Your ratesexplained.
Your rates make a real difference to the quality of life in the City of Greater Geelong.
Rates are a general purpose levy which helps fund services within the community plus essential infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, parks, gardens, libraries and other community facilities.
Council has developed a comprehensive rating strategy that determines how rates income will be derived and outlines the payment options and assistance measures available.
This brochure explains your Council Rates, Valuation & Charges Notice, how your rates are calculated, the property valuation process and how to pay your rates.
Can I receive my rates notice electronically?
Yes, you can receive your rate notice electronically via Bpay View.
INSERT BPAY VIEW EMAIL IMAGE
BPAY View sends your bills straight to the same online bank you use to pay them. While this is great news for you, your letterbox may not take it so well.
Sign up today in 3 simple steps…
1. Log into your online banking account.
2. Look for the BPAY View or View Bills section.
3. Register to receive your City of Greater Geelong rate notice by entering:
- the BPAY Biller Code 17475
- your BPAY View registration number located at the bottom of your notice under payment methods
- your name exactly as it appears on the rate notice
For further information visit
Easy access
You can look after bills 24/7 over the internet from wherever you are and be notified when a new bill arrives.
Get organized
Have a summary of bills and their due date in one place. If you want to view a detailed bill, it’s only a few clicks away.
Choose how you pay
For your convenience, you can still use BPAY to pay bills received via BPAY View and pay from your back account, credit card account. You can also pay via any other method on your rate notice.
Pay on time
Make payments immediately with BPAY or schedule payments for a later date.
Be kind to the environment
Cut down on paper by choosing to receive bills online.
How can I pay my rates notice?
The notice can be paid either in full or by four instalments.
Methods of payment are provided on your Rates, Valuation & Charges Notice - including payment via the internet, over the phone and in person.
Option 1: Payment in Full
If you choose to pay your ratesin full, the due date for payment is on or before 15 February 2015.
For payments not received by the due date, penalty interest willbe charged at 11.50% per annum (as set by the State Government) until they are paid in full. It is the ratepayer’s responsibility to ensure payment is made on or before 15 February 2015.
Option 2: Payment in four quarterly instalments
If you choose to pay your rates notice by instalments, the first instalment amount must be paid in full by 30 September 2014.
Part payment only of the first instalment will NOT be recognised as an instalment payment.
Remaining instalment amounts must be paid in full by the following dates:
2nd instalment due by: 30 November 2014
3rdinstalment due by: 28 February 2015
4th instalment due by: 31 May 2015
Payments that are due on the weekend will be extended until the next business day.
Any payment received after the initial due date of 30 September 2014 will be accepted as a part payment of the total amount (stated on your Rates, Valuation & Charges Notice). You will not be an instalment payer and the balance will be due to be paid on or before 15 February 2015.
Any instalment payment received after the due date will be charged penalty interest at the rate of 11.50% per annum (as set by the State Government) from the due date until the overdue instalment amount is paid in full.
If you do not pay your rates by the due date, and do not contact us to make an arrangement, Council may take action to recover any overdue amounts without further notice. Costs of recovery including legal action may result in additional charges to ratepayers.
Payment by Direct Debit
You may elect to pay your rates noticeby Direct Debit in full, by four instalments, by nine monthly instalments or by twenty fortnightly instalments.
Refer to ‘How to Pay’ on your Rates, Valuation & Charges Notice for further payment options.
How are Rates Calculated?
Rates are calculated based on property valuations in accordance with Council’s Rating Strategy 2014-2015 and the Local Government Act 1989.
The City of Greater Geelong, like many other councils, has chosen the Capital Improved Value (CIV) for the calculation of rates.
The formula for calculating general rates, excluding any additional charges or arrears, is:
General Rates = Valuation (CIV) x Rate in the dollar (differential)
For example, the calculation for a residential property worth $375,674 would be:
Capital Improved Value$375,674
Rate in dollar0.002710
$380,000 x .002710= $1,018.05
Add Municipal Charge $ 91.55
Plus Waste Service Charge$246.50
Total Council Rates & Charges $1,356.10
For details of your property’s valuation and how your rates are calculated please refer to the rate notice.
Municipal Charge
In addition to rates, Council levies a municipal charge – a set amount on each property. The levy is applied to recover some of the fixed administrative costsassociated with running the municipality and for 2014-2015 is $91.55.
Recycling and Waste Collection Service
The waste service fee is based on user pays principles and recovers such costs as collection, recycling and landfill.
This is a compulsory charge for all areas of the municipal district in which Council provides a domestic refuse collection and disposal service.
The component of the waste service charge that relates to the State Government’s Environmental Protection levy has risen to an estimated $27.70 per charge. The total waste service charge for 2014-2015 is $246.50.
Property Valuation
The City is required toundertake a general property revaluationevery two years in accordance with State Government legislation. All properties within the municipality have been revalued as at 1 January 2014.
A supplementary valuation may be conducted when a properties characteristics change, Eg. A building is altered, erected, demolished; land is amalgamated, subdivided, rezoned or affected by road construction. Supplementary valuations bring the value of the affected property into line with the general valuation of other properties within the municipality.
How does the Revaluation Process Work?
Depending on real estate trends, properties in some parts of Greater Geelong go up in value at a greater rate than others – property rates will reflect this pattern.
