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 2009/10 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 2009/10 is $0.007849 per dollar of capital value for residential properties and $0.014149 per dollar of capital value for commercial and industrial properties.   The General Uniform Annual Charge for 2009/10 is $140.00 per rateable property, the same level as in previous years.  Under Council's Rate Remission Policy, residential ratepayers will not pay more than $2,630 in District rates in 2009/10.

Water Rate

The Water Rate for most properties, including all residential properties, is a separate Uniform Annual Charge of $48.30.  This is charged on each separately occupied or inhabited property to which Council supplies water.   Properties on metered water supply are charged $0.12 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 $32.30.  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 $171.20 for those residential properties with a 60 litre residual bin and $231.20 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 2009/2010 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  Rates Rebate Scheme

The Rates Rebate Scheme is a Government funded scheme designed to benefit people on low incomes.  For the rating year 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010, the Rates Rebte Scheme provides for a rebate up to a maximum of $550.

The income threshold set by the Government is currently $21,910, but you may still be entitled to a rebate even if your income is higher than this.  For example, if you pay high rates and/or have one or more dependants, you may qualify for at least a partial rebate.

Details of the scheme and forms for claiming rebates are available from Council. Staff will be pleased to provide further information and to check your eligibility for a rebate if you are in any doubt as to whether you qualify or not.  You are encouraged to take advantage of this service if you require it, or click here to access the electronic calculator.

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, or if your name is not on the bill, you must be paying some of the rates (evidence of this is required).

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

• Proof of your income in the last tax year (1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009).
• 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.