(23/7/2018) Rates notices arriving soon

City of Fremantle rates notices will be arriving in letterboxes and in-boxes across Fremantle in the next few days.

The City’s 2018-19 annual budget included a modest average rate increase of 2.9 per cent, which included a 2 per cent increase to partly fund the roll-out of the new FOGO three bin waste management system.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the 2.9 per cent increase was the second lowest since 2000, with the lowest being last year’s 1.5 per cent increase.

“We are very conscious of the pressures on household budgets so we always try to keep rate increases as low as possible,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“It’s a significant achievement to have been able to keep rates low while also maintaining the level of services to our ratepayers and delivering on transformative projects such as the renewal of Kings Square.”   

Rates on individual properties are based on the property’s Gross Rental Value as determined by the Valuer General. Further information on how properties are valued is available on the Land Valuations page of the Landgate website.

The rates notice includes the state government’s Emergency Services Levy, which is used to fund services such as fire and rescue services, bushfire brigades and the State Emergency Service.

The state government has determined the levy will require an average 9.14 per cent increase. For further information please refer to the Emergency Services Levy page on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.

State government rebates on local government rates are available to pensioners and seniors.

Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card holders are entitled to receive up to a 50 per cent rebate on local government rates, as are people who have both a WA Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

The holders of a WA Seniors Card only are entitled to receive a rebate of up to 25 per cent.

A joint application form for rebates on local government rates, Water Corporation annual charges, the Emergency Services Levy and underground electricity connection charges is available through the Water Corporation.

Applications are accepted over the phone on 1300 659 951, or online at www.watercorporation.com.au.

City of Fremantle rates can be paid in a single payment or over four instalments.

Payments can be made over the phone by calling 1300 658 371, on the Payments page of the City of Fremantle website, by BPay via your financial institution, by mail or in person at Australia Post or the City of Fremantle.

For more information visit the Rate Information page on the City’s website.