Rates & Utility Charges
Banana Shire Council issue rate notices twice a year – on the second Monday in August and February. From the date of the notice, property owners have 35 days to pay or enter into a payment arrangement. A 10% discount on applicable rates and charges will be allowed if payment of the full amount outstanding, including any overdue rates and interest, is received by the due date shown on the notice.
Just as Federal and State Governments collect taxes to pay for their programs, Council collects rates and charges to provide the essential services and infrastructure to the community. These services include but are not limited to roads, drainage, water and sewerage infrastructure, waste collection facilities and public facilities such as parks and libraries.
Further information in relation to who sets rates, how they are decided, and what types of rates and charges exist in Queensland please follow this link to the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning website.
Banana Shire Council is required by law to levy a differential general rate on every rateable property each financial year. Council uses a differential rating scheme to calculate properties’ general rate.
Council reviews its differential rate categories and charges each year during the budget process in an effort to better recognise the different levels of facilities and services required by different classes of land. All land within the Banana Shire is assigned a category and is charged accordingly.
The value of your property, along with the main or primary land use, is the basis for the calculation of the general rate. The Department of Resources sets the rateable value and land use.
How land valuations affect Council rates
Council uses the unimproved or site valuations provided by the Department of Resources to calculate general rates. Note: A valuation decrease or increase does not mean that rates will also decrease or increase by the same percent.
As Council does not issue the valuations or have the ability to change the valuation, enquiries need to be directed to the local office of the Department of Resources on 13 74 68 or valsdatacentralwest@resources.qld.gov.au.
Learn more about statuatory land valuations in Queensland by following this link to the State Government website.
How is the General Rate Calculated?
General Rates are calculated on the unimproved value (UV) or site value (SV) of your property. The valuation of your property is set and issued by the Department of Resources.
The valuation is multiplied by the rate in the dollar set by Council. To calculate your general rates simply multiply your valuation by your rate in the dollar and divide by 100.
Example: Valuation = $100,000 multiplied by 2.038c divided by 100 = $2,038.
This figure would then be divided by 2 to give the half yearly general rate of $1,019.
Differential General Rate Categories
In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, the following rating categories have been adopted for the 2021/2022 year. Rateable land is identified and included in it’s category having regard to it’s description, Council’s differential rating maps and the Department of Resources Land Use Codes.
For a comprehensive list of the general rating categories, please refer to the 2021/2022 Revenue Statement.
Minimum General Rate
The minimum amount payable of a differential general rate determined by Council, irrespective of valuation.
Limitation of Increase (Rates Capping)
Please refer to the 2021/2022 Revenue Statement for the Differential Rating Categories where pursuant to Section 116 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council will limit the increase in the general rates.
If the general rates for the last financial year were for a full year, the limitation of increase will be last year’s
general rate amount increased by the stated percentages above. If the general rates for the last financial year
were not for a full year, the limitation of increase will be the corresponding annual amount of last year’s general
rate increased by the stated percentages above.
Objections against Categorisation
The general rating category in which your land is included was identified by Banana Shire Council (the decision maker). You may object to the categorisation of the land by stating your objection in writing to Banana Shire Council within (30) thirty days after the date of issue of the Rate Notice.
The sole ground on which you, as the owner, may object is that having regard to the description determined by Banana Shire Council, the land should have been included in another rating category as at the date of issue of the Rate Notice. Giving written notice of objection will not, in the meantime, affect the levy and payment of rates. If your land is included in another general rating category because of the objection, an adjustment of rates will be made by Council.
Written objections should be sent to: The Chief Executive Officer, Banana Shire Council, PO Box
412, Biloela, QLD, 4715 or email enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au
Notice of Objection to Differential Rating Categorisation Form
How does Banana Shire Council calculate all the other rates and charges?
Rates and charges are determined at Council's Budget Meeting. Minutes to this meeting will have resolutions to the respective charges that will be levied on Rate Notices. Follow the link to the minutes for the 2021/2022 Budget Meeting.
Utility Charges
Sewer
Water
- an access charge for all properties, whether connected or not, to which Council is prepared to make a supply of reticulated water available; and
- a charge for each kilolitre of water used (consumption charge).
