Council starts by deciding how much money is required to deliver the services and infrastructure needed across the City of Onkaparinga in the coming year.
Council then sets general rates and a fixed charge.
Let’s start with general rates.
All councils use property valuations to calculate each property owner’s contribution to general rates each year.
To do this (in simple terms), we calculate a ‘rate in the dollar’.
To decide on the rate in the dollar, we divide the required rate revenue in our draft budget by the total value of all properties in the entire council area. A different rate in the dollar is set depending on the type of land use (e.g. residential, industrial, commercial or primary production).
The ‘rate in the dollar’ for your type of land use is then multiplied by the value of your property to establish the amount you pay toward general rates.
Council then needs to apply a fixed charge that is the same for every ratepayer. In 2022-23 the fixed charge is proposed to be $730.
The fixed charge ensures that all property owners contribute an equal base amount to the cost of council activities and maintaining the services and infrastructure required across the entire council area.
Also included in your council rates bill is the South Australian Government’s Regional Landscapes Levy. Fees for this levy go directly to the state government, not the council.
The general rate, fixed charge, and landscape levy (plus CWMS charges for properties without mains sewer access) are then added together to determine your total council rates each year.