Budget Summary and Schedule of
Rates & Charges
2016-17
Index
A message from the Mayor ......................................................................................... 3
Your Councillors .................................................................................................................... 4
Budget at a glance .............................................................................................................. 5
Where does the money come from? .................................................................. 6
Where will the money go? ............................................................................................ 7
Effect on rates ......................................................................................................................... 8
General rates ........................................................................................................ 8
Sewerage ................................................................................................................. 8
Garbage collection charge ....................................................................... 9
Water charges ..................................................................................................... 9
Regional funding snapshot ....................................................................................... 10
General rating information .......................................................................................... 12
Frequency of rate notices ....................................................................... 12
Discounts .............................................................................................................. 12
Interest charged on overdue rates .................................................. 12
Sale of land for arrears of rates .......................................................... 12
Pensioner remission .................................................................................... 12
Rate cap ................................................................................................................ 13
Property valuation .......................................................................................... 13
General rates ......................................................................................................................... 14
Notice of categorisation ........................................................................... 15
How to object to my rate category? ............................................... 17
Sewerage charges ........................................................................................................... 19
Waste collection charges ........................................................................................... 19
Water charges ...................................................................................................................... 20
Water access charge ................................................................................. 20
Water consumption charge ................................................................... 21
Other water schemes ................................................................................. 21
Pensioner remission conditions ............................................................................ 22
Emergency Management, Fire & Rescue Levy ........................................ 22
Changed address lately? ............................................................................................ 22
Methods of payment ...................................................................................................... 23
Page 2
A message from the Mayor
I am pleased to present Gladstone Regional
Council’s Budget 2016-17 - this Council's first
budget.
Budget 2016-17 delivers the priority goals I
identified ahead of my election as Mayor, namely:
• Ensuring our region receives its fair share of state and federal
government funding;
• Increasing support for community and sporting groups; and
• Easing costs for ratepayers by reducing expenditure.
Council has already secured assistance for projects that are of great
benefit to our region, including:
• $1.1m for a new water treatment plant in Miriam Vale;
• $3.5m for mitigating flood impacts across our region;
• $700,000 for the CQ Driver Education Facility at Benaraby;
• $4.6m of recouped Gladstone Area Water Board dividends to
fund vital water infrastructure and increased water concessions
for sporting and non-profit organisations; and
• Integrated Health Precinct, a hub of health and community
services (funding amount dependent on federal election
outcome which was unknown at time of publishing).
Council is delivering $500,000 to community and sporting groups
and $779,000 to promote school and community events, is reducing
community group waste fees and sporting facility sewerage
connection costs, and maintaining pensioner and community group
public swimming pool lane hire concession fees.
I’m pleased to report a reduction of $1.84m of operational
expenditure has been achieved, despite inflation of more than $3
million.
Going against Local Government Association of Queensland
predictions that a statewide average rate increase may be necessary
this financial year, Council has reduced its average general rate
charge by 0.72%, delivering a more efficient level of service per
residential ratepayer.
While the average general rate figure will decrease, rate prices for
individual properties will vary due to fluctuations in land valuations
based on the assessment of the Valuer-General, with 71% of
residential properties to experience a rate increase of less than
2.6% and 20% of properties to receive a decrease of up to 35%.
Water consumption and garbage collection charges will not
increase. Nor will the general rate for the rural, small business,
commercial and light industrial sectors. Pensioner concessions will
continue.
Reducing ratepayer costs required a critical review of our expenditure
and a sustained effort across the entire organisation to improve our
bottom line. I thank Councillors and staff for achieving this.
I encourage all residents and ratepayers to view our Budget and
contact Council if they have any questions.
Matt Burnett - Mayor
Gladstone Regional Council
Page 3
Your Councillors
Cr Matt Burnett
Mayor
Phone: 0437 086 401
Email: [email protected]
Cr Chris Trevor
Deputy Mayor
Phone: 0437 757 839
Email: [email protected]
Cr Cindi Bush
Councillor
Phone: 0437 642 081
Email: [email protected]
Cr Glenn Churchill
Councillor
Phone: 0407 289 139
Email: [email protected]
Cr Kahn Goodluck
Councillor
Phone: 0433 944 302
Email: [email protected]
Cr Rick Hansen
Councillor
Phone: 0448 885 047
Email: [email protected]
Cr Peter Masters
Councillor
Phone: 0438 145 780
Email: [email protected]
Cr Desley O'Grady
Councillor
Phone: 0437 837 148
Email: [email protected]
Cr PJ Sobhanian
Councillor
Phone: 0412 544 201
Email: [email protected]
Page 4
Budget 2016-17
Sustainability by design.
