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YOUR RATES - Rates Calculations, Rebates, Remissions and Hardship

Council

YOUR RATES

How your Rates are  calculated?

At the beginning of each financial year, Copper Coast Council sets rates based on property valuations provided by the Office of the Valuer-General.

Annual rates are applied to each rateable property at the beginning of each financial year through the following Rates and Charges:

  • General Rates – Copper Coast Council applies different—or ‘differential’ rates—on the basis of land use and location, represented as a rate-in-the-dollar amount. Annual rates are applied to each rateable property at the beginning of each financial year.

Differential rates set for the current 2023/2024 year are:

  • Residential - 0.2835
  • Vacant Land - 0.4699
  • Commercial – 0.6101
  • Industrial – 0.6330
  • Primary Production – 0.2400
  • Marina Berth – 0.6294
  • Other 0.3228
  • Fixed Charge - This is an alternative to the Minimum Amount and ensures all rateable properties pay a base amount to the cost of administering council activities and maintaining the services and infrastructure that supports each property. Rates based on values are then applied in addition to the fixed charge.
  • Service Charge - An additional charge for a Community Wastewater Management Scheme (metropolitan Councils do not incur the cost of wastewater schemes as it falls under the responsibility of SA Water who charge property owners direct).
  • Separate Rates – A valuation-based charge that is for a specified purpose within part of the council area such as main street improvement programs.
  • Regional Landscape Levy - previously known as the Natural Resource Management Levy is paid by all South Australian ratepayers. Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, Councils are required to collect and forward the monies to the State Government.

REBATE AND REMISSIONS

Adjoining Assessments/Properties

In accordance with the Local Government Act 1999, Section 152 (2)(c) where an adjoining assessment, also referred to as 'contiguous', occurs when two properties share a common boundary, and they are owned by the same owner and occupied by the same occupier, the rates payable may be reduced as follows:

  • The Natural Resource Management Levy - only one levy charged, rather than two.
  • Fixed Charge - only one fixed charge imposed, rather than two.

If you think you may qualify for a reduction in rates, please speak to the Senior Rates Officer.

Single Farm Enterprises

Where Council is satisfied, upon application by a ratepayer, that multiple parcels of rateable land constitute a single farm enterprise under the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act), then only one fixed charge can be imposed in respect of those parcels of land. Any person who considers they may be eligible for this rating benefit may make application to the Council using the attached form.

Pursuant to section 152(5) (b) of the Act, a single farm enterprise exists where two or more pieces of rateable land:

  1. are farm land; and are farmed as a single enterprise; and are occupied by the same person or persons; or
  2. which, as to all the pieces except one, are farm land farmed as a single enterprise occupied by the same person or persons; and the remaining piece is contiguous  with at least one of the other pieces and is the principal place of residence of that person or one of those persons. (Note that only one dwelling can be included in the grouping).

Applicants are required to include the following information in an application for parcels of land to be treated as a single farm enterprise for rating purposes:

  • names of all the persons who own and occupy each parcel of land claimed to be the single farm enterprise;
  • a description of the use to which all of the parcels of land are put and whether a dwelling is located on any of the parcels;
  • if the parcels are occupied by a person other than the owner of the land, a copy of any leases of licences, or details of the rights to occupy any of the allotments comprising the single farm enterprise;
  • details of the persons who derive income, or claim deductions for the purpose of income tax as a result of the farming activities conducted upon each of the parcels of land claimed to be the single farm enterprise.

Note that land will not satisfy the criteria for a single farm enterprise under the Act if:

  • there are two or more parcels of land and on one of them is a house that is occupied by a person not connected with running the farm, then that parcel of land is not included in the Single Farm Enterprise;
  • any of the parcels of land are occupied by different persons, then a single farm enterprise does not exist for the purposes of the Act; and
  • If the persons who derive income or claim deductions for income tax purposes differ in respect of the land, the land will not be taken to be farmed as a single enterprise.

