What confusion? In the first week of October Council mailed out the first rates instalment notice for the 2009/10 rating year.

In the 2nd week of October Council and its rating valuers, Quotable Value, sent out the valuation notices for the new valuations recently audited by the Valuer General and reflecting values as at 1 July 2009. In most residential locations the new valuations are slightly lower than the previous valuations effective July 2006. The reduction in values, the timing of these two events and the date 1 July 2009 have all contributed to the confusion.

The new valuations will not be used for rating purposes until the July 2010 – June 2011 financial year, even though they are dated July 2009. The law is very specific in terms of what values are to be used for calculating and charging rates. They are the values that are on the roll as at 30 June in the preceding year, ie the values on the roll at 30 June 2009 are the values that apply to the rating year 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010.

Council has received numerous phone calls and email requests for the values on the current rating instalment notice to be corrected to the new valuations. That is not possible. It would be illegal for Council to do this.

Council will continue to rate using the values as at July 2006 for the remainder of this rating year.

We regret this confusion has occurred but rating can be complex and is subject to strict legal compliance.

Council has received numerous enquiries regarding the new valuation notices that have been sent out in the last week. Understandably there are many questions around those valuations. Council in conjunction with Quotable Value will be running clinics where property owners can come in and discuss the valuations with a valuer.

For further information that may assist you in understanding the valuation process, their effects and other relevant issues please view our Rating Valuation webpage. Follow the link and check the new values on line and also the frequently asked questions posted. If in doubt contact Council for further clarification but remember Council staff are not valuers and technical valuation questions will need the assistance of a qualified valuer from Quotable Value. Valuers will be on site to take questions in the near future.

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