At A Glance
$9.9 million
$74.7 million
Arts & Culture
Roads & Drainage
$16.3 million
Waste
$84.7 million
Water & Sewerage
$20.8 million
Parks & Open Space
$12.1 million
Community Wellbeing
$48.6 million
Other areas of Council
(incl Loan Payments, Fleet, IT, Planning and Administration)
For every $100 of your rates,
Council delivers a range of services...
$24.75
$3.66
$8.35
$31.86
Roads, construction,
maintenance, engineering,
drainage, bridges and
footpaths
Arts, culture
and libraries
Parks, playgrounds and
open space
Water and sewerage
infrastructure,
maintenance and
operations
$10.94
Page 5
$3.75
Planning, development
assessment, regulatory
services, environment,
compliance and land use
$6.79
Wheelie bin collections
and management of
waste facilities
$4.59
Community wellbeing,
sport and recreation and
aquatic facilities
$5.31
Property, fleet and
facility management
Customer service,
administration, human
resources, IT and safety
Where does the money come from?
The bulk of Council’s operating budget revenue is generated
through general rates and service charges. General rates are
essentially a tax on property and are based on the value of land.
Residential properties are assessed by the Valuer-General on their
‘site’ value and rural property on their ‘unimproved’ value. Service
charges are levied on properties that receive a specific service.
These charts show the source of Council’s operating and capital
budget revenue:
Operational Budget Revenue 2016-17
Rates & Service
Charges 78%
Recoverable
Works 1%
Operating
Grants &
Contributions
6%
Interest
2%
Fees &
Charges 13%
Capital Budget Revenue 2016-17
General Fund
39%
External Capital Grants
& Subsidies 19%
Page 6
Transfer from
Reserves 42%
Where will the money go?
Council’s business is divided into directorates and each directorate
is provided with a budget allocation to maintain and operate
existing infrastructure and services, and for new capital projects.
These charts show where money is being spent:
Operational Expenditure 2016-17
Total Debt
Repayments 8%
Corporate & Community
Services 16%
Total Transfer to
Reserves 10%
Office of the
CEO 5%
Waste 8%
Finance
3%
Sewerage
8%
Parks &
Environment
14%
Water 14%
Roads & Drainage
Network 14%
Capital Expenditure 2016-17
Water 18%
Roads &
Drainage
Network 42%
Sewerage
18%
Waste 2%
Parks &
Environment
4%
Fleet 5%
Corporate & Community
Services 11%
Page 7
Effect on Rates
AVERAGE GENERAL RATES
=
No Change
The average general rate for residential properties will
decrease by 0.72%
However, rates for individual properties will vary, due to
fluctuations in land valuations, determined by the ValuerGeneral. The distribution of land values has resulted in:
• 20% of properties receiving a decrease of as
much as 35%
• 5% of properties’ rates remaining the same
• 71% of properties experiencing a rate increase
of up to 2.5%
• 4% of properties experiencing a rate increase
of between 2.6% and Council’s cap of 10%
On average, however, the general rate revenue received by
Council per residential property will decrease by 0.72%.
Average general rate revenue from the rural, small business,
commercial and light industrial sectors will not increase.
Council’s pensioner concession will continue at 50% of the
general rate up to a maximum of $290 per annum.
SEWERAGE
 $10p.a.
up to 1.5% increase
Sewerage charges are in line with Council’s 10 year
implementation of parity pricing across the region
Service Area
2015/16 Rate 2016/17 Rate
Gladstone
$657
$667
Boyne Island/Tannum
Sands/Calliope
$734
$744
Agnes Water/
Seventeen Seventy
$874
$884
Page 8
GARBAGE COLLECTION CHARGE
=
No Change
0% increase
Domestic garbage collection charges for the two bin system
will remain at $290 throughout the region in 2016/17
WATER ACCESS CHARGE
 $10p.a.
