Rates and other payments

Contents: How is my rate amount worked out? | How is my land value calculated? | Does Council get more money when my land value goes up? | When do I have to pay my rates? | Our new ratepayer incentive scheme | Interest charges | What if I can't pay because of financial hardship? | Increases caused by land revaluation | Eligible pensioners | How can I pay my rates? | Can I pay my rates online? | Can I get a replacement rates notice?

About 55% of Council’s money comes from rates and charges. Other funding comes through sources like government grants and revenue from investments. 

Your rates and charges help to pay for a whole range of facilities and services in the Wollongong Local Government Area such as:

• looking after our beaches;
• parks;
• sports fields;
• collecting waste;
• maintaining our roads;
• managing our development assessment system;
• running our libraries, community centres and many other programs.

Your rates also include a Stormwater Charge to manage water quality and quantity issues, introduced in accordance with the Local Government Amendment (Stormwater) Act 2005. This applies only to residential and business rate categories, and does not apply to vacant land.

How is my rate amount worked out?
The total amount of rate money we collect each year is worked out based on state government directions. How much you, as an individual, pay depends on how your land is used and the rating category it falls into. Your category is shown on your rate notice.

Your land value has a direct bearing on how much you pay in rates. The land value is determined by the state government body Land and Property Information NSW (formerly the Valuer-General), not by Council. A revaluation must be done at least once in every four years. The most recent revaluation took place in late 2004, and those values have been used to work out your rates for 2006-07.

To calculate the rate amount shown on your rates and charges notice, your land value is multiplied by a figure known as the ‘rate in the dollar’. The figure used depends on your rating category. If your land is in the residential category, we also use what’s called a ‘base amount’.

The base amount is applied to all residential ratepayers, and helps to even out rate increases in areas where there’s been an imbalanced increase in land valuations.

In 2006-07 Council has also introduced a Stormwater Management Charge.

How is my land value calculated?
Land value is the freehold market value of the land, taking into account surrounding development and services available, but disregarding existing improvements.

Does Council get more money when my land value goes up?
No, under the state government's rating system, we don't receive any more money as a result of land revaluations. Each year, regardless of revaluations, the government limits the amount of money Council can collect from rates.

Our new ratepayer incentive scheme
If you pay your rates and charges in full (including any outstanding amounts), you’ll be in the running to win a great prize! For more information visit the Rate Incentive page.

While you’ll still have the option to pay quarterly, the scheme aims to reward those who pay rates and charges up front and generate interest on Council investments that we can return to services and facilities across the city.

Interest charges
By law, interest charges will apply to an instalment not paid by the due date. The rate of interest is shown on your notice. If you miss the due date for any of your instalments you can still pay, but interest will apply.

If you’re an eligible pensioner and you pay your rates and charges in full on or before 31 May of each financial year, we’ll waive interest charges. So, pensioners have the discretion to pay their rates and charges however they choose, provided they’re paid in full by 31 May each year.

What if I can't pay because of financial hardship?
If circumstances, such as financial hardship, prevent you from paying your rates and charges by the due dates shown, we may be able to offer you some assistance. You can find out more by phoning our customer service team. 

Increases caused by land revaluation
You can request assistance if you incur an increase in your rates in the first year Council uses new land valuations, if the increase will cause you substantial financial hardship. You must apply in the first rating year Council uses the new land values to calculate the rates.

Eligible pensioners
If you have been issued with a Pensioner Concession card or receive a War Widows or TPI Pension and live at the rated property, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $250. This is a mandatory rebate that Council is required by law to provide to eligible pensioners.

In addition, a Council rebate will also apply to all pensioners who received a mandatory rebate prior to 1 January 1994. This rebate does not apply to pensioners who became eligible after that time.

If you received a pension rebate last year and Council has been able to confirm your pension numbers with Centrelink, your rebate for this year should be shown on your current notice. If not, you will need to complete an application form at our administration building. Part rebates may apply to ratepayers who become eligible pensioners.

If you are an eligible pensioner suffering financial hardship, apply to Council for assistance via our customer service team.

When do I have to pay my rates?
You have the option to either pay your rates and charges in full or by quarterly instalments. The due date for payment is shown on your rate notice. If you choose to pay by instalments, we'll send you a reminder notice at least 30 days before the due date for these instalments.

How can I pay my rates?
You have many choices when it comes to paying your rates and charges. These include direct debit, on-line payment, BPay, POST Billpay, by mail, in person and by phone. You can also have your rates and charges notice sent to you by email. Am 0.8 percent charge will be incurred for credit card payments.

Can I pay my rates online?
Yes you can. Click on the 'pay my rates' within the navigation menu on the left.

Can I get a replacement rates notice?
Yes, but it will cost you $15.