Rates

Who pays Local Government Rates?

The Shire of Dowerin levies rates each year to fund a range of Council services such as maintenance of public parks, buildings, roads, health, planning and building services, Ranger services and support for community groups.

How Your Rates are Calculated?

Local Government Authorities in Western Australia levy rates against each property by determining a 'rate in the dollar' which is then multiplied by the Valuation of the property, either the Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV), as determined by the Valuer General's Office.

Rate in the Dollar x Valuation = Yearly fees (cents in the dollar (set by the set by the Shire) Valuer General)

  • GRV is the estimated yearly rental value of your property and is provided to Council by the Valuer General (a State Government Office) every four (4) years. A value for vacant residential, commercial or industrial land is calculated at three per cent of the determined resale value.
  • UV is the site value of an unimproved property, also provided to Council by the Valuer General’s office, on an annual basis.

Different rate levels are charged for Gross Rental Value and Unimproved Value properties.

Minimum Rates

A minimum rate is set in recognition that every property / owner / resident benefits from works and services provided by the Shire.

Payment Options

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995 and the Local Government Financial Management Regulations (1996), Council offers ratepayers a choice of payment of rates by either one or four instalments. To offset the cost of offering the instalment payment option, the Local Government Act allows Council to charge a $5.00 Administration Fee on the second, third and fourth instalment plus interest at the prescribed rate on all instalment payments.

Council provides a wide variety of convenient payment methods for its ratepayers.

Payment methods available for payment of rates include:

  • Payment via BPay using your savings, cheque or credit account
  • Pay over the phone 1300 276 468
  • Mail to: Shire of Dowerin, PO Box 111, Dowerin, WA 6461
  • In person at the Administration Centre (office hours only)
  • Payment by Cash, Cheque, Money Order, EFTPOS (No Cash Out), MasterCard and Visa Card.

Please DO NOT send cash payments through the mail.

Instalment Payments

An instalment option for the payment of rates is provided to all ratepayers. This allows for the payment of rates and charges by either two or four separate amounts. The first instalment of the exact amount is required to be made by the due date of Friday, 4 October 2024. Failure to comply with this will result in the instalment option being withdrawn. Instalment payments include an administration fee.

The payment must be received by the Shire by close of business on that date. No responsibility can be taken for any delays encountered in the delivery of the mail.
The due dates for payment of rates by instalments for the 2024/2025 rating year are:

Instalment Number Due Date
1ST INSTALMENT Friday, 4 October 2024
2ND INSTALMENT Friday, 24 November 2023
3RD INSTALMENT Friday, 7 February 2025
4TH INSTALMENT Friday, 11 April 2025

Interim Rates

Some ratepayers may receive amended rate notices during the year called Interim Rates Notices. These notices are required to be issued if the Valuer General's Office considers that the Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV) of a ratepayers' property has changed.

Any alteration to the property could cause the GRV or UV of your property to be re-assessed by the Valuer General's Office. Typical events which could trigger a revaluation and the need to issue an Interim Rates Notice include:

For GRV and UV Property

Creation of a new property (if a lot is created from a subdivision or amalgamation)

For GRV property

Improvements or additions to the property (installation of a swimming pool, construction of a garage or carport or the addition of a bedroom)

Demolition of a property (this is usually the first step in the redevelopment of a site and only the first in a series of interim rate adjustments)

Removal of a swimming pool

When a new or amended valuation is supplied by the Valuer General's Office, a reason for the amendment and effective date of the valuation is also provided. This information will be shown on your Interim Rates Notice.

For further information please contact the Rates Officer on (08) 9631 1202 or via dowshire@dowerin.wa.gov.au.

Change Of Ownership

Under the provisions of Section 9.68 of the Local Government Act 1995, notice must be given in writing to the Council within 21 days, whenever any person sells or otherwise disposes of any rateable land.

Details of the description of the land and the name and address of the purchaser must be stated.

The Shire of Dowerin also requires a copy of the Certificate of Title before change of ownership can be amended (photocopy acceptable).

Change Of Address

Please advise Council in writing of any change of address to which notices are to be sent. The assessment number should be quoted on all such correspondence.

Notices sent via Email

Recent amendments to the Local Government Act 1995 and associated Regulations now enable local governments to issue and send rates notices via email.

The Shire of Dowerin is therefore pleased to offer this service as it provides benefits both in terms of timeliness and costs. Please download the below form and return to the Shire of Dowerin Administration Office in person or via email to dowshire@dowerin.wa.gov.au

Application to receive Rate Notices via Email

Electoral Roll

Details from rated properties are no longer used to compile the Electoral Roll. Eligibility is determined by the State Electoral Roll and registration by Owner/Occupiers. Companies cannot appear on the roll as electors, however, names of one or two nominees per rateable property may be submitted for inclusion.

Emergency Services Levy

The Emergency Services Levy is forwarded to FESA to fund the Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Brigades, SES Units and FESA Units throughout Western Australia.

Financial Hardship Policy for Water Services

The Financial Hardship Policy for Water Services outlines how Shire of Dowerin will assist a residential customer who cannot pay a rate notice because of financial hardship. The policy applies only to the water services portion of the rate notice. Residential tenants who have agreed with the land owner to receive a rate notice are also covered by this policy. A copy of the policy is AVAILABLE HERE.

If you are having difficulty paying other charges on your rate notice or if you are a commercial customer, we encourage you to still talk to us.