Rates

What are Rates?

The rates you pay contribute to the maintenance and development of essential infrastructure and Council services that benefit both our community and City.

Take a look at the full details of what we've achieved with past rates income in Council Annual Reports.

You can read how the Council plans to spend this year’s rates income in the Annual Plan and Budget Estimates. This plan underwent community consultation with residents and ratepayers of Burnie before its approval by Council.

See details about our key strategic deliverables (goals) for the future in the Council Plan 2024-2027

Your Rates at Work

Some of the services that rates help pay for are:

icon tick Waste and recycling collection and disposal
icon tick Animal control
icon tick Community facilities such as the Aquatic Centre and Cultural Centre
icon tick The Burnie Airport
icon tick Street lighting and cleaning
icon tick Local roads, footpaths and drainage
icon tick Stormwater disposal services
icon tick Operation of halls and community centres
icon tick Maintenance of parks, playgrounds and sports grounds
icon tick Youth, family and social services
icon tick Community events
icon tick Other works, programs and facilities

 

 

Rates News

 

Understanding your Rates

Rates help fund essential services in our community, including the general rate, fire services levy, landfill levy, and service charges. Learn about early payment discounts, property valuations, and other fees and charges associated with your rates.

General Rates

A general rate is a tax that reflects the land, capital or Assessed Annual Value (AAV) of the property. It may involve an additional fixed charge which applies equally to every property. A council may make a general rate whether or not it provides any services to the land upon which the rating is made.

Fire Services Levy

This is income that the Council is required to pass on to the State Government through the Tasmania Fire Service.

Under the Local Government Act 1993 Council is required to make a service rate in respect of fire service contributions it must collect under the Fire Service Act 1979, for the rateable parcels of land within the municipal area of Burnie.

Landfill Levy

The Landfill waste levy per property or tenement is a State Government levy that all councils are required to collect on behalf of the State Government Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The levy will be used to fund various waste management programs and projects across Tasmania to create a circular economy.

For more information refer to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website:  Landfill Levy

Service Charges

A service charge is a fixed charge payable on each property. The charge may differ depending on the type of service or circumstances in a particular area. In some situations, if a service is not provided or is unavailable, the prescribed rate or charge for that service may not apply

The Council levies service charges for:

  • Municipal Waste Management;  
  • Kerbside Collection – garbage and/or recycling; and
  • Stormwater Removal.

Remission requests for eligible properties (refer to the Rates and Charges Policy):

Discount for Early Payment

The Council provides a 2.0% discount of the total current rates and charges (excluding fire and waste levies) specified in a rates notice, where all rates and charges, as well as any arrears, are paid in full by 5.00pm on 30 August.

Property Valuations

Properties in Tasmania are re-valued by the State Government through the Office of the Valuer-General under the Valuation of Land Act 2001, for local government rating and tax purposes.

General revaluations are issued every six years, with properties within the Burnie municipal next scheduled for valuation in 2026.

In 2024-25 an interim Adjusted Annual Assessed Value (AAV) has been provided by the Office of the Valuer-General to take account of the significant increases in property values since the last valuation occurred.  These adjusted valuations are the values on which properties have been rated.

If you disagree with your valuation, you can lodge an objection with the Office of the Valuer-General within 60 days of the receipt of your valuation notice.  Objections can be lodged online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/ovg.  A form may also be downloaded from their website.

Fees and Charges

Click here for a full list of the fees and charges as adopted by Council annually.

Change of ownership details

Council’s rates property ownership information comes from the Tasmanian Land Titles Office.  

For any changes, such as a name change, marriage/defacto status, divorce, or in the case of a deceased owner, you can:

  • Contact the Tasmanian Land Titles Office at 03 6165 4444 or email lto@nre.tas.gov.au.
  • Alternatively, consult a lawyer or conveyancer for further assistance.