $68,310.00 |
| 200mm Sewer Connection Access Commercial less % Discharge Factor | $121,440.00 |
| Unconnected werage Access Commercial | $607.20 |
| Strata Title Units (per unit) Ass Commercial | $1,214.40 |
Total income
The total estimated income yield in 2020-2021 from sewer charges is $17,977,245 comprising $$15,783,464 from the residential charge, and $2,195,781 from the non-residential charge.
Charges for sewer usage (by meter measurement) will be charged at the standard usage charge of $4.50 per kilolitre.
Sewer charges – pension rebate
In accordance with S.575 (3)(b) of the Local Government Act 1993 Council provides a reduction of 50 per cent of the residential sewage charge levied up to a maximum of $87.50 per assessment. Of this reduction, the NSW Government reimburses 55 per cent.
The estimated amount of the pension rebate in 2020-2021 is $229,000
The estimate of Councils contribution (lost revenue) is $113,000
The estimate of Government Contribution (lost revenue) $126,000
Non-residential liquid trade waste (LTW) fees and charges are designed to recover the costs for transporting and treating LTW discharged to Council sewerage systems by industrial, commercial or other non-residential customers. LTWs can exert a greater demand on sewerage systems than domestic sewage and if uncontrolled, can pose significant problems to public health, worker safety, the sewage system and the environment.
Non-residential LTW dischargers are divided into three categories for appropriate management and charging purposes:
Category 1: LTW dischargers requiring nil or minimum pre-treatment
Category 2: LTW dischargers with prescribed pre-treatment
Category 3: large or industrial LTW dischargers
Examples for each category are provided in Council’s Liquid Trade Waste Policy.
Liquid trade waste usage charge
To recover the additional cost of transporting and treating LTW from Category 2 dischargers. It is calculated using the methodology prescribed by the NSW Department of Water as shown below:
Non-Residential LTW Usage Charge ($) = Water Usage (kl) x LTW Discharge Factor (%) x LTW Usage Charge ($/kl)
The LTW discharge factors for non-residential customer types are grouped in LTW discharger “bands” as shown below. These are based on Appendix G of the NSW Department of Water Liquid Trade Waste Management Guidelines.
| 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 nine times the usage charge.
The non-residential LTW usage charge for Category 2 dischargers will be charged quarterly on their Water and Sewer notice.
The LTW usage charge is set at $1.35 per kilolitre of water consumption multiplied by the discharge factors.
Liquid trade waste excess mass charge: This charge is to cover additional costs for accepting and treating substances of a particularly high concentration. It applies to Category 3 LTW dischargers only and is in lieu of the LTW usage charge for those substances in excess of the concentrations specified in our Liquid Trade Waste Policy when implemented. Liquid trade waste non-compliance excess mass charge: This charge applies to Category 3 LTW dischargers for substances discharged in excess of the concentrations specified in Council’s conditions of approval.
A High Consumption Charge (non-residential) applies to eligible non-residential properties.
This charge provides an opportunity for non-residential developments to reduce their upfront costs related to Section 64 developer contributions.
Eligible non-residential properties have an option of maintaining their existing Equivalent Tenement (ET) entitlement and paying the High Consumption Charges in lieu of paying Section 64 Developer Contributions. No additional ET entitlement will accrue to the property through the payment of the High Consumption Charge. Additional ET entitlements can be purchased at any time at the current section 64 developer contribution rate.
Water consumption up to the equivalent of the existing property ET entitlement will incur no High Consumption (water) Charge. Water consumption greater than the existing ET entitlement will be charged the High Consumption (water) Charge.
Sewer inflows from a development up to the equivalent of the existing property ET entitlement, will incur no high consumption (sewer) charge. Inflow volumes greater than the existing ET entitlement will be charged at the High Consumption (sewer) Charge. The sewer inflow will be calculated based on water consumption multiplied by the appropriate non-residential properties discharge factor.
The non-residential High Consumption Charge can be applied:
Non-residential properties eligible for the High Consumption Charge are being progressively identified through Development Applications, Complying and Exempt Development processes and Section 68 Applications under the Local Government Act 1993.
The non-residential High Consumption Charge in lieu of Section 64 Developer Charges is not available to the subdivision of land.
The non-residential High Consumption Charge is calculated annually by amortizing the Section 64 Developer Charges for water and sewer (presently $8,917 and $12,483 per ET respectively) over 30 years with a discount rate equal to the 30 year Treasury bond rate (currently 3 per cent variable) and then divided by 205kL/y for water and 190kL/y for sewer. The figure of 205kL/y is the average annual water consumption per household (1 ET), and the 190kL/y is the average annual contribution to the sewerage system per household (1 ET).
| High Consumption Charge non-residential | 2019/2020 ($/KL) |
|---|---|
| High Consumption (water) Charge | $2.18 |
| High Consumption (sewer) Charge | $3.29 |
For more detail on the rates and charges, please view the Revenue Policy (Section of the Delivery Program/Operational Plan). read more...
Bega Valley Shire Council
