Freqently Asked Questions relating to Rates
WHY ARE THE RATES FOR MY VACANT PROPERTY IN TOWN SO HIGH COMPARED TO THOSE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE A HOUSE?
This inconsistency which you have correctly identified arises from the method of valuing vacant gross rental valued properties, which in effect do not have a rentable value. In these circumstances, the Valuer Generals Office calculates the value based on 5% of the capital value of the land (effectively the market price). Given the high values for vacant land in Denmark, this results in the value used for rating purposes being in effect higher than the rentable value of a property that has been developed and consequently a higher rates levy applies.
Council is aware that this valuation system creates this anomaly and has previously raised this matter with representatives of the Valuer Generals Office who advised that they are unable to amend their system due to the legislative procedures under which they are required to operate.
WHY DID THE SHIRE CHANGE MY SMALL RURAL PROPERTY FROM AN UNIMPROVED VALUE TO A GROSS RENTAL VALUED PROPERTY?
The Shire of Denmark has converted all small rural holdings of 20 hectares or less to a gross rental value basis for rating purposes to ensure all property owners paid a fair and equitable amount towards the costs of the works and services offered by the Shire.
Council was of the view that these properties should pay a GRV rate to ensure equity with owners in the townsite, given that it was the view of the Shire that these blocks are for lifestyle purposes and not for agricultural production.
WHAT IS THE VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY LEVY TO BE USED FOR?
The Denmark Shire Council in its recently adopted 2008/09 Budget has included for the first a time an Environmental Sustainability Levy. The $20 levy is completely voluntary but Council is hopeful that ratepayers will see the benefits of contributing to it. It is being applied to not just residential properties but businesses as well.
The Councils Director of Planning & Sustainability, Mr Eber Butron notes the initiatives proposed from the levy and depending upon the degree of support (voluntary payments made) include;
• Participation in the Cities for Climate Protection ‘The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives or ‘ICLEI’ for short and Water Campaigns;
• Participation in the Energy and Water ‘Demand Management’ project with Western Power and the Water Corporation;
• Adoption of a vehicle replacement strategy based on greater vehicle safety (ANCAP) and the Federal Governments ‘Green Vehicle Guide’;
• Creation of a vehicle emissions offset revegetation area within the Shire;
• Creating an additional part-time position to assist implement Councils commitment to these and other Climate Change initiates;
• Increasing its green energy purchases from 25% to 50% of all power;
• Development of a water management plan for Council’s buildings, parks and reserves;
• Expanding the Shire seed harvesting and revegetation nursery (last year the Council planted some 32,000 endemic and native trees and seedlings within the Shire);
• Further developing and implementing Council’s natural resource management commitments and projects throughout the Shire
WHY HAVE REFUSE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING FEES INCREASED SO MUCH?
The cost of providing these services is currently only met in part by the income received and it was a budget decision of the Council that these services should operate on a full cost recovery basis over time. This will result in the fees applicable to these services increasing again over the next three to five budget periods to meet this objective.
WHY DO MY RATES FOR MY PEACEFUL BAY PROPERTY SEEM CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEARS?
This year the Shire of Denmark has added the annual lease fee and the new refuse fees to your rates notice. This was a decision made due to the considerable amount of confusion caused in the past when paying these accounts separately. Your rates notice this year has your annual rates, your annual lease and your annual rubbish charges for your property in one bill. You will not be receiving any extra accounts for your property and this should alleviate any confusion caused in past years.
HOW MUCH DID MY RATES INCREASE THIS YEAR?
If your property is rated as a GRV (Gross Rental Value) property, then your rates will have increased by approximately 4.5% if your property is rated as a UV (Unimproved Value) property then your rates will have increased by approximately 5.5%.
WHY IS THE AMOUNT SHOWING ON MY RATES NOTICE FOR RUBBISH CHARGES DIFFERENT TO THE INFORMATION LEAFLET I RECEIVED WITH MY RATES NOTICE?
Unfortunately the figures within the information leaflet sent out this year for weekly and fortnightly rubbish charges were a typographical error. As adopted by Council at the Special meeting on the 28th July 2009 Rubbish charges were set to be $275 Weekly and $137.50 Fortnightly and $107 for Domestic Recycling (this is the correct figure in the document).