Rating FAQs
Rating Category Statement and FAQs
What is the State Government Emergency Management Levy?
This charge authorised by the Fire Services Act 1990 us administrated and collected by Council on behalf of the Queensland Fire Department (QFD). Payment must be made to your Local Government as requested. All parcels of land attract the state Emergency Management Levy. Any enquiries regarding this levy should be directed to QFD on 13 74 68 or visit fire.qld.gov.au.
What is the Disaster Management and Resilience Levy?
The Disaster Management Levy is charged for the purposes of developing and maintaining a capacity for disaster management planning and operations as outlined in Council’s Disaster Management and Resilience Levy Policy.
My rate notice covers a period I did not own the property for. Why do I have to pay?
Please check your settlement statement to confirm the rates adjustments completed at settlement. If you have any questions regarding these adjustments, please speak with your solicitor.
How do I advise 3rd party authorisation for my property?
Notification regarding authorised persons on a property account will be accepted by Council in a number of ways.
Property held in the ownership of a natural person(s):
- Verbal advice from the current property owner(s)
- In writing from the property owner
- On an appropriate form or under legal direction (POA, EPOA, QCAT, Valid Will)
Property held in the ownership of a company or trust:
- In writing with supporting documentation showing who has authority to act on behalf of the company/trust (ASIC Statement or Trust Documentation).
Moving Into a Property - Checklist
- A change in property ownership will be advised to Council be the Titles Department. Council records the “service address” provided on the new ownership advice as the mailing address for Rates Notices, Reminder Notices and other correspondence for the property. Please ensure the address provided on your transfer documentation at the time of settlement is correct. If these details change, please ensure you notify Council
- It is your solicitor’s responsibility to make adjustments to the rates and charges of the property your are purchasing at settlement. If you have any questions regarding the adjustments made at settlement or upon receiving your first rates notices, you should first confirm with your solicitor. A settlement statement will have been provided to you at settlement advising of the adjustments made
- Pension Concession on rates does not transfer to new property ownership. If you already receive pension concession on the property you are moving from, please be aware that this concession will not be transferred to any new properties purchased in the region. A new Pensioner Concession on Rates Application will need to be submitted to Council
- Direct Debit options are available. Click here (link) for further information regarding direct debit.
Moving Out of a Property - Checklist
- If you are moving out because you have sold your property, it may take several weeks for Council to receive the advice from the Titles Department. If you receive a Rates and Charges Notice after settlement has occurred, Council recommends this be given to your solicitor or returned to Council
- Ensure that any regular Bpay deductions scheduled through your financial institution are cancelled and any saved payment information for that property is removed from your banking address book. This will ensure no further payments are received for a property you no longer own
- If you are moving from one property to another within the Fraser Coast region, please note that any pension concession applied will not automatically transfer. A new Pensioner Concession on Rates Application will need to be submitted to Council to receive concession at your new property
Are my rates subject to GST
No, rates and charges that appear on your rate notice are exempt from GST
Can I pay using Credit Card?
Yes, Council accepts payment with MasterCard and Visa. There is no surcharge for credit card payments. Please refer to payment options at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/rates
Can I pay my rates in advance?
Yes, Council allows you to pay as much and as frequently as you choose. Ratepayers need to ensure that payment of the notice amount, by the due date displayed on each notice is received by Council, to avoid the property having overdue amounts. Weekly, fortnightly, monthly or due date direct debit options are available through Council. Further information is available under the pay your rates heading.
How is my water consumption charged?
The amount you are charged is in line with Council’s adopted budget and reflects the charge per kilolitre at the time of the rate notice, not when the water was consumed. Water consumption is charged based on usage and will be charged at the price applicable for the billing date. In consideration of this timing, the cents per kilolitre charge is not increased until the second rate cycle each year.
Why is my vacant land charged for utility services that are not being used?
A vacant lot is required to contribute to the cost recovery for supplying and maintaining infrastructure for utility services available to the property, including water, wastewater and waste.