up to 2.1% increase
(operation, maintenance and
upgrading of the network)
SCHEME
2015/16 Rate
2016/17 Rate
Lake Awoonga
$461
$471
Miriam Vale/Bororen
$518
$528
Agnes Water/
Seventeen Seventy
$518
$528
WATER CONSUMPTION CHARGE
=
No Change
0% increase
(per kilolitre charge for water consumed)
SCHEME
2015/16 Rate
2016/17 Rate
Lake Awoonga
$1.65/kL
$1.65/kL
Miriam Vale/Bororen
$3.69/kL
$3.69/kL
Agnes Water/
Seventeen Seventy
$3.74/kL
$3.74/kL
Page 9
Regional Funding Snapshot
Mount Larcom
Raglan
$120,000
Mt Larcom Tennis
Court area upgrade
& BBQ
King George
Street pavement
upgrade
Curtis Island
Raglan
Creek
Rundle Range
National Park
$641,000
Gravel resheeting
Bracewell
Roadworks
Curtis Island
National park
Balaclava
Island
$468,000
Darts Creek, East End
& Mount Larcom
$78,000
Sewerage upgrade
Fire Creek
Bridge upgrade
Mount Larcom
Bracewell Road
flood damage
works
$28,125
Cattle Creek Road
flood damage works
$600,000
Mount Larcom
$441,461
Curtis Island
$154,473
Raglan
The Narrows
Raglan
Targinnie
Mount Larcom
$75,000
Targinnie
Water supply upgrade
Mount Larcom
Mount Larcom
$35,000
Mt Larcom
Cemetery
development
Ambrose
$470,000
Four Mile Creek
bridge renewal
Calliope
$83,786
Bindawalla Road
flood damage
Yarwun
Recreation
Grounds upgrade
$296,000
Roadworks
Calliope
Calliope
$515,000
Racecourse
Road upgrade
$83,786
Gla
Yarwun
Boyn
$262,500
Sewerage capital
works
Calliope
$940,000
$849,180
HWAY
Bena
Calliope
HIG
Water services N Tableland
Road
capital worksW S O flood damage
D
F
Port Curtis
Yarwun
$101,000
West Stowe
Lake
Awoonga
A
Benaraby
$1,050,000
Central Queensland
Motorsports Complex
$173,547
Wooderson
Gravel resheeting
Yarwun
Calliope
Calliope Sports
Park improvements
South E
$34,000
Wooderson
$140,000
Gravel resheeting
Bindawalla Road
flood damage
Water capital works
$25,000
Bororen
Benaraby Landfill
improvements
$25,000
Reedbed Road
Kroombitbridge
Tops repairs
$180,000
Gravel
resheeting
Castle T
Nationa
Bororen
Benaraby
Mount Alma
Upgrades, renewals
and improvements
$235,000
$748,000
Lake Awoonga
$1,958,638
Benaraby
National Park
Bororen Cemetery
water service
upgrade
Ubobo
Nag
U
$35,000
Designs to alleviate
drainage and
flooding issues
Barmundu
Boyne Valley
Stormwater
capital
Norton Road
betterment works
$75,000
$2,033,355
Many Peaks
Boyne Valley
$259,000
Gravel resheeting
Many P
$190,000
Many Peaks
Railway Dam park
development
Miram Vale
$556,000
Lions Park
Miriam Vale
Page 10
Gladstone
Gladstone
Integrated Health
Services Precinct,
Philip Street
Harvey Road
upgrade
$1,500,000
$5,184,043
Gladstone
Gladstone
Gladstone
Goondoon Street
Streetscape
Demonstration Gardens,
Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Gladstone
Gladstone
Footpath works
Memorial Park,
Gladstone - Pump Track
$700,000
$715,000
$9,248,000
Water capital works
$350,000
$300,000
Gladstone
$7,660,000
Sewerage capital works
Boyne Island
/Tannum Sands
Boyne Island
/Tannum Sands
$300,000
Wild Cattle Creek
erosion control
$100,000
Boyne Tannum Memorial
Parklands pathways
End
Facing Island
adstone
Boyne Island
/Tannum Sands
$147,000
Disability compliant
bus set down areas
$2,516,250
Sewerage and
water capital works
New footpaths
Agnes Water
$1,472,500
ne Island
Water services
capital works
Tannum Sands
Wild Cattle Island
National Park
Hummock Hill
Island
araby
Boyne Island
/Tannum Sands
$115,000
Boyne Island
/Tannum Sands
Seventeen Seventy
$120,000
Preliminary design
for marina precinct
Agnes Water
$4,141,945
Turkey Beach
Gravel resheeting
Turkey Beach
$41,000
$509,380
New footpaths
$210,000
Colosseum
$210,000
Gravel resheeting
Seventeen Seventy
Turkey Beach Road
safety improvements
Bororen
Agnes Water
Stormwater
infrastructure
Eurimbula
National Park
$300,000
Tower
al Park
Agnes Water
Captain Creek
$283,000
Deepwater
National Park
Gravel resheeting
$26,000
Miriam Vale
Gravel resheeting
goorin
Mount Colosseum
National Park
Ubobo
Workmans Beach
Camp Ground
improvements
Agnes Water
Sewerage
capital works
Agnes Water
Diglum
Agnes Water
$45,000
Deepwater
Rules Beach
Broadwater
$460,000
$54,000
Park
Gravel resheeting Conservation
Gravel
resheeting
Baffle Creek
Builyan
Rules
Beach
Baffle Creek
Lowmead
Baffle Creek
Peaks
$225,000
Miram Vale
Lowmead
$2,230,000
Miriam Vale water
treatment plant upgrade
Miram Vale
$215,000
Stormwater
