Rates for the 2012/2013Financial Year

Ratepayers should pay particular attention to the category that their property is listed in when they receive their rates notice.  If a ratepayer feels their property has been incorrectly categorised, they should contact Council.  Properties within the differential rating system are categorised according to the land use codes provided by the Valuer-General.

Differential Rating Categories
 

For additional information on differential rating categories, please refer to page 12 of the 2012/2013 Budget Media Package

A 10% discount is applicable when full payment is made within 30 days of issue.

Objections Process

If you believe your property is in the wrong rating category, you can lodge a formal objection.  Chapter 2, Part 5, Division 4 of the Local Government (Finance, Plans and Reporting) Regulation 2010 establishes the process for the owner of land to object to the categorisation of the land for rating purposes.  A landowner may object:

a)  only to the categorisation of the land, and
b)  on the sole ground that the land should belong to a different rating category

The objection must be made by giving notice of the objection to the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Downs Regional Council in writing.

The notice of the objection must:

1)  Be given within 30 days after the date of issue of the rate notice or any further period allowed by Southern Downs Regional Council; and
2)  Be in writing addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Southern Downs Regional Council, PO Box 26 Warwick QLD 4380; and
3)  Nominate the rating category in which the owner claims the land should have been included; and
4)  Specify the facts and circumstances on which the claim is based.

On receipt of an objection the Chief Executive Officer will, within 60 days after the objection was made:

1)  Consider the objection and decide to change the rating category to:-

a)  the rating category which the owner claims in the objection notice the land should belong; or
b)  another rating category, or

2)  Not allow the objection; and
3)  Give written notice of the decision to the owner, stating the reasons for the decision.

If the owner is not satisfied with the decision of the Chief Executive Officer and appeal may be started by filing a notice of appeal in the Land Court registry within 42 days after the owner received notice of the decision or failure, in a form approved by the Land Court.

Note that:

• The sole ground on which an owner may object is that Council has mis-categorised the land with respect to the description for the category in which the land has been included as at the date of issue of the relevant rate notice;
• Giving a notice of objection will not, in the meantime, affect the levy and recovery of rates; and
• If an owner's land is included in another rating category because of the objection, an adjustment of rates will be made

Charges for the 2012/2013 Financial Year

General Waste Collection Charges

In Warwick, garbage collection charges will rise from $257.05 to $269.90, with Stanthorpe's garbage service rising from $300.60 to $315.65.  Both areas include kerb-side recycling collection.

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 $30 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.

Payment of Rates

BPay:Contact your participating financial institution to make payment from your Cheque, Savings or Credit Card Account.  Please use the BPay Biller Code and Reference number shown on the notice.

• Internet: Click here to pay online using your credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
• Australia Post: In person at any post office (incl Dalveen & Leyburn), phone 13 18 16 or go to www.postbillpay.com.au
• Warwick Credit Union:  Take your rate notice intact to any WCU branch for payment.
• Credit Card:Detach the bottom portion of rates notice, complete details and forward with your payment, or phone any Council office to make a payment.
• Mail: Tear off the deposit slip and mail with payment to Southern Downs Regional Council, PO Box 26, WARWICK Q 4370 
• Council's Office: Cash, cheque, money order or credit card at any Council office.
  

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.