Rates

PAYMENT OF RATES

You can choose to pay your rates in four quarterly instalments (at no additional cost) or in one annual amount. If you choose to pay quarterly we will send you a notice for each quarter. Full payment may be made at any time in advance of the relevant due date. If the amount due remains unpaid after the due date, it may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Quarterly instalments are due for payment on or before the first working day of September, December, March and June.

PAYMENT METHODS

In person: At Council's Principal Office in DeGaris Place, Naracoorte, between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm (Monday - Friday), or at the Lucindale Office between 9.00am and 3.00pm (Tuesdays).

By Mail: PO Box 555 Naracoorte SA 5271 - by cheque or money order.

By BPAY: Log into your online banking, look for the BPAY or Payment Screen. Enter Biller Code 255018, Ref No: (as shown on front of notice).

By Internet Banking: Log into your online banking, look for the Payment Screen or call your Financial Institution to make this payment. Enter the BSB, Account Number (A/C) and Ref No: (as shown on front of notice).

By Credit Card: Phone 08 8760 1100, Visa, Bankcard or Mastercard accepted.

By Direct Debit: Council offers Direct Debit payment options for your convenience. Application forms are available on Council's website www.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/services/formspermits to download a direct debit application form or contact Council on 08 8760 1100 to have a form sent to you.

FINES FOR LATE PAYMENT

The amount of rates due will be overdue if they have not been paid by the "due date" shown on the front of the rate notice. After this date, additional charges will apply. A fine of 2% of the amount due will be added immediately and at the end of each month thereafter, interest, at the rate prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999, will be added.

CONCESSIONS

State Government Concessions

Until 2015 the State Government funded concessions on Council rates. These concessions were formerly available to the holders of pensioner concession cards, veterans, low-income earners, unemployed, students and self-funded retirees. These concessions were all abolished by the State Government with effect from 30 June 2015. From 1 July 2015, the State Government has elected to replace these concessions with a single "cost-of-living payment" provided directly to those entitled. This payment may be used to offset Council rates. Note that not all former recipients of rates concessions will be entitled to the new payment. To check eligibility, contact the Department Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Concessions Hotline 1800 307 758 or www.sa.gov.au/concessions. The separate concession entitlements for Council Community Waste Water Schemes (CWMS) remain unchanged. Should you be entitled to the State Government funded concession on CWMS rates this will be reflected on the front of your rate notice.

Hardship

Persons experiencing hardship may seek assistance from Council, contact Council for a confidential discussion.

Rebates

Certain persons and/or organisations may be eligible for a rebate eg. community groups, health and education organisations, etc. If you would like more information please contact the Council office.

Postponement of Rates - Seniors

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. Contact Council for further information.

BASIS FOR RAISING RATES

This assessment is based on the capital value determined by the Valuer-General.

Council has declared a general rate on all rateable land within its area in accordance with Section 153(1) (a) of the Local Government Act. A minimum rate has also been declared pursuant to Section 158(1) (a) of the Local Government Act.

DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR FOR RATES

Council uses locality as its differentiating factor when determining rates. This factor is reflected in the rate code description.

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 the 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.

Forward objections to:

The State Valuation Office, 101 Grenfell St, Adelaide South Australia

Mail: GPO Box 1354, Adelaide SA 5001

Website: www.sa.gov.au/landservices

Email: OVGobjections@sa.gov.au

Phone: 1300 653 345

OTHER

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP or ADDRESS

Please advise Council, in writing, if your details have changed

REQUEST FOR RATE NOTICE TO BE EMAILED

If you would like your rate notice(s) to be emailed to you, please advise Council in writing at council@nlc.sa.gov.au.

ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN

A summary of Council's Annual Business Plan is sent out with the first rate notice of each financial year. The full version is available here.

REGIONAL LANDSCAPE LEVY (previously known as the NRM Levy)

The Regional Landscape Levy is a State tax. Councils are required to collect it under the Landscape South Australia Act. Further information on Landscape South Australia can be found at https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/