capital works
$336,000
Capping of
former Landfills
Miram Vale
$215,000
Blomfield Street
footpath upgrade
Page 11
Lowmead
$30,000
Stormwater works,
Lowmead Road
Lowmead
$190,000
Gravel
resheeting
Rosedale
Flat Rock Picnic
Grounds boat
launching
Baffle Creek
Rosedale
$120,000
Renewal of SES
building and
vehicles
$250,000
Safety
improvements,
Hills Road
RATES & CHARGES
General Rating Information
Frequency of rate notices
Rate notices are issued annually except for water consumption charges,
which are issued half yearly. Supplementary rate notices are issued
throughout the year for properties that undergo changes, ie. subdivision.
Council offers a rate instalment scheme to make rates more affordable.
Simply fill in the form on the back of your rate notice and return it to your
local office. Payments are due on the 21st of each month. Ratepayers
participating in the instalment scheme will not benefit from the discount
offered to those paying within 30 or 60 days.
Discounts
Discounts will apply for the payment of the general rates and charges
(excluding the State Government's EMFR Levy and water consumption)
as follows:
• 10% if paid within 30 days; or
• 5% if paid between 31-60 days.
BPAY and Post Billpay payments should be made at least two days prior
to the discount period closing to ensure payment is received by Council
by the due date.
Interest charged on overdue rates
Ratepayers who do not pay by 4.45pm on the due date will forego the
discount, plus incur interest of 11% per annum, compounding daily, unless
entered into an instalment agreement with Council (under Section 133 of
the Local Government Regulation 2012). Contact Council's Rates Section
on 4976 6999 for details.
Sale of land for arrears of rates
Council is allowed, under the Queensland Local Government Regulation
2012, to sell land if rates have remained unpaid for three or more years,
or after 12 months in the case of vacant or commercial properties. It is
Council's policy to conduct sale of land auctions on an annual basis.
Pensioner remission
Ratepayers who receive a full or part pension may be entitled to receive
Council and State remissions on their rates. Please refer to page 22 for
eligibility criteria and further details.
Rate cap
A rate cap of 10% is designed to buffer increases in rates on residential
and rural land, that may arise due to large land valuation increases. This
means that irrespective of any large change to your valuation, general
rates will only increase by 10% on the previous year. A 15% rate cap also
applies to businesses and commercial and light industrial properties.
The rate cap will not apply to situations where a subdisivion, re-survey or
amalgamation of the lot has occurred.
Page 12
Property valuation
The State Government's Department of Natural Resources and Mines
(DNRM) Valuer-General is responsible for valuing all properties in the
region. A general revaluation during the last financial year resulted in
valuations across the region as a whole decreasing by 4.77%. Any
valuation enquiries should be directed to DNRM on 13 74 68.
How are my rates calculated?
Despite popular belief, local government rates are not determined by a
simple 'my property value' x 'general rate' = 'my bill' equation.
To make rates as fair as possible, all local governments apply more
considered equations to their rates notices.
The first step is to determine how much rates revenue must be generated
in order to deliver the wants and needs of a community.
A reduction or increase in a community's land values does not result in
an equal reduction or increase in the costs of providing services to that
community.
For instance, a 5% reduction or increase in a property's land value does
not result in a 5% reduction or increase to the costs of maintaining nearby
roads or parks.
The required rates revenue is therefore spread across a community
according to the distribution of its properties' land values (not the values
themselves).
This distribution of land values across a community typically fluctuates
from year to year. Some years a drop or rise in value can be evenly spread
across all properties. Other years a pocket of properties will experience
a drop or rise in land value that is large compared to other properties in
the region.
