Rates are based on a valuation of the property. The Council contracts Quotable Value to perform three-yearly property revaluations to reflect changing market values. The valuations are a snapshot of the market as at 1 September the year of revaluation.
To provide fair, transparent and independent property ratings, the Council uses standard rating valuations which are governed by legislation - the Rating Valuation Act 1998 - and audited by the Office of the Valuer General.
Your Rating Valuation
You will receive a notice of your rating valuation once every three years. Council's most recent revaluation was September 2022. The new values will be reflected in your Rates Assessment Notice from the following rating year, commencing 1 July.
The main indicator of a property's value is its worth on the current real estate market. The value is determined by looking at the selling price of other similar properties in the area. Any chattels such as carpets, drapes or light fittings are excluded from the valuation.
Understanding Your Rates Valuation Information Sheet - (PDF, 55 KB)
Capital Value
This is the probable price that would be paid for the property as at the date of the latest general revaluation. It does not include chattels, stock, crops, machinery or trees. Residential values include GST; other property types do not.
Land Value
This is the probable price that would be paid for the bare land as at the date of valuation. The Land Value includes any development work which may have been carried out, such as draining, excavation, filling, retaining walls, reclamation, grading, levelling, clearing of vegetation, fertility build-up, or protection from erosion or flooding.
Value of Improvements
This is the difference between the capital value and the land value. It reflects the value of the property’s buildings and other structures.
Nature of Improvements
The most common types of these improvements are:
- DWG - dwelling
- FLAT - ownership unit/townhouse
- OB - other buildings
- OI - other improvements
- FG – fencing
Section 16 Rating Valuations Act 1998 Review
Section 16 of the Rating Valuations Act 1998 allows property owners to request a new rating valuation from Council's Valuation Service Provider (VSP).
Your request must be supplied to council in writing. A review can only be requested by the property owner.
Please include the following information in your request:
- Your name
- Postal address
- Anytime contact phone number
- Property address
- The reason for the review
- What you feel the rateable value should be
Please see the brochure below from Quotable Value for further information.
Rates Section 16 Fact Sheet - (PDF, 261 KB)