Until recently, the City of Parramatta had five different rating structures as a result of the Council amalgamations, which has led to inconsistencies in how rates are calculated. The aim of harmonisation process has not been to increase income from rates but to provide a fair and consistent method of rate calculation across the whole council area.
Council commissioned an independent assessment of the five rating structures and has selected the ad-valorem based method of rate calculation as the preferred option (please note the minimum rate does not include the 2% Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) increase).
The proposed rates structure which uses the ad-valorem based method of rate calculation was on public exhibition from 18 November 2020 to 8 January 2021. During this time, Council received 287 individual written submissions and 452 calls.
For more information about how rates are calculated and the changes please also read the Summary Brochure in the RESOURES section of this page.
The proposed rates structure which uses the ad-valorem based method of rate calculation was on public exhibition from 18 November 2020 to 8 January 2021. During this time, Council received 287 individual written submissions and 452 calls.
For more information about how rates are calculated and the changes please also read the Summary Brochure in the RESOURES section of this page.
Council rates are a property tax and are a vital source of Council revenue.
Rates are used to provide essential infrastructure and services. This includes footpaths, resealing roads, and stormwater drainage as well as community facilities (parks, gardens, libraries, and pools).
Rates ‘ harmonisation’ refers to the process of reviewing how rates are calculated and under the current structure and moving to a single system that uses the same method to calculate rates.
All amalgamated councils in NSW are required to review their rate structures by July 2021, in order to create a single, fair rating structure across the entire Council area.
During the merger process, the State Government imposed a freeze which meant that amalgamated councils could not change the way rates were calculated. This means we have been maintaining five different rates structures from the councils that were amalgamated into the City of Parramatta (Auburn, Holroyd, Hills, and Hornsby) and as a result, the way rates are calculated varies.
No. Rates harmonisation is about the distribution of rates across the rating categories.
Properties are assigned a category and in some cases a sub-category for rating purposes and these are shown on your Rates Notice.
Rates are calculated on the land value of a property, which is determined by the NSW Valuer General who issues a Notice of Valuation every 3 years.
This is multiplied by an ‘adopted-rate-in- dollar’ which is determined by Council by taking the total amount of money to be raised in general rates and dividing it by the total value of all rateable properties.
The 2021/22 Adopted Rates in the dollar and minimums:
Note: The average rate changes quoted in the exhibition summary brochure were based on figures at a particular point in time for the independent review.
The Council has categorised all rateable properties in accordance with s514 of the LG Act 1993 to be within one of the following rating categories.
- Residential
- Business
Business subcategories
- business CBD,
- business CBD #2
- Industrial
If you don’t agree with the Council’s categorisation of your property, you can contact us to request a review.
The NSW Valuer General is the statutory independent valuing authority in NSW. The the valuation process is something the Council cannot influence.
Information about the NSW Valuer General’s valuation process and how to request a review is issued with the valuation notices.
Phone: 1800 110 038
Website: www.valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au
Council’s existing Rates Hardship Policy will be available to assist ratepayers who are eligible for assistance.
Ratepayers can also apply to pay their rates using an instalment plan instead of paying them as a lump sum.