The relatively fixed cost of providing adequate services, combined with
uneven levels of land value changes, explains why a drop or rise in a
property's land value doesn't necessarily result in an associated drop or
rise in its rates.
In other words, an individual property's rates bill is governed by its land
value compared to other properties in the region and the fixed costs of
its Council.
The rate cap is also applied to reduce the impact of large valuation
increases on residential, rural, small businesses and light industrial
properties.
Your rate notice is a valuable document.
Please keep it safe.
Page 13
General Rates
For the 2016/17 year, Council will levy differential general rates in
accordance with Sections 77, 80 & 81 of the Local Government Regulation
2012 based on the use, or authorised use, of the land. The level of rate,
adopted for each category as described in this section, is shown on the
rate notice and is summarised in the following table:
General Rating
Category Description
Rate in the dollar of
Property Valuation
Minimum
General Rate
Category 1
0.909¢
$886
10%
Category 2
0.565¢
$7,152
10%
Category 3
0.846¢
$886
10%
Category 4
0.909¢
N/A
N/A
Category 5
0.909¢
$886
N/A
Category 6
2.015¢
$886
10%
Category 7
2.558¢
$1,196
10%
Category 8
2.232¢
$975
15%
Category 9
1.954¢
$975
N/A
Category 10
3.147¢
$103,849
N/A
Category 11
3.501¢
$109,023
N/A
Category 12
12.384¢
$93,257
N/A
Category 13
67.491¢
$357,700
N/A
Category 14
2.749¢
$975
15%
Category 15
11.701¢
$2,517
50%
Category 16
11.701¢
$2,517
50%
Category 17
8.739¢
$975
50%
Category 18
7.640¢
$2517
50%
Category 19
7.700¢
$975
N/A
Category 20
5.127¢
$67,697
N/A
Category 21
2.120
$975
15%
Category 22
30.300¢
$2,424,000
N/A
Category 23
60.600¢
$3,757,200
N/A
Cap
Council sets a maximum percentage, under provisions of Section 116
of the Local Government Regulation 2012, which means that some
categories can increase above that levied in the previous year. The rate
cap is designed to reduce the impact of large valuation increases on
residential, rural, small businesses and light industrial land uses which
have less capacity to absorb abnormal cost increases. Note, the rate cap
will not apply to situations where a subdisivion, resurvey or amalgamation
of the lot has occurred.
Page 14
Notice of categorisation
For the 2016/17 year, Council will levy a differential general rate on all
rateable land within the region using the following criteria:
Category General Criteria
1
Land used, or approved for development, for residential
purposes, as a single dwelling, including a lot within a
2-lot community titles scheme, with a rateable value not
exceeding $786,700, other than land in Category 5-7.
2
Land used, or approved for development, for residential
purposes, as a single dwelling,including a lot within a 2-lot
community titles scheme, with a rateable value exceeding
$786,701, other than land in Category 5-7.
3
(a) Land used, or approved for development, for rural
activities;
(b) Land located on any of the islands within the region,
which is not otherwise categorised.
4
Land described in Section 49 of the Land Valuation Act 2010,
which qualifies for discounted valuation under Section 50 of
that Act.
5
Vacant residential land that has an area greater than five
(5) hectares.
6
Land used for:
(a) The purposes of multiple dwellings as flats, duplexes,
boarding houses, and guest houses;
(b) Residential purposes, as a lot within a community titles
scheme, located on an offshore island; and
(c) Residential purposes, as a lot within a community titles
scheme containing between three (3) and eight (8) lots,
located on the mainland.
7
Land, used for residential purposes, which is a lot within a
community titles scheme containing nine (9) or more lots
where located on the mainland.
8
Land used for business or commercial purposes, including
motels, other than land included in Category 9-23.
9
Land used for the purposes of a Shopping Centre with a
gross floor area of at least 2000m2 but less than 5000m2.
10
Land used for the purposes of a Shopping Centre with a
gross floor area of at least 5000m2 but less than 10,000m2.
11
Land used for the purposes of a Shopping Centre with a
gross floor area of at least 10,000m2.
12
Land used, in whole or in part, for Workforce Accommodation,
with up to 500 rooms, suites and/or caravan sites.
13
Land used, in whole or in part, for Workforce Accommodation,
with more than 500 rooms, suites and/or caravan sites.
Page 15
14
Land for industrial purposes, other than land included with
Category 15-20 and 22-23.
15
(a) Land used for, or in connection or association with,
major industry;
(b) All land within a special purpose zone under the
Gladstone Regional Planning Scheme 2015 adopted on
6 October 2015;
(c) All land within the Gladstone State Development Area
as designated by the Co­ordinator-General Queensland,
being used for a commissioned major industrial purpose,
excluding land included in Category 16-20 and 22-23;
(d) Land used for the generation of electricity;
(e) Land used for the manufacture of aluminium oxide.
16
Land, within the Gladstone State Development Area being
developed, or approved for development, for future major
industrial use, including land upon which all or part of an
industrial facility, the primary intended purpose of which
is the manufacture of liquefied natural gas, is located or
approved to be located.
17
Land used, or being developed for use, for the purposes
of storage or handling facilities for the commodities or
containers shipped through the Port of Gladstone, other than
included in Category 18.
18
Land used, or being developed for use, for the purposes of
storage or handling facilities for commodities or containers
shipped through the Port of Gladstone, which is strategic
port land and is occupied by a port authority, the State or a
government entity.
19
Land used for the purposes of a bulk storage facility with a
capacity greater than one million litres of any combustible
liquid or flammable liquid.
20
Land used for the purposes of a built oil recycling facility.
21
(a) Land used for the extraction of minerals, resources or
other substances;
(b)Land used, in connection or association with the
extraction of minerals, resources or substances;
(c) Land which is a mining lease issued under the Mineral
Resources Act 1989.
22
Land used for an operational one (1) train liquefied natural
gas processing facility.
23
Land used for an operational two (2) train liquefied natural
gas processing facility.
Page 16
How to object to my rate category?
An owner may object to the land categorisation by lodging a notice of
objection in writing and signed by the landowner within 30 days of the
rate notice date of issue. The sole grounds on which the owner may
object is that, having regard to the criteria by which rateable land is
categorised by Gladstone Regional Council, the land should have been
included in another category. The objection must clearly state the facts
and circumstances on which the objection is made. Objection forms are
available from any Council office.
Please note that giving a notice of objection will not, in the meantime,
affect the levy and recovery of rates. If your objection is upheld, a rate
adjustment will be made at that time.
A copy of the relevant provisions of the Local Government Regulation
2012 are listed below:
Land owner’s objection to rates category
Section 90
(1) This section applies if an owner of rateable land wants to object to
the rating category for the land that is stated in a rate notice for the
land.
(2) The only ground for objecting is that the owner considers the land
should belong to a different rating category.
(3) The owner may object by giving the local government an objection
notice.
(4) An objection notice is a document, in a form approved by the local
government, stating—
(a) the rating category that the owner claims the land should
belong to; and
(b) the facts and circumstances on which the owner makes that
claim.
(5) The owner must give the objection notice within—
(a) 30 days after the day when the rate notice was issued; or
(b) a longer period that the local government allows.
Decision on a land owner’s objection
Section 91
(1) This section applies if the owner of rateable land properly objects to
the rating category for the land.
(2) The chief executive officer must consider the objection and decide—
(a) to change the rating category for the land—
(i) to the rating category to which the owner claims in the
objection notice the land should belong; or
(ii) to another rating category; or
(b) not to allow the objection.
(3) The chief executive officer must give the owner notice of—
(a) the decision; and
(b) the reasons for the decision.
(4) The chief executive officer must give the notice within 60 days after
the objection was made.
(5) If the chief executive officer decides to change the rating category of
the land, the rating category is taken to have been changed from the
Page 17
start of the period of the rate notice.
Land Owners Appeal Against Decision
Section 92
(1) This section applies if the owner of rateable land wants to appeal
against a decision of—
(a) the local government not to allow a longer period for giving an
objection notice; or
(b) the chief executive officer on the owner’s objection to the
rating category for the land.
(2) The owner may appeal by filing an appeal notice in the Land Court
registry, within 42 days after the day when the owner received notice
of the decision.
(3) The appeal notice must be in the form approved by the Land Court.
(4) The owner must give a copy of the filed appeal notice to the local
government, within 7 days after the appeal notice was filed.
(5) If the owner fails to do so, it does not affect the making of the appeal,
or the jurisdiction of the Land Court to decide the appeal, but the
court may award costs against the owner for any adjournment that
is caused by the owner’s failure.
Decision on a Land Owner’s Appeal
Section 93
(1) For an appeal under this division, the Land Court is constituted by 1
member.
