Rates

What are land rates?

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".

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. Valuer General land valuations are carried out every three years, with the next valuations scheduled for 1 July 2012. For more information on how properties are valued, visit www.lpma.nsw.gov.au/valuation.

What is rate pegging?

The total amount of money Council can receive from Rates is "pegged" by the State Government. Each year the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets a maximum % increase in the total money Council can receive from rates. The rate peg in 2012/2013 financial year is 3.6%.

What do rates pay for?

Rates and charges make up 58% of Council’s revenue. Rates help pay for a wide range of infrastructure and services in our community including: street lighting, parks and reserves, sporting fields, pools, public halls, maintaining roads, managing libraries and may other services and programs.

For full details of Council's rate structure refer to Council's Operational Plan.

Other Council Charges

In addition to rates, residential ratepayers pay a Domestic Waste Management Charge. This charge funds the collection and disposal of Council's general household waste, green waste and recycling services. The charge is typically $400/year or $7.70/week.

A Stormwater Service Charge has been applied to all ratepayers since 2007 and is used to fund important stormwater management initiatives and services. It has been set at $25 per household since that time.

Special Rate Variations

Council can apply to IPART to increase rates above the pegged rate limit – this is called an application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV). In the last 12 years Council has applied for two special rate variations. In 2000/2001 Council levied a 5% SRV over 5 years for infrastructure renewal and upgrade. At the end of this period, rates reduced by the 5% levy amount. This levy no longer applies.

In 2005/2006 the Aquatics Levy was raised to help pay for the new Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre and refurbishment of the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre. The levy will raise approximately ½ half the funds needed, with the other ½ half funded from general revenue. This levy will end in 2020/2021.

Is Council planning any other Special Rate Variations?

Council is currently considering applying for a Special Rate Variation to pay for the building of a New Marrickville Library. Council is committed to building a library that meets the needs of the local community. However, in order to create a building based on community feedback, significant money will need to be raised. Current estimates for the project indicate that the new library will cost approximately $25m and the park/forecourt about $5m.

Council reserves can meet approximately $7m, however additional funds of up to $23m will be needed. Council's Long Term Financial Plan has foreshadowed the need for a Special Rate Variation to pay for the re-development of Council properties including the library.

Council believes this may be the best way to provide a new library for the people of Marrickville, with the costs spread over 15 years to help reduce the impact on current local residents. To find out more information or provide feedback on the proposed Special Rate Variation, go to www.yoursaymarrickville.com.au/newlibrarysite.

The new Marrickville Library Special Rate Variation online calculator

If the proposed special rate variation of 6.72 per cent for the new Marrickville Library is supported by the community and approved by IPART, it would apply for 15 years from 2013/2014.

Please note that the special rate variation would only apply to the rateable income, not to other charges (domestic waste charge and the stormwater levy).

The special rate variation of 6.72 per cent is in addition to the annual rate peg of 3.6 per cent which is the limit by which all councils in NSW may increase the total income they receive from rates.

To understand how this increase would affect your rates bill please use the online calculator below:

Picture of example rates notice showing correct amount to use for this calculator 

Enter your current yearly rates to the nearest whole dollar. You can find this on your rates notice as indicated above.

   


In 2012/13, your rates after applying the annual rate peg of 3.6 per cent will be:

In 2013/14, your rates after applying the annual rate peg of 3.0 per cent will be:
per year, an increase of per year or per week

If the special rate variation of 6.72 per cent were supported and approved, your rates for 2013/2014 would increase to:
per year, or a further increase of per year or per week

*Please note these figures are based on current rate levels and are indicative only. They do not include any potential variation to your land valuation. The next land valuations will apply from 2013/2014.

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How do Marrickville Council rates compare with other councils?

The following two graphs outline how Marrickville Council rates compare with several councils in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Comparison of Marrickville Council residential and business rates to other inner-Sydney councils. Source: DLG Comparative Data 2009/10.
Source: Department of Local Government Comparative Data 2009/10.
 

More information

Please visit one of the following pages for more specific information about land rates: