Council Rates

Councils must raise revenue for governance and administration, which deliver goods and services to the community. Council’s major source of municipal revenue is Rates, derived as a tax on land within the Council area.

All land within a council area, except for land specifically exempt (e.g. crown land, council occupied land and other land prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999) is rateable. The Local Government Act 1999 provides for a Council to raise revenue for the broad purposes of the Council through a general rate, which applies to all rateable properties, or through differential general rates, which apply to categories of land use and/or locality. In addition, Council can raise separate rates, for specific areas of the Council or service rates or charges for specific services.

When are Rates due?

How can Rates be paid?

Rates may be paid:

• By using the BPAY service through participating banks;
• By mail by posting a cheque to PO Box 124, Roxby Downs 5725; or
• In person, at the Council office, Richardson Place, Roxby Downs 5725 SA, during business hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• EFTPOS facilities are available for over the counter payments.
• By Credit Card in person or by Phone 08 8671 0010.

Penalties do apply to outstanding rates therefore any ratepayer who may, or is likely to, experience difficulty with meeting the standard payment requirements, or is planning an extended absence at the time rates are due is invited to contact our Rates Officer on 08 8671 0010 to discuss alternative payment arrangements. The Council treats such inquiries confidentially.

Change of Address or Ownership

Method Used to Value Land

• The equity principle of taxation requires that ratepayers of similar wealth pay similar taxes and ratepayers of greater wealth pay more tax than ratepayers of lesser wealth;
• Property value is a relatively good indicator of wealth, and Capital Value, (which closely approximates the market value of a property) provides the best indicator of overall property value; and;
• The distribution of property values throughout the Council area is such that few residential ratepayers will pay significantly more than the average rate per property.

Natural Resources Management (NRM) Levy

Any enquiries regarding the levy should be directed to the Natural Resources Management Board on 1300 764 489.

Rate Concessions

Pensioner Concessions

An eligible pensioner may be entitled to a State concession on Council rates and water and effluent charges where applicable. An eligible pensioner must hold a Pension Card, State Concession Card or be a T.P.I. Pensioner. They must also reside at and be responsible for the payment of rates on the property for which they are claiming a concession.

Applications are administered by the State Government and application forms are available from SA Water and its District Offices or from the Department of Human Services. Payment of rates should not be withheld pending assessment of an application by the State Government, as penalties apply to unpaid rates. A refund of rates will be paid to an eligible pensioner if Council is advised that a concession applies and the rates have already been paid.

Self Funded Retirees Concessions

In the case of couples, both must qualify, or if only one holds a State senior’s card, the other must not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week.  A person is not entitled to receive both the State Seniors Card concession and the Pensioner concession.

The concession is administered by Revenue SA who can be contacted on 1300 366 150.

Unemployed Persons Concessions