Rates
- Rate Payments
- Methods of Payment
- Having difficulty paying your rates?
- Electronic Delivery of Rates Notice
- Rate Capping
- Council Rates FAQs
- Office of the Valuer General Fact Sheet
- Regional Landscape Levy
- Wastewater Customers
What are rates?
Rates are a system of taxation on the community for local government to deliver what is expected by their community. Ratepayers receive various benefits from paying rates, for more information see:
General Differential Rates 2023/2024
| Land within the Council area according to its land use as follows: | Cents in the dollar |
|---|---|
| Residential | 0.329511 |
| Commercial | 0.329511 |
| Industry | 0329511 |
| Vacant Land | 0.329511 |
| Other | 0.329511 |
| Primary Production | 0.276789 |
| Residential land within the Productive Rural Landscape Zone and Rural Zone | 0.29656 |
To calculate your General Rate component, you will need to know the land use and capital value of the property.
| Example: | General rates calculation: |
|---|---|
| Land use - Residential Captial value - $400,000 | 400,000 x 0.00329511 = $1,318.04 |
Property Valuations
Each year, the Valuer-General of South Australia independently and objectively determines site and capital values for every rateable property in the state (referred to as the General Valuation). Your property valuation may increase or decrease each year depending on changes to your property or as a result of other market influences.
When you receive your Rate Notice, if you disagree with the revised value of your property, you may lodge a written objection within 60 days following receipt of the first Rate Notice. Information on how to do this is on the back of your Rate Notice.
Objections to valuations should be addressed to:
Office of the Valuer-General
GPO Box 1354
Adelaide SA 5001
Email: OVGObjections@sa.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 653 346
For further information on the objection process please visit the Office of the Valuer-General website.
The Mount Barker District Council has no role in this process and it is important to note that the lodgement of an objection does not change the due date for payment of rates. Rates must be paid in accordance with the Rate Notice until otherwise notified by Council.
Understanding 2023-24 Property Values
Please refer to the Office of the Valuer General's fact sheet that outlines the property market and frequently asked questions associated with the 2023-24 valuations and their effect on rating and taxing notices.
Regional Landscape Levy
The Regional Landscape Levy (“the levy”) replaces the Natural Resource Management Levy (“NRM levy”). The levy is based on the previous NRM levy contribution raised for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges and the SA Murray-Darling Basin Regions. Mount Barker District Council now falls within the Hills & Fleurieu Regional Landscape Region for the purposes of the levy.
The creation of new landscape regions for the purposes of determining levies, is being managed through a transitional scheme. The transition to this new levy, sees the abolition of the NRM levy, previously collected by the Council on behalf of the State under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.
While the levy is a State tax, Council is required, under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (“the Act”), to make a specified annual contribution to the Landscape Administration Fund, which is distributed to the Hills & Fleurieu Regional Landscape Board (“the Board”) and to recover this amount by way of the levy.
All properties are subject to the levy and it is collected by way of a separate rate, based on the capital value of your property. The rate is calculated to raise the same amount as the Council’s contribution to the Board (taking into account any rebates or remissions that may apply under sections 159–166 of the Local Government Act 1999).
Council does not determine how the revenue raised by the levy is to be spent. That is a matter dealt with by the Board, by reference to its Annual Business Plan.
Under the Act there are no provisions for exemptions from payment of the levy.
For more information visit the Landscape SA Hills and Fleurieu website. Alternatively, they can be contacted on:
Phone: 8391 7500
Email: hf.LandscapeBoard@sa.gov.au
Address: Mount Barker Office, corner of Mann and Walker Streets, Mount Barker SA 5251
Website: www.landscape.sa.gov.au/hf
New Look Rate Notice for Wastewater Service Customers
From 1 July 2023 the rate notice for wastewater customers will have a new look and highlight the wastewater related annual service charges. This will assist residents differentiate the additional services the Mount Barker District Council provide when rates accounts are compared with metropolitan councils.
Wastewater Service Charges only apply to Wastewater Service customers. These are not new charges. View an example of the new notice here.
You can read the Annual Wastewater Service Business Plan here.
Rate Payments
Due Dates
Rating Period is 1 July to 30 June, each financial year.
Rates are due in full on 1 September 2023 OR by instalments due on 1 September 2023, 1 December 2023, 1 March 2024, 7 June 2024.
Having difficulty paying your rates?
If you’re having (or are likely to have) difficulty meeting the due dates for payment of your rates, please contact Council’s rates team on (08) 8391 7200 before the rates fall into arrears to discuss options that may be able to assist you. Depending on your circumstances, there are short term and longer term options that may be available. Any enquiries are treated confidentially. Please complete the Rates Payment Arrangement Application form and return to Council or send an email to council@mountbarker.sa.gov.au (including your property reference details) with an arrangement proposal.
Methods of Payment
Mount Barker District Council rates can be paid using the following methods:
- Internet Council is now able to accept rates, infringement payments and debtor payments by credit card. You can now make your payment at any time of day, conveniently from wherever you access the internet. Make a Payment
- By Mail Make cheque or Australia Post money order payable to 'Mount Barker District Council'. Mail with bottom portion of the Rate Notice to: Mount Barker District Council PO Box 54 MOUNT BARKER SA 5251. Mark cheques 'Not Negotiable'. Note Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.
- In Person Present the Rate Notice intact to the cashier at Mount Barker Council Office, 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker. Payment is acceptable by: EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, Cash, Cheque or Australia Post Money Order.
- At Australia Post Take your Rate Notice intact – do not remove the Payment Slip – to any Australia Post Office or Post Office Agency anywhere in Australia Online via Australia Post Bill Pay
- By Phone You may pay by Mastercard or Visa Card via this service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have the Rate Notice and your Credit Card handy. Call 1300 604 214 or 03 8648 7121. Your Assessment Number is on the front of your Rate Notice and call is charged at a Local Call Rate.
- By BPAY Contact participating bank, credit union or building society to make direct payment from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Biller Code: 3301 Your Reference Number is on the front of the Rate Notice.
Electronic Delivery of Rates Notice
Mount Barker District Council ratepayers can opt to receive, pay and store quarterly rates notices electronically via EZYbill and BPAY view. To find out more visit the electronic delivery of rates notice page.
Change of rates notice details required?
If your postal address or name details that appear on your rates notice need to be changed please complete the online form below:
Notification to Change Rate Notice Details (online form)
Rate Capping
A Rate Cap is to apply to eligible residential ratepayers’ principal place of residence to protect individuals against increased rates brought about by substantially increased property valuations. Council will apply a rate cap to Residential 1, Residential 2 and Primary Production properties affected by increases. Rate capping is available to eligible ratepayers for increases in general rates - 4% for pensioners and 12.5% for all ratepayers. Conditions apply. Applications close 31 October.