Rates

Council’s rates are influenced by many factors including increases in the cost of providing services, proposed capital works and increases in service levels or other Council initiatives. Council also considers statistical indicators such as the Consumer Price Index and the Local Government Cost Index.

Council consciously aims to keep the increase in rates to a minimum in order to lessen any impact on ratepayers but at the same time generate enough income to provide adequate levels of service and achieve its objectives.

See below the 2023-24 Rates Booklet and HERE for the Emergency Services Levy flyer.

Rates at a glance

Your rates provide Council with the revenue needed to manage all the services and facilities which make the Shire a vibrant and attractive region to live in. Each financial year a new budget is prepared to support current - and plan for the future - needs of the entire community.

Rates are issued by the Shire each financial year. Your rates notice will be mailed to you in August following the budget adoption process.

Shire rates are levied on the values of the rateable properties provided by the Valuer General Office. GRV (Gross Rental Value) is applied to urban properties and these values are re-assessed every 5 years. GRV means the gross annual rental that the land might reasonably be expected to realise if let on a tenancy from year to year. A GRV is determined on the basis that the rental includes outgoings such as rates and other property expenses.

UV (Unimproved Values) are used as the basis for the levy of rates for rural properties. UV properties are revalued every year. Market based UVs are determined by reference to the land market at the date of valuation.

Council sets a "rate in the dollar" for each differential rate such as residential, commercial or rural. The rate is calculated to ensure that sufficient income is received to enable continued service delivery to our community.

Your annual rates are calculated by multiplying your GRV or UV value by your applicable "rate in the dollar" taking into consideration the minimum rate.

How to Pay Your Rates

We understand that sometimes people experience financial hardship which makes it difficult to meet all of their financial commitments when they are due.

The Shire offers two options for the payment of rates -

Option 1: Payment in full by the due date

Option 2: Payment by four instalments

Rates can be paid by:

Mail - please include the payment slip at the bottom of your rates form
BPAY - information found in the bottom section of your rates form
e-RATES - Call the Shire of Esperance Rates Department on (08) 9071 0657 to register to receive future Rates Notices directly to your email.
In person at the Administration office - please bring rates notice when paying in person
Online - Click here to access the online payments
Direct Debit - A Direct Debit form needs to be completed and returned to the Shire
By phone 1300 276 468, please have your rates notice nearby when calling

If you are having difficulty paying your rates, please contact our Rates Department to discuss a suitable payment arrangement to settle the rates debt by the due date set by Council.

Pensioner or Senior Rebates

Pensioners and Seniors may be eligible for a rates rebate.

To receive a concession a person must hold one or more of the appropriate Pensioner or Seniors cards and on July 1 of the financial year own and occupy residential property as their principal place of residence.

To ensure you are registered for a rebate for your rates please call the Water Corporation on 1300 659 951 and quote your concession card details. They will then update your details with the Shire. Remember to have your Water Corporation account number ready when you call.

How is my rubbish rates charge made up?

Your rubbish rates charge reflects the costs of collecting your general refuse and recycling bin and the associated disposal charges. This charge can differ depending on the bin configuration you have chosen. Contact us on (08) 9071 0676 to change your bin sizes.

Waste charges have remained the same as last year. Waste destined for landfill incurs the greatest cost. Separating recyclable and recoverable items from other waste, before arriving at the tip, reduces waste fees payable at the Wylie Bay Waste Facility.

What is the Waste Rate for?

In 2013, the Shire of Esperance introduced a Waste Rate to fund the establishment of a new landfill site and waste management strategy to prepare for the closure of the Wylie Bay Waste Management Facility in late 2022.

Having explored a range of options, the Shire has endorsed a multi-faceted proposal to transport and dispose of waste at the Coolgardie landfill site and to establish a transfer station and materials recovery facility on Myrup Road.

The rate will contribute to the significant costs of these activities above and beyond the current rubbish service provided to the community.

What do you do with the Emergency Services Levy?

The Shire is required to collect the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) on behalf of the State Government which uses the proceeds to fund a range of emergency services organisations including local bush fire brigades within the Shire of Esperance. If you wish to discuss this charge contact the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/emergency-services-levy for further information.

What do my Rates pay for?