Water Consumption Tiers |
||||||||
Town |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
||||||
TIER 1 |
TIER 2 |
TIER 1 |
TIER 2 |
|||||
Banana |
$ 1.85 |
400 KL |
$ 2.18 |
> 400 KL |
$ 1.90 |
600 KL |
$ 2.30 |
> 600 KL |
Baralaba |
$ 2.38 |
600 KL |
$ 2.64 |
> 600 KL |
$ 2.38 |
600 KL |
$ 2.64 |
> 600 KL |
Biloela, Thangool |
$ 1.85 |
400 KL |
$ 2.23 |
> 400 KL |
$ 1.90 |
600 KL |
$ 2.30 |
> 600 KL |
Callide Dam |
$ 1.85 |
400 KL |
$ 2.23 |
> 400 KL |
$ 1.90 |
600 KL |
$ 2.30 |
> 600 KL |
Cracow |
$ 1.73 |
200 KL |
$ 5.29 |
> 200 KL |
$ 1.78 |
200 KL |
$ 5.45 |
> 200KL |
Goovigen |
$ 2.46 |
400 KL |
$ 2.64 |
> 400 KL |
$ 2.50 |
600 KL |
$ 2.70 |
> 600 KL |
Moura |
$ 1.85 |
600 KL |
$ 2.18 |
> 600 KL |
$ 1.90 |
600 KL |
$ 2.30 |
> 600 KL |
Taroom |
$ 0.97 |
600 KL |
$ 1.64 |
> 600 KL |
$ 1.02 |
600 KL |
$ 1.75 |
> 600 KL |
Theodore |
$ 2.04 |
600 KL |
$ 2.38 |
> 600 KL |
$ 2.10 |
600 KL |
$ 2.45 |
> 600 KL |
Wowan |
$ 1.92 |
600 KL |
$ 2.24 |
> 600 KL |
$ 1.90 |
600 KL |
$ 2.31 |
> 600 KL |
Please be advised that the sewer line, from the main connection, and the water line, after the water meter, is considered private pipeline and the owner is responsible for the operation and maintenance costs.
Garbage/Refuse
Separate Charges
Environmental Levy
State Emergency Management Levy
The State Emergency Management Levy is NOT a Banana Shire Council charge. Councils throughout Queensland collect and remit the State Emergency Management Levy on behalf of the State Government.
This Levy is applied to all Queensland properties to ensure there is a sustainable funding base for the Fire and Emergency Services and recognises that all Queenslanders are at risk from a wide range of emergencies including floods, cyclones, storms as well as fire and accidents.
The amount of the charge varies according to whether the property is vacant or developed, and the type of such development. Please contact Levy Management Unit regarding any questions or enquiries you have in relation to this Levy on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email QFESLevy@qfes.qld.gov.au
Special Charges
Rural Fire Brigade Levy
Discount
Council offers a 10% discount on eligible rates and charges if full payment is received by the due date.
Please note, however - in order to take advantage of the discount Council offer for early payment – the full amount, including any rate arrears and interest must be paid on or before the due date. Electronic payments processed after the nominated Payment Cut-off time on the due date by your financial institution or bill payment service will not be eligible to receive a discount.
Charges excluded from discount entitlement include:
-
Water Consumption Levy
-
State Emergency Management Levy
-
Rural Fire Levy
Pensioner Rate Subsidy
Council and the State Government recognise the special needs of pensioners and offer a Pension Remission of rates to financially assist eligible pensioners. The remission encourages pensioners to be independent and live in their own home where possible, which Council believes provides a ‘quality of life’ benefit.
Council allows a Pensioner Rate Rebate for Pensioners who qualify under the State Government guidelines. Applicants approved for the Government Subsidy also receive the Council subsidy.
Pensioners who have already lodged an application will, under normal circumstances, not be required to apply again in the future years.
For new applications, Council can only apply the subsidy to the current six monthly rating period. No backdating of pensioner subsidy is authorised by the State Government.
Pensioner Eligibility Criteria
To be entitled to the State Government pensioner rates subsidy and a Council pensioner rate remission on your next rates bill you must adhere to the following:
- Be the owner/s or life tenant/s(*) of the property (either solely or jointly);
- The property must be your principal place of residence (**);
- Be the holder of a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card issued by Services Australia, or a Department of Veteran Affairs - Health Card (All Conditions within Australia) or DVA Health Card (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated).
* A life tenancy can only be created by a valid will and is effective only after the death of the property owner, or by a Supreme or Family Court order.
**The address on your pension card must reflect the property address for which the rate concession is sought. Conditions apply for those who require full time professional care such as nursing homes, including:
- Property must not be rented and remains the financial responsibility of the property owner.
- A statutory declaration is required explaining the circumstances.
- Power of Attorney documents.
ACCEPTED
NOT ACCEPTED
The Queensland Government and Council offer eligible pensioners the following pensioner reductions on their Council property rates:
- State Government - a 20% reduction up to a maximum of $200 per year; and
- Banana Shire Council - a 20% reduction up to a maximum of $310 per year.
Find out more about Queensland Government property subsidies by visiting their property concessions page.
