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Rates

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How your Rates are Calculated:

At the beginning of each financial year, Barunga West Council sets rates based on property valuations provided by the Office of the Valuer-General.

Annual rates are applied to each rateable property at the beginning of each financial year through the following Rates and Charges:

Differential rates set for the current 2025/2026 year are:

  • Residential - 0.2392 cents in the dollar
  • Rural - 0.13874 cents in the dollar
  • Vacant Land - 0.59597 cents in the dollar
  • Commercial - 0.26312 cents in the dollar
  • Industry Light - 0.26312 cents in the dollar
  • Industry Other - 0.31574 cents in the dollar
    • Rate Capping- Council have granted  to the extent of a 14% maximum increase in rates from the previous year's general rates raised,  with land use being Residential or Primary Production. Except where the increase is the result of capital improvement (valued $30,000 or less), the ownership of a property has changed since 1 July 2024, or a boundary realignment, subdivision or amalgamation has occurred since 1 July 2024.
  • Fixed Charge - This is an alternative to the Minimum Amount and ensures all rateable properties pay a base amount to the cost of administering council activities and maintaining the services and infrastructure that supports each property. Rates based on values are then applied in addition to the fixed charge.
  • Service Charge - An additional charge for a Community Wastewater Management Scheme
  • Separate Rates – A valuation-based charge that is for a specified purpose within part of the council area
  • Regional Landscape Levy - previously known as the Natural Resource Management Levy is paid by all South Australian ratepayers. Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, Councils are required to collect and forward the monies to the State Government.

Rebate and Remissions:

First Home Buyers Rebate
Barunga West Council launched an innovative rebate scheme for 2023/24 and 2024/25 to entice new residents to the district.  Catering specifically to the first-homeowners, the scheme offers a $500 annual rebate on Council rates over two years.  This program has now been extended to include 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial years.

Information regarding the First Home Buyers rebate should contact Council on (08) 86352107 or email barunga@barungawest.sa.gov.au

Adjoining Assessments/Properties
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1999, Section 152 (2)(c) where an adjoining assessment, also referred to as 'contiguous', occurs when two properties share a common boundary, and they are owned by the same owner and occupied by the same occupier, the rates payable may be reduced as follows:

  • The Natural Resource Management Levy - only one levy charged, rather than two.
  • Fixed Charge - only one fixed charge imposed, rather than two.

If you think you may qualify for a reduction in rates, please contact Council (08) 8635 2107 and speak to the Rates Officer.

Single Farm Enterprises
Where Council is satisfied, upon application by a ratepayer, that multiple parcels of rateable land constitute a single farm enterprise under the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act), then only one fixed charge can be imposed in respect of those parcels of land.

Pursuant to section 152(5) (b) of the Act, a single farm enterprise exists where two or more pieces of rateable land:

  1. are farm land; and are farmed as a single enterprise; and are occupied by the same person or persons; or
  2. which, as to all the pieces except one, are farm land farmed as a single enterprise occupied by the same person or persons; and the remaining piece is contiguous  with at least one of the other pieces and is the principal place of residence of that person or one of those persons. (Note that only one dwelling can be included in the grouping).

Applicants are required to include the following information in an application for parcels of land to be treated as a single farm enterprise for rating purposes:

  • names of all the persons who own and occupy each parcel of land claimed to be the single farm enterprise;
  • a description of the use to which all of the parcels of land are put and whether a dwelling is located on any of the parcels;
  • if the parcels are occupied by a person other than the owner of the land, a copy of any leases of licences, or details of the rights to occupy any of the allotments comprising the single farm enterprise;
  • details of the persons who derive income, or claim deductions for the purpose of income tax as a result of the farming activities conducted upon each of the parcels of land claimed to be the single farm enterprise.

Note that land will not satisfy the criteria for a single farm enterprise under the Act if:

  • there are two or more parcels of land and on one of them is a house that is occupied by a person not connected with running the farm, then that parcel of land is not included in the Single Farm Enterprise;
  • any of the parcels of land are occupied by different persons, then a single farm enterprise does not exist for the purposes of the Act; and
  • If the persons who derive income or claim deductions for income tax purposes differ in respect of the land, the land will not be taken to be farmed as a single enterprise.

To apply for a Single Farm Enterprise, complete the attached application form and lodge - Single Farm Enterprise Application.

