(26/7/2019) Budget 2019-20: 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 2019-20 annual budget included a modest average rate increase of 1.8 per cent, which aligns with the WA Local Government Association’s Local Government Cost Index.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the 1.8 per cent increase honoured the City’s commitment to keep rates low while also delivering the transformational Kings Square Renewal project.

“We know that large increases in state government charges like power, water and car registration in recent years have put pressure on household budgets so we always try to keep rate increases as low as possible,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“The 1.8 per cent increase adopted in the 2019-20 budget is the second lowest rate increase since 2000, and the three smallest rate increases over the past 20 years have been delivered in the past three budgets.

“The fact that we can deliver a transformational development of the scale of the Kings Square Renewal project while also keeping rate increases low is a testament to the City’s sound management and prudent financial planning.” 

Fremantle ratepayers now have the option of paying their rates by direct debit, with weekly and fortnightly instalments deducted straight from their bank account. More information on how to pay your rates by direct debit will be included with your rate notice.

City of Fremantle rates can also be paid in a single payment or over two or 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.

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

Pensioner Concession Card holders, State Concession Card holders  and the holders of both a WA Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are entitled to receive up to a 50 per cent rebate on local government rates.

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

An application form for rebates on local government rates is available through the Water Corporation. Applications are accepted over the phone on 1300 659 951, or online at www.watercorporation.com.au.

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.

For further information please refer to the Emergency Services Levy page on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.

For more information on City of Fremantle rates visit the Pay My Rates page on the City’s website.