Discretionary Rebate of Rates – Residential Rate Capping
Section153(3) of the Local Government Act 1999 provides for Council to fix a maximum increase in general rates in respect of the principal place of residence of a principal ratepayer. This section of the Act provides relief against what would otherwise amount to a substantial change in rates payable by a ratepayer
The cap on an increase in general rates under this Section will not apply where property values have increased as a result of the following events:
- new building work and/or development activity – greater than $5,000 in the previous 2 financial years
- changes in land use, wholly or partially
- changes in zoning
- the ownership of the rateable property has changed since 1 July of the previous year
- the property is no longer the principal place of residence.