(2) The Land Court—
(a) must conduct the appeal with a view to its prompt disposal;
and
(b) must observe natural justice; and
(c) is not bound by the rules of evidence.
(3) The Land Court may decide to—
(a) if the appeal is against the decision of the local government
not to allow a longer period for giving an objection notice—
(i) allow a longer period for giving an objection notice; or
(ii) not allow the appeal; or
(b) if the appeal is against the decision of the chief executive
officer on the owner’s objection to the rating category for the
land—
(i) change the rating category for the land; or
(ii) not allow the appeal.
(4) If the Land Court decides to change the rating category for the land,
the rating category is taken to have been changed from the start of
the period of the rate notice.
Page 18
Sewerage Charges
Sewerage charges are levied on all properties within the defined sewerage
areas to cover the cost of:
•
Sewage collection and treatment.
•
The disposal of effluent and bio-solids.
Agnes Water/
Seventeen Seventy
Urban Sewerage
Scheme
Boyne Island,
Tannum Sands
and Calliope Urban
Sewerage Scheme
Gladstone Urban
Sewerage Scheme
Description
An annual sewerage levy will be charged in 2016/17 to connected
properties and non-connected properties within the defined sewerage
areas.
Vacant Land
$466.90
$520.80
$618.80
Residential &
Commercial
(*first charge)
$667
$744
$884
Additional
Connections
$466.90
$520.80
$618.80
*Properties other than single unit dwellings will incur additional charges.
Waste Collection Charges
There is a standard charge of $290 per annum for the two 240L bin refuse
and recycling domestic service. Additional services are available upon
request and will incur additional charges.
The charge for this service applies regardless of use. A rebate will not be
allowed for periods in which the premises are unoccupied.
When Council's Rates Section is notified of a final building or plumbing
certificate for the completion of the construction of a new dwelling, Council
calculates a pro rata cleaning charge from the date of completion to the
end of June in the financial year.
Waste and recycling services are available to residents situated within the
major haul route of the refuse vehicle. Please contact your local office on
4970 0700 to confirm the availability of a service to your property.
Additional waste fees and charges are available from Council's website at
www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/fees-and-charges
Page 19
Water Charges
For the period of 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, water charges for those
properties capable of receiving a water service will comprise a Water
Access Charge (fixed) and a Water Consumption Charge based on water
usage.
Water access charge
Agnes Water/
Seventeen
Seventy Treated
Water Scheme
Miriam Vale/
Bororen Treated
Water Scheme
*Lake Awoonga
Treated Water
Scheme
Water Service
Size
A water access charge will apply to all connected and vacant land within
the water scheme area. The charge is determined according to the water
meter size serving the premises in each of Council's water schemes for
the 2016/17 financial year, as detailed in the below table. This charge will
be levied annually.
Vacant
$471
$528
$528
20mm
$471
$528
$528
25mm
(Domestic)
$471
$528
$528
25mm
(Commercial)
$735
$824
$824
32mm
$1,206
$1,352
$1,352
40mm
$1,884
$2,112
$2,112
50mm
$2,944
$3,300
$3,300
80mm
$7,536
$8,448
$8,448
100mm
$11,775
$13,200
$13,200
150mm
$26,494
$29,700
$29,700
150mm
(Rail Coridor)
$48,513
$54,384
$54,384
200mm
$47,100
$52,800
$52,800
250mm
$73,594
$82,500
$82,500
300mm
$105,975
$118,800
$118,800
375mm
$165,586
N/A
N/A
*The Lake Awoonga Scheme services areas north of Bororen.
Page 20
Water consumption charge
Water consumption is levied half-yearly for readings taken in November/
December and June/July. Consumption charges are levied per kilolitre by
supply scheme.
Scheme
$ per Kilolitre
Lake Awoonga Treated Water Scheme
$1.65
Miriam Vale / Bororen Treated Water Scheme
$3.69
Agnes Water / Seventeen Seventy Treated
Water Scheme
$3.74
Other water schemes
Those in the Beecher/Burua area and Tuckers Road connected to the
constant flow water system area are charged the following:
Fixed or Access Charge
$471
Consumption Charge
$1.83 per kilolitre*
Those in the Miriam Vale/Bororen area connected to the constant flow
water system area are charged the following:
Fixed or Access Charge
$528
Consumption Charge
$3.69 per kilolitre*
Flow Rate
Maximum
Annual
Usage
Beecher/Burua
and Tuckers Road
Charge
Miriam Vale/
Bororen Charge
0.4
211kL
$857.13
$1,306.59
0.7
368kL
$1,144.44
$1,885.92
1
526kL
$1,433.58
$2,468.94
1.3
684kL
$1,722.72
$3,051.96
*Discount may apply to this charge.
