What are Council Rates?

Council rates are one of the main sources of funding for Local Government, they are essential in enabling Councils to deliver the hundreds of the services and facilities that our community relies on.

These services include:
- waste management
- roads, footpaths and kerbing
- traffic control
- parks and reserves including public seating, street trees and bins
- providing native trees free of charge to the community through Trees for Life
- playgrounds and sporting facilities
- tourism and economic development
- street lighting
- cemeteries
- public conveniences
- public swimming pools
- memorial halls
- regulatory planning & development control
- environmental health matters
- Civic affairs – Australia Day, Remembrance and Anzac Days, Australian Citizenship ceremonies
- animal management
- community bus
- fire protection and prevention
- street closures for community events
- stormwater management
- Community Wastewater Management System
- Community newsletter ‘Goyder’s Line Gazette’

How can I have a say in what my rates are spent on?

Council, in consultation with the community, is required to develop publicly available plans, including Long-Term Financial and Asset Management Plans. Council also prepare Annual Business Plans and Budget, which includes income sources, infrastructure needs, service needs and what the Council believes the community can afford in rates. Unlike other levels of government, Council releases its Annual Business Plan and Budget for community consultation prior to being adopted.

This consultation influences the annual budget that is presented to Council for consideration and adoption. The budget can only be set at Council Meetings, which are open to the public.

Constituents are encouraged to not only participate during the Annual Business Plan and Budget consultation period, which typically occurs around April/May, but throughout the year. Consultation helps Council to understand the services their communities need.

Payment of rates

You can choose to pay your rates in four quarterly instalments or in one annual amount. If you choose to pay quarterly we will send you further notices for each quarter at least 30 days prior to the due date.

Paying by instalment:
First instalment due 15^th September
Second instalment due 15^th December
Third instalment due 15^th March
Fourth instalment due 15^th June

FINES ON RATES

Rates will be overdue if they have not been paid by the ‘last day for payment’ date shown on the front of the notice. After this date, additional charges will apply as follows:
- A fine of 2% of the amount due will be added, and On the 16^th of each month thereafter, interest (at the rate prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999) will be added on any balance (including interest) not then paid.
- If the overdue amount remains unpaid after Final Reminder Notice, debt may be referred to an external party for recovery and   may incur additional fees and result in legal proceedings.

Service of this notice does not invalidate or vary any previous demands for payment.

Difficulty in Paying Rates

Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to experience difficulty with meeting the standard payment arrangements is strongly invited to contact the Council Office to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Council treats such enquiries confidentially.

Outstanding Rates Payment Agreement Form

General Rates Payment Arrangement Form

SINGLE FARM ENTERPRISE

Section 152(2)(d) of the Act provides that where a Council declares a general rate which is based in whole or in part, on a fixed charge:

"If two or more pieces of rateable land within the area of the Council constitute a single farm enterprise only one fixed charge may be imposed against the whole of the land".

A single farm enterprise must be comprised of two or more pieces of rateable land which are farm land and are occupied by the same person or persons. To enable properties to be identified as single farm enterprises it will be necessary for ratepayers to complete an application form to provide details to Council to enable Council to identify the land concerned and determine eligibility criteria is met.

To download a copy of Council's Single Farm Enterprise Fact Sheet and Application form, please click on the link below.

Single Farm Enterprise Application Form

Rebates and Remissions

Mandatory and Discretionary rebates are available on rates raised against properties owned or operated by community and charitable organisations. Eligibility criteria is detailed in Sections 159 - 166, Chapter 10 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Application forms and supporting documentation must be received by 31^st March in the given rating year of the initial approval and can be granted for periods of up to 10 years.

Rate Rebate - Application Form

State Government Concessions

To check your eligibility for State Government concessions, go to www.sa.gov.au/concessions or contact the Concessions SA Hotline on 1800 307 758.

OBJECTION TO VALUATION

You may object to the valuation referred to in this notice by writing served personally or by post on the Valuer-General within 60 days after the date of service of this notice. But Note:

(a) if you have previously received a notice or notices under the Local Government Act 1999 referring to the valuation and informing you of a 60-day objection period, the objection period is 60 days after service of the first such notice;

(b) you may not object to the valuation if the Valuer-General has already considered an objection by you to that valuation.

A written objection to valuation must set out the grounds for objection. Rates are still due and payable by the due date even if an objection has been lodged.

Objections are to be forwarded to: State Valuation Office

GPO Box 1354, Adelaide 5001. Phone 1300 653 345

Email lsgobjections@sa.gov.au

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (NRM) LEVY

Councils are required, by the State Government, to collect an amount specified as either the Northern & Yorke NRM Levy on all rateable properties within the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton boundaries. Collection occurs on behalf of the State Government via the Northern & Yorke NRM Board, which uses the funds to manage natural resources. Any queries relating to the NRM Levy should be directed to:

Northern & Yorke NRM Board
155 Main North Road
CLARE SA  5453
Phone 08 8841 3400
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au

VOTERS ROLL

Persons on the State House of Assembly Electoral Roll are automatically included in the Council Voters Roll and entitled to vote in Council elections.

Others who are ratepayers may also be entitled to be enrolled on the Council Voters Roll. If you have any queries please contact Council on 8658 1260 or email council@orroroo.sa.gov.au

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR OWNERSHIP

Please advise Council, in writing or by email immediately if your details have changed. Email: council@orroroo.sa.gov.au