The revaluation in 2014 has shown that residential properties in Greater Geelong have increased in value by an average 2.16% compared to the 2012 revaluation.
Does Council make more money when property values go up?
No, Council does not collect extra revenue as a result of the revaluation process. Council determines residential rates by applying a rate in the dollar against the total value of the property. When the total value of all properties increase Council adjusts the rate in the dollar to compensate. There is no windfall gain for Council.
Who decides on the value of properties?
Valuations are carried out by Professional Valuers. Properties are assessed according to the Valuer-General Victoria Best Practice Guidelines.
Detailed Information about Council valuations can be obtained at
The effective date for all Valuations is at 1 January 2014. This date is the same across all of Victoria. This valuation level will be used from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2016.
Objecting to a Valuation
You may object to a Capital Improved and/or a Site Valuation. A formal written objection can be made in relation to the value of the property or on other grounds specified in the Valuation of Land Act 1960, Sections 16-21. An objection must be made within two months of the date of the initial rate notice, or within four months if the notice was not originally issued to the occupier of the land.
Before lodging a formal objection form, Council will accept enquiries and try to resolve your valuation concern.
An objection to Council valuations should include the prescribed information. To ensure you include all items, please obtain an objection proforma either by contacting Council by phone on 5272 5272 or at
Upon receipt of a formal written objection, a Valuer may discuss the matter with you and either allow or disallow the objection. If you are not satisfied with the decision you may appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), or the Supreme Court. Further information can be obtained at time frames exist regarding any appeal.
If you object to a valuation,legislation states that youmust ensure the rates are paid by the due date. Failure to pay rates by the due date will result in an interest charge.
Land Tax
The State Revenue Office will also use the land (site value) in its assessment for any land tax. For more information please contact the State Revenue Office at
Objection to a valuation used for land tax must be made within two months of receiving the land tax notice from the State Revenue Office.
Differential Rates
Council applies different rates in the dollar for different land uses. Council has setrates for residential, farm, vacant, mixed use, commercial andindustrial land use to best reflect the rate contribution required from the different property groups. You can appeal against a differential applied to your property under Section 183 of the Local Government Act 1989.
Rates Assistance and Hardship
Council provides a range of payment and assistance measures to suit individual needs including options such as regular Direct Debit, Centrepay, Deferral of Rates, and Payment Arrangements.
For the 2014-2015 financial year the following rates assistance measures are available:
1. Pensioner Rebate
If you hold a current Pension Concession Card (not a Health Care Card) or a Veteran Affairs Gold Card, which stipulates TPI or War Widow, you may claim a rebate on your sole or principal place of residence. The rebate is 50 per cent of the total rates and charges, up to the maximum State Government rebate amount of $208.00. The rebate does not apply to the Municipal Charge. New applications can be made through Customer Service Centres and must be lodged by 30 June 2015. If you remain eligible and received the rebate last year you do not need to reapply, the rebate amount will be shown on your Rates and Valuation Notice.
2. Farm Rates
Properties classified as farms are eligible for a 34% rebate off the residential rate. Council determines whether properties are to be classified as Farm according to the definitions set out in the Rating Declaration that is made as part of the Budget process each year.
3. Rates Deferral
Council will assist ratepayers including pensioners who are experiencing hardship by creating an individual payment plan. This may include deferral of rates payment, in full or part, depending on individual circumstances.
Please contact the Customer Service team on 5272 5272 for further information or write directly to the Attention: Financial Services - Revenue. Confidential appointments with an officer can be arranged.
4. A Waiver of Rates (Valuation Phase in Assistance)
Council has previously written to ratepayers who may have been eligible for the one-off Rates Waiver. If you have not already applied for the waiver and meet the criteria you are encouraged to apply. All three required qualifying criteria are:
Household income under $48,837.
No property improvements since 1 January 2014 that required a building permit.
The 2014 property valuation (the Capital Improved Valuation CIV) has increased by more than 50 per cent from the previous 2012 level property valuation for your sole and principal place of residence.
Qualifying ratepayers will be entitled to a 'one-off' waiver of up to 50 per cent of the dollar amount that their rates increase as a result of the 2014 Revaluation.
The waiver does not apply to the Recycling and Waste Services Charge and Municipal Charge and can only be claimed by qualifying ratepayers once during the Valuation period of 2014-2016.
Change of Address
The Local Government Act 1989 requires property owners and ratepayers to advise of any changes in ownership and mailing address. This needs to be in writing and signed by the property owner.
Advice of your correct address ensures that Council can provide you with vital information in a timely manner. This is particularly important for non residential owners.
A form is available at the Customer Service Centres or you can complete an online form at Delays in mail or payments due to an incorrect address are not considered to be an acceptable excuse for late payment of rates.
Street Numbering
Council is the responsible authority for numbering of all properties as stated in the Local Government Act 1989.
We ask all ratepayers to check their displayed street numbering against the rate notice and amend the displayed numbering where necessary.
Your Lot number is not your street address, Emergency Services and Authorities all use Council’s numbering data base.
Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL)
The Victorian State Government requiresLocal Government to bill, receipt and collect a Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL)on rateable and non-rateable properties.
For further information please refer to the FSPLwebsite at call 13 21 61.