Page 21
Pensioner Remission Conditions
Council and the State Government offer a Pension Remission of rates to
financially assist eligible pensioners.
The State Government grants a remission of 20% of rates and charges
(excluding water consumption) to a maximum of $200 per year for the
pensioner's principle place of residence. To be eligible, you must be a
holder of:
•
A current Centrelink Queensland Pensioner Concession Card;
•
A Veteran Affairs Gold Card, or
•
A Veteran Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
Council also provides a further subsidy of 50% of the general rate to a
maximum of $290 per year to pensioners who:
•
Meet the above State Government guidelines; and
•
Reside in an approved residence which complies with standard
building law.
Council and the State Government do not provide rebates for Seniors
Cards, Health Care Cards, Health Benefit Cards and Repatriation Health
Cards for special conditions.
If you have recently received your Pension Concession Card, or have
purchased a dwelling within our region and meet the eligibility criteria,
please contact Council's Rates Section on 4976 6999 for an application.
Emergency Management,
Fire & Rescue Levy
Council is required to collect a State Government Emergency
Management, Fire and Rescue (EMFR) Levy on behalf of the government
under the Fire and Rescue Service Regulation 2011. A discount does not
apply to the EMFR Levy. This annual levy, applicable to your property, will
be shown on your 2016/17 rate notice.
Changed address lately?
Property owners are required to notify Council of a change of address. If
you have changed address, or intend to change your address from that
stated on your Rate Notice, please advise Council in writing to enable
records to be changed and to ensure that all correspondence is sent to
the correct address. If you have more than one assessment or property,
please give details of each property to which the change relates. You can
notify Council of your change of address online at www.gladstone.qld.
gov.au/change-of-address or pick up a copy of the form from any Council
office.
Page 22
Methods Of Payment
Direct Debit
Ratepayers can pay rates automatically by setting up regular monthly
payments on the 21st of each month or annual direct debit. Further details
are provided on the application form which is available from Council's
website or call the Rates Section on 4976 6999.
BPAY
Contact your participating financial institution to make payments from your
cheque, savings or credit account. Please quote Biller Code 72868 and
the payment reference number shown on the BPAY logo on the front of
the rate notice.
Instalments
Ratepayers may pay their rates by instalments to suit their budget
circumstances. The instalment scheme is subject to conditions which are
printed on the back of rate notices.
Credit Card
To make a credit card payment over the phone call 13 18 16 and have
your card details ready. Visa, Mastercard and AMEX are accepted. Please
quote Billpay Code 2440 and the payment reference number shown on
the front of the rate notice. Payment can also be made online via Council's
website www.gladstone.qld.gov.au.
Centrepay
Ratepayers who receive payments from Centrelink can arrange with
Centrelink to automatically deduct their rates in fortnightly amounts from
their Centrelink payment. Application forms are available from Centrelink.
The Centrepay reference number is 555076313K. Please use your
Assessment Number from your rate notice as Council's reference number.
Australia Post Outlets
Payments can be made at any Australia Post office with a copy of your
rate notice. Cash, cheque or eftpos payments are accepted. Credit card
payments are not accepted by Australia Post.
MyPost Digital Mailbox
Receive and pay your rates notices via Australia Post's MyPost Digital
Mailbox. Payment can be made via credit card or Pay With Bank Account.
Sign up for free today at www.digitalmailbox.com.au
Mail
Remove the detachable bottom section of the rate notice and return it
with your cheque made payable to Gladstone Regional Council, PO Box
29, Gladstone, Queensland 4680. Please allow sufficient time for your
payment to reach Council by the due date. Council does not accept
responsibility for postal or unforeseen delays.
Council Offices
Payments can be made directly to Council offices at the Gladstone, Calliope
and Miriam Vale Administration Centres, Boyne Tannum Community
Centre and Agnes Water and Mount Larcom Rural Transaction Centres.
Opening hours are available at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/contact-us
Page 23
PO Box 29, Gladstone QLD 4680
Phone: 4970 0700 Fax: 4975 8500
Email: [email protected]
Council Office Hours: 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Web: www: gladstone.qld.gov.au
www.facebook.com/GladstoneRegionalCouncil
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