Rates & Charges

Rates

Council levies rates based upon the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of each property. It then determines a tax rate for each property known as “The Rate in the Dollar”. The CIV is multiplied by the rate in dollar to arrive at the amount of annual rate raised.

For 2009/2010 Council has several tax rates for differing groups of properties. They are:-

General Property Rates are set at 0.00564184 cents in the dollar CIV,( a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would be levied $846.28 in rates).

Robinvale Urban properties will have a differential rate of 0.00605315 cents in the dollar CIV, (a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would raise $907.97).

Swan Hill Urban properties will have a differential of 0.00585174 cents in the dollar CIV, (a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would raise $877.76).

[Urban and Commercial/Industrial/Tourism properties in Robinvale and Swan Hill have a drainage differential component of $50,000.00 and $200,000.00 respectively].

Commercial properties in Robinvale, will have a differential rate of 0.00746365 cents in the dollar CIV, (a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would raise $1,119.55).

Commercial properties in Swan Hill, will have a differential rate of 0.00726212 cents in the dollar CIV, (a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would raise $1,089.32).

Recreational properties owed by not for profit entities will have a differential rate of 0.00282097 cents in the dollar CIV, (a property with a CIV of $150,000.00 would raise $423.15).

Special Rates

Tourism, Commercial and Industrial classified properties, in the southern sector of the municipality, are charged special rates. The special rate categories are:-

Tourism – 0.00209810 cents in the dollar CIV

Commercial – 0.00116580 cents in the dollar CIV

Industrial – 0.000475 cents in the dollar CIV.

All categories have a minimum amount applicable of $50.00 and maximums for Tourism and Commercial properties of $5,304.50 and for Industrial properties of $265.23.    

Garbage Service Charges

Every property within the designated garbage service collection area, that has a habitable dwelling on the property, must pay a garbage collection charge. The charges are:-

240 litre bin - $320.00

120 litre bin - $220.00                                                                                                          

Payment of the charge also entitles the ratepayer to a 240 litre  recycling bin.

Garbage Bins remain the property of Council, with bin Serial Numbers recorded.  Requests for second bins and bins for Commercial  properties is handled by Council's Contractor, Ellwaste.

Anyone wishing to change from a 120 litre bin to a 240 litre bin, is required to pay a change over surcharge fee of $55.00. Anyone wishing to change from a 240 litre bin to 120 litre bin does not pay the surcharge.

An application form Garbage Collection Service Application is available for this purpose, as well as requests for new services, stolen bins and maintenance requirements.

A map of Collection Days in Swan Hill is available.     

Payment Dates

Swan Hill Rural City offers payment of rates in a lump sum or by quarterly instalments. Payments by Direct Debits is also available.

Payment in Lump Sum – 15 February 2010

(If a rate account is paid in full by 16^th October 2009, a 2.5% settlement discount is applied).

 Payment by Instalments – 1^st Instalment – 16^th October 2009

         2^nd Instalment – 30^th November 2009

         3^rd Instalment – 28^th February 2010

         4^th Instalment – 31^st May 2010

( Separate rate notices are issued for the 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th instalments.)

Payment of Animal Registration Renewals – 10^th April 2010.

Payment Options

·   Personally at Council's Swan Hill or Robinvale Offices – (cash, cheque, money order or EFTPOS are available).

·   By mail to PO Box 488, Swan Hill VIC 3585, with cheques made payable to Swan Hill Rural City Council.

·   At any Post Office (please present notice intact).

·   By telephone (ring 13 18 16) – Visa or MasterCard accepted.

·   By the internet at postbillpay.com.au  -  Visa or MasterCard accepted.

·   BPay by contacting your participating bank, credit union or building society to make payments from your cheque, savings or credit card account.

·   Direct Debit form your nominated bank account. A Direct Debit Request – Rate Payments form and a Direct Debit Request Service Agreement - Rate Payments form are required to be completed and lodged with Council.