Watch your valuations
In accordance with the ongoing reform of water ownership and operations, the Department of Environment and Resource Management has recently undertaken a valuation of water licences attached to land parcels across the region.
Council's Director of Corporate Services, Mr Jason Quinnell says that the water licences were previously valued as a part of the land they are attached to.
"Indications are, that as a result of these changes, unimproved valuations (UVs) for some properties with existing water licences will not fall according to the size and beneficial value of water licences that exist on that land," Mr Quinnell says.
Council's Mayor, Graeme Scheu says the change in land valuations will have a significant impact upon the Goondiwindi Regional Council rating system, particularly for rural property owners.
"Whereas historically these properties would have had a higher valuation than an identical property next door without a water licence, they will now be essentially valued the same by the Department," Cr Scheu says.
"In basis terms, this means that the distribution of rates levied across the rural sector of the region will have to change," he says.
Current State legislation requires that the UV, as determined by the Department, is the key tool Council is required to use in determining the distribution of rates across rating categories.
"We have been in discussions with the Department for some months trying to determine the magnitude of these changes," Cr Scheu says.
"At this stage we understand the new valuations will be available to Council and the public in mid July.
"Council intends to levy rates in August but will require the information to continue working through options to identify the most practical way to implement these significant changes," he says.
Council is currently working through several potential scenarios in an effort to determine the best way forward in the longer term.
For further information contact:
Mr Jason Quinnell
Director Corporate Services
(07) 4671 7400