Postponed and exempt rates

Postponement of rates

Owners of rateable land can apply to postpone rates in the current or following rating year (or in both years) if the land meets requirements in Section 585 of the Local Government Act 1993. 

  • Postponed rates attract interest for up to 5 years (for a maximum of 5 years).
  • Your normal rates calculation applies according to your land value.

Postponed rates are part of your normal rate calculation however they are kept in a suspense account separate to your rate account. This means that the amount of rates you actually pay each year is reduced. The rates postponed accrue on a year to year basis and attract interest charges.

Upon reaching the sixth year Council will write off the first year's rates postponed, together with interest charged. Council will do this every year. This means that at any one time you will only have 5 years' rates postponed plus applicable interest charges. An application is required each year if you wish to continue your postponement.

Any change to the residential or rural status such as demolition of a house for redevelopment, subdivision or usage change to business or commercial must be notified to Council within one month. Should any changes occur, you will be required to pay the postponed rates and interest held in the postponed account.

Apply for postponement of rates

What land is exempt from rates?

Land exempt from rates includes:

  • churches
  • schools
  • public land
  • hospitals
  • land owned and used by public charities.

For more information, read Section 555 of the Local Government Act 1993.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to have your property exempt from rates call 02 6670 2400.

Apply for rating exemption

 

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