Council Rates Notices

2026-2027 Rates Notices will be sent soon via email (EzyBill) or post, depending on your preferred method of contact.

First quarter payments are due by 1 September 2026.

Understanding your 2026–27 rates notice

This year, your rates notice may look a little different following Council's recent Rating Review.

Download the Rates Flyer for a guide to reading your rates notice, including a sample notice and an explanation of each of the charges.

What’s new on your Rates Notice

Council’s new rating strategy uses a combination of a fixed charge on every rateable property and a differential rating system, based on land use, when calculating general rates. The strategy includes the separation of waste collection charges from general rates to highlight the cost of waste management.

$200 Fixed charge

A Fixed Charge component of $200.00 for 2026/2027 is applied to rateable property.

(Previously, Council had a minimum charge of $1,200. The fixed charge has replaced the minimum charge).

Differential General Rate (property value x rate in the dollar)

The remainder of Council's general rate revenue is raised through a differential rate applied to property capital values. Different land uses attract different rates to reflect Council's adopted rating policy:

• Residential, Primary Production and Other properties – 100% of the Rate in the Dollar (RID)
• Commercial and Industrial properties – 135% of the RID
• Vacant Land – 200% of the RID

A property's rate is calculated by applying the relevant Rate in the Dollar to its capital value, as determined by the State Valuation Office. E.g $450,000 x 0.00303267 = $1,364.70

If your property is rated using Notional Value, it will be indicated as per: Notional Value: Y

Waste Service Charge (depending on bin services supply)

The cost of waste collection and treatment will now be shown separately on Rates Notices rather than being included within general rates. This change provides a fairer distribution of costs by ensuring properties contribute based on access to the waste service.

The charge will not apply to vacant land or primary production properties without a dwelling.

Rural properties receive discounted charges based on their distance from a waste collection point, in accordance with legislation:

• Up to 500m: Full charge
• More than 500m and up to 2km: 75% charge
• More than 2km and up to 5km: 50% charge
• More than 5km: No charge

The Waste Service Charge applies to all properties where the service is available, regardless of the service being utilised.

Hills & Fleurieu Landscape Levy

The Hills & Fleurieu Landscape Levy is a Regional Levy and a State Government charge that Council collects on behalf of the Landscape Board.

The levy funds regional environmental programs such as pest and weed control, biodiversity protection, water management, and sustainable land management. While it appears on your Rates Notice, the funds are passed directly to the Landscape Board and are not retained by Council.

Having difficulty paying your council rates?

If you have (or are likely to have) difficulty meeting rate payments, please contact the Council's Rate Administration on (08) 8558 0200 before the rates fall into arrears to discuss options that may be able to assist you.