Set up Rates payments through Centrepay
Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Simple call Centrelink. The Centrepay Reference Number for Banana Shire Council is 555054023A. Your account number will be the Payment Reference Number as shown on the front of your rate notice.
Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Human Services website.
Methods of Payment
Note: If you are paying your rate notice/water consumption notice electronically using either BPay, telephone or online you will be required to enter a Biller Code as well as a reference number. Please ensure that you enter the correct numbers shown on the front of the rate notice.
It is strongly suggested that BPay and BPoint payments not be left until the last few days. Electronic payments processed by your financial institution or bill payment service after the nominated payment cut-off time on the due date will not be eligible to receive discount.
Detach the bottom portion of the notice, make cheque/money order payable to Banana Shire Council marked "NOT NEGOTIABLE" and mail to The Chief Executive Officer, Banana Shire Council, PO Box 412, Biloela QLD 4715.
If mailing your remittance please allow sufficient time for your payment to reach the Council Office before the closing date. It is strongly suggested that payment is not left until the last few days, as Council does not accept responsibility for postal or unforseen delays.
In Person:
Present the rates notice intact with cash or cheque at:
- Council's Administration Office, 62 Valentine Plains Road, Biloela between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
- Taroom Office, 18 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Council will accept payment in person by Cash, Cheque, Money Order, Visa Card, Master Card and EFTPOS (no cash out).
Agency Payments
The rates notice may be paid by cash or cheque at any Australia Post Office or Australia Post Agency.
BPay
Contact your participating financial institution to make this payment from your cheque, savings or credit account. Please quote the Biller Code 7278 and the payment reference number shown on the front of the Rates Notice.
BPay View
Register with your internet banker if you wish to use this option and receive your notices electronically.
BPoint
Visit Rates/Water Payment Online and follow the links to pay with MasterCard or Visa. Please quote Biller Code 7278 and the payment reference number shown on the front of the Rates Notice.
Pay by Phone
Call 1300 276 468 any time to pay with MasterCard or Visa. Please quote the Biller Code 7278 and the payment reference number on the front of the Rates Notice.
IMPORTANT NOTES
*Reminder options may differ between financial institutions.
^The process may vary slightly between financial institutions.
**Scheduled payments are subject to systems and funds availability.
Can I pay my rates in advance?
Yes, you can set up or make regular payments towards your rates via any of Council’s preferred payment options. Pre-payment ensures that payment of your rates is made much easier by not being burdened with a lump sum payment.
All payments received prior to the rates billing will appear on the notice as a balance brought forward and will be deducted off the total rates for that period. However, please be aware that your water consumption charges will be dependent on the amount of water that you use.
If you elect to pay all or part of your rates in advance, you are advised that it is your responsibility to ensure that an adequate amount has been paid to allow the prompt payment discount to be granted. Please contact Council's Rates section for up to date information on the balance of your pre-payments.
What can I do if I cannot pay by the Due Date?
If you are having difficulty in pay your rates by the due date, Council is prepared to accept reasonable arrangements for the settlement of rates. This includes paying by instalments.
Please submit a rates payment commitment application form or contact the Rates section on (07) 4992 9500 prior to the due date shown on your notice to ensure debt recovery action does not commence.
While your application is being processed, it is recommended that you commence paying whatever amount you are able to afford as it is important that you are showing a commitment to reducing the outstanding balance of your account.
Please note that interest will begin to accrue at the rate of 8.03%p.a. calculated daily on any amounts unpaid from the first day following the due date and discount will be forfeited.
Information on Financial Assistance
Financial help and advice for people who are struggling with finances, including information about budgeting and financial support.
Further information can be found at the following sites;
- https://www.qld.gov.au/community/losing-your-job-income/financial-assistance/
- https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/managing-debts/financial-counselling
- http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/benefits-and-payments/crisis-and-other-assistance
- https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/home-energy-emergency-assistance-scheme
- https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/mortgage-relief-loan
Interest
In accordance with section 133 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 interest charges will be applied to all overdue rates or charges. From 1 July 2021 Interest will accrue at a rate of 8.03% per annum, compounding daily. To avoid interest charges you must pay your rates in full by the due date.
Debt Recovery
Unpaid rates are considered overdue and recoverable by Council once the due date has passed. As part of its Rates and Charges Collection Policy, Council reserves the right to refer the details of any ratepayers that have outstanding rates and charges to a debt collection agency to commence further debt recovery action.
If you are having difficulty making payments, it is important that you contact Council's Rates section to discuss your situation. We would prefer to work with you rather than have Council’s debt collection agency pursue the debt. Refer to the 'Paying your Rates' tab for more information.
