Rates for the 2009/10 Financial Year

While Council has again used the two former rating systems of the Warwick and Stanthorpe Councils - one flat rate system (Warwick) and the other differential with a number of different categories (Stanthorpe), it is expected that this is the last year of a split rating system.  In preparation for the differential rating system to be introduced in 2010/11, consultants are currently modelling around 16 rate categories, which are expected to meet the requirements of the Southern Downs.

Warwick

The former Warwick Shire rating method utilises three year averaging to mitigate the impact of sudden rises in valuations from one year to the next, particularly in rural areas.  The average valuation is calculated by taking the average of the current effective value and each of the effective values for the previous two financial years.  If there are not three effective values to average, the land's effective value is equal to the land's current value for the financial year multiplied by the average factor, which is 99 per cent, for 2009/10.

General rates will be changed at 0.7747 cents in the dollar on the averaged value of rateable land, with the minimum general rate set at $545.00.

For the 2009/10 financial year interest will begin to be charged 90 days from the rates due date.

Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe's minimum general rate will rise from $472.50 to $505.00, except private forestry which is $354 (category 8).

Stanthorpe residents will receive a 10 per cent discount for payment of rates within 30 days, the same as Warwick.

Charges for the 2008/09 Financial Year

General Waste Collection Charges

In Warwick, garbage collection charges will rise from $200 to $213.80 (including kerbside recycling collection), with Stanthorpe's garbage service rising from $122.60 to $250.00 after inclusion of a new kerbside recycling service.

Fees for commercial waste collection services (general waste wheelie bin) have been set at $182.20 per annum Warwick and $146.00 per annum Stanthorpe.

Sewerage Fees

Water Charges

Urban Fire Services Levy & Rural Fire Brigades Special Charge

Once again, ratepayers will notice either an Urban Fire Services Levy or a Rural Fire Brigades Special Charge on their rate notices.

The Urban Fire Services Levy is a fee charged by the State Government that the local authority is required to collect on their behalf.  This charge is levied on all properties within the urban fire levy boundary, as defined on maps developed by the State Fire Services Authority.

This revenue is not channelled into the rural fire services sector, therefore properties that fall outside these defined boundaries contribute to the rural fire service sector via a special charge of $20 for each rateable property.  All revenue from this Special Charge is directed to the region's Rural Fire Brigades to ensure their continued operation.  This year discount will not be allowed on Rural Fire Brigade Special Charge.

Waste Charges

The Southern Downs Regional Council is continuing to work towards the implementation of waste management initiatives in both the former Warwick and Stanthorpe areas and will maintain waste levies to help meet the strategic goals.

In the former Warwick Shire, the Waste Facilities Levy will remain and will rise from $171.00 to $182.80

Stanthorpe residents will still incur a Separate Landfill Charge, which will rise from $84.00 to $89.80.

In addition to funding increased waste management costs, the charges will assist with the cost of major projects.  Allora will not only receive a new waste transfer station but also the old Allora landfill site will be rehabilitated and capped - total cost $1.4 million ($700,000 last year and $700,000 this year).  Expansion of this project has been made possible by a substantial subsidy from the State Government.

Council has committed $500,000 towards the construction of a new waste transfer station in Wallangarra - $300,000 this financial year with an additional $200,000 coming from the 2010/11 budget.  Council has elected to minimise the impact of the cost of this project to ratepayers by spreading it over two financial years.

In the coming year, $40,000 has been set aside for remediation work following the closure of the Tannymorel landfill.

Any enquiries regarding Council's waste management activities should be directed to Council's Environmental Services Department by telephoning 4661 0300 (Warwick) or 4681 5500 (Stanthorpe).

Roads Charge

In 2006/07 the former Warwick Shire Council adopted a separate charge on all rateable land for "Roads".  In 2008/09 this charge will remain on properties in the Northern Region (Warwick) and will be $101.55.  This Roads Charge will generate funds to be used specifically towards roads, thereby freeing up general revenue to help sustain the Region's services and facilities.

Payment of Rates

Rates can be paid by calling in personally at one of Council's offices in Warwick or Stanthorpe or at the Allora library or by forwarding cheques or postal orders through the mail to Post Office Box 26, Warwick Q 4370.

BPay can be arranged by contacting your participating Bank, Credit Union or Building Society to make this payment from your cheques or savings account.

Payments for former Warwick Shire Council properties can be made direct to any branch of the Warwick Credit Union, as well as online. Click Here to go directly to the Rates Payments page.  Provision has also been made for payments to be made at the Leyburn and Dalveen Post Offices.

Former Stanthorpe Shire Council properties can pay their rates by POST billpay at any Post Office & agency in Australia, and may also pay online using POST billpay .

EFTPOS facilities are available for the payment of rates at the Council Administration Offices, with Visa & MasterCard credit cards being accepted.  At this stage, American Express is not accepted.

Should any ratepayer not be able to pay the total rate amount within 30 days they should immediately contact council on 4661 0300 (Warwick) or 4681 5500 (Stanthorpe) and make arrangements for payment by instalments. Any time-payment arrangements entered into will result in the loss of discount if full payment is not completed on or before the discount expiry date. Council will accept rate payments in advance of the issue of rate notices.

Rates Database

Southern Downs Regional Council offers an online property enquiry facility for subscribers. The service provides details on ownership, valuation, outstanding fees and physical details of every property in the former Warwick Shire Council area. The service is available only to Real Estate Agents, Solicitors and Valuers through payment of an annual subscription fee.

If you would like further information about this service please contact the Customer Service Centre either by email or phone (07) 4661 0300.

If you currently hold a valid subscription, you may enter here and view the Rates Database or print the Rates Search Application Form and mail to the address at the top of the form.