2.2 REVENUE COLLECTION
What we do
We levy and collect rates , fees and charges . Rates and charges are levied via the half-yearly rate notices .
Fees and charges are invoiced or payments are received through Council ’ s Customer Service Centres .
Rates and charges are linked to land within the region , and the use of the land . There are 4 types of rates and charges , of which Council currently uses 3 :
- General rates
For services , facilities and activities that are supplied or undertaken for the benefit of the community in general ( rather than a particular person ).
- Utility charges
For a service , facility or activity provided to a particular property ( e . g . water , sewerage , waste ).
- Special rates and charges
For services , facilities and activities that have a special association with particular land because it benefits from a particular service , facility or activity or contributes to its need . ( e . g . pest management , rural fire brigades ).
Fees and charges are based on a user-pays principle - where it is practical to charge an individual , business or group that uses particular facilities or services . There are two types of fees and charges ( cost-recovery fees , sometimes referred to as ‘ regulatory ’ fees , and commercial fees ).
Why we do it
The provision of services and projects are dependent on funding .
For the financial year ended 30 June 2020 , rates and charges accounted for 42.53 % of Council ’ s operating revenue .
What we must do
Queensland Government
Local Government Act 2009 Local Government Regulation 2012
Our plans for 2021 / 22
Did you know
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Whilst Council sets the rate in the dollar and value of service charges , the rate in the dollar for general ( property ) rates is applied to the unimproved value of the land as determined by the Queensland ( State ) Government ’ s Valuer-General .
If a property owner does not agree with the advised valuation when they receive the State Government notice , it is important that they lodge an objection directly with the State Government within the nominated timeframe . This is not something that Council can influence at the time of the rate notices being issued .
Rates and Utilities Billing Officer , Katie
More about the numbers
The level of outstanding rates and charges showed an upward trend over 5 consecutive years , from a low of 4.1 % in 2012 / 13 to a high of 11.1 % in 2016 / 17 .
With a review of Council ’ s rates recovery policy and processes , a reversal of this trend occurred in 2017 / 18 and 2018 / 19 .
On 18 March 2020 ( Council resolution : GM / 03.2020 / 80 ) an initial package of initiatives was released by Council to assist the community in response to COVID-19 economic impacts . Part of the package was a pause on debt recovery actions . This resulted in a rise in rate arrears during the second half of the year ( up to 8.4 % by 30 June 2020 ).
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