The major source of income for Council is the income provided by a tax on property owners based on the value of their properties. This tax is known as "Rates". The Department of Local Government has developed an information package explaining why you pay rates.
Rates are calculated on the land valuation of a property which is multiplied by a 'rate in the dollar'. The land value is provided to Council by the Valuer-General, a State Government authority. The total amount of money Council can receive from Rates is "pegged" by the State Government. Each year the Minister for Local Government approves a maximum % increase in the total money Council can receive from rates.
In addition to Land Rates for residential properties, a Domestic Waste Management Charge is payable for Council to provide garbage and recycling services.