Concessions and Hardship:

State Government Concession (Cost of Living Payment)
From the 1st July 2015, the State Government introduced a "Cost of Living Concession" payment for pensioner, low-income earners and retirees to replace the $190 Council rate concession for home owners.  This payment is made directly to eligible residents and will not appear as a concession on rate notices. For more information or to check eligibility, contact the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or visit www.sa.gov.au.

Financial Hardship
Council’s preference in relation to rate arrears is to develop a payment plan with the ratepayer to settle the debt as quickly as possible.  The alternative is referring the debt to a Debt Collection agency, which increases the total outstanding debt, as some of the Agency fees are added to the outstanding debt.

In the event of genuine financial hardship, Council will suspend the application of fines and interest on the outstanding debt for an agreed period of time. Failure to maintain the payment arrangements will result in Council re-establishing the normal debt collection channels and associated fees.

Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulty (short term and long term) in paying their rates, are encouraged to contact with Council for a confidential discussion and look for put in place flexible payment arrangements. Speak to Rates Office - phone (08) 8635 2107 for a confidential discussion or email barunga@barungawest.sa.gov.au

Rates Payment Plan Application 

Payment of Rates:

In order to avoid fines being imposed for late payment, payment must reach the council on or before the due date.  No responsibility will be accepted for payments by post that do not reach the council office by the due date, and fines will be imposed in the normal manner.

e-notices:
For more information on how to sign up to receieve & pay your rates online please read the document here: e notices(365 kb)

Post Billpay:Payment may be made at any Post Office with Billpay facilities.  The minimum amount payable at Australia Post is $10.00.

Telephone payment may also be made through the Post Billpay Service, please phone 13 18 16. Follow the recorded directions, quoting Billpay code 2850 and the customer reference number shown next to the Billpay symbol on the payment slip.

Pay online at: www.postbillpay.com.au and follow the links to pay with Mastercard or Visa.

Paying by Telephone:
BPAY: Biller Code 44347 - Please call your participating bank or other financial institution to make the payment directly from your nominated savings, cheque or credit/debit card account.

Paying by the Internet:
Contact your financial institution for availability of the option via BPAY. BPAY View now also available for BWC rate payers, please contact your financial institution to register.

Paying in Person:
Present your rates notice intact with your payment to the Port Broughton or Bute office of the Barunga West Council .

Mailing your Payment:
Make cheques payable to the Barunga West Council. Please detach remittance slip and return together with your cheque/money order to:
Barunga West Council
PO Box 3
PORT BROUGHTON SA 5522

Eftpos:
Eftpos facilities are available at our Port Broughton and Bute council office for personal payers only.

Centrepay:
Centrepay is a free direct bill-paying service offered to customers receiving payments from Centrelink.  Barunga West Council is registered with Centrepay.  Just nominate a regular amount that you wish to be deducted from your Centrelink benefit and that amount is then transferred automatically to the Council.

To find out more, contact Council, Centrelink or visit http://www.humanservices.gov.au/centrepay You will need to quote Council’s Centrepay Reference Number (CRN) which is 550-120-384C

Change of Ownership:

Property owners are required to notify Council in writing of changes of address and ownership or occupancy. When ownership of a property changes, liability for payment of rates and charges becomes that of the new owners.

Objection to Valuation:

You may object to the valuation referred to in this notice by writing served personally or by post on the Valuer-General within 60 days after the date of service of this notice.

But note:
(a)   if you have previously received a notice or notices under the Local Government Act 1999 referring to the valuation and informing you of a 60-day objection period, the objection period is 60 days after service of the first such notice;

(b)   you may not object to the valuation if the Valuer-General has already considered an objection by you to that valuation.

The Valuer General may extend the 60-day objection period where it be shown there is reasonable cause to do so by a person entitled to make an objection to a valuation.

A written objection to valuation must set out the full and detailed grounds for objection, including any supporting material.

Objections can be submitted to the Office of the Valuer-General via:

For further information or a hard copy objection pack (including a reply-paid envelope), please call 1300 653 346. Rates are still due and payable by the due date even if an objection to valuation has been lodged.

Voters Roll:

Persons on the State House of Assembly Electoral Roll are automatically included in the Council Voters Roll and entitled to vote in Council elections. Others who are ratepayers may also be entitled to be enrolled on the Council Voters Roll but will need to apply for enrolment. If you have any queries please contact Council (08) 8635 2107.

Click here to go to the Electoral Commission of South Australia website.