To apply for a Single Farm Enterprise, complete the attached application form and lodge each year prior to the 31st March for consideration: Single Farm Enterprise Application Form

Rates Rebate

The Local Government Act 1999 provides for mandatory and discretionary rebates on General Rates (excludes service charges and levies) in specific circumstances for:

  • Mandatory Rebate - Sections 159-165 of the Act stipulates where partial/full rebates are a Mandatory requirement for organisations, associations and institutions of health services, community services; religious purposes; public cemeteries; and educational purposes.
  • Discretionary Rebate - Section 166 of the Act allows Council to determine Discretionary Rebates and Council will consider upon application each year.

For further information, contact Council's Senior Rates Officer on (08) 8828 1200 or email info@coppercoast.sa.gov.au .

Rates Rebate Application Form

CONCESSIONS AND HARDSHIP

State Government Concession (Cost of Living Payment)

From the 1st July 2015, the State Government introduced a "Cost of Living Concession" payment for pensioner, low-income earners and retirees to replace the $190 Council rate concession for home owners.  This payment is made directly to eligible residents and will not appear as a concession on rate notices. For more information or to check eligibility, contact the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or visit www.sa.gov.au.

Financial Hardship

Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulty (short term and long term) in paying their rates, are encouraged to contact with Council for a confidential discussion and look for put in place flexible payment arrangements. Speak to Senior Rates Office - phone (08) 8828 1200 for a confidential discussion or email info@coppercoast.sa.gov.au.

Postponement of rates - seniors

Under Section 182 of the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act), postponements can be granted where Council is satisfied that the payment of rates in accordance with the Act would cause hardship. The information that you provide is required to assist Council to assess your application for postponement of your rates.

Ratepayers who hold a State seniors card (or who are eligible to hold a State seniors card and have applied for one) are able to apply to Council to postpone payment of rates on their principal place of residence. Postponed rates remain as a charge on the land and are not required to be repaid until the property is sold or disposed of. Phone (08) 8828 1200 or email info@coppercoast.sa.gov.au for further information.

Application For Rates Hardship

Financial Hardship (Rates) Policy

Objection to Valuation

You may object to the valuation referred to in this notice by writing served personally or by post on the Valuer-General within 60 days after the date of service of this notice.

But note:

(a)   if you have previously received a notice or notices under the Local Government Act 1999 referring to the valuation and informing you of a 60-day objection period, the objection period is 60 days after service of the first such notice;

(b)   you may not object to the valuation if the Valuer-General has already considered an objection by you to that valuation.

The Valuer General may extend the 60-day objection period where it be shown there is reasonable cause to do so by a person entitled to make an objection to a valuation.

A written objection to valuation must set out the full and detailed grounds for objection, including any supporting material.

Objections can be submitted to the Office of the Valuer-General via:

For further information or a hard copy objection pack (including a reply-paid envelope), please call 1300 653 346.

Rates are still due and payable by the due date even if an objection to valuation has been lodged.

Objection to Land Use

Differential General Rates imposed by the Council are based on various Land Use Categories. Should you have any reason to believe that the Land Use Category applied to your account is incorrect, you may lodge a written objection to Council outlining the grounds upon which your objection is based. Objections must be submitted to Council within 60 days of receiving your notice. The 60 day objection period may be extended by the Council where it can be shown there is reasonable cause. Rates are still due and payable by the due date even if an objection has been lodged. The Council may, in its discretion, allow an extension of time if a person entitled to make an objection shows that there is reasonable cause to do so.

Voters Roll

Persons on the State House of Assembly Electoral Roll are automatically included in the Council Voters Roll and entitled to vote in Council elections. Others who are ratepayers may also be entitled to be enrolled on the Council Voters Roll but will need to apply for enrolment. If you have any queries please contact Katrina Borlace on (08) 8828 1200.

Click here to go to the Electoral Commission of South Australia website.

Have your views heard?

Council has undertaken community consultation on the draft annual business plan.  If you are concerned or worried about your Council rates, contact Katrina Borlace on phone (08) 88281200 or email info@coppercoast.sa.gov.au.

A summary of Council's annual business plan is sent out with the first rates notice each financial year.  The full version is available by clicking here.

The Local Government Association website has information on their site about Council Rates. (click link)

Rating Policy

Adoption of Valuation and Declaration of Rates 2023/2024

Rates - Frequently Asked Questions

Rating Policy