Rates



WHEN ARE RATES PAYABLE?

Council levies rates and charges half yearly.

Council offers a 15% discount if rates and charges are paid on or before the due date, and has a 30 day period in which to pay rates. It is very important that ratepayers do not risk their discounts by leaving payment until it is too late.

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GENERAL RATES

Council’s general rates are calculated in the same way as other Councils throughout Queensland under the Local Government Act 1993. The formula is:

Unimproved capital valuation (issued by the State Government)

Multiplied By

Rate in the dollar

Subject to a minimum charge (set by Council and varying depending upon what the land is used for and its services)

Councils throughout Queensland are required by the Local Government Act 1993 to use the valuation amounts (which are an unimproved value) as a basis for calculating general rates.

Should you wish to object to your valuation, or have any query regarding the land valuation, its calculation or land use, please contact the Department of Natural Resources & Mines.

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PENSIONER REBATE SCHEME

A pensioner subsidy for Council's rates and charges is available through the State Government's Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme for eligible Centrelink card holders. The subsidy is available is for 20% of rates to a maximum of $180 per annum.

To be eligible for the 20% Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme, you must be:

  • A holder of a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Queensland Repatriation Health Card - For all conditions (Gold Card). No other cards are acceptable when determining eligibility);
  • The owner or life tenant of the property which is your principle place of residence; and
  • Legally responsible for the payment of local government rates and charges levied on that property.

Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Communities Website.

Prior arrangements of some Councils matching the State Rebate, or allowing pensioners to pay rates after the discount period and still obtain the discount, will no longer be offered.

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WATER CHARGES

A water access charge of $240 per year will apply to all standard 20mm connections in Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Texas, Yelarbon, Toobeah, Bungunya and Talwood. Connections larger than 20mm will be charged at higher rates subject to the size (see below). In addition, ratepayers will be charged according to their actual water usage/consumption.

The standard access charge will be levied on all land within the Goondiwindi Regional Council area whether vacant or occupied to which Council is prepared to supply water, together with any land already connected to the Council's water supply system.

Access charges for larger connections:

Water Supply Access Charges for Services Above 20mm Connections - 2008-09

25mm

30mm

40mm

50mm

80mm

100mm

150mm

$375

$540

$960

$1,500

$3,840

$6,000

$13,500

Consumption charges will apply to all water users connected to the Council water reticulation system. Water Meters will be read on a bi-annual basis and consumption charged on the bi-annual rate notice.

Water Suppy Consumption Charge - 2008-09

Water Supply Scheme

Consumption Charge

Goondiwindi

$0.86

Inglewood

$1.10

Texas

$1.00

Yelarbon

$0.72

Toobeah (untreated)

$0.45

Bungunya (untreated)

$0.28

Talwood

$0.72

Bulk water charges - all other water sold on a quantity basis shall be at a rate of $1.10 per kilolitre of water used plus a service fee of $50.00

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SEWERAGE CHARGES

Vacant land, where Council is currently able to provide a reticulated sewerage service or where the land is within 100 metres of a sewerage main, will be charged a vacant sewerage charge in accordance with column 2 of the table below.

For each residential connection or the first non residential pedestal or urinal a base sewerage charge pr annum will be levied in accordance with column 3 of the table. Each subsequent pedestal or urinal for non residential uses will attract a charge per pedestal/urinal in accordance with column 4 of the table.

Sewerage Charges for 2008/09
Sewerage Scheme

Vacant
Column 2

Connected
Column 3

Non residential extra
pedestals/urinal
Column 4
Goondiwindi

$220

$360

$180
Inglewood

$310

$400

$140
Texas

$310

$385

$120
Yelarbon

$220

$360

$180
Talwood

$220

$360

$180
CED Scheme

$220

$360

$180

Where a lot contains more than one (1) dwelling unit, a connected sewerage charge for each dwelling unit will apply.

Where the number of pedestals connected to a non residential premises is varied during the year, adjustments will be made on a pro-rata basis from the date of the change.

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WASTE DISPOSAL CHARGES (Garbage Collection)

A waste collection and disposal charge of $240 for the first service and $150 for each additional service for the 2008/09 year is made and levied, for the purposes of providing for the removal and disposal of refuse from all land in actual occupation or with a structure upon it, within the Council area.

Where there is more than one structure or land capable of separate occupation, a charge will be made for each structure.

The charge is based upon the weekly collection of a 240 litre wheelie bin. Council will supply a 240 litre wheelie bin for all new services and will replace damaged bins on a fair wear and tear basis. Lost and stolen bins will be replaced at the expense of the property owner.

No credits will be allowed for services not received unless they are for a period of not less than six (6) months, commencing 1 July or 1 January in any year. For a new service the charge will be calculated on a pro rate basis from the date of delivery of the bin.

Schedule - Garbage Collection Services

Town

Collection Day

Goondiwindi

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (dependent on service area)

Inglewood

Thursday

Texas

Thursday

Yelarbon

Wednesday

Toobeah

Wednesday

Bungunya

Wednesday

Talwood

Wednesday

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PAYMENT METHODS

Please refer to the back of your rates notice for a detailed list of payment options available for your convenience, or click here to view Council's Rates Payment Flyer.

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DISCOUNTS

Council offers a 15% discount if rates and charges are paid on or before the due date. Discounts will only apply if full payment is received, and no other monies are owing, in Council’s office on or before the discount date, as printed on the rate notice (30 days from the levy date), regardless of date posted or transferred by electronic methods. If you choose to transfer payments into Council’s account via the internet, it should be done well before the due date to avoid late payment. Your bank will be able to advise you of the time delays for such transfers, however if payment is not shown on Council’s Bank Statement on or before the day of the close of discount, discount will not be allowed.

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INTEREST

Rates and Charges levied during the 2008/09 financial year and which remain outstanding for greater than 30 days, shall bear interest at the rate of 11% compounding on daily rests.

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FORMS

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NEED HELP?

Goondiwindi Regional Council's rates are handled by our Corporate Services Department. If you have any questions about your rates or need to obtain rates subsidy forms, you can contact the Department by phoning the number stated on your assessment notice or via email: mail@goondiwindirc.qld.gov.au.

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