Rates

In 2026/2027 the City of Whyalla needs to fund total operating expenditure of $47.4m. The $46.1m of operating revenue includes $23.6m in General Rates and $4.7m in Waste Service Charges. The average residential ratepayer will pay an increase of 5.2% in General Rates, plus an increase of $15 in the Waste Service Charge, equivalent to $1.95 per week when combined.

Why do we pay Council rates?

The City of Whyalla is responsible for maintaining approximately $650 million worth of community assets which includes local roads, bridges and footpaths, stormwater drainage, land and buildings. In addition, we provide services for the benefit of our residents such as waste management, street lighting, marinas, libraries, an airport a childcare centre and many more.

There are also certain services that councils are required to provide under various Acts of Parliament such as planning and development and dog & cat management. The reality is that these services cost money to run and Council rates are the main source of funds to maintain these services and facilities.

How are my rates calculated?

The Strategic Plan, which outlines Council's objectives and priorities, and the Asset Management Strategy, which outlines infrastructure maintenance and renewal requirements, provide the basis for the Annual Business Plan and Long Term Financial Plan. The Annual Budget is developed from these strategic documents. This shows the full cost to deliver services in a sustainable manner and provides the framework for determining the level of rates, debt and service provision of council.

Once this framework is adopted, the parameters for the budget and the level of rates required to fund the budget are determined. The portion of total rates payable by each ratepayer is determined by multiplying their property value by the rate in the dollar and adding the fixed charge.

In the City of Whyalla, we have a differential rating system and therefore a different rate in the dollar is calculated depending upon the land use of each property, and in a small number of cases, on the locality.

If you believe that your property has been wrongly classified as to its land use, then an objection may be made (to the council) within 60 days of being notified of the land use classification. It is important to note that the lodgement of an objection does not change the due date for payment of rates.

How are my rates used?

Below is a table breaking down how each dollar of a typical rates bill is spent:

The rates I pay are higher than a similar valued property in Adelaide, why is this?

The average rates paid by each property in Whyalla is close to the state average.

However, it’s accurate that our ratepayers pay a higher rate in the dollar than metropolitan councils. This is due to the average value of a property in Whyalla being lower than that in Adelaide (quite considerably in certain suburbs), yet Council still needs to provide the same services that a metropolitan council provides, and in some cases even more (many metropolitan councils are not responsible for an airport, childcare centre, visitor centre etc).

The cost of providing these services is not cheaper in Whyalla just because our property values are lower, in fact, it is generally more expensive to provide services in regional areas. This means that Council needs to raise the same value of rates that a comparable metropolitan council would, but because our property values are lower, the Rate in the Dollar required to achieve this is higher, resulting in higher rates for similar-valued properties.

Whyalla is also hampered by the fact it was designed to service a population of ~50,000 people, yet currently has only ~11,500 rateable properties paying for these services. This includes large, wide, double-carriage roads; expansive median strips; 22 playgrounds and a large number of community facilities that are not required for a city of this current size (~22,000 people), yet all requiring regular maintenance and servicing.

Council has declared the following rates:

A general rate on all rateable land within its area based on two components:

• capital value of the property multiplied by the applicable rate in the dollar; and
• a fixed charge.

A service charge on all rateable land within its area to which it provides a service for the collection, treatment, disposal and management of waste.

A separate rate for the purpose of funding the Regional Landscape Levy on all rateable land situated in the area adopted by council based on a fixed charge. The Regional Landscape Levy is a State Government tax collected on behalf of, and funding the operations of, the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board.

Property valuations do not determine the rates income to Council.

The total amount of rates required to fund Council operations is calculated as part of the budget process, with this then expressed as a percentage increase on the rates collected in the previous year. Valuations are then only used to determine how much each ratepayer contributes to the total rates required.

What if I don't agree with the valuation of my property?

Your property's capital value assessment comes from a State Government valuation adopted by the council. If you have an objection, query or appeal in relation to this property valuation, please contact the Valuer-General within 60 days of receiving your annual instalment rates notice. Objections should be forwarded to:

State Valuation Office
GPO Box 1354
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone: 1300 653 345

If your objection is upheld, the Valuer-General will advise Council and your rates notice will be amended.

What rate relief measures are available?

Council has budgeted to support rate relief options across the City. This money will reduce rates levied for eligible pensioners, those in the community whose rates increase by more than 17% and community organisations who provide subsidised support services to meet community expectations in areas such as aged care, sport and recreation and education.

Council will continue to provide a refuse service charge concession for eligible pensioners of $180.

Senior ratepayers may also be eligible to apply to council to postpone payment of rates on their principal place of residence. Postponed rates remain as a charge on the land and are not required to be repaid until the property is sold or disposed of. Council's Rate Policy and Application Form are available at the council office.

The Local Government Act permits a council, on the application of a ratepayer, to partially or wholly remit rates, postpone rates or enter into a long term payment plan on the basis of hardship. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Council’s Rates Officer to discuss options.

Payment of rates

Quarterly payments due:  The first Friday of

• September
• December
• March
• June

A quarterly rates notice will be sent to ratepayers at least 30 days prior to each due date. A ratepayer may also elect to pay their rates in a single instalment due by the first due date.

The Local Government Act provides that councils impose a penalty of a 2% fine on any payment for rates received late. A payment that continues to be late is then charged an interest rate, set each year according to a formula in the Act, for each month it continues to be late.

The council allows a further two working days after the due date for payment as a grace period before applying the late payment penalties in the Local Government Act.

Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to, experience difficulty with meeting the standard payment arrangements is invited to contact Council on 8640 3444 to discuss making alternative payment arrangements.

For more information contact council:

Civic Building

21 Grundel Street, Whyalla Norrie
Phone: (08) 8640 3444
Email: council@whyalla.sa.gov.au