Your rates contribute toward the services provided by the Shire including but not limited to:

Airport
Assistance to community groups
Bay of Isles Leisure Centre
Building control
Bush fire control
Cemetery
Civic Centre
Community information
Council & Governance
Dog and other animal control
Coastal Infrastructure
Economic development support
Emergency services support
Environmental planning
Esperance Public Library
Health control
Litter control
Museum
Off road vehicle control
Parks, reserves and playgrounds
Recreational and cultural planning and development
Recreational & Sport facilities
Road construction and maintenance
Seniors, youth and disability support
Storm water drainage
Street lighting and street trees
Tourism
Waste Management

Change of Address

It is the ratepayers responsibility to keep the Shire of Esperance informed of your current address and contact details.

Your address can be updated by filling in this form and returning it to the Shire Administration Building on Windich Street or by calling our Rates Department on (08) 9071 0657.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Rates

How are Rates calculated?

Your rate amount is calculated by multiplying a property’s Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV) by the rate in the dollar set by Council.

GRV – is a valuation of your property, determined by the Valuer General, as an estimate of the rental income you would receive if the property was rented for one year.

UV – is also determined by the Valuer General and is based on the value of undeveloped land.

Rate in the dollar is set by Council to ensure sufficient income is received to enable continued service delivery to the community.

Can I object to my property valuation?

If you believe the valuation of your property is incorrect, you can lodge an objection with the Western Australian Valuer General’s Office within 60 days of the issue date of your Rates Notice.

Please refer to the reverse side of your rates notice for contact details or visit the Landgate website here.

What are Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs)?

The Financial Assistance Grant Program is recurring funding that is received by local governments each year. The funding is provided under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995. It consists of two components;

A general purpose component that is distributed between the states according to population and
An identified local road component.

The Shire of Esperance receives a higher amount than some other local governments mainly because we have the longest road network in WA. The general purpose funds will contribute to the provision of community services and infrastructure.

The funding has been allocated in accordance with the Shire of Esperance financial plans and budget.

If I calculate my rates I get a much lower amount than you are charging me. Why?

You are being charged what is known as the ‘minimum rate’.

This is a rate set by Council to reflect what is considered to be a reasonable contribution to the cost of Shire services and management.

If your Gross Rental Value multiplied by the Shire’s rate in the dollar means that your rates are less than the set minimum, then the set minimum is charged.

Why do I pay so much in rates for vacant land when I don’t receive any services?

All land is subject to the application of rates, including the Waste Rate. Vacant land is also valued differently by the Valuer General (VGO).

Rates are based on an assessment of the annual rental value of a property, known as Gross Rental Value (GRV) and is the responsibility of the VGO: a State Government agency. It is then multiplied by a rate in the dollar (the Shire’s responsibility) to provide the actual rates on a property. Vacant land does not have rental potential so the VGO calculates a synthetic rental value by using 3% of the market value of land.

What does GRV and UV mean?

Shire rates are levied on the values of the rateable properties provided by the Valuer General Office (VGO).

GRV, or Gross Rental Value, means the gross annual rental that the land might reasonably be expected to realise if let on a tenancy from year to year. A GRV is determined on the basis that the rental includes outgoings such as rates and other property expenses. This is applied to urban properties and these values are re-assessed every 5 years.

UV, or Unimproved Values, are used as the basis for the levy of rates for rural properties. UV properties are revalued every year. Market based UV’s are determined by reference to the land market at the date of valuation.

I've lodged an objection to my rates and have received a final notice. Do I have to pay?

Yes, rates must be paid as assessed by the due date.

Any reduction in rates as a result of a successful objection will be refunded.

If you do not make payment in full you will accrue interest on general rates and on Emergency Services Levy.

How do I lodge an objection to my valuation?

Your valuation (GRV or UV) is only one factor used to calculate your rates notice. The Valuation of Land Act 1978 (as amended) Part IV sets out how valuation objections may be lodged. A property owner may lodge an objection against the valuation of a property within 60 days of the date of issue of a rates notice. For information on how your values are calculated and how to lodge an objection, please visit Landagate's website landgate.wa.gov.au/valuations, or alternatively call Landgate Customer Service on +61(08) 9273 7373.

What happens to my rates if I build a new house, an addition or a pool?

When there are changes to your property that affect its valuation the Shire receives advice of the new valuation (and an effective date for the new valuation) from the Valuer General. An amended rates notice, called an interim rates notice, is then issued. An interim rates notice does not replace the original rates notice but is an additional charge.

Examples of where your valuation would be amended include:

a new building has been built
a pool has been installed
a new room has been added
a property has been demolished