Sale of Land
The Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012 allow council to conduct sale of land for overdue rates and charges proceedings. The process that council undertakes is in accordance with the legislation.
Where a property meets the below criteria, a report will be presented to council for consideration to proceed with sale.
- Properties with rates and charges outstanding for three (3) years or more;
Council may then resolve to issue a notice of intention to sell the property, to the registered owners, mortgagees and interested parties.
Should Council resolve to commence the sale of a property for the recovery of rates, only the full payment of outstanding rates and charges and any additional costs incurred by us to recover the monies, will prevent a public auction of the property. Owners of the property have up until the date of auction to pay their outstanding rates and charges.
A list of properties will be advertised in accordance with legislation and will be made available on council’s website up until the day of the auction.
Updating your Postal Address
It is the ratepayers responsibility to ensure that Council has the correct mailing address for all notices. Property owners must notify Council each time their postal address changes to ensure records are up to date. Council has no power to change an address of its own accord without receiving written advice from an owner to do so.
You can notify Council of your change in address by completing the Change of Address Form on Council’s website or email (enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au).
If you have changed your email address and are using eNotices log on to your account using your existing login details and update your email address.
Can I change my name or remove an owner from the rate notices?
This cannot be done through Council. You will need to contact the Queensland Titles Office and lodge the necessary forms and payment. Council will then be notified of the changes and be able to update our records accordingly.
Property Sales
When a property is sold within the region, Council receives details of new owners from the Department of Resources (DR). These details include a postal address for notices. If you want council to forward notices to another address, you must authorise the change in writing.
If you buy or sell your property just prior to Council issuing rates notice, Council may not have been notified of the sale before printing notices. Therefore, if you receive a rate notice for a property you no longer own, please either forward the notice to the new owner or return it to council.
eNotices
Council can now send your rates notice/s direct to your inbox with eNotices. Having an eNotices account allows you to:
- easily download, save and/or print notice copies at any time
- have your rates notices sent to multiple email addresses
- self-manage all your properties
- receive your notice faster than standard mail
- change the delivery method at any time (add additional emails, revert to post)
How do I register for eNotices?
Ratepayers wanting to register will need their eNotices reference number that appears on their most recent rates notice. Sign up at banana.enotices.com.au/login
What do I do if I don’t receive my validation link when registering for eNotices?
Please check the junk folder in your email account. If you need further assistance please call Council’s Rates Section on (07)4992 9500.
I’ve signed up for eNotices but haven’t received my rates notice.
Unfortunately, some email accounts will send emails with attachments to your junk/spam folder. Please check your junk folder in your email account and mark the sender as safe to receive further notices to your inbox. If you still do not appear to have received your notice, please contact us on (07)4992 9500.
How do I register to receive electronic accounts for multiple properties?
If you have multiple properties with Banana Shire Council in the identical name and postal address, these properties will be automatically added to your account. If you have additional properties with Banana Shire Council that are sent to a different name or postal address, you can add this notice to your account by going to your profile page.
To action this, login into eNotices and click the profile tab in the top right corner of the dashboard page. Under the ‘Accounts’ tab, you will see a list of accounts that are active. Locate the eNotices Reference Number from the notice of the property you would like to add to your account and enter this in in the ‘Input eNotices Reference Number’ bar.
If you have any issues, please call (07)4992 9500 or email us at enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au to request notices be added to your account.
What do I do if I change my email address?
Login to your eNotices account using your existing login details and update your email address.
Can I change my delivery method?
Yes, you can do this via your eNotices account. Click on ‘Update my Details’ from the dashboard and click on ‘Notices’; use the drop down and select ‘email’ or ‘post’.
Note - selecting ‘post’, Council will deliver the rates notice to the current postal address on file. Please contact Council if you need to check your postal address on file.
What if there are multiple property owners?
If there are multiple owners or entities associated with the registered information, you agree that you are the person accepting these conditions on behalf of all owners or entities.
You can only utilise one email address to register. Once you have registered you can enter additional email address within your details so that each property owner may receive a copy of the rates notices.
I’m having trouble registering, I keep getting an error message: “Error! The eNotices reference number is invalid”.
The eNotices reference number is unique to your notice, and is located in the top right hand corner of your notice. It’s easy to locate with the eNotices ‘e’ symbol. The reference number displayed here will need to be entered in order to register for electronic delivery of that notice. If you are still having problems utilising your eNotices reference number, please call Council on (07)4992 9500 or email enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au.
I am a new property owner what do I do to register?
You will need to wait until you receive either your first rates notice to receive your unique registration number to be able to register.
View our eNotices Frequently Asked Questions Flyer
SMS Notifications
# | Name | Size | Date |
---|