Rates FAQs – Wyndham
North
How are rates calculated?
Rates are calculated on property valuations. Wyndham City Council uses the Capital Improved Value (CIV) for
the calculation of rates.
A common calculation of rates may be as follows:
General Rates = Capital Improved Value $750,000 X Rural Lifestyle Rate in Dollar 0.002894 = $2,170.50
Municipal Charge = $46.50
(municipal charge is a fixed charge to each property)
Waste Management Charge = $250.83
(only charged to properties where the service is available)
Total Rates and Charges = $2,170.50 + $46.50 + $250.83 = $2,467.83
In this example the rating differential is assumed Rural Lifestyle. This rate in the dollar will vary dependent
upon the property classification.
Valuation Information
What is the Capital Improved Value?
CIV stands for Capital Improved Value. It is basically the market value of the property which includes the
house and land. CIV ignores the added value of chattels, tenants’ fixtures and fittings.
How is my property valued?
Council maintains records of each property in the municipality with up-to-date building details. These details
allows Councils Independent Valuers to value each property, based on market value, gauged from relevant
property sales in the area.
Where does the sales evidence come from?
Every time a property in the municipality is sold, the relevant solicitor/conveyancer notifies Council of new
owners and the sale prices.
How is the sales evidence used?
The sale details of properties are examined to determine the typical sale price for different size and types of
properties in each area of the municipality.
Who values my property?
Your property is valued by qualified independent valuers and overseen by the Valuer General to ensure the
accuracy of the valuation.
Urban Growth Zone Rating Differential Flowchart
What Rating Differential should be applied to my property
1) Does my property fall within an urban growth zone?
Yes - go to question 2
No - your property is not eligible for the UGZ assistance Council has in place. Please contact Council's Rating
Services Unit to discuss.
2) Is your property over 2 hectares in size and has a commercial farming activity
operating on it?
Yes - you may qualify for a farmland rate. If your property is not already attracting a farmland rate, please
contact Council's Rating Services Unit to discuss. A farmland rate is set at 80% of the general rate.
No - go to question 3
3) Does your property have a principal place of residence established and falls
within an urban growth zone?
Yes - your property may qualify for the Rural Lifestyle rate. If your property is not already attracting a rural
lifestyle rate, please contact Council's Rating Services Unit to discuss. The rural lifestyle rate is set at 90% of
the general rate.
No - Go to question 4
4) Is your property vacant land without an approved subdivision?
Yes - Your property may qualify for the rural vacant land rate. If your property is not already attracting a
rural vacant land rate, please contact Council's Rating Services Unit to discuss. The vacant rural rate is set at
100% of the general rate which is 60% less than the residential vacant land rate.
No - Go to question 5
5) Is your property vacant land and has been subdivided as a result of a precinct
structure plan?
Yes - you are likely to pay a residential development land rate. If your property is not already attracting a
residential development land rate, please contact Council's Rating Services Unit to discuss. The residential
development land rate is set at 170% of the general rate.
No - Please contact the Rating Services Unit to discuss the rating of your property.
Assistance for ratepayers of Urban Growth Properties
Impacted by 2012 General Valuation and beyond
Wyndham City provides relief to ratepayers when their property has been impacted upon by being identified
as Urban Growth Zone Land.
In 2012/13, a special assistance scheme was introduced specifically for all ratepayers within the Urban
Growth Zone which enables a ratepayer to pay the 2011/12 rates amount plus the average rate increase
(5.5% for 2012/13) until the property is developed or sold. Interest is charged at a rate of 10.5% pa (to be
reviewed annually) and full payment of rates would be required once the property is developed or sold.
As an extension to the special assistance scheme, owner occupiers within the Urban Growth Zone can pay
the 2011/12 rates amount plus the average rate increase (5.5% for 2012/13) until the property is developed
or sold. Interest is charged at a reduced rate of 6.5% p.a. for owner occupiers (to be reviewed annually) and
full payment of rates would only be required once the property is developed or sold. This reduced interest
rate is a reduction of 4% based on the 2012/13 penalty interest rate of 10.5% in 2013/2014.
All ratepayers within the Urban Growth Zone also have the option to apply for hardship relief. If hardship
consideration is approved, these ratepayers will have a waiver of interest charges in line with the hardship
relief package specified above.
Contact us
Rating Services Unit
Wyndham City
9742 0777