Rates Information

Council charges its General Rates on a differential basis under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

General Rates are apportioned on a 55:45 differential, which means that the commercial and industrial sector pays 55% of these rates and the residential sector pays 45% (after allowing for the General Uniform Annual Charge). The differential ratio will remain at 55:45 unless Council decides to make changes in the future.

Council has set the following rates for 2011/12 to fund its operations:

• General Rates.
• Water Rates.
• Wastewater Rates.
• Refuse Collection Rates.

All rates quoted in the following information are GST inclusive.

General Rate

The General Rate generates the funds necessary to provide many of the Council services and consists of two elements:

• A General Rate charged on the capital value of each rateable property, plus
• A General Uniform Annual Charge.

The General Rate for 2011/12 is $0.008986 per dollar of capital value for residential properties and $0.01544 per dollar of capital value for commercial and industrial properties.

The General Uniform Annual Charge for 2011/12 is $140.00 per separately occupied or inhabited property, the same level as in previous years.

Under Council's Rate Remission Policy, residential ratepayers will not pay more than $3,040.00 in District rates in 2011/12.

Water Rate

The Water Rate for most properties, including all residential properties, is a separate Uniform Annual Charge of $61.28.   This is charged on each separately occupied or inhabited property to which Council supplies water. Properties on metered water supply are charged $0.138 per cubic metre of water used. This is charged on a quarterly basis with a minimum charge of $20.00.

Wastewater Rate

The Wastewater Rate is a separate Uniform Annual Charge of $174.00.  This is charged on each separately occupied or inhabited property that is connected to Council's wastewater disposal network.

Refuse Collection Rate

The Refuse Collection Rate is a separate Uniform Annual Charge of $164.12 for those residential properties with a 60 litre residual bin and $224.12 for those residential properties with a 120 litre residual bin. This is charged on each separately occupied or inhabited residential property from which Council is prepared to remove refuse.

Rates Due Dates

All rates are set and charged for the year from 1 July to 30 June. Council requires them to be paid by instalments. For the 2011/2012 rating year, instalments are as follows:

You may pay your rates in a number of different ways:

• At the District Office by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card.
• By cheque via the mail - please do not send cash via the mail.
• Via Internet or Telephone Banking - we are listed by the major banks as a "Bill Payee" and will provide any other assistance you may require.
• By Automatic Payment (AP) at intervals that suit you.
• By quarterly Direct Debit (D/D) - debits are generally charged to your bank account on the Wednesday before the rates due date.

Rates Penalties

An instalment penalty of 10% will be charged on any balance of the current instalment which has not been paid by the due date.

Two further penalties will be charged, on 1 October and 1 April each year, amounting to 10% of any balance of rates levied in previous rating years and which remains unpaid at those dates.

Rates Relief for Development Policy

The aim of Council's policy on rates relief for developments is to "increase the long-term economic development and well-being of the District of Kawerau".

The policy defines what is meant by "development" and identifies considerations which Council may take into account when deciding on any application for relief.

The policy is unchanged from 2008/09 and an unabridged copy of the policy is included in the Long-Term Plan 2009/2019 1.87 Mb Rates Rebate Scheme

Rates Rebate Scheme

The Rates Rebate Scheme is a Government funded scheme designed to benefit people on low incomes. The current income threshold for this year is $23,240.00 and the maximum rebate allowed is $580.00 for the rating year 2011/2012. Although a ratepayer's income might exceed the income threshold, a rates rebate could still be available, depending on the rates amount and number of dependents. Please visit the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or click here to access the electronic calculator to assess your eligibility.

Council staff are available to assist you with scheme details and forms. We encourage ratepayers to take advantage of this government initiative.

To qualify for a rebate the following criteria apply:

• You must pay rates on the address you live at.
• You must have been living at that address at the start of the rating year.
• Your name must be on the rates bill.

When applying for a rebate or checking eligibility, you should have available:

• Proof of your income in the last tax year (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011).
• Proof of income of your partner or joint homeowner, if he/she lives with you.
• Your rates notice.

Once you have received your first Rates Instalment Invoice you may apply for a rebate. Applications must be made each year for the current rating period. More information on the scheme is available by clicking here.