Published on Friday, 2 August 2024 at 7:26:46 AM
The Shire of Moora Rates Notices were distributed this week.
Most ratepayers would have noticed that their rates have increased this year. In addition, rates for some properties have increased more than others, due to factors relating to individual properties.
We understand this can be confusing and frustrating, and we are listening. We would like to provide information regarding rates generally and explain why they have increased.
What are rates and why do I pay them?
Rates are a property tax, established by law. They contribute to the running of our community and the delivery of services and facilities such as roads, parks, recreational facilities and administration. Rates work on the same principles as Land Tax – the higher the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of your property, the higher your rates.
How are rates calculated?
Property valuations are determined by Landgate (the Valuer General’s office).
The valuation for each property is determined by the Valuer General and is either a Gross Rental Value (GRV: residential) or Unimproved Value (UV: mining and farming). Generally, the valuation of each property will be different.
Council must, by law, use these property valuations to calculate your rates, by multiplying a property’s valuation by the rate in the dollar set by Council.
In April, Landgate advised the Shire of Moora of the GRV revaluation, effective 1st July 2024. The last revaluation of GRV took place on 1st July 2018, and it will take place again in five years. This is a State Government process. The UV is revalued annually.
This explains why some rates have increased more than others. Your specific change is based on your property valuation, and how much this has changed since 2018.
Residents can appeal the GRV and UV valuations placed on their property by Landgate. Details on how to lodge an objection can be found on the reverse side of your rates notice.
Why has the rate in the dollar set by Council increased this year?
The overall rate yield in the dollar set by Council in 2024/25 has increased by 6%.
The Shire of Moora’s rate increases have been below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the 2020/21 financial year, when rates were frozen.
However, our costs have increased like any other business, and we need to be financially sustainable. So, these costs are partially passed onto ratepayers via rates. The Shire does not make a surplus.
Will this rate continue to increase?
The Shire of Moora anticipates an annual CPI increase, plus 0.5%, to allow us to continue to provide services and facilities in keeping with our long-term financial plan. However, you can be assured we are doing what we can to mitigate passing on any unnecessary costs to our ratepayers.
We hope this helps to answer some of the questions you may have had. If you have any further queries, please contact us on shire@moora.wa.gov.au and we will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.
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