Your Rates - Frequently Asked Questions

Your Rates are calculated by multiplying your land valuation by a 'rate in the dollar' amount.

Your land valuation is provided by the NSW Valuer General.  The valuations that were issued in April 2020, and have a base date of 1 July 2019, will be used from 1 July 2020. 

The rate in the dollar for each rating category is set by Council each year in it's annual Operational Plan.

Council also sets a minimum rate each year. This means that if the result of your rate calculation does not reach a certain amount (minimum), then the amount of your rates will be equivalent to the minimum rate. In 2020/2021 the minimum rate for all properties is $923.40.

For example: If your land value multiplied by the rate in the dollar came to $700, then you will be charged the minimum rate of $923.40 in 2020/21.  

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Your property land value is determined by the NSW Valuer General and Council is obliged by law to apply the latest land valuations. You should have already received a new Notice of Valuation with a Base Date of 1 July 2019 that will be used to calculate rates in the 2020/2021 financial year.

A person can object to their land valuation generally within 60 days after receiving the Notice of Valuation.  This can be done either using the Valuer General online form or by calling 1800 110 038 and requesting an objection form for completion.  

 You must continue to pay your rates while an objection is being considered.   An adjustment will be made if your objection leads to a change in valuation as advised by the NSW Valuer General.

In addition to your rates, your notice has charges for Domestic Waste Collection - that includes your weekly garbage, fortnightly recycling/green waste and clean ups. There’s also a charge for Stormwater Management Services. Council uses this levy to improve our waterways, upgrade stormwater infrastructure, and promote reuse of stormwater.

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Council encourages all ratepayers to meet their rate commitments as they are due. If you are experiencing financial difficulties in paying your rates, please contact Council on 9710 0333 with a view of entering into a payment arrangement.

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After 31 December 2020 interest accrues daily at the rate of 7% per annum.

Yes you can set up either an annual or quarterly direct debit by completing a Direct Debit application form here: Direct Debit Application Form or by contacting Council's Rates Section on 9710 0333.   Please return to Council at least 10 days prior to the due date of your instalment as printed on your rates notice.

There are two main factors that have influenced any change in the amount of your rates – the rate-peg and the new land valuations.

The maximum rate increase (the rate-peg) set by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for 2020/21 has been set at 2.6%. Council will apply this 2.6% increase in order to increase it's total rates income by the same amount. 

Your rates may also have changed due to any significant change to your land valuation that were issued by the NSW Valuer General.

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A pensioner concession is available to eligible pensioners. To be an “eligible pensioner” you must own and reside in the property and be the holder of either:

• a Pension Concession Card
• Veterans Affairs TPI or EDA Card
• Veterans Affairs Gold Card AND receiving income supplement support

The maximum statutory pensioner concession is $250. In addition to the statutory concession, the Council also grants a further voluntary rebate of $105 to eligible pensioners who have been ratepayers in the Sutherland Shire for the last 3 consecutive years.

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