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Delprats Mine Headframe

Rating Information for 2008/2009

Councils in NSW are required to levy rates and charges in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1993.

What are the categories of ordinary rates & categories of land? (Section 493)
The four categories of rates are Residential, Business, Farmland and Mining.   

What are the types of rates? (Section 492)
The type of rates that can be made by a council are –

·         Ordinary rates
·         Special rates   

Ordinary rates must be made & levied annually (Section 494)
A council must make an ordinary rate each year. The amount of the ordinary rate may differ according to the category of the land to which it applies and it may differ according to sub-categories within those categories.  

Special rates (Section 495)
A council has the discretion whether it will make a special rate. Special rates may be levied for services provided by the council for special purposes. Broken Hill City Council does not charge any special rates.   

How are my rates determined?
The Minister for Local Government has determined that all NSW councils may increase their total general rates income by 3.2% for the 2008/2009 financial year. Council has no amount available under catch-up provisions in accordance with Section 511 of the Local Government Act. Council has increased its total rates income by the 3.2% and maintained services at current levels.   

What is the rating structure used by Council?
Councils have two choices in determining rating structure. The Ad Valorem Rate (with or without a minimum rate) and the Ad Valorem Rate (with base rate). Broken Hill City Council uses the Ad Valorem Rate with base rate in all categories except mining. This system is used by many Councils in NSW. This method means that your Residential rate is calculated in two parts - the Base Amount, which is the same for everyone PLUS a rate per dollar of the Land Value. This is called the Ad Valorem amount. The principle of the system is that there should be a fixed amount paid by everyone towards the provision of services, regardless of Land Value - the base amount. In addition it also provides for an amount that is proportionate to the level of Land Value - the ad valorem amount. 

Is there a limit on the revenue that council can raise from base rates? (Section 500)
Yes. The base amount of the rate must not produce more than 50% of the total revenue derived from the rate for the particular category or sub-category. The residential base income for Broken Hill City Council is currently 49.9%   

Can a different residential rate be applied to different areas within town? (Section 529)
A differential residential rate can only be applied if there are separate centres of population (eg separate towns or villages within a local government area). Section 529 does not permit councils to determine sub-categories solely or predominantly on the basis of land value.   

Contact details
Customer Relations Team
08 8080 3300 (ph)
08 8080 3424 (fax)
council@brokenhill.nsw.gov.au

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